Analysis of the AAC and ADC as recorded with a high resolution fECG recorder may differentiate better between normal and SFD fetuses than STV.

werden die 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 10., 25., 50., 75., 90., 95., 96., 97., 98. und 99. Perzentilwerte für das Geburtsgewicht, die Länge, den Kopfumfang und das längenbezogene Geburtsgewicht für Mädchen und Knaben angegeben. Gegenüber den bisherigen deutschen Standardwerten von 1992 [1, 2] erfolgt damit eine Präzisierung der Werte, insbesondere im unteren Schwangerschaftsbereich. Folgende Verbesserungen bzw. Veränderungen zu den Werten von 1992 wurden vorgenommen: 1. Durch die hohe Fallzahl konnten die Perzentilwerte schon ab 20 vollendeten Schwangerschaftswochen angegeben werden. 2. Die Berechung der Perzentilwerte erfolgte mithilfe des arithmetischen Mittelwertes (x ) und der Standardabweichung (s) unter der Voraussetzung des Vorliegens einer Normalverteilung der einzelnen Körpermaße. Mit dieser Methode konnten "stark" differenzierte Perzentilwerte berechnet werden. 3. Um den internationalen Anforderungen gerecht zu werden, wurden auch die Werte x -2 s und x + 2 s ausgewiesen. Wir hoffen, dass diese neuen Perzentilwerte nach der Publizierung zur somatischen Klassifikation der Neugeborenen schnelle Anwendung finden und damit die Werte von 1992 ablö- AbstractBased on the perinatal data from 1995 -2000, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 25th 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th, 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th percentile values for birth weight, size (length), head circumference, and for length-related birth weight are presented for girls and boys. These data represent more precise percentile values, particularly for the early gestational weeks compared to the currently used German standard data from 1992 [1, 2]. The following updates and modifications were made to the values from 1992: 1. Due to the large number of probands, we were able to establish percentile values already from the 20th completed week of gestation. 2. The calculation of the percentile values was made by means of the arithmetic mean (x ) and the standard deviation (s), provided that the individual somatic measures were normally distributed. With this method, strongly differentiated percentile values could also be calculated. 3. In order to meet international standards, the values x -2 s and x + 2 s are stated as well. We hope that the published percentile values will be applied soon for the somatic classification of newborns and that the data from 1992 will be replaced. For easier use a software programme will be available in the near future. Originalarbeit 956Institutsangaben

Recent observational studies suggest that mean birth weight and body fat growth in the first year of life have increased continuously over the last decades. Both elevated birth weight and early fat mass are potential risk factors for childhood obesity. Experimental and limited clinical data suggest that the dietary ratio of n–6 to n–3 fatty acids (FAs) during pregnancy is critical for early adipose tissue growth. The aim of this randomized controlled study is to examine the effect of the supplementation with n–3 long-chain polyunsaturated FAs and reduction in the n–6/n–3 ratio in the diet of pregnant women/breast-feeding mothers on adipose tissue growth in their newborns using various methods for the assessment of body fat mass. Measurement of skinfold thickness in the newborn is the primary outcome parameter. Two hundred and four pregnant women will be recruited before the 15th week of gestation and randomly assigned to either active intervention or an isocaloric control diet. This upcoming study will explore the potential of this dietary approach to limit early adipose tissue growth and may contribute to the development of a new strategy for the primary prevention of childhood obesity.

Myelomeningocele is a common dysraphic defect leading to severe impairment throughout the patient’s lifetime. Although surgical closure of this anomaly is usually performed in the early postnatal period, an estimated 330 cases of intrauterine repair have been performed in a few specialized centers worldwide. It was hoped prenatal intervention would improve the prognosis of affected patients, and preliminary findings suggest a reduced incidence of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus, as well as an improvement in hindbrain herniation. However, the expectations for improved neurological outcome have not been fulfilled and not all patients benefit from fetal surgery in the same way. Therefore, a multicenter randomized controlled trial was initiated in the USA to compare intrauterine with conventional postnatal care, in order to establish the procedure-related benefits and risks. The primary study endpoints include the need for shunt at 1 year of age, and fetal and infant mortality. No data from the trial will be published before the final analysis has been completed in 2008, and until then, the number of centers offering intrauterine MMC repair in the USA is limited to 3 in order to prevent the uncontrolled proliferation of new centers offering this procedure. In future, refined, risk-reduced surgical techniques and new treatment options for preterm labor and preterm rupture of the membranes are likely to reduce associated maternal and fetal risks and improve outcome, but further research will be needed.