Background: Human milk comprises large fat globules enveloped by a native phospholipid membrane, whereas infant formulas contain small, protein-coated lipid droplets. Previous experimental studies indicated that mimicking the architecture of human milk lipid droplets in infant milk formula (IMF) alters lipid metabolism with lasting beneficial impact on later metabolic health.
Objectives: To evaluate in a follow-up (FU) study of a randomized, controlled trial whether a Concept IMF with large, milk phospholipid-coated lipid droplets enriched with dairy lipids beneficially impacts long-term body mass index (BMI in kg/m) trajectories and blood pressure at school age.
Perinatal Palliative Care provides comprehensive and holistic care for expectant and new parents, who receive a diagnosis of life-limiting fetal condition and opt to continue pregnancy and care for their newborn infant. To develop a service providing individually tailored holistic care during pregnancy, birth, postnatal and bereavement period. Following a baseline survey of neonatologists and discussions with key stakeholders we launched the Perinatal Palliative service at the KK Women's and Children's hospital, Singapore in January 2017.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate TIMP in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, analyze risk factors, for atypical TIMP (aTIMP) scores, and explore TIMP's predictive relationship with Bayley-III at 2 years.
Method: A prospective study of 288 VLBW infants, with TIMP assessment between 34 weeks postmenstrual age and 16 weeks age, corrected for prematurity.
Result: aTIMP scores were observed in 58/288(20%) infants, whose mean birth weight (BW) and gestational age were 1122 ± 257 g and 29.
Objective: To evaluate prevalence and risk factors of moderate-severe Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)/Death in extremely low gestation age neonates (ELGANs).
Study Design: Study of 266 ELGANs born at gestational age (GA) ≤ 28 weeks (w). Primary Outcome measure-composite outcome of moderate-severe BPD/Death using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development NICHD's (2001) BPD definition.
Introduction: A voluntary cerebral palsy (CP) registry was established in 2017 to describe the clinical characteristics and functional outcomes of CP in Singapore.
Methods: People with CP born after 1994 were recruited through KK Women's and Children's Hospital, National University Hospital and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore. Patient-reported basic demographics, service utilisation and quality of life measures were collected with standardised questionnaires.
Background And Aims: Although the intelligence quotient (IQ) test is useful to assess general cognitive function, it may miss more specific and subtle deficits of learning, working memory, attention and executive function. This study aims to evaluate cognitive performance and academic school readiness (SR) concepts in preterm very low birth weight (PT/VLBW) children, compared to typically developing term controls and to evaluate factors affecting basic (SR) concepts in children with IQ>85.
Methods: A prospective cohort study of 123 PT/VLBW survivors with birth weights ≤1250 g and 74 term controls born between 2007 and 2009 in Singapore were assessed for school readiness using Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI-III), Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA-3) and Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) at age 5.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in preterm infants. Survivors may suffer both short- and long-term morbidities. Current evidence suggests that the incidence of NEC can be reduced by standardizing the care delivery in addressing key risk factors including an altered gut microbiome, use of formula milk, hyperosmolar feeds, and unrestricted use of high-risk medications METHODS: Since 2014, the department has a workgroup who analyzed all cases of NEC within a month of diagnosis to identify preventable risk factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The year-round respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulation in tropical regions leads to different transmission patterns and burden of disease among infants born very preterm.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to estimate the effectiveness of palivizumab in preventing RSV hospitalization at 6 and 12 months after discharge, among infants born at <32 weeks' gestation in our tropical setting.
Results: A total of 109 infants (26.
Background: Globally, mental health disorders and behavioural problems afflict persons with Down syndrome (DS) with a high prevalence reported in some studies. However, data on behavioural and emotional disorders in DS cohort in Asian countries are lacking.
Aims: To assess the mental health status of children and adults with DS, using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and its impact on caregivers using the impact supplement.
Osteogenesis imperfecta, is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous connective tissue disorder that disrupts bone architecture, making it fragile and more prone to fractures. While more than 85% of cases are due to variants in COL1A1 and COL1A2, variants in noncollagen genes have been identified in the remaining cases. The recurring heterozygous variant in IFITM5 (c.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Neonates and infants undergoing general anaesthesia for hernia surgery are at risk of perioperative cardiorespiratory adverse events. The use of regional anaesthesia with dexmedetomidine preserves airway tone and may potentially avoid these complications. This study compares the perioperative conditions and adverse events between dexmedetomidine sedation with caudal block and general anaesthesia with caudal block for inguinal hernia surgery in infants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Clin Nutr
March 2019
Background: Lipid droplets in human milk have a mode diameter of ∼4 μm and are surrounded by a native phospholipid-rich membrane. Current infant milk formulas (IMFs) contain small lipid droplets (mode diameter ∼0.5 μm) primarily coated by proteins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To evaluate the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm very-low birth weight (PT/VLBW) infants at 2 years and identify risk factors associated with significant developmental delay or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI).
Study Design: We evaluated 165 PT/VLBW infants born between January 2010 and December 2011, using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd Edition (Bayley-III). NDI was defined as the presence of neurosensory impairment or significant delay with Bayley-III score < 70 in any domain and risk factors for delay/NDI were assessed using logistic regressions.
Aim: To evaluate the predictive and concurrent diagnostic agreement of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd Edition (ASQ-3) with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development 3rd Edition (Bayley-III) in infants born preterm and very-low-birthweight (PT/VLBW; ≤1250g).
Method: We evaluated 141 PT/VLBW infants (68 males, 73 females) born at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital between January 2010 and December 2011, to determine predictive and concurrent diagnostic agreement between the ASQ-3 at 9, 12, 18, and 24 months corrected age and Bayley-III at 24 months. Cut-offs on the ASQ-3 at 24 months were estimated by receiver operating characteristic curves.