<p>This secondary analysis aimed to develop dietary scores to assess the dietary intake of pregnant women in the West Coast/ Winelands region and determine the association with LBW. Further to determine the association between the dietary scores and maternal socioeconomic and socio-demographic characteristics and maternal smoking and/or alcohol consumption during pregnancy.</p>

<p>This secondary analysis aimed to develop dietary scores to assess the dietary intake of pregnant women in the West Coast/ Winelands region and determine the association with LBW. Further to determine the association between the dietary scores and maternal socioeconomic and socio-demographic characteristics and maternal smoking and/or alcohol consumption during pregnancy.</p>

Com o objetivo de comparar a orientação visual e auditiva no período neonatal imediato entre recém-nascidos (RNs) a termo pequenos para idade gestacional (PIGs) com os de peso adequado (AIGs), assim como o seu custo para os bebês, foi estudada uma população de RNs sadios, dividida em dois grupos. Pacientes e Métodos: nós conduzimos um estudo transversal controlado, onde fator de exposição foi o retardo de crescimento intra-uterino (RCIU) e os desfechos foram os comportamentos de orientação visual e auditiva dos bebês, bem como o custo para sua realização ( itens suplementares). O exame completo foi realizado (EACN) mas neste momento enfatizamos para estudo os comportamentos de orientação e seu custo para o bebê. O grupo 1 foi constituído por 56 RNs PIGs e o grupo 2 por 118 RNs AIGs. O instrumento utilizado foi a Escala de Avaliação do Comportamento Neonatal (EACN) de Brazelton e o exame ocorreu entre 48 e 72 horas após o nascimento. Para minimizar os efeitos de drogas usadas em analgesia obstétrica com impacto no comportamento neonatal, só foram incluídos no estudo, bebês cujas mães tenham recebido, no máximo, bloqueio peri-dural com marcaína. Foram excluídos os malformados, aqueles cujas mães não realizaram prénatal, os RNs PIG simétricos, os que necessitaram cuidados intensivos e aqueles cujas mães tinham antecedentes de uso de outras drogas, que não tabaco. Além dos ítens de orientação e o custo dela para o RN, outras variáveis incluíram: a idade materna, paridade, tipo de parto, Apgar a 1 e 5 minutos, idade gestacional, sexo, cor, peso, comprimento e perímetro cefálico do RN, e a prevalência de aleitamento materno. Para a análise estatística, os dados foram descritos pela média e desvio-padrão e as comparações entre os grupos foram feitas através do teste t para amostras independentes. Para a avaliação da magnitude das diferenças, foi calculado o tamanho de efeito padronizado (TEP). Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas quanto à idade materna, paridade, Apgar no primeiro e quinto minutos, idade gestacional, sexo dos bebês, cor e tipo de alimentação. No entanto, elas foram encontradas para o peso de nascimento, comprimento e perímetro cefálico. Os comportamentos de resposta aos itens de orientação aos estímulos animados e inanimados, visuais e auditivos, foram significativamente diferentes entre os grupos, assim como os itens suplementares. Discussão: os achados deste estudo suportam a idéia de que os RNs PIGs apresentam respostas de menor qualidade aos estímulos de orientação visual e auditiva, tanto animados como inanimados do que os bebês AIG no período pós-parto imediato. Nossos resultados confirmam observações de estudos anteriores de que essas diferenças são encontradas no grupo de orientação como um todo. Em nosso estudo, porém, diferentemente dos estudos prévios, encontramos significância comparando-se os comportamentos de resposta a cada um dos ítens do comportamento social. As significativas diferenças encontradas nos ítens suplementares, reforçam a idéia de que os bebês PIG se constituem em um grupo de risco para a interação com o seu meio ambiente. / In order to compare the behavior of visual and auditive orientation in the imediate neonatal period between fullterm, small for gestational age (SGA) to those of adequate weight to gestational age (AGA), we studied 174 healthy neonates, divided in two groups. Subjects and Methods: we conducted a controlled, cross-sectional study, where the exposure factor was the intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and the endpoints were the babie’s visual and auditive orientation behaviors, as well as the cost to it (supplementary itens). The complete NBAS was performed but at this moment we enfasize the orientation behavior and supplementary itens to study. Group 1 was made by 56 SGA babies and group 2 by 118 AGA neonates. As instrument, we used the Brazelton's Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (NBAS) and the exam ocurred between 48 and 72 hours after birth. With the goal of minimize the effects of drugs used for obstetric analgesia in the neonatal behavior, only babies whose mothers received no more than epidural blockage with marcaíne were included in the study. We excluded children with malformations, those who required intensive care, those whose mothers has no prenatal care, the simetric SGA babies, as well as those whose mother received medication other than marcaíne or used drugs, except tobaco. We looked at the baby's orientation behavior as well as the cost to it. Other studied variables were: maternal age, parity, type of delivery, Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes, gestational age, and baby's colour, gender, weight, lenght, cephalic perimeter and prevalence of breastfeeding. Statistical analysis was carried out after treating data by the mean and standard-deviation and comparisons between groups were made using the t test. To evaluate the magnitude of the differences, we calculated the Cohen's Effect Sizes. Results: we weren't able to find any significant difference between groups regarding maternal age, parity, Apgar scores, gestational age as well as babie's colour, gender or breasfeeding. However, we found significant differences in birth weight, as expected due to the study design. And also, in lenght and cephalic perimeter. Orientation behavior, that is, response to animated and inanimated visual and auditory stimulous was significantly different between groups, as well as the behavior in the supplementary itens. Discussion: our results support the idea that SGA babies perform poorly than their AGA pairs in the NBAS orientation group as a whole. And also, that they need more support from the examiner. This has allready been reported by others. However, in this study, differently than others, AGA babies behaved better than SGA newborns in every item of the orientation exam. The significant differences found in the supplementary itens support the idea that SGA babies represent a risk group for interaction with their caretakers.

Com o objetivo de comparar a orientação visual e auditiva no período neonatal imediato entre recém-nascidos (RNs) a termo pequenos para idade gestacional (PIGs) com os de peso adequado (AIGs), assim como o seu custo para os bebês, foi estudada uma população de RNs sadios, dividida em dois grupos. Pacientes e Métodos: nós conduzimos um estudo transversal controlado, onde fator de exposição foi o retardo de crescimento intra-uterino (RCIU) e os desfechos foram os comportamentos de orientação visual e auditiva dos bebês, bem como o custo para sua realização ( itens suplementares). O exame completo foi realizado (EACN) mas neste momento enfatizamos para estudo os comportamentos de orientação e seu custo para o bebê. O grupo 1 foi constituído por 56 RNs PIGs e o grupo 2 por 118 RNs AIGs. O instrumento utilizado foi a Escala de Avaliação do Comportamento Neonatal (EACN) de Brazelton e o exame ocorreu entre 48 e 72 horas após o nascimento. Para minimizar os efeitos de drogas usadas em analgesia obstétrica com impacto no comportamento neonatal, só foram incluídos no estudo, bebês cujas mães tenham recebido, no máximo, bloqueio peri-dural com marcaína. Foram excluídos os malformados, aqueles cujas mães não realizaram prénatal, os RNs PIG simétricos, os que necessitaram cuidados intensivos e aqueles cujas mães tinham antecedentes de uso de outras drogas, que não tabaco. Além dos ítens de orientação e o custo dela para o RN, outras variáveis incluíram: a idade materna, paridade, tipo de parto, Apgar a 1 e 5 minutos, idade gestacional, sexo, cor, peso, comprimento e perímetro cefálico do RN, e a prevalência de aleitamento materno. Para a análise estatística, os dados foram descritos pela média e desvio-padrão e as comparações entre os grupos foram feitas através do teste t para amostras independentes. Para a avaliação da magnitude das diferenças, foi calculado o tamanho de efeito padronizado (TEP). Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas quanto à idade materna, paridade, Apgar no primeiro e quinto minutos, idade gestacional, sexo dos bebês, cor e tipo de alimentação. No entanto, elas foram encontradas para o peso de nascimento, comprimento e perímetro cefálico. Os comportamentos de resposta aos itens de orientação aos estímulos animados e inanimados, visuais e auditivos, foram significativamente diferentes entre os grupos, assim como os itens suplementares. Discussão: os achados deste estudo suportam a idéia de que os RNs PIGs apresentam respostas de menor qualidade aos estímulos de orientação visual e auditiva, tanto animados como inanimados do que os bebês AIG no período pós-parto imediato. Nossos resultados confirmam observações de estudos anteriores de que essas diferenças são encontradas no grupo de orientação como um todo. Em nosso estudo, porém, diferentemente dos estudos prévios, encontramos significância comparando-se os comportamentos de resposta a cada um dos ítens do comportamento social. As significativas diferenças encontradas nos ítens suplementares, reforçam a idéia de que os bebês PIG se constituem em um grupo de risco para a interação com o seu meio ambiente. / In order to compare the behavior of visual and auditive orientation in the imediate neonatal period between fullterm, small for gestational age (SGA) to those of adequate weight to gestational age (AGA), we studied 174 healthy neonates, divided in two groups. Subjects and Methods: we conducted a controlled, cross-sectional study, where the exposure factor was the intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and the endpoints were the babie’s visual and auditive orientation behaviors, as well as the cost to it (supplementary itens). The complete NBAS was performed but at this moment we enfasize the orientation behavior and supplementary itens to study. Group 1 was made by 56 SGA babies and group 2 by 118 AGA neonates. As instrument, we used the Brazelton's Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (NBAS) and the exam ocurred between 48 and 72 hours after birth. With the goal of minimize the effects of drugs used for obstetric analgesia in the neonatal behavior, only babies whose mothers received no more than epidural blockage with marcaíne were included in the study. We excluded children with malformations, those who required intensive care, those whose mothers has no prenatal care, the simetric SGA babies, as well as those whose mother received medication other than marcaíne or used drugs, except tobaco. We looked at the baby's orientation behavior as well as the cost to it. Other studied variables were: maternal age, parity, type of delivery, Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes, gestational age, and baby's colour, gender, weight, lenght, cephalic perimeter and prevalence of breastfeeding. Statistical analysis was carried out after treating data by the mean and standard-deviation and comparisons between groups were made using the t test. To evaluate the magnitude of the differences, we calculated the Cohen's Effect Sizes. Results: we weren't able to find any significant difference between groups regarding maternal age, parity, Apgar scores, gestational age as well as babie's colour, gender or breasfeeding. However, we found significant differences in birth weight, as expected due to the study design. And also, in lenght and cephalic perimeter. Orientation behavior, that is, response to animated and inanimated visual and auditory stimulous was significantly different between groups, as well as the behavior in the supplementary itens. Discussion: our results support the idea that SGA babies perform poorly than their AGA pairs in the NBAS orientation group as a whole. And also, that they need more support from the examiner. This has allready been reported by others. However, in this study, differently than others, AGA babies behaved better than SGA newborns in every item of the orientation exam. The significant differences found in the supplementary itens support the idea that SGA babies represent a risk group for interaction with their caretakers.

Com o objetivo de comparar a orientação visual e auditiva no período neonatal imediato entre recém-nascidos (RNs) a termo pequenos para idade gestacional (PIGs) com os de peso adequado (AIGs), assim como o seu custo para os bebês, foi estudada uma população de RNs sadios, dividida em dois grupos. Pacientes e Métodos: nós conduzimos um estudo transversal controlado, onde fator de exposição foi o retardo de crescimento intra-uterino (RCIU) e os desfechos foram os comportamentos de orientação visual e auditiva dos bebês, bem como o custo para sua realização ( itens suplementares). O exame completo foi realizado (EACN) mas neste momento enfatizamos para estudo os comportamentos de orientação e seu custo para o bebê. O grupo 1 foi constituído por 56 RNs PIGs e o grupo 2 por 118 RNs AIGs. O instrumento utilizado foi a Escala de Avaliação do Comportamento Neonatal (EACN) de Brazelton e o exame ocorreu entre 48 e 72 horas após o nascimento. Para minimizar os efeitos de drogas usadas em analgesia obstétrica com impacto no comportamento neonatal, só foram incluídos no estudo, bebês cujas mães tenham recebido, no máximo, bloqueio peri-dural com marcaína. Foram excluídos os malformados, aqueles cujas mães não realizaram prénatal, os RNs PIG simétricos, os que necessitaram cuidados intensivos e aqueles cujas mães tinham antecedentes de uso de outras drogas, que não tabaco. Além dos ítens de orientação e o custo dela para o RN, outras variáveis incluíram: a idade materna, paridade, tipo de parto, Apgar a 1 e 5 minutos, idade gestacional, sexo, cor, peso, comprimento e perímetro cefálico do RN, e a prevalência de aleitamento materno. Para a análise estatística, os dados foram descritos pela média e desvio-padrão e as comparações entre os grupos foram feitas através do teste t para amostras independentes. Para a avaliação da magnitude das diferenças, foi calculado o tamanho de efeito padronizado (TEP). Resultados: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas quanto à idade materna, paridade, Apgar no primeiro e quinto minutos, idade gestacional, sexo dos bebês, cor e tipo de alimentação. No entanto, elas foram encontradas para o peso de nascimento, comprimento e perímetro cefálico. Os comportamentos de resposta aos itens de orientação aos estímulos animados e inanimados, visuais e auditivos, foram significativamente diferentes entre os grupos, assim como os itens suplementares. Discussão: os achados deste estudo suportam a idéia de que os RNs PIGs apresentam respostas de menor qualidade aos estímulos de orientação visual e auditiva, tanto animados como inanimados do que os bebês AIG no período pós-parto imediato. Nossos resultados confirmam observações de estudos anteriores de que essas diferenças são encontradas no grupo de orientação como um todo. Em nosso estudo, porém, diferentemente dos estudos prévios, encontramos significância comparando-se os comportamentos de resposta a cada um dos ítens do comportamento social. As significativas diferenças encontradas nos ítens suplementares, reforçam a idéia de que os bebês PIG se constituem em um grupo de risco para a interação com o seu meio ambiente. / In order to compare the behavior of visual and auditive orientation in the imediate neonatal period between fullterm, small for gestational age (SGA) to those of adequate weight to gestational age (AGA), we studied 174 healthy neonates, divided in two groups. Subjects and Methods: we conducted a controlled, cross-sectional study, where the exposure factor was the intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and the endpoints were the babie’s visual and auditive orientation behaviors, as well as the cost to it (supplementary itens). The complete NBAS was performed but at this moment we enfasize the orientation behavior and supplementary itens to study. Group 1 was made by 56 SGA babies and group 2 by 118 AGA neonates. As instrument, we used the Brazelton's Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (NBAS) and the exam ocurred between 48 and 72 hours after birth. With the goal of minimize the effects of drugs used for obstetric analgesia in the neonatal behavior, only babies whose mothers received no more than epidural blockage with marcaíne were included in the study. We excluded children with malformations, those who required intensive care, those whose mothers has no prenatal care, the simetric SGA babies, as well as those whose mother received medication other than marcaíne or used drugs, except tobaco. We looked at the baby's orientation behavior as well as the cost to it. Other studied variables were: maternal age, parity, type of delivery, Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes, gestational age, and baby's colour, gender, weight, lenght, cephalic perimeter and prevalence of breastfeeding. Statistical analysis was carried out after treating data by the mean and standard-deviation and comparisons between groups were made using the t test. To evaluate the magnitude of the differences, we calculated the Cohen's Effect Sizes. Results: we weren't able to find any significant difference between groups regarding maternal age, parity, Apgar scores, gestational age as well as babie's colour, gender or breasfeeding. However, we found significant differences in birth weight, as expected due to the study design. And also, in lenght and cephalic perimeter. Orientation behavior, that is, response to animated and inanimated visual and auditory stimulous was significantly different between groups, as well as the behavior in the supplementary itens. Discussion: our results support the idea that SGA babies perform poorly than their AGA pairs in the NBAS orientation group as a whole. And also, that they need more support from the examiner. This has allready been reported by others. However, in this study, differently than others, AGA babies behaved better than SGA newborns in every item of the orientation exam. The significant differences found in the supplementary itens support the idea that SGA babies represent a risk group for interaction with their caretakers.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / This secondary analysis aimed to develop dietary scores to assess the dietary intake of pregnant women in the West Coast/ Winelands region and determine the association with LBW. Further to determine the association between the dietary scores and maternal socioeconomic and socio-demographic characteristics and maternal smoking and/or alcohol consumption during pregnancy. / South Africa

Résumé : Le sFlt1 semble être un bon marqueur de la prééclampsie (PE). Nous avons évalué dans le cadre d’un essai randomisé contrôlé (MOMA), l’impact sur l’issue de grossesse d’un suivi rapproché de femmes identifiées comme « à risque » par un taux élevé de sFlt1 plasmatique entre 24 et 29 SA. Dans cet essai 939 nullipares ont été incluses en 2 bras (sflt1 connu ou non connu). Nos résultats ne montrent pas d’amélioration de l’issue de grossesse et suggèrent que l’inefficience de l’intervention (suivi rapproché) en est la cause la plus probable. Aussi la mesure du sFlt1 pour prédire la survenue d'une PE ne semble pas utile tant qu’un traitement efficace n’est pas à disposition. Des anomalies de la stéroïdogénèse placentaire ont été retrouvées associées à la PE. 90 échantillons issus de la cohorte MOMA répartis en trois groupes (25 PE, 25 retard de croissance intra utérin (RCIU) sans PE et 40 contrôles) ont été utilisés pour évaluer le profil stéroïdes par la technique fiable de GC/MS (entre 24 et 29 SA) - soit avant les signes cliniques -. Nous avons mis en évidence dans le groupe PE un défaut d'aromatisation des androgènes par le calcul du ratio estradiol/Δ4-Dione (sang) et un défaut d’expression de l’aromatase (placenta). Tout comme les taux significativement bas de sulfate de prégnénolone retrouvés, ce défaut d’aromatisation semble spécifique de la PE car ils n’ont pas été observés dans le groupe RCIU. Ces modifications s'inscrivent dans une dérégulation du profil stéroïdien global. Nous avons en effet observé dans les groupes PE et RCIU, un excés de 20α-dihydro-progestérone (20α-DHP) et un ratio 20α-DHP/Progestérone significativement élevé. Les stéroïdes sexuels partagent des voies de signalisation communes avec les facteurs angiogéniques, faisant inscrire aisément l’hypothèse « anomalies de la stéroïdogénèse » dans les concepts actuels de la physiopathologie de la PE. Les liens entre perturbations de la stéroïdogénèse et la prééclampsie sont discutés. / Abstract : sFlt1 appears to be a good biomarker of preeclampsia (PE). The impact on pregnancy outcomes of close monitoring of women identified as "at risk" at 24 and 29 weeks of gestation (weeks) by a high level of plasma sFlt1, was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial (MOMA). 939 nulliparous women were included in 2 arms (sFlt1 known or unknown). Our results do not show any improvement of pregnancy outcomes and suggest that the inefficiency of the intervention (close follow-up) is the most likely cause. Thus, routine sFlt1 screening to predict the occurrence of PE does not seem useful until effective treatment is available. Abnormalities of placental steroidogenesis have been associated with PE. 90 samples from the MOMA cohort divided into three groups (25 intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) without PE, 25 PE and 40 controls) were used to assess by the reliable GC / MS technique, the steroid profile (between 24 and 29 weeks)before the development of clinical signs. In the PE group, we showed abnormal androgen aromatization, by calculating the estradiol/Δ4-Dione ratio (blood), and a lack of expression of placental aromatase. Similarly to the significantly low levels of pregnenolone sulfate found, this lack of aromatization seems specific to PE as they are not found in the IUGR group. These modifications are part of a deregulation of the overall steroid profile. In the PE and IUGR groups, we observed an excess of 20α-dihydroprogesterone (20α-DHP) and a significantly high 20α-DHP/Progesterone ratio. Sex steroids share common signaling pathways with angiogenic factors which easily integrate the "steroidogenesis abnormalities" hypothesis in the current concepts in the pathophysiology of PE. Links between disturbances of steroidogenesis and preeclampsia are discussed.

A case-control study was performed to evaluate the Swedish population-based symphysis fundus (SF) reference curves. The study included 242 small for gestational age (SGA) neonates (169 term and 73 preterm infants) as cases and 296 non-SGA infants as controls. Two Swedish SF curves were evaluated. In term pregnancies they showed a sensitivity of 32 % and 51 % and a specificity of 90 % and 83 %, respectively, at a cut-off level of &lt; - 2 SD from the mean according to the SF reference curve. The sensitivity for SGA was higher in preterm pregnancies (49 % and 58 %, respectively) and the first alarm below – 2 SD was noted before 32 weeks in 37 % and 43 % of the preterm pregnancies, respectively. (Study I) A study of self-administered SF measurements was designed to achieve more regular and frequent SF measurements. Thirty-three women with singleton, ultrasound dated pregnancies performed SF measurements on average 14 weeks from gestational week 20 to 25 until delivery. Self-administered SF measurements were higher and had higher variance than midwives’ measurements. Four consecutive SF measurements on each occasion can compensate for higher variance. Reliable self-administered SF measurements can be obtained. (Study II) Self-administered SF measurements from 191 women were used to construct absolute and relative SF growth references. The influence of fetal sex, maternal obesity and parity was assessed in regression models. The lnSF growth was statistically influenced by maternal obesity, and a borderline significance was recorded for fetal sex and parity. Statistical analysis and graphical displays show no evidence that the relative lnSF growth should be dependent on these variables. (Study III) To improve detection of infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) rather than SGA a new statistical model (the SR method) was used. The SR method was evaluated with SF measurements from 1122 pregnant women. The sensitivity for neonatal morbidity and SGA was low, between 6 and 36 % for SGA (&lt; -2SD). Neonates classified as SGA (&lt; -2SD and &lt; 10th percentile) had increased morbidity compared with the total study group. Neonates suspected to be SGA before delivery by the population-based SF measurement method had lower morbidity than those not suspected. The SR method was found not to improve detection of fetuses with increased morbidity or SGA neonates in this study. Better screening methods to detect IUGR and SGA prior to delivery are needed. (Study IV)

A alta variabilidade no peso ao nascer de leitões e o nascimento de leitões com pesos muito inferiores a média da leitegada evidencia a restrição de crescimento intrauterino, acentuada a partir da seleção genética de matrizes suínas mais prolíferas. Esses animais desenvolvem-se de maneira inferior aos seus contemporâneos e tem aumentado os riscos de morte ou descarte, acarretando menores índices produtivos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do desenvolvimento intrauterino no crescimento, longevidade, produtividade e desempenho reprodutivo de futuras matrizes reprodutoras suínas. Além disso, avaliar a influência do desenvolvimento corporal e sua relação com puberdade e desempenho reprodutivo. No primeiro estudo, o peso ao nascer foi dividido em oito grupos e foram determinadas as curvas de crescimento e o desempenho reprodutivo até o terceiro parto de 1495 leitoas Landrace x Large White (DanBred®). Nas leitoas que pertenciam ao grupo mais leve, ou seja, com menos de 1 kg, o potencial de crescimento foi inferior do que as leitoas do grupo mais pesado, com menor ganho de peso diário (GPD) em todas as fases avaliadas (20, 70 e 170 dias) e com menor peso aos 170 dias, momento onde foi realizada a seleção para entrada no rebanho. A mortalidade e perdas cumulativas até os 170 dias foram maiores em leitoas pesando menos de 1 kg, reduzindo a oportunidade destas de serem selecionadas como futuras matrizes. Além disso, leitoas que nasceram com peso inferior a 1 kg tiveram menor número de dias de permanência no plantel e produziram quase 4,5 leitões a menos ao longo de três partos quando comparado com os outros grupos de peso ao nascer. O segundo estudo utilizou um total de 665 leitoas Landrace x Large White (DanBred®) para avaliar os efeitos da idade e taxa de crescimento no momento de exposição ao macho e suas consequências no desempenho reprodutivo. As leitoas foram retrospectivamente classificadas em grupos de acordo com idade a exposição ao macho (140-155 e 156–170 dias) e taxa de crescimento até a exposição ao macho (Baixa: 500–575 g/d; Intermediária: 580–625 g/d; e Alta: 630–790 g/d). Leitoas expostas ao macho com 140-155 dias tiveram menor manifestação de estro (60,8 vs. 77,0%) até os 30 dias do que àquelas expostas com 156-170 dias de idade. A manifestação de estro até 30 dias após a exposição ao macho foi maior para leitoas com alto ganho de peso (74,3%) do que as de ganho de peso baixo e intermediário (65,5 and 64,3%, respectivamente). A taxa de parto e o número de leitões nascidos no primeiro parto não foram afetados pela idade e pela taxa de crescimento. Os resultados dos nossos estudos apontam para a conclusão que o peso ao nascer e o desempenho de crescimento influenciam no desempenho reprodutivo das leitoas quando adultas. / The high variability on piglet birth weight and the birth of piglets weighing less than 1 kg show a restriction on intrauterine growth, increased by the large litter size of hyperprolific sows. These animals develop in lower rates than its contemporaries and have increased risk of death or culling, resulting in lower productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intrauterine development in growth, longevity, productivity and reproductive performance of sows destined to breeding herd. In addition, was to evaluate the influence of body development and its relation with puberty and reproductive performance. On the first study, using a retrospective classification into eight classes of birth weight were determined the growth and reproductive performance until the third parity of 1,495 crossbred Landrace x Large White gilts (DanBred®). Piglets from the lower birth weight group, i.e., less than 1 kg, had poorer growth performance when compared with the higher class, with lower body weight and average daily weight gain in all stages of development evaluated. Mortality and cumulative losses until 170 days of life were greater on piglets weighing less than 1 kg at birth, reducing the opportunity for their selection as future breeders. Furthermore, sows born weighing less than 1 kg had lower number of days in the breeding herd and produced almost 4.5 less piglets along three parities than the other gilts. A second study used a total of 665 Landrace x Large White gilts (DanBred®) to evaluate the effects of age and growth rate until the onset of boar exposure on first oestrus manifestation and reproductive performance. Gilts were retrospectively classified in groups according to their age at boar exposure (140-155 and 156–170 days) and into classes according to their growth rate from birth to boar exposure (Low: 500–575 g/d; Intermediate: 580–625 g/d; and High: 630–790 g/d). Gilts exposed to boar at 140-155 days had lower oestrus manifestation (60.8 vs. 77.0%) within 30 days than those exposed at 156-170 days of age. Lower percentages of gilts in oestrus within 30 days after boar exposure were observed in Low and Intermediate growth rate gilts (65.5 and 64.3%) than in High growth rate gilts (74.3%). Farrowing rate and number of total born litter size were affected neither by age or growth rate at onset of boar exposure. The results of our studies point to the conclusion that the birth weight and the developmental performance have influence on the reproductive performance of gilts as sows.

Bibliographic identification Author's first name and surname: Silvie Macečková, BA. Title of the master thesis: Motor skills exhibited by three year old children diagnosed with SGA. Department: Department of physiotherapy Supervisor: PaedDr. Irena Zounková, Ph.D. The year of presentation: 2018 Abstract This thesis is focused on the issue of children with a history of low birth for gestational age (SGA) in relation to motor problems. Its theoretical part summarizes the specifics of the development of these individuals and defines the problems of terminology and classification. It deals with the risks associated with early postnatal periods and long-term complications with metabolic and neurological impacts. The target of this study was to find out whether motor disorders are more common in children with a history of SGA (IUGR) than those of general population. The test group and the general population group underwent kinesiological examination by aspects and a battery of MABC-2 tests. This hypothesis has not been proven. In addition, the thesis aimed to evaluate the possible link between the motor manifestation at the early age and the age of two and three years. Final data from kinesiological examination, case history data, BSID II test results, and MABC- 2 battery tests were used for this purpose....