Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is associated with a prolonged gestational age

Background

The timing of parturition in most mammals is thought to be linked to a late gestational rise in corticosteroid production by the fetal adrenal gland. We hypothesised that gestational age would be prolonged in our patients with impaired cortisol production secondary to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21‐hydroxylase deficiency.

Methods

We compared the gestational age of patients affected by salt‐wasting CAH due to 21‐hydroxylase deficiency (born 1978–2004; n = 31) with that of children with congenital hypothyroidism (born 1981–2003; n = 30) and a control group of short normal children (born 1980–2002; n = 120). Each group was compared with national (England 2002–3) and regional (2003–4) data on gestational age from hospital episode statistics. Post‐term delivery was defined as birth beyond 41 completed weeks.

Results

National statistics reveal a frequency of 4.4% for singleton deliveries beyond 41 weeks. In our region the frequency was 4.6%. In the group of children with CAH, the frequency of post‐term delivery was 19.3% (p<0.001). In patients with congenital hypothyroidism, the frequency was 13.3% (p = 0.02). The proportion of short children who did not have a recognised endocrinopathy born post term was comparable to national and regional data at 6.7%.

Conclusions

A prolonged gestation is more likely in pregnancies where the fetus has the salt‐wasting form of CAH. This may be due to impaired cortisol production, although other changes in steroidogenesis may also be contributory.     

Adaptation of the Manchester-Minneapolis Quality of Life instrument for use in the UK population

Introduction

The availability of health‐related quality of life (HRQL) measures that are reliable, valid, brief and comprehensible and appropriate for use with UK children is limited. We report the validation of a HRQL measure suitable for UK use in healthy children, children with chronic disease conditions and socially disadvantaged children.

Patients

A total of 1238 children took part in the study, including healthy children as controls (n = 824) and five exemplar groups: children diagnosed with asthma (n = 87), diabetes (n = 103) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; n = 69), children in remission from cancer (n = 68) and children in public care (n = 87).

Methods

In phase I, the Manchester‐Minneapolis Quality of Life instrument (MMQL) Child Form was translated into UK English. In phases II and III, the questionnaire was shortened and validated.

Results

MMQL was anglicised and shortened to five components comprising 29 items. Good internal reliability was found with α reaching at least 0.69 for all subscales. Construct validity was established through moderate correlations with comparable PedsQL subscales (Pearson''s r ranged from 0.38 to 0.58, p<0.01). Discriminant validity was also demonstrated in children with asthma and IBD, children in remission from cancer and children in public care, all of whom reported significantly lower HRQL than healthy children. Children with diabetes showed similar HRQL to their healthy peers. Good reproducibility and moderate responsiveness were demonstrated for the new measure.

Conclusions

The anglicised and shortened MMQL was shown to be valid and reliable and could be a valuable new tool for the assessment of HRQL in children.     

Is omitting post urinary‐tract‐infection renal ultrasound safe after normal antenatal ultrasound? An observational study

Background

Guidelines recommend obtaining a renal ultrasonogram (RUS) for young children after a first urinary tract infection (UTI).

Objective

The aim of the current study was to assess the concordance of prenatal and post‐UTI RUS findings in children with a first simple UTI.

Methods

This was a prospective study and included all children aged 5 years or younger who were hospitalised with a first simple UTI (determined as clinical response and normalisation of temperature within 48 h on initiation of antibacterial therapy with no complications). Data were collected from each child regarding the results of prenatal and post‐UTI RUS.

Results

Overall, 250 children were included in the study and the results of late‐pregnancy and post‐UTI RUS were available for 84% (n = 209). Complete concordance between the two RUS was demonstrated in 96% (n = 201). The predictive value of normal antenatal to normal post‐UTI RUS was 96% (95% CI: 93% to 99%). These results include four children with mild transient pelvic dilatation. In eight children in whom renal anomalies were demonstrated only in post‐UTI RUS, the influence of these anomalies on the children''s management was negligible.

Conclusions

Prenatal‐RUS have been performed in most children <5 years old hospitalised with a first simple UTI. Concordance with post‐infection tests is very high. Findings which appear only in post‐infectious RUS usually have negligible effects on children''s management. Thus, in such children with normal antenatal RUS omitting post‐UTI RUS could be considered.     

Birth anthropometric measures, body mass index and allergic diseases in a birth cohort study (BAMSE)

Objective

We aimed to assess increased birth weight or birth length in relation to allergic diseases at 4 years of age, taking body mass index (BMI) at age 4 as a covariate in the adjustment.

Methods

The parents of a large prospective birth cohort answered questionnaires on environmental factors and allergic symptoms when their children were 2 months and 1, 2 and 4 years old. Perinatal data on weight and length at birth were received from the child care health centres. The children were clinically examined at 4 years of age and height and weight recorded. Blood was drawn for analysis of specific IgE antibodies to common inhalant allergens. Risk associations between birth anthropometric measures and wheeze, allergic diseases or sensitisation were estimated in multivariate logistic regression analyses (n = 2869).

Results

There were no clear overall associations between birth weight and allergic diseases at 4 years of age. Birth length ⩾90th percentile was inversely associated with any wheeze at age 4 (adjusted OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.92) but was significantly associated only with late‐onset wheeze (adjusted OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.77). No such associations were seen for persistent or transient wheeze, eczema, rhinitis or allergic sensitisation. Transient wheeze during the first 2 years of age tended to be associated with increased BMI at age 4.

Conclusion

Increased birth weight was not associated with wheeze or allergic disease. Increased birth length may play a protective role in late‐onset wheeze in early childhood.     

Severe complications of chickenpox in hospitalised children in the UK and Ireland

Aims

To estimate the annual incidence of hospitalisations due to severe complications of varicella, describe the complications and estimate annual mortality.

Methods

Active surveillance throughout the UK and Ireland for 13 months by paediatricians notifying cases to the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit and completing a questionnaire. The case definition was any child aged <16 years hospitalised with complicated varicella, as defined by a list of conditions, or admitted to ICU/HDU with varicella.

Results

188 cases were notified for the surveillance period, of which 112 (0.82/100 000 children/year) met the case definition and were not duplicates. Confirmed cases had a median age of 3 years (range 0–14). The complications were: bacteraemia/septic shock (n = 30), pneumonia (n = 30), encephalitis (n = 26), ataxia (n = 25), toxic shock syndrome/toxin‐mediated disease (n = 14), necrotising fasciitis (n = 7), purpura fulminans/disseminated coagulopathy (n = 5), fulminant varicella (n = 5) and neonatal varicella (n = 3). 52 children (46%) had additional bacterial infections. Six deaths were due, or possibly due, to varicella, including one intrauterine death. Four of the other five children who died (ages 2–14 years) had a pre‐existing medical condition. Sequelae on discharge were reported for 41 cases (40%), most frequently ataxia or skin scarring. The median length of hospital stay was 7 days (range 1–68).

Conclusions

This study provides a minimum estimate of severe complications and death resulting from varicella in children in the UK and Ireland. Most complications, excluding deaths, occur in otherwise healthy children and thus would be preventable only through a universal childhood immunisation programme.Varicella‐zoster virus causes varicella (chickenpox) on primary infection and herpes zoster upon reactivation. Varicella is generally mild, but there is an increased risk of complications in immunocompromised individuals and neonates if maternal varicella is temporally close to birth. Nevertheless, severe complications can occur even in previously healthy children, including secondary bacterial infections, central nervous system manifestations and death.¹ Approximately 90% of UK varicella cases occur in children less than 15 years of age, with the highest incidence in the 1–4‐year‐old age group.^2,3,4A safe and effective live‐attenuated vaccine against varicella was developed in the 1970s.¹ It is universally recommended in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Finland. The vaccine prevents varicella in 85% of immunised children, with 97% protection against severe disease.¹ However, childhood varicella immunisation is not carried out routinely in the UK or Ireland, although two vaccines are licensed and recommended for seronegative healthcare workers, and certain high risk individuals and their seronegative contacts.⁵ There are few data on complicated varicella in either country and routine hospitalisation records cannot provide sufficiently detailed or accurate information.^2,3,6 Therefore, the publication of data on severe complications of varicella will make a valuable contribution to the epidemiological and economic data available and help determine the advisability of current selective, or future universal, immunisation policies. The data also provide a baseline against which any policy change may be evaluated.     

Association between allergic rhinitis, bottle feeding, non-nutritive sucking habits, and malocclusion in the primary dentition

Aim

To determine the association between allergic rhinitis, bottle feeding, non‐nutritive sucking habits, and malocclusion in the primary dentition.

Methods

Data were collected on 1160 children aged 4–5 years, who had been longitudinally followed since the age of 4 months, when they were admitted to nurseries in a suburban area of Tampico–Madero, Mexico. Periodically, physical examinations were conducted and a questionnaire was given to their parents or tutors.

Results

Malocclusion was detected in 640 of the children (51.03% had anterior open bite and 7.5% had posterior cross‐bite). Allergic rhinitis alone (adjusted odds ratio = 2.87; 95% CI 1.57 to 5.25) or together with non‐nutritive sucking habits (adjusted odds ratio = 3.31; 95% CI 1.55 to 7.09) had an effect on anterior open bite. Bottle feeding alone (adjusted odds ratio = 1.95; 95% CI 1.07 to 3.54) or together with allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio = 3.96; 95% CI 1.80 to 8.74) had an effect on posterior cross‐bite. Posterior cross‐bite was more frequent in children with allergic rhinitis and non‐nutritive sucking habits (10.4%).

Conclusions

Allergic rhinitis alone or together with non‐nutritive sucking habits is related to anterior open bite. Non‐nutritive sucking habits together with allergic rhinitis seem to be the most important factor for development of posterior open bite in children under the age of 5 years.     

Fetal growth restriction: relation to growth and obesity at the age of 9 years

Objective

To assess growth patterns of 9‐year‐old children, some of whom had intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Method

75 9‐year‐old children (41 were IUGR infants) were weighed and measured at birth, at 1 year, at 2 years and at 9 years of age. Using general linear models for continuous data, changes in weight z scores were used to quantify growth rate between birth and 9 years of age.

Results

IUGR children were smaller at birth (weight z score –2.1 v 0.2 in normal children; p<0.001) but showed a greater increase in their weight between birth and 9 years (change of weight z score 1.5 v 0.4 in normal children; p = 0.001). At the age of 9 years the weight, height and body mass index (BMI) z scores were lower in IUGR children than the control children (weight z score –0.4 v 0.6, respectively; p<0.001, height z score –0.5 v 0, respectively; p = 0.002, BMI z score −0.2 v 0.7, respectively; p = 0.002). The predictors of these differences were IUGR, birth weight and maternal and paternal heights.

Conclusion

IUGR infants grow faster but remain shorter and lighter than their normal counterparts—that is, they fail to fully catch up by 9 years of age.     

Increasing prevalence of hypospadias in Western Australia, 1980-2000

Objectives

Hypospadias, a common birth defect, has shown widespread variation in reported rates and temporal trends across countries over the last 30 years. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and trends of hypospadias in an Australian population.

Design

Population‐based study of all male infants born in Western Australia (WA) between 1980 and 2000 diagnosed with hypospadias and notified to the WA Birth Defects Registry.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of hypospadias, birth outcome and association with other congenital anomalies, stratified by degree‐of‐severity.

Results

1788 cases of hypospadias were registered in WA in 1980–2000 with an overall prevalence of 34.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): 33.2 to 36.4) cases per 10 000 births. The prevalence increased by 2.0% per annum (95% CI: 1.2% to 2.8%) from 27.9 in 1980 to 43.2 per 10 000 births in 2000 (p<0.001). Hypospadias was mild in 84% of cases, moderate‐severe in 11% and unspecified in 5%, with the number of moderate‐severe hypospadias almost doubling over time (p<0.01). There were 1465 (82%) cases of isolated hypospadias and 323 (18%) had co‐existing anomalies. Infants with co‐existing genital (relative risk (RR) 4.5; 95% CI: 3.3 to 6.1) or non‐genital (RR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0 to 2.2) anomalies were more likely to have moderate‐severe hypospadias compared with isolated cases.

Conclusion

Hypospadias affects one in 231 births and has been reported to have increased significantly over the last 20 years. Future investigation of the aetiology of hypospadias is important to identify potentially modifiable risk factors and ensure optimal male reproductive health in the future.     

Growth hormone treatment in children with rheumatic disease, corticosteroid induced growth retardation, and osteopenia

Background

In children with severe rheumatic disease (RD), treatment with corticosteroids (CS) is frequently needed and growth retardation and osteopenia may develop. A beneficial effect of human growth hormone (hGH) has been reported but mostly in trials without a control group.

Aims

To study the effect of hGH on growth, bone mineral density (BMD), and body composition, taking the disease activity and CS use into account.

Methods

Randomised controlled trial on 17 prepubertal RD patients with growth retardation and/or decreased BMD. The hGH group (n = 10) received treatment with hGH 4 IU/m²/day (∼0.045 mg/kg/day) during two years. The controls (n = 7) received no GH treatment.

Results

During the two year study period the disease activity, and use of CS and methotrexate (MTX) did not differ between the groups. There was a significant mean increase in height standard deviation score (HSDS) in the hGH group (0.42±0.16 SDS) and a non‐significant decrease in the controls (−0.18±0.11 SDS). Change in BMD did not differ significantly between the groups, although the increase in BMD for lumbar spine within the hGH group was significant. Lean body mass improved significantly in the hGH group compared to controls (0.64±0.19 SDS versus −0.20±0.17 SDS), while the decrease in percentage fat was not significant.

Conclusions

There was a significant effect of hGH on growth and lean body mass, but a longer duration of treatment might be necessary to evaluate the effect of hGH on BMD.     

A prospective study of the immediate and delayed adverse events following intravenous immunoglobulin infusions

Aim

To document the incidence of immediate and delayed adverse events (AE) following intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion in children.

Methods

Immediate and delayed adverse events were prospectively recorded for 345 infusions in 58 children receiving IVIG for immunodeficiency (n = 33) or immunomodulation (n = 25). For each infusion adverse events were documented during the infusion and by follow up interview 4–7 days later.

Results

Immediate adverse events occurred in 10.3% and delayed adverse events in 41.4% of children treated during the study period. Three and a half per cent of the infusions were associated with immediate AE and 20.9% with delayed adverse events. Headache was the most common delayed AE, occurring in 24.1% of patients and 12.8% of infusions.

Conclusions

Delayed adverse events to IVIG infusions are common in children. They occur more frequently than immediate adverse events and are the cause of significant morbidity. Recognition of the high frequency of delayed adverse events is important in the care of children receiving IVIG therapy.     

Respiratory infections in schoolchildren: co-morbidity and risk factors

Aims

To assess co‐morbidity and risk factors for otitis media, tonsillopharyngitis, and lower respiratory infections in school children.

Methods

Logistic regression analysis of co‐morbidity and risk factors for airway infections in a population based sample of 10 year old children living in Oslo, Norway. Main outcome measures: otitis media, tonsillopharyngitis, and lower respiratory infections in past 12 months.

Results

Airway infections in 10 year old children were common, and significant co‐morbidity was found between the various airway infections. Home dampness was a risk factor for all infections, adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.2 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.5) to 1.4 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.6) for otitis media and tonsillopharyngitis respectively. Atopic disease was a constitutional risk factor, particularly strong for lower airway infections (adjusted odds ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.8 to 3.1). African or Asian ethnicities were associated with the airway infections, adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.2 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.7) to 1.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.3).

Conclusions

Respiratory tract infections were common in 10 year old children. There was substantial co‐morbidity between upper and lower airway infections. Environmental and constitutional factors were identified and positively associated with the infections. Results support the hypothesis of 1957 that the whole respiratory tract is one unit.     

Characterisation of morbidity in a UK, hospital based, obesity clinic.

AIM: To identify clinical features which predict those most at risk of co-morbidities within an obesity clinic. METHODS: Children attending an obesity clinic had fasting glucose, insulin, and lipids measured prior to a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). History and examination established birth weight, family history of type 2 diabetes/obesity, pubertal status, and presence of acanthosis nigricans. Central and total fat mass was estimated by bio-impedance. RESULTS: Of the 126 children evaluated, 10.3% (n = 13) had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); the majority (n = 11) of these would not have been identified on fasting glucose alone. Those with IGT were more likely to have a parental history of type 2 diabetes (relative risk 3.5). IGT was not associated with acanthosis nigricans. Twenty five per cent (n = 19) of those evaluated (n = 75) had evidence of the "metabolic syndrome" (MS). HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were related to insulin sensitivity (HOMA-R); HDL cholesterol was also related to birth weight SDS. We observed a trend for those with MS to have a lower birth weight SDS. The severity of obesity did not influence the likelihood of IGT or MS. CONCLUSIONS: Significant numbers of obese children have associated co-morbidities. Analysis of fasting blood glucose samples alone is not satisfactory to adequately evaluate glucose homoeostasis. The overall level of obesity does not predict co-morbidities. Special attention should be given to those with parental diabetes and a history of low birth weight who are more likely to have IGT and abnormal lipid profiles respectively.     

First night effect for polysomnographic data in children and adolescents with suspected sleep disordered breathing

Aims

To assess the presence of a first night effect (FNE) in children and adolescents and to examine if a single night polysomnography (PSG) is sufficient for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods

Prospective case study of 70 patients (group 1: 2–6 years, n = 22; group 2: 7–12 years, n = 32; group 3: 13–17 years, n = 16) referred for OSAS. Diagnostic criteria for OSAS: one or more of the following: (1) obstructive apnoea index (OAI) ⩾1; (2) obstructive apnoea hypopnoea index (oAHI) ⩾2; (3) SaO₂ ⩽89% in association with obstruction.

Results

In all age groups, but mainly in the oldest children, REMS increased during the second night, mainly at the expense of stage 2 sleep. The first night PSG correctly identified OSAS in 86%, 91%, and 100% of the children for groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. This represents 9% false negatives for OSAS when only the first night PSG was used. All cases missed had mild OSAS, except for one with oAHI >5 on night 2. There were also seven patients with OSAS on night 1 but with a normal PSG on night 2: all had oAHI <5.

Conclusion

There is a FNE in children and adolescents. A single night PSG is sufficient for diagnosing OSAS, but in cases with a suggestive history and examination and with a negative first night, a second night study might be advisable.     

Neonatal vitamin K prophylaxis in Great Britain and Ireland: the impact of perceived risk and product licensing on effectiveness

Objective

To determine current use of vitamin K (VK) prophylaxis in newborns and review the efficacy and effectiveness of regimens used.

Design

Efficacy and effectiveness calculated using current practice details, data from Southern Ireland and two previous surveys, together with contemporaneous studies of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB).

Setting

Current survey: United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). Efficacy and effectiveness tables: United Kingdom and Southern Ireland.

Main outcome measures

Current VK prophylaxis following uncomplicated term deliveries. Relative risk of VKDB calculated for the VK actually received and for “intention to treat”.

Results

Questionnaire response rate 95% (n = 243), all recommending VK prophylaxis. No association between unit size and route of administration. For uncomplicated term deliveries, 60% recommended intramuscular (IM) prophylaxis, 24% oral and 16% offered both routes without bias. All units offering IM gave a single dose, mostly 1 mg Konakion Neonatal. Oral regimens showed more variation: two thirds gave 2 mg (range 0.5–2 mg), the number of doses ranged from 1 to 11 and many used preparations off‐licence or the unlicensed Orakay. IM prophylaxis, if given, provided the best protection (most efficacious) against VKDB. However, on an intention‐to‐treat basis (effectiveness), there is no statistically significant difference between the risks of VKDB after intended IM VK and after oral prophylaxis intended to continue beyond a week.

Conclusions

Although the principles of VK prophylaxis is now accepted by all, there is no uniformity in practice. Omission of prophylaxis appears to be a greater problem for IM than for multi‐dose oral prophylaxis, affecting overall effectiveness.     

Impact of zinc supplementation in children with acute diarrhoea in Turkey

Objective

Zinc deficiency is prevalent in children in developing countries. Supplemental zinc provides therapeutic benefits in diarrhoea. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of daily zinc supplementation for 14 days on diarrhoea duration, severity, and morbidity in children.

Methods

In a randomised, open label non‐placebo controlled trial, we assessed the efficacy of providing zinc sulfate to 6–60 month old children with acute diarrhoea for 2 weeks followed by 3 months of morbidity surveillance. Children were randomly assigned to zinc (n = 150) and control (n = 130) groups and received 15–30 mg elemental zinc daily.

Results

Supplemented children had significantly improved plasma zinc levels by day 14 of therapy. Zinc deficiency was observed in 2.6% of the treatment and 3.3% of the control group. The mean duration of diarrhoea after starting supplementation was 3.02±2 days in the zinc group and 3.67±3.2 days in the control group. There was no significant difference in diarrhoea duration by treatment group (p>0.05). The number of stools after starting supplementation was 5.8±3.7 and 5.1±3.9 on day 1, 2.9±1.6 and 3.0±2.2 on day 2, and 1.8±1.1 and 1.6±0.9 on day 3 in the zinc and control groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in diarrhoea severity by treatment group (p>0.05). No significant effect was found on the incidence and prevalence of diarrhoea in the zinc compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that supplementing children with acute diarrhoea in Turkey with 3 RDA of elemental zinc for 14 days improved neither diarrhoea duration nor severity despite significant increments in plasma zinc.     

An 8 year study of risk factors for SIDS: bed-sharing versus non-bed-sharing

Background

It is unclear if it is safe for babies to bed share with adults. In Ireland 49% of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases occur when the infant is bed‐sharing with an adult.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of bed‐sharing during the last sleep period on risk factors for SIDS in Irish infants.

Design

An 8 year (1994–2001) population based case control study of 287 SIDS cases and 831 controls matched for date, place of birth, and sleep period. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by conditional logistic regression.

Results

The risk associated with bed‐sharing was three times greater for infants with low birth weight for gestation (UOR 16.28 v 4.90) and increased fourfold if the combined tog value of clothing and bedding was ⩾10 (UOR 9.68 v 2.34). The unadjusted odds ratio for bed‐sharing was 13.87 (95% CI 9.58 to 20.09) for infants whose mothers smoked and 2.09 (95% CI 0.98 to 4.39) for non‐smokers. Age of death for bed‐sharing and sofa‐sharing infants (12.8 and 8.3 weeks, respectively) was less than for infants not sharing a sleep surface (21.0 weeks, p<0.001) and fewer bed‐sharing cases were found prone (5% v 32%; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Risk factors for SIDS vary according to the infant''s sleeping environment. The increased risk associated with maternal smoking, high tog value of clothing and bedding, and low z scores of weight for gestation at birth is augmented further by bed‐sharing. These factors should be taken into account when considering sleeping arrangements for young infants.     

Micronutrients (including zinc) reduce diarrhoea in children: the Pakistan Sprinkles Diarrhoea Study

Aims

To examine the effect of the daily use of micronutrients (including zinc) or the same micronutrients plus heat inactivated lactic acid bacteria (LAB), on diarrhoea in children compared to placebo.

Methods

A triple blind randomised clinical trial in an urban slum of Karachi, Pakistan. Micronutrients (including zinc), micronutrients (including zinc and LAB), or placebo, were provided daily for two months to 75 young children (aged 6–12 months) identified at high risk for diarrhoea related mortality on the basis of history of at least one episode of diarrhoea in the preceding two weeks. The longitudinal prevalence of diarrhoea was defined as the percentage of days a child had diarrhoea out of the days the child was observed.

Results

Mean longitudinal prevalence of diarrhoea in the micronutrient–zinc group was 15% (SD = 10%) child‐days compared to 26% (SD = 20%) child‐days in the placebo group and 26% (SD = 19%) child‐days in the micronutrient–zinc–LAB group. The difference between the micronutrient–zinc–LAB and placebo groups was not significant.

Conclusion

The daily provision of micronutrients (including zinc) reduces the longitudinal prevalence of diarrhoea and thus may also reduce diarrhoea related mortality in young children; heat inactivated LAB has negative effects in these children.     

Nosocomial infection in small for gestational age newborns with birth weight <1500 g: a multicentre analysis

Objective

To investigate whether preterm newborns who are small for gestational age are at increased risk of nosocomial infections and necrotising enterocolitis.

Design, setting and subjects

The German national surveillance system for nosocomial infection in very low birthweight infants uses the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. 2918 newborns (24–28 weeks), born between 2000 and 2004, were selected after application of predefined inclusion criteria to ensure similar proportions of small and appropriate weight for gestational age newborns across gestational age groups.

Main outcome measures

The outcome criterion was at least one episode of nosocomial sepsis, pneumonia or necrotising enterocolitis. Adjusted odds ratios and corresponding 95% CIs were calculated based on general estimating equation models.

Results

The study population consisted of 13% (n = 392) small and 87% (n = 2526) appropriate weight for gestational age infants. 33% (n = 950) of the infants experienced at least one episode of sepsis: 42% (n = 163) of small and 31% (n = 787) of appropriate weight for gestational age newborns (adjusted OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.89). Pneumonia was diagnosed in 6% (n = 171) of infants: 8.4% (n = 33) of small and 5.5% (n = 138) of appropriate weight for gestational age newborns (adjusted OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.19 to 5.57). Necrotising enterocolitis was documented in 5.2% (n = 152) of infants: 7.1% (n = 28) of small and 4.9% of (n = 124) appropriate weight for gestational age newborns (adjusted OR 1.20, 95% confidence interval 0.75 to 1.94).

Conclusions

Growth‐retarded preterm infants seem to be at increased risk of nosocomial infection, irrespective of the responsible pathogen. Future immunological research should elucidate potential causal associations.Very low birthweight (VLBW, <1500 g) newborns are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Besides their immaturity, risk profiles can vary due to a multitude of factors. Growth retardation is one factor conferring additional risk. Recent studies have consistently shown an increased mortality risk for small for gestational age (SGA) infants,1,2,3 but results regarding morbidity are conflicting.4,5,6Nosocomial infection has a large impact on neonatal survival and has important cost implications,7,8 affecting up to 40% of babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).9,10,11,12,13 Immunological immaturity (eg, poor phagocytosis or hypogammaglobinaemia), exposure to invasive procedures and prolonged hospitalisation predispose VLBW newborns to nosocomial infection.7,14,15 However, little is known about nosocomial infection in SGA newborns.4,11,16,17,18,19We addressed this issue in a large, multicentre analysis to investigate the association of being SGA and being at increased risk of nosocomial infection—that is, sepsis and pneumonia. In addition, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) was considered as an outcome criterion.     

Effect of parental smoking on cotinine levels in newborns

Background

Smoking is a major risk factor for cot death. Many infants smoke passively as a result of parental smoking. This paper reports on infants exposed to a smoking environment and how they accumulate metabolites of cigarette smoke, such as cotinine, which may be physiologically harmful.

Aim

To assess cotinine levels in infants of smoking parents.

Method

Cotinine excretion in urine was assessed in 104 infants, of whom 71 had smoking parents and 33 had non‐smoking parents. All cotinine levels were measured at approximately 12 weeks of age. The subjects were selected from a database of infants in developmental physiological studies which assessed the impact of various factors on early postnatal development.

Results

On average babies with at least one parent who was a current cigarette smoker excreted 5.58 (95% CI 3.4 to 9.5) times as much cotinine in the urine as did the babies of non‐smoking parents. Maternal smoking was the largest contributing factor. Co‐sleeping (p = 0.037) and the minimum room temperature (p = 0.028) were significant contributory factors.

Conclusion

Infants from smoking households accumulate cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, which may have a detrimental effect on the cardiorespiratory system.