bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative lung function in newborn infants with univentricular hearts compared with healthy controls
Authors: Matthews Iren Lindbak , Kaldestad Runa Helen , Bjørnstad Per G. , Thaulow Erik , Grønn Morten 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To measure the difference in lung function between newborns with univentricular hearts and healthy controls and study associations between lung function and pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary vasculature markings.Method: Tidal flow‐volume measurements and single occlusion tests were performed before surgery on 25 unsedated spontaneously breathing newborns with univentricular hearts recruited over a 3‐year period. Seventy‐five healthy control infants were measured. Pulmonary blood flow was graded according to the haemodynamic effect of the echocardiographically defined anatomy of the heart defect. Pulmonary vasculature was graded according to radiological markings.Results: The infants with univentricular hearts had a lower mean tidal volume of 4.7 ml (CI 2.3, 7.2, p < 0.001) (n = 24) and a lower mean compliance of the respiratory system of 12.7 ml/kPa (CI 4.6, 20.8, p = 0.004) (n = 14). Pulmonary blood flow grading was associated with respiratory rate (r = 0.53, p < 0.001), tidal volume (r =–0.48, p < 0.001), compliance (r =–0.55, p < 0.001) and resistance (r =–0.31, p = 0.043). Pulmonary vasculature grading was associated with compliance (r =–0.68, p = 0.006), resistance (r =–0.69, p = 0.007) and the time constant (r =–0.62, p = 0.042).Conclusion: Newborns with univentricular hearts have reduced tidal volumes and reduced compliance of the respiratory system. The lung function abnormalities are associated with the degree of pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary vasculature markings.
Quality of life in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Mellander M. , Berntsson L. , Nilsson B. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To measure quality of life in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and their families.Methods: A questionnaire exploring socioeconomic status, structure and function of networks and psychological well‐being was completed by the families of all 18 patients older than 2 years (age range 2.7–10.6). The results were compared with those of 180 healthy Swedish children matched for age and sex.Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the aspects of socioeconomic status. Study group parents had not more available time for their child (p < 0.05) and more separations/divorces (p < 0.01). The patients had lower self‐esteem (p < 0.05), more psychosomatic symptoms (p < 0.001) and lower peer acceptance (p < 0.01) than control children.Conclusion: With regard to psychological well‐being, quality of life was significantly lower in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome than in healthy controls.
Energy substrate production in infants born small for gestational age
Authors: Diderholm Barbro , Ewald Uwe , Ahlsson Fredrik , Gustafsson Jan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To investigate energy substrate production and its hormonal regulation in infants born small for gestational age.Methods: Eleven infants, aged 24.4 ± 5.3 hour, were studied following a fast of 4.0 ± 0.6 hour. Gestational age was 35.4 ± 2.8 weeks and birth weight 1804 ± 472 g (<−2 SD). Rates of glucose production and lipolysis were analyzed using [6,6‐2H2]‐glucose and [2‐13C]‐glycerol.Results: Plasma levels of glucose and glycerol were 4.1 ± 1.1 mmol . L−1 and 224 ± 79 μmol . L−1, respectively. Glucose appearance averaged 30.3 ± 8.2 and glucose production rate 21.1 ± 6.1 μmol . kg−1 . minutes−1. Glycerol production rate was 5.6 ± 1.6 μmol . kg−1 . minutes−1, correlating strongly to birth weight (r = 0.904, p < 0.001). Of the glycerol produced, 55 ± 22% was converted to glucose, corresponding to 8 ± 3% of the glucose production.Conclusions: Even though the infants could produce energy substrates, lipolysis was reduced and the glucose production was in the low end of the normal range compared with infants born appropriate for gestational age. The correlation between glycerol production and birth weight indicates that lipolysis depends on the amount of stored fat. Data on insulin and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 1 support the view that insulin sensitivity in these infants is reduced in the liver but increased peripherally.
Severe adverse reactions to Infliximab therapy are common in young children with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Kolho K‐L , Ruuska T , Savilahti E 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSince 2000 we have introduced 141 Infliximab infusions to 23 children with severe inflammatory bowel disease. A total of seven severe adverse reactions occurred in 26% (6 of 23) of the children. Four reactions were acute (anaphylaxis n = 2; allergic reaction n = 2) and 3/4 of these children were younger than 10 years of age. Two children developed an abscess and one child had septicaemia and brain lesions related to progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy.Conclusion: adverse reactions to Infliximab infusions are common. Young children seem to be prone to severe allergic reactions although they are on azathioprine and conventional glucocorticoid therapy.
Visits by the family to the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Latva R , Lehtonen L , Salmelin R K , Tamminen T 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To investigate visiting frequency of family members, including mother, father, siblings and grandparents and associated factors during hospitalisation of preterm infants.Methods: The study included all premature (< 37 weeks) infants born in Tampere University Hospital in 1997–1998 admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a birth weight less than 2500 g (n = 210). Maternal and infant data and visits made by family members were compiled from the infants' hospital records.Results: The length of the infants' hospitalisation varied from 2 to 133 days (median 26, quartiles 19, 45). Mothers visited the NICU on average 6.7 days/week; fathers 4.8 days/week. Mothers visited less frequently the lower the gestational age and the longer the distance between home and hospital. Fathers visited less frequently if distance from home to hospital was longer and if the infant had siblings. A total of 92% of siblings and 80% of grandparents visited the hospital.Conclusions: The results showed active visiting by the parents in the NICU. A lower gestational age was associated with lower visiting frequency for mothers. In contrast, more practical limitations such as geographical distance and other children to be taken care of had greater effect on the visiting frequency for fathers.
Phenotype of acute respiratory syncytial virus induced lower respiratory tract illness in infancy and subsequent morbidity
Authors: Elphick H E , Ritson S , Rigby A S , Everard M L 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the association hypothesis that outcome following respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) induced bronchiolitis (RSVB) and RSV induced wheeze (RSVW) are different. At 3 years respiratory symptoms were more common in those with RSV infection than the control group but there was no increase in allergic sensitisation (11%vs 10%). Those with RSVW were more likely to have evidence of allergic sensitisation when compared with RSVB subjects (22%vs 7%), and have increased symptoms and increased use of inhaled steroids.Conclusion: The data argue that RSV infection during infancy does not induce allergic asthma and that host factors rather than the virus determine long‐term outcomes.
Mental health problems, negative life events, perceived pressure and the frequency of acute infections among adolescents Results from a cross‐sectional, multicultural, population‐based study
Authors: Lien Lars , Rikard Haavet Ole , Thoresen Magne , Heyerdahl Sonja , Bjertness Espen 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To study the association between mental health problems, negative life events, perceived pressure at school and the frequency of acute infectious illnesses in an adolescent population, and to explore whether the association differs by sex and immigration status.Methods: A cross‐sectional study involving all tenth grade pupils in Oslo in 2000 and 2001. Of 8316 eligible pupils, 7346 participated in the study, giving a participation rate of 88%. Twenty‐four percent of participants were first‐ or second‐generation immigrants.Results: Mental health problems and negative life events were associated with the number of acute infections in a population‐based setting, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors. For girls with an immigrant background, internalised mental health problems and own serious illness or injury had the strongest association with acute infections. For adolescents with a non‐immigrant background, experiencing sexual violence had the strongest association, and for native‐born boys the strongest association with acute infections was externalised mental health problems. Smoking was the cofactor with the strongest association to acute infections.Conclusion: There is a relationship between acute infection, mental health problems and negative life events among adolescents in a multicultural population‐based setting.
Is the mattress important in helping babies keep warm?—Paradoxical effects of a sleeping surface with negligible thermal resistance
Authors: Arkell Sara , Blair Pete , Henderson John , Fleming Peter 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground: Heavy wrapping and head covering are risk factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. A new mattress construction, PurFlo®, has extremely low thermal resistance, and when used with an infant sleeping bag minimizes the risk of head covering.Aim: To investigate the thermal balance and metabolic rate of infants sleeping on a conventional mattress or a Purflo® mattress in infant sleeping bags.Methods: A longitudinal study of thermal balance of infants during day‐time sleep on both mattress types in thermoneutral and cool conditions at ages 3 weeks (n = 24), 3 months (n = 22) and 5 months (n = 18).Results: In thermoneutral conditions axillary temperatures in quiet sleep were lower on the conventional mattress than on the PurFlo® mattress (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test). On lowering room temperature to 15–16°C axillary temperatures fell, particularly in the older babies, and at each age were lower on the conventional mattress than the Purflo® (differences 0.14–0.72°C, p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test).Conclusion: In both thermoneutral and cool conditions, infant temperatures were higher on the PurFlo® than the conventional mattress. The more deformable surface of the PurFlo® mattress may lead to more effective insulation by the sleeping bag despite a lack of mattress insulation.
MRSA in children from foreign countries adopted to Swedish families
Authors: Gustafsson EB , Ringberg H , Johansson PJH 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To determine if children adopted to Swedish families from countries with a high carrier rate of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are infected or colonized with MRSA.Methods: From January 2000 to May 2005, 23 adopted children from 6 countries were examined for MRSA at the University hospital in Lund after their arrival in Sweden.Results: Thirteen of the 23 children (57%) were MRSA positive with a median age of the children at the time MRSA was detected of 6 (range 3–16) months. All MRSA positive children had a history of hospitalization in their native country before arriving in Sweden. The throat was the most frequent and persistent site where MRSA was seen while in sites such as the anterior nares and perineum, MRSA was found more intermittently. The MRSA‐positive children were adopted into 13 Swedish families and in 3 families, 6 of 10 family members became MRSA positive.Conclusion: Children adopted from foreign countries to Swedish families and with a history of hospitalization in their native country were commonly colonized with MRSA. The throat was the most frequent site colonized and transmission of MRSA from adopted children to other family members occurred.
Apgar score predicts short‐term outcome in infants born at 25 gestational weeks
Authors: Forsblad Kristina , Källén Karin , Maršál Karel , Hellström‐Westas Lena 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To identify early predictors of outcome in infants born at 25 gestational weeks.Material and Methods: Data from a regional perinatal database (time‐period 1995–2001, total n = 108 000 births) were used. Apgar scores were available in 92 preterm infants, born at 25 + 0 to 25 + 6 gestational weeks, and analyzed in relation to short‐term outcome (180‐day survival with, or without, severe brain damage defined as intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3–4 or cystic periventricular leukomalacia). Based on multiple logistic regression analyses we constructed graphs of the estimated chance of survival.Results: Apgar scores at 1, 5 and 10 min correlated with survival without severe brain damage (p = 0.02, 0.006 and 0.006, respectively). Survival without severe brain damage was higher in singleton than in multiple births (p = 0.03); there was no association with infant gender or mode of delivery. The strongest model for prediction of survival without severe brain damage was based on 5‐min Apgar score and the Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB), (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Apgar score predicts short‐term outcome in extremely preterm infants at 25 gestational weeks. The precision for prediction of outcome increases when Apgar score is combined with CRIB.
Dieting in children: a population‐based study in children aged between 9 and 12 years
Authors: Dousma Mieke , Wierdsma Nienke , Van Ede Jaap , Van Buuren Stef , Heijmans Hugo S A , De Vries Tjalling W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: Dieting can be a burden for the child and can have side effects. Insight into dieting is therefore important. A recent study showed that 13.7% (95% CI 11.5–15.9%) of the children referred to a general paediatric outpatient clinic were or had been on a diet. However, it is unknown how many children in a random population are or have been on a diet.Methods: Parents of children in the fifth grade of primary schools in the Dutch province of Friesland were asked to complete a structured questionnaire.Results: From 2500 questionnaires 90% were returned. Two hundred and thirty‐one children aged between 9 and 12 years had been on a diet (10.3%, 95% CI 9.0%–11.6%). A cow's milk free diet was used most frequently (50% of the dieting children). Other diets were: diets excluding additives (16%), peanuts (16%), sugar (15%) and lactose (11%).Conclusion: The use of diets by children in a general population is widespread: one in every ten children was or had been on a diet. Due to the known health risks associated with diets excluding one or more foods, such diets should only be advised by healthcare professionals.
Perceived pubertal timing, pubertal status and the prevalence of alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking in early and late adolescence: a population based study of 8950 Norwegian boys and girls
Authors: Bratberg Grete H. , Nilsen Tom I L , Holmen Turid L , Vatten Lars J 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To study whether perceived pubertal timing is related to the prevalence of alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking among adolescent boys and girls.Methods: The Young‐HUNT study (95–97), conducted in Nord‐Trøndelag County in Norway, comprises information from 8950 students, aged 13–19 years. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) related to alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking were estimated by logistic regression analyses.Results: Boys and girls who perceived themselves as early matured were more likely to report more risky drinking than those who perceived themselves as being on time, both in middle school and high school. A nearly identical pattern was found for smoking. However, boys in middle school, who perceived themselves as late, were more likely to smoke than those who were on time.Conclusion: In both genders, perceived early maturation was associated with increased risk behaviour involvement. Perceptions of being early in combination with high pubertal status yielded the highest prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use.
Is serum troponin T a useful marker of myocardial damage in newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia?
Authors: Costa S. , Zecca E , De Rosa G , De Luca D , Barbato G , Pardeo M , Romagnoli C 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To assess the correlation of echocardiographic signs of myocardial damage to serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) concentrations in newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia.Methods: Electocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms (Echo) were obtained during the first 24 h of life from 29 asphyxiated and 30 control infants and correlated with cTnT concentrations. The echocardiographic parameters included systolic ventricular performance, preload, afterload, diastolic function, stroke volume (SV), left ventricular output (LVO), hyperechogenity of the papillary muscles and insufficiency of the atrioventricular valves.Results: LVO and SV were lower but CTnT were significantly higher in asphyxiated than in control infants: 0.15 (010–0.23) vs. 0.05 (0.02–0.13), p < 0.001). Asphyxiated infants with signs of myocardial damage were associated with significantly higher cTnT than those without, 0.20 (0.11–0.28) and 0.11 (0.05–0.14 ug/L), p = 0.04.Conclusion: Cardiac troponin may prove to be valuable in evaluating myocardial damage in birth asphyxia. However, the degree of prematurity may complicate the assessment.
Successful therapy of paediatric ethylene glycol poisoning: a case report and annual survey by a regional poison centre
Authors: Schwerk Nicolaus , Desel Herbert , Schulz Manuela , Schwerk Christina , Kiess Wieland , Siekmeyer Werner 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSevere poisoning with ethylene glycol, often used as antifreeze, is a rare, life‐threatening event. Neurological symptoms are accompanied by metabolic acidosis with elevated anion gap and osmotic gap.We report on a 7‐year‐old boy suffering from severe ethylene glycol intoxication. Early diagnosis based on typical clinical signs and rapid initiation of specific therapy with ethanol resulted in complete and rapid recovery without haemodialysis becoming necessary. While one laboratory initially had not been able to detect ethylene glycol in the patient's blood, an ethylene glycol serum level of 3900 mg/L was measured by a second laboratory, the highest value ever reported in the scientific literature for paediatric cases. Ethylene glycol poisoning is verified by quantitative glycol analysis in serum, but only few laboratories are able to perform this investigation in emergency cases. Therefore, in the beginning diagnosis has to be based on patient's history and clinical signs. Every substantial suspicion of ethylene glycol poisoning has to be treated with an antidote (fomepizole or ethanol) immediately.Conclusion: Ethylene glycol poisoning is rare in the paediatric age group in our series of glycol poisonings. One should keep in mind, that early diagnosis and treatment due to clinical signs is important and haemodialysis usually is not necessary.
Nutritional state of Polish prepubertal children assessed by population‐specific and international standards
Authors: Matusik P. , Malecka‐Tendera E. , Klimek K ,   Polish Childhood Obesity Study Group
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To assess the frequency of obesity, overweight and underweight (thinness) in Polish 7–9‐year‐old children using a population specific definition as compared to the French, US and IOTF references based on body mass index (BMI).Design: Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated in a randomly selected representative sample of 7–9‐year‐old Polish children (N = 2916; 1445 girls; 1471 boys) to define their nutritional status. Overweight (including obesity) was estimated according to four and underweight (thinness) according to three definitions Polish national references; French references; United States references and International Obesity Task Force references.Results: According to Polish, French, U.S. and IOTF references overweight (including obesity) was found in 12.1, 14.3, 20.7 and 15.4% of children, respectively; 3.5, 9.4 and 3.6% of children were obese according to national, U.S. and IOTF references, respectively while underweight (thinness) was present in 6.9, 2.6 and 4.2% of children according to Polish, French and U.S. references, respectively. A trend of decreasing overweight and increasing underweight through age classes was observed.Conclusion: The rates of underweight (thinness), overweight and obesity in Polish 7–9‐year‐old children calculated according to the national, French, U.S. and IOTF references were significantly different. Therefore even if the IOTF reference is considered superior for international epidemiological studies, population specific standards should probably coexist for clinical practice.
Childhood deaths due to electrocution in Adana, Turkey
Authors: Akçan R , Hilal A , Gülmen MK , Çekin N 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: This retrospective study was conducted to determine the general features of childhood deaths due to electrocution, and draw the attention of community to these preventable deaths.Methods: The autopsy records of the Morgue of the Adana Branch of the Turkish Forensic Medicine Council were used. Thirty‐seven cases of childhood (under 18) electrocution during the period 1999–2004 were analyzed.Results: Electrocution deaths comprised 0.8% of all the medico‐legal autopsy cases (4515) during these 6 years. Thirty‐one (83.8%) of the victims were male and only six (16.2%) were female. They were between 18 months and 18 years of age, and the mean age was 11.35, and all deaths were recorded as accidental.Conclusion: Medical units, and paramedical and educational centres should play important roles in formulating public health strategies to tackle preventable deaths such as electrocution.
MRI and ultrasound for hepatic fat quantification:relationships to clinical and metabolic characteristics of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Pacifico Lucia , Celestre Michela , Anania Caterina , Paolantonio Pasquale , Chiesa Claudio , Laghi Andrea 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: The aims of this study were to evaluate hepatic steatosis severity in a series of obese children through both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, and to correlate imaging findings to clinical and metabolic characteristics of the study population.Methods: Fifty obese children presenting hepatomegaly and/or elevated aminotransferases were candidates for assessment of hepatic fat fraction (HFF) by MRI. All subjects underwent dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan measurement, and liver ultrasound scanning. Fasting blood samples were taken for the estimation of serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, leptin, aminotransferases and serum lipid profile.Results: A diagnosis of fatty liver was established by MRI in 20 (40%) children; of these, 12 had HFF of 9–18%, while the remaining ones had HFF of 19% or higher. HFF was not correlated to age, SDS‐BMI, pubertal status and fat mass. HFF was positively associated with serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT; r = 0.62; p < 0.0001) and AST (r = 0.39; p = 0.006), as well as with insulin (r = 0.44; p = 0.001) and insulin resistance (r = 0.49; p < 0.0001). Overall, ultrasound correlated well with MRI (p < 0.0001). However, HFF ranged greatly in subjects with moderate (2–37%) as well as with severe (11–25%) degree of ultrasound hepatic steatosis. In fact, the mean hepatic fat fraction in children with severe steatosis was not statistically different from that found in patients with moderate steatosis (p = 0.98). In multiple regression analysis, the most powerful predictors of elevated ALT, after correction for age, gender, BMI and pubertal status, were insulin resistance (p < 0.01) and MRI HFF (p < 0.0001).Conclusions: Unlike sonography, an operator‐dependent procedure, MRI is not subject to interpretation or inter‐observer variation, and may be more useful than ultrasound for the monitoring of young patients with hepatic steatosis.