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Neves GS, Reis ZSN, Romanelli R, Batchelor J. Assessment of Skin Maturity by LED Light at Birth and Its Association With Lung Maturity: Clinical Trial Secondary Outcomes. JMIR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2023; 8:e52468. [PMID: 38875690 PMCID: PMC11041497 DOI: 10.2196/52468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinicians face barriers when assessing lung maturity at birth due to global inequalities. Still, strategies for testing based solely on gestational age to predict the likelihood of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) do not offer a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenge of uncertain outcomes. We hypothesize that a noninvasive assessment of skin maturity may indicate lung maturity. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the association between a newborn's skin maturity and RDS occurrence. METHODS We conducted a case-control nested in a prospective cohort study, a secondary endpoint of a multicenter clinical trial. The study was carried out in 5 Brazilian urban reference centers for highly complex perinatal care. Of 781 newborns from the cohort study, 640 were selected for the case-control analysis. Newborns with RDS formed the case group and newborns without RDS were the controls. All newborns with other diseases exhibiting respiratory manifestations were excluded. Skin maturity was assessed from the newborn's skin over the sole by an optical device that acquired a reflection signal through an LED sensor. The device, previously validated, measured and recorded skin reflectance. Clinical data related to respiratory outcomes were gathered from medical records during the 72-hour follow-up of the newborn, or until discharge or death, whichever occurred first. The main outcome measure was the association between skin reflectance and RDS using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression. Additionally, we assessed the connection between skin reflectance and factors such as neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and the need for ventilatory support. RESULTS Out of 604 newborns, 470 (73.4%) were from the RDS group and 170 (26.6%) were from the control group. According to comparisons between the groups, newborns with RDS had a younger gestational age (31.6 vs 39.1 weeks, P<.001) and birth weight (1491 vs 3121 grams, P<.001) than controls. Skin reflectance was associated with RDS (odds ratio [OR] 0.982, 95% CI 0.979-0.985, R2=0.632, P<.001). This relationship remained significant when adjusted by the cofactors antenatal corticosteroid and birth weight (OR 0.994, 95% CI 0.990-0.998, R2=0.843, P<.001). Secondary outcomes also showed differences in skin reflectance. The mean difference was 0.219 (95% CI 0.200-0.238) between newborns that required ventilatory support versus those that did not and 0.223 (95% CI 0.205-0.241) between newborns that required NICU admission versus those that did not. Skin reflectance was associated with ventilatory support (OR 0.996, 95% CI 0.992-0.999, R2=0.814, P=.01) and with NICU admission (OR 0.994, 95% CI 0.990-0.998, R2=0.867, P=.004). CONCLUSIONS Our findings present a potential marker of lung immaturity at birth using the indirect method of skin assessment. Using the RDS clinical condition and a medical device, this study demonstrated the synchrony between lung and skin maturity. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) RBR-3f5bm5; https://tinyurl.com/9fb7zrdb. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027442.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roberta Romanelli
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - James Batchelor
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Reis ZSN, Pappa GL, Nader PDJH, do Vale MS, Silveira Neves G, Vitral GLN, Mussagy N, Norberto Dias IM, Romanelli RMDC. Respiratory distress syndrome prediction at birth by optical skin maturity assessment and machine learning models for limited-resource settings: a development and validation study. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1264527. [PMID: 38054190 PMCID: PMC10694507 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1264527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A handheld optical device was developed to evaluate a newborn's skin maturity by assessing the photobiological properties of the tissue and processing it with other variables to predict early neonatal prognosis related to prematurity. This study assessed the device's ability to predict respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Methods To assess the device's utility we enrolled newborns at childbirth in six urban perinatal centers from two multicenter single-blinded clinical trials. All newborns had inpatient follow-up until 72 h of life. We trained supervised machine learning models with data from 780 newborns in a Brazilian trial and provided external validation with data from 305 low-birth-weight newborns from another trial that assessed Brazilian and Mozambican newborns. The index test measured skin optical reflection with an optical sensor and adjusted acquired values with clinical variables such as birth weight and prenatal corticoid exposition for lung maturity, maternal diabetes, and hypertensive disturbances. The performance of the models was evaluated using intrasample k-parts cross-validation and external validation in an independent sample. Results Models adjusting three predictors (skin reflection, birth weight, and antenatal corticoid exposure) or five predictors had a similar performance, including or not maternal diabetes and hypertensive diseases. The best global accuracy was 89.7 (95% CI: 87.4 to 91.8, with a high sensitivity of 85.6% (80.2 to 90.0) and specificity of 91.3% (95% CI: 88.7 to 93.5). The test correctly discriminated RDS newborns in external validation, with 82.3% (95% CI: 77.5 to 86.4) accuracy. Our findings demonstrate a new way to assess a newborn's lung maturity, providing potential opportunities for earlier and more effective care. Trial registration RBR-3f5bm5 (online access: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-3f5bm5/), and RBR-33mjf (online access: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-33rnjf/).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gisele Lobo Pappa
- Departamento de Ciência da Computação, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Kaltsogianni O, Zaidi S, Bhat R, Greenough A, Dassios T. Race, hypoxaemia and oxidative stress in prematurely-born infants. Early Hum Dev 2023; 182:105778. [PMID: 37127019 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2023.105778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disparities in neonatal respiratory outcomes in prematurely-born infants might be partially explained by racial differences and the relationship of hypoxia and oxidative stress. AIMS To determine if Black, preterm infants were exposed more frequently to hypoxaemia compared to White infants and had a higher level of oxidative damage. STUDY DESIGN Single-centre retrospective cohort study at King's College Hospital, London, UK between 2018 and 2021. SUBJECTS Infants born before 32 completed weeks of gestational age. OUTCOME MEASURES The median arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) over the first seven days was measured. The maximum carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) level for the first three days was also recorded as an index of oxidative stress. RESULTS Two thousand and sixty blood gases from 87 infants (38 Black) with a median (IQR) gestational age of 26.4 (24.6-28.3) weeks were analysed. The median (IQR) SaO2 was not significantly different in Black [96.1 (95.2-96.8) %] compared to White infants [96.7 (95.6-97.7) %, p = 0.24]. The median (IQR) COHb was not significantly different in Black infants [1.9 (1.7-2.4) %] compared to White infants [1.9 (1.7-2.3) %, p = 0.77]. The highest COHb was significantly related to the median SaO2 in all infants (r = -0.51, p < 0.001) and separately in Black (r = -0.50, p = 0.002) and White (r = -0.56, p < 0.001) infants. CONCLUSIONS Preterm, Black infants were not exposed more frequently to hypoxaemia compared to White infants. Lower saturation levels were associated with higher maximum carboxyhaemoglobin levels indicating a higher risk of oxidative stress, irrespective of racial background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ourania Kaltsogianni
- Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, UK.
| | - Sara Zaidi
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, UK.
| | - Ravindra Bhat
- Neonatal Intensive Care Centre, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Anne Greenough
- Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, UK.
| | - Theodore Dassios
- Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, UK; Neonatal Intensive Care Centre, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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Darlenski R, Fluhr JW. How do the skin barrier and microbiome adapt to the extra-uterine environment after birth? Implications for the clinical practice. Int J Cosmet Sci 2023. [PMID: 36692960 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The multiple protective functions of the skin derive from the interactions between epithelial skin and immune cells as well as the commensal microbiota. Developed in the last trimester of intra-uterine life, the skin barrier adapts dynamically after birth. Specific differences in the structure and physiology have been disclosed between infant and adult skin. The stratum corneum of infants is thinner and structured by thicker corneocytes with a more anisotropic surface in comparison to adult skin. Lower levels of the natural moisturizing factor and its constituents, together with the increased protease activity in the epidermis result in dry baby skin and ongoing adaptation of the desquamation to the extra-uterine environment. Infant epidermis is characterized by an accelerated proliferation rate and clinically competent permeability barrier in term neonates, despite the higher baseline values of transepidermal water loss in infants. The skin surface of newborns is less acidic, which could increase susceptibility to diaper and atopic dermatitis. Immediately after birth, skin is colonized by commensal bacteria-a process dependent on the mode of delivery and of major importance for the maturation of the immune system. Skin bacterial diversity and dysbiosis have been related to different pathology such as atopic and seborrheic dermatitis. This paper focuses on the ongoing structural, functional and biochemical adaptation of the human skin barrier after birth. We discuss the interactions on the 'skin barrier/ microbiota/ immune system' axis and their role in the development of competent functional integrity of the epidermal barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razvigor Darlenski
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda Hospital Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria.,Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Trakia University-Stara Zagora, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Joachim W Fluhr
- Department of Dermatology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
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Vitral GLN, Romanelli RMDC, Reis ZSN, Guimarães RN, Dias I, Mussagy N, Taunde S, Neves GS, de São José CN, Pantaleão AN, Pappa GL, Gaspar JDS, de Aguiar RAPL. Gestational age assessed by optical skin reflection in low-birth-weight newborns: Applications in classification at birth. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1141894. [PMID: 37056944 PMCID: PMC10086374 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1141894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction A new medical device was previously developed to estimate gestational age (GA) at birth by processing a machine learning algorithm on the light scatter signal acquired on the newborn's skin. The study aims to validate GA calculated by the new device (test), comparing the result with the best available GA in newborns with low birth weight (LBW). Methods We conducted a multicenter, non-randomized, and single-blinded clinical trial in three urban referral centers for perinatal care in Brazil and Mozambique. LBW newborns with a GA over 24 weeks and weighing between 500 and 2,500 g were recruited in the first 24 h of life. All pregnancies had a GA calculated by obstetric ultrasound before 24 weeks or by reliable last menstrual period (LMP). The primary endpoint was the agreement between the GA calculated by the new device (test) and the best available clinical GA, with 95% confidence limits. In addition, we assessed the accuracy of using the test in the classification of preterm and SGA. Prematurity was childbirth before 37 gestational weeks. The growth standard curve was Intergrowth-21st, with the 10th percentile being the limit for classifying SGA. Results Among 305 evaluated newborns, 234 (76.7%) were premature, and 139 (45.6%) were SGA. The intraclass correlation coefficient between GA by the test and reference GA was 0.829 (95% CI: 0.785-0.863). However, the new device (test) underestimated the reference GA by an average of 2.8 days (95% limits of agreement: -40.6 to 31.2 days). Its use in classifying preterm or term newborns revealed an accuracy of 78.4% (95% CI: 73.3-81.6), with high sensitivity (96.2%; 95% CI: 92.8-98.2). The accuracy of classifying SGA newborns using GA calculated by the test was 62.3% (95% CI: 56.6-67.8). Discussion The new device (test) was able to assess GA at birth in LBW newborns, with a high agreement with the best available GA as a reference. The GA estimated by the device (test), when used to classify newborns on the first day of life, was useful in identifying premature infants but not when applied to identify SGA infants, considering current algohrithm. Nonetheless, the new device (test) has the potential to provide important information in places where the GA is unknown or inaccurate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Luiza Nogueira Vitral
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Correspondence: Gabriela Luiza Nogueira Vitral
| | | | | | | | - Ivana Dias
- Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozabique
| | | | | | - Gabriela Silveira Neves
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Hospital Sofia Feldman, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Gisele Lobo Pappa
- Computer Science Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Reis ZSN, Romanelli RMDC, Guimarães RN, Gaspar JDS, Neves GS, do Vale MS, Nader PDJ, de Moura MDR, Vitral GLN, Dos Reis MAA, Pereira MMM, Marques PF, Nader SS, Harff AL, Beleza LDO, de Castro MEC, Souza RG, Pappa GL, de Aguiar RAPL. Newborn Skin Maturity Medical Device Validation for Gestational Age Prediction: Clinical Trial. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e38727. [PMID: 36069805 PMCID: PMC9494223 DOI: 10.2196/38727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early access to antenatal care and high-cost technologies for pregnancy dating challenge early neonatal risk assessment at birth in resource-constrained settings. To overcome the absence or inaccuracy of postnatal gestational age (GA), we developed a new medical device to assess GA based on the photobiological properties of newborns’ skin and predictive models. Objective This study aims to validate a device that uses the photobiological model of skin maturity adjusted to the clinical data to detect GA and establish its accuracy in discriminating preterm newborns. Methods A multicenter, single-blinded, and single-arm intention-to-diagnosis clinical trial evaluated the accuracy of a novel device for the detection of GA and preterm newborns. The first-trimester ultrasound, a second comparator ultrasound, and data regarding the last menstrual period (LMP) from antenatal reports were used as references for GA at birth. The new test for validation was performed using a portable multiband reflectance photometer device that assessed the skin maturity of newborns and used machine learning models to predict GA, adjusted for birth weight and antenatal corticosteroid therapy exposure. Results The study group comprised 702 pregnant women who gave birth to 781 newborns, of which 366 (46.9%) were preterm newborns. As the primary outcome, the GA as predicted by the new test was in line with the reference GA that was calculated by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.969, 95% CI 0.964-0.973). The paired difference between predicted and reference GAs was −1.34 days, with Bland-Altman limits of −21.2 to 18.4 days. As a secondary outcome, the new test achieved 66.6% (95% CI 62.9%-70.1%) agreement with the reference GA within an error of 1 week. This agreement was similar to that of comparator-LMP-GAs (64.1%, 95% CI 60.7%-67.5%). The discrimination between preterm and term newborns via the device had a similar area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.970, 95% CI 0.959-0.981) compared with that for comparator-LMP-GAs (0.957, 95% CI 0.941-0.974). In newborns with absent or unreliable LMPs (n=451), the intent-to-discriminate analysis showed correct preterm versus term classifications with the new test, which achieved an accuracy of 89.6% (95% CI 86.4%-92.2%), while the accuracy for comparator-LMP-GA was 69.6% (95% CI 65.3%-73.7%). Conclusions The assessment of newborn’s skin maturity (adjusted by learning models) promises accurate pregnancy dating at birth, even without the antenatal ultrasound reference. Thus, the novel device could add value to the set of clinical parameters that direct the delivery of neonatal care in birth scenarios where GA is unknown or unreliable. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027442
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilma Silveira Nogueira Reis
- Health Informatics Center, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Center for Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Juliano de Souza Gaspar
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Marynea Silva do Vale
- Maternal and Child Unit, University Hospital, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrícia Franco Marques
- Maternal and Child Unit, University Hospital, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
| | | | - Augusta Luize Harff
- University Hospital of Canoas, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rayner Guilherme Souza
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Gisele Lobo Pappa
- Center for Artificial Intelligence, Innovation and Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Computer Science Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Comparative study of treatment for striae alba stage striae gravidarum: 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser versus fractional microneedle radiofrequency. Lasers Med Sci 2021; 36:1823-1830. [PMID: 33411130 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-020-03203-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Striae gravidarum is a common dermatologic condition for females caused by multiple factors during pregnancy. It remains a therapeutic challenge especially in the striae alba (SA) stage, generating psychological and emotional distress to those affected. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) and fractional microneedle radiofrequency (MRF) for treatment of SA striae gravidarum. Fourteen Chinese women with SA striae gravidarum were included in this study. Patient abdomens were randomly divided into NAFL and MRF treatment sides, treated three times at 6-week intervals. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by subjective (clinical assessments, patient satisfaction rating, adverse effects assessment) assessments and objective (skin melanin index measurement, histological study) assessments. Clinical assessment suggested MRF was more effective (P = 0.0143) for improving the appearance of SA striae gravidarum. Both NAFL and MRF demonstrated effective improvement (P = 0.0082 and P = 0.0158, respectively), with no significant difference according to patient satisfaction ratings and changes in melanin index (P = 0.5900). Both treatments induced limited adverse reactions, but MRF treatment caused significant pain compared with the more moderate NAFL treatment (P = 0.0003). MRF treatment increased neocollagen and elastic fibers more significantly than NAFL, based on histological assessments (P = 0.0298 and P = 0.0048, respectively). MRF treatment improved collagen regeneration in SA striae gravidarum more than NAFL but caused considerable pain during treatment. Corresponding treatment or therapeutic strategies should be applied according to clinical scenario.
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Silva PC, Guimarães RN, Souza RG, Reis ZSN. A quantitative cross-sectional analysis of the melanin index in the skin of preterm newborns and its association with gestational age at birth. Skin Res Technol 2019; 26:356-361. [PMID: 31763716 PMCID: PMC7318316 DOI: 10.1111/srt.12810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estimation of gestational age (GA) is important to make timely decisions and provide appropriate neonatal care. Clinical maturity scales to estimate GA have used skin texture and color to assess maturity at birth facing situations of the uncertainty of pregnancy dating. The size and darkness of the areola around the nipple to grade skin characteristics are based on visual appearance. The melanin index (M-Index) is an optical skin parameter related to the melanin content in the tissue. This study is aimed to associate the M-Index of the skin with the GA. METHODS A cross-sectional study evaluated 80 newborns at birth. A photometer device quantified the skin pigmentation on the areolae, forearms, and soles. Paired average differences of M-Index were compared among the three body sites. The skin M-Indexes were compared between subgroups of newborns until 34 weeks or with 34 and more. RESULTS The skin over the areola had the highest values of M-Index compared with the forearm or sole areas (P < .001 for both). Infants with a GA between 34 and <37 weeks had higher M-Index values over the areola than the group with a GA with 24 to <34 weeks: 41.7 (8.9) and 38.3 (10.5) median (IQR), P = .005. CONCLUSIONS The measurable M-Index values have the potential to improve physical evaluation in assessing GA at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Conceição Silva
- Faculty of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Women's Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rodney Nascimento Guimarães
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Health Informatics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Zilma Silveira Nogueira Reis
- Faculty of Medicine, Postgraduate Program in Women's Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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