Impact of obstetric interventions on condition at birth in extremely preterm babies: evidence from a national cohort study.

Background: To investigate perinatal decision-making and the use of obstetric interventions, we examined the effects of antenatal steroids, tocolysis, and delivery mode on birth in a good condition (defined as presence of an infant heart rate >100 at five minutes of age) and delivery-room (DR) death in extremely preterm deliveries.

Methods: Prospective cohort of all singleton births in England in 2006 at 22-26 weeks of gestation where the fetus was alive at the start of labour monitoring or decision to perform caesarean section. Odds ratios adjusted for potential confounders (aOR) were calculated using logistic regression.

Short term outcomes after extreme preterm birth in England: comparison of two birth cohorts in 1995 and 2006 (the EPICure studies).

Objective: To determine survival and neonatal morbidity for babies born between 22 and 26 weeks' gestation in England during 2006, and to evaluate changes in outcome since 1995 for babies born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation.

Design: Prospective national cohort studies.

Setting: Maternity and neonatal units in England.

Neurological and developmental outcome in extremely preterm children born in England in 1995 and 2006: the EPICure studies.

Objective: To determine outcomes at age 3 years in babies born before 27 completed weeks' gestation in 2006, and to evaluate changes in outcome since 1995 for babies born between 22 and 25 weeks' gestation.

Design: Prospective national cohort studies, EPICure and EPICure 2.

Setting: Hospital and home based evaluations, England.

Cumulative flying time and risk of venous thromboembolism.

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with cumulative flying time remains uncertain. In a case-control study in general practices throughout the UK, participants comprised 550 VTE cases identified from practice records and 1971 age- and gender-matched controls. Participants returned identical questionnaires asking for information including air travel details.

Motor and executive function at 6 years of age after extremely preterm birth.

Background: Studies of very preterm infants have demonstrated impairments in multiple neurocognitive domains. We hypothesized that neuromotor and executive-function deficits may independently contribute to school failure.

Methods: We studied children who were born at < or = 25 completed weeks' gestation in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1995 at early school age.

TOIB Study. Are topical or oral ibuprofen equally effective for the treatment of chronic knee pain presenting in primary care: a randomised controlled trial with patient preference study. [ISRCTN79353052].

Background: Many older people have chronic knee pain. Both topical and oral non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat this. Oral NSAIDS are effective, at least in the short term, but can have severe adverse effects.

A comparison of mid upper arm circumference, body mass index and weight loss as indices of undernutrition in acutely hospitalized patients.

A nutritional supplementation trial (Vlaming et al., Clin Nutr 2001; 20: 517) enabled us to assess the nutrition of 1561 patients on emergency admission to hospital. Patients acutely admitted to the 15 relevant medical, surgical and orthopaedic wards were identified.