1,720,989 research outputs found
Misclassification of Newborns Due to Systematic Error in Plotting Birth Weight Percentile Values
No full textOBJECTIVES: Higher than expected small for gestational age (SGA) rates and lower than expected large for gestational age (LGA) rates have been observed. A possible explanation is a leftward shift of percentile curves for birth weight due to a systematic error in plotting birth weight values in charts (ie, plotting weekly mean birth weight data at the beginning of the weeks). Our objectives were to assess how common this plotting error is and to analyze the effect of this error on SGA and LGA classification based on data from the German perinatal survey. METHODS: First, a systematic literature search for birth weight charts was performed, and the charts were analyzed for the plotting error. Second, percentile values (10th, 50th, and 90th) for 25 to 42 completed weeks of gestation were calculated from the data of 1 181 200 male singleton newborns (German perinatal survey, 1995-2000). Birth weight percentile curves were calculated with and without the plotting error, and the resulting SGA and LGA rates were analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 16 identified publications contained the systematic error in plotting. Using our calculated percentile curves, a leftward shift caused by the plotting error led to an SGA rate of 12.5% and an LGA rate of 7.7%; similar to 5% of newborns were misclassified. CONCLUSIONS: Percentile charts should be examined for the described systematic error and, if necessary, corrected. Pediatrics 2012;130:e347-e35
Dependence of neonatal small and large for gestational age rates on maternal height and weight - an analysis of the German Perinatal Survey
No full textNeonatal anthropometric data reflect intrauterine development and correlate with postnatal outcome. Therefore, classification of neonates by body dimensions, using gestational age-adjusted population percentiles, is clinically practiced. However, neonatal anthropometric variables are also influenced by maternal constitution and the extent of this influence is currently unknown. We analyzed small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) rates according to maternal height and weight. We used data of about 2.3 million singleton pregnancies from the German Perinatal Survey of 1995-2000. A close correlation between maternal and neonatal anthropometric data was found; SGA rates were inversely proportional and LGA rates were directly proportional to maternal height, weight, and body mass index. Neonates of small and light mothers (179 cm, 89 kg) had a much lower SGA rate (3.1%) and a much higher LGA rate (30.6%). Neonatal body length and head circumference depended on maternal stature in a similar way. Some neonates who are "appropriate'' for their gestational age in that they achieve their genetically determined growth potential are therefore apparently misclassified as SGA or LGA
Birth weight percentile charts based on daily measurements for very preterm male and female infants at the age of 154-223 days
No full textObjective: Birth weight percentiles based on weekly measurements are used to assess the nutritional status of preterm infants. However, as preterm infants exhibit a rapid growth rate (up to 20 g/kg/day), their body weight can increase by 15% per week. We calculated birth weight percentiles based on daily measurements, to more precisely classify very preterm infants (gestational age of 154-223 days). Methods: Data of 23,864 (10,720 females and 13,144 males) very preterm singleton infants with a gestational age of 154-223 days (22-31 completed weeks) were retrieved from the German perinatal statistics of 1995-2000. Percentile curves based on the empirical birth weight data were subjected to three statistical smoothing procedures: cubic regression, local regression (LOESS smoothing), and the LMS method. Results: Smoothing of the birth weight percentiles using cubic regression produced the smallest residual variance. Conclusion: Birth weight percentiles based on daily averages allow a more precise assessment of the somatic development of preterm infants
Analysis of the German Perinatal Survey of the Years 2007-2011 and Comparison with Data From 1995-1997: Maternal Characteristics
No full textBackground and Aim: We have previously presented analyses of data obtained from the German Perinatal Survey for the years 1995-1997. Here we present an analysis of data from the years 2007-2011 and compare the data to the previous data from the 1990s. Material and Methods: For the years 1995-1997, the data on 1815318 singleton pregnancies were provided by the Chambers of Physicians of all the states of Germany except Baden-Wurttemberg. For the years 2007-2011, the data on 3187920 singleton pregnancies from the German Perinatal Survey (all states of Germany) were obtained from the AQUA Institute in Gottingen, Germany. SPSS was used for data analysis. Plausibility checks were performed on the data. Results: Mean maternal age has increased over the years, from 28.7 years in 1995 to 30.2 years in 2011. We observed a decrease in smoking. While not all cases included data on maternal smoking after the pregnancy was known, when the cases with data on smoking were analysed, in 1995-1997 23.5% of pregnant women were smokers compared to 11.2% smokers in 2007-2011. Maternal body mass index (BMI) also changed; 8.2% of women were obese (BMI: 3040 kg/m(2)), while 13.0% were obese in 2011. In 1995, 0.6% of women were morbidly obese (BMI >= 40 kg/m(2)) compared to 1.8% of women in 2011. The mean maternal body weight at the time of the first obstetric consultation also increased from 65.9 kg in 1995 to 68.7 kg in 2011. Conclusions: While the decrease in the number of women smoking over time is clearly a positive development, increasing maternal age and obesity present challenges in clinical practice
A nutritional program to improve outcome of very low birth weight infants
No full textBackground & aims: The growth of very low birth weight infants does not match intrauterine trajectories, likely due to inappropriate caloric intake. We therefore investigated whether modification of the standard nutritional schedule can impact postnatal growth. Methods: We introduced a set of evidence-based strategies in a study group of infants (n = 123): 1) higher maximum intake of intravenous amino acids and lipids; 2) prioritisation of earlier enteral feeding; 3) faster attainment of full enteral feeds; 4) daily adjustment of enteral feeds according to growth trajectory; and 5) utilisation of an electronic pre-structured prescription ordering system that tracks individual growth and energy intake. These infants were compared with a control group (n = 115) in a pre/post retrospective cohort study. Results: The study group achieved a higher caloric intake, attained full enteral feeds 5 days earlier, and returned to their birth weight more rapidly than the control group. At 36 weeks postmenstrual age, infants who had been born at <30 weeks were heavier (6,260 g) but had a similar percentage fat mass. Those born at <28 weeks had a larger head circumference (Delta 1.4 cm) and lower sepsis rate (7.8%). Conclusions: Optimization of early postnatal nutrition and daily adjustment of milk intake according to weight gain improved growth, without any unfavourable outcomes for body composition and neuro-developmental follow-up. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Einfluss eines Maßnahmenpakets auf die Entlassnahrung von Frühgeborenen Kindern am Universitätsklinikum Dresden
Full text linkDiese retrospektive Arbeit untersucht den Einfluss eines Maßnahmenbundles bestehend aus drei Interventionen: einem Stillteam, Bonding im Kreißsaal und einem Ernährungsprotokoll. Das primäre Outcome dieser Studie beinhaltet die Muttermilchernährung Frühgeborener mit einem Gestationsalter < 320/7 SSW in den letzten 48 h vor Entlassung. Die primäre Hypothese dieser Arbeit lautet, dass nach der Einführung des Maßnahmenpakets mehr Kinder mit Muttermilchernährung entlassen worden sind als vor der Einführung des Maßnahmenpakets. In diesem Zusammenhang werden die Maßnahmen sowohl als Bundle als auch als einzelne Interventionen im Hinblick auf die Entlassnahrung untersucht. Die Daten werden mit einer Kohorte vor Einführung der genannten Interventionen verglichen. Frühgeborene der historischen Kontrollgruppe erhielten kein striktes Ernährungsprotokoll, sondern lediglich Ernährungsempfehlungen, keine Beratung durch das Stillteam und nur unregelmäßiges Bonding im Kreißsaal. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die einzelnen Maßnahmen sowie die kombinierte Durchführung der Interventionen zu einem größeren Anteil muttermilchernährter Frühgeborener führt. Im Vergleich zu einer historischen Kontrollgruppe konnten diese positiven Effekte allerdings nicht in der Grundgesamtheit widergespiegelt werden. Möglicherweise erklärt sich dies durch die unzureichende routinemäßige und frühzeitige Etablierung der Maßnahmen. Ob sich das Maßnahmenpaket nach optimaler Implementierung und Erfahrungsgewinn auch in einer historischen Kontrollgruppe niederschlagen würde, muss in Zukunft untersucht werden. Insbesondere die Frage nach den Auswirkungen über einen längeren Zeitraum nach der Entlassung ist von besonderer Relevanz. Darüber hinaus wäre es interessant zu erfahren, welche zusätzlichen Faktoren die Ernährung in den letzten 48 Stunden vor der Entlassung von Frühgeborenen beeinflussen.:1. Einleitung
2. Methodik
3. Ergebnisse
4. Diskussion
5. Zusammenfassung
6. Summary
7. Danksagung
8. Literaturverzeichnis
9. Anhan
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