Formulating parents' feelings: Analyzing parent-nurse conversations in family-integrated neonatal care to develop communication training.

Objective: The novel concept of Family-Integrated Care (FICare) requires nurses to be parents' partners in neonatal care. We combined analyses of real-life parent-nurse conversations and interviews to elucidate nurses' role in providing psychosocial support to parents. Findings inform the development of communication training on topicalizing parents' feelings.

Cortisol and Cortisone in Early Childhood in Very-Low-Birthweight Infants and Term-Born Infants.

Introduction: Besides programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, changes in the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) could contribute to the later metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of preterm birth.

Objective: We compared serum cortisol, cortisone, and cortisol/cortisone ratio in early childhood in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants and term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) born infants.

Methods: We included 41 VLBW infants, participating in the randomized controlled Neonatal Insulin Replacement Therapy in Europe trial, and 64 term AGA-born infants.

IGF-I and relation to growth in infancy and early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants and term born infants.

Background: In very-low-birth-weight infants IGF-I plays an important role in postnatal growth restriction and is probably also involved in growth restriction in childhood. We compared IGF-I and its relation to growth in early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants and term appropriate for gestational age born infants.

Methods: We included 41 very-low-birth-weight and 64 term infants.

Salivary and serum cortisol and relation to blood pressure in infancy and early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Background: Programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis possibly explains the relation between intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and/or preterm birth and elevated blood pressure in later life. Very-low-birth-weight infants (birth weight <1,500 g) have high prevalence of raised blood pressure, already in early childhood. We investigated cortisol levels, relation to blood pressure and reliability of salivary cortisol in infancy and early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Components of the metabolic syndrome in early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants and term small and appropriate for gestational age infants.

Background: Term small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and preterm born infants have an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome components already in childhood. Our recent study in 2-y-old very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants was limited by the absence of a control group of term born children. We compared the metabolic syndrome components in early childhood in VLBW and term SGA infants to term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants.

Relationship between insulin-like growth factor I levels, early insulin treatment, and clinical outcomes of very low birth weight infants.

Objectives: Insulin regulates the secretion of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in the newborn, and low levels of IGF-I have been linked to neonatal morbidity. As part of the Neonatal Insulin Replacement Therapy in Europe Trial, we investigated the impact of early insulin treatment on IGF-I levels and their relationship with morbidity and growth.

Study Design: Prospective cohort analyses of data collected as part of an international randomized controlled trial.

Components of the metabolic syndrome in early childhood in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Background/aims: Term small-for-gestational-age and preterm born infants have an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome components already in childhood. Data in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) children are limited. We investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome components in VLBW infants at 2 years of corrected age.

Urine gonadotropin and estradiol levels in female very-low-birth-weight infants.

Background: The postnatal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is more exaggerated in preterm than in full-term born infants and may be important for future reproductive function.

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the postnatal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in female very-low-birth-weight infants.

Study Design: We performed serial measurements of gonadotropin and estradiol levels in urine samples of female very-low-birth-weight infants collected at 1 and 4weeks postnatal age, at 32weeks postmenstrual age, at expected date of delivery and at the corrected age of three and six months.

Characteristics of suitable work from the perspective of patients with fibromyalgia.

Objectives: The evaluation of work ability of patients with FM is difficult. Our aim was to investigate the characteristics of suitable work from the perspective of patients with FM.

Methods: Interviews with patients yielded statements about characteristics of suitable work.

Prevalence and determinants of hyperglycemia in very low birth weight infants: cohort analyses of the NIRTURE study.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of hyperglycemia in the preterm population, as part of the Neonatal Insulin Therapy in Europe (NIRTURE) Trial.

Study Design: We conducted prospective cohort analyses of continuous glucose monitoring data from control infants participating in an international randomized controlled trial. Data were collected from 188 very low birth weight infants (<1500 g).

Early insulin therapy in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Background: Studies involving adults and children being treated in intensive care units indicate that insulin therapy and glucose control may influence survival. Hyperglycemia in very-low-birth-weight infants is also associated with morbidity and mortality. This international randomized, controlled trial aimed to determine whether early insulin replacement reduced hyperglycemia and affected outcomes in such neonates.

R561C missense mutation in the SMARCAL1 gene associated with mild Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia.

Autosomal-recessive Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD) characterized by spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), T-cell immunodeficiency and facial dysmorphism is caused by defects in the SMARCAL1 gene. The gene product is involved in the transcriptional regulation of other genes. A 12-year-old boy of consanginous Turkish descent developed disproportionate short stature from spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia at the age of 6 and nephrotic syndrome at the age of 10 years.

Therapeutic total plasma exchange in a child with neuroblastoma-related anti-Hu syndrome.

A 5-year-old boy underwent total plasma exchange to remove anti-neuronal anti-Hu autoantibodies as a complication of neuroblastoma, leading to autonomic bowel dysfunction. Total plasma exchange (TPE) resulted eventually in a reduction of autoantibody levels, but, more importantly, led to improvement of bowel function. TPE proved to be a safe and effective treatment option in neuroblastoma-related anti-Hu syndrome in a child.