低出生体质量儿体质量发育及其影响因素

目的探讨低出生体质量儿(LBWI)出生12个月时体质量发育情况及影响因素。方法以2010年2月-2011年2月在本院出生后转入NICU的41例LBWI作为观察组,选择同期在本院产科出生的健康足月新生儿(NBWI)50例作为健康对照组。2组新生儿均于12个月时进行体质量发育评估,比较体质量发育情况;分析影响体质量发育的相关因素,调查内容包括姓名、性别、胎龄、日龄、出生体质量、娩出方式、家庭经济收入、父母文化程度、喂养方式、早期大小便训练等项目。结果 LBWI组在12个月时体质量显著低于NBWI组,差异有统计学意义(t=4.268,P<0.01)。回归分析显示,与体质量发育呈正相关的因素有孕周、出生体质量、娩出方式、喂养方式、母亲文化程度、早期大小便训练(Pa<0.05),其中孕周影响最大(OR=0.465)。结论 LBWI 12个月时体质量发育仍落后于NBWI,体质量发育受多种因素的影响,其中孕周影响最大。     

Comparative study of protein molecular weights by size-exclusion chromatography and laser-light scattering

High-performance size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) based on UV-Vis detection is a relative technique for molecular weight determination whereas procedure based on multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) is both rapid and absolute. The two methods using recombinant human growth hormone (rHGH) and β-lactoglobulin samples were compared. A calibration curve for the chromatographic system was generated based on standard proteins and the data were fitted by least squares to a third order polynomial model. The molecular weight from the conventional SEC method for both proteins was higher than the reported values. The molecular weight of rHGH from MALLS was 23.1±0.57 and 21.2±0.80 kDa using differential refractive index (SEC-MALLS/RI) and UV (SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis) detectors as mass detectors. Both values agree, within experimental error with the molecular weight sequence of rHGH, 22.1 kDa. In contrast, the molecular weight from LS for β-lactoglobulin was 22.5±0.55 kDa by SEC-MALLS/RI and 23.0±1.22 kDa by SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis, respectively, values always higher than those supplied by the manufacturer, 18.4 kDa. The reproducibilty of the SEC-MALLS/UV-Vis method versus the SEC-MALLS/RI method was performed using the concordance correlation coefficient. The method′s reproducibility was accepted by assuming a precision of 98% and a 1% loss in precision.     

Small area variations in low birth weight and small size of births in India

The states and districts are the primary focal points for policy formulation and programme intervention in India. The within‐districts variation of key health indicators is not well understood and consequently underemphasised. This study aims to partition geographic variation in low birthweight (LBW) and small birth size (SBS) in India and geovisualize the distribution of small area estimates. Applying a four‐level logistic regression model to the latest round of the National Family Health Survey (2015–2016) covering 640 districts within 36 states and union territories of India, the variance partitioning coefficient and precision‐weighted prevalence of LBW (<2.5 kg) and SBS (mother''s self‐report) were estimated. For each outcome, the spatial distribution by districts of mean prevalence and small area variation (as measured by standard deviation) and the correlation between them were computed. Of the total valid sample, 17.6% (out of 193,345 children) had LBW and 12.4% (out of 253,213 children) had SBS. The small areas contributed the highest share of total geographic variance in LBW (52%) and SBS (78%). The variance of LBW attributed to small areas was unevenly distributed across the regions of India. While a strong correlation between district‐wide percent and within‐district standard deviation was identified in both LBW (r = 0.88) and SBS (r = 0.87), they were not necessarily concentrated in the aspirational districts. We find the necessity of precise policy attention specifically to the small areas in the districts of India with a high prevalence of LBW and SBS in programme formulation and intervention that may be beneficial to improve childbirth outcomes.     

Relationship of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, insulin, growth hormone in cord blood and maternal factors with birth height and birthweight

BACKGROUND: To determine whether the following factors are related to birthweight or birth height, we measured insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3, insulin and growth hormone (GH) levels in cord blood and also observed the relationship between birthweight, birth height and maternal factors. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-four cord bloods were collected, 106 from males and 88 from females. Three newborns were small for gestational age (SGA), 168 were appropriate (AGA) and 23 were large (LGA); 21 newborns were preterm and 172 were term. RESULTS: Levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were significantly lower in preterm babies (35.3 +/- 15.1 and 1025.6 +/- 562.8 ng/mL, respectively) than in term babies (61.6 +/- 39.5 and 1252.6 +/- 403.2 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.01), but neither insulin nor GH levels, measured by radioimmunoassay, showed any significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Among term babies, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly higher in the LGA group (96.1 +/- 34.1 and 1544.7 +/- 418.1 ng/mL, respectively) than in the AGA group (56.4 +/- 37.6 and 1212.8 +/- 383.4 ng/mL, respectively; P < 0.01). Levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 showed significant correlation with birthweight and length, respectively (P < 0.01), although GH and insulin levels did not (P > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels (P < 0.01, r = 0.64), but IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels showed no relationship with GH or insulin levels. Birthweight correlated significantly with prepartum maternal weight, maternal weight gain and maternal height (P < 0.05), but birth length correlated significantly only with maternal height (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that fetal growth depends on fetal levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and maternal factors, not on insulin or GH. Levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 may not be regulated by insulin alone, but by the complex interactions between several factors, such as insulin, GH and maternal factors.     

极低出生体重儿的婴幼儿时期生长发育情况调查

目的 了解低出生体重儿（ＶＬＢＷＩ）的婴幼儿时期生长发育情况。方法 对３０例存活的婴幼儿,于其出生后１２个月～４岁时随访,采有科教儿科研究所制定的０～４岁小儿精神发育检查表测发育值。结果 ＶＬＢＷＩ在婴幼儿时期约有３０％身高和体重生长落后,ＤＱ在中下及其以下水平占３７％,ＤＱ与出生体重及家庭环境有关。结论对ＶＬＢＷＩ婴幼儿３岁前加强早期教育和早期干预十分重要。     

极低/超低出生体重儿生后1 min低Apgar评分的危险因素：多中心回顾性研究

目的 探讨极低/超低出生体重儿生后1 min低Apgar评分(≤7分)的危险因素。方法 回顾性收集2018年1月—2019年12月江苏省新生儿重症监护病房母乳喂养质量改进临床研究协作组多中心临床数据库极低/超低出生体重儿的临床资料。按生后1 min Apgar评分分为低Apgar评分组(Apgar评分≤7分)和正常Apgar评分组(Apgar评分>7分)。采用多因素logistic回归分析法探讨生后1 min低Apgar评分的影响因素。采用受试者操作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC曲线)分析评价相关指标对生后1 min低Apgar评分的预测价值。结果 纳入1 809例极低/超低出生体重儿。1 min低Apgar评分发生率为52.90%(957/1 809)。多因素logistic回归分析显示:胎龄越大,患儿出现1 min低Apgar评分的风险越小(OR=0.853,P<0.05);出生体重越大,患儿出现1 min低Apgar评分的风险越小(OR=0.999,P<0.05);羊水异常的患儿出现1 min低A...     

Early identification of the risk for free radical-related diseases in preterm newborns

Background

Despite recent advances in preterm newborns healthcare, perinatal pathologies and disabilities are increasing. Oxidative stress (OS) is determinant for the onset of an unbalance between free radicals (FRs) production and antioxidant systems which plays a key role in pathogenesis of pathologies such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), grouped as ‘free radical-related diseases’ (FRD).

Aim

This study tests the hypothesis that OS markers levels in cord blood may predict the onset of FRD pathologies.

Patients and methods

168 preterm newborns of GA: 24-32 weeks (28.09 ± 1.99); and BW: 470-2480 gr (1358.11 ± 454.09) were consecutively recruited. Markers of potential OS risk (non-protein bound iron, NPBI; basal superoxide anion, BSA; under stimulation superoxide anion, USSA) and markers of OS-related damage (total hydroperoxides, TH; advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP) were assessed in cord blood. Associations between FRD onset and OS markers were checked through inferential analysis (univariate logistic regression).

Results

The development of FRD was significantly associated to high cord blood levels of TH, AOPP and NPBI (respectively p = 0.000, OR = 1.025, 95%CI = 1.013-1.038; p = 0.014, OR = 1.092, 95%CI = 1.018-1.172; p = 0.007, OR = 1.26995%CI = 1.066-1.511).

Conclusions

Elevated levels of TH, AOPP and, above all, NPBI, in cord blood are associated with increased risk for FRD. OS markers allow the early identification of infants at risk for FRD because of perinatal oxidant exposure. This can be useful in devising strategies to prevent or ameliorate perinatal outcome.     

Conductive hearing loss in children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: A longitudinal follow-up study in children aged between 6 and 24 months

Aims

To determine the occurrence of isolated and recurrent episodes of conductive hearing loss (CHL) during the first two years of life in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Study design, subjects and outcome measures

In a longitudinal clinical study, 187 children were evaluated at 6, 9, 12, 15 18 and 24 months of age by visual reinforcement audiometry, tympanometry and auditory brain response system.

Results

Of the children with BPD, 54.5% presented with episodes of CHL, as opposed to 34.7% of the children without BPD. This difference was found to be statistically significant. The recurrent or persistent episodes were more frequent among children with BPD (25.7%) than among those without BPD (8.3%). The independent variables that contributed to this finding were small for gestational age and a 5 min Apgar score.

Conclusions

Recurrent CHL episodes are more frequent among VLBW infants with BPD than among VLBW infants without BPD.     

Former small for gestational age (SGA) status is associated to changes of insulin resistance in obese children during weight loss

Reinehr T, Kleber M, Toschke AM. Former small for gestational age (SGA) status is associated to changes of insulin resistance in obese children during weight loss. Objective: Former small for gestational age (SGA) children are at risk of both obesity and insulin resistance. Longitudinal studies are required to assess a possible relationship between former SGA status and insulin resistance independent of weight status. We hypothesized that obese children with former appropriate for gestational age (AGA) status improve their insulin resistance during weight loss more effectively compared to obese children with former SGA status. Methods: A 1‐yr longitudinal follow‐up study design was adopted in the primary care setting and 341 obese children [8% SGA, mean age 10.5 ± 0.1 yr, body mass index (BMI) 27.7 ± 0.2, BMI‐standard deviation score (SDS) 2.47 ± 0.02] were taken for the study. Outpatient 1‐yr intervention was based on exercise, behavior and nutrition therapy. We measured insulin resistance index following the Homeostasis model assessment model (HOMA), blood pressure, lipids, glucose, and insulin in all children before and after the 1‐yr intervention. Results: In a multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, and pubertal stage, changes of HOMA were significantly related to changes of BMI‐SDS (?2.55 per loss of 1 BMI‐SDS unit; p < 0.001) and SGA status (+2.05 for SGA children; p < 0.001). Changes of BMI‐SDS together with gender and age explained 10% of the variance of changes of HOMA, while SGA status explained an additional 4%. After adjustment for age, sex, pubertal stage, and BMI‐SDS, former SGA status was not significantly related to any other considered cardiovascular risk factor. Conclusions: Change of weight status predicted change of HOMA in obese children participating in a lifestyle intervention. Changes of HOMA were also predicted by former SGA status supporting that former SGA status influences insulin resistance.