bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analytical validation of serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP OSTASE) on Liaison
Authors: Cavalier Etienne , Rozet Eric , Carlisi Agnès , Bekaert Anne-Catherine , Rousselle Olivier , Hubert Philippe , Chapelle Jean-Paul , Delanaye Pierre 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background: The goal of this study was to validate the DiaSorin Liaison BAP OSTASE, a new method for measurement of bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and to compare this method with the Beckman-Coulter Access Ostase. We also wanted to establish the reference range for BAP in adults and children.

Methods: We determined the precision, functional sensitivity, recovery, linearity and measurement uncertainty, accuracy profile and β-expectation limits. We defined an adult reference interval using individuals with 25-OH vitamin D >80 nmol/L, parathormone <58 ng/L, and normal calcium, phosphorous and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Each adult subclass (men/non-menopausal women/menopause women) contained 120 individuals. We also determined the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles from a population of 450 children, stratified according to age and gender.

Results: The results of the validation showed: precision <6%, functional sensitivity <0.74 μg/L, mean recovery 98.8±4.2% and good linearity. Relative uncertainty ranged from 9.0% to 12.9%, and the risk of one result falling out of the ±15% acceptance limits was <5% for concentrations between 7 and 94 μg/L. The Bland-Altman plot showed no systematic bias between the two methods. In adults, we did not find any statistical difference between the different subclasses. The upper limit of normality observed in the entire population (n=360) was 21.3 μg/L (90% CI: 18.3–24.2 μg/L).

Conclusions: The Liaison BAP OSTASE is a robust method, and is completely validated between 7 and 93 μg/L: in this range, 95% of the values obtained will be within ±15% of the true value.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:67–72.
Laboratory reference intervals during pregnancy, delivery and the early postpartum period
Authors: Klajnbard Anna , Szecsi Pal B. , Colov Nina P. , Andersen Malene R. , Jørgensen Maja , Bjørngaard Brian , Barfoed Anne , Haahr Katrine , Stender Steen 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background: Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect laboratory parameters. Reference values based on samples from non-pregnant women are not necessarily useful for clinical decisions during pregnancy. There is a need to establish reference values during pregnancy in order to recognize pathological conditions.

Methods: Eight hundred and one women with expected normal pregnancies were included in the study. Of these, 391 had no complications during pregnancy, delivery, or the early postpartum period. Blood samples were obtained at gestational weeks 13–20, 21–28, 29–34, 35–42, at labor, and 1 and 2 days postpartum. Reference intervals were calculated for 36 tests as recommended by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine.

Results: Many tests showed such large variations indicating that gestational age-specific reference intervals were necessary. Other tests had different but stable values when compared to non-pregnant women. A minor decrease in albumin levels was observed. This was not only due to pregnancy-associated hemodilution, since other components with the same or a larger molecular diameter did not show a similar decrease. Many tests exhibited a broad distribution around vaginal delivery and in the early postpartum period.

Conclusions: Only a few parameters were unaffected during uncomplicated pregnancy, delivery, and the early postpartum period suggesting that implementation of gestational age-specific reference intervals is necessary.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:237–48.
The Beckman DxI 800 prolactin assay demonstrates superior specificity for monomeric prolactin
Authors: Byrne Brendan , O'Shea Paula , Barrett Patricia , Tormey William 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background: Commercially available prolactin immunoassays detect macroprolactin to variable degrees. Best practice requires laboratories to assess the cross-reactivity of their prolactin assay with macroprolactin, and where appropriate, introduce a screen for the presence of macroprolactin. Our policy has been to reanalyse hyperprolactinaemic samples following polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and to report the resultant value as the monomeric prolactin content of the sample. The goal of this study was to determine the need to continue PEG precipitation when prolactin measurements with the Wallac AutoDELFIA were replaced by the Beckman DxI 800.

Methods: A total of 317 apparently hyperprolactinaemic samples were analysed for prolactin using the Beckman DxI 800 and results compared with those determined with the PEG screening technique on the Wallac AutoDELFIA. Any samples demonstrating a discordance of >25% were re-analysed using gel filtration chromatography (GFC) for a definitive result.

Results: The results indicate the Beckman DxI overestimates the prolactin concentration in 1%–2% of hyperprolactinaemic samples. PEG precipitation prior to analysis with the Wallac AutoDELFIA resulted in a 1% false negative diagnosis of hyperprolactinaemia.

Conclusions: Prolactin results can be reported directly from the DxI. When results are discordant with the clinical presentation, prolactin should be measured using GFC.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:205–8.
Radiation Exposure in 212 Very Low and Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Puch-Kapst Kathrin , Juran Ralf , Stoever Brigitte , Wauer Roland R. 
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: We determined the frequency and estimated effective radiation dose (E) from conventional diagnostic radiographs for infants who had birth weight of ≤1500 g (very low birth weight [VLBW] infants) and were treated in a NICU.METHODS: Entrance skin doses were experimentally measured for all standard weight-dependent exposure settings. For each radiograph in the radiologic file, the exposed area on the film was measured manually. Together with clinical data obtained from the Vermont Oxford Network, medical charts, and radiologic files, we estimated E. E values per radiograph and per child were compared with recommended reference values and annual natural background radiation (NBR). We used reference data to estimate the risk for radiation-induced cancers.RESULTS: Of 212 VLBW infants, 194 required at least 1 conventional radiograph. Measured entrance skin dose varied between 11.8 and 15.0 μGy. Calculated E received was 16 microsievert (μSv; median) per radiograph and 71.5 μSv (median) per infant for the whole stay. Infants with birth weight ≤750 g, length of stay ≥16 weeks, congenital malformations, or oxygen dependence for ≥36 weeks were at risk for high numbers of radiographs and high radiation dose. Compared with the annual NBR, the median of 4 radiographs per infant contributes 12 days of NBR. We estimated that only 1 of 60000 NICU-treated VLBW infants will develop a fatal malignancy up to 15 years of age.CONCLUSIONS: We found that NICU-treated VLBW infants had low radiation exposure compared with the annual NBR.
The Changing Face of Childhood Celiac Disease in North America: Impact of Serological Testing
Authors: McGowan Kelly E. , Castiglione Derek A. , Butzner J. Decker 
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to evaluate the impact of immunoglobulin A endomysial antibody testing on the incidence and clinical presentation of childhood celiac disease.
METHODS: The incidence and clinical presentation of celiac disease in patients &lt;18 years of age in 1990–1996 (pretesting group) versus 2000–2006 (testing group) were compared.
RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 2 years (95% confidence interval: 2–4 years) in the pretesting group (N = 36), compared with 9 years (95% confidence interval: 8–10 years) in the testing group (N = 199; P &lt; .001); the female/male ratios (1.6:1) were similar (P = .982). The incidence of celiac disease increased from 2.0 cases per 100000 children (pretesting group) to 7.3 cases per 100000 children (testing group; P = .0256). The frequency of classic celiac disease presentations decreased from 67% (pretesting group) to 19% (testing group; P &lt; .001), but the incidence of classic celiac disease did not differ (0.8 vs 1.6 cases per 100000; P = .154). In the testing group, 13 previously unrecognized clinical presentations were observed in 98 children, including 35 with family history, 18 with abdominal pain, and 14 with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The frequency of Marsh IIIc lesions decreased from 64% (pretesting group) to 44% (testing group; P = .0403). In the testing group, classic celiac disease remained predominant (67%) in young children (&lt;3 years), whereas atypical gastrointestinal and silent presentations predominated in older children.
CONCLUSIONS: Antibody testing for celiac disease tripled the incidence of celiac disease and quadrupled the median age at diagnosis.
Rectal Fecal Impaction Treatment in Childhood Constipation: Enemas Versus High Doses Oral PEG
Authors: Bekkali Noor-L-Houda , van den Berg Maartje-Maria , Dijkgraaf Marcel G.W. , van Wijk Michiel P. , Bongers Marloes E.J. , Liem Olivia , Benninga Marc A. 
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that enemas and polyethylene glycol (PEG) would be equally effective in treating rectal fecal impaction (RFI) but enemas would be less well tolerated and colonic transit time (CTT) would improve during disimpaction.
METHODS: Children (4–16 years) with functional constipation and RFI participated. One week before disimpaction, a rectal examination was performed, symptoms of constipation were recorded, and the first CTT measurement was started. If RFI was determined, then patients were assigned randomly to receive enemas once daily or PEG (1.5 g/kg per day) for 6 consecutive days. During this period, the second CTT measurement was started and a child's behavior questionnaire was administered. Successful rectal disimpaction, defecation and fecal incontinence frequencies, occurrence of abdominal pain and watery stools, CTTs (before and after disimpaction), and behavior scores were assessed.
RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were eligible, of whom 90 participated (male, n = 60; mean age: 7.5 ± 2.8 years). Forty-six patients received enemas and 44 PEG, with 5 dropouts in each group. Successful disimpaction was achieved with enemas (80%) and PEG (68%; P = .28). Fecal incontinence and watery stools were reported more frequently with PEG (P &lt; .01), but defecation frequency (P = .64), abdominal pain (P = .33), and behavior scores were comparable between groups. CTT normalized equally (P = .85) in the 2 groups.
CONCLUSION: Enemas and PEG were equally effective in treating RFI in children. Compared with enemas, PEG caused more fecal incontinence, with comparable behavior scores. The treatments should be considered equally as first-line therapy for RFI.
Improving Asthma Outcomes in Minority Children: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Parent Mentors
Authors: Flores Glenn , Bridon Christina , Torres Sylvia , Perez Ruth , Walter Tim , Brotanek Jane , Lin Hua , Tomany-Korman Sandy 
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: Because asthma disproportionately affects minorities, we evaluated the effects of parent mentors (PMs) on asthma outcomes in minority children.
METHODS: This randomized, controlled trial allocated minority asthmatic children to the PM intervention or traditional asthma care. Intervention families were assigned PMs (experienced parents of asthmatic children who received specialized training). PMs met monthly with children and families at community sites, phoned parents monthly, and made home visits. Ten asthma outcomes and costs were monitored for 1 year. Outcomes were examined by using both intention-to-treat analyses and stratified analyses for high participants (attending ≥25% of community meetings and completing ≥50% of PM phone interactions).
RESULTS: Patients were randomly assigned to PMs (n = 112) or the control group (n = 108). In intention-to-treat analyses, intervention but not control children experienced significantly reduced rapid-breathing episodes, asthma exacerbations, and emergency department (ED) visits. High participants (but not controls or low participants) experienced significantly reduced wheezing, asthma exacerbations, and ED visits and improved parental efficacy in knowing when breathing problems are controllable at home. Mean reductions in missed parental work days were greater for high participants than controls. The average monthly cost per patient for the PM program was $60.42, and net savings of $46.16 for high participants.
CONCLUSIONS: For asthmatic minority children, PMs can reduce wheezing, asthma exacerbations, ED visits, and missed parental work days while improving parental self-efficacy. These outcomes are achieved at a reasonable cost and with net cost savings for high participants. PMs may be a promising, cost-effective means for reducing childhood asthma disparities.
Prenatal Di(2-ethylhexyl)Phthalate Exposure and Length of Gestation Among an Inner-City Cohort
Authors: Whyatt Robin M. , Adibi Jennifer J. , Calafat Antonia M. , Camann David E. , Rauh Virgina , Bhat Hari K. , Perera Frederica P. , Andrews Howard , Just Allan C. , Hoepner Lori , Tang Deliang , Hauser Russ 
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the relationship between di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) exposure during pregnancy and gestational age at delivery among 311 African American or Dominican women from New York City.
METHODS: Forty-eight-hour personal air and/or spot urine samples were collected during the third trimester. DEHP levels were measured in air samples and 4 DEHP metabolite levels were measured in urine. Specific gravity was used to adjust for urinary dilution. Gestational age was abstracted from newborn medical records (n = 289) or calculated from the expected date of delivery (n = 42). Multivariate linear regression models controlled for potential confounders.
RESULTS: DEHP was detected in 100% of personal air samples (geometric mean: 0.20 μg/m3 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.21 μg/m3]); natural logarithms of air concentrations were inversely but not significantly associated with gestational age. Two or more of the DEHP metabolites were detected in 100% of urine samples (geometric mean: 4.8–38.9 ng/mL [95% CI: 4.1–44.3 ng/mL]). Controlling for potential confounders, gestational age was shorter by 1.1 days (95% CI: 0.2–1.8 days) for each 1-logarithmic unit increase in specific gravity-adjusted mono(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate concentrations (P = .01) and averaged 5.0 days (95% CI: 2.1–8.0 days) less among subjects with the highest versus lowest quartile concentrations (P = .001). Results were similar and statistically significant for the other DEHP metabolites.
CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal DEHP exposure was associated with shorter gestation but, given inconsistencies with previous findings for other study populations, results should be interpreted with caution, and additional research is warranted.
Intellectual Outcome from Preschool Traumatic Brain Injury: A 5-Year Prospective, Longitudinal Study
Authors: Anderson Vicki , Catroppa Cathy , Morse Sue , Haritou Flora , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V. 
Published: November 2009

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common, acquired disability that may be used as a model to understand the impact of early brain injury on brain structure and function. To date, few studies have followed very young children over time after insult.
OBJECTIVE: To plot recovery and outcome of intellectual ability after early TBI over the 5 years after injury, and to identify predictors of outcome including injury, sociodemographic and preinjury characteristics, and acute functional recovery.
DESIGN: Children aged between 2 and 7 years who were diagnosed with TBI (N = 54) were consecutively recruited on admission to the Royal Children's Hospital, Victoria, Australia, to participate in a prospective, longitudinal study. Our study had a between-factor design that used injury severity as the independent variable. The participants were categorized into groups according to injury severity (mild, moderate, or severe), and were compared with healthy control participants (n = 16) at the acute time point, and at 12 months, 30 months, and 5 years after injury. Intellectual measures, including verbal and nonverbal skills, attention, and processing speed, were administered.
RESULTS: Children with severe injuries demonstrated slower recovery and poorer cognitive outcomes up to 5 years after injury than did those who were observed for less severe injuries. Recovery trajectories were associated with injury severity over the first 30 months after injury, with the greatest deterioration in function observed for more severe injuries. From 30 months to 5 years after injury, progress was stable. Only injury severity (as determined by the Glasgow Coma Scale score) and acute cognitive performance were strong predictors of 5-year outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: This study has confirmed the high risk of persisting and global deficits associated with severe brain insult in early childhood. Contrary to previous speculation about “growing into deficits,” children with severe brain insults have more protracted recovery periods but do not continue to lose ground compared with their peers. By 30 months after insult, recovery seems to stabilize and children begin to make appropriate developmental gains.
Prevalence of Down Syndrome Among Children and Adolescents in 10 Regions of the United States
Authors: Shin Mikyong , Besser Lilah M. , Kucik James E. , Lu Chengxing , Siffel Csaba , Correa Adolfo ,   the Congenital Anomaly Multistate Prevalence and Survival (CAMPS) Collaborative
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of Down syndrome (DS) among children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years in 10 regions of the United States.
METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of live-born infants with DS during 1979–2003 from 10 population-based birth defects registries in the United States. We estimated the prevalence of DS at birth and among children aged 0 to 19 years in each region and in all regions pooled. The prevalence of DS among children and adolescents was calculated overall and according to age group, race/ethnicity, infant gender, and presence of a major heart defect.
RESULTS: From 1979 through 2003, the prevalence of DS at birth increased by 31.1%, from 9.0 to 11.8 per 10000 live births in 10 US regions. In 2002, the prevalence among children and adolescents (0–19 years old) was 10.3 per 10000. The prevalence of DS among children in a given age group consistently increased over time but decreased with age within a given birth cohort. The pooled prevalence of DS among children and adolescents was lower among non-Hispanic black individuals and other racial/ethnic groups compared with non-Hispanic white individuals; it was also lower among females than males.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides prevalence estimates of DS among children and adolescents from 10 US regions. These estimates varied according to region, race/ethnicity, and gender, suggesting possible variation in prevalence at birth or in survival rates on the basis of these characteristics.
Outcome of Term Infants Using Apgar Scores at 10 Minutes Following Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Laptook Abbot R. , Shankaran Seetha , Ambalavanan Namasivayam , Carlo Waldemar A. , McDonald Scott A. , Higgins Rosemary D. , Das Abhik ,   the Hypothermia Subcommittee of the NICHD Neonatal Research Network
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether Apgar scores at 10 minutes are associated with death or disability in early childhood after perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of infants who were enrolled in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network hypothermia trial. Infants who were born at ≥36 weeks’ gestation and had clinical and/or biochemical abnormalities at birth and encephalopathy at &lt;6 hours were studied. Logistic regression and classification and regression-tree analysis were used to determine associations between Apgar scores at 10 minutes and neurodevelopmental outcome, adjusting for covariates. Death or disability (moderate or severe) at 18 to 22 months of age was the measured outcome.RESULTS: Twenty of 208 infants were excluded (missing data). More than 90% of the infants had Apgar scores of 0 to 2 at 1 minute, and Apgar scores at 5 and 10 minutes shifted to progressively higher values; at 10 minutes, 27% of infants had Apgar scores of 0 to 2. After adjustment, each point decrease in Apgar score at 10 minutes was associated with a 45% increase in the odds of death or disability. Death or disability occurred in 76%, 82%, and 80% of infants with 10-minute Apgar scores of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. Classification and regression-tree analysis indicated that Apgar scores at 10 minutes were discriminators of outcome.CONCLUSIONS: Apgar scores at 10 minutes provide useful prognostic data before other evaluations are available for infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Death or moderate/severe disability is common but not uniform with Apgar scores of &lt;3; caution is needed before adopting a specific time interval to guide duration of resuscitation.
Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Infants With Unilateral or Bilateral Periventricular Hemorrhagic Infarction
Authors: Maitre Nathalie L. , Marshall Diane D. , Price Wayne A. , Slaughter James C. , O'Shea Thomas M. , Maxfield Charles , Goldstein Ricki F. 
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE: Periventricular hemorrhagic infarction (PVHI) is a major contributing factor to poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. We hypothesized that surviving infants with unilateral PVHI would have more favorable outcomes than those with bilateral PVHI.METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective study of infants who were admitted to 3 NICUs in North Carolina from 1998 to 2004. The clinical course and late neuroimaging studies and neurodevelopmental outcomes of 69 infants who weighed &lt;1500 g and had confirmed PVHI on early cranial ultrasonography were reviewed. A predictive model for Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition, Mental Developmental Index (MDI) &lt;70 was constructed by using radiologic and clinical variables.RESULTS: Infants with unilateral PVHI had higher median MDI (82 vs 49) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (53 vs 49) than infants with bilateral PVHI. Infants with unilateral PVHI were less likely to have severe cerebral palsy (adjusted odds ratio: 0.15 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05–0.45]) than infants with bilateral PVHI. Infants who had unilateral PVHI and developed periventricular leukomalacia and retinopathy of prematurity that required surgery had an increased probability of having MDI &lt;70 compared with those without these complications (probability of MDI &lt;70: 89% [95% CI: 0.64–1.00] vs 11% [95% CI: 0.01–0.28]).CONCLUSIONS: Infants with unilateral PVHI had better motor and cognitive outcomes than infants with bilateral PVHI. By combining laterality of PVHI, periventricular leukomalacia, and retinopathy of prematurity it is possible to estimate the probability of having an MDI &lt;70, which will assist clinicians when counseling families.