The following study analyzes birthweight-specific neonatal health using a combination of a mixture model and logistic regression: the extended Parametric Mixture of Logistic Regression. The data are collected from the Obstetric database at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and the years 2009 -2013 are used in the analysis. Due to rounding in the birthweight data a novel method to adjust for rounding when estimating a mixture model is applied. The influence of rounding on the estimates is then investigated. A three-component model is selected. The variables used in the analysis of neonatal health are early neonatal mortality, if the mother has HIV, anaemia, is a private patient and if the neonate is born after 36 completed weeks of gestation. It can be concluded that the mortality rates are high especially for low birthweights (2000 or less) in the estimated first and second components. However, due to wide confidence bounds it is hard to draw conclusions from the data.

No description available.

American Indian and Alaska Native adults are 2.6 times more likely to have adult onset diabetes resulting from higher weight at birth. Pregnant women, providers, and Indian Health Service administrators may benefit from timely information during pregnancy to intervene and prevent Type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of birth weight in the development of Type 2 diabetes among Southeast Alaska (SEA) Natives. Guided by the socioecological model, this study examined the extent to which birth weight and gestational age predict the incidence of Type 2 diabetes. The study used a quantitative research design with retrospective analysis of 540 Native children born in SEA whose data were abstracted from birth journals and electronic medical records at ages 43-53. A t test indicated a significant positive correlation between gestational birth weight and incidence of Type 2 diabetes (t(285) = 13.91, p < .001). Birth weight for gestational age was associated with frequency of Type 2 diabetes, where small for gestational age (SGA) had the lowest risk (1.42%), average for gestational age (AGA) at medium risk (8.76%), and large for gestational age (LGA) had the highest risk at 32.25% (x^2(12) = 63.29, p < .0005). Findings indicate that adult Type 2 diabetes among the SEA Native population is due to excess intrauterine fetal weight gain. The positive social change implications include preventing Type 2 diabetes in SEA Natives by controlling weight gain during pregnancy; the findings also suggest using diagnostic risk profiles for those who are LGA at birth for the management of diabetes and prevention of obesity and chronic disease.

Technological advances in neonatal care have dramatically improved the survival and disability rates among low birthweight infants (LBW). One common factor associated with later problems among these babies is intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). A meta-analysis was conducted among LBW infants with and without IVH to determine developmental outcome. More than 450 studies were located. Only 125 studies met inclusion criteria. Mean effect sizes were computed by comparing the LBW group to either a fullterm children, LBW children scored worse in all areas except gross motor skills. Cognitive assessment was done commonly up to 6 years of age. LBW infants scored about 1/2 standard deviation below their comparison group. A positive linear trend was found for severity of IVH: those children without an IVH scored comparably to fullterm children, while those with severe bleeds were about one standard deviation behind. Assessment of academic skills was done with the 8- to 11-year olds. There was no information given on presence/severity of IVH. Very few assessments were done. On general academic measures, the LBW children scored about 1/2 standard deviation behind the comparison group. Over 80% of the language assessments were done at 15- to 38-months of age. LBW children tended to score 1/2 to 3/4 of a standard deviation below the comparison group. The severity of hemorrhage did not mediate these results. Fine motor assessments were performed on children 9 months to 11 years old. LBW children were about 2/3 of a standard deviation behind the comparison group. These skills were not affected by severity of IVH. Gross motor abilities were typically measured before the children were 24 months old. LBW children showed more deficits in this area than in any other: almost 90% of a standard deviation behind. Gross motor skills appear to be strongly impacted both by being low birthweight and by the severity of IVH. Results indicate that IVH is a mediating factor in outcome among LBW infants. More research needs to be conducted on these children when they are school age, so long-term effects of low birthweight can be determined.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2006. / "August, 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-94). Online version available on the World Wide Web. Library also has microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [2006]. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.

Orientadores: João Luiz de Carvalho Pinto e Silva, Melania Maria Ramos de Amorim / Tese (Doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T23:46:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Melo_AdrianaSuelydeOliveira_D.pdf: 1803426 bytes, checksum: 1616cc4f0bf8617dfe2ea6d3efb18a75 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Introdução: o crescimento fetal sempre foi um dos grandes receios em relação à prática de exercício durante a gestação. Discute-se se a redistribuição do fluxo sanguíneo feto-placentário durante o exercício físico, com desvio do fluxo das vísceras para a musculatura, poderia levar a uma hipóxia fetal transitória. Objetivo: estudar o impacto do exercício físico supervisionado sobre o fluxo sanguíneo feto-placentário e o crescimento fetal. Métodos: ensaio controlado e aleatorizado (ECA) comparando três grupos de gestantes: início de caminhada com 13 semanas (grupo A), início de caminhada com 20 semanas (grupo B) e um que não realizou exercício físico supervisionado (grupo-controle - C). Foram incluídas 187 gestantes, sendo 62 alocadas para o grupo A, 65 para o B e 60 para o C. Após as perdas, foram avaliados 54 gestantes no grupo A, 60 no B e 57 no C. As gestantes dos grupos de intervenção (A e B) realizaram caminhadas de intensidade moderada três vezes por semana. O nível de condicionamento físico foi avaliado na 13ª, 20ª e 28ª semanas. A evolução do peso fetal, do fluxo sanguíneo útero-placentário e da pressão arterial materna foi avaliada a cada quatro semanas. Avaliou-se também o peso ao nascer. Uma subamostra envolvendo 88 gestantes saudáveis na 36ª semana foi submetida à caminhada de intensidade moderada e cardiotocografia computadorizada (sistema Sonicaid 8002) em três períodos de 20 minutos: repouso, esteira e recuperação pós-esteira. Inicialmente foi realizada análise bivariada para testar a randomização. Para a análise de alguns desfechos avaliados ao longo da gestação (peso fetal, pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica e IP das artérias uterina, umbilical e cerebral média) usou-se o modelo longitudinal. Para avaliar a associação entre bradicardia e as variáveis numéricas foram utilizados ANOVA (continuas) e Kruskall-Wallis (discretas e contínuas sem distribuição normal). Ao final, determinou-se a frequência de bradicardia (FCF menor que 110bpm) e realizou-se análise de regressão logística múltipla stepwise para identificar os principais fatores associados à sua ocorrência. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa em Seres Humanos da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, sob o número 0323.0.133.000-07. Resultados: são apresentados sob a forma de dois artigos. A média de dias de caminhada foi de 68 no grupo A e de 46 no B, com todas as gestantes cumprindo mais de 85% do programa de exercício físico, com melhora do condicionamento físico na avaliação realizada na 28ª semana, sendo observadas médias do VO2max: 27,3 ± 4,3 (A), 28 ± 3,3 (B) e 25,5 ± 3,8 (C), p=0,03. Não foi observada diferença entre os grupos nas características basais. A média do peso ao nascer foi de 3279 ± 453g no grupo A, 3285 ± 477g no B e 3378 ± 593g no C (p=0,53), sem influência no percentual de pequenos e grandes para a idade gestacional. Não se observou associação entre o exercício físico e as demais variáveis investigadas (pré-eclâmpsia, evolução do peso fetal, dos níveis pressóricos e do PI das artérias uterina, umbilical e cerebral média). A média da FCF diminuiu durante a caminhada (repouso: 137 bpm; esteira: 102 bpm e recuperação: 140 bpm, p<0,001), com 78% dos fetos apresentando bradicardia. A melhora no condicionamento físico foi considerada efeito protetor e o aumento do peso materno, fator de risco para bradicardia. Conclusões: em mulheres previamente sedentárias, saudáveis e com gestação única, um programa de exercício físico supervisionado, de intensidade moderada até o final da gestação não apresentou impacto significante nos desfechos avaliados, com influência apenas no nível de condicionamento físico. Apesar do alto percentual de bradicardia observado durante a caminhada, em fetos saudáveis, com a capacidade de readaptar-se a situações de redução de fluxo sanguíneo, o exercício físico mostrou-se seguro. Este estudo foi registrado na plataforma Clinical Trials com o número NCT00641550 / Abstract: Introduction: Fetal growth has always been one of the major concerns regarding the practice of exercise during pregnancy, with discussions on whether the redistribution of fetoplacental blood flow during physical exercise and the bypass of blood from the viscera to the muscles could lead to transitory fetal hypoxia. Objective: To study the. E effect of supervised physical exercise on fetoplacental blood flow and fetal growth. Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was conducted to compare three groups of pregnant women: walking initiated at 13 weeks of pregnancy (Group A), walking initiated at 20 weeks of pregnancy (Group B) and a control group of women who did no supervised physical exercise (Group C). Overall, 187 pregnant women were included in the study: 62 allocated to Group A, 65 to Group B and 60 to Group C. After losses, analysis was conducted on 54, 60 and 57 women in Groups A, B and C, respectively. The women in the intervention groups (A and B) walked at moderate intensity three times a week. Physical fitness level was evaluated at the 13th, 20th and 28th weeks. Fetal weight, uteroplacental blood flow and maternal blood pressure were evaluated every four weeks. Birthweight was also assessed. A sub-sample of 88 healthy women in the 36th week of pregnancy was submitted to moderate intensity walking and computerized cardiotocography (Sonicaid 8002 system) during three phases: resting, treadmill walking and recovery. Initially, bivariate analysis was conducted to test the randomization process. For the analysis of some outcomes evaluated throughout pregnancy (fetal weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the pulsatility indices of the uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries), the longitudinal model was used. To evaluate the association between bradycardia and the numerical variables, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for continuous variables and the Kruskall-Wallis test for discrete variables and those continuous variables for which distribution was not normal. Finally, the frequency of bradycardia (fetal heart rate <110 bpm) was determined and stepwise multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the principal factors associated with its occurrence. The study was approved by the internal review board of the State University of Paraíba under reference number 0323.0.133.000-07. Results: Findings are reported as two papers. The mean number of days on which exercise was performed was 68 in Group A and 46 in Group B, with all the women completing more than 85% of the physical exercise program. An improvement in physical fitness was registered at the 28th week, as shown by mean VO2max values: 27.3 ± 4.3 (Group A), 28 ± 3.3 (Group B) and 25.5 ± 3.8 (Group C), p = 0.03. No difference was found between the groups with respect to their baseline characteristics. Mean birthweight was 3,279 ± 453 grams in Group A, 3,285 ± 477 grams in Group B and 3,378 ± 593 grams in Group C (p = 0.53). There was no effect of exercise on the number of small- or large-for-gestational-age infants. No association was found between physical exercise and the other variables investigated (preeclampsia, and fetal weight, blood pressure and the pulsatility indices of the uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries throughout pregnancy). Mean fetal heart rate decreased during walking (resting: 137 bpm, treadmill walking: 102 bpm and recovery: 140 bpm; p<0.001), with 78% of fetuses presenting bradycardia. Improvement in physical fitness was considered a protective effect, while an increase in maternal weight represented a risk factor for bradycardia. Conclusions: In previously sedentary, healthy pregnant women bearing a single fetus, a program of supervised physical exercise of moderate intensity up to the end of pregnancy appears to exert no significant effect on the outcomes evaluated, influencing only physical fitness level. Despite the high percentage of bradycardia found during walking, exercise provide to be safe for healthy fetuses with the ability to readapt to situations in which blood flow is reduced. This study was registered on the Clinical Trials platform under reference number NCT00641550 / Doutorado / Saúde Materna e Perinatal / Doutor em Ciências da Saúde

<p>The studies were undertaken to evaluate risk factors and outcomes in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births, in cohort studies using the population-based Swedish Birth, Twin and Education Registers. A cohort study of pregnant women from Uppsala County evaluated the effect on birthweight by caffeine.</p><p> Maternal anthropometrics influence risks of SGA at all gestational ages. Smoking increases risks of moderately preterm and term SGA, while hypertensive disorders foremost increase the risk of preterm SGA. Monozygotic twin mothers have higher concordance rates in offspring birthweight-for-gestational length than dizygotic twin mothers, indicating genetic effects on fetal growth. Caffeine is not associated with a reduction in birthweight or birthweight-for-gestational age.</p><p> The increased risk of stillbirth in postterm pregnancies is explained by increased rates of SGA in postterm pregnancies. Births with malformations account for a large part of the SGA-related increased risk of infant death. SGA, as defined by an individualised birth-weight standard, is a better predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes than the commonly used population-based birthweight standard. </p><p> Risk factors for SGA, as well as the prognosis for the SGA infant, vary with gestational age. However, the commonly used definition of SGA is probably a poor predictor of intrauterine growth retardation.</p>

The studies were undertaken to evaluate risk factors and outcomes in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births, in cohort studies using the population-based Swedish Birth, Twin and Education Registers. A cohort study of pregnant women from Uppsala County evaluated the effect on birthweight by caffeine. Maternal anthropometrics influence risks of SGA at all gestational ages. Smoking increases risks of moderately preterm and term SGA, while hypertensive disorders foremost increase the risk of preterm SGA. Monozygotic twin mothers have higher concordance rates in offspring birthweight-for-gestational length than dizygotic twin mothers, indicating genetic effects on fetal growth. Caffeine is not associated with a reduction in birthweight or birthweight-for-gestational age. The increased risk of stillbirth in postterm pregnancies is explained by increased rates of SGA in postterm pregnancies. Births with malformations account for a large part of the SGA-related increased risk of infant death. SGA, as defined by an individualised birth-weight standard, is a better predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes than the commonly used population-based birthweight standard. Risk factors for SGA, as well as the prognosis for the SGA infant, vary with gestational age. However, the commonly used definition of SGA is probably a poor predictor of intrauterine growth retardation.

Establishment of risk factors, and mechanisms involved in preterm (premature) birth is important for society. Despite efforts to find the cause(s), a significant proportion of preterm birth is of unknown aetiology. Maternal infection has been implicated and oral infection in the form of periodontal (gum) disease has also been suggested as a risk factor for preterm birth (OPenbacher et at, 1996). The aim of this study was to examine the possible relationship between maternal periodontal disease and the delivery of preterm infants with associated low birthweight in East London. This was an unmatched case-control study with 187 cases (mothers whose infant weighed < 2500g, gestational age < 37 weeks (preterm low birthwieght (PLBW)), and 532 controls (mothers whose infant weighed z 2500g, gestational age z 37 weeks). Risk factor information for prematurity and low birthweight were collected from Maternity notes and a structured questionnaire. Maternal periodontal disease levels were measured by: Community Periodontal Index, periodontal probing pocket depths and a bleeding index. Analysis was by logistic regression. The study population was derived from a multiethnic inner city population the predominant groups being Bangladeshi (51.9%) and white Caucasian (25.9%). No differences were found between the periodontal status of the case and control mothers for any of the periodontal indices. The risk for PLBW decreased significantly (p=0.02) with increasing mean periodontal probing pocket depth (crude OR 0.83[95% CI 0.68, 1.00]). After controlling for pre-pregnancy hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption, maternal age, ethnic group and mother's education this risk decreased further (OR 0.78[95% CI 0.63, 0.96]). No evidence was found for increased risk of PLBW with maternal periodontal disease as measured in this study population. Promotion of oral health by healthcare workers is important, but these results did not support a specific drive to improve the periodontal health of pregnant women as a means of decreasing adverse pregnancy outcomes.

<p>Adverse birth outcomes like preterm birth and infant mortality are unevenly distributed across socio-economic groups. Risks are usually lowest in groups with high socio-economic status and increase with decreasing status.</p><p>The general aim of this thesis was to contribute to the understanding of the relation between socio-economic status and birth outcomes, focussing on maternal education and class, studying a range of birth outcomes. More specific aims were to investigate the relation between maternal education and infant health, to study the combined influence of maternal childhood and adult social class on inequalities in infant health and to explore the contribution of maternal working conditions to class inequalities in birth outcomes. The studies are population based, focussing on singletons births 1973-1990. During the period under study, educational differences in birth outcomes increased, especially between those with the lowest and highest education. The low birth weight paradox emerged, suggesting that the distribution of determinants for low birthweight infants differs for these groups.</p><p>Further, an independent association was found between maternal childhood social class and low birthweight and neonatal mortality, but not for postneonatal mortality. Since this was found for the two outcomes closest to birth, this indicates that the association is mediated through the maternal body.</p><p>Finally, there is a contribution of maternal working conditions to class inequalities in birth outcome. Lower job control, higher job hazards and higher physical demands were all to some degree related to increased risk of the following adverse birth outcomes: infant mortality, low birthweight, very low birthweight, foetal growth, preterm birth, very and extremely preterm birth. Working conditions demonstrated disparate associations with the birth outcomes, indicating a high complexity in these relationships.</p>