Arztliche Jugendkunde最新文献

Data presented in this study prove that in term neonates as well as in premature newborns the normal postnatal fall of the body weight is of a smaller extend when breast milk, especially breast milk from their own mothers, is used for nutrition.

As a consequence of advanced growth episondes and an increase in the final height of adolescents, resulting in changes in the cardiovascular system, an "acceleration" of electrocardiographic parameters and special morphological features of the ECG can be observed. The trend towards a closer relation between ECG parameters and body height than age, as seen in our probands as well as in the literature, reflects the influence of acceleration on the electrocardiogram.

Close cooperation between paediatricians and dentists is of growing importance for the early diagnosis of malformations and exogenous pathological changes in the oral region and for the furtherance of preventive measures. There are good possibilities especially for preventing caries and periodontal disorders by means of plaque control, nutritional guidance and fluoridation in the context of preventive medical examinations.

The results of longitudinal investigations of 1,294 girls born in Görlitz in the years 1968 to 1970 included the correlation of their birth weights and menarcheal age with their months of birth. In the process we found very interesting patterns of seasonal distribution. Girls born in January had the lowest, those born in February the highest birth weight on average. Girls born in August reached their menarche at least 4 months later than those born in October. It is conceivable that the season of birth may be much more important to human development than is generally supposed.

The results of the examinations of a representative cross-section were used as the basis for bringing up to date the standard values and ranges of variability of the body measurements of newborns according to gestational age, of head circumference up to the 3rd year and of body height and weight from 0-18 years. Tables and somatograms were also drawn up for the evaluation of body weight in relation to specific types of build, and standard values for skinfold thickness and total body fat were worked out in order to permit a biologically meaningful assessment of the physical development and nutritional status of children and adolescents. Alongside the description of the individual stages in the development of selected characteristics of maturation used in assessing sexual maturity, percentiles for the average age on reaching each of these stages of development will be available, together with a new series of photographs of breast, pubes and genital development.

Psycho-physical presuppositions may be influenced by well planned training. With regard to their individual presuppositions test persons with very low mathematical performances show the best growth of performance after training of mental speed.

Two Bremerhaven growth studies serve as examples for analysing methods of collecting and evaluating data on menarche age. Problems are outlined which arise when inadequate methods are used.

Using the official data of WHO statistics, the impact of some social, biological and medical factors on infant mortality rates (IMR) was compared for countries with very high, high, moderate and low IMR: Factors reflecting a low quality of life (illiteracy, low level of women's education, low urbanization, malnutrition etc.) showed a highly significant statistic correlation with increased IMR. The lack of a nationwide family planning program and a low level of medical care (prenatal care, presence of medical personnel during delivery, availability of contraceptives etc.) act in the same direction. In developing countries the GNP per capita did not markedly influence the IMR nor the rate of infants of low birth weight (UGR). One of the main reasons of this phenomenon is probably the wide gap of the income between different social groups in these countries. In contrast to this the GNP in economically developed countries (Europe, Australia, North America) correlates very closely with IMR and UGR. The impact of family planning differs between countries with legally artificial abortion and those with a more restrictive legislation. The nutritional status (i. e. in these countries hyperalimentation) shows a positive correlation with UGR but no impact on IMR. Some countries (in Europe Greece, Spain, Ireland/Yugoslavia, Romania) show a significant deviation (positive/negative) from the mean calculated according to the WHO data. These deviations can be (and should be) analysed for detecting and evaluating factors which could be influenced by strategies of social or/and medical interventions in order of further improvement of IMR.

According to a medical check-up on the whole group of school beginners for one year in the town of Görlitz and considering the results of their first school year, the authors observed that the age on starting school has a very important influence on school achievement. While girls are better able to compensate for developmental retardation, it is advisable to postpone the admission of very young boys for one year in doubtful cases or to provide individual coaching.