Sources of prenatal care data and their association with birth outcomes of HIV-infected women.
(41/2072)
OBJECTIVES: Different sources of prenatal care data were used to examine the association between birth outcomes of HIV-infected women and the Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization (APNCU) index. METHODS: Adjusted odds ratios of birth outcomes for 1858 HIV-positive mothers were calculated for APNCU indexes on the basis of birth certificate data or 3 types of physician visits on Medicaid claims. RESULTS: Claims- and birth certificate-based APNCU indexes agreed poorly (kappa < 0.3). Only the broadest claims-based APNCU index had lower adjusted odds ratios for low birthweight (0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.49, 0.84) and preterm birth (0.70; 95% CI = 0.54, 0.91). The birth certificate-based index had a reduced adjusted odds ratio (0.73; 95% CI = 0.56, 0.95) only for preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS: The association of birth outcomes and adequacy of prenatal care in this HIV-infected cohort differed significantly depending on the source of prenatal care data. (+info)
Randomised controlled trial of patient triggered and conventional fast rate ventilation in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
(42/2072)
AIM: To compare patient triggered, with conventional fast rate, ventilation in a randomised controlled trial using the incidence of chronic lung disease as the primary outcome measure. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty six preterm infants with birthweights from 1000 to 2000 g, and requiring ventilation for respiratory distress syndrome within 24 hours of birth, were randomised to receive either conventional or trigger ventilation with the SLE 2000 ventilator. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidence of chronic lung disease (28 day and 36 week definitions), death, pneumothorax, intraventricular haemorrhage, number of ventilator days, or length of oxygen dependency between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patient triggered ventilation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome is feasible. No significant differences, when compared with conventional fast rate ventilation in important medium and longer term outcome measures, were evident. (+info)
Randomised controlled study of clinical outcome following trophic feeding.
(43/2072)
AIMS: To determine the effect of trophic feeding on clinical outcome in ill preterm infants. METHODS: A randomised, controlled, prospective study of 100 preterm infants, weighing less than 1750 g at birth and requiring ventilatory support and parenteral nutrition, was performed. Group TF (48 infants) received trophic feeding from day 3 (0.5-1 ml/h) along with parenteral nutrition until ventilatory support finished. Group C (52 infants) received parenteral nutrition alone. "Nutritive" milk feeding was then introduced to both groups. Clinical outcomes measured included total energy intake and growth over the first six postnatal weeks, sepsis incidence, liver function, milk tolerance, duration of respiratory support, duration of hospital stay and complication incidence. RESULTS: Groups were well matched for birthweight, gestation and CRIB scores. Infants in group TF had significantly greater energy intake, mean difference 41.4 (95% confidence interval 9, 73.7) kcal/kg p=0.02; weight gain, 130 (CI 1, 250) g p = 0.02; head circumference gain, mean difference 0.7 (CI 0.1, 1.3) cm, p = 0.04; fewer episodes of culture confirmed sepsis, mean difference -0.7 (-1.3, -0.2) episodes, p = 0.04; less parenteral nutrition, mean difference -11.5 (CI -20, -3) days, p = 0. 03; tolerated full milk feeds (165 ml/kg/day) earlier, mean difference -11.2 (CI -19, -3) days, p = 0.03; reduced requirement for supplemental oxygen, mean difference -22.4 (CI-41.5, -3.3) days, p = 0.02; and were discharged home earlier, mean difference -22.1 (CI -42.1, -2.2) days, p = 0.04. There was no significant difference in the relative risk of any complication. CONCLUSIONS: Trophic feeding improves clinical outcome in ill preterm infants requiring parenteral nutrition. (+info)
Neonatal hypoglycaemia in Nepal 1. Prevalence and risk factors.
(44/2072)
AIMS: To measure the prevalence of hypoglycaemia among newborn infants in Nepal, where classic risk factors prevail, and to evaluate their importance. METHODS: A cross sectional study was done of 578 term newborn infants aged 0 to 48 hours on the postnatal wards of a government maternity hospital in Kathmandu, with unmatched case-control analysis of risk factors for moderate hypoglycaemia (less than 2.0 mmol /l). RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty eight (41%) newborn infants had mild (less than 2.6 mmol/l) and 66 (11%) moderate hypoglycaemia. Significant independent risk factors for moderate hypoglycaemia included postmaturity (OR 2.62), birthweight under 2.5 kg (OR 2.11), small head size (OR 0.59), infant haemoglobin >210 g/l (OR 2.77), and raised maternal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (OR 3.08). Feeding delay increased the risk of hypoglycaemia at age 12-24 hours (OR 4.09). Disproportionality affected the risk of moderate hypoglycaemia: lower with increasing ponderal index (OR 0.29), higher as the head circumference to birthweight ratio increased (OR 1.41). Regression expressing blood glucose concentration as a continuous variable revealed associations with infant haemoglobin (negative) and maternal haemoglobin (positive), but no other textbook risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal hypoglycaemia is more common in a developing country, but may not be a clinical problem unless all fuel availability is reduced. Some textbook risk factors, such as hypothermia, disappear after controlling for confounding variables. Early feeding could reduce moderate hypoglycaemia in the second 12 hours of life. The clinical significance of raised maternal TSH and maternal anaemia as prenatal risk factors requires further research. (+info)
Neonatal hypoglycaemia in Nepal 2. Availability of alternative fuels.
(45/2072)
AIMS: To study early neonatal metabolic adaptation in a hospital population of neonates in Nepal. METHODS: A cross sectional study was made of 578 neonates, 0 to 48 hours after birth, in the main maternity hospital in Kathmandu. The following clinical and nutritional variables were assessed: concentrations and age profiles of blood glucose, hydroxybutyrate, lactate, pyruvate, free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol; associations between alternative fuel levels and hypoglycaemia; and regression of possible risk factors for ketone availability. RESULTS: Risk factors for impaired metabolic adaptation were common, especially low birthweight (32%), feeding delays, and cold stress. Blood glucose and ketones rose with age, but important age effects were also found for risk factors like hypothermia, thyroid hormone activities, and feeding practices. Alternative fuel concentrations, except FFA, were significantly reduced in infants with moderate hypoglycaemia during the first 48 hours after birth. Unlike earlier studies, small for gestational age (SGA) infants had significantly higher hydroxybutyrate:glucose ratios which suggested counter regulatory ketogenesis. Hypoglycaemic infants were not hyperinsulinaemic. Regression analysis showed risk factors for impaired counter regulation which included male and large infants, hypothermia, and poorer infant thyroid function. SGA infants and those whose mothers had received no antenatal care had increased counter regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Alternative fuels are important in the metabolic assessment of neonates, and they might provide effective cerebral metabolism even during moderate hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemic infants generally had lower concentrations of alternative fuels through either reduced availability or increased consumption. SGA and post term infants increased counter regulatory ketogenesis with early neonatal hypoglycaemia, but hypothermia, male gender, and low infant T4 were associated with impaired counter regulation after birth. (+info)
Outdoor air pollution, low birth weight, and prematurity.
(46/2072)
This study tested the hypothesis, suggested by several recent reports, that air pollution may increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes. This study analyzed all singleton live births registered by the Czech national birth register in 1991 in 67 districts where at least one pollutant was monitored in 1990-1991 (n = 108,173). Maternal exposures to sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), total suspended particles (TSP), and nitrous oxides (NO(x)) in each trimester of pregnancy were estimated as the arithmetic means of all daily measurements taken by all monitors in the district of birth of each infant. Odds ratios of low birth weight (< 2,500 g), prematurity (< 37 weeks of gestation), and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR; < 10th percentile of birth weight for gestational age and sex) were estimated by robust logistic regression. The median (and 25th and 75th percentile) trimester exposures were 32 (18, 56) microg/m(3) for SO(2); 72 (55, 87) microg/m(3) for TSP; and 38 (23, 59) microg/m(3) for NO(x). Low birth weight (prevalence 5.2%) and prematurity (prevalence 4.8%) were associated with SO(2) and somewhat less strongly with TSP. IUGR was not associated with any pollutant. The effects on low birth weight and prematurity were marginally stronger for exposures in the first trimester, and were not attenuated at all by adjustment for socioeconomic factors or the month of birth. Adjusted odds ratios of low birth weight were 1.20 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-1.30] and 1.15 (CI, 1.07-1.24) for a 50 microg/m(3) increase in SO(2) and TSP, respectively, in the first trimester; adjusted odds ratios of prematurity were 1.27 (CI, 1.16-1.39) and 1.18 (CI, 1.05-1.31) for a 50 microg/m(3) increase in SO(2) and TSP, respectively, in the first trimester. Low gestational age accounted for the association between SO(2) and low birth weight. These findings provide further support for the hypothesis that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancy. (+info)
Long-term effect of neonatal endotracheal intubation on palatal form and symmetry in 8-11-year-old children.
(47/2072)
Premature and low birth weight infants often require neonatal oral intubation for resuscitation and to relieve respiratory distress. The endotracheal tube exerts pressure on the developing palate, which can result in palatal groove formation, a high-arched palate, and palatal asymmetry. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether such intubation can have a long-term effect on palatal form and symmetry. Arch widths, palatal widths, and palatal depths were measured from the study casts of 43, 8-11-year-old previously intubated premature and low birth weight children using a reflex microscope, with a fixed rectangular Cartesian co-ordinate system, and compared with a group of non-intubated gender- and age-matched controls. Significant differences were found between the intubated and non-intubated children. The intubated children had significantly narrower palatal widths posteriorly (P < or = 0.001), steeper palatal vaults anteriorly (P < or = 0.01), and exhibited a directional palatal width asymmetry with the left side of the palate measuring consistently wider than the right. These differences did not, however, appear to be affected by the length of intubation. Therefore, it is concluded that an oral endotracheal tube might exert excess force on the developing alveolus anteriorly with the tube being displaced to the right of the palate posteriorly leading to a steep anterior palatal vault and a left-sided palatal asymmetry, which can persist until the age of 11 years of age. (+info)
Coeliac disease and unfavourable outcome of pregnancy.
(48/2072)
BACKGROUND: Up to 50% of women with untreated coeliac disease experience miscarriage or an unfavourable outcome of pregnancy. In most cases, after 6-12 months of a gluten free diet, no excess of unfavourable outcome of pregnancy is observed. The prevalence of undiagnosed coeliac disease among pregnant women is not known. AIM: To determine the prevalence of untreated coeliac disease among women attending the obstetrics-gynaecological department. METHODS: Endomysial antibodies, which are specific and sensitive for coeliac disease, were evaluated in all women attending the obstetrics-gynaecology department of a large city hospital over a 90 day period. RESULTS: Of 845 pregnant women screened, 12 were identified as having coeliac disease. Three had previously been diagnosed but were not following a gluten free diet. The remaining nine underwent a small intestinal biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis. The outcome of pregnancy was unfavourable in seven of these 12 women. Six healthy babies were born with no problems after the women had been on a gluten free diet for one year. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 1 in 70 women was affected by coeliac disease, either not diagnosed (nine cases) or not treated (three cases). Their history of miscarriages, anaemia, low birth weight babies, and unfavourable outcome of pregnancy suggests that testing for coeliac disease should be included in the battery of tests prescribed for pregnant women. Coeliac disease is considerably more common than most of the diseases for which pregnant women are routinely screened. Unfavourable events associated with coeliac disease may be prevented by a gluten free diet. (+info)