Intrauterine growth restriction in the human, the origin of many serious medical, ethical, socioeconomic and humanitarian issues, still needs in-depth studies.The current volume presents the latest research results and offers detailed discussions on clinical care. The term small for gestational age (SGA) is defined and manifestations of prenatal growth retardation and its etiology are described. Special emphasis is placed on the role of genetic defects, in particular in the IGF/GH axis. Besides, not only the immediate consequences for SGA neonates and their clinical care are examined, but also possible sequelae in childhood. A study of utmost importance considers the neurological and intellectual consequences for SGA children. It is further revealed that fetal growth restriction can adversely affect health well into adulthood, and increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. Finally, interesting insights into the causes and consequences of low birth weight in developing countries are provided.This publication is a must for pediatricians, neonatologists, obstetricians and endocrinologists, as well as anyone interested in embryology, genetics, diabetes, clinical nutrition, molecular biology and neuroendocrinology.

Master the effective evaluation, analysis and management of placental-fetal growth restriction (PFGR), reducing the risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity in patients worldwide. Extensively researched by international experts, this manual provides practitioners with a detailed, hands-on approach to the practical 'pearls' for direct patient management. This authoritative volume advises on matters such as the correct evaluation and management of high-risk patients in danger of PFGR through to delivery. Extensive and wide-ranging, this book is an invaluable companion to the developing research interest and clinical applications in PFGR, including developmental outcomes in early childhood. Featuring a critical evaluation of a variety of abnormal conditions, such as fetal hypoxia, which are clearly displayed through extensive illustrations. This essential toolkit ensures that practitioners of all levels can effectively limit the risk of mortality and morbidity, and reach the correct diagnosis, first-time.

This book presents the latest evidence-based guidelines for perinatal management and is designed to help obstetricians and neonatologists minimize complications and offer patients the best possible care. Since 1960, there has been a significant increase in basic and clinical investigations on normal and pathological pregnancy in the developed world. This has provided insights into the physiopathology of pregnant women, fetuses and newborns and led to the development of new technologies, bringing about a new medical subspecialty: perinatal medicine. The book is divided into eight main sections: The first examines basic periconceptional care and discusses the ethical aspects of perinatology. The next section focuses on prenatal considerations, such as the nutritional aspects of gestation and puerperium, physical exercise during pregnancy, routine laboratory tests, prenatal care of multiple gestations and the role of the neonatologist in prenatal care. The third and fourth sections then explore fetal evaluation, and clinical intercurrences in pregnancy, respectively. The next section addresses pregnancy complications: prevention, diagnosis and management. The sixth section covers the basic aspects of congenital infections and the seventh examines labor and delivery aspects. Lastly, the final section includes chapters on neonatal assistance. Written by leading experts in obstetrics, neonatology, and perinatology, this thoroughly updated, comprehensive resource reflects the latest information in all areas, including genetics and imaging.

Despite recent declines in infant mortality, the rates of low birthweight deliveries in the United States continue to be high. Part I of this volume defines the significance of the problems, presents current data on risk factors and etiology, and reviews recent state and national trends in the incidence of low birthweight among various groups. Part II describes the preventive approaches found most desirable and considers their costs. Research needs are discussed throughout the volume.

The increasing prevalence of preterm birth in the United States is a complex public health problem that requires multifaceted solutions. Preterm birth is a cluster of problems with a set of overlapping factors of influence. Its causes may include individual-level behavioral and psychosocial factors, sociodemographic and neighborhood characteristics, environmental exposure, medical conditions, infertility treatments, and biological factors. Many of these factors co-occur, particularly in those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged or who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. While advances in perinatal and neonatal care have improved survival for preterm infants, those infants who do survive have a greater risk than infants born at term for developmental disabilities, health problems, and poor growth. The birth of a preterm infant can also bring considerable emotional and economic costs to families and have implications for public-sector services, such as health insurance, educational, and other social support systems. Preterm Birth assesses the problem with respect to both its causes and outcomes. This book addresses the need for research involving clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science disciplines. By defining and addressing the health and economic consequences of premature birth, this book will be of particular interest to health care professionals, public health officials, policy makers, professional associations and clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science researchers.

One of the most widely used assessments of infants and toddlers, the BAYLEY-III measures the major areas of development including cognitive, language, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning. This book provides an introduction into use of the BAYLEY-III in each of these five areas. For each of these areas, individual chapters cover the relevant test content, administration, scoring, interpretation, strengths / concerns, and uses in clinical populations. Each chapter also includes a real life case study demonstrating typical performance of a child with delays one of the five areas of development. The book concludes with a special chapter on procedures for brief neurodevelopmental screening of infants in pediatric settings. Covering all major areas of development, the book is informative for a wide range of professionals who use the BAYLEY-III to evaluate development of infants and toddlers from multiple perspectives including psychology, speech and language, and occupational/physical therapy. - Provides an overview of the theoretical background and structure of BAYLEY-III written by the lead Research Director - Introduces practitioners to the test content in each of the five major areas of child development covered by the BAYLEY-III: cognitive, language, motor, social-emotional, and adaptive functioning - Readers will learn how to competently administer, score, and interpret each of the five scales in the BAYLEY-III - Explains the strengths and limitations of the test in each of the five areas it measures - Instructs readers on uses of the test in specific clinical populations - Includes five case studies showing typical patterns of children delayed in one of the five areas of development - Concludes with a special chapter on neurodevelopmental screening procedures in pediatric settings

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition that affects 5%–10% of all pregnancies and is the second most common cause of perinatal mortality. Fetuses with FGR present with a greater risk of long-term health defects as impaired neurological and cognitive development and cardiovascular or endocrine diseases in adulthood. Due to its high prevalence and serious long term consequences, an in-depth understating of the diagnosis and management of FGR is essential for all those professionals involved in prenatal care, since it can prevent unwanted outcomes both to the mother and to the newborn. On the last years, the knowledge about fetal growth restriction has evolved considerably, with an increasing number of articles being published on this topic and new concepts being described, including new diagnostic guidelines. Even so, there are no recent books fully dedicated to FGR; this theme has only generally been discussed in chapters in larger obstetrics and neonatology books. This current book intends to present and discuss the state of the art on FGR in a clear and didactical way. It will focus on the main topics related to FGR, including its etiology, classification, prediction, diagnosis, and management, as well as on its neurological complications and maternal cardiovascular involvement. Written by experienced and renowned gynecologists from Brazil, Italy and the US, this book will be a comprehensive guide, directed to all gynecologists, radiologists and general practitioners who are involved in prenatal care, as well as to interns, residents, professors and researchers in the field.

Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease, Fourth Edition, is a compilation of current knowledge in clinical nutrition and an overview of the rationale and science base of its application to practice in the prevention and treatment of disease. In its fourth edition, this text continues the tradition of incorporating new discoveries and methods related to this important area of research Generating and analyzing data that summarize dietary intake and its association with disease are valuable tasks in treating disease and developing disease prevention strategies. Well-founded medical nutrition therapies can minimize disease development and related complications. Providing scientifically sound, creative, and effective nutrition interventions is both challenging and rewarding. - Two new chapters on metabolomics and translational research, which have come to be used in nutrition research in recent years. The new areas of study are discussed with the perspective that the application of the scientific method is by definition an evolutionary process. - A new chapter on Genetics and Diabetes which reviews the latest research on causal genetic variants and biological mechanisms responsible for the disease, and explores potential interactions with environmental factors such as diet and lifestyle. - Includes all major "omics" – the exposome, metabolomics, genomics, and the gut microbiome. - Expands the microbiota portions to reflect complexity of diet on gut microbial ecology, metabolism and health

The Department of Child and Adolescent Health has developed guidelines on optimal feeding of low birth weight infants in low- and middle-income countries. These guidelines include recommendations on what to feed low-birth weight infants, when to start feeding, how to feed, how often and how much to feed. The guidelines were developed using the process described in the WHO Handbook for Development of Guidelines. Systematic reviews were conducted to answer 18 priority questions identified by the guidelines development group. The population of interest is low-birth weight infants, and the critical outcomes include mortality, severe morbidity, growth and development. The implementation of these guidelines in low- and middle-income countries is expected to improve care and survival of low birth weight infants.