bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth, development and health from early fetal life until young adulthood: the Generation R Study
Authors: Hofman Albert , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Mackenbach Johan P. , Moll Henriette A. , Snijders Rosalinde F. M. , Steegers Eric A. P. , Verhulst Frank C. , Witteman Jacqueline C. M. , Büller Hans A. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryIn this paper the Generation R Study is presented. This study examines growth, development and health in urban children from fetal life until young adulthood. With an integrated approach of epidemiological, clinical and basic research, it focuses on four primary areas of research: (1) growth and physical development; (2) behavioural and cognitive development; (3) diseases in childhood; and (4) health and health care for pregnant women and children. The general aims of the study are:1. to describe normal and abnormal growth, development and health from fetal life until young adulthood in a multiethnic population‐based cohort;2. to identify biological, social and environmental determinants of normal and abnormal growth, development and health from fetal life until adulthood;3. to examine the utilisation and effectiveness of current strategies for prevention and early identification of groups at risk.Eventually, this study will contribute to the development of strategies for optimising health and health care for pregnant women and children. The Generation R Study is a prospective population‐based cohort study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. In this urban setting, 10 000 children will be examined from early fetal life until young adulthood. Data are collected by physical examinations, questionnaires, interviews, ultrasound and biological samples. The study entered its pilot phase to test the logistics in December 2001. Full participant recruitment and complete data collection started in 2002.
Risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes among Inuit and North American Indian women in Quebec, 1985–97
Authors: Luo Zhong‐Cheng , Wilkins Russell , Platt Robert W. , Kramer Michael S. ,   for the Fetal and Infant Health Study Group of the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System
Published: January 2004

SummaryWe used Statistics Canada's linked stillbirth, live birth and infant death files to assess the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes among Inuit and North American Indian vs. other ethnic women in Quebec, 1985–97 (1 125 462 singleton births). Mother tongue was used to define ethnicity, with the largest French language group as the reference. Main  outcome  measures  are  adjusted  odds  ratios  (AOR)  for  preterm  birth,  small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA), stillbirth, neonatal and postneonatal death controlled for maternal age, education, marital status, parity, infant sex, community size, and community‐level random effects using multilevel logit models.Inuit women had higher risks of preterm birth (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI [1.25, 1.78]) and immaturity‐related  infant  mortality  (AOR = 3.03  [1.36,  6.74]),  while  Indian  women did not. Infants of Inuit (AOR = 0.39 [0.31, 0.49]) and Indian (AOR = 0.27 [0.24, 0.31]) women had substantially lower risks of SGA. Elevated risks of stillbirth were observed among Indian women [AOR = 1.53 (1.09, 2.15)], and of postneonatal death among both Inuit (AOR = 4.45 [2.74, 7.22]) and Indian (AOR = 1.86 [1.28, 2.70]) infants. Both Inuit and Indian infants had much higher risks of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and infection‐related mortality. Although the absolute risks of adverse outcomes declined from 1985–87 to 1995–97, the relative disparities between aboriginal and non‐aboriginal women changed little over this period. We conclude that Inuit and Indian women have different risk profiles for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and that prevention of preterm birth among Inuit women, and of SIDS and infection‐related infant mortality in both aboriginal groups, are important targets for future research and intervention.
New evidence for the Theory of the Stork
Authors: Höfer Thomas , Przyrembel Hildegard , Verleger Silvia 
Published: January 2004

SummaryData from Berlin (Germany) show a significant correlation between the increase in the stork population around the city and the increase in deliveries outside city hospitals (out‐of‐hospital deliveries). However, there is no correlation between deliveries in hospital buildings (clinical deliveries) and the stork population. The decline in the number of pairs of storks in the German state of Lower Saxony between 1970 and 1985 correlated with the decrease of deliveries in that area. The nearly constant number of deliveries from 1985 to 1995 was associated with an unchanged stork population (no statistical significance). However, the relevance of the stork for the birth rate in that part of Germany remains unclear, because the number of out‐of‐hospital deliveries in this area is not well documented. A lack of statistical information on out‐of‐hospital deliveries in general is a severe handicap for further proof for the Theory of the Stork.
Association of head circumference at birth among sibling pairs
Authors: Samuelsen Sven O. , Stene Lars C. , Bakketeig Leiv S. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryThe objective of the study was to estimate and compare the correlation coefficients of head circumference and weight at birth among sibling pairs. Pairs of singleton siblings were ascertained among children born in Norway to the same mother between 1978 and 1997. Head circumference, birthweight and other perinatal factors were registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Head circumference measurements were obtained for first‐ and second‐born in 287 448 sibling pairs. The correlation coefficient of head circumference among first‐ and second‐born siblings was 0.343 (standard error 0.002) compared with 0.477 (standard error 0.002) for birthweight. These results were similar for later‐born sibling pairs and only slightly influenced by other factors such as sex, fatherhood and time between pregnancies. Sensitivity analyses showed that substantial measurement error is required to explain the lower correlation for head circumference. In conclusion, the sibling correlation of head circumference was consistently weaker than that of birthweight.
Racial differences in leading causes of infant death in the United States
Authors: Muhuri Pradip K. , MacDorman Marian F. , Ezzati‐Rice Trena M. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryWe used linked birth/infant death records of over 23 million singletons belonging to six birth cohorts (1989–91 and 1995–97) and examined changes in race differentials in the overall and cause‐specific infant mortality risks across time in the United States. Results show that infant mortality declined for all races during the time period, with disproportionately greater declines among non‐Hispanic American Indians (AIs). Among the leading causes of infant death, declines in mortality from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and congenital anomalies contributed the most to the overall decline in infant mortality in the 1995–97 cohorts, compared with the 1989–91 cohorts. Disproportionately greater reductions in mortality resulting from SIDS and congenital anomalies led to more rapid mortality declines among non‐Hispanic AIs than for other races. There are disturbing findings that infants of almost every race experienced increases in mortality from newborn affected by maternal complications of pregnancy (maternal complications) and that none of the race groups experienced a significant decline in mortality from disorders resulting from short gestation/low birthweight.
Measurement of activated clotting time in children – comparison of the Celite i‐STAT® ACT with the Medtronic ACT® II
Authors: Hug M. I. , Di Bernardo S. , Berger F. , Bauersfeld U. , Weiss M. 
Published: January 2004

Background:  To evaluate a recently introduced blood‐saving method for the measurement of activated clotting time (ACT), the Celite i‐STAT® ACT, by comparing the values obtained with those from the widely used Medtronic ACT® II device.Methods:  In a prospective clinical study, we compared ACT values from the i‐STAT® device with the Medtronic ACT® II device in 60 paediatric, interventional, cardiac catheterization procedures necessitating prophylactic heparinization. Blood samples were pair‐analyzed using two i‐STAT® analyzers and one Medtronic ACT® II device with double‐tube‐cartridges before and after heparinization. Data were compared using Bland‐Altman bias analysis, Student's t‐test and simple regression analysis.Results:  Bias and precision between the Medtronic ACT® II and the i‐STAT® ACT values was −5.4 ± 26.3. The i‐STAT® and Medtronic ACT® II values were similar before heparinization (P = 0.22), but i‐STAT® ACT values became significantly longer than Medtronic ACT® II values after heparinization (P = 0.021). The increase of ACT after heparinization was greater (median 86.3; range 40–187 s) in the i‐STAT® analyzer than in the Medtronic ACT® II analyzer (median 73.0; range 19–235.5 s). Increase in ACT values was inversely affected by intraoperative haemoglobin concentration in the Medtronic ACT® II analyzer (P = 0.001) but not in the i‐STAT® analyzer.Conclusion:  Activated clotting times obtained from the Celite i‐STAT® ACT and the Medtronic ACT® II demonstrated poor agreement. The technical principles are quite different and the two methods showed diverse susceptibility to intraoperative haemoglobin concentration. Users have to be aware of technique‐specific ACT target ranges and their confounders, which need to be provided by the manufacturers.
Perinatal mortality 1982−2001 at Vila Central Hospital, Vanuatu
Authors: Grace RF , Everard LB 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  To determine the perinatal mortality at Vila Central Hospital (VCH) and thereby make an estimate of Vanuatu's perinatal mortality.Methods:  Labour floor and nursery records from VCH, Vanuatu's only tertiary referral hospital, were examined and collated for the period 1982−2001. Death certificate books were also examined. The perinatal mortality rate was calculated as the sum of stillbirths (infants = 20 weeks and/or = 500 g) and neonatal mortality (deaths <28 days). Premature infants were recorded for infants less than 37 weeks gestation and small‐for‐gestational‐age for infants less than 2500 g.Results:  The mean perinatal mortality rate for the period was 27/1000, (range 15−36/1000). The mean stillbirth rate was 15/1000, (range 8−22/1000). The neonatal mortality was 12/1000, (range 4−18/1000). Premature babies accounted for 37/1000 births, (range 11−80/1000). Small‐for‐gestational‐age infants were recorded in 45/1000 births, (range 16−83/1000). The mean twinning rate was 12/1000. Seven spontaneous triplets, two quadruplets and two pairs of siamese twins were born. Sepsis, meconium aspiration and birth asphyxia were the commonest causes of neonatal death.Conclusion:  Accurate data collection is difficult in Vanuatu. There is the risk of under‐ascertainment however, the figure of 27/1000 represents the current best possible estimate of perinatal mortality at VCH over the last 20 years. VCH is Vanuatu's premier hospital and it is likely that the national figure for perinatal mortality is higher, probably in the range of 37−39/1000. This places Vanuatu's perinatal mortality at a level 30 years or more behind Australia. These figures represent the largest account of hospital based perinatal data collected from any Pacific island nation.
Memory function in childhood epilepsy syndromes
Authors: Nolan MA , Redoblado MA , Lah S , Sabaz M , Lawson JA , Cunningham AM , Bleasel AF , Bye AME 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  Children with epilepsy are at risk of specific cognitive deficits. We aimed to compare and characterize the memory function of children with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).Methods:  Epilepsy syndrome was identified by clinical data, seizure semiology, interictal and ictal electroencephalogram (EEG). Seventy children aged 6−18 years with CAE, FLE or TLE had neuropsychological assessment including memory function. After adjusting for epilepsy variables, neuropsychological results of the syndrome groups and normative data were compared.Results:  Children from all three syndrome groups were at risk of memory difficulties. The duration of epilepsy correlated negatively with memory function. Children with TLE had the worst memory function, significantly lower in verbal memory tasks than children with CAE (P = 0.02) and children with FLE (P = 0.01). The performance of children with TLE was significantly below the normed mean across all verbal and most visual tasks. Compared to the normed means, children with FLE had results that were statistically lower in some verbal and visual tasks, and children with CAE were lower in two visual tasks only.Conclusions:  This study demonstrates memory dysfunction in three common childhood epilepsy syndromes. Children with TLE had the greatest impairment, children with FLE had memory difficulties not previously reported, and children with CAE had subtle memory deficits. Qualitative differences were also evident. Longer duration of intractable epilepsy was associated with reduced memory ability. Memory function and its potential impact on academic achievement are vital considerations when managing children with epilepsy.
Clinical profile of children with nephrotic syndrome not on glucorticoid therapy, but presenting with infection
Authors: Alwadhi RK , Mathew JL , Rath B 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  This is a prospective, hospital based study over a period of one year, to examine the clinical profile of nephrotic children not on glucocorticoid therapy, but presenting with infection.Methods:  Sixty‐eight children with 76 episodes of nephrotic syndrome were enrolled during the study year. They were examined for evidence of infection using clinical and investigative criteria. The children were monitored daily for proteinuria and improvement of infection. After the infection was controlled, prednisolone therapy was started in those who were not already in remission.Results:  Of the 76 episodes, eight were excluded from analysis as they had developed infection while they were on glucocorticoid therapy. Of the remaining 68 nephrotic episodes in 60 children, there was evidence of infection in 57 episodes (83.8%). Upper respiratory infection was the most common (28.0%) followed by urinary tract infection (22.8%), peritonitis (15.8%), pneumonia (14.0%), acute invasive diarrhoea (10.5%) and empyema (5.3%). Children with infection had significantly lower serum albumin and higher serum cholesterol compared to non‐infected children. Of the 57 episodes with infection, remission occurred with control of infection alone in nine episodes (15.8%) and glucocorticoid therapy was not required.Conclusion:  Infection is widely prevalent among Indian children presenting with episodes of nephrotic syndrome, even when they are not on glucocorticoid therapy. Some children may go into remission by control of infection alone. Among the infections, upper respiratory and urinary tract infections are the most common.
Changes in body mass index in 11−12‐year‐old children in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (1989−2000)
Authors: Turnbull A , Barry D , Wickens K , Crane J 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  To describe and compare the body mass index (BMI; weight/height2) profile of 11−12‐year‐old children in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand in 1989 and 2000. To subsequently determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity at the two time points using international definitions.Methodology:  As part of asthma prevalence studies in Hawkes Bay data on height, weight and ethnicity were collected from 871 school children in 1989, and 894 children in 2000 who reached 12 years of age during the year of testing.Results:  In the total study population the geometric mean BMI increased from 18.1 kg/m2 (95% CI 17.9; 18.3) in 1989 to 19.8 kg/m2 (95% CI 19.6; 20.0) in 2000, a relative increase of 9.2% (95% CI 7.6; 10.9), P < 0.001. Significant relative increases were found for males (9.0%: 95% CI 6.8; 11.3), females (9.3%: 95% CI 6.8; 11.8), Maori (7.6%: 95% CI 4.3; 11.1), European (9.1%: 95% CI 7.3; 11.0) and Pacific Island children (11.0%: 95% CI 2.2; 20.5). In 2000 20.9% of Hawkes Bay children were classified as overweight and 9.1% as obese. The risk of being overweight in 2000 was 2.2 times greater than the risk in 1989, and the risk of being obese was 3.8 times greater, with these problems more pronounced among Maori (overweight 24.7%, obese 15.3%) and Pacific Island (overweight 35.0%, obese 15.0%) than European (overweight: 18.2%, obese 5.7%) children. However, the risk of being overweight (RR = 3.0, 95% CI 2.2−4.0) or obese (RR = 8.3, 95% CI 3.0−23.3) in 2000 compared to 1989 was greater among European children.Conclusion:  Higher percentages of Maori and Pacific Island children are overweight or obese compared to European, but in all ethnic groups there has been a statistically significant increase in mean BMI over an 11‐year period. This increase reflects the trend observed in other developed countries and underlines childhood obesity as a major health problem in New Zealand.
Outcomes for infants weighing less than 1000 grams cared for with a nasal continuous positive airway pressure‐based strategy
Authors: Meyer M , Mildenhall L , Wong M 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  To compare outcomes for infants weighing less than 1000 g treated with a predominantly nasal continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) approach (modelled on that of Columbia University, New York) with outcomes audited by the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN).Methods:  Data on all infants weighing less than 1000 g admitted for intensive care were collected prospectively for the 29 neonatal units contributing to the ANZNN database. Outcomes for infants treated at Middlemore Hospital over a 3‐year period (1998−2001) were compared with the ANZNN data for 1999.Results:  Sixty‐four infants were admitted to Middlemore Hospital and 954 to the other 28 neonatal units. The two groups were similar with respect to birthweight, Apgar scores, sex and delivery method. Gestational age was lower in the Middlemore infants and outcome variables were adjusted for this difference. Fewer babies at Middlemore were born to mothers who had completed antenatal corticosteroids. The Middlemore Hospital group spent longer on CPAP (P < 0.001) but had less time in oxygen (median 4 days compared to 54 days; P < 0.001). Fewer of the Middlemore cohort were in oxygen at both 28 days (odds ratio 0.17 with 95% CI 0.09−0.30) and 36 weeks corrected gestation (odds ratio 0.15 95% CI 0.07−0.32) and fewer infants were discharged home on oxygen (odds ratio risk 0.38 95% CI 0.16−0.90). Other outcomes were a reduction in the number of infants with culture proven sepsis at Middlemore Hospital but a higher rate of necrotizing enterocolitis. Length of hospital stay and survival rates were not significantly different.Conclusions:  Improved respiratory outcomes for infants weighing less than 1000 g were evident at Middlemore Hospital. This was attributed to the use of a nasal CPAP‐based respiratory support system.
Lack of plasma leptin response to feeding in newborn infants
Authors: Shimizu T , Satoh Y , Shoji H , Hisata K , Tadokoro R , Shinohara K , Shiga S , Yamashiro Y 
Published: January 2004

Objective:  Previous reports of the postprandial regulation of leptin are controversial, and there have been few studies on the effects of breast‐feeding on postprandial regulation in newborn infants. We examined the response of plasma leptin to breast‐ and formula‐feeding in newborn infants.Methods:  We measured the plasma leptin levels using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit before and after feeding in 12 breast‐fed and 11 formula‐fed mature infants.Results:  There was no significant difference in plasma leptin levels in breast‐fed infants before and after feeding or in artificially fed infants before and after feeding.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that feeding does not play a role in the acute response of circulating leptin levels in either breast‐ or formula‐fed infants.
Family therapy and the politics of evidence
Authors: Larner Glenn 
Published: January 2004

This article situates family therapy in the politics of evidence‐based practice. While there is a wealth of outcome research showing that family therapy works, it remains on the margin of mainstream therapy and mental health practice. Until recently it has been difficult to satisfy ‘gold standards’ of randomized control research which require manualization and controlled replication by independent investigators. This is because systemic family therapy is language‐based, client‐directed and focused on relational process rather than step‐by‐step operational techniques.As a consequence family therapy is an empirically supported treatment unable to join the evidence‐based club. The politics here concerns what is ‘evidence’, who defines it and the limitations of a scientist‐practitioner model. Therapy is art and science and its research needs to be grounded in real‐life clinical practice. Common factors such as personal hope and resourcefulness and the therapeutic relationship contribute more to change than technique or model.While arguing for a wider definition of science and evidence it is politic to seek evidence‐based status for family therapy. Family therapy is a best practice approach for all therapists where systemic wisdom helps to decide what to do with whom when. A systemic‐practitioner model is informed by quantitative and qualitative research and holds modern and postmodern perspectives in tension, a stance I call paramodern. Family therapy is both scientific and systemic; it is a science of context, narrative and relationship.
Attachment narrative therapy: integrating ideas from narrative and attachment theory in systemic family therapy with eating disorders
Authors: Dallos Rudi 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis paper proposes that recent developments in attachment theory, especially the move to the study of representations, offers some helpful new directions for systemic family therapy. Some of the findings of a close association between early attachment experiences and the coherence of the narratives are reviewed. It is suggested that this offers a useful link for systemic approaches in showing how early interactions in families promote not only particular emotional attachment patterns, but also shape the content and style of the narratives that are formed. These implications are then explored in the context of work with anorexia nervosa. It is suggested that commonly observed patterns, such as avoidance of conflict and apparent difficulties in discussing relationships and feelings, is consistent with transgenerational experiences of insecure/avoidant attachments. Some implications for systemic therapy with families are outlined and an illustrative case study is offered.
Annotation: Childhood‐onset schizophrenia: clinical and treatment issues
Authors: Asarnow Joan Rosenbaum , Tompson Martha C. , McGrath Emily P. 
Published: January 2004

Background:  In the past 10 years, there has been increased research on childhood‐onset schizophrenia and clear advances have been achieved.Method:  This annotation reviews the recent clinical and treatment literature on childhood‐onset schizophrenia.Results:  There is now strong evidence that the syndrome of childhood‐onset schizophrenia exists and there are several similarities between childhood‐ and later‐onset schizophrenia. Schizophrenia in youth can be reliably diagnosed using the same criteria employed with adults, and childhood‐onset schizophrenia is predictive of schizophrenia or schizophrenia spectrum disorders in adulthood. Data is accumulating to guide pharmacological treatment strategies, and practice parameters have been developed to guide clinical care.Conclusions:  Despite significant advances, there remains an urgent need for additional research on treatment and service delivery strategies. Promising work with adults highlights the importance of attending to psychosocial as well as pharmacologic treatment strategies, and the potential value of preventive interventions.