BACKGROUND The first step in evaluating potential geographic clusters of disease calls for an evaluation of the disease risk comparing the risk in a defined location to the risk in neighboring locations. Environmental exposures, however, represent continuous exposure levels across space not an exposure with a distinct boundary. The objectives of the current study were to adapt, apply and evalua...

This brief summarizes evidence of nursing's effects on NICU outcomes and recommends policies to bolster and support nursing practice in NICUs. Adequate staffing and a supportive work environment are associated with better outcomes for very low birth weight infants.

We reconsider the effect of very low birth weight classification on infant mortality. We demonstrate that the estimates are highly sensitive to the exclusion of observations in the immediate vicinity of the 1,500-g threshold, weakening the confidence in the results originally reported in Almond, Doyle, Kowalski, and Williams (2010).

Birth weight is in large extent influenced by gestational age. In addition genetic and environmental factors determine intrauterine growth and birth weight. The contributions of these factors may be influenced by maternal smoking during pregnancy. We examined birth weight and maternal smoking in a sample of 2930 twin pairs from the Netherlands Twin Register using structural equation modelling. ...

OBJECTIVE Prevalence of low birth weight deliveries may vary across different environments. The necessity of determination of regional data prompted this study. METHODS Information of all deliveries from January 2004 to December 2008 was obtained from delivery registry records retrospectively. Initial data including birth weight, vital status, sex, maternal age and mode of delivery were recor...

aim &background;: muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during ramadan, the 9th lunar month. the duration of fasting varies from 13 to 18 hrs per day. fasting individuals abstain from drinking liquids and eating foods. manypregnant women and gynecologists are concerned about the possible complicationsassociated with fasting and effects on fetal health. the aim of this study was to determine the e...

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the main factors accounts for neonatal mortality and morbidity. Many factors are related with low birth weight. The present study was conducted to identify the prevalence and related factors of LBW in Mashhad, northeast of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in all medical health centers of Mashhad during the first six months of...