Sudden infant death syndrome and weather temperatureMitchell, E.A.; Stewart, A.W.; Cowan, S.F.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.1992.tb00739.xpmid: 1553314
Summary. The relationship between the days on which sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurred and the daily minimum temperature was examined in Auckland (1979–1984) and Christchurch (1979–1987). There was a marked winter excess of deaths in both regions. There was a significant negative correlation between the monthly mean minimum temperature and SIDS rate for both regions (r= ‐ 0.43, n= 347, P < 0.0001). The monthly mean minimum temperature describes SIDS mortality equally as well as the three variables of daily minimum temperature, season and geographical location. There was a significant association of SIDS with minimum temperature 4 and 5 days prior to the death after adjusting for the effect of monthly mean minimum temperature. The days preceding death were on average colder than the other days, but the effect was small, especially when compared with the magnitude of the temperature differences between consecutive months.
Sigtuna score versus Apgar score: simple and practical evaluation of the newbornAksit, Sadik; Yaprak, Isin; Bakiler, Rahmi; Caglayan, Suat; Ergin, Sevin
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.1992.tb00740.xpmid: 1553315
Summary. In this prospective study, we investigated the relation between the Apgar and Sigtuna scores in 1605 newborns. In 169 of them, umbilical arterial blood specimens were analysed for blood gases. There were significant correlations between the Sigtuna and Apgar scores at 1, 5 and 10 minutes after birth (P< 0.001). Umbilical arterial blood pH (pHua) values were shown to be correlated with both the Sigtuna and Apgar scores. The Sigtuna score was similar to the Apgar score in respect of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in relation to pH level. We conclude that because of the simplicity of the Sigtuna score, it may be used in place of the Apgar score to establish a rapid diagnosis of asphyxia.
The relation of fetal length, ponderal index and head circumference to blood pressure and the risk of hypertension in adult lifeBarker, D.J.P.; Godfrey, K.M.; Osmond, C.; Bull, A.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.1992.tb00741.xpmid: 1553316
Summary. The blood pressure of 327 men and women aged 46 to 54 years was related to birthweight, placental weight, length, ponderal index and head circumference at birth. All the subjects were born after 38 completed weeks of gestation. There were strong trends of higher blood pressure in adult life with lower birthweight (P= 0.04) and greater placental weight (P= 0.002). In subjects with placental weights of 1.25 lb or less, mean blood pressure, and the risk of hypertension, rose as ponderal index at birth fell (P= 0.0001). Mean systolic pressure rose by 13 mm Hg as ponderal index fell from > 14.75 to 12 or less. In those with placental weights above 1.25 lb, mean blood pressure, and the risk of hypertension, rose as length decreased and as the ratio of head circumference to length increased (P= 0.02). Mean systolic pressure rose by 14 mm Hg as the head circumference to length ratio increased from < 0.65 to ≥ 0.7. These findings characterise the birth measurements of two groups of babies who are at increased risk of hypertension in adult life.
Perinatal deaths: relevance of Wigglesworth's classificationRaghuveer, Geetha
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.1992.tb00743.xpmid: 1553317
Summary. Out of a total of 4572 births over a period of 16 months occurring at St Philomena's Hospital, Bangalore, India, which has level II nursery facilities, there were 196 perinatal deaths. Perinatal mortality was 42.9/1000 total births. Case fatality rate was 12.4% for those born with a birthweight between 1501 to 2000 g, 35.5% for those between 1001 to 1500 g and 100% for those less than 1001 g. These deaths were grouped according to Wigglesworth's classification: 20% were due to prematurity and 24% to birth asphyxia. These two categories contributed to almost half of the perinatal deaths. Classification of perinatal deaths using Wigglesworth's classification appeared to be a practical and problemoriented system. It also carried clear implications for improving perinatal care. The adoption of this method of classification by all major hospitals is recommended so that easy comparisons can be drawn over time and between different centres.