Atopic eczema and preterm birth.

In a group of 443 children with atopic eczema there was a significant lack of subjects born before 37 weeks'' gestation. It is possible that preterm birth reduces the chances of the subsequent development of severe atopic disease.     

Growth and very low birth weight.

Information on the likelihood of catch up growth in poorly grown very low birthweight children is sparse. The centiles for weight, height, and head circumference were recorded at both 2 and 5 years of age for 135 very low birthweight children and 42 normal birthweight children. At both ages significantly more children of very low birth weight were under the 10th centile for weight and height. Children of birth weight under 1000 g were more often under the 10th centile for weight at 5 years compared with those of birth weight 1000-1500 g. Mean incremental weight gain between 2 and 5 years was significantly less for very low birthweight children. Mean increment in weight from 2 to 5 years was less for very low birthweight children who had been under the 10th centile for weight at 2 years; children who had been under the 10th centile for height also had lower mean height increments. The growth centiles achieved by 2 years of age were useful predictors of poor growth at 5 years, with perinatal data of marginal importance. Only six of 43 (14%) children with a weight at 5 years of age under the 10th centile were small for gestational age at birth. Very low birthweight children who had a weight or height under the 10th centile at 2 years of age usually remained in this category at 5 years with no evidence of catch up growth.     

Efficiency of manual resuscitators at birth.

The effectiveness of five neonatal/paediatric manual resuscitators was assessed in a group of babies born by caesarean section. Results showed that devices incorporating a large volume reservoir produced the greatest tidal volume, while those with smaller volume reservoirs could not be considered satisfactory for routine use during neonatal resuscitation.     

Plasma prostacyclin from birth to adolescence.

The plasma concentration of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha), the stable hydration product of prostacyclin, was measured by radioimmunoassay in 111 healthy children aged between 1 day and 16 years and in 21 healthy adults aged between 21 and 72 years. The 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in children up to age 16 years were higher than those in adults. During the first 4 days of life the plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in term infants were higher (P less than 0.05) than the respective levels in preterm infants. There was no difference between the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels measured simultaneously in umbilical arterial and peripheral venous plasma in 7 newborn infants. Maternal pre-eclampsia or epidural analgesia during labour, mode of delivery, birthweight, or sex of the infants were not related to the plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels on the first day of life. High levels of vasodilatory and anti-aggregatory prostacyclin during the first days of life may play a role in the postnatal adaptation of the circulation and platelet function.     

Significance of cord problems at birth.

Cord problems at birth were prospectively studied in 12,000 singleton deliveries, of which 258 (2.15%) babies had cord abnormalities. Nearly 32% of these cases had fetal distress and 20.5% had 1 minute Apgar score less than 6. Of the various cord problems nuchal cord was noted in 79.1%, cord prolapse in 12.4% and true knots in 3.9% cases. Perinatal mortality rate with cord problems was 85.27/1000 births. Neonatal problems noted were septicemia (4.56%), aspiration syndromes (13.48%), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (7.30%), neonatal convulsions (2.14%) and hyperbilirubinemia (2.14%). Although mean Hb and PCV were lower in those with cord round the neck as compared to normal controls, this difference was not significant. Seven babies had Hb less than 13 g/dl with nuchal cords. Neonates born with cord around the neck or with other cord abnormalities should be carefully followed up for morbidity.     

Thermoregulation in babies immediately after birth.

The fall in body temperature that occurs in babies soon after birth is influenced by the baby''s weight and its environmental conditions. The rate of oxygen consumption 1 1/2 hours after birth was unrelated to body temperature and only slightly raised, indicating a limited thermogenic capacity. A radiant heater effectively prevented cooling in babies kept with their mothers in the delivery room. Washing soon after birth caused a significant cooling. Healthy term babies were found to have a limited thermogenic response to a cool environment over the first 12 hour of life and efforts to limit heat losses should be concentrated on this period.     

Maternal weight gain and birth weight.

The data of first 1000 non-malformed, mature (greater than or equal to 2500 g) singletons of participants in the Hungarian Family Planning Programme were evaluated. The mean maternal weight gain during pregnancy was 13 kg which was modified by the body weight of women. Maternal weight gain exceeded 13 kg in 54% of pregnant women. There was a positive correlation between maternal weight gain and birth weight which was calculated as 26.6 g/kg.