Epidemiological analysis of 440 cases of respiratory adenovirus infections in children from the Suzhou area between 2006 and 2015 / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory adenovirus (ADV) infections in children from the Suzhou area, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of ADV-positive children out of 35 529 children with respiratory tract infections who were hospitalized in the Children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2006 and December 2015 were retrospectively studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 35 529 children with respiratory tract infections, 440 (1.24%) were ADV-positive. There was no significant difference in the rate of ADV infections between boys and girls (1.18% vs 1.34%). The ADV infection rates of children at the age of <1 year old, 1-3 years old, 3-7 years old and 7-14 years old were 0.39% (71/18 002), 1.12% (103/9 191), 3.14% (201/6 398), and 3.35%( 65/1 938) respectively and the rate increased with age (P<0.01). The ADV infection rates in spring [1.85%(60/8 658)] and summer [2.20%(189/8 606)] were significantly higher than in autumn [0.30%(27/8 952)] and winter [0.69%(64/9 313)] (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The ADV infection rate is increased with age in the children from the Suzhou area, but it is not associated with gender. ADV infections are more common in spring and summer.</p>

Neurodevelopmental features of preterm infants at the corrected age of 1 year / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the neurodevelopmental level of preterm infants at the corrected age of 1 year and the effect of complications on neurodevelopment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data and follow-up data of hospitalized preterm infants were retrospectively studied. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development was used to assess the neurodevelopmental level. Preterm infants were divided into groups according to gestational age, birth weight, and the presence or absence of complications. The mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) were compared between groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the corrected age of 1 year, compared with the late preterm infants, the early preterm infants had significantly lower MDI and PDI (P<0.05) and significantly higher rates of retarded intellectual and psychomotor development (P<0.01). Compared with the normal birth weight group, the low birth weight group had significantly lower MDI and PDI (P<0.01) and significantly higher rates of retarded intellectual and psychomotor development (P<0.01). The preterm infants with hyperbilirubinemia, birth asphyxia or neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) had significantly lower MDI and PDI than those without such complications (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Lower gestational age and birth weight are associated with worse intellectual and psychomotor development in preterm infants. Complications, such as hyperbilirubinemia, birth asphyxia and NRDS, have adverse effects on neurodevelopment of preterm infants.</p>

Neurobehavioral development in preterm infants: a retrospective study of 181 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the results of Gesell Developmental Scale in follow-up of preterm infants and to determine possible high-risk factors for poor long-term neurological outcome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A preterm infants' questionnaire was designed, and a retrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 181 preterm infants (corrected age 2-12 months) and their mothers. The developmental quotient (DQ) scores were determined by the Gesell Developmental Scale and statistically analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those with a birth weight (BW) of ≥1 500 g, the preterm infants with a BW of <1 500 g had significantly reduced DQ scores of adaptability, gross motor movement, and fine movement (P<0.05). Compared with those with a gestational age (GA) of ≥32 weeks, the preterm infants with a GA of <32 weeks had significantly reduced DQ scores of adaptability, gross motor movement, fine movement, and social contact (P<0.05). DQ scores on five Gesell subscales were significantly positively correlated with GA and BW (P<0.05). The DQ scores on Gesell subscales showed a significant negative correlation with severe complications in neonatal period (P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For preterm infants, BW <1 500 g and GA <32 weeks are high-risk factors for abnormal adaptability, gross motor movement, fine movement, and social contact, and this group of infants should be followed up closely. Severe complications in neonatal period may be associated with poor long-term neurological outcome and should be effectively prevented and treated.</p>