Respiratory function at age 8-9 years in extremely low birthweight/very preterm children born in Victoria in 1991-1992

Our aim was to determine respiratory function at 8 years of age in extremely low birth weight (ELBW; birth weight, < 1,000 g)/very preterm (< 28 weeks of gestation) children born in the 1990s compared with normal birth weight (NBW; birth weight, >2,499 g) controls. The ELBW/very preterm subjects comprised 298 consecutive survivors with either birth weight < 1,000 g or gestational age < 28 weeks born in the state of Victoria during 1991-1992. Controls comprised 262 randomly selected NBW survivors. Respiratory function was measured on 81% (240/298) of the ELBW/very preterm children and 79% (208/262) of the NBW controls. Respiratory function variables reflecting airflow were substantially diminished in ELBW/very preterm children compared with NBW controls. Moreover, the proportions with clinically important reductions in airflow were higher in the ELBW/very preterm group (e.g., forced expired volume in 1 sec, < 75%; ELBW/very preterm, 19.7%; NBW, 2.4%; P < 0.0001). Within the ELBW/very preterm group, children who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in the newborn period and those who had later asthma had significantly reduced respiratory function in variables reflecting airflow. In conclusion, the abnormalities in respiratory function in ELBW/very preterm children compared with NBW subjects described in the presurfactant era persisted in the 1990s, especially in those who had BPD in the newborn period.     

Aetiological factors in low birth weight in a Nigerian population

Low birth weight babies delivered at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria, from January 1982 to December 1986 were reviewed. They constituted 11.5% of the total births within the period. The common aetiological factors were multiple pregnancy, nulliparity, preterm rupture of fetal membranes, hypertensive disorders, antepartum haemorrhage and anaemia in pregnancy.     

The impact of placental malaria on gestational age and birth weight

Maternal malaria is associated with reduced birth weight, which is thought to be effected through placental insufficiency, which leads to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The impact of malaria on preterm delivery is unclear. The effects of placental malaria-related changes on birth weight and gestational age were studied in 1177 mothers (and their newborns) from Tanzania. Evidence of malaria infection was found in 75.5% of placental samples. Only massive mononuclear intervillous inflammatory infiltration (MMI) was associated with increased risk of low birth weight (odds ratio ?OR, 4.0). Maternal parasitized red blood cells and perivillous fibrin deposition both were associated independently with increased risk of premature delivery (OR, 3.2; OR, 2.1, respectively). MMI is an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of IUGR in malaria-infected placentas. This study also shows that placental malaria causes prematurity even in high-transmission areas. The impact of maternal malaria on infant mortality may be greater than was thought previously.     

Maternal anaemia and its impact on perinatal outcome

OBJECTIVE: To find out the relationship between maternal anaemia and perinatal morbidity and mortality. METHOD: A cohort of 629 pregnant women was studied from October 2001 to October 2002. Of these, 313 were anaemic (haemoglobin <11 g/dl in labour and on two previous occasions in current pregnancy). A total of 316 women had haemoglobin >11 g/dl at all times in pregnancy and were labelled as non-anaemic. Perinatal outcomes included preterm delivery, low birth weight (LBW) at delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, perinatal mortality, APGAR score at 1 and 5 min, intrauterine foetal demise (IUD). RESULTS: The risk of preterm delivery and LBW among exposed group was 4 and 1.9 times higher among anaemic women, respectively. Newborns of anaemic mothers had 1.8 times increased risk of having an APGAR score of <5 at 1 min and the risk of IUD was 3.7 times higher for anaemic women. CONCLUSION: Low maternal haemoglobin levels are associated with increased risk of preterm delivery, LBW babies, APGAR score <5 at 1 min and IUD.     

Anaemia during pregnancy: impact on birth outcome and infant haemoglobin level during the first 18 months of life

To determine the effect of maternal anaemia on pregnancy outcome and describe its impact on infant haemoglobin level in the first 18 months of life, we conducted a prospective study of 617 pregnant women and their children in Benin. Prevalence of maternal anaemia at delivery was 39.5%, and 61.1% of newborns were anaemic at birth. Maternal anaemia was not associated with low birth weight [OR = 1.2 (0.6-2.2)] or preterm birth [OR = 1.3 (0.7-2.4)], whereas the newborn's anaemia was related to maternal anaemia [OR = 1.8 (1.2-2.5)]. There was no association between an infant's haemoglobin level until 18 months and maternal anaemia. However, malaria attacks during follow-up, male gender and sickle cell trait were all associated with a lower infant haemoglobin level until 18 months, whereas good infant feeding practices and a polygamous family were positively associated with a higher haemoglobin level during the first 18 months of life.     

Post-natal thyroid function in low birth weight infants; a longitudinal assessment of free thyroxine and thyroid hormone binding globulin

Because the concentrations of serum free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid hormone binding globulin (TBG) have not been fully evaluated in preterm infants at the immediate post-natal period, we studied the longitudinal changes of serum FT4 and TBG, along with thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), at birth (cord blood), 2 days, 1 week and 2 weeks of age in 7 infants with birth body weight less than or equal to 1000 g, 7 infants with body weight 1001 to 1350 g, 11 infants with body weight 1351 to 2499 g, and 11 full-term infants. Free T4 concentrations were measured by Corning Medical radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit. The infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) (body weight less than or equal to 1000 g) showed precipitous declines of total T4 and, to a lesser extent, of FT4 concentrations at 1 and 2 weeks of age. These post-natal T4 and FT4 decreases in ELBW neonates have not previously been reported. The clinical significance of this finding remains, speculative, but it may be due to metabolic or nutritional problems related to extreme prematurity itself. This study suggests that measurement of FT4 is a useful adjunct to the assessment of ELBW infants with very low T4 values, if done between 1 to 2 weeks of age, and could be used as a primary hypothyroid screening tool instead of T4 measurements, provided that an FT4 assay is developed that uses the elute of blood spotted on filter paper.     

A review of neonatal morbidity and mortality in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, northern Nigeria

Neonatal morbidity and mortality still poses a serious challenge in developing countries. Low level of obstetric care, unsupervised home deliveries and late referrals lead to poor outcome even in special care baby units (SCBU). To identify the common causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality among babies admitted to the SCBU in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) the case-notes of all admitted neonates from January 1998 to December 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 2963 (98.3%) babies had complete records. There were 1455 (49.1%) in-born (delivered in AKTH) and 1508 (50.9%) out-born (delivered elsewhere) babies. The sex ratio was 1.25:1 in favour of males. A total of 1868 (63.0%) were of normal birth weight, while 951 (32.1%) and 134 (4.5%) were low birth weight and macrocosmic, respectively. The leading diagnoses were birth asphyxia (27%) (severe birth asphyxia 18.1%, moderate asphyxia 8.9%), neonatal sepsis (25.3%) and prematurity (16.0%). Out of the 2963 babies, 501 (16.9%) died. The risk of dying was significantly higher (20.5%) among out-born babies compared with those delivered in AKTH (6.4%) (odds ratio = 1.71, 95% confidence interval = 1.4-2.1). In conclusion, the causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality at this centre are similar to those reported from other units. They could be prevented through effective antenatal care, supervised delivery and appropriate care and early referral of sick neonates.     

The effect of dual infection with HIV and malaria on pregnancy outcome in western Kenya

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of dual infection with HIV and malaria on birth outcomes and maternal anaemia among women delivering at a large public hospital in Kisumu, western Kenya. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data on obstetric and neonatal characteristics, maternal and placental parasitaemia, and postpartum haemoglobin levels were collected from women enrolled in a cohort study of the interaction between malaria and HIV during pregnancy. RESULTS: Between 1996 and 1999, data were available from 2466 singleton deliveries. The maternal HIV seroprevalence was 24.3%, and at delivery 22.0% of the women had evidence of malaria. Low birthweight, preterm delivery (PTD), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and maternal anaemia (haemoglobin < 8 g/dl) occurred in 4.6, 6.7, 9.8 and 13.8% of deliveries, respectively. Maternal HIV, in the absence of malaria, was associated with a 99 g (95% CI 52-145) reduction in mean birthweight among all gravidae. Malaria was associated with both IUGR and PTD, resulting in a reduction in mean birthweight of 145 g (95% CI 82-209) among HIV-seronegative and 206 g (95% CI 115-298) among HIV-seropositive primigravidae, but not among multigravidae. Both HIV and malaria were significant risk factors for postpartum maternal anaemia, and HIV-seropositive women with malaria were twice as likely to have anaemia than HIV-seronegative women with or without malaria. CONCLUSION: Women with dual infection are at particular risk of adverse birth outcomes. In areas with a moderate or high prevalence of HIV and malaria, all pregnant women should be the focus of malaria and anaemia control efforts to improve birth outcomes.     

Malaria in pregnancy and its consequences for the infant in rural Malawi

Maternal malaria and anaemia, pregnancy and infant outcomes are reviewed among a cohort of mothers and their babies living in Chikwawa district, southern Malawi. Overall, 4104 women were screened at first antenatal visit and 1523 at delivery. Factors independently associated with moderately severe anaemia (MSA; < 8 g haemoglobin/dl) in primigravidae were malaria (relative risk = 1.9; 95% confidence interval = 1.6-2.3) and iron deficiency (relative risk = 4.2; 95% confidence interval = 3.5-5.0). Only iron deficiency was associated with MSA in multigravidae. After controlling for antimalarial use, parasitaemia was observed in 56.3% of the HIV-infected primigravidae and 36.5% of the non-infected (P = 0.04). The corresponding figures for multigravidae were 23.8% and 11.0%, respectively (P = 0.002). Over 33% of the infants born alive to primigravidae were of low birthweight (LBW; < 2500 g), and 23.3% of all newborns had foetal anaemia (< 12.5 g haemoglobin/dl cord blood). LBW was significantly associated in primigravidae with pre-term delivery, placental malaria and frequency of treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), and in multigravidae with pre-term delivery, adolescence, short stature and MSA. LBW was significantly reduced with a second SP treatment in primigravidae, and with iron-folate supplementation in multigravidae. Mean haemoglobin concentrations were significantly lower in the infant who had been LBW babies than in the others, and significantly associated with parity, peripheral parasitaemia at delivery and placental malaria. At 1 year post-delivery, life status was known for 364 (80.7%) of the 451 infants enrolled in the follow-up study. Independent risk factors for post-neonatal mortality were maternal HIV infection, LBW, and iron deficiency at delivery. This study identifies priorities for improving the health of pregnant women and their babies in this rural area of Malawi.     

Metabolic Bone Disease of Prematurity: Report of Four Cases

Osteopenia of prematurity has become a common problem recently because of improved survival rates of infants with very low birth weight (VLBW). The incidence of neonatal osteopenia is inversely correlated with gestational age and birth weight. Herein, we present four cases of preterm osteopenia that were referred to the pediatric endocrinology outpatient clinic with diverse clinical and laboratory findings and we discuss the clinical course of these infants with regard to bone disease after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This report highlights the importance of enteral calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D support at adequate doses following discharge from NICU for preterm infants with VLBW who are at risk of metabolic bone disease.     

Respiratory function at age 8–9 after extremely low birthweight or preterm birth in Victoria in 1997

To determine if respiratory function at 8 years of age in extremely low birth weight (ELBW; birth weight <1,000 g) or extremely preterm (EPT, <28 weeks' gestation) children born in 1997 remains worse than normal birth weight (NBW; birth weight, >2,499 g) and term (37–42 weeks) controls, particularly in those ELBW/EPT children who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This was a cohort study of 201 consecutive ELBW/EPT survivors born in the state of Victoria during 1997, and 199 contemporaneous randomly selected NBW/term controls. Respiratory function was measured at 8 years of age according to standard guidelines, and compared with previous cohorts born in 1991–1992. Respiratory function data were available for almost 75% of both cohorts. ELBW/EPT subjects had substantial reductions in airflow compared with controls (e.g., mean difference in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec [FEV₁] ?0.91 SD, 95% confidence interval [CI] ?1.19 to ?0.63 SD, and in maximum expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity [FEF_25–75%] ?0.96 SD, 95% CI ?1.22 to ?0.71). These differences were similar to those observed between ELBW/EPT and controls subjects born in 1991–1992. Within the ELBW/EPT cohort, children who had BPD in the newborn period had significant reductions in both the FEV₁ (?0.76 SD) and FEF_25–75% (?0.58 SD) compared with those who did not have BPD, which were not statistically significant from those in the 1991–92 cohort. ELBW/EPT children born in 1997 still have significantly abnormal lung function compared with NBW/term controls, but results were similar to an earlier era when survival rates were lower. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:449–455. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Maternal non-diagnosed celiac disease and risk of low birth weight

AIMS: In order to know the prevalence of celiac disease in mothers with newborns weighing less or more than 2,500 g at birth we carried out a case-control study. PATIENTS: mothers of newborns in Cabue?es Hospital. Case group: Mothers with babies weighing less than 2,500 g at birth. Controls: Mothers with babies weighing more than 2,500 g at birth. One control for each case. METHODS: epidemiological and clinical interviews, and celiac disease serology. RESULTS: We studied 1103 women: 577 cases and 526 controls. We diagnosed 4 celiac disease cases, 2 in the case group and 2 in the control group. These 4 mothers had 3 term newborns (1 case in each 235 mothers; prevalence 0.42%) and 1 preterm newborn (1 case in each 389 mothers; prevalence 0.26%). Two cases had babies with adequate birth weight for their gestational age (1 case in each 419 mothers; prevalence 0.24%) and two cases had babies with low birth weight for their gestational age (1 in each 132 mothers; prevalence 0.75%). The odds ratio for low birth weight was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.12-6.49), the odds ratio for preterm birth was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.06-5.89), ad the odds ratio for low birth weight for gestational age was 3.19 (95% CI: 0.44-22.79).CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of celiac disease in fertile women in our geographic area was 0.36% (1 case in each 275 mothers), and no differences were found between study groups.     

妊娠合并心脏病伴肺动脉高压患者妊娠结局分析

目的:探讨妊娠合并心脏病伴肺动脉高压患者的妊娠结局。方法:2005年6月至2010年6月我院收治44例妊娠合并心脏病伴肺动脉高压患者,根据肺动脉压力分为轻度组20例,中度组7例,重度组17例,分析各组心功能级别、终止妊娠方式及母儿结局。结果:①轻度组心功能Ⅰ～Ⅱ级15例,中度组心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级5例,重度组心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级15例。②轻度组足月产11例,新生儿平均体质量(2 929±575)g,早产5例;中度组足月产1例,早产3例;重度组足月产2例,早产10例。2例极低体质量早产儿院外死亡。③28例以剖宫产终止妊娠。④孕产妇病死率为7%,医源性流产率为27%。结论:随着肺动脉压力升高,心功能Ⅲ～Ⅳ级的发生率随之增加,早产及小于胎龄儿发生率明显增加;剖宫产是适宜的分娩方式。     

Response to hepatitis B vaccine in preterm babies.

INTRODUCTION: A well-accepted vaccination schedule for preterm babies is not available. We therefore studied the response to hepatitis B vaccine in preterm babies. METHODS: 60 babies born to HBsAg-negative mothers were studied. Group I (n=20) consisted of term babies with birth weight >2.5 Kg, group II (n=20) included preterm babies with birth weight between 1.8 and 2.49 Kg, and group III (n=20) included preterm babies with birth weight between 1.2 and 1.79 Kg. Mean gestational age in the three groups was 38.5 (1.1), 33.5 (1.4) and 32.7 (2.1) weeks, respectively. All babies received 3 doses (10 microg/0.5 mL) of a recombinant HBV vaccine within 3 days of birth, and at 6 weeks and 6 months of life. Anti-HBs levels were measured one month after the 2nd and 3rd doses each; the immune response was categorized as good responders (anti-HBs >100 mIU/mL, low responders (anti-HBs 10-100 mIU/mL) and non-responders (anti-HBs <10 mIU/mL). RESULTS: Good antibody response after the second dose was seen in 95% of babies in group I, 60% of those in group II and 10% of those in group III. This increased to 100%, 90% and 45%, respectively after the third dose. The response was influenced by gestational age (r=0.73); 94% of babies with gestational age 34-36 weeks attained good antibody response compared to only 55% of babies with gestational age of 31-33 weeks. Birth weight had no independent influence on the antibody response. CONCLUSION: The response to hepatitis B vaccine is influenced by gestational age. Hence, in preterm babies, it is advisable to check antibody titers one month after the third dose to assess the need for a booster dose.     

Clinical features of velamentous umbilical cord insertion and vasa previa: A retrospective analysis based on 501 cases

To identify the risk factors associated with velamentous cord insertion (VCI) and investigate the association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and VCI in singleton pregnancies and those with vasa previa.A total of 59,976 single cases admitted from Qinhuangdao Maternal and Child Health Hospital and Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Hospital from January 2004 to January 2014 were included in this study. We retrospectively analyzed the perinatal complications, neonatal complications, and the clinical features, as well as the Color Doppler ultrasonography findings of the velamentous placenta and placenta previa.We reviewed the clinical data of 59,976 women with singleton pregnancies delivered in Qinhuangdao Maternal and Child Health Hospital and Qinhuangdao Beidaihe Hospital from January 2004 to January 2014. Risk factors and the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes including admission to a neonatal unit, fetal death, preterm delivery, low birth weight of <2500 g, the infant being small for its gestation age, low Apgar scores (<7) at 1 and 5 minute were evaluated separately among women with and without VCI by means of logistic regression analyses.The prevalence of velamentous umbilical cord insertion was 0.84%, and the prevalence of vasa previa was 0.0017%. The independent risk factors for VCI were nulliparity, obesity, fertility problems, placenta previa, and maternal smoking. VCI was associated with a 1.83-, 2.58-, 3.62-, and 1.41-fold increase in the risk of retention in the neonatal unit, preterm delivery (<37 gestation weeks), low birth weight, and small-for-gestational age, compared to pregnancies involving normal cord insertion. Of the women with VCI, 16.1% underwent emergency cesarean section compared to 8.9% (P < .001) of women without VCI.The prevalence of VCI was 0.84% in singletons. The results suggest that VCI is a moderate risk condition resulted in increased risks of prematurity and impairment of fetal growth.     

Consequences of maternal anaemia on outcome of pregnancy in a malaria endemic area in Papua New Guinea

The prevalence of anaemia during pregnancy was investigated in relation to parasite and spleen rates of pregnant women living in a defined study area in rural Madang, Papua New Guinea. The effects in pregnancy of anaemia, iron deficiency and malaria on the foetus were investigated. There is a high prevalence of anaemia in this population, with 44% of primigravidae and 29% of multigravidae having severe anaemia [haemoglobin (Hb) less than 8 g dl-1] after 28 weeks gestation. The odds ratio for severe anaemia at 0-16 weeks gestation in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women was 4.7 (P less than 0.0001). Forty-seven per cent of primigravidae and 32% of multigravidae had evidence of iron deficiency with high free erythrocyte protoporphyrin values (greater than 35 micrograms dl-1 whole blood) at antenatal booking. The risk of severe anaemia was significantly associated with splenomegaly and iron deficiency for all gravidae (splenomegaly P less than 0.05; iron deficiency, P less than 0.0002). Hb values at delivery were higher than at first attendance, with the greatest difference between groups malaria-positive at booking and malaria-negative at delivery (primigravidae 1.5 g dl-1, P less than 0.01; multigravidae, 0.7 g dl-1, P less than 0.01), indicating that malaria prophylaxis was an important factor in controlling anaemia. Two Hb groups were defined on the basis of the cut-off at 8 g dl-1, which corresponded to the lower quartile value at booking and delivery. A significantly increased risk of low birthweight was shown for primigravidae with values below 8 g dl-1 (65% v. 27%, P less than 0.025), but the prematurity rate was not significantly increased, indicating that the majority of babies were growth-retarded. Early pregnancy anaemia and iron deficiency were related to the risk of low birthweight in primigravidae. Current parasitaemia at delivery appeared a less important factor, although primigravidae with severe anaemia and parasitaemia at delivery had the lowest birthweights. The extent to which malaria control, using drug treatment and chemoprophylaxis, can reduce the risk of low birthweight will vary in relation to the prevalence and causes of anaemia in women.     

Extreme prematurity: an alcohol-related birth effect

Background: Rates of preterm delivery, a major proximate cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, have been increasing. Prenatal alcohol exposure has been implicated in preterm delivery, although results have been inconsistent due to inadequate control for confounding factors, insufficient power, unreliable and inaccurate assessment of both exposure and gestational age, and lack of stratification of prematurity into severity levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between maternal alcohol, cocaine and cigarette use during pregnancy, and extreme and mild preterm birth.
Methods: Three thousand one hundred thirty consecutive gravidas were followed prospectively for antenatal substance use and had ultrasound confirmed pregnancy dating.
Results: Alcohol and cocaine, but not cigarette use, were associated with increased risk of extreme preterm delivery after control for potential confounders. For every unit increase in alcohol exposure, risk of extreme preterm delivery increased significantly [odds ratio (OR) 34.8]. Furthermore, in women aged 30+, alcohol exposure was associated with mild prematurity. Abstention from alcohol while continuing to use cocaine and tobacco was related to a decrease in extreme prematurity of 41%.
Conclusions: The risk of extreme preterm delivery associated with alcohol use is substantial and similar in magnitude to other well-recognized risks. Increased accuracy in identifying exposure and the use of ultrasound to confirm gestational age dating likely contributed to the findings of the current study. These findings suggest that eliminating pregnancy alcohol use might substantially reduce the risk of preterm delivery.     

Teenage pregnancies and their obstetric outcomes

This study was conducted to evaluate the obstetric performance of teenage women in India. In total, 13,210 women were included in the study, of whom 840 were teenagers (<19 years) and 12,370 were > or =20 years. Antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum events were recorded and comparative analysis was done. We found that teenage women were at a significantly higher risk for development of severe anaemia (relative risk [RR] 1.61, P value <0.02), eclampsia (RR 1.95, P value <0.05), preterm labour (RR 1.25, P value <0.001), intrauterine growth retardation (RR 2.29, P value <0.001) and low birth weight (RR 1.24, P value <0.001). Assisted delivery (11.78% versus 2.23%, P value <0.001) was significantly more common and caesarean delivery (9.64% versus 17.18%, P value <0.001) was significantly less common in teenagers. Moderate anaemia, mild pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, antepartum haemorrhage and post dates were all significantly higher in > or =20 years group. To conclude, we found that teenage women are a high-risk group, which is aggravated by social and cultural factors. Special attention is required to educate these women for more positive outcomes.     

Incidence and Risk Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Multiple Gestations: A Chinese Population Study

To determine the incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among new-born Chinese infants of multiple gestations.A retrospective review of medical records was performed for all neonates of multiple gestations screened for ROP between January 2007 and December 2012 in 2 neonatal intensive care units in Hong Kong. Screening was offered to very low birth weight (VLBW; ≤1500 g) and/or preterm (gestation ≤32 weeks) neonates using the Royal College of Ophthalmologists ROP guideline and the International Classification of ROP by 3 pediatric ophthalmologists. Maternal and neonatal covariates were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses for both ROP and Type 1 ROP.A total of 153 Chinese infants of multiple gestations were included in the study. The mean gestational age (GA) was 30.8 ± 2.4 weeks and the mean birth weight (BW) was 1284.8 ± 267.4 g. The incidence of ROP and Type 1 ROP was 11.8% and 3.9%, respectively. On univariate analysis, younger GA, lighter birth weight, postnatal hypotension, inotropes use, bronchopulmonary disease, and intraventricular hemorrhage were common independent risk factors for the development of ROP and Type 1 ROP (all P ≤ 0.04). On multivariate analysis, younger GA, surfactant use, invasive mechanical ventilation, higher mean oxygen concentration, thrombocytopenia, intraventricular hemorrahage, total parental nutrition, and hypoglycemia were significant risk factors for ROP. For Type 1 ROP, there were no significant dependent risk factors.In preterm Chinese infants born from multiple gestations, prematurity, lighter weight, postnatal hypotension, inotropes use, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and an intraventricular hemorrhage were common independent risk factors for the development of ROP and Type 1 ROP.     

Perinatal mortality in breech delivery.

Single babies delivered by breech at Mansa General Hospital (Zambia) during a 12 month period from September 1993 to August 1994 were studied retrospectively. Breech delivery accounted for 2.44% single births. The perinatal mortality rate was high (341/1000) and involved mainly the low birth weight babies. This study confirms previously published reports of higher perinatal mortality in breech presentation. However, with proper selection of clients, intrapartum fetal monitoring and skilful birth attendants, a substantial proportion of breech presentations could have been safely delivered vaginally.