• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the interactions between maternal folate deficiency and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism increase the risk of elevated maternal serum homocysteine, short gestation and reduced infant birthweight. Healthy pregnant (n = 170; 24-28 gestational weeks; 20-40 years old) women were analyzed for the MTHFR genotype and serum levels of folate and homocysteine, and were then followed for gestational age and infant birthweight. The mean infant birthweight was highest in mothers carrying MTHFR CC and with a normal folate range, and they were followed by mothers carrying MTHFR CT or TT and a normal range of folate or a folate deficiency. Birthweight was the lowest in mothers whose carrying MTHFR CC with folate deficiency. Using two way ANOVA, we found that folate level and the MTHFR polymorphism interacted to affect birth-weight of infants (p=0.05). Among those mothers carrying MTHFR CC, those with folate deficiency showed a 543 g reduction in infant birthweight compared with those with normal folate levels. However, infant birthweight was no different for mothers, those who with folate deficiency compared to those with normal range of folate among mothers carrying the MTHFR CT or TT genotypes. This study suggests an interaction between maternal serum folate and the MTHFR polymorphisms of the mother on the risk of delivering reduced birthweight offspring. Folate supplementation of folate deficient pregnant women with the MTHFR wild type is suggested to reduce the risk of low birthweight.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.148-168
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• 2004

To investigate the effect of parents' social class on birthweight in Korea during the period of transition to a market economy, 1995-2001. Methods: All births resulting from pregnacies reported in 1995-22001(n=4,298,374) were studied with respect to social variation in birthweight. The results were adjusted for maternal age, parity, parents' education, gestational age, total births, the dead births among total births, the number of births in one delivery. Results: Between 1995 and 2001, mean birth weight was 3271g and low birth rate was 3.41%. Maternal education, faternal education, parents' occupation, the number of birth in one delivery, total births, gestational age, and the number of deaths among. total births were all independently related to the birthweight. Parents with lower education showed higher low-birthweight rates compared with parents with university level of education(OR: 2.16 for mother and 1.68 for father). Especially, mother's education showed stronger relationship with birthweight than fathers' education. The differences in birth weight by parents' social class, especially parents' educational level became stronger between 1995 and 2001. Discussion: This study suggests that the social differences of birth weight were increasing in order 1995 to 2001. Especially, this increasing tendency in variation in birth weight by social class was shown after economic crisis, 1998.

• 모자간호학회지
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• v.1
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• pp.34-44
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• 1991

The purposes of this study were to predict newborn birthweight by use of gestational period and fundal height and to identify growth curve of fundal height according to gestational period and growth curve of newborn birthweight according to fundal height. The subjects for the study were 802 women who delivered the normal newborn babies at Seoul National University Hospital from Sep. 1, 1981 to Aug.31, 1986. The data were collected bit chart review and analyzed nth SPSS program. The results of study were as follows : 1. The multiple regression equation ($R^2$=0.416) used for the prediction of newborn birthweight was y=(newborn birthweight, kg)=-4.421+0.075$x_1$(fundal height, cm)+0.053$x_2$(gestational period, weeks)+0.016$x_3$(abdominal girth, cm)+0.010$x_4$(maternal height, cm) 2. The growth curve of fundal height according to gestational period was obtained by polynomial regression. The regression equation was Y(fundal height, cm)=-36.78+18.58$log_ex$(gestational period, weeks) The growth curve of newborn birth weight according to fundal height was obtained by polynomial regression. The regression equation was Y(newborn birthweight, kg)=-8.09+3.27$log_ex$ (Fundal Height, cm) 3. In the following subgroups no significant difference was found in fundal height : engaged vs. nonengaged presentation, and nulliparous vs. multiparous women.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.247-262
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• 2020

Birth weight and subsequent weight gain is of critical importance in the survival and performance of piglets on a commercial swine farm setting. Oropharyngeal microbiome could influence immunity, and feeding behavior thus impacting health and weight gain. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile the composition and predicted metabolic functionality of the oropharyngeal microbiota in 8 piglets (4 with a birthweight ≤ 1.0 kg and 4 with a birthweight ≥ 1.7 kg) at 11, 26, and 63 days of age. We found 9 genera that were significantly associated with average daily gain (ADG) at 11 days (false discovery rate, FDR < 0.05) and 26 days of age (FDR < 0.1), respectively. The microbial functional profile revealed several pathways associated with ADG (FDR < 0.05). Among these, pathways related to degradation of catechols showed a positive association with ADG at 11, 26, and 63 days of age, implying a potential to breakdown the host-derived catecholamines. We also noted that pathways related to the biodegradation of nucleosides and nucleotides increased with ADG during the pre-weaning phase, while those involved in their biosynthesis decreased. Our findings provide insights into the oropharyngeal microbial memberships and metabolic pathways that are involved in a piglet's weight gain. Thus, providing a basis for the development of strategies aimed at improving weight gain in pigs.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2018

We need to understand the outcomes into adulthood for survivors born either extremely low birthweight (ELBW; <1,000 g) or extremely preterm (EP; <28 weeks' gestational age), particularly their blood pressure and cardiovascular metabolic status,respiratory function, growth, psychological and mental health performance, and functional outcomes. Blood pressure is higher in late adolescence and early adulthood in ELBW/EP survivors compared with controls. In some studies, expreterm survivors have higher insulin and blood lipid concentrations than controls, which may also increase their risk for later cardiovascular disease. ELBW/EP survivors have more expiratory airflow obstruction than do controls. Those who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in the newborn period have even worse lung function than those who did not have BPD. As a group, they are unlikely to achieve their full lung growth potential, which means that more of them are likely to develop chronic obstructive airway disease in later life. Although they are smaller than term born controls, their weight gradually rises and ultimately reaches a mean z-score close to zero in late adolescence, and they ultimately attain a height z-score close to their mid-parental height z-score. On average, ex-preterm survivors have intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and performance on tests of academic achievement approximately 2/3 SD lower than do controls, and they also perform less well on tests of attention and executive function. They have similar high rates of anxiety and depression symptoms in late adolescence as do controls. They are, however, over-represented in population registries for rarer disorders such as schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder. In cohort studies, ex-preterm survivors mostly report good quality of life and participation in daily activities, and they report good levels of self-esteem. In population studies, they require higher levels of economic assistance, such as disability pensions, they do not achieve education levels as high as controls, fewer are married, and their rates of reproduction are lower, at least in early adulthood. Survivors born ELBW/EP will present more and more to health carers in adulthood, as they survive in larger numbers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to examine relations between obesity and birthweight, parental weight and serum biochemical levels(lipids , glucose, insulin and aminotransferase) in elementary school children aged 10-12 . The weight of obese girls was higher than that of obese boys, while WHR was higher in obese boys than in obese girls. The birth weight of the obese children was significantly higher than that of the non-obese children(p<0.01), and was positively correlated with current weight. The concentrations of serum TG, LDL, VLDL, LDL-cholesterol, glucose, insulin and ALT in obese children were much higher than those in non-obese children . However, the serum HDL -cholesterol concentration of the obese children was significantly lower compared with that of the no-obese children. On the other hand, little differences in these levels were found between genders. The concentrations of PL, TC and AST in the groups showed no significant differences. In the obese children, serum concentrations of TG, LDL-cholesterol , glucose and ALT were more closely associated with GMI than with WHR. No significant correlation was found with serum insulin , glucose and TG levels. These data show that childhood obesity may be related to hyperlipidemia , atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and fatty liver.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.354-364
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• 2021

Purpose: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was introduced in Indonesia 30 years ago, but the extent of its use has not been fully documented. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the use of KMC and evaluate the characteristics of infants who received KMC at Koja District Hospital in North Jakarta, Indonesia. This retrospective cohort study recorded the characteristics of infants with birthweights less than or equal to 2,200 g at the above-mentioned hospital. Methods: Data collected from infant registers included gestational age, birthweight, Apgar score, number of complications, history of neonatal intensive care unit treatment, and KMC status. Cox regression analysis was conducted. Results: This study found that 57.7% of infants received KMC. Infants with birthweights over 1,500 g were 2.16 times (95% CI: 1.20-3.89) more likely to receive KMC. Conclusion: Efforts to promote KMC are recommended, specifically for infants with birthweights greater than 1,500 g. KMC for infants with other conditions can also be considered based on the infants' stability.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.23.1-23.6
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• 2016

Objectives A stable follow-up participation rate is a very important factor for validity in a cohort study. This study analyzed the factors that affect the participation rate at one hospital-based birth cohort in South Korean. Methods The participants were recruited from the Mothers' and Children's Environmental Health study between 2006 and 2010. The analysis targeted 1751 mothers who participated in a birth cohort. We conducted analyses of general characteristics during pregnancy and those of infants at birth that affect the participation rate of the 6-month follow-up survey. Results The participation rate for the 6-month follow-up survey was 60.4%. The participation rate in the follow-up of the subsequent period decreased within a 5% to 10% range compared to the number of subjects. The participation rate of premature infants was 16.9% lower than that of a full-term infant (52.6% vs. 69.5%). Analysis showed a 16.7% difference between the participation rate of low-birthweight infants in follow-ups (53.7%) and the participation rate of infants with normal weight (70.4%). The participation rate of mothers who were employed during pregnancy was significantly lower for the 6-month follow-up compared to the participation rate of mothers who were unemployed during pregnancy. Conclusions In this study, factors such as premature birth, low-birthweight, and the employment status of the mother during pregnancy affected the participation rate of the follow-up survey for the birth cohort at six months. A specific strategy is needed to encourage survey participation for the high risk groups in the follow-ups.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.426-432
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• 2001

Vitamin B(sub)12(cobalamin) is an essential nutrient in human and it is particularly important during pregnancy. Nevertheless very few studies have reported, concerning vitamin B(sub)12 in relation with reproduction. This study was conducted to evaluate the vitamin B(sub)12 nutrition status of Korean pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin B(sub)12 levels of maternal-umbilical cord blood and pregnancy outcomes. Dietary vitamin B(sub)12 intakes of the pregnants were estimated by semiquantitative frequency questionnaire. Serum vitamin B(sub)12 levels in both maternal blood and umbilical cord blood of 30 pregnant women at delivery were measured by radioimmunoassay. Mean vitamin B(sub)12 intake was 3.3$\pm$1.4$\mu\textrm{g}$/d which was 125.8% of the Korean RDA(2.6$\mu\textrm{g}$) for vitamin B(sub)12 level of umbilical cord blood was 607.8$\pm$282.9pg/ml, more than two fold of maternal vitamin B(sub)12 level 268.6$\pm$97.8pg/ml. This finding indicates that fetal uptake of vitamin B(sub)12 in the fetus may be due to an active transport mchanism across the placenta. Umbilical cord blood vitamin B(sub)12 levels were highly correlated with maternal levels($r^2$=0.548, p<0.001), showing that fetal vitamin B(sub)12 level is affected by maternal status. However there was no significant correlation between the serum vitamin B(sub)12 levels in maternal-umbilical cord blood and the pregnancy outcomes except for the birth weight. Maternal-umbilical serum vitamin B(sub)12 levels were the highest in the group of birth weight 3.0-3.5kg, and the lowest in the group of birthweight below 3.0kg. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 426~432, 2001)

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.694-700
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• 2010

Purpose: To assess the validity of individual and combined prognostic effects of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), brain injury, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis(PNAC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 80 extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Severance Children's Hospital, and who survived to a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks. We analyzed the relationship between 4 neonatal morbidities (severe BPD, severe brain injury, severe ROP, and severe PNAC) and poor outcome. Poor outcome indicated death after a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks or survival with neurosensory impairment (cerebral palsy, delayed development, hearing loss, or blindness) between 18 and 24 months of corrected age. Results: Each neonatal morbidity correlated with poor outcome on univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratios (OR) were 4.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-22.6; $P$=0.044) for severe BPD, 13.2 (3.0-57.3; $P$<.001) for severe brain injury, 5.3 (1.6-18.1; $P$=0.007) for severe ROP, and 3.4 (0.5-22.7; $P$=0.215) for severe PNAC. Severe BPD, brain injury, and ROP were significantly correlated with poor outcome, but not severe PNAC. By increasing the morbidity count, the rate of poor outcome was significantly increased (OR 5.2; 95% CI, 2.2-11.9; $P$<.001). In infants free of the above-mentioned morbidities, the rate of poor outcome was 9%, while the corresponding rates in infants with 1, 2, and more than 3 neonatal morbidities were 46%, 69%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: In ELBW infants 3 common neonatal mornidifies, severe BPD, brain injury and ROP, strongly predicts the risk of poor outcome.