[Analysis on influencing factors for stunting and underweight among children aged 3 - 6 years in 15 counties of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces].

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors for stunting and underweight among children aged 3 - 6 years in 15 counties of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces so as to provide reference for enhancing growth level among preschool children.

Methods: Data was from the 183 295 records of Children Follow-up Study Project carried out by the Institute of Reproductive and Child Heath of Peking University and the records of related perinatal health care surveillance system in rural areas of 15 counties/cities of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. WHO-NCHS standard was used to assess the childhood physical level of growth.

[Correlation on hemoglobin concentration and the development of cognition among pre-school children].

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the association between hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and cognitive ability of children at 4 - 6 years of age in 21 counties/cities in China.

Methods: A total number of 7331 children born during 1993 - 1996 were randomly selected from 21 counties or cities in Hebei, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Hb concentration of children were measured followed by three tests including full-scale, verbal and performance intelligence quotient (IQ) test performed by Chinese-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, one year later.

[Association of pregnancy-induced hypertension with small-for-gestational-age babies].

Objective: To examine the association between pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and small-for-gestational-age babies (SGA) in a Chinese population.

Methods: Subjects were women who delivered a singleton baby (gestational weeks: equal to or greater than 28, and less than 42) in four cities or counties in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, China, during the period of 1995 - 2000. A total number of 93 743 women were included.

[Prevalence of preterm birth among singletons in 10 counties (cities) of China, 1993-2005].

Objective: To describe the secular trends and epidemiological characteristics of preterm birth among singletons in 10 counties (cities) of China during 1993-2005.

Methods: We analyzed data on 542 923 women (gestational age > or =28 weeks) collected through Perinatal Healthcare Surveillance System established by the Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University. Chi-square tests were employed to test the differences in prevalence of preterm birth among different groups.

[Study on the third trimester hemoglobin concentrations and the risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery].

Objective: To investigate the association between third trimester hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and the risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery in a Chinese population.

Methods: Subjects were women who delivered in four cities/counties in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, China, during the period of 1995 - 2000. Incidence of low birth weight and preterm delivery was calculated and compared among groups of women with different levels of Hb during the third trimester.

[The current status and the changing patterns of perinatal health care in some southern and northern areas of China, 1994 - 2000].

Objective: To understand the current status and its changing patterns of perinatal health care in some southern and northern areas of China from 1994 to 2000.

Methods: Data was collected in 13 counties/cities covered by Perinatal Health Care Surveillance System which was part of the Sino-American cooperative project on neural tube defects prevention, established in 1992. The study population consisted of 368 589 women who delivered single live births of at least 20 gestational weeks from 1994 through 2000.

[Study on the descriptive epidemiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension from 1995 - 2000 in Jiaxing of Zhejiang province, China].

Objective: To describe the epidemiological characters of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in Jiaxing areas of Zhejiang province of China between 1995 and 2000.

Methods: We analyzed the perinatal health surveillance data that was collected as part of the Sino-American cooperative project on neural tube defects prevention established in 1992. The study population consisted of 136 070 pregnant women with at least 20 weeks of gestational age.

[Comparative study of the detection of plasma folate with microbial assay and radioimmunoassay].

Objective: To compare two methods (microbial assay and radioimmunoassay) for measuring plasma folate concentrations, and to examine the relationship between plasma folate levels, and alcohol consumption, tobacco use and body mass index, and the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia in China.

Methods: We used a microtiter plate microbial assay and a radioimmunoassay to measure the folate concentration in 88 plasma samples. After comparing the results of these two methods and fitting a regression line, we examined the geographical, seasonal, and gender differences in folate concentration of plasma collected from 2,422 adults in south and north areas in China, and evaluated the association of plasma folate concentration, with alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and body mass index, and with the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia, using the data from the two assays.

Folic acid supplements during early pregnancy and likelihood of multiple births: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Folic acid supplements are recommended for women of childbearing age to prevent neural tube defects in their offspring. Results of some studies, however, suggest an increase in multiple births associated with use of vitamin supplements that contain folic acid during pregnancy. Our aim was to assess this association.