Prevalence and Predictors of Functional Vitamin K Insufficiency in Mothers and Newborns in Uganda.

Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in infancy is a serious but preventable cause of mortality or permanent disability. Lack of epidemiologic data for VKDB in sub-Saharan Africa hinders development and implementation of effective prevention strategies. We used convenience sampling to consecutively enroll mothers delivering in a southwestern Uganda Hospital.

Behavioral and emotional adjustment of teenagers in mainstream school who were born before 29 weeks' gestation.

Objectives: To investigate behavioral and emotional problems and positive adjustment of 15-to 16-year-olds who were born at extremely low gestational age (ELGA), from the perspective of parents, teachers, and teenagers.

Methods: Prospective follow-up was conducted of birth cohorts, with classroom control subjects. All infants who were born before 29 weeks in 1983-1984 (mean gestational age: 27 weeks) to mothers who resided in 3 regions of the United Kingdom were studied.

Health and school performance of teenagers born before 29 weeks gestation.

Objective: To ascertain the health and school performance of teenagers born before 29 weeks gestation (extremely low gestational age (ELGA)) and to compare those in mainstream school with classroom controls.

Methods: Three geographically defined cohorts of babies born in 1983 and 1984 were traced at the age of 15-16 years. Their health, abilities, and educational performance were ascertained using postal questionnaires to the teenagers themselves, their parents, their general practitioners, and the teachers of those in mainstream school.

Giving small babies oxygen: 50 years of uncertainty.

A small landmark trial in 1952 showed that excess oxygen use might well be causing a major epidemic of retinal blindness in preterm babies. That a single study of just 65 babies was enough to throw doubt on a long-standing treatment strategy revealed just how powerful a tool the randomized controlled trial could be. Confirmatory evidence from a cooperative trial involving a further 212 babies banished all residual doubt just 4 years later, and it remains a major reproach that we have still not learnt, after 50 years, how to optimize the delivery of oxygen to the preterm baby with further help from this powerful tool.

Chemotherapy and marrow transplantation for congenital leukaemia.

The optimum approach to congenital leukaemia is unclear. Results of treatment are generally discouraging and palliation is offered to many. The successful treatment of an infant with congenital leukaemia is reported.