Violent Female Offenders Compared With Violent Male Offenders on Psychological Determinants of Aggressive Behavior.

Psychological determinants of aggressive behavior (personality traits and problem behaviors) in 59 Dutch female offenders (outpatients and detainees) were compared with those in 170 male offenders (outpatients and detainees) who were all convicted of a violent crime. The violent female offenders scored significantly higher on neuroticism and trait anger, and significantly lower on hostility than the male offenders; however, effect sizes were small. A subgroup of female forensic psychiatric outpatients did not differ from a subgroup of male outpatients on all measures, whereas a subgroup of female detainees scored significantly higher on anger and aggression, but lower on hostility and psychopathy than did a subgroup of male detainees. These first results might indicate that violent female offenders do not differ much from violent male offenders regarding personality traits and problem behaviors. The differences between both groups of violent offenders were largely borne by the subgroup of violent female detainees compared with the subgroup of violent male detainees.

Are Child Abusers Sexually Attracted to Submissiveness? Assessment of Sex-Related Cognition With the Implicit Association Test.

Child sexual abuse is associated with social anxiety, low self-esteem, and intimacy deficits. This, in combination with the core belief of a dangerous world, might suggest that child abusers are sexually attracted to submissiveness. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) was used to examine this hypothesis. Results indicated that child abusers have a stronger sexual preference for submissiveness than rapists, although there were no differences between child abusers and non-sexual offenders. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that submissive-sexy associations have incremental value over child-sex associations in differentiating child abusers from other offenders. The predictive value of both implicit associations was explored by correlating IAT scores with measures for recidivism risk, aggression, and interpersonal anxiety. Child abusers with stronger child-sex associations reported higher levels of interpersonal anxiety and hostility. More research on implicit cognition in sex offenders is required for a better understanding of what these and similar implicit measures are exactly measuring and what role implicit cognition may play in sexual offending.

The four-factor model of the Psychopathy Checklist--Revised: validation in a Dutch forensic inpatient sample.

In The Netherlands, the Ministry of Security and Justice requires the assessment of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991; Hare, 2003) in all forensic psychiatric inpatients. To examine the four-factor structure of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using a Dutch sample of forensic psychiatric inpatients (N=411) and the results indicated acceptable fit. Also, using multiple group CFA, the four-factor model provided an acceptable fit in both patients with a personality disorder and patients with a psychotic disorder, and there was reasonably good evidence of measurement invariance between these two subgroups. Furthermore, correlations with external measures of aggression and personality traits provided additional support for the validity of the four-factor model in patients with a personality disorder. In patients with a psychotic disorder fewer significant correlations with external measures were found. Taken together, the results support the use of the four-factor structure in Dutch offenders who are detained under hospital order.

Aggression Replacement Training for Violent Young Men in a Forensic Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic.

The effects of Aggression Replacement Training (ART) were explored in a group of Dutch violent young men aged 16 to 21 years, who were obliged by the court to follow a treatment program in a forensic psychiatric outpatient clinic. To evaluate the training, patients completed a set of self-report questionnaires at three moments in time: at intake/before a waiting period, after the waiting period/before the training, and after the training. During the waiting period, the patients did not change on most measures, although they displayed a significant increase in anger. The patients who completed the therapy scored significantly lower on psychopathy than the patients who dropped out. The training produced significant decreases in physical aggression and social anxiety and showed trends toward a decline in self-reported hostility, general aggression, and anger. After the training, the patients scored comparably with a reference group on measures of hostility and aggressive behavior. Altogether, these results provide tentative support for the efficacy of the ART for violent young men referred to forensic psychiatric outpatient settings.

[Anthropometric patterns in non-Caucasian full-term neonates of African, Moroccan and South American origin born in Catalonia (Spain)]. / Patrones antropométricos de los recién nacidos a término de grupos étnicos de raza no caucásica procedentes de Africa subsahariana, Marruecos y Sudamérica nacidos en Cataluña.

INTRODUCTION: The rise in immigration to Spain in recent decades has increased the number of non-Caucasian newborns in our environment. The aims of this study were to establish normal intrauterine development values for weight, length and head circumference in a population of non-Caucasian full-term newborns (FTN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 2,444 healthy full-term singleton newborns (37-42 weeks' gestational age; 1,230 boys, 1,214 girls) with the following ethnic origins: black (n =1,257; 622 boys, 635 girls), Moroccan (n =520; 297 boys, 223 girls) and South-American (n =667; 356 boys, 311 girls). Mean values and standard deviations were estimated for each week of gestation for sex and race and these values were compared with those of a Spanish population of the same gestational age and sex. RESULTS: Anthropometric values in black FTN were similar to those of the Catalan population. By contrast, these values were higher in Moroccans and South-American FTN than in the native population. Statistically-significant differences were observed in all the parameters evaluated from the 38th week of gestation in full-term Moroccan newborns compared with the reference population. Statistically significant differences were observed in full-term South-American newborns from the 38th week of gestation in girls and from the 40th week in boys. The presence of sexual dimorphism in the anthropometric patterns evaluated was not constant at all the gestational ages evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric patterns of the Spanish Caucasian FTN population are not extrapolable to FTN of other ethnicities.

Patrones antropométricos de los recién nacidos a término de grupos étnicos de raza no caucásica procedentes de África subsahariana, Marruecos y Sudamérica nacidos en Cataluña / Anthropometric patterns in non-Caucasian full-term neonates of African, Moroccan and South American origin born in Catalonia (Spain)

Introducción El incremento de la inmigración en las últimas décadas en España ha determinado un aumento del número de recién nacidos de raza no caucásica en nuestro medio. El objetivo fue establecer los valores de normalidad de desarrollo intrauterino del peso, la longitud y el perímetro craneal de una población de recién nacidos a término (RNAT) de raza no caucásica. Pacientes y métodos Se han incluido un total de 2.444 recién nacidos de 37-42 semanas de gestación (1.230 varones, 1.214 mujeres), producto de gestaciones únicas, sin malformaciones congénitas y de curso normal de los siguientes grupos étnicos de raza no caucásica y procedentes de África subsahariana (raza negra) (n 5 1.257; 622 niños, 635 niñas), de origen marroquí (n 5 520; 297 niños, 223 niñas) y de Sudamérica (n 5 667; 356 niños, 311 niñas). Se han calculado los valores de la media y las desviaciones típicas para cada semana de gestación de cada sexo y raza. Los resultados obtenidos se han comparado con relación a los de la población autóctona. Resultados Los valores antropométricos de los RNAT de raza negra son similares a los valores de la población catalana. Sin embargo estos valores son superiores en los recién nacidos de origen marroquí y sudamericanos con respecto a la población de referencia. Las diferencias son estadísticamente significativas en todos los parámetros evaluados a partir de las 38 semanas de gestación en la población de origen marroquí con relación a la población catalana. En la población sudamericana se han observado diferencias estadísticamente significativas a partir de la 38 semana de gestación en las niñas y a partir de la 40 semana de gestación en los niños. La existencia de dimorfismo sexual en los parámetros antropométricos evaluados no es constante en todas las edades gestacionales consideradas. Conclusiones Los patrones antropométricos de la población de RNAT de raza caucásica y nacionalidad española no son extrapolables a la hora de evaluar un RNAT de otro grupo étnico

Introduction The rise in immigration to Spain in recent decades has increased the number of non-Caucasian newborns in our environment. The aims of this study were to establish normal intrauterine development values for weight, length and head circumference in a population of non-Caucasian full-term newborns (FTN). Patients and methods We studied 2,444 healthy full-term singleton newborns (37-42 weeks' gestational age; 1,230 boys, 1,214 girls) with the following ethnic origins: black (n 5 1,257; 622 boys, 635 girls), Moroccan (n 5 520; 297 boys, 223 girls) and South-American (n 5 667; 356 boys, 311 girls). Mean values and standard deviations were estimated for each week of gestation for sex and race and these values were compared with those of a Spanish population of the same gestational age and sex. Results Anthropometric values in black FTN were similar to those of the Catalan population. By contrast, these values were higher in Moroccans and South-American FTN than in the native population. Statistically-significant differences were observed in all the parameters evaluated from the 38th week of gestation in full-term Moroccan newborns compared with the reference population. Statistically significant differences were observed in full-term South-American newborns from the 38th week of gestation in girls and from the 40th week in boys. The presence of sexual dimorphism in the anthropometric patterns evaluated was not constant at all the gestational ages evaluated. Conclusions Anthropometric patterns of the Spanish Caucasian FTN population are not extrapolable to FTN of other ethnicities

Trastornos endocrinológicos del recién nacido pretérmino / No disponible

No disponible

Patrones antropométricos de los recién nacidos pretérmino y a término (24-42 semanas de edad gestacional) en el Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona) (1997-2002) / Anthropometric growth patterns of preterm and full-term newborns (24-42 weeks´ gestational age) at the Hospital Materno Infantil Vall D´Hebron (Barcelona, Spain) 1997-2002

Antecedentes y objetivo La edad gestacional, el peso y la longitud al nacimiento son factores predictivos de morbilidad neonatal y en la edad adulta. Hemos valorado estos parámetros en una población de recién nacidos pretérmino y a término. Sujetos y métodos Análisis retrospectivo del peso, longitud vértice-talón y perímetro cefálico al nacimiento, en 1.470 recién nacidos vivos de gestaciones únicas de 24-36 semanas de edad gestacional, entre 1997 y 2002. Análisis prospectivo de los mismos parámetros en 1.786 recién nacidos vivos de gestaciones únicas de 37 a 42 semanas de curso no complicado, durante 2001 y 2002. Todos nacieron en el Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron de Barcelona y únicamente se han incluido recién nacidos de raza blanca de padres nacidos en España. En el grupo de 37-42 semanas de edad gestacional todas las mediciones fueron realizadas por un único investigador. Resultados Se presentan los valores de la media y desviación estándar, y los de la distribución percentilada del peso, longitud y perímetro craneal en los recién nacidos de ambos sexos según su edad gestacional. Existe un incremento progresivo con la edad gestacional y un dimorfismo sexual a partir de la semana 30 de gestación con diferencias estadísticamente significativas para todos los parámetros (p 0,05). Los valores del percentil 10 (P10) de peso y longitud de nuestra población son superiores a los de otras poblaciones de España publicadas en 1988 y 1996. Conclusiones Existe un dimorfismo sexual en los parámetros antropométricos de los recién nacidos y éstos varían con el devenir del tiempo, siendo precisa su actualización periódica (AU)

[Anthropometric growth patterns of preterm and full-term newborns (24-42 weeks' gestational age) at the Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona)(1997-2002]. / Patrones antropométricos de los recién nacidos pretérmino y a término (24-42 semanas de edad gestacional) en el Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona) (1997-2002).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gestational age and neonatal anthropometric parameters are significant predictive factors of neonatal and adult morbidity. Our objective was to evaluate these parameters in a population of preterm and full-term newborns. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed neonatal anthropometric parameters (weight, vertex-heel length and head circumference) in 1470 live preterm neonates born at 24-36 weeks' gestation between 1997 and 2002. The same parameters were prospectively analyzed in 1786 live newborns born at 37-42 weeks after uncomplicated pregnancies between 2001 and 2002. All preterm and full-term neonates were the result of single pregnancies and were born at the Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona. Only Caucasian neonates whose parents were born in Spain were included. In the group of full-term neonates all measurements were made by the same researcher. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation and percentile distribution values of weight, length and head circumference according to sex and gestational age are presented. These parameters progressively increased with gestational age and sexual dimorphism from the 30th week of gestation onwards, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) for all parameters at 38-42 weeks' gestational age. The mean gains in male full-term newborns compared with female full-term newborns were: 129.1 g of weight, 0.68 cm of length and 0.45 cm of head circumference (P < 0.05). In our population, 10th percentile values for weight and length were higher than those in other Spanish populations reported in 1988 and 1996. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dimorphism was found in intrauterine anthropometric growth parameters. These parameters change over time and should be updated periodically.

Leptin values in placental cord blood of human newborns with normal intrauterine growth after 30-42 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate leptin values in placental cord blood of newborns with normal intrauterine growth after 30-42 weeks of gestation. DESIGN: Leptin, a protein encoded by the ob gene, plays an important role in the regulation of feeding behaviour and energy balance in rodents, primates and humans. The presence of leptin in human amniotic fluid and cord blood has recently been reported in human gestations at term and the possible role of leptin in human fetal growth suggested. However, little is known of leptin synthesis during human foetal development. Thus, the aim of our work was to measure leptin (RIA, Linco Research, Inc.) in placental cord blood of human newborns at different fetal ages. PATIENTS: One hundred and twenty-six healthy newborns with normal intrauterine growth were studied. Twenty-nine were preterm (15 males and 14 females; gestational age: 30-36 weeks) and 99 were at term (49 males and 48 females; gestational age: 37-42 weeks). RESULTS: Leptin values increase progressively throughout gestation from 1.30 +/- 0.53 ng/ml at 30 weeks of gestation to 7.98 +/- 4.96 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) at term, and correlate positively with birth weight (r = 0.56, p < 0. 005, n = 126), length (r = 0.37, p < 0.005, n = 126), BMI (r = 0.57, p < 0.005, n = 126), head circumference (r = 0.37, p < 0.005, n = 126), gestational age (r = 0.48, p < 0.005, n = 126) and placental weight (r = 0.38, p < 0.003, n = 59). Leptin values are statistically significantly lower (p < 0.005) preterm (median: 2.05 ng/ml; range: 0.7-8.3 ng/ml) than at term (median: 7.0 ng/ml; range: 1.1-28.1 ng/ml). Leptin values are also significantly (p < 0.005) higher in females (median: 7.2 ng/ml; range: 0.9-23.6 ng/ml, n = 62) than in males (median: 4.8 ng/ml; range: 0.7-28.1 ng/ml, n = 64), although there are no differences in weight (2,864 +/- 536 g in females vs. 2,937 +/- 744 g in males). Multiple regression analysis shows weight to be a positive sex-independent predictor of serum leptin values (p < 0.0005). Sex also proves to be a predictor of leptin, independently of weight and is higher in females than in males (p < 0.003). CONCLUSION: Leptin is present in placental human cord blood after 30-42 weeks of gestation. Newborn weight and sex are independent predictors of leptin values.

Organic acids in urine from preterm infants.

The organic acid excretion was studied in urine samples from 26 preterm infants on the 1st and 5th days of life and the results compared to those obtained in 5 samples from full-term neonates. Gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry with a computer system was the method used in this work. The acids tabulated were those more closely related to lactic acidosis and the Krebs cycle. Great variations were found in the excretion of these acids in preterm infants in contrast to the very homogeneous pattern obtained in full-term neonates.