@article{NaglLouiRailaetal.2009,
  author    = {Nagl, Britta and Loui, Andrea and Raila, Jens and Felderhoff-Mueser, Ursula and Obladen, Michael and Schweigert, Florian J.},
  title     = {Urinary vitamin A excretion in very low birth weight infants},
  issn      = {0931-041X},
  doi       = {10.1007/s00467-008-0965-0},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Vitamin A (VA) deficiency in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is associated with an increased risk for disorders related to kidney and lung maturation and function. VA losses through increased urinary retinol (ROH) excretion might contribute to this deficiency risk. The mechanism accounting for ROH loss in the urine has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to assess the excretion of ROH, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and transthyretin (TTR) in urine from VLBW infants in comparison with that in term infants in relation to kidney function. Urine specimens were collected from 15 VLBW infants (birth weight < 1,500 g) as well as from 20 term infants during the first 2 days after birth. ROH in urine was detectable in 14 of the 15 VLBW infants at a median concentration of 234 nmol/g creatinine. In the group of term infants, 17 of the 20 excreted ROH, but at an approximately five-times lower concentration (P<0.001). Excretion of RBP4 and TTR was also much higher in VLBW infants (both P<0.001). The urinary ROH excretion in VLBW infants may be related to the impaired tubular handling of its carrier proteins RBP4 and TTR. Thus, ROH excretion might contribute to an increased risk of VA deficiency, especially in VLBW infants.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WalchChaudharyHeroldetal.2009,
  author    = {Walch, Elisabeth and Chaudhary, Tanja and Herold, Birgit and Obladen, Michael},
  title     = {Parental bilingualism is associated with slower cognitive development in very low birth weight infants},
  issn      = {0378-3782},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2009.03.002},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Background: Speech development is frequently impaired in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Few and controversial data have been published on concepts regarding the influence of bilingual education. Aims: The objectives of the current study were to assess the influence of parental bilingualism on speech development and neurodevelopmental outcome in low risk VLBW infants. Study design: Monocentric prospective controlled cohort study with standardized follow- up. Subjects: We recruited 50 singleton VLBW infants each from monolingual and bilingual families as well as 90 term control infants. The infants were free of disease and congenital malformation. Outcome measures: Griffiths scales of infant development at the corrected ages of 6 and 12 months, Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID II) with 22 months. Results: In general, both bilingual and monolingual VLBW infants achieved age-specific milestones at the corrected age of 6,12 and 22 months. However, bilingual VLBW infants achieved significantly lower scores than their monolingual peers in all cognitive subscales. The influence of maternal education on the neurodevelopmental outcome of the preterm infants was not significant; the subscales' correlation with socioeconomic or biological parameters was poor. However, a clear differentiation between social status and bilingual environment importance for speech development was not possible. Conclusions: In the setting of the present investigation, parental bilingualism is associated with slower neurodevelopment in VLBW infants during the first 2 years of life.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HeroldHoehleWalchetal.2008,
  author    = {Herold, Birgit and H{\"o}hle, Barbara and Walch, Elisabeth and Weber, Tanja and Obladen, Michael},
  title     = {Impaired word stress pattern discrimination in very-low-birthweight infants during the first 6 months of life},
  issn      = {0012-1622},
  doi       = {10.1111/j.1469-8749.2008.03055.x},
  year      = {2008},
  language  = {en}
}