Very preterm children are at increased risk of reduced processing speed at 5 years of age, predicted by typical complications of prematurity and prenatal smoking.

Aim: Very little is known about risk predictors for the development of reduced processing speed, which can cause intellectual problems in later life. This study identified risk predictors at 5 years of age in a population-based cohort of very preterm infants.

Methods: Between January 2003 and August 2006, all preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation in Tyrol were prospectively enrolled (n = 223), and 161 underwent a detailed examination at 5 years of age, including a cognitive assessment using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, third edition.

Readmission of Preterm Infants Less Than 32 Weeks Gestation Into Early Childhood: Does Gender Difference Still Play a Role?

The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of and the predictors for rehospitalization in preterm infants into early childhood, focusing on gender differences. All preterm infants born at <32 weeks of gestation in North Tyrol between January 2003 and December 2005 were enrolled in this survey. About one fifth of all children were readmitted, showing an inverse downward trend with increasing age.

Improved weight gain in very-low-birth-weight infants after the introduction of a self-created computer calculation program for individualized parenteral nutrition.

Background: Although 90% of babies <1500 g (very-low-birth-weight or VLBW) are appropriate for gestational age (AGA) at birth, almost all are small for gestational age at 36 weeks of gestation, mainly due to nutritional deficiency in the first weeks of life. A computer calculation program (CCP) to calculate parenteral nutrition (PN) was introduced to improve nutritional intake in preterm infants.

Methods: Somatometric data and composition of PN of VLBW infants were compared with two points of time measured over a period of 4 years.

Early sudden unexpected death in infancy (ESUDI)--three case reports and review of the literature.

Aim: Early sudden unexpected death in infancy (ESUDI) is a rare cause of death occurring in newborns during the first hours of life. Our aim was to find additional data for the identification of risk factors and establishment of prevention strategies.

Methods: We describe three cases of ESUDI and give an overview of the literature.