Showing papers on "Small for gestational age published in 1973"

Incidence of metabolic acidosis in term, preterm and small-for-gestational age infants in relation to dietary protein intake.

Abstract: Summary In this investigation comprising 516 neonates the frequency of metabolic acidosis from day 5 to day 21 of postnatal life is reported. 334 term and 131 preterm appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) infants and 51 small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants were studied. The incidence of metabolic acidosis occurring after the 5th day of postnatal life was in each group of infants 4.79%, 20.61% and 11.76% respectively. Furthermore, the infants were divided into three groups according to the amount of protein and solute content of the formula consumed. An increasing incidence of metabolic acidosis with increasing dietary protein intake was observed, especially among preterm infants. In the group of small-for-gestational age infants a similar increase with a higher protein and solute content of the formula was registered. However, this augmented incidence was related to the gestational age, rather than to birth weight.

The effect of intravenous glucagon on plasma amino acids in the newborn.

Abstract: Extract: The relationship between glucagon stimulation at a pharmacologic dose level (300 μUg/kg) and amino acids in systemic venous plasma was examined in four groups of newborn infants. Full term infants (FT), (mean age, 12.5 hr), infants of diabetic mothers (IDM), (mean age, 3.33 hr), infants who were small for gestational age (SGA), (mean age, 7.5 hr), were studied on the day of birth either before, or 4 hr after the first feeding; FT infants were studied on the 3rd day of life (mean age, 80 hr), 4 hr after feeding. The mean total amino acid concentration in venous plasma on the day of birth is 2,999 ± 147 μUmol/liter in FT infants, 2,952 ± 536 μUmol/liter in IDM infants, and 1,867 ± 320 μUmol/liter in the SGA group (P + 23 μUU/ml) and the peak insulin response is highest in the SGA group. The basal level of serum growth hormone is elevated in the SGA group on the day of birth (51.9 ± 15.6 ng/ml) compared with full term infants (15.1 ± 4.1 ng/ml). All groups show a growth hormone (HGH) response to glucagon. Speculation: On the day of birth, mechanisms which protect the fetus from hypoglycemia in utero (maternal glucose supply and high growth hormone levels) are withdrawn, and splanchnic glucogenic mechanisms should become activated. The apparent inability of the neonate to extract the important gluconeogenic amino acids, alanine and proline, from plasma after a glucagon stimulus on the 1st day of life may account for the susceptibility to hypoglycemia after birth when added stresses exist, as in the infant who is small for gestational age or born to a diabetic mother.

Alpha-1-fetoprotein concentration in cord serum as a parameter for gestational age.

Abstract: Summary Quantitation of human α1--foetoprotein by Laurell immunoelectrophoresis in cord serum from 258 newborn infants with a gestational age between 306 and 210 days showed a close negative correlation with gestational age (r =— 0.89). The correlation between α1--foeto-protein and birth weight was less pronounced (r=—0.60). No difference in the concentration of al-foetoprotein was found in Small for Gestational Age (SGA), Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) and Large for Gestational Age (LGA) infants with the same gestational age. From a given α1--foetoprotein concentration in cord blood the confidence limits for prediction of gestational age is ±16 days. In 149 infants with a gestational age ≤280 days the correlation between al-foetoprotein and gestational age was even better (r = -0.92).

Gastroschisis: A Systemic Approach to Management

Abstract: Eight of nine infants with gastroschisis survived repair of their defect even though seven were premature or small for gestational age. Important factors in survival included preoperative maintenance of body temperature, acid-base balance, and prevention of bacterial contamination. Six patients required the use of mesh (Silon) to close the defect initially, and eight had gastrostomy tubes placed. None required hyperalimentation.

Intra-abdominal pregnancy. An unusual cause of fetal growth retardation.

Abstract: A 2,047-gm, 36-week, moderately small for gestational age female infant was born to a 25-year-old woman from an intra-abdominal pregnancy. With the exception of moderate asphyxia neonatorum at delivery, the infant pursued a relatively normal course after delivery and at 1 year of age was normal in all physical and intellectual factors. This case and those presented from the recent literature suggest that the abnormal placentation of intra-abdominal pregnancies is an unusual but fairly consistent cause of fetal growth retardation.