STUDIES ON MATURITY IN NEWBORN INFANTS

Five anthropometric measurements, birth weight, crown-heel length, head circumference, occipito-frontal diameter, and bi-parietal diameter were recorded in a group of 174 newborn infants of various gestational ages. The material was selected to contain a relatively large number of infants with extreme birth weights and/or gestational ages. Head circumference was better correlated to gestational age than were the other four measurements. Birth weight and crown-heel length had the same degree of correlation to gestational age. The two skull diameters showed significantly lower correlations to gestational age. The confidence limits for estimating gestational age on the basis of the mean value for head circumference were ±26.1 days in this material. In SGA infants, crown-heel length and head circumference were not significantly greater than in pre-term infants of the same birth weight.     

STUDIES ON MATURITY IN NEWBORN INFANTS IX. Further Observations on the Use of External Characteristics in Estimating Gestational Age

Abstract. A simple method for assessing maturity based on 8 external characteristics has previously been described. Some new results with the use of this method are now presented. The precision in estimating gestational age is sufficiently good, more than 95% of the infants were correctly estimated within ±3 weeks. Reducing the criteria to seven and thereby excluding the ophthalmoscopic examination did not significantly change the precision of the estimation. The examination based on external characteristics is a very simple and useful method for maturity assessment, even in sick newborn infants. Tables for transforming maturity score into gestational age are presented.     

AORTIC ANEURYSM DEVELOPING AFTER UMBILICAL ARTERY CATHETERIZATION

Abstract. A variety of complications of umbilical vessel catheterization in the newborn have been reported by earlier investigators. This paper describes a case in which umbilical artery catheterization probably gave rise to an aortic aneurysm. The histological findings suggested that the hypoxic changes in the aortic wall as well as the mechanical effect of the catheter were involved in the origin of the aneurysm.     

Potential consequences from possible changes to Nordic retail alcohol monopolies resulting from European Union membership

This paper projects the consequences of modifying or eliminating the current national alcohol retail monopolies in Sweden, Norway and Finland as a possible result of those countries' membership in the European Union (EU). First, the authors project absolute alcohol consumption in each country based on different possible changes in alcohol price and availability. Then they predict the future levels of alcohol-related problems likely to result from increased per capita alcohol consumption (Sweden and Norway only). All of the scenarios examined in this paper are expected to lead to increases in per capita alcohol consumption. The smallest increase in consumption would result from a partial elimination of the current monopoly and a modest reduction in alcohol prices. In that case, projected per capita consumption in Sweden for inhabitants 15 years and older would rise from 6.3 to 9.3 litres; in Norway, from 4.7 to 6.7 litres; and in Finland, from 8.4 to 11.1 litres. The greatest projected increase in consumption would result from a complete elimination of the state monopolies such that all beer, wine and spirits were sold in food shops, grocery stores and gasoline stations, along with a substantial drop in alcohol prices as a result of private competition within each country and increased cross-border alcohol purchases. That scenario would result in projected per capita consumption of 12.7 litres in Sweden, 11.1 litres in Norway and 13.7 litres in Finland. The authors project that a 1-litre increase in consumption would result in a 9.5% increase in total alcohol-related mortality in Sweden and a 9.7% increase in Norway. Further, alcohol-related assaults would increase by 9% in Sweden and 9.6% in Norway. A 5-litre increase in consumption would result in a 62% increase in alcohol-related mortality in Sweden and a 60% increase in Norway, and a 57% increase in alcohol-involved assaults in both countries.     

STUDIES ON MATURITY IN NEWBORN INFANTS

ABSTRACT: Finnström, O., Gothefors, L. and Zetterlund, B. (Departments of Paediatrics, University Hospitals, Linköping and Umeå, Sweden). Studies on maturity in newborn infants. VII. Foetal haemoglobin. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64:404, 1975.–Cord blood from 125 newborns of various gestational ages has been analysed for the ratio foetal haemoglobin to total haemoglobin, using an alkali denaturation method. The quotient, percentage of foetal haemoglobin divided by birth weight correlates well with gestational age. Thus the percentage of foetal haemoglobin in cord blood can be used as a method for estimating maturity in newborn infants. Foetal haemoglobin has been compared with other methods for maturity assessments and seems to give the same precision in estimating gestational age as the best of these, which is the scoring of external characteristics. However, the latter method is considerably less time-consuming and more suitable for routine use.     

Plasma Ionized Calcium, Phosphate and Magnesium in Preterm and Small for Gestational Age Infants

ABSTRACT. Blood concentrations of ionized calcium, phosphate and magnesium were determined on days 1, 3 and 5 in 32 preterm infants, appropriate for gestational age, and 25 small for gestational age infants. The results were compared with those of a reference group of 31 fullterm newborns. Preterm infants had lower mean ionized calcium levels than the reference population. Ionized calcium levels were positively correlated with gestational age and postnatal age. The sickest infants had the lowest calcium levels. Intrauterine growth retardation did not seem to influence the calcium levels. Small for gestational age infants had lower phosphate values than the reference group and the values correlated with the degree of growth retardation the first day. Magnesium concentrations increased with time and did not differ significantly between the study groups and the reference group. Magnesium values did not correlate with calcium or phosphate values.     

Oral state of children with epilepsy on treatment with sodium valproate

Abstract – The aim of the study was, due to two recent reports about gingival and mucosal lesions, to survey the frequency of intraoral side effects in connection with sodium valproate treatment in epileptics. All patients on this drug treatment available at the University Hospital in Linköping, Sweden - in all 10 children, aged 8–14 - with absence seizures (simple petit mal), and treated for 1 to 4 yr, constituted a treatment group. Untreated age-matched, newly diagnosed epileptics constituted a comparison group. In each individual the oral hygiene state, gingival and periodontal condition, mucosal condition, caries prevalence, saliva secretion rate, salivary buffer capacity and lactobacillus count were estimated. The results revealed no divergences in the treated as compared with the untreated individuals which could be regarded as intraoral side effects deriving from the drug treatment     

UMBILICAL ARTERY CATHETERIZATION IN NEWBORNS I. Thrombosis in Relation to Catheter Type and Position

Abstract. Seventy-one sick newborn infants, who had an umbilical artery catheterized, were randomized in one of four catheter groups: long end-hole-, short end-hole-, long side-hole- or short side-hole catheter. A long catheter means a high position of the catheter tip (Th_6–11) and a short catheter a low position of the tip (L_3–5). An angiography through the indwelling catheter in order to diagnose thrombosis was performed before the catheter was withdrawn. Dissection of the aorta and its branches was performed on infants who died. The total frequency of thromboses was 26%. There were no thromboses among infants with long end-hole catheters while infants with short end-hole catheters had thrombosis in 26%, long side-hole catheters in 33% and short side-hole catheters in 64%. Long end-hole catheters functioned better than the others. Only 6 of 16 infants with thrombosis had physical signs from the legs, while 12 infants without thrombosis had similar signs.     

SPONTANEOUS LABOUR AND ELECTIVE INDUCTION—A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY Behavioural Assessment and Neurological Examination in the Newborn Period

Abstract. The effect of induction of labour on the foetus and the newborn was investigated in a prospective randomized study. 41 neonates were studied after induction at full term by amniotomy and intravenous oxytocin infusion. The infusion rate was regulated by the intraamniotic pressure using the Cardiff infusion pump system. 39 neonates served as controls where the labour started spontaneously followed by amniotomy. In both groups foetal heart rate monitoring and intraamniotic pressure recordings were performed. There were no differences in Apgar score and pH in cord blood between the groups. The newborns were evaluated the first and the fifth day of life with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale and with a modified Prechtl neurological examination. There were no differences in behaviour and neurological state between the two groups. However, within the groups there were significant differences between the first and the fifth day concerning both neonatal behaviour and neurological state.