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Ethics and neonatology in Israel.

Israel is a country of controversies: with high-quality medical care available to all and a high antenatal detection rate of congenital anomalies followed by abortion, the incidence of infants born with malformations has been reduced dramatically in the last decade. On the other hand, religious and strong traditional ethnic attitudes on fertility have led to a world record rate of ARTs and multiple births, which have increased the incidence of VLBW infants and the long-term handicap that follows their survival.

Abortion, Eugenic↗

The epidemiology of mental retardation of unknown cause.

OBJECTIVE: To describe selected infant and maternal characteristics for children with mild and severe mental retardation (MR) of unknown cause. STUDY DESIGN: Children with MR of unknown cause born in California between 1987 and 1994 were identified through service agency records and compared with the total population of California live births for selected characteristics recorded on the birth certificate. RESULTS: For both children with mild and severe MR, risk was increased among males, low birth weight children, and children born to women of black race, older age at delivery, and lower level of education. Increased risk for mild MR was found for multiple births, second or later-born children, and children whose mothers were born outside of California. Increased risk for severe MR was observed among children born to Hispanic mothers; children born to Asian mothers also had increased risk for severe MR but decreased risk for mild MR. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide clues for understanding the underlying causes of MR and suggest that both biological and social factors are important.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiology of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula in Hawaii, 1986-2000.

The most common major birth defects affecting the oesophagus and trachea are oesophageal atresia (OA) and tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF). Epidemiological information on OA and/or TOF in the USA has been derived from only a few populations. Sixty-one cases of OA or TOF were identified through a population-based birth defects registry in Hawaii during 1986-2000. The relationship between various clinical and demographic factors and OA or TOF were examined. The rate of OA or TOF was 2.2 per 10,000 live births. The cases were 67.2% OA with TOF, 21.3% TOF alone, and 11.5% OA alone. Risk of OA or TOF was significantly higher among multiple births and live births with low birth weight and gestational age. The risk of OA or TOF was significantly higher for whites. The rate of OA or TOF was consistent with that reported elsewhere. The risk of the defects differed significantly between the major racial/ethnic groups in Hawaii. The impact of many factors on OA or TOF in Hawaii was similar to that reported elsewhere.

Adult↗

Stillbirth rates in singletons, twins and triplets in Sweden, 1869 to 2001.

The temporal variation in the stillbirth rates (SBR), measured as the number of stillborn per 1000 total births, among singletons, twins and triplets was studied on Swedish birth data for the period 1869 to 2001 and comparisons with data from other populations were made. Among both single and multiple births there were marked, almost monotonously decreasing trends in the stillbirth rates. Among singletons the stillbirth rate decreased from 29.5 per 1000 in the period 1869 to 1878 to 3.4 in the period 1991 to 2001. Among twins the stillbirth rate decreased from 94 per 1000 in 1869 to 1878 to a minimum of 8.2 in 1991 to 2001 and among triplets from 166 per 1000 to a minimum of 19.8. The relative declining pattern in the SBRs was almost the same, being 88% among singletons, 91% among twins and 88% among triplets. In the 1980s and 1990s the definition of the stillbirth rate was changed in many countries, including Finland, but no changes in the definition of stillbirths have been made in Sweden. The effect of the artificial reproduction techniques, including in vitro fertilization, on the rates of multiple maternities is also discussed. It was noted especially that they had a more marked effect on the triplet than on the twinning rate.

Female↗

Multiple congenital contractures: birth prevalence, etiology, and outcome.

OBJECTIVES: We wanted to estimate the birth prevalence of multiple congenital contractures (MCC), determine the cause of the MCC according to the primary level of involvement of the developing motor system, and compare the different groups in terms of inheritance, mortality, and morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective epidemiologic study through the screening of registers, reviews of medical records, and clinical re-examinations was performed in western Sweden to identify all the children with MCC born between 1979 and 1994. RESULTS: The birth prevalence of MCC on the basis of 68 cases was 1 in 5100 live births. The majority of cases with cerebral involvement (n = 23), spinal involvement (n = 16), or mechanical restriction (n = 3) were sporadic, whereas most cases with neuromuscular (n = 12) or connective tissue involvement (n = 9) were inherited. The cerebral group was more severely affected compared with the other groups in terms of mortality, joint contractures at birth, feeding difficulties during infancy, and independent walking at follow-up. In 8 cases with myopathy, the joint contractures were normalized on follow-up. CONCLUSION: A search for a specific etiology in each case is important for genetic counseling, prognosis, and therapy because inheritance, mortality, and morbidity differ between the groups.

Contracture↗

A study of birth order and multiple sclerosis in multiplex families.

Birth order position for affected siblings was examined for 88 sibships having 2 or more cases of multiple sclerosis (MS). The data show that MS patients are randomly ordered by birth within these multiplex sibships. The data therefore do not support the hypothesis that MS occurs in siblings because of a common environmental exposure as defined by proximity in birth order position.

Birth Order↗

A case-control interview study of breast cancer among Japanese A-bomb survivors. II. Interactions with radiation dose.

Three breast cancer risk factors were evaluated in terms of their interactions with radiation dose in a case-control interview study of Japanese A-bomb survivors. Cases and controls were matched on age at the time of the bombings and radiation dose, and dose-related risk was estimated from cohort rather than case-control data. Each factor--age at first full-term pregnancy, number of deliveries, and cumulative lactation period summed over births--conformed reasonably well to a multiplicative interaction model with radiation dose (the additive interactive model, in which the absolute excess risk associated with a factor is assumed to be independent of radiation dose, was rejected). An important implication of the finding is that early age at first full-term pregnancy, multiple births, and lengthy cumulative lactation are all protective against radiation-related, as well as baseline, breast cancer. Analyses by age at exposure to radiation suggest that, among women exposed to radiation in childhood or adolescence, a first full-term pregnancy at an early age following exposure may be protective against radiation-related risk.

Adult↗

An assessment of data quality in the Vermont-Oxford Trials Network database.

The Vermont-Oxford Trials Network is a voluntary collaborative research group of neonatologists that maintains a database for very low birthweight infants (501-1500 g). The database (1) provides core data for randomized trials, (2) serves as a resource for outcomes research in neonatology, and (3) generates quality management reports for participating sites. To assess the reliability of this database and to determine the sources of error, we reviewed 635 medical records chosen at random from among the 4341 eligible infants born at 40 participating data generating sites during an 18-month period beginning January 1, 1990. The estimated frequencies of disagreement between the medical record and database for each of the 10 data items studied and the standard errors of the estimates (in parentheses) were: date of birth 1.3% (0.4), date of admission 2.5% (0.6), date of discharge 8.8% (1.0), birthweight (difference > 50 g) 2.9% (0.6), location of birth (inborn or outborn) 2.1% (0.5), multiple birth 2.2% (0.5), cesarean section 2.5% (0.6), gender 2.1% (0.5), status 28 days after birth 3.4% (0.6), final status 2.9% (0.6). The overall proportions and mean values for items in the database were close to the estimated values based on the random sample of records. There were a total of 247 disagreements between the database and the medical records in the sample. Twenty-three were due to data keying errors. Two hundred twenty-four were due to errors in transcription or interpretation. The rate of data keying errors decreased from over 50 errors per 10,000 fields to less than 15 errors per 10,000 fields when specific quality control procedures, including visual inspection, were instituted. Data keying errors accounted for 13.7% of all disagreements between the database and medical record before improved data entry methods were introduced, and only 3.7% of all errors after they were introduced. We concluded that the Vermont-Oxford Trials Network Database is reliable. Data keying errors have been reduced by the introduction of additional quality control measures. Further reductions in database errors will require measures aimed at minimizing transcription or interpretation errors by individuals completing the data forms.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Twin differences in birth weight: the effects of genotype and prenatal environment on neonatal and post-neonatal mortality.

There is much evidence to suggest that both genes and prenatal environment influence life chances. However, recent within-twin estimates also raise questions about how the influence of genes and prenatal environment may vary across different subgroups of a population and over time. This paper explores such potential variation within the 1st year of life. Using data on twin births from the 1995-1997 Matched Multiple Birth Database and an analytic strategy based on the Weinberg assumption, this paper considers how associations between birth weight and infant mortality vary across identical and fraternal twins, gestational age, and time. Results suggest that the influence of genes and prenatal environment vary most significantly by gestational age. In pregnancies that lasted less than 37 weeks, within-twin variation in prenatal environment is able to account for negative associations between birth weight and infant mortality. However, in pregnancies that lasted 37 weeks or longer, underlying genetic variation across fraternal twins appears to be largely responsible for birth weight-mortality associations. Such distinct findings by gestation suggest that genes and prenatal environment may play varying roles in birth weight-mortality associations across different situations.

Birth Weight↗

The aetiology of low birthweight in a rural area of Tanzania.

In a hospital-based study, birthweights of 3162 consecutive births were related to perinatal mortality, multiple birth, and gestational age. Independent associations between 15 potential determinants and low birthweight, prematurity and small-at-term factors were also assessed. A newly constructed local curve of birthweight-for-gestational age is compared with the existing curves. The variables positively associated with low birthweight (< 2500 g) were nulliparity, vomiting as a self-reported complaint, spleen enlargement, sex of the infant and previous perinatal mortality. Nulliparity and spleen enlargement were positively associated with preterm birth, while small-at-birth was mostly associated with nulliparity and sex of the infant. Further study on spleen enlargement, the only modifiable factor in this study of possible public health importance, is warranted. Other factors of potential importance which deserve further investigations are hard physical work, maternal morbidity and antenatal care.

Female↗

Predicting survival of infants of birth weight less than 801 grams.

The likelihood of survival to 28 days of life was determined retrospectively for 106 infants weighing less than 801 g at birth. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that birth weight and inspired oxygen fraction made an independent contribution to the prediction of survival at 8 h of age (predictive accuracy 76%). At 16 and 24 h of age, body temperature, pH, and the presence of spontaneous breaths were the independent variables predicting survival (predictive accuracy 79%). Of 37 infants with calculated chances of survival of less than 50% at 16 h, 29 died (predictive accuracy 78%). Seven of the remaining eight infants who survived "against the odds" either died later of chronic lung disease or had severe handicapping complications by 3 months of age. These predictions are first approximations and are not intended for use in making decisions about patient management.

Body Temperature↗

Physical growth in twins, postmature and small-for-dates children.

From 16 955 livebirths, which occurred throughout the United Kingdom in April 1970 during the British Births Survey, three groups of children (multiple births, postmature, and small-for-dates) were selected together with a 10% random sample. This report is concerned with the height, weight, and head circimference measruements at 22 months of age. The babies that were heavier at birth showed diminished growth velocity and the small babies catch-up growth. At 22 months the pattern of distribution of weight was much closer to the normal than that of the babies' birthweights. Differences, however, did remain.

Birth Weight↗

Posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers of premature infants.

OBJECTIVE: To examine mothers' responses to having a premature infant in the neonatal intensive-care unit and to determine the degree to which they appear similar to a posttraumatic stress response. DESIGN: Mothers were enrolled in this descriptive, correlational study shortly before the infant was discharged from the hospital. Data were collected at enrollment and when the infant was 6 months old, corrected for prematurity. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 30 mothers of high-risk premature infants. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A semistructured interview of the mothers was conducted at 6 months corrected age. Interview responses were analyzed to identify three symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder: re-experiencing, avoidance, and increased arousal. Other measures focused on maternal psychological well-being--neonatal intensive-care unit stress, depressive symptoms, and worry about the infant--and demographic characteristics. Infant illness severity included birth weight, length of mechanical ventilation, multiple birth, and the severity of neurological insults. RESULTS: All mothers interviewed had at least one posttraumatic symptom, 12 had two, and 16 had three symptoms. Twenty-six mothers reported increased arousal; re-experiencing and avoidance were reported by 24 mothers each. The number, but not the type, of posttraumatic stress symptoms was related to maternal psychological well-being. Maternal demographic characteristics, except marital status, and infant illness severity, were unrelated to posttraumatic stress symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These mothers appeared to be experiencing emotional responses similar to posttraumatic stress reactions at 6 months after their child's expected birth date. Since maternal emotional responses may affect the parenting of premature infants, additional nursing research is needed provide a basis for interventions with these highly vulnerable mothers and infants.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

[Neonatal mortality in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil, in 1994, 1999, and 2002].

Despite technological progress in recent decades, neonatal mortality accounts for some two-thirds of infant deaths where the infant mortality rates are low. This study analyzes neonatal deaths in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, during three periods, beginning with 1994, the year when pediatric and neonatal intensive care beds were created in the city. The data were collected from live birth certificates in the National Information System on Live Births (SINASC) and individual analysis of neonatal death certificates. Births declined in the city, but the low birthweight rate increased from 7.7 to 8.8% and the preterm birth rate from 6.3 to 8.4%. Multiple births also increased. Caesarian sections varied from 48 to 52%. The percentage of deaths from congenital malformations increased. The vast majority of neonatal deaths are preventable, mainly by providing specialized care during pregnancy. The neonatal mortality rate has declined recently, from 10.1 to 6.4 per 1,000 live births. The authors conclude that neonatal care is improving in Londrina.

Birth Weight↗

Alternative to diagnosis-related groups for newborn intensive care.

Clinical and billing data were collected on all admissions to six California newborn intensive care units during a 6-month period. Charges were adjusted to costs using Medicaid cost to charge ratios and for inflation, and patients were classified by the diagnosis-related group (DRG) system. Costs were from 97% to 708% more than the proposed DRG reimbursement levels. Regression analysis showed that DRGs explained 22% of the variation in costs. An alternative model using binary variables to control for birth weight, assisted ventilation, surgery, survival, multiple births, and mode of discharge explained 42% of the variation in costs. In contrast to other proposed DRG alternatives, this simple model does not require special training or subjective decision-making.

Birth Weight↗

Impact of anomalous triplets on morbidity outcomes of normal in utero siblings.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of number of anomalous fetuses on the prevalence of very preterm births (< 32 weeks), very low birth weight (< 1,500 g), and small for gestational age (SGA) infants among their normal cotriplets. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of United States triplet births from 1995 to 2000 using Matched Multiple Birth Files, comparing outcomes for triplet sets with no anomalous, 1 anomalous, and 2 anomalous fetuses. Chi-square test for trend and multiple logistic regression analyses, applying generalized estimating equations to account for correlation among cotriplets, were implemented. RESULTS: Of 34,881 matched triplets, 34,104 (97.8%) were nonanomalous (2.2% prevalence of fetal anomaly). Prevalence of very preterm birth (P < .001) and very low birth weight (P < .001), but not SGA (P = .52), among nonanomalous births increased significantly with number of anomalous cotriplets. The prevalence of very preterm birth was 44.1%, 54.8%, and 68.8%, respectively, as number of anomalous triplets per set increased from none to two. The prevalence of very low birth weight was 32.3%, 39.6%, and 62.0%, respectively. These trends remained unchanged after adjustment for correlation and potential confounding. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of triplet births with gestation less than 32 weeks and birth weight less than 1,500 g, but not SGA, among nonanomalous triplets increase linearly with number of anomalous members within triplet sets. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Adult↗

The epidemiology of multiple pregnancies.

Over the last decades the frequency of multiple births has been on the decline in most developed countries. This trend, however, has been restricted to dizygotic twins, while monozygotic rates have remained stable or risen slowly. In more recent years, however, the fall in multiple dizygotic birth rates has ceased and a slight increase is observed. This trend and the increased frequency of triplets or higher-order births, registered from the early 1980s onwards, are essentially related to treatments for infertility. No single risk factor, such as maternal age, parity, oral contraceptive use, or declining fertility rates can explain the overall declining trends. In this paper we review the descriptive epidemiology and the main risk factors for multiple pregnancies.

Adult↗

Use of real-time ultrasound to identify multiple fetuses in beef cattle.

To examine the feasibility of producing multiple births in beef cattle by means of superovulation, realtime ultrasound was used to identify cows carrying multiple fetuses. Three replicates of the superovulation experiment were conducted with groups of 52, 25 and 89 purebred Angus cows, respectively. Both uterine horns of cows from Replicate 1 were examined via the rectum using ultrasound at averages of 43 (range = 30 to 68 days), 51 (range = 38 to 76 days) and 126 (range = 113 to 151 days) days after AI. Cows in Replicate 2 were examined in the same fashion at averages of 55 and 97 days post insemination. In Replicate 3 the number of fetuses was estimated on a single date (average number of days post insemination = 49 days). Across the 3 replicates, the number of fetuses was most accurately assessed at an average of between 49 and 55 days post insemination. In most instances for which comparability between ultrasound estimations and calving results was low, the lack of correspondence was likely due to embryo mortality in cows identified as carrying multiple fetuses. For all 3 replicates combined, only 1 cow diagnosed with a single fetus produced multiple calves at birth when the diagnoses were conducted at 49 to 55 days post insemination. Real-time ultrasound can be used to accurately identify open cows and to differentiate between cows carrying single or multiple fetuses.

Journal Article↗