Early human development最新文献

{"title":"Universal maternal testing for group B streptococcus in late pregnancy: process outcomes and alongside qualitative study for the GBS3 trial","authors":"Jane P. Daniels ,&nbsp;Kate F. Walker ,&nbsp;Lucy Bradshaw ,&nbsp;Jon Dorling ,&nbsp;Shalini Ojha ,&nbsp;James Gray ,&nbsp;James G. Thornton ,&nbsp;Jane Plumb ,&nbsp;Stavros Petrou ,&nbsp;Susan Ayers ,&nbsp;Eleanor Mitchell ,&nbsp;Soo Downe ,&nbsp;Nicky Grace ,&nbsp;Tracey Cooper ,&nbsp;Rachel Plachcinski ,&nbsp;Sarah Moore ,&nbsp;Ann-Marie Jones ,&nbsp;Eleanor Harrison ,&nbsp;Joanne Brooks ,&nbsp;Kerry Barker-Williams ,&nbsp;Sebastian Moody","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106442","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106442","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>One in five pregnant women/birthing people carry group B streptococcus in the gut or genital tract, and over half of them will pass it to their child during pregnancy, labour (most commonly) or after birth. Most babies exposed to maternal GBS remain well, but 1 in 1750 newborns in the UK and Ireland develop early-onset GBS infection. Introducing routine testing for group B streptococcus (GBS) for all pregnant women and birthing people in late pregnancy may reduce cases of early-onset infection in the newborn but would likely increase the number of women given antibiotics during labour.</div><div>The GBS3 trial (ISRCTN49639731) is a cluster-randomised trial involving approximately 320,000 women/birthing people from 80 maternity units in England and Wales. It will determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of routine testing, compared to the current risk-factor based strategy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To obtain details of the timing, coverage and outcome of the testing process and use of IAP, about 130 consecutive maternity records of women who birthed after 32 weeks’ gestation and who were not scheduled for a planned caesarean birth, and the corresponding neonatal records, were scrutinised at each participating maternity unit.</div><div>We performed a baseline qualitative study to inform the trial design to explore women’s views on the acceptability of different methods of GBS testing in pregnancy, including self-swabbing procedures.</div><div>We explored the acceptability of different methods of routine testing for GBS colonisation to pregnant women and health care professionals (HCPs), and examined the barriers and facilitators to their implementation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We received detailed demographic data for 9179 women. Overall, in both testing groups, 72 % of women were offered a vaginal-rectal swab for GBS. Of those women offered a swab, 82 % accepted a vaginal-rectal swab. Of the women with a swab taken, 17 % were positive for GBS. 87 % of women had a test result ≥ 4 hours before birth.</div><div>Our baseline and embedded qualitative studies found that GBS testing is acceptable to most women and HCPs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>GBS testing is acceptable to pregnant women and health care professionals in the UK. When GBS testing is offered to eligible women, the offer is accepted, the test performed and a result available to guide the offer of IAP in a timely fashion for the majority of women.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 106442"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145654114","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictive factors of surgery in congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract: Insights from a monocentric cohort study","authors":"Ashley Xavérine Wiseman ,&nbsp;Isabelle Vidal ,&nbsp;Christophe Combescure ,&nbsp;Cecilia Dallan ,&nbsp;Alexandra Wilhelm-Bals ,&nbsp;Maria Rodriguez ,&nbsp;Paloma Parvex ,&nbsp;Jacques Birraux","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Congenital malformations of the kidney and/or urinary tract (CAKUT) are nowadays widely detected prenatally and are the first cause of end-stage renal disease and kidney transplantation in children.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The aim of this study is to explore potential prenatal and postnatal factors associated with the need for postnatal surgery in children prenatally diagnosed with CAKUT.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patient data has been prospectively collected from a monocentric database. Were included children diagnosed with CAKUT at the time of routine prenatal ultrasound, between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2015. Only children with at least 12 months postnatal follow-up were analyzed. Prenatal and postnatal imaging, laboratory results and operative reports were retrospectively reviewed. Based on their CAKUT diagnosis at birth, patients were divided in three groups: high, intermediate, low likelihood of requiring surgical management. Patients from the intermediate sub-group were further analyzed to determine potential clinical or radiological factors associated with need for surgery.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>147 patients were included. In total, 39 patients with CAKUT required surgery (26 %). Mean time to surgery was 6 months (0–62 months). 105/147 (71 %) patients had intermediate likelihood of requiring surgical management for their postnatal CAKUT diagnosis. In this subgroup, 30/105 patients (28 %) were operated on. A visible ureter on prenatal ultrasound and an anterior posterior renal pelvis diameter ≥ 10 mm, were associated with postnatal surgical management in our practice.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Prenatal and postnatal ultrasound are important non-invasive tools to detect children with a prenatal CAKUT diagnosis that may require surgery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 106439"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145563254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of endotracheal tube position changes due to neck rotation in newborns","authors":"Hidehiko Maruyama,&nbsp;Shoichiro Amari,&nbsp;Tetsuya Isayama,&nbsp;Yushi Ito","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>There are few reports describing endotracheal tube (ETT) position changes due to neck rotation. Modifying ultrasonographic measurements of ETT tip and aortic distance, we aim to clarify the ETT tip position changes due to neck rotation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Eligibility criteria: (1) birth between October 2022 and September 2023, between 32 and 41 gestational weeks, (2) ventilatory management with ETT fixed at the left mouth corner, and (3) physician judgment that respiratory and circulatory status is relatively stable. We measured the distance between the brachiocephalic artery bifurcation and the ETT tip on one plane in a close parasagittal section from the left neck. We compared them with the neck in right, neutral, and left rotation positions as distances <em>R</em>, <em>N</em>, and <em>L</em>, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There were 30 study subjects. The means ± standard deviations of distances <em>R</em>, <em>N</em>, and <em>L</em> were 10.4 ± 2.1, 12.9 ± 3.5, and 13.7 ± 3.3 mm, respectively. Repeated measures analysis of variance found significant differences between groups (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). A significant difference was found between distances <em>R</em> and <em>N</em> (mean difference − 2.50 [95 % confidence interval, −3.58, −1.42]) and between <em>R</em> and <em>L</em> (−3.31 [−4.72, −1.91]).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The tip position of ETT secured at the left mouth corner was significantly deeper in the right rotation neck position. In addition to left-right neck rotation, flexion-extension neck movement greatly affects ETT position change. Therefore, we must take care of neck movement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 106436"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145479116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reference curves of first-trimester novel measurements of the fetal urinary tract using three-dimensional ultrasound and Virtual Reality","authors":"K. Zandbergen ,&nbsp;A.G.M.G.J. Mulders ,&nbsp;L. van der Bas ,&nbsp;A.H.J. Koning ,&nbsp;S. Galjaard ,&nbsp;J. Mulder ,&nbsp;E.A.P. Steegers ,&nbsp;M. Rousian","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this research was to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of first-trimester biometric and volumetric measurements of the fetal urinary tract (FUT) using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) and Virtual Reality (VR), and to establish reference curves. In a prospective cohort, 2D- and 3D-US datasets of pregnancies (gestational age (GA) 11⁺⁰–14⁺⁶ weeks) were obtained. Novel biometric and volumetric FUT measurements were performed using 3D VR and compared with 2D US measurements. Reproducibility was evaluated through intra-, interobserver and intersystem agreement (ICC, Bland-Altman). All measurements were plotted against GA to create reference curves. A total of 108 3D-US datasets (mean GA 12⁺⁶ weeks (SD 5 days) mean CRL 67 mm (SD 9.0 mm)) were selected randomly. Using 3D VR, intra- and interobserver analyses showed moderate-good agreement for all FUT measurements (ICCs &gt;0.77) and renal calyces (ICCs 0.51–0.83). Volumetric measurements showed the highest agreement (ICC &gt;0.96). Comparison of 2D-US and 3D VR demonstrated good agreement (ICC 0.81). Mean relative differences were &lt;10 % for all measurements except coronal renal calyx measurements. All FUT dimensions increased with GA and reference curve were constructed. First-trimester FUT measurements using 3D VR are feasible and reproducible, except for renal calyces. These measurements provide an in-vivo description of early FUT growth with potential diagnostic value for anomalies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 106441"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Five-year outcomes after cooling for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and predictive value of aEEG","authors":"Dorian Blommaert ,&nbsp;Arend F. Bos ,&nbsp;Anne E. den Heijer ,&nbsp;Hendrik J. ter Horst","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106455","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is standard practice for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Persistently abnormal amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) background patterns are associated with adverse outcomes. We aimed to determine neurodevelopmental outcomes at age five and the predictive value of aEEG.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>We studied infants with HIE treated with TH between 2013 and 2018. At age five, we assessed motor (neurological examination, movement-ABC) and cognitive outcomes. We classified children as developing typically (IQ ≥ 85 and M-ABC &gt; p16), mildly abnormal (IQ 70–84 and/or cerebral palsy with GMFCS 1–2 and/or M-ABC ≤ p16), and severely abnormal (IQ &lt; 70 and/or cerebral palsy GMFCS &gt;2). During the first 96 h after birth, we assessed aEEG background patterns and presence of seizures.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Out of 95 infants 14 (15 %) died and we lost 18 (22 %) survivors to follow-up. At age five, 33 (52 %) were developing typically, 21 (33 %) mildly abnormal, and 9 (14 %) severely abnormal. A severely abnormal aEEG at 48 h was the best predictor for death/severely abnormal outcome with a PPV of 88 %, and a PPV of 71 % for severe disability in survivors. Children with death/severely abnormal outcomes had electrographic seizures more frequently and a higher seizure burden than children developing typically/mildly abnormal (61 % vs 11 %, <em>P</em> &lt; .001, median 40 vs 0 min, <em>P</em> &lt; .001. Absence of electrographic seizures was highly predictive (NPV 92 %) of typical/mildly abnormal outcome in survivors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Among survivors, five-year outcomes after TH were favorable. aEEG background patterns at 48 h and seizure burden were reliable predictors of five-year outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 106455"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wireless monitoring directly after birth in term neonates: A feasibility study","authors":"Marisse Meeus ,&nbsp;Heleen Dingemanse ,&nbsp;Corrie Jacobs ,&nbsp;Maartje van Dalen ,&nbsp;Anne Nieuwenhuis ,&nbsp;Julie Lateur ,&nbsp;Irma Pernot","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the suitability (feasibility and ease of use) of a novel, wireless, non-adhesive device for cardiorespiratory monitoring directly after birth.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>Prospective observational study in which monitor data of healthy newborn infants were collected by applying and connecting a wireless belt directly after birth without skin preparation. Study duration was at least 30 min. Data were retrospectively analyzed. Primary endpoint was the success of displaying HR and RR within two minutes after device application. Secondary endpoints were the continuity and reliability of the monitor data throughout the monitored period, and the caregivers experience of ease of device application.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>As per sample size calculation, monitor data were collected in 39 infants. The measurement was successful in all 39 cases, with a median time to signal display of 4 s (IQR: 3.0–5.0), maximum 91 s. The time needed to obtain a signal did not depend on the degree of vernix. With regard to continuity of data registration, heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) signals were detectable for 94 % of the time (HR 94 %, RR 97 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A new wireless device was feasible for cardiorespiratory monitoring directly after birth without preparing the wet skin and without disturbing parent-infant skin to skin interaction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 106454"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Longitudinal changes in infant non-nutritive sucking across the first year of life","authors":"Alaina Martens ,&nbsp;Natalie Peterman ,&nbsp;Kristen Allison ,&nbsp;Katharine Radville ,&nbsp;Hayden Kamiya ,&nbsp;Emily Zimmerman","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-nutritive suck (NNS; sucking without feeding) is among the earliest oromotor behaviors in infants and has been shown to be associated with future neurodevelopmental outcomes. Prior work has shown that by 12 months, NNS bursts become shorter and stronger compared to 3 months, but when this shift occurs within the first year remains unclear. Twenty-four full-term infants participated in this prospective, longitudinal study with repeated measures at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Infants sucked on a custom pacifier with a pressure transducer for ∼5 min. NNS outcomes included burst duration (s), frequency (Hz), amplitude (cmH₂O), bursts/min, cycles/burst, and cycles/min. As infants aged, their NNS patterns changed significantly. By nine months, the suck duration, bursts/min, cycles/burst, and cycles/min had decreased and by twelve months, these measures showed even further reduction, reflecting continued changes in sucking across the first year of life. The most pronounced NNS changes occurred between 6 and 9 months, coinciding with the introduction of solids and a decreased reliance on NNS. These findings highlight when NNS patterns shift during infancy, providing a reference for identifying age-appropriate targets for infants. This study emphasizes the dynamic nature of NNS during infancy and underscores the need for further assessment and exploration of its developmental trajectory.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 106440"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145667732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early language delay among infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy after therapeutic hypothermia: A prospective cohort study","authors":"Zsuzsanna Varga ,&nbsp;Miklós Szabó ,&nbsp;Tamás Kói ,&nbsp;Bence Kas ,&nbsp;Nóra Nyilas ,&nbsp;Anna Dósa ,&nbsp;Dóra Luca Bodócs ,&nbsp;Ágnes Jermendy ,&nbsp;Anett Ragó","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To assess early language development in infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) who survived without functional motor deficits, and to identify potential neonatal predictive markers for early language delay (ELD).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In a prospective cohort study, 77 infants with HIE treated with TH were recruited. Cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition, and language development using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory in follow-up studies at a median age of 20 months.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirty-two (41 %) infants had favorable cognitive and language development (FCLD group), 19 (25 %) exhibited ELD despite good cognitive skills, and 26 (34 %) showed concomitant adverse cognitive and language development (ACLD group). Despite differences in cognitive outcomes, the language profiles of the ELD and ACLD groups were comparable. No early clinical, socioeconomical, or MRI markers predicted language delay. However, maternal education was strongly associated with cognitive outcomes. Compared with maternal university education, infants of mothers with high school education had 3.9-fold higher odds (95 % CI 1.08–13.97) of adverse cognitive outcomes, and those with maternal elementary school education had 10.2-fold higher odds (95 % CI 2.56–40.31).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>One-third of infants with HIE demonstrated favorable cognitive outcomes but concurrent early language delay, highlighting the need for linguistic screening to prevent later learning disorders. Longitudinal studies are warranted to determine whether ELD infants eventually catch up or remain at risk for persistent language deficits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 106444"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health-related quality of life in school-aged children born very preterm and/or with very low birth weight compared to term-born peers in Southern Brazil","authors":"Rafael Oliveira Fernandes ,&nbsp;Simone Lanius dos Reis ,&nbsp;Joana da Costa Eschiletti ,&nbsp;Julia Jaekel ,&nbsp;Renato Soibelmann Procianoy ,&nbsp;Rita C. Silveira","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Of 13.4 million children born preterm each year globally, 12 million are born in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Children born very preterm (&lt;32 weeks gestation; VP) and/or with very low birth weight (&lt;1500 g; VLBW) may grow up with low health-related quality of life (HRQoL); however, information on this topic remains scarce in LMICs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare HRQoL between children born VP/VLBW and their term-born peers in Brazil.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This observational study assessed children born VP and/or VLBW compared with term-born peers, aged 8 to 14 years. Clinical evaluations and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0) were administered.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 140 children were evaluated: 81 in the VP/VLBW group (11.4 ± 1.7 years; 42 girls and 39 boys) and 59 in the term-born group (mean age: 11.0 ± 1.2 years; 26 girls and 33 boys). Preterm children reported lower total HRQoL scores compared to the term-born group, after adjusting for biological and social confounders (mean difference − 5.6 [95 % CI: −10.0, –1.2]). Parents of VP/VLBW group rated their children's total HRQoL as lower (mean difference − 7.5 [95 % CI: −12.8, −2.1]), especially in the psychosocial scores (mean difference − 8.4 [95 % CI: −13.7, −3.2]) compared to parents of term-born children. VP/VLBW girls presented the lowest total HRQoL scores, especially in the emotional dimension. Neonatal morbidities did not impact HRQoL within the VP/VLBW group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>School-aged children born VP/VLBW in an LMIC exhibit lower HRQoL than their term-born peers. Particular attention should be paid to HRQoL among girls born VP/VLBW and how it may affect their mental health needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 106411"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145369777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic hypothermia in mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy: A clinical dilemma with uncertain long-term outcomes","authors":"Ceyda Acun ,&nbsp;Rakesh Lavu ,&nbsp;Wei Liu ,&nbsp;Nicholas Nicoletti ,&nbsp;Jennifer Ramsey ,&nbsp;Hany Aly","doi":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106427","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106427","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate short-term and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18–24 months in infants with mild hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH), a population with limited long-term outcome data.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>We conducted a retrospective cohort study of neonates ≥36 weeks gestational age (GA) diagnosed with mild HIE and treated with TH at a single center from March 2017 to February 2022. Neonates with severe congenital malformations or chromosomal anomalies were excluded. Data were extracted from medical charts of eligible neonates and their mothers. Outcomes assessed included short-term measures (neuroimaging findings, seizure incidence, length of hospital stay (LOS), and background electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities) and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development) at 18–24 months or pediatrician-documented developmental delays.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 64 infants meeting inclusion criteria, 17 (27 %) had MRI findings consistent with HIE, and 8 (13 %) experienced seizures. Long-term outcome data were available for 57 (89 %); of whom 9 (16 %) had abnormal outcomes. Among the 39 infants who underwent Bayley assessment at 22 ± 2 months, 6 (15 %) scored &lt;85 in language, cognitive, or motor domains. Of the 17 infants without Bayley assessment but with pediatrician follow-up, 3 (18 %) had documented developmental delays.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although TH is increasingly applied to mild HIE, evidence on long-term benefit remains scarce. In our cohort, infants with mild HIE treated with TH exhibited seizures, MRI abnormalities, and developmental impairments, underscoring the persistent risk of morbidity. These findings highlight the limited outcome data available and the urgent need for well designed prospective studies to clarify the role of TH in mild HIE.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11435,"journal":{"name":"Early human development","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 106427"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145408183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}