Embryonic size and growth and adverse birth outcomes: the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Study Question: Is early embryonic size and growth in the first trimester of pregnancy associated with adverse birth outcomes?

Summary Answer: Larger embryonic crown-rump length (CRL) and embryonic volume (EV) are associated with lower odds of adverse birth outcomes, especially small for gestational age (SGA).

What Is Already Known: Preterm birth, SGA, and congenital anomalies are the most prevalent adverse birth outcomes with lifelong health consequences as well as high medical and societal costs. In the late first and second trimesters of pregnancy, fetuses at risk for adverse birth outcomes can be identified using 2-dimensional ultrasonography (US).

Effects of the neonatal intensive care environment on circadian health and development of preterm infants.

The circadian system in mammals ensures adaptation to the light-dark cycle on Earth and imposes 24-h rhythmicity on metabolic, physiological and behavioral processes. The central circadian pacemaker is located in the brain and is entrained by environmental signals called Zeitgebers. From here, neural, humoral and systemic signals drive rhythms in peripheral clocks in nearly every mammalian tissue.

Early Ultrasonic Monitoring of Brain Growth and Later Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Very Preterm Infants.

Background And Purpose: In infants born very preterm, monitoring of early brain growth could contribute to prediction of later neurodevelopment. Therefore, our aim was to investigate associations between 2 early cranial ultrasound markers (corpus callosum-fastigium and corpus callosum length) and neurodevelopmental outcome and the added value of both markers in the prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome based on neonatal risk factors and head circumference in very preterm infants.

Materials And Methods: This prospective observational study included 225 infants born at <30 weeks' gestational age, of whom 153 were without any brain injury on cranial ultrasound.

Anthropometrics and fat mass, but not fat-free mass, are compromised in infants requiring parenteral nutrition after neonatal intestinal surgery.

Background: Children with intestinal failure (IF) receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) have altered body composition (BC), but data on BC changes from start of PN onwards are lacking.

Objectives: We aimed to assess growth and BC in infants after neonatal intestinal surgery necessitating PN and at risk of IF, and to explore associations with clinical parameters.

Methods: A prospective cohort study in infants after intestinal surgery.