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Effect of supplementation of preterm formula with long chain polyunsaturated Fatty acids on mineral balance in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Incorporation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) into formulas may interfere with mineral metabolism. We investigate mineral balance in preterm infants who were fed a formula with LCP. METHODS: Infants were randomized in a double-blind manner, 20 infants in each group, to receive a formula with LCP (F+LCP) or without LCP (F) for 30 days. Plasma levels (at the beginning and after 30 days) and nutritional balance (after 1 week) for Ca, P, Mg, Zn, and Cu were obtained for all infants. RESULTS: Groups were similar regarding birth weight, gestational age, weight, and corrected age at study start. During the 30-day study period, the groups had comparable milk intake and reached similar and satisfactory weight gains and longitudinal growth. Within each group, there was no change in plasma mineral concentrations over the course of the study, and there were no differences at each time point between groups. All values were within the normal range for age. No differences in mineral balance were detected between the F and F+LCP groups, with both groups demonstrating comparable intake, net retention, and fecal losses of each mineral. CONCLUSIONS: Adding a content of LCP blend similar to that of human milk to a preterm formula caused no disturbance in Ca, P, Mg, Zn, or Cu nutritional balance.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Does extra-amniotic infection cause preterm labor? Gas-liquid chromatography studies of amniotic fluid in amnionitis, preterm labor, and normal controls.

Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) was used to identify short-chain organic acid byproducts of bacterial metabolism in amniotic fluid from seven normal control patients, six women with overt amnionitis, and six preterm labor patients. Microbiologic culture for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was also carried out. Positive GLC findings were generally associated with positive cultures, except in five of the preterm labor patients whose GLCs were positive despite negative cultures. The origin of the short-chain organic acids found in these women is unclear; extra-amniotic bacterial growth may explain this finding.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Incidence of preterm delivery in patients with previous preterm delivery and/or abortion.

Patients with a history of two or more pregnancies which ended spontaneously before 37 weeks' gestation had an increased risk of spontaneous labour and delivery in subsequent pregnancies. This risk was correlated with previous second trimester abortion and spontaneous preterm delivery but not with previous first trimester abortions. Patients with one or more pregnancies ending in spontaneous second trimester abortion or with preterm labour and delivery had a 38--43% risk of again delivering before term.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

[Hand-mouth coordination in the low-risk preterm infants in preterm period].

The spontaneous motor activity of 20 low-risk preterm babies was filmed and their arm and hand movements were subjected to a comparative analysis of the interrelation between hand, head, eye and mouth movements. This analysis revealed that preterm babies can move the hand to mouth directly and the mouth and eye were open in 'anticipation' of arrival of the hand. This movement was associated with ipsilateral head orientation. This little-known coordination may have an important implication for the theory of intersensorimotor relation and for the origin of intentionality.

Humans↗

Preconceptional antibiotic treatment to prevent preterm birth in women with a previous preterm delivery.

This article addresses the question of whether the uterine cavity is normally sterile and reviews the difficulties in conducting microbiologic studies of the endometrium, the limitations of conventional microbiologic techniques (cultivation-dependent), and the potential contribution of molecular microbiology to examine microbial diversity and burden of the endometrium. Issues pertaining to the diagnosis of chronic endometritis and the need for information about the prognostic value of this finding in subsequent pregnancies are discussed. The results of a randomized clinical trial of antibiotic administration versus placebo in women with a previous preterm birth are reviewed and commentary is provided. The emerging picture is that microbial-host interactions in the endometrial cavity are important for reproductive success. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The Alabama Preterm Birth Study: intrauterine infection and placental histologic findings in preterm births of males and females less than 32 weeks.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether there are differences in the placental histology and various markers of infection/inflammation between preterm male and female fetuses. STUDY DESIGN: The placentas and umbilical cords of 446 infants born at 23 to 32 weeks were examined histologically, cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and mycoplasmas, and the interleukin-6 levels in cord blood determined. RESULTS: Male infants were significantly more likely to have positive placental cultures than female infants (63.4% versus 51.8%, P = .01, odds ratio 1.5, 1.0 to 2.4). Cord blood Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum infections were marginally more common in male than female fetuses (27.6% versus 19.2%, P = .06, odds ratio 1.7, 0.9 to 2.9), but cord blood interleukin-6 levels were not different between male and female fetuses. The only significant histologic difference between male and female placentas was in decidual lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltration (6.3% versus 0.9%, P = .003, odds ratio 8.3, 1.8 to 39.0). Males had a higher percentage of decidual lymphohistiocytic cell infiltration, but the differences were not significant (11.3% versus 7.4%, P = .160, odds ratio 1.6, 0.8 to 3.2). CONCLUSION: Male infants were significantly more likely to have positive placental membrane cultures than female infants. Decidual lymphoplasmacytic cell infiltrations were more common in male versus female placentas, confirming a previous observation and suggesting that a maternal immune reaction to fetal tissue may be more common in male fetuses.

Alabama↗

The Alabama Preterm Birth Project: placental histology in recurrent spontaneous and indicated preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: For unknown reasons, a previous preterm birth (PTB) is a major risk factor for PTB in the current pregnancy. Our goal is to evaluate placental histology for clues related to the recurrent nature of PTB. STUDY DESIGN: Four hundred fifty-seven mother/infant dyads delivering between 23 and 32 weeks were first classified as having a spontaneous (S) or indicated (I) PTB, and then sorted into the following mutually exclusive categories by pregnancy history: 1) nulliparous; 2) having no previous PTB; 3) having any previous IPTB; or 4) having a previous SPTB. The placentas were evaluated for acute inflammation in the free membranes, umbilical cord, and chorionic plate, chronic inflammation in the membranes and decidua basalis, thrombosis in the chorionic plate and umbilical cord, and diffuse decidual leukocytoclastic necrosis (DDLN), a lesion associated with decreased placental perfusion. RESULTS: Women who had a SPTB were far more likely (85.5 vs 14.4 P < .0001) to have a SPTB in the previous pregnancy, while women with an IPTB were significantly more likely to have had a previous IPTB (89.7 vs 10.3 P < .0001). Nulliparas and women with previous term births each had about 64% SPTB and 36% IPTB. Acute inflammation at any site was present in 73.9% of SPTB versus 8.0% of IPTB (P < .0001). Chorionic plate thrombosis was also more common in SPTB than IPTB (16.2 vs 7.6, P = .01). Chronic inflammation at any site was more common in IPTB than SPTB (21.0 vs 12.7%, P = .02), as was DDLN (46.5 vs 16.1, P < .0001). When classified by SPTB and IPTB in the current pregnancy, the histologic results were not further influenced by the previous pregnancy history. CONCLUSION: SPTB and IPTB are strongly repetitive. Women with SPTB are significantly more likely to have acute inflammation in the free membranes, chorionic plate, and cord, and chorionic plate thrombosis, while women with an IPTB are significantly more likely to have chronic inflammation and especially DDLN. Past obstetric history does not further influence the placental histology.

Alabama↗

Preterm lung function after retreatment with antenatal betamethasone in preterm lambs.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that two doses of betamethasone administered 1 week apart would further enhance postnatal pulmonary function in preterm lambs (compared with a single dose). STUDY DESIGN: Fetal sheep (121 days' gestation) randomly received saline solution or betamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) as a single injection. Six days later fetal sheep were retreated with either saline solution or corticosteroid, and postnatal lung function was evaluated 1 day later. RESULTS: Betamethasone improved compliance and ventilation efficiency index nearly 50%, and total lung volume increased twofold. No effects of treatment-to-delivery interval (1 vs 7 days) or corticosteroid retreatment on pulmonary function were apparent. Although surfactant pool sizes increased as a function of duration of exposure, no additional effect of corticosteroid retreatment was noted. Antenatal betamethasone increased messenger ribonucleic acid levels for the surfactant proteins A and C, and retreatment augmented surfactant protein B messenger ribonucleic acid levels but suppressed surfactant protein A and C messenger ribonucleic acid. CONCLUSION: Improved postnatal lung function resulting from antenatal betamethasone was not augmented by retreatment.

Animals↗

Are preterm black infants larger than preterm white infants, or are they more misclassified?

In birth certificate data for Massachusetts resident births from 1978 to 1982, 12-27% of births purportedly under 31 weeks of gestation were probably misclassified, i.e. had birthweight greater than or equal to 2500 g. Correcting for maldistribution of births removed 34% and 23%, respectively, of black and white births with reported gestational ages less than 36 weeks but with implausible weights. Percentages of unknown and incomplete reports of last menstrual period were also significantly higher for blacks. After adjustment, preterm black infants weighed less than whites at each gestational age. The proportion of infants less than 2500 g born at term (greater than or equal to 37 weeks gestation) was higher (although not significantly) among blacks. These findings are consistent with hypotheses that low socioeconomic status negatively affects the rate of intrauterine growth.

Black or African American↗

Risk of previous very low birth weight and very preterm infants among women delivering a very low birth weight and very preterm infant.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of the birth of a very low birth weight (VLBW, < 1500 gm) and very preterm (VPT, < or = 32 week) infant to previous occurrences of VLBW-VPT infants among women who had two to five pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: This was a case-control study using data from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS). A case was defined as a singleton live birth weighing 500 to 1499 gm with a gestational age of < or = 32 weeks. Control infants were defined as singleton births weighing > 2500 gm with gestational ages of > or = 38 weeks. RESULTS: There were 128 non-black cases and 864 non-black controls, and 241 black cases and 1205 black controls available for analysis. Logistic regression was used to adjust for a history of previous stillbirth, mother's birth weight, pre-pregnancy weight, pregnancy interval, and sociodemographic risk factors. The adjusted odds ratio for the occurrence of a previous VLBW-VPT birth for non-black cases versus controls was 21.24 (6.87, 65.7) and for black cases versus controls, 6.87 (3.82, 12.34). CONCLUSION: These results confirm the substantial risk of previous VLBW-VPT infants among women giving birth to such an infant, independent of sociodemographic factors and other prior pregnancy outcomes.

Case-Control Studies↗

Pregnancy prolongation in women with preterm cervical dilatation utilizing out-patient preterm labor services.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the impact of cervical dilatation on pregnancy prolongation in women with hospital evaluation of preterm labor (PTL) symptoms. METHODS: The study population was identified from a database comprising women receiving out-patient perinatal services. Women diagnosed with PTL, having a singleton gestation, with cervical dilatation of > or =2 cm, intact membranes, and at 22.0-34.9 weeks when hospitalized for evaluation of PTL symptoms were included. Data were analyzed by cervical dilatation at hospital evaluation. The primary study outcome was gestational gain from PTL diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 1435 patients were analyzed; mean cervical dilatation at hospitalization was 2.6 +/- 0.7 cm at a mean of 32.4 +/- 2.1 weeks' gestation. Following hospitalization, patients gained a mean of 26.0 +/- 17.2 days. Eighty-seven per cent resumed out-patient services. Approximately 15% delivered within 1 week of PTL evaluation. CONCLUSION: Even women with advanced cervical dilatation can achieve significant gestational gain. The degree of cervical dilatation has significant impact on latency to delivery in women evaluated for PTL.

Adult↗

Preterm outcome table (POT): a simple tool to aid counselling parents of very preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Outcome figures published in scientific journals are often cumbersome and difficult to understand by parents during counselling before or immediately after a very premature birth. AIM: To provide simplified up-to-date outcome information in a table for ease of counselling. METHODS: Regional perinatal mortality rates for very premature births (23-31 weeks gestation) and incidence of significant neonatal events for those admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) were obtained from the NSW Midwives Data Collection, ACT Maternal and Perinatal Data Collection and the NSW and ACT NICUS Data Collection for 2000 and 2001. Neurodevelopmental outcome was obtained for the same cohort at 2-3 years of age, corrected for prematurity. The percentage outcomes were rounded off to the closest conservative multiple of 5 for each data point in a table. RESULTS: The preterm outcome table (POT) for each gestational week was constructed from a total of 2315 births. Of these, 401 (17.3%) were reported as stillborn and were predominantly of 23 to 25 weeks gestation. Of those admitted to NICU, hospital survival rates were 30, 50, 65, 75, 80, 90 and > 95% for 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28-29 and 30-31 weeks, respectively. Neurodevelopmental outcome was available for 470 (75%) children, of whom 15% had a moderate to severe functional disability at 2-3 years of age, corrected for prematurity. Simplified data on survival to discharge and outcome were tabulated. CONCLUSION: POT appears simple and easy to use but also provides realistic data to assist clinicians in the counselling process.

Australian Capital Territory↗

Early neonatal drug utilization in preterm newborns in neonatal intensive care units. Italian Collaborative Group on Preterm Delivery.

The pattern of drug use in preterm newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU) was monitored as part of a large multicenter study including a representative sample of Italian NICUs. All prescriptions from the admission of the mother through the 1st week of the neonate's life were carefully documented on standardized ad hoc forms, with particular attention to the timing and duration of each prescribed drug. The 706 babies included in the surveillance program received an average of 1.7 drugs during the early neonatal period, and were exposed to an average of 3.4 drugs over the whole perinatal period. The most commonly used drugs postnatally were vitamins, antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin and tobramycin), methylxanthines (aminophylline and caffeine), phenobarbital and furosemide. The frequency and intensity of the use of these drugs appears to be directly related to the severity of the clinical status, and inversely related to birth weight and gestational age.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Predicting preterm delivery and lowering very preterm delivery rate.

The chances and quality of survival depend on gestational age at birth. Why has PTD not decreased during the last decade, in spite of all the known risk factors? Perinatal data bases tend to include biomedical risk factors and are assembled and analysed retrospectively. These data should form the basis for prediction, and risk factors such as stress, anxiety, inflammation (leading to elevated CRH with its role in PTD), short cervix etc, should be added when assessed prospectively. The goal is preconception and early prediction in pregnancy. Only with the implementation of efficient intervention will we lengthen pregnancies and lower the VPTD rate. More articles about the PTD and complications of preterm births should be published in the lay press. There is no room for pessimism: if everybody involved would do just a little in the right direction, the result would be enormous. Constant auditing of interventions is necessary. The most difficult to "cure" and most likely to relapse are stress, anxiety and social factors, and discrimination in obtaining basic health care. Long forgotten lessons of compassion with pregnant women have not yet been acknowledged as proven to change VPTD into PTD, but are available at no cost world wide.

Female↗

Mother- and father-preterm infant relationship in the hospital preterm nursery.

The relationships of Israeli mothers and fathers with their 38 preterm infants during hospitalization were traced in a short-term longitudinal study. Parent-infant interactions were observed and self-reports of parental feelings and perceptions were assessed twice: at the beginning and end of the nursery period. Mothers engaged in more caregiving, talking, and holding during initial contacts, but the disparity in maternal and paternal interactions decreased with time. Except for caregiving, in which mothers still surpassed fathers, fathers equaled mothers in all other activities at the time of the infants' discharge from the hospital. Fathers consistently surpassed mothers in playing and stimulating. Mothers perceived their infants to be more difficult than did fathers but reported enjoying them more. With time, parents were less disappointed and concerned over the infants' well-being but perceived them as more difficult. The data also demonstrated an association between infant behavioral states, parental feelings and perceptions, and parental behavior.

Adult↗

Restricted versus liberal water intake for preventing morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Most premature infants are not sufficiently mature physiologically to take all of their required water and nutrients orally, and so they cannot regulate their own water intake. Thus, the caregiver must determine the amount of water to be given each day to such infants. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review is to examine the effects of water intake on postnatal weight loss and on the risks of dehydration, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intracranial hemorrhage, and death in premature infants. SEARCH STRATEGY: Randomized clinical trials were sought that compared the outcomes of interest in groups of premature infants who were given different levels of water intake according to experimental protocol. Such trials were sought in a previous review by one of the authors (Bell EF. Fluid therapy. In: Effective Care of the Newborn Infant, eds JC Sinclair, MB Bracken. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992: 59-72, approximately approximately Bell 1992 approximately approximately ), in a list of trials provided by the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group, and in the authors' personal files. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomized clinical trials of varying water intake in premature infants are included. The review was limited to trials that included infants whose water intake was provided mainly or entirely by parenteral means. Studies were included regardless of outcomes examined. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Trials were selected by two reviewers, who also assessed the methodological quality of each trial. Data were independently extracted by the reviewers, and differences were reconciled. The data were then entered into tables using RevMan 3.1 for Windows. The adverse event rates were calculated for the restricted and liberal water intake groups for each dichotomous outcome, and the relative risk was computed. In addition, the maximal weight loss results were recorded, and the weighted mean difference was computed. The analyses (including calculation of relative risk, risk difference, and weighted mean difference) and tests of heterogeneity were accomplished with MetaView 3.1 software and a fixed effects model. No subgroup analyses were conducted. MAIN RESULTS: The analysis of the four studies taken together indicates that restricted water intake significantly increases postnatal weight loss and significantly reduces the risks of patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, and death. With restricted water intake, there are trends toward increased risk of dehydration and reduced risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but these trends are not statistically significant. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Based on this analysis, the most prudent prescription for water intake to premature infants would seem to be careful restriction of water intake so that physiological needs are met without allowing significant dehydration. This practice could be expected to decrease the risks of patent ductus arteriosus and necrotizing enterocolitis--and perhaps the overall risk of death--without significantly increased risk of adverse consequences.

Drinking↗