Gestational diabetes and offspring body disproportion

Aim:  It has been demonstrated that females born large for gestational age (LGA) in weight but not length are at increased risk of being obese at childbearing age. We addressed the question whether women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of giving birth to such infants.
Methods:  Birth characteristics of 884 267 infants of non-diabetic mothers and 7817 of mothers with GDM were analysed. LGA was defined as birth weight or birth length >2 standard deviation scores for gestational age. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.
Results:  The odds ratio (OR) for a woman with GDM to give birth to an LGA infant that was heavy alone was four times increased (OR: 3.71, 95% CI: 3.41–4.04). Furthermore, in the population of mothers giving birth to LGA infants, the proportion heavy alone was 68% in the group of women with GDM compared with 64.4% in the group of non-diabetic women. The risks were independent of gender of the foetus.
Conclusion:  Women with GDM have an almost four times higher risk of delivering an LGA infant that is heavy alone. The noted disproportion between weight and length in infants of such mothers may have an impact on the risk of later obesity.     

Effects of hydrotherapy and tactile-kinesthetic stimulation on weight gain of preterm infants admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydrotherapy and tactile-kinesthetic stimulation on the birth weight of preterm infants admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.MethodIt was a randomized controlled trial, without blinding, in which 44 preterm infants of both sexes with gestational age between 32 and 34 weeks were included into two groups: hydrotherapy group (n = = 22) and tactile-kinesthetic stimulation group (n = 22). Weight gain was the parameter assessed daily.ResultsIn the tactile-kinesthetic stimulation group there was a variation in weight gain, but without significant difference (p = 0,43). However, in the hydrotherapy group, it was observed that increased weight gain started from the 2nd day (p < 0,001).ConclusionsHydrotherapy group presented significantly increased weight after the interventions, indicating that this technique can interfere with weight gain in preterm infants.     

Robot assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty in obese and non-obese patients

ObjectiveWe assessed whether increased BMI has a negative impact in children undergoing robot assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP).Patients and methodsRecords of patients who underwent RALP were retrospectively reviewed and separated into healthy weight, overweight, and obese cohorts based on age-adjusted BMI percentile, and surgical and postsurgical outcomes were evaluated.ResultsOf the 103 patients, there were 79 healthy weight and 24 overweight, with 10 of the 24 considered obese (BMI <85th, ≥85th, and ≥95th percentile for age, respectively). Cohorts were similar in respect to age, sex, laterality and symptoms. Operative time (234 min, 241 min, p = 0.642; 254 min, p = 0.324), EBL (7.1 ml, 10.5 ml, p = 0.293; 6.8 ml, p = 0.906), length of stay (1.2d, 1.2d p = 0.545; 1.1d p = 0.550), and narcotic administration (0.25 mg/kg, 0.25 mg/kg, p = 0.545; 0.13 mg/kg, p = 0.430) were similar between healthy weight, overweight, and obese cohorts, respectively. Complication rates were similar in regard to minor and major complications. There was no difference in decreased hydronephrosis (92.2%, 89.6%, p = 0.440; 88.9%, p = 0.730). Four patients (3.4%) required a reoperative procedure (three healthy weight, one overweight; p = NS).ConclusionsDespite the potential difficulties with surgery in overweight patients, our data indicate that robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty can be performed as safely and effectively in overweight or obese children as in healthy weight children.     

Factors influencing extrauterine growth retardation in singleton-non-small for gestational age infants in China: A prospective multicenter study

BackgroundThe incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) varies considerably in different countries due to the distinct definitions and inclusion criteria of individual studies. Most studies included small for gestational age (SGA) very preterm infants (VPIs), resulting in a higher incidence of EUGR. Experts have suggested the accurate definition of “EUGR” in SGA infants is not “true EUGR”. The postnatal growth curve of multiple premature births also differs from that of singletons. As far as we know, there is no study about relationship between singleton-non-SGA preterm infants and EUGR.ObjectivesTo analyze the factors influencing EUGR among VPIs who were singleton-non-SGA in China.MethodsA prospective-multicenter study was conducted in 28 hospitals distributed through China from September 2019 to December 2020. The clinical data on singleton-non-SGA among VPIs were divided into EUGR group (n = 692) and non-EUGR group (n = 912).ResultsCompared to non-EUGR group, the mean gestational age (GA), mean birth weight (BW) and percentage of BW in Fenton curve in EUGR group were lower (P < 0.001 for all). The incidence of EUGR among distinct GA groups (classifications of GA < 28weeks, 28–28⁺⁶ weeks, 29–29⁺⁶ weeks, 30–30⁺⁶ weeks and 31–31⁺⁶ weeks) and distinct BW groups (classifications of BW<1000 g, 1000–1249 g, 1250–1499 g, 1500–1999g and 2000–2500 g) were statistically significant (P = 0.004 and P <.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that later addition of human milk fortifier (HMF), later attainment of HMF sufficient fortification, later return to BW, more accumulative days of fasting, longer duration of parenteral nutrition, total duration of oxygen support and moderate/severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were risk factors for the development of EUGR in singleton-non-SGA VPIs (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.017, P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively). The use of full-course antenatal steroids, greater BW as a percentile of the Fenton curve, breastfeeding initiation and faster average velocity of weight growth effectively protected against EUGR (P = 0.008, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsThe overall incidence of EUGR was 43.1% among singleton-non-SGA VPIs in China. Raising the full-course antenatal steroids usage, reducing the incidence of moderate and severe BPD, attaching importance to the management of enteral nutrition in VPIs and increasing the weight growth velocity can reduce the incidence of EUGR.     

胎龄联合出生体重对新生儿遗传代谢病相关代谢物的影响

目的 探讨胎龄联合出生体重对遗传代谢病（IMD）相关代谢物的影响。方法 从2014~2016年间参加IMD筛查的38 931名新生儿中,随机抽取3381例经随访排除IMD疾病的新生儿样本,按胎龄联合出生体重分为极早产适于胎龄儿组（n=12）、早产小于胎龄儿组（n=18）、早产适于胎龄儿组（n=219）、早产大于胎龄儿组（n=18）、足月小于胎龄儿组（n=206）、足月适于胎龄儿组（n=2 677）、足月大于胎龄儿组（n=231）。采集各组新生儿出生3~7 d充分哺乳后的足跟血,采用串联质谱检测干血斑中17种IMD关键代谢指标水平。利用Spearman秩相关分析各影响因素与代谢指标的相关性,采用协方差分析各组代谢指标水平差异。结果 在控制了新生儿生理及病理状态等相关因素后,与足月适于胎龄儿组相比,亮氨酸\异亮氨酸\羟基脯氨酸、缬氨酸在极早产适于胎龄儿、早产小于胎龄儿、早产适于胎龄儿组,鸟氨酸在早产适于胎龄儿组,脯氨酸在极早产、早产适于胎龄儿组中水平明显下降（P < 0.05）;苯丙氨酸在极早产、早产适于胎龄儿组,甲硫氨酸在早产小于胎龄儿组,酪氨酸在早产适于胎龄儿组中水平则明显升高（P < 0.05）;游离肉碱、乙酰肉碱、丙酰肉碱在早产小于胎龄儿、早产适于胎龄儿组,十八碳烯酰肉碱在早产小于胎龄儿组中水平明显升高（P < 0.05）。大部分肉碱指标在早产和足月的小于胎龄儿分别与适于胎龄儿、大于胎龄儿组间比较中差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。结论 胎龄不足和低出生体重均会造成IMD筛查指标异常,故在判读IMD筛查指标异常时应结合胎龄和体重情况综合判断。     

Does gestational diabetes mellitus affect respiratory outcome in late-preterm infants?

BackgroundBoth gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and late-preterm delivery at 34–36 weeks' gestation are independently associated with neonatal respiratory complications, but it is unknown whether their combination increases further its risk. We therefore appraised the independent effect of GDM on the respiratory outcome of late-preterm infants.MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study, respiratory outcome of 911 infants delivered at 34–36 weeks' gestation between 1 January 2009 and 30 August 2012 from mothers with GDM (study group, n = 130) was compared with infants delivered at the same gestation by mothers without GDM (control group, n = 781).ResultsThe study group had significantly higher incidence of transient tachypnoea of newborn (TTN, p = 0.02) and air leak (p = 0.012), and required more respiratory support, including oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), mechanical ventilation and neonatal intensive care, with a longer length of hospital stay, but not duration on respiratory support. On logistic regression analysis, GDM is an independent risk factor for TTN (aOR = 1.5, 95% C.I.1.0–2.4), CPAP (aOR = 2.37, 95% C.I. 1.05–4.89), mechanical ventilation (aOR = 4.02 95% C.I. 1.57–10.32) and neonatal intensive care (aOR 1.83, 95% C.I. 1.05–3.87).ConclusionsOur results demonstrated an independent effect of GDM on the risk of severe respiratory complications in late-preterm infants. Additional close monitoring and timely intervention are necessary in the management of these infants.     

Association between Anthropometric Indices,Body Composition and Bone Parameters in Thai Female Adolescents

Objective

To investigate correlations between anthropometrics and body composition with bone parameters of the whole-body and lumbar spine in non-obese and obese Thai female adolescents.

Methods

This study was performed in 135 female adolescents aged 15 to 18 y enrolled in secondary schools in southern Thailand. Subjects were grouped into non-obesity (underweight and normal-to-overweight) (BMI < 25) and obesity (BMI ≥ 25) groups. Anthropometric indices for obesity [body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI)] were recorded. Bone parameters (BMC, BMD, and Z-scores) of the whole-body and lumbar spine (L1-L4) and body composition (LBM, BFM, %fat, %lean, and %bone) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Correlations between anthropometrics, body composition, and bone parameters were evaluated and compared between subject groups.

Results

The obesity group had significantly higher means of whole-body BMD, BMC and Z-score than non-obese group (p < 0.05). BMI and BW were positively associated with BFM and %fat (p < 0.05) for non-obese subjects. Obese subjects had greater lumbar spine BMC compared to non-obese subjects. BFM was correlated with whole-body BMC in obese group. BW was a positive determinant of BMC at both sites in all subject groups, particularly for obese subjects; BW had positive associations with all bone parameters at the lumbar spine.

Conclusions

BW can be used as a determinant of all bone parameters at lumbar spine, and BFM had a positive effect on whole-body BMC in Thai obese female adolescent subjects.

     

Are the neonatal outcomes similar in large-for-gestational age infants delivered by women with or without gestational diabetes mellitus?

Background

Infants are considered large for gestational age (LGA) if their birth weight is greater than the 90th percentile for gestational age and they have an increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. Maternal diabetes is one of the factors affecting birthweight. However there are limited data on the perinatal outcomes of infants of gestational diabetic mothers. The aim of the present study was to compare the neonatal outcomes of LGA infants delivered by women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of LGA infants of ??36 weeks of gestation born at the Gazi University Medical School Hospital during the period of 2006?C2009. Neonatal outcomes included hypoglycemia and polycythemia in the early neonatal period and hospital admissions. The Chi-square and Student??s t test were used for comparing variables.

Results

Seven hundred eligible infant-mother pairs were enrolled in the study. Eighty-seven of them (12.4%) were infants of gestational diabetic mothers and 613 (87.6%) were infants of non-diabetic mothers. The incidence of hypoglycemia at the first hour was higher in infants of diabetic mothers (12.8%) than in infants of non-diabetic mothers (5.3%) (P=0.014). Polycythemia was also more frequently observed in infants of the gestational diabetic mothers (9.3%) than in infants of the non-diabetic mothers (3.0%) (P=0.010). Although overall hospital admission rates were not different between the two groups, infants of diabetic mothers were more likely to be admitted because of resistant hypoglycemia (P=0.045).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggested that LGA infants of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus were at a greater risk for hypoglycemia and polycythemia in the early neonatal period than LGA infants of nondiabetic mothers.     

Longitudinal investigation of the relationship between breast milk leptin levels and growth in breast-fed infants

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that leptin is present in breast milk and human mammary epithelial cells are able to synthesize leptin. It has been suggested that leptin in human milk might be involved in the regulation of postnatal nutrition and growth. AIMS: To investigate whether there is a relationship between leptin levels in human milk and weight gain in the postnatal period and to compare variations of milk-borne maternal leptin concentrations for small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants. INFANTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven healthy lactating women aged from 17-38 years and their infants were included in the study. The infants were separated into three groups according to birth weight as SGA (n = 11), LGA (n = 14) and AGA (n = 22). All infants were fed with breast milk during the study period. Anthropometric measurements were performed on the 15th day of life and at 1, 2, and 3 months of age, and the body mass index (BMI) of the infants' mothers was calculated. Breast milk leptin levels were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Breast milk leptin levels were found reduced in the SGA group and increased in the LGA group compared to the AGA group at 15 days of life (13.4 +/- 2.2, 28.5 +/- 4.4 and 18.4 +/- 2 ng/ml, respectively; p <0.05). At 1 month of age, leptin levels in breast milk were significantly lower in the LGA group than in the AGA group (15.5 +/- 4.9, 19.4 +/- 1.7 ng/ml, respectively; p<0.05). There was no difference among the three groups at 2 and 3 months of age (p>0.05). There was a positive correlation between birth Weight and breast milk leptin levels on the 15th day (r = 0.47, p = 0.001). A negative correlation was found between weight gain during the first 15 days and 1 month of life and breast milk leptin levels on the 15th day (r = -0.44, p = 0.002; r = -0.40, p = 0.005, respectively). No relationship could be determined between breast milk leptin levels and BMI of the mothers. CONCLUSION: Maternal milk of SGA, LGA and AGA infants had different leptin levels, especially during the first month of life. More rapid growth was shown in the SGA infants during the first postnatal 15 days compared to AGA and LGA infants, and human milk leptin levels were significantly reduced in the SGA group. However, LGA infants gained more weight during the second 15 days of life and breast milk leptin levels were dramatically decreased in LGA and increased in SGA infants at the end of first month of life. These findings suggest that the presence of leptin in breast milk might have a significant role in growth, appetite and regulation of nutrition in infancy, especially during the early lactation period, and the production of leptin in breast tissue by human mammary epithelial cells might be regulated physiologically according to necessity and state of the infant.     

Increased rate of parental postpartum depression and traumatization in moderate and late preterm infants is independent of the infant's motor repertoire

Background

Moderately and late preterm infants represent a considerable and increasing proportion of infants cared for in neonatal departments worldwide. Parents of preterm infants are at risk of postpartal depression (PPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and preterm infants are at risk of developmental impairment.

Aim

This study aimed to assess (1) the incidence of parental PPD and PTSD in moderate to late preterm infants in comparison to full-term infants and (2) the influence of infants' motor repertoire assessed by Prechtl's general movements and illness severity on parental PPD and PTSD.

Subjects

We studied 60 mothers and 56 fathers of 69 preterm infants (born at 32 to 37 weeks of gestation) and 32 mothers and 29 fathers of 34 full-term infants.

Outcome measures

We assessed the incidence of parental PPD, PTSD and perceived social support as well as infants' illness severity and motor repertoire at birth, term and 3 months corrected age.

Results

Preterm mothers and fathers had significant higher depression scores after birth compared to full-term parents (p = 0.033 and 0.021). Preterm fathers also had higher traumatization scores compared to full-term fathers (p = 0.007). Probable or possible PPD/PTSD was not associated with infant's illness severity or quality of motor repertoire. No differences in motor development were found between preterm and full-term infants.

Conclusion

Moderate to late preterm infants' parents are at increased risk for PPD irrespective of infants' motor repertoire or illness severity.     

Urinary incontinence in obese adolescent girls

ObjectiveUrinary incontinence is an established complication of obesity in adult women. We examined the prevalence, severity, and impact of incontinence in obese compared to non-obese girls.MethodsSubjects aged 12–17 years each completed a 29-item questionnaire assessing urinary symptoms and their impact. Clinically significant urinary incontinence was defined as involuntary urine leakage at least once weekly.Results40 obese adolescent girls and 20 non-obese control girls were recruited. Among the obese girls, five (12.5%, 95% confidence interval: 4–28%) reported incontinence, and two of these five reported daily leakage. None of the 20 non-obese subjects reported leakage meeting the definition of incontinence. Incontinence severity scores (leakage frequency multiplied by leakage volume) averaged 1.3 in the obese group and 0.3 in the non-obese group (P = 0.009) and were associated with symptom impact (P < 0.001). Eleven (55%) of non-obese and 17 (43%) of obese subjects reported no urinary leakage, while infrequent, low-volume urine leakage was reported by 45% of both obese and non-obese subjects.ConclusionsUrinary incontinence affects more than 10% of obese adolescent girls. Frequency and volume of urine loss are directly related to the impact that incontinence has on the sufferer. Results highlight the importance of screening for symptoms of urinary incontinence in obese girls.     

大于胎龄儿脐血脂联素水平测定及其临床意义

目的探讨大于胎龄儿(LGA)血脂联素水平变化及其对新生儿的影响。方法研究对象为LGA和适于胎龄儿(AGA)各30例。应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定脐血和产妇血脂联素水平,用免疫比浊法测定三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TCH)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-c)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-c)水平,并分析脐血脂联素水平与母血脂联素、新生儿性别、出生体质量、体质量指数(BMI)、胎盘重量和血脂水平的相关性。结果1.LGA脐血浆脂联素水平低于AGA,差异有非常显著性(P<0.01);LGA血TG、TCH、LDL-c、HDL-c水平与AGA比较差异均无显著性(Pa>0.05)。2.LGA血浆脂联素水平与新生儿出生体质量、BMI、胎盘重量、脐血TG水平均呈显著负相关(r=-0.848,-0.785,-0.835 Pa<0.001),与母血脂联素水平、新生儿身长、孕前和分娩时产妇体质量及其BMI、其他脐血脂成分无相关性(Pa>0.05)。3.LGA男婴和女婴脐血浆脂联素、血脂各成分水平比较差异均无显著性(Pa>0.05)。结论血脂联素水平变化与LGA的发生有关,测定脐血脂联素水平有助于判断LGA的发展趋势。     

Functional Echocardiographic Assessment of Myocardial Performance in Anemic Premature Infants: A Pilot Study

This prospective observational study conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit aimed to evaluate echocardiographic changes provoked by anemia and transfusion of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) in premature infants. In this study, 32 anemic premature infants had serial echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic performance, LV preload, and afterload immediately before, within 48 h, and up to 120 h after the transfusion of pRBCs. Pretransfusional evaluations also were compared with similar assessments of 71 nonanemic inpatient premature infants analogous for sex, gestational age at birth, and postnatal age. Left ventricular systolic performance was estimated from fractional shortening, LV output, and LV myocardial performance index (LVMPI). The LV preload was estimated from the LV end-diastolic dimension and the ratio of left atrium-to-aortic root dimension (LA/Ao ratio). The LV afterload was estimated from end-systolic wall stress. The LVMPI was found to decrease with increasing corrected gestational age in both the nonanemic (R = 0.173; p = 0.03) and anemic (R = 0.460; p = 0.007) infants. The LVMPI was the only index that changed after transfusion of pRBCs, decreasing in the younger anemic infants (p = 0.011) and increasing in the older anemic infants (p = 0.012). Finally, a significant inverse relationship between pre- and posttransfusional LVMPI values (R = 0.730; p < 0.001) was noted. The LVMPI may allow for identification of preterm infants more likely to be helped by transfusion of pRBCs.     

Epidemiology of serious bacterial infection in febrile infants under 3 months of age and diagnostic management in Mayotte

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in infants less than 90 days old presenting with fever on arrival at the emergency department (ED), and to assess the diagnostic management of febrile infants.DesignA retrospective study at Mamoudzou Hospital, Mayotte Island, French Department.SettingGeneral ED in the only pediatric hospital throughout the territoryPatientsWe included infants less than 90 days old with a history of fever and bacterial investigation evaluated in the ED between 2016 and 2018. We excluded preterm infants (gestational age < 37 weeks) and those with known immunodeficiency or previous administration of antibiotics.ResultsA total of 594 infants were included. In all, 105 infants (17.7%) were diagnosed with an SBI and 28 (4.7%) with an invasive bacterial infection of which 1.34% was meningitis. The most frequent SBI was pneumonia (n = 69, 11.6%) followed by urinary tract infection (UTI; n = 37, 6.2%). Predominant pathogens (excluding contaminants) were Escherichia coli (51.2% of the UTI cases), group B Streptococcus (62.5% of meningitis cases), and Staphylococcus aureus (61.5% of bacteremia cases). Seven infants presented with bacterial pneumonia due to Staphylococcus aureus with Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) exotoxin production. Ill-appearing infants, clinical signs of SBI and complex chronic condition were associated with a risk of SBI (respective odds ratio [OR]: 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3–6.9; OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.8–6.4; and OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2–8.5). The median age for SBI was 42 days (5–90). Fever without source (FWS) occurred more often in infants under 21 days of age (48.5% vs. 31.3% in older infants, p < 0.001). The median duration of fever at home was 24 h (6–96). Concerning management, in infants aged under 21 days, there were more lumbar punctures (58.3% vs. 23% in older infants, p < 0.001) and more frequent initiation of empiric antibiotics (62.6% vs. 42.7%, p < 0.001). Length of stay was also longer in this age range (5 days vs. 3 days, p = 0.037).ConclusionDelay in medical consultation in the case of fever, the risk of SBI regardless of age, and unusual epidemiology with many IBI due to Staphylococcus aureus with PVL exotoxin production are specific characteristics observed in our study. Knowledge of the current epidemiology of SBI in Mayotte would be useful for setting up a risk-stratified protocol in this population in the future.     

Gestational weight gain among minority adolescents predicts term birth weight

Background

In adolescents, there is limited evidence on the independent and additive effect of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain on infant birth weight. Data also show that this effect may vary by race. We sought to examine the impact of maternal prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain on birth weight and risk of large for gestational age (LGA) in term newborns of minority adolescent mothers.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 411 singleton live term infants born to mothers ≤ 18 years. Data were abstracted from electronic medical records.

Results

Gestational weight gain was related to infant birth weight (ρ = 0.36, P < 0.0001), but BMI was not (ρ = 0.025, P = 0.61). On regression analysis, gestational weight gain, gestational age and Hispanic ethnicity were independent predictors of birth weight, controlling for maternal age, BMI, parity, tobacco/drug use and preeclampsia. The probability of having an LGA infant increased with weight gain [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.21] but not with BMI. Mothers who gained weight in excess of 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations had a greater risk of having an LGA infant compared to those who gained within recommendations (aOR 5.7, 95% CI 1.6–19.5).

Conclusions

Minority adolescents with greater gestational weight gain had infants with higher birth weight and greater risk of LGA; BMI was not associated with either outcome. Further studies are needed to examine the applicability of the 2009 BMI-specific IOM gestational weight gain recommendations to adolescents in minority populations.

     

Optimal birth weight percentile cut‐offs in defining small‐ or large‐for‐gestational‐age

Aims: It remains questionable what birth weight for gestational age percentile cut‐offs should be used in defining clinically important poor or excessive foetal growth. We aimed to evaluate the optimal birth weight percentile cut‐offs for defining small‐ or large‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA or LGA). Methods: In a birth cohort‐based analysis of 17 979 120 non‐malformation singleton live births, U.S. 1995–2001, we assessed the optimal birth weight percentile cut‐offs for defining SGA and LGA. The 25th–75th percentile group served as the reference. Primary outcomes are the risk ratios (RR) of neonatal death and low 5‐min Apgar score (<4) comparing SGA or LGA versus the reference group. More than 2‐fold risk elevations were considered clinically significant. Results: The 15th birth weight cut‐off already identified SGA infants at more than 2‐fold risk of neonatal death at pre‐term, term or post‐term, except for extremely pre‐term births <28 weeks (continuous risk reductions over increasing birth weight percentiles). LGA was associated with a reduced risk of low 5‐min Apgar score at pre‐term, but an elevated risk at term and post‐term. The 97th cut‐off identified LGA infants at 2‐fold risk of low 5‐min Apgar at term. Conclusion: The commonly used 10th and 90th birth weight percentile cut‐offs for defining SGA and LGA respectively seem largely arbitrary. The 15th and 97th percentiles may be the optimal cut‐offs to define SGA and LGA respectively.     

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in premature infants: evaluation of sonographic criteria and short-term outcomes

Purpose

To examine the sonographic measurements of pyloric muscle and pyloric thickness in premature infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) and to correlate these measurements with patients variables. We aimed also to evaluate the clinical features and short-term outcome of HPS in premature compared to term infants.

Methods

The medical notes and the pyloric ultrasounds of all premature infants (<37 weeks) admitted to the Neonatal Surgical Unit with HPS over a 20-year period (1990–2010) were retrospectively reviewed. Sonographic measurements of the pyloric length, muscle thickness and the pyloric ratio (muscle thickness divided by pyloric diameter) were correlated to weight at presentation, duration of symptoms and corrected gestational age. Multiple regression and correlation analysis was carried out.

Results

Seventy-five preterm infants were identified (51M:24F). Median gestational age was 34 weeks. Median weight at presentation was 2.74 kg. Forty-two had an ultrasound (US) before surgery, 37 measurements were analysed. Pyloric length, muscle thickness and pyloric ratio were not affected by weight at presentation (p = 0.67, p = 0.122, p = 0.849), corrected gestational age (CGA) (p = 0.921, p = 0.678, p = 0.076), or duration of symptoms (p = 0.827, p = 0.268, p = 0.281). Mean length of stay was 6 days and overall complication rate was 27 %, both higher than reported in term infants (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Premature infants with HPS have a higher female preponderance than expected. Ultrasound measurements in premature infants with HPS are not affected by weight, corrected gestational age or duration of symptoms. In addition, they have a longer hospital stay and increased complication rate compared to term infants.     

Very early feeding in stable small for gestational age preterm infants: a randomized clinical trial

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of initiating very early feeding on time-to-reach full feeding in stable, small for gestational age (SGA) preterm infants.MethodPreterm infants with gestational age below 37 weeks and birth weight below the 10^th percentile were randomly allocated to a very early (within 24 hours of birth) feeding regimen or delayed (after 24 hours of birth) feeding. All infants had in utero evidence of absent or reverse diastolic flow. Infants unable to start early feeding were excluded. Time-to-reach full feeding, feeding progression, and related morbidity were compared. Electrogastrography (EGG) was used to measure pre- and postprandial gastric motility on the second and seventh day after feeding initiation.ResultsSixty infants were included in the study, 30 in each group. Infants included in the very early feeding regimen achieved full enteral feeding sooner than controls (98 ± 80-157 vs. 172 ± 123-261 hours of age, respectively; p = 0.004) and were discharged home earlier (p = 0.04). No necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was documented in both study groups. Gastric motility was improved at day seven after feeding initiation in both study groups, with no difference between groups.ConclusionsStable SGA preterm infants on a very early feeding regimen achieved full enteral feeding and were discharged home significantly earlier than those on a delayed regimen, with no excess morbidity.     

骨钙素、Ⅰ型前胶原羧基端前肽、胰岛素样生长因子-1及其相关激素与胎儿骨发育的关系

目的 探讨骨钙素(OC)、Ⅰ型前胶原羧基端前肽(PICP) 及胰岛素样生长因子.1(IGF.1)等激素水平与胎儿骨生长发育的关系.方法 选择本院2008年10月-2009年10月收治的新生儿80例.男41例,女39例;胎龄28～42周.根据不同出生体质量分为小于胎龄(SGA)儿组22例,适于胎龄(AGA)儿组36例及大于胎龄(LGA)儿组(22例).胎儿娩出后,胎盘娩出前抽取其脐静脉血6 mL,采用放射免疫分析法测定其血清OC、IGF.1及甲状旁腺激素水平,酶联免疫吸附法检测其脐血PICP水平;同时检测其血钙、磷、ALP水平,测量新生儿生长参数,计算体质量指数(BMI).结果 1.脐血OC水平在SGA儿组、AGA儿组、LGA儿组间比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.000),LGA儿组显著高于AGA儿及SAG儿组(P＜0.01,0.001);脐血OC水平与出生体质量、头围、BMI呈正相关(Pa＜0.05),与身长无明显相关性(P＞0.05).2.LGA儿组脐血IGF.1水平显著高于AGA儿及SAG儿组,3组间比较有统计学差异(P=0.002);脐血IGF.1水平与出生体质量、头围、BMI水平均呈正相关(Pa＜0.05),与身长无明显相关性(P＞0.05).3.AGA儿组、LGA儿组脐血PICP水平明显高于SGA儿组,但3组间无统计学差异(P=0.070).脐血PICP、PTH水平与生长参数各指标水平均无直线相关关系(Pa＞0.05),偏相关分析脐血PICP与出生体质量、头围、BMI均呈正相关(r=0.239、0.250、0.306,Pa<0.05).4.脐血OC水平与PICP、IGF.1水平均呈正相关(Pa＜0.05),OC、PICP与PTH、ALP水平之间均无明显相关(Pa＞0.05).5.3组脐血钙、血磷、ALP水平均无统计学差异(Pa＞0.05).结论 SGA儿低血清OC、PICP水平与骨形成活动下降相关,脐血OC、PICP及IGF.1可作为评价胎儿骨骼生长发育的临床指标之一.     

Troponin T and NT ProBNP Levels in Gestational,Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Mothers and Macrosomic Infants

This study compares NT proBNP and troponin T levels in umbilical cord arterial blood and postnatal echocardiographic findings for infants of gestational and pregestational diabetic mothers and macrosomic infants. Twenty-seven infants of pregestational diabetic mothers, 61 infants of gestational diabetic mothers and 37 macrosomic infants of nondiabetic mothers were prospectively enrolled in this study along with a control group of 58 healthy infants of mothers without any pregestational or gestational disorders as the control group. All enrollees were born after 34 weeks of gestation. For this study, umbilical cord blood was drawn during delivery to determine NT proBNP and troponin T levels. Echocardiography was performed 24–72 h after the delivery. Umbilical cord troponin T and NT proBNP levels were found to be higher in the diabetic and macrosomic groups than in the control group (all of them p < 0.001). NT proBNP levels were positively correlated with interventricular septum thickness in the pregestational and gestational infants of diabetic mothers groups (r = 0.564 and r = 0.560, respectively, p < 0.01). Both pregestational and gestational diabetic mothers were divided into two groups according to HbA1c levels in the third trimester as good (<6.1 %) and suboptimal (>6.1 %) metabolic control. In the good and suboptimal metabolic control diabetic groups, NT proBNP levels were also positively correlated with interventricular septum thickness (r = 0.536 and r = 0.576, respectively, p < 0.01). In the suboptimal metabolic control diabetic group, NT proBNP was only found to be positively correlated with the left ventricular mass index (r = 0.586, p < 0.01). While there was no correlation in the myocardial performance index between infants of diabetic mothers and the control group, the myocardial performance index of macrosomic infants was lower than that of the control group (p = 0.017). Cardiac biomarkers (NT proBNP and troponin T) were elevated in infants of diabetic mothers and macrosomic infants. While there was a positive correlation between NT proBNP levels and cardiac structure in infants of pregestational and gestational diabetic mothers, there was no relationship between NT proBNP levels and cardiac function.