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Aim To determine whether macrosomic infants with a birthweight of 4.0 kg or more have increased risk of cerebral palsy associated with neonatal encephalopathy ( Enc- CP). Methods A retrospective review of 132 singleton infants with Enc- CP fulfilling all of the following criteria: born at gestational week ( GW) 37 or more ( n = 126) or weighing 2.5 kg or more at birth ( n = 116) in or after January 2009 in Japan; no identifiable causes of cerebral palsy other than antenatal or intrapartum hypoxia; and exhibition of neonatal encephalopathy. National statistics of Japan were used to determine the numbers of infants according to birthweight categories. Results Of the 116 infants with a birthweight of 2.5 kg or more, 46 (39.7%), 49 (42.2%), 17 (14.7%) and four (3.4%) infants had birthweights of 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49, 3.5-3.99 and 4.0 kg or more, respectively. Corresponding figures among Japanese infants born in 2009-2011 were 42.8%, 45.4%, 10.9% and 0.90%, respectively. Infants with a birthweight of 4.0 kg or more had a relative risk (95% confidence interval) of Enc- CP of 3.89 (1.52-9.95) compared to those with a birthweight of 2.5-2.99 kg. Conclusion Japanese infants with a birthweight of 4.0 kg or more have increased risk of Enc- CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Which physical findings and blood parameters predict postpartum hypertension remain to be studied in women with twin pregnancies. Methods: The antenatal systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), and 16 laboratory variables were investigated in 150 normotensive women who gave birth to twins. Results: When the median values of the 18 continuous variables were used as cut-off values, an SBP>120 mm Hg (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 2.81 [1.94-4.08]), a DBP>70 mm Hg (2.42 [1.68-3.49]), an aspartate aminotransferase level>18 U/L (2.22 [1.55-3.19]), and a uric acid level>5.3 mg/dL (1.68 [1.20-2.36]) were independent risk factors for postpartum hypertension. Conclusions: Antenatal blood pressure measurements and a laboratory work-up may be useful clinically for predicting postpartum hypertension in women with twin pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]