bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and IGF2 receptor gene variants are associated with fetal growth
Authors: Kaku K , Osada H , Seki K , Sekiya S 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: Normal variation in size at birth is a result of the interaction between fetal genetic factors and the maternal uterine environment. It is, however, unclear how genetic factors contribute to fetal growth. The insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) system regulates uterine, placental and fetal development, thereby partially controlling the rate of fetal growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the neonatal birth weight and the genotypes of polymorphic loci in the IGF2 and IGF2 receptor (IGF2R) genes.Methods: We determined the genotypes of two polymorphic loci in the IGF2 gene and four loci in the IGF2R gene in 884 pairs of normal Japanese mothers and their neonates, and compared the genotypes with the birth weight converted into standard deviation scores (SDSs) according to sex, parity and gestational weeks at delivery.Results: There was a significant difference in birth weight SDSs among the three neonatal +3123/ApaI genotypes of the IGF2 gene; AA, AG and GG. There was also a significant difference in birth weight among the three neonatal c.901C > G genotypes of the IGF2R gene; CC, CG and GG.Conclusion: These findings indicate that both IGF2 and IGF2R gene variants are associated with fetal growth.
Neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely low birth weight infants: what is the minimum age for reliable developmental prognosis?
Authors: Voss Wolfgang , Neubauer Achim‐Peter , Wachtendorf Michael , Verhey Janko F. , Kattner Evelyn 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: We present a longitudinal study on the neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants with extremely low birth weight <1000 g (ELBW) to answer the question at which age a developmental prognosis can be given.Methods: A group of 129 ELBW, median birth weight: 794 g (SD 123 g), gestational age: 27.0 weeks (SD 2.0 weeks), born between 1993 and1998, were followed up to the age between 6 and 10 years (mean 8.5 years [SD 1.7 years]) and evaluated by neurodevelopmental and psychometric tests. The status of children without cerebral palsy was ranked into categories of major, minor and no developmental impairments.Results: At the time of the last follow‐up examination 17% of the children showed a major impairment including 9% cerebral palsy, 42% a minor impairment and 41% were normally developed. The longitudinal analysis of cases without cerebral palsy reveals that an assessment ‘at term’ can only give the correct developmental prognosis in 49% of the cases. At the corrected age of 12 months the prognosis is correct in 59% of the cases, whereas at the corrected age of 3 years 70% proves to be right. Diagnosis of cerebral palsy could be confirmed at the corrected age of 2 years with sufficient reliability.Conclusion: The neurodevelopmental evaluation of former preterm infants with a birth weight <1000 g demands a follow‐up period of at least 6 years in order to make reliable statements. We are doubtful that follow‐up testing completed prior to this age can yield reliable results.
Breast milk levels of zinc and ω‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and growth of healthy Chinese infants
Authors: Xiang M , Harbige LS , Zetterström R 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To examine the concentrations of zinc and ω‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω‐6 PUFAs) in breast milk, the impact of zinc on ω‐6 PUFA metabolism, and the growth rate of infants.Methods: Forty‐one mother‐term infant pairs from a rural area of northern Beijing, China, who were 1 month (n = 18, group I) and 3 months (n = 23, group II) old and exclusively breastfed, were studied. The dietary records and the concentrations of zinc and ω‐6 PUFAs in the milk of lactating women and the increase in weight and length of their infants during 1 and 3 postnatal months were analysed.Results: The dietary intakes of mothers in the two groups were the same, i.e. high in carbohydrate and low in fat, protein and energy. The maternal zinc intake was 7.5mg/d and thus reached only 34.6% of the current Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI). The levels of zinc and arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4 ω‐6) in the milk of group I were significantly higher than those in group II. Furthermore, significant positive correlations were found between the concentrations of zinc and AA in the breast milk and between the level of milk AA and weight gain.Conclusion: Zinc may be a co‐factor and essential for essential fatty acids (EFA) metabolism. Thus suboptimal zinc intake may cause EFA imbalance. Further studies of Chinese rural mother‐infant pairs are necessary to determine whether zinc supplementation should be recommended when lactation exceeds 3 months.
Somatic and psychiatric co‐morbidity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Van Den Heuvel E , Starreveld J S , De Ru M , Krauwer V , Versteegh F G A 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To describe the prevalence of somatic and psychiatric co‐morbidity in children diagnosed with ADHD and other behavioural problems compared to this prevalence in children seen at the outpatient department without either of these conditions.Methods: A retrospective controlled case study was conducted in 369 children. All children with ADHD were diagnosed by a clinical psychologist in a hospital setting according to the DSM IV classification. Co‐morbidity was determined by pediatricians.Results: Somatic co‐morbidity was seen in 94 % of the children. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of somatic co‐morbidity in patients with ADHD nor in patients with behavioural problems other than ADHD when compared with the control group. Only two differences slight were observed. In the ADHD group and the group with behavioural problems motor impairment was seen more often and in the control group constipation was diagnosed more frequently.Conclusion: Except for motor impairment, somatic co‐morbidity of any kind does not seem to occur more frequently in children with ADHD.
A comparative study on bacterial cultures of urine samples obtained by clean‐void technique versus urethral catheterization
Authors: Lau Angela Yu , Wong Sik‐Nin , Yip Kam‐Tong , Fong Kwok‐Wah , Li Samantha Po‐Siu , Que Tak‐Lun 
Published: April 2008

AbstractContamination during urine collection causes difficulty in diagnosing infantile urinary tract infection (UTI). Though considered a gold‐standard, suprapubic aspiration is traumatic and not always successful. Catheterization and clean void technique were often preferred but their relative usefulness has not been compared.Objectives: To compare the culture results of clean void urine (CVU) and catheter urine (CathU) from children below 2‐years old known to have no UTI. We tested whether the false‐positive rates of CVU were significantly different from that of CathU.Methods: Paired CVU and CathU samples were collected from asymptomatic children admitted for micturiting cystourethrogram, and tested for leucocytes and nitrite, and bacterial culture using standard laboratory methods.Results: Culture results for 98 children (82 boys, 16 girls; aged 6 ± 4.3 months) were analysed. Analysis by presence/absence of growths showed good agreement between CVU and CathU for boys (Kappa 0.42) but poor for girls (Kappa 0.18). When analysed by colony counts, agreement was poor with CVU yielding more counts than CathU (Kappa 0.1 for boys and 0.04 for girls). If all mixed growth results were considered as contaminants, the false positive rates for CathU and CVU were similar whether the cut‐off was defined as 103, 104 or 105/mL. If mixed growth was believed to cause UTI, CathU produced less false‐positive rates than CVU, though both rates were unacceptably high.Conclusion: In uncircumcized boys, both CVU and CathU were prone to contamination. Though the contaminating bacterial counts were lower in CathU culture, the false‐positive rates were high with the lower cut‐off CFUs. Contrary to previous recommendations, CathU should be interpreted similar to CVU to avoid false positive diagnosis of UTI.
Prenatal smoking exposure and psychiatric symptoms in adolescence
Authors: Indredavik Marit S , Brubakk Ann‐Mari , Romundstad Pål , Vik Torstein 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: Explore associations between smoking in pregnancy and psychiatric symptoms in the adolescent offspring.Design/subjects: A prospective population based follow‐up of 84 adolescents at 14 years of age, of whom 32 of the mothers reported smoking during pregnancy.Main outcome measures: The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA), ADHD‐Rating Scale IV, Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ), Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), estimated IQ based on four subscales of WISC‐III.Results: Adolescents who were born by smokers had significantly more rule‐breaking and aggressive behaviour, externalizing and total problems on the ASEBA than adolescents of non‐smokers (p < 0.01), when reported by mothers, fathers and teachers. ADHD symptoms were reported more frequently (p < 0.05), and mothers also reported more internalizing symptoms (p < 0.05) and social problems (p < 0.001). The ASSQ sum score was higher (p < 0.001), and overall function as measured by the CGAS was lower (p < 0.01) for the smoking‐exposed group. Associations were still present after controlling for possible confounding factors.Conclusion: Adolescents exposed to prenatal smoking had higher scores for both externalizing and internalizing psychiatric symptoms, which could not be explained by a broad range of possible psychosocial confounders. Thus, smoking in pregnancy may be a marker for increased risk of psychiatric symptoms in the offspring.
Caesarean delivery and risk of developing asthma in the offspring
Authors: Werner Anette , Ramlau‐Hansen Cecilia Høst , Jeppesen Simone K , Thulstrup Ane Marie , Olsen Jørn 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To evaluate the association between caesarean section and risk of developing asthma.Method: We evaluated this association in a Danish cohort, comprising of 11 147 mothers and their babies of which 7119 mother‐child pairs were included in the analyses. The mothers' reported asthma data on their children were linked to hospitalization records on mode of delivery.Results: The adjusted odds ratio for developing asthma was 1.11 (95% CI, 0.88–1.39) for caesarean sections versus vaginal births.Conclusion: We found no evidence that children being delivered by caesarean section have an increased risk of asthma.
Renal functional changes in relation to hemodynamic parameters during exercise test in normoalbuminuric insulin‐dependent children
Authors: Raes A , Matthys D , Donckerwolcke R , Craen M , Van Aken S , Vande Walle J 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To examine the relationship between filtration fraction and systemic vasculopathy, in normoalbuminuric insulin‐dependent diabetic adolescents.Methods: We calculated filtration fraction from measured glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow during a hypotonic saline perfusion test in 30 normotensive adolescent diabetic patients (9–19 years), with a mean duration of diabetes of 7.4 years. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured in basal conditions, during a 24‐h ambulatory monitoring and during a dynamic exercise test on a cycle ergometer and peripheral vascular resistance was calculated.Results: Filtration fraction was increased in the diabetic children compared with controls (30 ± 6% vs. 22 ± 4%, p < 0.001), while renal plasma flow was significantly lower (453 ± 133 mL/min/1.73 m2vs. 593 ± 155 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001). Peripheral vascular resistance was significantly higher at peak exercise in diabetic children compared to controls (16.3 ± 1.3 mmHg/L min m2vs. 11.4 ± 0.5 mmHg/L min m2, p < 0.01).Conclusion: These results indicate that in young patients with IDDM, without apparent nephropathy or apparent systemic vasculopathy, filtration fraction is increased, suggesting an increased intraglomerular pressure. The associated reduced decrease of peripheral vascular resistance (increased diastolic blood pressure during exercise) suggests that renal functional abnormalities may be partly explained by a systemic vasculopathy, also present in the kidney.
Understanding diagnostic tests 2: likelihood ratios, pre‐ and post‐test probabilities and their use in clinical practice
Authors: Akobeng Anthony K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe sensitivity and specificity of a test cannot be used to estimate probability of disease in individual patients. They can, however, be combined into a single measure called the likelihood ratio which is, clinically, more useful than sensitivity or specificity. Likelihood ratios provide a summary of how many times more (or less) likely patients with a disease are to have a particular result than patients without the disease. Using the principles of the Bayes theorem, likelihood ratios can be used in conjunction with pre‐test probability of disease to estimate an individual's post‐test probability of disease, that is his or her chance of having disease once the result of a test is known. The Fagan's nomogram is a graphical tool which, in routine clinical practice, allows one to combine the likelihood ratio of a test with a patient's pre‐test probability of disease to estimate post‐test probability.Conclusion: Likelihood ratios summarize information about a diagnostic test by combining sensitivity and specificity. The Fagan's nomogram is a useful and convenient graphical tool that allows likelihood ratios to be used in conjunction with a patient's pre‐test probability of disease to estimate the post‐test probability of disease.
Why do ALTE infants not die in SIDS?
Authors: Edner Ann , Wennborg Maria , Alm Bernt , Lagercrantz Hugo 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To compare known risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) amongst infants with apparent life threatening events (ALTE) with their matched controls, and ALTE infants who subsequently died of SIDS with infants surviving an ALTE.Methods: Questionnaires with replies were obtained from 58 ALTE infants and 56 sex and age matched ALTE control infants. 244 SIDS cases and 868 SIDS controls were used as comparison.Results: The incidence of ALTE was found to be 1.9% among SIDS controls, but 7.4% among infants who later on died of SIDS. The parents sought medical advice in 0.9%vs 3.7%. ALTE infants did not differ from their matched controls. In the ALTE group 13.3% of the survivors had the combination of prone sleeping and maternal smoking compared with 33.3% of those who became SIDS victims.Conclusions: Our results show some major differences between the ALTE infants and SIDS victims not supporting that these conditions belong to the same entity. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that there is a subpopulation of ALTE infants who did not die in SIDS due to that they were sleeping on the back and not exposed to nicotine.
Cardiorespiratory events recorded on home monitors: the effect of prematurity on later serious events
Authors: Naulaers G , Daniels H , Allegaert K , Rayyan M , Debeer A , Devlieger H 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective: To describe severe alarms on home‐documented monitoring in infants born prematurely.Methods: In infants born at a post‐menstrual age (PMA) less than 35 weeks, a polysomnography was performed before discharge. A heart rate less than 50 beats per minute (bpm) for more than 3 seconds or an apnea lasting for more than 15 seconds with a heart rate less than 60 bpm were defined as abnormal. These babies were given cardiorespiratory home monitoring with memory. Serious alarms on the home monitor were defined as heart rate less than 50 bpm for more than 3 seconds.Results: Of 1058 infants, 96 infants needed cardiorespiratory home monitoring. Sixty‐one infants showed alarms at home. The mean post‐conceptional age (PCA) when alarms stopped was 46 weeks. Seventeen patients had serious alarms above the PCA of 50 weeks. There was a significant negative correlation (r =−0.46 and p = 0.0002 by Spearman's rank correlation) between the PMA at birth and the PCA at which the last alarm was noted.Conclusion: Prematurely born infants with an abnormal polysomnography at discharge are at high risk for developing acute events at home. A younger PMA at birth correlates with a higher risk of alarms at a later PCA.
Usefulness of diffusion‐weighted MRI in human herpesvirus‐6 encephalitis
Authors: Takaya Junji , Araki Atsushi , Mori Kizo , Kaneko Kazunari 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe report a patient with human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) encephalitis diagnosed by diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI). A previously healthy 10‐month‐old girl developed acute encephalopathy. HHV‐6 DNA was detected in her cerebrospinal fluid during the acute phase of the disease by polymerase chain reaction. The patient demonstrated cortical diffusion abnormalities in affected brain parenchyma, partially as the initial or most sensitive sign of encephalitis that could be detected not by conventional MRI but by DW‐MRI. Serial imaging showed that the diffusion abnormality DW‐MRI returned to normal after 45 days.Conclusion: DW‐MRI may be a valuable tool for early detection and diagnosis of HHV‐6 encephalitis and is more sensitive than conventional MRI to detect a subtle edematous change in the brain.
Intestinal permeability in different feedings in infancy
Authors: Colomé Gemma , Sierra Carlos , Blasco Javier , García Ma Victoria , Valverde Esteban , Sánchez Elisa 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To determine the intestinal permeability (IP) as a marker of intestinal epithelial integrity in formula‐fed infants compared with healthy breast‐fed infants.Methods: IP was measured in 57 healthy infants less than 4 months old. A dual sugar test with lactulose and mannitol was performed. Three urinary ratios were established: lactulose/mannitol (L/M), lactulose/creatinine (L/C) and mannitol/creatinine (M/C). Five groups were studied: breast‐fed (n = 11), prebiotic supplemented formula (n 17), nucleotides supplemented formula (n = 9), LC‐PUFA supplemented formula (n = 9) and LC‐PUFA and nucleotides supplemented formula (n = 11).Results: We have not found any difference in IP between breast‐fed and formula‐fed infants nor when the different formulas are compared with each other. The indirect information of the paracellular pathway by the ratio L/C and the transcellular route by the ratio M/C reflects some difference when the ingredients added are fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides, expressing a higher degree of lactulose permeation with respect to mannitol. When LC‐PUFA supplementation was evaluated a lesser ratio of L/C was found, expressing intestinal barrier related to a process of epithelial tight.Conclusions: The most important factor in the maintenance of the integrity of epithelial barrier function is probably the delivery of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract. The role of the different ingredients added should be clarified.
Hepatitis B e antigen positive mother hepatitis B e antigen long persistence in her non‐infected baby
Authors: Selton D , Andre M , May T , Hascoët J M 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe report the case of a baby born to a hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier mother. This infant had a hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the serum until 6 months of age. Serial sera samples were analysed for HBV markers. No breakthrough of HBV infection was detected. The origin of this HBV marker has been questioned.Conclusion: HBeAg can persist at a non‐infected baby born to an HBeAg‐positive mother up to the age of 6 months.
Characteristics of infants admitted to hospital for persistent colic, and comparison with healthy infants
Authors: Zwart Pieter , Vellema‐Goud Marije G. A. , Brand Paul L. P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: To describe clinical characteristics of infants with colic admitted to hospital because of ongoing excessive crying (colic).Methods: Characteristics of 104 infants admitted to hospital because of severe excessive crying (cases) were compared to those of 100 healthy thriving controls randomly selected from records of well baby clinics.Results: Half of the cases were reported to cry excessively from the day of birth, and feeding changes had been recommended in 77%. A medical cause of excessive crying was identified in none of the cases. Almost all infants showed a rapid transition to normal crying behaviour during admission; none cried for >3 h per day. Mean gestational age and mean Apgar scores were slightly lower in cases than in controls. There was a trend of positive family history of atopy being more common in controls (45%) than in cases (38%, p = 0.14). Feeding problems were more common in cases (71%) than in controls (36%, 95% CI for difference 21.6%–46.9%). Pregnancy or birth complications were much more common in cases (85%) than in controls (37%; 95% CI 35%–58%).Conclusions: Infants with severe excessive crying show normalization of crying behaviour during hospital admission, and are unlikely to have medical causes for their colic. The most important risk factor for excessive crying was a complicated pregnancy or birth, suggesting that this might predispose parents to regard normal crying behaviour as excessive.
Effects of erythropoietin on erythrocyte deformability in non‐transfused preterm infants
Authors: Klipp Martina , Holzwarth Anne‐Ulrike , Poeschl Johannes M , Nelle Mathias , Linderkamp Otwin 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim: Suppression of erythropoiesis due to low plasma erythropoietin levels is an important factor in the development of anaemia of prematurity. Premature infants may therefore be treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). This prospective, randomised and controlled study was designed to find out whether rhEPO treatment improves erythrocyte deformability in preterm infants.Methods: Sixteen infants were treated with rhEPO (250 IU/kg three times weekly) a total of 15 times beginning on day of life 5 whereas fifteen infants served as controls. Haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, reticulocyte count, ferritin level and erythrocyte deformability were measured on days 5, 14, 28, 42 and 63. Erythrocyte elongation was determined as an indicator of erythrocyte deformability using a shear stress diffractometer (Rheodyn SSD) at shear forces of 0.3 to 60 Pa.Results: Haemoglobin concentration was significantly higher on days 28 and 42 and reticulocyte percentage on day 28 in the rhEPO group compared to the controls. Serum ferritin was lower in the rhEPO group on day 28. Erythrocyte deformability was significantly increased on days 28 and 42 in the infants receiving rhEPO. We found a strong relationship between erythrocyte elongation and reticulocyte count.Conclusion: RhEPO markedly increases the erythropoiesis in preterm infants in the critical first weeks of life and the anaemia of prematurity is obviously reduced. The erythrocyte deformability improved under rhEPO treatment. Erythrocyte deformability was significantly related to the reticulocyte count indicating that the improvement of erythrocyte deformability was due to the formation of well‐deformable young erythrocytes.