New fetal growth cur ye^ for Japanese. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 319 62. New fetal growth curves for Japanese have been made with the moperation of 37 major medical centers throughout Japan by the sponsorship of the Mwstry of Health. They are reliable in regard to the adequacy of the sample number, the accuracy of the data on gestatkmd age and tbe proper processes of composing growth curves. Effect of sex and parity are signUlcant on wight but not on length and head circumference growth curves. The light-for-dates infant is deflned as below mean -1.5 SD by the statistic analysis of their morbidity. Tbepo new offMel fetal growth curves will solve current confusion of sweral fetal growth c u m from different institutions in Japan. Key words: Fetal growth c u m , s d -f o r -&a& infant.

No abstract

An epidemiological survey was carried out to examine the present situation with respect to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Kanagawa Prefecture. Questionnaires on sudden unexpected death of infants aged < 1 year in 1990‐91 were sent to the hospitals and clinics in Kanagawa Prefecture which may take care of such infants. By analysing information from 10 485 replies, 48 out of 73 reported sudden infant deaths were confirmed to be SIDS, although autopsy was not performed in 13 cases (27%). The incidence of SIDS per 1000 live births in Kanagawa Prefecture was 0.29 in 1990 and 0.31 in 1991; and if limited to autopsy cases 0.19 and 0.25, respectively. Sudden infant death syndrome cases in Japan were found to occur more frequently when infants were < 6 months old, at home and sleeping alone, but less in the winter and between midnight and early morning. There was little difference between the numbers in prone and supine sleeping positions at discovery. It was not clear whether SIDS occurred more often to babies sleeping prone than supine, because there were no controls matched with the SIDS cases. In future, continuous epidemiological surveys of SIDS in Japan should be carried out.

No abstract

We studied the efficacy of mediumchain triglyceride (MCT) as an energy source in premature infants. Infants who were given 3 g/kg/day of MCT oil gained body weight better than the control group in spite of a smaller water intake. This is advantageous to premature infants who need water restriction due to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), etc. We also proved that MCT oil is rapidly absorbed and digested, by means of the '3C-trioctanoin breath test. Jpn 1988;30: 564 -568) (Acta Paediatr