Emma Ladewig - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Emma Ladewig

Current recommendations detail that women planning pregnancy should use a folic acid supplement o... more Current recommendations detail that women planning pregnancy should use a folic acid supplement of 0.4mg per day from at least 4 weeks before until 12 weeks after conception. The objective of this study was to analyse the factors that affect the use of folic acid supplements in an Irish cohort. This study presents findings from the first wave of data collection from Growing Up in Ireland ‐ the National Longitudinal Study of Children. The study aims to track the lives of infants and children in Ireland following a cohort of 9-month old infants and a cohort of 9-year old. The current study uses the infant study population of 11,093 9-month olds and their mothers. Data was collected through questionnaires with parents in their homes. Breastfeeding initiation, annual household income and chest infection in 9-months-olds Folic acid use consumption was sub-adequate in 36.3% of the sample. Likewise, a study from England found 88.9% of women reported taking folic acid supplements prior to t...

Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 2012

In Ireland, all expectant mothers are entitled to free maternity care, covering antenatal visits,... more In Ireland, all expectant mothers are entitled to free maternity care, covering antenatal visits, labour, delivery and postnatal care. This study presents findings from the first wave of data collection from the Growing Up in Ireland longitudinal cohort study. The sample of 11,134 nine month old infants was randomly selected from the national Child Benefit Register. From those, data from 10,912 mothers who provided valid answers to questions regarding antenatal care was included in the analyses. Data collection consisted of questionnaires completed with the mother addressing pregnancy, delivery and infant's health. Pearson's Chi Square tests and crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were used for the analysis which was based on statistically reweighted data to represent the population structure of Ireland. Shared care (between GP and other health professional) was provided in 77.9% [95% CI: 77.1-78.7%], private consultant care alone in 12.4% [11.8-13.0%], hospital ...

British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 2009

It has been established that mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) reflects the balance between s... more It has been established that mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) reflects the balance between systemic oxygen deliver y and consumption. Literature indicates that it is a valuable clinical indicator and has good prognostic value early in patient course. This article aims to establish the usefulness of SvO2 as a clinical indicator. A secondary aim was to determine whether central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and SvO2 are interchangeable. Of particular relevance to cardiac nurses is the link between decreased SvO2 and cardiac failure in patients with myocardial infarction, and with decline in myocardial function, clinical shock and arrhythmias. While absolute values ScvO2 and SvO2 are not interchangeable, ScvO2 and SvO2are equivalent in terms of clinical course. Additionally, ScvO2 monitoring is a safer and less costly alternative to SvO2 monitoring. It can be concluded that continuous ScvO2 monitoring should potentially be undertaken in patients at risk of haemodynamic instability. KEY WORDS Oxygen saturation; monitoring; blood gases. KEY POINTS • Venous oxygen saturation has been advocated as an indirect index of tissue oxygenation. • It is generally accepted that venous oxygen saturation reveals a discrepancy between oxygen supply and oxygen demand thus indicating global tissue hypoxia. • Mixed venous oxygen saturation monitoring can detect tissue ischaemia at an early stage, and thus is a valuable indicator of clinical course. • Central venous oxygen saturation and mixed venous oxygen saturation are interchangeable in the course of clinical decision making.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2013

To explore the association between weight and bullying; considering victims and perpetrators as t... more To explore the association between weight and bullying; considering victims and perpetrators as two aspects of bullying, and subjective perception and objective measurement as two aspects of weight. This study is based on the first wave of data collection from Growing Up in Ireland - the National Longitudinal Study of Children. The two-stage sample design included a sample of 910 primary schools in Ireland, from which a sample of 8568 nine-year-old children and their families was randomly selected. Analysis is based on statistically reweighted data to ensure that it is representative of all 9-year-olds in Ireland. Significantly (P < 0.001) more girls were overweight or obese (33.1%: 23.1% overweight and 10% obese) than boys (25.2%: 18.3% and 6.9%). Children who were body mass index (BMI) classified as overweight or obese were significantly (P < 0.001) more likely to be victimised when compared with children whose BMI was not classified as overweight or obese. BMI-classified thinness was not significantly associated with victimisation; however, the body image of being skinny or very skinny was significantly (P = 0.015) associated with being victimised. Bullying perpetration was not associated with BMI-derived weight classification but was significantly (P…

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2014

Historically, breastfeeding rates in Ireland have been low compared with international averages. ... more Historically, breastfeeding rates in Ireland have been low compared with international averages. It has been suggested that maternal ethnicity and citizenship may influence breastfeeding rates, with ethnic minorities thought more likely to breast feed. The aim of this study is to investigate the association among maternal citizenship, ethnicity, birthplace and breast feeding. It is hypothesised that Irish mothers (identified through Irish citizenship, self-identified Irish ethnicity or Irish birthplace) are less likely to breast feed than non-Irish mothers. The study population of Growing Up in Ireland: the National Longitudinal Study of Children was used for this study. Analysis was restricted to 11 092 biological mother and infant pairs with a complete breastfeeding history. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs for breast feeding relative to maternal citizenship and ethnicity, controlling for the confounding effects of other maternal variables. Results indicated that 55.9% (6202 of 11 092) of mothers had initiated breast feeding, with only 7.9% (874 of 11 092) of mothers currently breast feeding their infant (at 9 months of age). Irish citizens (4693 of 9368, 50.0%) were significantly less likely to have initiated breast feeding compared with non-Irish citizens (1503 of 1695, 88.7%). Irish born mothers (4179 of 8627, 48.8%) were also significantly less likely to have initiated breast feeding than mothers born elsewhere (2023 of 2462, 82.2%). Maternal citizenship and ethnicity appear to be the strongest influencing factors on breastfeeding initiation and duration. However, this raises a possibility that the increase in breastfeeding rates seen recently may be the result of increased immigration into Ireland, rather than the success of policy and research efforts.

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2014

General practitioners (GPs) do not routinely check children&a... more General practitioners (GPs) do not routinely check children's weight, partly due to concern regarding parental/child response. The aim of this study is to compare GP concerns regarding weighing with parental/child responses. Compare GP insights on weighing children with the experience of parents whose children had been weighed. Part 1: postal survey of 20% sample of Irish GPs. Part 2: general practice-based study checking weight of 5-12 year olds attending 10 practices, with postconsultation parental survey. Irish General Practice. 393 GPs and 457 parents. GP (n=393) and parental (n=434) responses. Of 490 GPs surveyed, 393 responded (response rate 80.2%). Few GPs (3.56%) always checked children's weight. Concern regarding parental response was often (52.2%) or always (19.0%) a concern that affected the likelihood of discussing a child's weight. Among children (n=457), 14.9% were overweight and 10.9% obese. Almost all (98.6%) parents indicated checking weight was helpful. 4.4% of parents and just over 1 in 4 obese children responded negatively to weighing. Overweight children were more likely to respond negatively (χ(2)=62.6, df=4, p<0.001). Children 5-6 years were most likely to respond positively. GPs are conflicted regarding the acceptability of weighing the child but almost all parents believed it helpful. A minority of obese children responded negatively.

Current recommendations detail that women planning pregnancy should use a folic acid supplement o... more Current recommendations detail that women planning pregnancy should use a folic acid supplement of 0.4mg per day from at least 4 weeks before until 12 weeks after conception. The objective of this study was to analyse the factors that affect the use of folic acid supplements in an Irish cohort. This study presents findings from the first wave of data collection from Growing Up in Ireland ‐ the National Longitudinal Study of Children. The study aims to track the lives of infants and children in Ireland following a cohort of 9-month old infants and a cohort of 9-year old. The current study uses the infant study population of 11,093 9-month olds and their mothers. Data was collected through questionnaires with parents in their homes. Breastfeeding initiation, annual household income and chest infection in 9-months-olds Folic acid use consumption was sub-adequate in 36.3% of the sample. Likewise, a study from England found 88.9% of women reported taking folic acid supplements prior to t...

Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 2012

In Ireland, all expectant mothers are entitled to free maternity care, covering antenatal visits,... more In Ireland, all expectant mothers are entitled to free maternity care, covering antenatal visits, labour, delivery and postnatal care. This study presents findings from the first wave of data collection from the Growing Up in Ireland longitudinal cohort study. The sample of 11,134 nine month old infants was randomly selected from the national Child Benefit Register. From those, data from 10,912 mothers who provided valid answers to questions regarding antenatal care was included in the analyses. Data collection consisted of questionnaires completed with the mother addressing pregnancy, delivery and infant's health. Pearson's Chi Square tests and crude and adjusted logistic regression analyses were used for the analysis which was based on statistically reweighted data to represent the population structure of Ireland. Shared care (between GP and other health professional) was provided in 77.9% [95% CI: 77.1-78.7%], private consultant care alone in 12.4% [11.8-13.0%], hospital ...

British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 2009

It has been established that mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) reflects the balance between s... more It has been established that mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) reflects the balance between systemic oxygen deliver y and consumption. Literature indicates that it is a valuable clinical indicator and has good prognostic value early in patient course. This article aims to establish the usefulness of SvO2 as a clinical indicator. A secondary aim was to determine whether central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and SvO2 are interchangeable. Of particular relevance to cardiac nurses is the link between decreased SvO2 and cardiac failure in patients with myocardial infarction, and with decline in myocardial function, clinical shock and arrhythmias. While absolute values ScvO2 and SvO2 are not interchangeable, ScvO2 and SvO2are equivalent in terms of clinical course. Additionally, ScvO2 monitoring is a safer and less costly alternative to SvO2 monitoring. It can be concluded that continuous ScvO2 monitoring should potentially be undertaken in patients at risk of haemodynamic instability. KEY WORDS Oxygen saturation; monitoring; blood gases. KEY POINTS • Venous oxygen saturation has been advocated as an indirect index of tissue oxygenation. • It is generally accepted that venous oxygen saturation reveals a discrepancy between oxygen supply and oxygen demand thus indicating global tissue hypoxia. • Mixed venous oxygen saturation monitoring can detect tissue ischaemia at an early stage, and thus is a valuable indicator of clinical course. • Central venous oxygen saturation and mixed venous oxygen saturation are interchangeable in the course of clinical decision making.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2013

To explore the association between weight and bullying; considering victims and perpetrators as t... more To explore the association between weight and bullying; considering victims and perpetrators as two aspects of bullying, and subjective perception and objective measurement as two aspects of weight. This study is based on the first wave of data collection from Growing Up in Ireland - the National Longitudinal Study of Children. The two-stage sample design included a sample of 910 primary schools in Ireland, from which a sample of 8568 nine-year-old children and their families was randomly selected. Analysis is based on statistically reweighted data to ensure that it is representative of all 9-year-olds in Ireland. Significantly (P < 0.001) more girls were overweight or obese (33.1%: 23.1% overweight and 10% obese) than boys (25.2%: 18.3% and 6.9%). Children who were body mass index (BMI) classified as overweight or obese were significantly (P < 0.001) more likely to be victimised when compared with children whose BMI was not classified as overweight or obese. BMI-classified thinness was not significantly associated with victimisation; however, the body image of being skinny or very skinny was significantly (P = 0.015) associated with being victimised. Bullying perpetration was not associated with BMI-derived weight classification but was significantly (P…

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2014

Historically, breastfeeding rates in Ireland have been low compared with international averages. ... more Historically, breastfeeding rates in Ireland have been low compared with international averages. It has been suggested that maternal ethnicity and citizenship may influence breastfeeding rates, with ethnic minorities thought more likely to breast feed. The aim of this study is to investigate the association among maternal citizenship, ethnicity, birthplace and breast feeding. It is hypothesised that Irish mothers (identified through Irish citizenship, self-identified Irish ethnicity or Irish birthplace) are less likely to breast feed than non-Irish mothers. The study population of Growing Up in Ireland: the National Longitudinal Study of Children was used for this study. Analysis was restricted to 11 092 biological mother and infant pairs with a complete breastfeeding history. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate ORs and 95% CIs for breast feeding relative to maternal citizenship and ethnicity, controlling for the confounding effects of other maternal variables. Results indicated that 55.9% (6202 of 11 092) of mothers had initiated breast feeding, with only 7.9% (874 of 11 092) of mothers currently breast feeding their infant (at 9 months of age). Irish citizens (4693 of 9368, 50.0%) were significantly less likely to have initiated breast feeding compared with non-Irish citizens (1503 of 1695, 88.7%). Irish born mothers (4179 of 8627, 48.8%) were also significantly less likely to have initiated breast feeding than mothers born elsewhere (2023 of 2462, 82.2%). Maternal citizenship and ethnicity appear to be the strongest influencing factors on breastfeeding initiation and duration. However, this raises a possibility that the increase in breastfeeding rates seen recently may be the result of increased immigration into Ireland, rather than the success of policy and research efforts.

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2014

General practitioners (GPs) do not routinely check children&a... more General practitioners (GPs) do not routinely check children's weight, partly due to concern regarding parental/child response. The aim of this study is to compare GP concerns regarding weighing with parental/child responses. Compare GP insights on weighing children with the experience of parents whose children had been weighed. Part 1: postal survey of 20% sample of Irish GPs. Part 2: general practice-based study checking weight of 5-12 year olds attending 10 practices, with postconsultation parental survey. Irish General Practice. 393 GPs and 457 parents. GP (n=393) and parental (n=434) responses. Of 490 GPs surveyed, 393 responded (response rate 80.2%). Few GPs (3.56%) always checked children's weight. Concern regarding parental response was often (52.2%) or always (19.0%) a concern that affected the likelihood of discussing a child's weight. Among children (n=457), 14.9% were overweight and 10.9% obese. Almost all (98.6%) parents indicated checking weight was helpful. 4.4% of parents and just over 1 in 4 obese children responded negatively to weighing. Overweight children were more likely to respond negatively (χ(2)=62.6, df=4, p<0.001). Children 5-6 years were most likely to respond positively. GPs are conflicted regarding the acceptability of weighing the child but almost all parents believed it helpful. A minority of obese children responded negatively.