Possible seasonal differences in serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations have not been studied in newborn infants. Recently we demonstrated sea- sonal differences in bone mineral content (BMC) in newborn infants: lower BMC was present in summer vs. winter-born infants (J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1992; 15: 285). In a second stduy, higher serum osteocalcin, an index of bone formation, and lower BMC were found in summer vs. winter (J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1994; 19: 2207). We speculated that increased serum osteocalcin in summer could be an adaptive response to decreased bone mass. Since growth factors such as IGFs are local regulators of bone formation, we hypothesized that in summer-born infants, serum IGF-I will be higher than in winter, associated with high bone formation activity. Fifty-nine healthy, term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants were studied prospectively in winter (Jan-Mar, 29) and in summer (July-Sept., 30). Thirty infants were male, and 29 infants were female. Gestational ages and birth weights were not different by season(in summer, mean+SD, 39.61.1 wk, 3,471360 g,' in winter, 39.31.4 wk, 3,402 392 g). Cord serum IGF-I was measured by radioimmunoassay, modified from Furlanetto et al (1977), after acidification and sep-pack extraction of serum, and osteocalcin concentrations were determined by a kit radio-immunoassay. Cord serum IGF-I concentrations were not different by season of birth(summer vs. winter, 20.11.83 vs. 16.5 1.75 ng/mL, p=0.2). No gender differences were found: 18.21.8 vs. 18.2+1.8 ng/ mL in males vs. females. Serum osteocalcin was higher in summer vs. winter-born infants (8.22.3 vs. 4.951.58 ng/mL, p=0.009). BMC was different by season (87.2+ 14.5 vs. 94.1+16.4 mg/cm, p=0.02). Cord serum IGF-I was not related to serum osteocalcin and BMC. We conclude that serum IGF-I concentrations are not different by season or gender, and are not related to bone formation activity and BMC. Thus, IGF -I concentrations in serum are not seasonally regulated, nor associated with an index of bone formation activity.
Birth Weight ; Bone Density ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Male ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Prospective Studies ; Radioimmunoassay ; Seasons*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*

No abstract available.
Polyhydramnios*

No abstract available.
Infant, Newborn ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome* ; Meconium*

BACKGROUND: As undergoing general anesthesia for Cesarean Section, we usually maintain a light anesthesia until delivery. It provokes the high incidence of waketulness for the mothers. We surveyed the incidence of maternal wakefulness when thiopental was used as an induction agent. METHODS: Forty pregnant women (ASA class I or II) at term who underwent general anesthesia and cesarean section received thiopental, 4mg/kg. As the 'isolated forearm technique', a pressure cuff was inflated to isolate one arm from the the effects of succinylcholine so that wakefulness during anesthesia could be assessed by asking the patient to move her hand. To assess wakefulness,the patient was commanded to squeeze the investigator's hand a specified number of times. If the patient promptly squeezed the investigator's hand the appropriate number of times, the command was repeated but a different number of times specified. Only if the patient responded correctly both times, then we noted as a positive response. This test was repeated at 1 minute intervals beginning 1 minute after thiopental injection through the delivery. RESULTS: Five of the forty patients (12.5%) showed wakefulness. Twenty nine of the forty patients showed 'reaching movements'. One patient showed both wakefulness and 'reaching movements'. CONCLUSIONS: When we undergo general anesthesia for Cesarean Section, especially using thiopental as an induction agent, we should consider the maternal wakefulness seriously.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Obstetrical ; Arm ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Forearm* ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental ; Wakefulness*

No abstract available.
Blood Pressure* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

No abstract available.
Bilirubin* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Phototherapy*

No abstract available.
Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Critical Care*