BACKGROUND Stillbirth is strongly related to impaired fetal growth. However, the relationship between fetal growth and stillbirth is difficult to determine because of uncertainty in the timing of death and confounding characteristics affecting normal fetal growth. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a population-based case-control study of all stillbirths and a representative sample of live bir...

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether pregnancies with small for gestational age (SGA) neonates, defined as customized birth weight below the 10th centile, are associated with altered levels of metastin in maternal plasma in the first trimester. STUDY DESIGN Maternal blood was obtained between 8 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. Levels of metastin were measured in pregnancies with (n = 31) or without SGA...

Our aims were to investigate whether men who fathered small for gestational age (SGA) infants themselves had lower birthweight, were more likely to be obese, have central adiposity and elevated blood pressure in adult life compared with men who fathered non-SGA infants. A total of 2,002 couples participating in the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) study were enrolled in early pregnancy...

BACKGROUND Preterm infants are at risk for adverse neurodevelopment. Furthermore, nutrition may play a key role in supporting neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a nutrient-enriched formula fed to preterm infants after hospital discharge could improve their neurodevelopment at 24 months (term-corrected age). METHODS We conducted an observer-blinded, single-center, ...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of perinatal risk factors, especially hypotension, on neuromotor status at term in surviving preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation. METHODS This study is part of the Leiden Follow-Up Project on Prematurity: a prospective, regional study of 266 live born infants with a gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks born in 1996-1997. Twenty-eight infants die...

19 small for gestational age (SGA) infants with gestational ages less than or equal to 32 weeks were matched with 19 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm neonates with similar risk factors for intraventricular haemorrhage and hyaline membrane disease. Gestational age, 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores, type of delivery, survival rate, use of corticosteroids before delivery, sex, twinning, p...

In children who are born small for gestational age (SGA), an adverse intrauterine environment has led to underdevelopment of both the body and the brain. The delay in body growth is (partially) restored during the first two years in a majority of these children. In addition to a negative influence on these physical parameters, decreased levels of intelligence and cognitive impairments have been...

OBJECTIVES To study how antenatal growth affects cognitive outcome in very preterm infants and to determine whether there is an association between growth in any particular time period between birth and 5 years of age and cognitive outcome. Small for gestational age (SGA) and non-SGA infants were analyzed separately, because antenatal growth may affect postnatal growth. METHODS Very low birth...

Maternal nutrition is recognized as one of the determinants of fetal growth. Consumption of fruits and vegetables is promoted as part of a healthful diet; however, intakes are typically lower than recommended levels. The purpose of this study was to systematically review results from studies examining the relationship between maternal consumption of fruits and vegetables during pregnancy with i...

BACKGROUND Using a 3-year nationwide population-based database, this study examines the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes [lower birthweight, preterm gestation and babies small for gestational age (SGA)] in pregnant women with uterine leiomyoma. METHODS This study linked two data sets: Taiwan's birth certificate registry and its National Health Insurance Research Data set. A total of 5627 mo...