A prospective case-control study on miRNA circulating levels in subjects born small for gestational age (SGA) evaluated from childhood into young adulthood.

Objective: microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with metabolic risk have never been extensively investigated in SGA subjects. The aim of the current study was to evaluate miRNAs in SGA and AGA subjects and their relationships with the metabolic status and growth.

Design And Methods: A prospective longitudinal case-control study was performed in 23 SGA with postnatal catch-up growth and 27 AGA subjects evaluated at the age of 9 and 21 years.

Kidney volume, kidney function, and ambulatory blood pressure in children born extremely preterm with and without nephrocalcinosis.

Background: Reduced kidney volume (KV) following prematurity is a proxy for reduced nephron number and is associated with the development of hypertension and end-stage renal disease in adults. We investigated whether extreme prematurity affects KV, function, and blood pressure in school-aged children and if nephrocalcinosis (NC) developed during the neonatal period had additional effects.

Methods: We investigated 60 children at a mean age of 7.

Cytomegalovirus infection and neonatal outcome in extremely preterm infants after freezing of maternal milk.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection acquired from breast milk can cause serious illness in extremely preterm (EPT) infants (<28 weeks). Some neonatal centers freeze maternal milk (MM) to prevent CMV transmission; however, this practice is controversial. In this study, we assessed the CMV transmission rate and neonatal outcome in EPT infants after routine freezing of all MM.

Predictors of sustained maternal milk feeds in extremely preterm infants.

Objective: To investigate the predictors of maternal milk feeds (MMFs) in extremely preterm (EPT) infants during neonatal stay.

Study Design: Maternal characteristics, obstetrical data and infant characteristics were correlated to MMFs in 97 EPT infants during the first 6 weeks of life and at hospital discharge.

Result: High MMFs (>90%) at second week predicted sustained MMFs the first 6 weeks of life; nonuniversity education and non-Nordic origin were unfavorable predictors.

Preterm born 9-year-olds have elevated IGF-1 and low prolactin, but levels vary with behavioural and eating disorders.

Aim: This study examined the relationship between hypothalamic-associated hormones and behavioural and eating disorders in children with low birthweight.

Methods: We included 100 children (mean age 9.7 years): 39 were born preterm at <32 gestational weeks, 28 were full-term, but small for gestational age, and 33 were full-term controls.

Differences in insulin resistance markers between children born small for gestational age or born preterm appropriate for gestational age.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of prenatal or postnatal compromised environment on glucose homoeostasis in children born preterm and appropriate for gestational age or small for gestational age (SGA) at term.

Method: Seventy-seven children (median 9.9 years, range 8.

Renal volume and function in school-age children born preterm or small for gestational age.

Impaired renal development during foetal life is a proposed mechanism for adult hypertension in people born small. Whether preterm birth contributes to such adverse development is still unclear. We investigated the selective contributions from foetal growth restriction or preterm birth to renal function and volume in children with low birth weight.

Cardiorespiratory development in extremely preterm infants: vulnerability to infection and persistence of events beyond term-equivalent age.

Objective: Apnoea, bradycardia and hypoxemia occur frequently in extremely preterm infants, yet there is little longitudinal data describing cardiorespiratory development in these infants. This prospective study characterized early age-dependent changes in cardiorespiratory function and determined how activity is affected by factors such as underlying disease, postnatal insults and therapeutic interventions.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-three infants born between 23 and 28 weeks gestational age (GA) were monitored weekly from birth to beyond term-equivalent age (i.

Increased catecholamines and heart rate in children with low birth weight: perinatal contributions to sympathoadrenal overactivity.

Background: Low birth weight is associated with cardiovascular disease. The underlying mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesized that perinatal stress alters autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system.