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Background: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking and e-cigarettes and cannabis use during pregnancy, whether these were influenced by ethnicity, and their relationship to perinatal outcomes. Methods: A study was carried out in 4465 infants whose mothers delivered during 2017 and 2018. Self-reported maternal smoking, e-cigarette and cannabis use at booking were recorded. Outcome measures were birthweight and head circumference z-scores and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Results: Two hundred and five women reported smoking cigarettes (4.7%), five were using e-cigarettes (0.11%) and 106 were using cannabis (2.43%). Women were most likely to smoke if young (15–19 years old) or from a mixed-race or White background. Cigarette smoking was associated with a lower mean z-score for birthweight (−0.587 vs. −0.064) and head circumference (−0.782 vs. −0.157) (both outcomes P < 0.0001). Young, mixed-race women were most likely to be both smoking and using cannabis during pregnancy and their infants had a lower birthweight mean z score (−0.989 vs. −0.587, P = 0.028) and head circumference z score (−1.33 vs. 0.782, P = 0.025) than cigarette use alone. Conclusion: Young, mixed-race women were most likely to be both smoking and using cannabis during pregnancy and should be targeted for cessation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Weight is critical for the medical management of infants; however, scales can be unavailable or inaccessible in some practice settings. We recently developed and validated a robust infant weight estimation method based on chest circumference (CC) and head circumference (HC). This study was designed to determine the human factors (HF) experience with, and predictive performance of, an infant weight estimation device that implements this method.Methods: Prospective, multi-center, observational, masked study of 486 preterm and term infants (0-90 days) assessed by 15 raters. Raters measured the infant using calibrated scales/measures and masked versions of the device. Raters also evaluated critical tasks associated with device use. Mean error (ME) and mean percentage error (MPE) were used to assess predictive performance.Result: Among 486 infants enrolled (36.8 ± 4.0 weeks gestational age, 31.5 ± 28.6 days postnatal age), predicted weight correlated highly with actual weight (r = 0.97, ME: - 69 ± 257 g, MPE: - 1.3 ± 6.9%). Predicted weight was within 10 and 15% of actual weight in 86 and 99%, of infants. HF errors were low, 0.1-0.8% depending on task. In all cases raters were confident or very confident in their measurements.Conclusion: The device was statistically equivalent to the method on which it was based and approximated weight with acceptable variance from the true weight. HF data suggest the device is easy to use. This device can be used to estimate weight in infants when calibrated scales are impractical or unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: Levator avulsion occurs in 10−35% of women after a first vaginal delivery, with forceps being the main risk factor. Three mechanisms have been proposed to account for the high risk of trauma: the additional space requirement, increased speed of distension, and/ or greater force. This study examines the additional space requirements associated with forceps to determine any associated increase in avulsion risk. Methods: This was an in vitro simulation study of spatial requirements for delivery of a fetal head by forceps, with mathematical modelling of spatial requirements using data from a local observational study. A balloon device was used to model head circumferences through the range of expected measurements at term, with measurements taken after application of three different types of forceps. Each measurement was performed in triplicate. Results: On average, forceps increased the circumference of the fetal head by 1.01 cm for Wrigley's, 1.04 cm for Kielland's, and 1.64 cm for Neville-Barnes forceps, resulting in an estimated increase in the diameter of the fetal head by 0.32 cm, 0.33 cm, and 0.52 cm, respectively. This increase was linear throughout the tested range. In 534 singleton pregnancies at term, we determined an odds ratio (OR) of 1.11 per centimeter head circumference for avulsion. Hence, the additional space requirement due to forceps explains ORs of 1.11, 1.12, and 1.19 for avulsion, depending on forceps type. Conclusions: The effect of forceps on avulsion risk is not fully explained by the increase in space requirement alone. Other factors, such as shortened time to maximum distension and/or increased peak force applied may contribute to the excess risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Silymarin is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of prenatal silymarin administration during the gestational period on fetal growth. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 24 virgin female BALB/c mice weighing 20-30 grams. One male animal was caged with two females overnight, and they were examined for the presence of a vaginal plug in the next morning. Presence of vaginal plugs was considered to be gestational day zero (GD0). The mice were randomly divided into four groups, including three groups of pregnant mice administered with silymarin via intraperitoneal injection at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day (groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively) during GD6-15 (organogenesis) and a control group. Animals in the control group received normal saline via the same route in equivalent volumes. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 18.0, and the pathological scores were compared using Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, and Dunn’s multiple comparison tests. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Administration of silymarin had no effect on the weight gain of the mothers. However, placental weight gain decreased in the second and third group compared to the other groups (P≤0.001). In addition, head circumference was observed to reduce in all the treatment groups compared to the control group (P≤0.001). Also, the findings showed significant differences in the resorption rate and weight gain in all the treatment groups compared to the control group (P=0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, silymarin administration during gestation may lower weight gain and decrease placental circumference in the fetus of mice.

Purpose: To determine if head circumference (HC) is an independent factor influencing second stage duration stratified by parity and epidural use.Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of all live, singleton, term (37-42 weeks) vaginal deliveries in one university affiliated medical center (2012-2014). Exclusion criteria included operative deliveries due to fetal distress, major fetal anomalies/chromosomal abnormalities or cases with missing anthropometric data. Maternal demographics, labor characteristics and neonatal anthropometrics including birth weight and HC were retrieved. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to evaluate the association between HC and second stage duration. Analysis was stratified into four groups by parity and epidural use.Results: Of the 16 240 singleton vaginal deliveries during study period, 12 428 deliveries met inclusion criteria. Stratification by parity and epidural analgesia yielded four groups: 3337 (26.9%), 735 (5.9%), 5099 (41.0%) and 3257 (26.2%) deliveries - nullipara with/without epidural and multipara with/without epidural, respectively. In all groups, a large neonatal HC was significantly and independently associated with longer second stage duration: nullipara with epidural (beta 10.06, 95% CI 7.75-12.37), nullipara without epidural (beta 7.58, 95% CI 4.73-10.43), multipara with epidural (beta 4.64, 95%CI 3.47-5.8) and multipara without epidural (beta 1.35, 95% CI 0.76-1.94), p < .001 for all. Birth weight was not associated with second stage duration in any of the groups (p > .05).Conclusion: Large neonatal HC is significantly associated with longer second stage duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Measuring head circumference (HC) of newborns is an important tool for evaluating intra-uterine brain development. HC reference charts currently in use in Nigeria are not representative of the local population. We thus present locally derived HC reference data for Nigerian infants at birth.Subjects and Methods: We reviewed birth records of all infants at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) over a 10 year period from January 2006. JUTH is a tertiary care center offering obstetric services to a large population of women in Jos and its environs. All births with gestational age between 28 and 42 weeks were included in the study. STATA version 14 was used to calculate gestational age associated HC percentile measurements.Results: We included 18 282 babies to generate the reference values. The mean HC value was 34.4 ± 2.1 cm (M = 34.6 ± 2.16 cm, F = 34.1 ± 2.02 cm, p < 0.001). Our HC reference values significantly differ from the USA and INTERGROWTH-21 charts currently in use in our country. Mean HC was higher in male infants compared with female infants. This difference was uniformly so across all gestational age groups.Conclusions: The use of our locally derived HC reference values could be more appropriate in defining normal head growth in Nigerian infant populations thereby improving newborn care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Low Birth Weight (LBW) is associated with poor health conditions during neonatal period, infancy and in adult life. It is possible that some form of fetal growth restriction occurs in babies of HIV sero-positive women. Aim: To determine the effect of maternal HIV infection on neonatal birth weight and other neonatal anthropometric indices. Materials and Methods: The study was prospective cohort in design. Neonatal birth weight, head circumference, and crownheel length of babies of 87 consecutive consenting HAART experienced HIV sero-positive pregnant women on HAART (study group) were compared with those of 92 matched HIV sero-negative women (control group). Data analyses were both descriptive and inferential at 95% confidence level. Results: The incidence of low birth weight was 25.3% (22/87) among the HIV sero-positive group and 14.1% (13/92) among the control group (p=0.060, R.R=1.8, 95% CI: 0.96-3.33). The mean neonatal head circumference in the study and control groups were 33.7±2.93 cm and 34.5±2.31 cm respectively, p=0.036 while the mean crown-heel length was 47.9±4.59 cm versus 48.7±4.02 cm, p=0.217. Conclusion: Maternal HIV treatment with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) was not associated with high incidence LBW in Enugu, Nigeria. However, the head circumference was reduced. Careful measurement of the head circumferences of neonates of HIV sero-positive mothers, during routine new-born examination, is encouraged, so that any disproportionate growth would receive further appropriate assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Data on how baseline characteristics, acuity, morbidity, and nutrition work in combination to affect the growth of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants are limited. Objective We aimed to determine factors associated with in-hospital weight, length, and head circumference (HC) trajectories of VLBW infants. Methods VLBW infants (n = 316) from the GTA-DoMINO trial were included. Linear mixed-effects models assessed relations of baseline characteristics, acuity (at birth, across hospitalization), major morbidities, and nutrition (enteral feeding type, macronutrient/energy intakes) with changes in anthropometrics over hospitalization (days 1–8, 9–29, 30–75). Results Specific factors and the strength of their associations with growth depended on in-hospital time interval. Small-for-gestational-age infants experienced weight gain (4.3   g · kg−1 · d−1; 95% CI: 2.0, 6.5   g · kg−1 · d−1) during days 1–8, versus weight loss (−4.6     g · kg−1 · d−1; 95% CI: −5.6, −3.7     g · kg−1 · d−1) among appropriate-for-gestational-age infants (P  < 0.001). Positive-pressure ventilation (versus oxygen/room air) was associated with slower weight (−1.8    g · kg−1 · d−1) and HC (−0.25 cm/wk) gain during days 9–29 (P  < 0.001). Morbidities were negatively associated with growth after days 1–8, with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) showing negative associations with weight (−2.7     g · kg−1 · d−1), length (−0.11 cm/wk), and HC (−0.21 cm/wk) gain during days 9–29 (P  < 0.001). Macronutrient/energy intakes were associated with weight across hospitalization (P  ≤ 0.01), with greater weight gain (1.3–3.0 g  ·  kg−1  ·  d−1) among infants achieving macronutrient/energy recommendations during days 9–29 and 30–75. Macronutrient/energy intakes were associated with HC during the first month (P  = 0.013–0.003), with greater HC gain (0.07–0.12 cm/wk) among infants achieving protein, lipid, and energy recommendations during days 9–29. Conclusions Baseline characteristics, acuity, morbidity, and nutrition factors were independently associated with VLBW infant growth. A focus on achieving macronutrient/energy recommendations and improving nutrient delivery to PDA-diagnosed infants may yield improvements to their growth. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN35317141. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An important index of brain reserve is the maximal attained brain size, which can be estimated by measuring the head circumference (HC). We investigated the association of HC and education with incident dementia in a population-based study of Chinese older adults. Methods: We conducted a prospective follow-up study of 1,659 non-demented participants with a mean age of 71.5 years. Characteristics and anthropometry of the participants were collected at baseline. Consensus diagnoses for dementia were made using DSM-IV criteria based on functional, neurological, and neuropsychological assessments. Results: We identified 168 new-onset dementia cases after a mean of 5.2 years of follow-up. Participants with smaller HC combined with low educational attainment had a significantly higher risk of incident dementia than those with larger HC who had completed more than 12 years of education (adjusted hazard ratio 4.48, 95% CI 2.47–8.12). Discussion/Conclusion: Our results suggest that smaller HC in combination with low education leads to a markedly increased risk of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether large head circumference increases the risk of vacuum extraction failure. Study design: This EMR-based study included all attempted vacuum extractions performed in a tertiary center between January 2010 and June 2015. All term singleton live births were eligible. Cases were divided into four groups: head circumference ≥90th percentile both with birth weight ≥90th percentile and <90th percentile and fetal head circumference <90th percentile with birth weight ≥90th and <90th percentile. Risk of failed vacuum extraction was compared among these groups. Other neonatal and maternal parameters were also evaluated as potential risk factors. Multinomial multivariable regression provided adjusted odds ratio for vacuum extraction failure while controlling for potential confounders. Results: During the study period, 48,007 deliveries met inclusion criteria, of which 3835 had an attempt at vacuum extraction. We identified 215 (5.6%) cases of vacuum extraction failure. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for vacuum extraction failure in cases of large fetal head circumference was 2.31 (95%CI, 1.7-3.15, p < .001). Primiparity, prolonged second stage and occipito-posterior presentation were also found to be significant risk factors for failed vacuum extraction. Comments: In this study, we found that large head circumference was associated with vacuum extraction failure rather than high birth weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does fertility treatment, specifically assisted reproductive technology (ART), affect head circumference in term singletons? A total of 32,651 women who delivered at term at 12 maternity hospitals in Japan between 2010 and 2018 were included in the analysis; of these, 1941 (5.9%) and 2984 (9.1%) women conceived through ART and non-ART fertility treatments (timed intercourse, ovulation induction or artificial insemination), respectively. The study evaluated the adjusted odds ratios of head circumference ≥90th percentile stratified by infant sex and type of ART procedure after adjusting for covariates, with natural conception as the reference group. ART significantly increased the risk of head circumference ≥90th percentile (adjusted odds ratio 1.56 [95% confidence interval 1.25–1.96]), whereas non-ART fertility treatment did not increase the risk (1.14 [0.92–1.42]). This increased risk of head circumference ≥90th percentile was observed exclusively in male neonates (1.73 [1.33–2.26]) and not in female neonates (1.18 [0.76–1.85]) in the ART group. Frozen embryo transfer (FET), FET in a hormone replacement cycle (HRC-FET) and blastocyst-stage embryo transfer were significantly associated with head circumference ≥90th percentile (1.60 [1.26–2.02], 1.70 [1.30–2.22] and 1.72 [1.33–2.24], respectively). The use of ART, particularly FET, HRC-FET or blastocyst-stage embryo transfer, was linked with a heightened risk of head circumference ≥90th percentile compared with non-ART fertility treatment or natural conception. The increased risk was observed only in male neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growth failure is commonly reported in children with PMM2-CDG. The aim of the study was to delineate the longitudinal anthropometric phenotype of patients with PMM2-CDG and attempt to find some correlations between the genotype and anthropometric phenotype. Materials and methods: Retrospective chart review of PMM2-CDG patients’ medical records was performed regarding the anthropometric measurements (head circumference, body length/height, body weight, body mass index) and PMM2 variants. Results: A negative tendency of growth evolution was observed. Patients found to be heterozygous for R141H grew slower than other patients. Body weight was correlated with body height. A negative tendency of the growth rate of head circumference was observed. Patients found to be heterozygous for R141H experienced slower growth than other patients. Conclusions: Long-term observational studies are essential to characterize the anthropometric phenotype. The body growth failure, as well as head circumference growth failure, were more severe in patients found to be heterozygous for R141H.

Abstract Background Low birth weight (Birth weight

Background & aims: Establishing personal identity is one of prime objective in forensic investigation especially when the body is mutilated or certain body parts are missing. Height estimation is one of the main parameter in establishing the identity of the deceased and head circumference can be used to correctly estimate the height. Aim of current study was to establish anthropometric correlation of stature with head circumference in Gujarati adolescent population. Materials and Methods: 150 asymptomatic, apparently healthy, adolescent and adult medical students with age between 18 to 22 years belonging to various regions of Gujarat were selected. Head circumference and height of subjects were measured using a non-stretchable measuring tape in erect posture. Obtained data were analysed by regression analysis to derive regression equations for estimation of stature from head circumference. Results: We were able to calculate mean and SD of stature and head circumference, correlation coefficient and regression coefficient between head circumference and stature. We also derived the regression equations in order to estimate the stature from the head circumference. Conclusion: In the present study, we found that there is strong positive correlation between stature and head circumference. The regression equations obtained from the data can be used correctly to estimate the stature from the head circumference in Gujarati adolescent population.

Background Reference curves of growth have been developed in many countries based on cross-sectional data. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended an international reference which is based on the growth standards developed within the United States during the 1970s. In general these growth references are used in Indonesian pediatric clinics although it is known that these references are not appropriate for this population with a different ethnic background. In order to evaluate reliably Indonesian chil- dren with growth disorders reference standards based on mea- surements in Indonesian children are necessary. Objective To make a standard growth chart for Indonesian chil- dren especially with regards to height, weight, and head circum- ference from a healthy Indonesian infants and children, age 0-18 years. This standard charts were compared to CDC growth charts. Methods Weight and height and head circumference were taken from children with age ranging from birth up to 18 years. All sub- jects were recruited from 7 different parts of Indonesia. The age grouping for children from 0-1 years old was based on 3-month interval, while for children older than 12 months was based on a 6- month interval. The study was cross sectional. Results There were 34 800 children (17 229 boys and 17 571 girls) included in this study with age ranging from 0 up to 18 years. Graphs were presented for weight for age, supine length for age, head circumference for age in male and female infants, and weight for height and height for age in boys and girls 1-18 years. Comparson of the results of this study with the CDC data were presented as a graph. Conclusion The standard charts for Indonesian children based on weight for height, supine length for height and head circumfer- ence for age were presented in graphs for children 0-1 year, weight for height and height for age for boys and girls 1-18 years old. All children were compared to CDC growth charts and there exists a mean difference of -1.47 SDS for boys and -1.43 SDS for girls.

Periconceptional maternal ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption impairs embryonic growth. Impacts of exposure to UPF on distinct components of fetal growth in late pregnancy are unknown. We investigated the influence of frequency of UPF consumption during pregnancy on fetal head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL). This study included 417 live-born singleton pregnancies prospectively followed-up since the antenatal period in the MINA-Brazil Study, with an available ultrasound scan at >24 gestational weeks. Frequency of food groups consumption in the previous month was categorised as no/monthly, weekly or daily. Ultrasound scans were conducted at 27·8 (sd: 1·7) gestational weeks. HC, AC and FL z-scores were calculated for gestational age using the INTERGROWTH-21st Project standards. Simultaneous-quantile regression models were fitted at the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles of the distribution of each ultrasound parameter according to UPF consumption, with adjustment for potential confounders. Participants were aged on average 24·7 (sd: 6·5) years, 44·8 % were primiparous, and 26·9 % and 24·9 %, respectively, had weekly and daily UPF consumption. Compared with no/monthly intake, daily UPF consumption impaired HC across its distribution, with significant effect sizes varying from -0·24 to -0·40 z-score. Weekly UPF consumption decreased HC at the 90th percentile by -0·39 z-score (95 % CI: -0·78, -0·01) and FL at the 50th percentile by -0·32 z-score (95 % CI: -0·60, -0·04). No association was noted with AC. Frequency of UPF consumption was negatively associated with skeletal components of fetal growth in late pregnancy. Infant body composition may benefit from healthy food practices since pregnancy.

Backgrounds: The Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence has increased significantly over the past two decades. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the association between the early life growth of head circumference (HC), weight, and height with ASD in infants., Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to November 2021 using relevant keywords. All original articles are written in English evaluating the early life growth of HC, weight, and height in infants with ASD were eligible for the present review., Results: Totally, 23 articles involving 4959 infants were included in this review. Of 13 studies that evaluated HC of infants at birth, 10 studies (83.33%) showed that the HC at the birth of autistic children was similar to that of the average found in the control group. Among 21 studies that evaluated the HC and weight status in infants, 19 studies (90.47%) showed that autistic children had larger HC and weight than the control group or abnormal acceleration of head growth during infancy. Height growth of infants was investigated in 13 studies, of which 10 cases (76.92%) reported that infants with ASD were significantly longer than control groups. Most of he included studies had a good quality., Conclusions: The findings suggest that in infants with ASD, without the contribution of birth growth factors and sex of the child, the growth of HC, weight, and height probably was faster than in infants with normal development, in early life. Therefore, these measurements might be useful as initial predictive biomarkers for the risk of developing ASD., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Heavy metal contamination from electronic waste recycling sites is present in dust found in indoor kindergartens located in e-waste recycling areas, and its potential impact on child health is a significant concern. The association between heavy metal(loid)s and the child developmental indicators is still unclear. In 2019 and 2020, we enrolled 325 and 319 children in an e-waste recycling town, respectively. Corresponding 61 and 121 dust samples were collected from roads, houses, and kindergartens in the two years. The median concentrations of metals, including Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb exceeded the allowable limits. The highest amount of cumulative enrichment (cEF) was observed in indoor kindergarten dust (cEF = 112.3400), followed by house dust (cEF = 76.6950) and road dust (cEF = 39.7700). Children residing in the e-waste town had below-average height and weight compared to their Chinese peers. Based on linear regression analysis, the daily intake of Cd, V, Mn, and Pb in indoor kindergarten dust was found to be negatively associated with head circumference (HeC) (P < 0.05). Similarly, the daily intake of As, Cd, and Ba in indoor kindergarten dust was found to be negatively associated with chest circumference (ChC) (P < 0.05). In addition, the daily intake of As, Cd, and Ba in indoor kindergarten dust was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), as per the results of the study (P < 0.05). Cross-product term analysis revealed a negative correlation between daily intake of heavy metal(loid)s and HeC, ChC, and BMI, with age and sex serving as influencing factors. In conclusion, exposure to heavy metal(loid)s in indoor kindergarten dust increases the risk of growth retardation and developmental delay in children., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Anthropometry is a universally applicable, non-expensive, rapid and noninvasive technique used to evaluate and reflect the nutritional status of an individual. Anthropometric measurements of newborns reflect their general health, nutritional status and future survival by tracking trends in growth and development over time. It has also considerable significance in terms of determining the risk of death and extra uterine complications. Most previously conducted studies assessing newborn anthropometry had used birth weight as the sole parameter. But it is apparent that other anthropometric measurements, such as length and head circumference, are also important in predicting short-term and long-term outcomes. So this study assesses anthropometric measurements of singleton live full-term newborns at University of Gondar comprehensive specialised hospital, Ethiopia., Material and Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 333 newborn from 5 June to 11 July 2022, in the maternity and neonatal ward of University of Gondar comprehensive specialised hospital. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. The Kobo toolbox software platform was used for data collection, and STATA software version 16 was used for analysis., Results: The mean birth weight, length and head circumference of the newborns in the current study were 2977 grams (95% CI: 2935.7, 3018.3), 47.05 centimeters (95% CI: 46.72-47.37) and 34.7 centimeters (95% CI: 34.6, 34.88), respectively. The prevalence of SGA (< 10th percentile) and LGA (> 90th percentile) was 20.12% and 6.01%, respectively. Independent samples t-test was done to see the association of newborn sex with anthropometric indices, and the result showed that the difference was statistically insignificant in all of anthropometric parameters., Conclusion: This study of normal reference values will provide basic step for future standardisation of Ethiopian term newborns anthropometric parameters to be used for accurate assessment of newborns., (© 2023 Natnael Amare Tesfa et al., published by Sciendo.)

Owing to high rates of prenatal complications, twins are, on average, substantially smaller than population norms on physical measurements including height, weight, and head circumference at birth. By early childhood, twins are physically average. This study is the first to explore the process of catch-up growth by fitting asymptotic growth models to age-standardized height, weight, and head circumference measurements in a community sample of twins (n = 1281, 52.3% female) followed at up to 17 time points from birth to 15 years. Catch-up growth was rapid over the first year and plateaued around the population mean by early childhood. Shared environmental factors accounted for the majority of individual differences in initial physical size (57.7-65.5%), whereas additive genetic factors accounted for the majority of individual differences in the upper asymptotes of height, weight, and head circumference (73.4-92.6%). Both additive genetic and shared environmental factors were associated with variance in how quickly twins caught up. Gestational age and family SES emerged as important environmental correlates of physical catch-up growth., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The size and shape of a tooth vary between individuals of different ethnic groups and genders because of the influence of different genetic factors. The information regarding the different anatomical factors using maxillary anterior teeth is very scanty. Thus to give more clarity, a study was planned to assess the correlation between head circumference and tooth-mesiodistal width among children of different ethnic origins.The study was carried out on 210 children aged 7 to 12 years in schools at Abha, Saudi Arabia.The mesiodistal (MD) width of the central incisor was measured using a digital vernier caliper. A Meter tape ruler was used to measure the Head/Cephalic dimensions. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS 20.0, and the results were analyzed. It was found that mean MD tooth width and head circumference were maximum in Saudi children, followed by South Asian and Arab/African, with an insignificant statistical difference ( p -value > 0.05). Correlation between MD dimensions of maxillary central incisor with head circumference was statistically significant ( p -value < 0.05) among Saudi and South Asian populations, whereas statistically insignificant ( p -value > 0.05) difference between Saudi and Arab/African populations. It was concluded that there exist the ethnic differences between tooth-mesiodistal width and head circumference dimensions of children. A positive correlation between head circumference and mesiodistal width of the central incisor was determined., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (©2023 The Author(s). Published by MRE Press.)

Background: Achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant disorder mainly affecting bony growth, typically resulting in markedly short stature. From a neurosurgical viewpoint, patients sometimes develop spinal cord compression at the narrowed foramen magnum and hydrocephalus. This study aims to construct growth references for height, weight, and head circumference (HC) of young achondroplasia patients in Korea and to evaluate the predictability of the necessity and timing of neurosurgical procedures through growth patterns., Methods: Growth data were collected from achondroplasia patients who visited our institution between January 2002 and August 2022. First, we constructed percentile growth curves of height, weight, and HC for the patients under 3 years of age with the generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS). Second, the growth patterns of the patients with hydrocephalus who underwent neurosurgical procedures such as foramen magnum decompression (FMD) and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt were analyzed., Results: There were 125 achondroplasia patients, including 67 males and 58 females. Among 125 patients, 46 underwent FMD, and 5 underwent VP shunt. As short stature and macrocephaly were typical characteristics of achondroplasia, the height of achondroplasia was lower than that of the general population, and HC in achondroplasia showed accelerated growth postnatally. There were no significant changes in HC in hydrocephalus patients before they underwent neurosurgical procedures. The influence of hydrocephalus on the growth patterns of HC in achondroplasia seemed insignificant., Conclusion: Growth references for height, weight, and HC in young achondroplasia patients were constructed. It is the first report of growth patterns of achondroplasia in Korea. Unlike other pediatric patients, the diagnosis of hydrocephalus and the necessity of neurosurgical procedures are hard to be predicted with HC in achondroplasia. Neuroimaging should be considered for achondroplasia patients with neurological symptoms., (© 2023. Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM).)

Head circumference in infants has been reported to predict brain size, total grey matter volume (GMV) and neurocognitive development. However, it is unknown whether it has predictive value on regional and subcortical brain volumes. We aimed to explore the relationship between several head circumference measurements since birth and distributions of GMV and subcortical volumes at later childhood. We examined seventy-four, Caucasian, singleton, term-born infants born to mothers randomised to receive fish oil and/or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate or placebo prenatal supplementation. We assessed head circumference at birth and at 4 and 10 years of age and cognitive abilities at 7 years of age. We obtained brain MRI at 10 years of age, on which we performed voxel-based morphometry, cortical surface extraction and subcortical segmentation. Analyses were controlled for sex, age, height, weight, family status, laterality and total intracranial volume. Prenatal supplementation did not affect head circumference at any age, cognitive abilities or total brain volumes. Head circumference at 4 years presented the highest correlation with total GMV, white matter volume and brain surface area, and was also strongly associated with GMV of frontal, temporal and occipital areas, as well as with caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen and thalamus volumes. As relationships between brain volumes in childhood and several outcomes extend into adulthood, we have found that ages between 0 and 4 years as the optimal time for brain growth; postnatal factors might have the most relevant impact on structural maturation of certain cortical areas and subcortical nuclei, independent of prenatal supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of methods is available for the ultrasound measurement of foetal circumferences; ellipse fitting and derived measurements are often used interchangeably based on an assumption of equivalence, despite evidence that results may differ. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between ellipse fitting and derived circumferences in clinical practice. Head and abdominal circumferences originally measured using ellipse fitting were retrospectively derived from anterior–posterior and transverse diameters using a widely used formula. Where the necessary measurements were available, foetal weight was estimated. Differences between ellipse fitted and derived measurements were compared using Bland–Altman plots. Images from 65 patients (gestational age 20 to 40 weeks) were collected; four head circumference and five abdominal circumference images were excluded due to poor image quality. Data were available for estimated foetal weight calculation for 48 patients. There were small systematic differences between ellipse fitted and derived measurements. Random differences varied between 20 week scans, early growth scans and later growth scans, so were analysed in these three groups. The 95% confidence intervals were ±6 mm (±3%), ±7 mm (±2%) and ±20 mm (±6%) for head circumference at 20 weeks, earlier growth scans and later scans, respectively; the 95% confidence intervals for abdominal circumference were ±7 mm (±5%), ±11 mm (±5%) and ±17 mm (±6%) and for estimated foetal weight were ±23 g (±6%), ±69 g (±5%) and ±311 g (±12%). Foetal circumference measurement methods are not interchangeable. The derived method should be used where size, growth and estimated foetal weight charts are based on this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Benign external hydrocephalus has an incidence of about 0.4 per 1000 live births. It affects infants and is characterized by an increasing head circumference and typical neuroimaging findings. Previously published studies on benign external hydrocephalus often contain groups of few and selected patients.Methods: This is a follow-up of a recently published article reporting the incidence of benign external hydrocephalus. This retrospective and population-based study covers two large health regions in Norway, over a 10-year period (1994 to 2003). Infants with increasing head circumference, combined with typical radiological findings of enlarged subarachnoid spaces, were included. Information about head circumference development, neuroimaging findings, and birth delivery methods, as well as demographic details, was retrieved from the hospital medical records.Results: A total of 176 children with benign external hydrocephalus were included, 86.4% being boys. At birth, the head circumference was close to normal. Mean age for when the head circumference reached abnormal values, i.e., crossing two percentiles or reaching the 97.5 percentile, was 3.4 months; none was older than seven months. Around four of five children had dilated lateral ventricles in addition to enlarged subarachnoid spaces. The neuroimaging findings tended to normalize after age 12 months. About half of the patients ended up with head circumferences at or above the 97.5 percentile.Conclusions: Most infants with benign external hydrocephalus are born with a normal head circumference that increases too fast and reaches abnormally high values before age six months. This age and gender distribution is very similar to that described for infant subdural hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To estimate the association between fetal congenital heart defects (CHDs) and measures of brain size throughout pregnancy, from the end of the first trimester to birth.Study Design: The cohort consisted of all fetuses scanned in Western Denmark in 2012 and 2013. Anthropometric measures in fetuses with isolated CHDs diagnosed within 12 months after birth were compared with those in the fetuses without CHDs. Z-scores standardized to gestational age were calculated for first trimester biparietal diameter, second trimester head circumference, fetal weight, birthweight, head circumference, and placental weight.Results: We obtained data from 63 349 pregnancies and identified 295 fetuses with isolated CHDs (major n = 145; minor n = 150). The first trimester mean biparietal diameter Z-scores were not different between those with and those without CHDs. The head circumference mean Z-score difference was -0.13 (95% CI, -0.24 to -0.01; P = .03) in the second trimester and -0.22 (95% CI, -0.35 to -0.09; P < .001) at birth. Fetuses with univentricular physiology or tetralogy of Fallot showed the most pronounced compromise in cerebral size.Conclusions: Our results suggest that the brain alterations inducing an increased risk of impaired neurodevelopment in children with CHDs begin during pregnancy. Although fetuses with univentricular physiology or tetralogy of Fallot exhibited the most pronounced compromise in cerebral size, we recommend neurodevelopmental follow-up for all children with CHDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Congenital heart disease (CHD) has been associated with reduced fetal head circumference (HC), although the underlying pathophysiology remains undetermined. We aimed to define trends in fetal growth and cerebroplacental Doppler flow, and to investigate their relationship, in fetuses with CHD.Methods: This was a retrospective study in two fetal medicine units in The Netherlands. We included all fetuses with CHD in whom Doppler flow patterns (middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI), umbilical artery (UA) PI and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR)) and biometry (HC and abdominal circumference (AC)) had been measured serially after 19 weeks' gestation between January 2010 and November 2016. Fetuses were categorized into three groups based on the expected cerebral arterial oxygen saturation of their particular type of CHD: normal; mild to moderately reduced; severely reduced. Trends over time in Z-scores were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model.Results: A total of 181 fetuses fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Expected cerebral arterial oxygen saturation in CHD was classified as normal in 44 cases, mild to moderately reduced in 84 and severely reduced in 53. In the cohort overall, average trends over time were significant for both HC and AC Z-scores. HC Z-scores showed a tendency to decrease until 23 weeks, then to increase until 33 weeks, followed by another decrease in the late third trimester. AC Z-scores increased progressively with advancing gestation. MCA-PI and UA-PI Z-scores showed significant trends throughout pregnancy, but CPR Z-scores did not. There were no associations between expected cerebral arterial oxygen saturation and fetal growth. Average trends in MCA-PI Z-scores were significantly different between the three subgroups, whereas those in UA-PI Z-scores and in CPR Z-scores were similar between the subgroups. There was no significant association between MCA-PI and HC Z-scores.Conclusions: Fetal biometry and Doppler flow patterns are within normal range in fetuses with CHD, but show trends over time. Head growth in fetuses with CHD is not associated with cerebral blood flow pattern or placental function and HC is not influenced by the cerebral arterial oxygen saturation. © 2018 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population-based growth studies are important to demonstrate social, cultural, and medical milieu of the societies. The fact that there is no nationwide head circumference growth references of Turkish children is a significant deficiency. In this study, we aimed to create head growth references for 0-3-year-old children living in good conditions in Turkey. Within this scope, a total of 2061 infants and children with 1029 being boys and 1032 girls were examined in seven metropolitan city (Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Adana, Samsun, Diyarbakır, and Erzurum) in Turkey. LMS method was used to create percentile curves. According to the data obtained, it can be said that children of our country who grow in optimal and/or sub-optimal conditions have somewhat larger head circumference compared to their peers from the USA, but the difference is relatively low. Great similarity between the results of this study, which was conducted as multicenter, and previous reference studies performed in Istanbul is remarkable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For growth monitoring of brain, head circumference (HdC) reference data are needed. Rapid increase in the HdC is usually seen within first few years of life which marks histological changes in the brain. However, in Pakistan, there is a dearth of research on the potential use of HdC measurements. Objectives: We aimed to develop the age and gender specific smoothed HdC growth reference charts for the Pakistani children, aged 2 to 5 years. Methods: A representative cross-sectional sample of 1474 Pakistani children, aged 2 - 5 years, was studied. Age and gender specific smoothed HdC growth reference values and their charts were obtained using the lambda-mu-sigma (LMS) statistical method. The smoothed HdC percentiles (3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th and 97th) were calculated and their charts were drawn. Results: The percentile values of HdC increased with age in both sexes. The boys had more increase in HdC percentiles than the girls had, except for the 95thand97th percentiles. Comparison of 50th percentiles of HdC with those of the other countries demonstrated that the Pakistani children had substantially lower HdC percentiles than their counterparts in the other populations. Conclusions: The results showed that reference values for the HdC were smaller than the corresponding reference values provided by the World Health Organization. Therefore, it is suggested that each country should produce its own HdC growth charts because the use of the charts of other countries as standards may provide misleading information of the children population under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: inappropriate diet and the lack of necessary nutrition receiving during pregnancy, effects on maternal and neonatal health. This study carried out to investigate the effect of maternal supplements during pregnancy on growth indices at birth. Materials & Methods: This cohort study was carried out on part of Bandar Abbas Cohort study data. The main exposure in this study was the consumption of dietary supplements during pregnancy and the dependent variable was the growth indices of newborns. The adjusted relative risk index using a Modified Poisson Regression model was applied. All analysis were performed using the STATA software. Results: 196 of participants remained in the study. The age range of mothers was from 16 to 42 years old and the mean of that was 27.28 (± 5.62). 81, 84 and 149 of mothers had taken an iron supplement, multivitamins, and vitamin D irregularly respectively. 12.76%, 8.68%,18.88% of the newborns, had abnormal weight, height, and head circumference at birth respectively. The relative risk of low birth weight and consumption of multivitamin 2.65 was achieved. Also, the relative risks between low birth height and iron and multivitamin supplements were 3.54 and 4.56 respectively. Conclusion: There was a relationship between irregular consumption of iron and multivitamins during pregnancy with weight and height at birth, but there was no relationship between the consumption of nutritional supplements during pregnancy and the head circumference. Mothers' nutritional supplementation during pregnancy requires more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to establish the z score reference ranges of cardiothoracic diameter ratio (CTR) of normal fetuses from 14 to 40 weeks' gestation. Method: A cross‐sectional study was conducted on low‐risk singleton pregnancies with healthy fetuses. The CTR was performed using simple 2‐dimensional sonography on the typical fetal 4‐chamber view. The reference ranges were constructed according to gestational age (GA), biparietal diameter (BPD), and head circumference (HC) as independent variables based on the best‐fit models, both mean and standard deviation (SD). Results: A total of 683 fetuses were measured for CTR. The best‐fit equations for the mean and SD as a function of GA, BPD, and HC are as follows: (1) CTR = 0.365 + 0.004 × GA in weeks (SD = 0.031 + 0.001 × GA); (2) CTR = 0.373 + 0.014 × BPD in cm (SD = 0.034 + 0.004 × BPD); and (3) CTR = 0.373 + 0.004 × HC in cm (SD = 0.032 + 0.001 × HC). The CTR was slightly increased with advanced GA, BPD, and HC. Conclusion: Complete nomograms with z score reference ranges of CTR were established throughout pregnancy. These nomograms may be useful to detect cardiac abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is complex and difficult. The estimated number of unreported FASD is thus assumed to be substantial. In our cross-sectional study, we aimed to identify possible metric differences in philtrum depth in children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) compared to healthy controls based on non-invasive 3D facial scanning in order to provide an objective, metrical tool improving FASD diagnosis. Methods Twenty-five children with confirmed FAS and 30 healthy school children without FAS, both in the mixed dentition, were prospectively recruited and 3D facial scans were performed after recording body length, weight and head circumference. Philtrum surface data were extracted and metric philtrum depth was determined at four geometrically defined measuring points (P1–P4) along the vertical length of the philtrum. Results Philtrum depths at P1 (P = 0.025), P2 (P = 0.001), P3 (P < 0.001) and P4 (P = 0.001) as well as mean philtrum depth P1–P4 (P < 0.001) differed significantly between patients with and without FAS. Compared to controls, the philtrum was shallower in patients with FAS by on average 0.4 mm at each of the respective points. Whereas no differences could be determined for body height and weight, head circumference was significantly smaller in patients with FAS (P = 0.001), particularly in girls (P = 0.008). Conclusions Apart from head circumference, philtrum depth is significantly reduced in children with FAS and can thus be used as diagnostic indicator to aid and confirm FAS diagnosis. In contrast to visual assessments, 3D face scan methods allow a more objective quantification and can thus provide additional evidence in FAS diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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