Postnatal growth restriction and neurodevelopment at 5 years of age: a European extremely preterm birth cohort study.

Objective: To investigate whether extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) during the neonatal hospitalisation by sex among extremely preterm (EPT) infants is associated with cerebral palsy (CP) and cognitive and motor abilities at 5 years of age.

Study Design: Population-based cohort of births <28 weeks of gestation with data from obstetric and neonatal records and parental questionnaires and clinical assessments at 5 years of age.

Setting: 11 European countries.

Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality in Advanced Aged Mothers-Maternal Age Is Not an Independent Risk Factor for Infants Born Very Preterm.

As childbearing is postponed in developed countries, maternal age (MA) has increased over decades with an increasing number of pregnancies between age 35-39 and beyond. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of advanced (AMA) and very advanced maternal age (vAMA) on morbidity and mortality of very preterm (VPT) infants. This was a population-based cohort study including infants from the "Effective Perinatal Intensive Care in Europe" (EPICE) cohort.

Association between postnatal growth and neurodevelopmental impairment by sex at 2 years of corrected age in a multi-national cohort of very preterm children.

Background & Aims: Extra-uterine growth restriction (EUGR) is common among very preterm (VPT) infants and has been associated with impaired neurodevelopment. Some research suggests that adverse effects of EUGR may be more severe in boys. We investigated EUGR and neurodevelopment at 2 years of corrected age (CA) by sex in a VPT birth cohort.

Variation in very preterm extrauterine growth in a European multicountry cohort.

Objective: Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) among very preterm infants is related to poor neurodevelopment, but lack of consensus on EUGR measurement constrains international research. Our aim was to compare EUGR prevalence in a European very preterm cohort using commonly used measures.

Design: Population-based observational study.

Parents' ratings of post-discharge healthcare for their children born very preterm and their suggestions for improvement: a European cohort study.

Background: Follow-up of very preterm infants is essential for reducing risks of health and developmental problems and relies on parental engagement. We investigated parents' perceptions of post-discharge healthcare for their children born very preterm in a European multi-country cohort study.

Methods: Data come from a 5-year follow-up of an area-based cohort of births <32 weeks' gestation in 19 regions from 11 European countries.

A test of the epidemiological paradox in a context of forced migration: low birthweight among Syrian newborns in Lebanon.

Background: Studies on immigrants revealed an epidemiological paradox whereby low-socioeconomic status (SES) immigrant mothers exhibit favourable birth outcomes compared with native-born mothers. We tested the epidemiological paradox in a context of forced migration, comparing associations of low birthweight (LBW) and maternal SES between Syrian and Lebanese newborns in Lebanon.

Methods: We used data from the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network (NCPNN) of 31 Lebanese hospitals, including 45 442 Lebanese and 4910 Syrian neonates born 2011-13.

Children born to mothers in their 20s and fathers in their 40s: Evidence for an increased low birth weight and Cesarean Section deliveries in Lebanon.

Purpose: Much less is known about the effect of advanced paternal age (APA) (≥40 years) than advanced maternal age on neonatal morbidity. More specifically, the correlation with low birth weight remains inconsistent. This study aims to determine whether APA among mothers aged 20-29 years is associated with a higher risk of low birth weight and other neonatal outcomes.

Assessing the Risk of Having Small for Gestational Age Newborns Among Lebanese Underweight and Normal Pre-pregnancy Weight Women.

Introduction It has been established that underweight women with low gestational weight gain (GWG) are at a higher risk of having Small for Gestational Age (SGA) newborns. However, the association remains poorly studied in Middle Eastern societies exhibiting different ethnic groups, genetic predisposing factors along with differences in nutritional food intake during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of having a SGA newborn among underweight and normal weight BMI women while studying the role of GWG in this association.

Dietary Zinc Intake and Plasma Zinc Concentrations in Children with Short Stature and Failure to Thrive.

Background: The burden of zinc deficiency on children includes an increased incidence of diarrhea, failure to thrive (FTT) and short stature. The aim of this study was to assess whether children with FTT and/or short stature have lower dietary zinc intake and plasma zinc concentrations compared to controls.

Methods: A case-control study conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center included 161 subjects from 1 to 10 years of age.

Association of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain with Preterm Births and Fetal Size: an Observational Study from Lebanon.

Background: Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) are reported to impact the preterm birth (PTB) rate and newborn size. Most studies have been conducted in developed countries, although PTB and adverse pregnancy outcomes are more frequent in the developing world. The aim of this study is to elucidate the association of pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG on the occurrence of PTB and sub-optimal fetal size in Lebanon.

Incidence of alpha-globin gene defect in the Lebanese population: a pilot study.

Background: It is well established that the Mediterranean and Arab populations are at high risk for thalassemias in general and for alpha-thalassemia in particular. Yet, reports on alpha-thalassemia in Lebanon are still lacking. In this study, we aim at assessing the incidence of alpha-thalassemia in the Lebanese population.

Improving awareness of preconception health among adolescents: experience of a school-based intervention in Lebanon.

Background: Maternal behavior before and after conception affects maternal and child health. Limited awareness of adolescents in preconception health may be addressed through school education. The aim of this intervention is to assess preconception health awareness among adolescents in Lebanese high schools and to test the effectiveness of a one-time educational session in improving preconception knowledge.