Evaluation of a neonatal prediction function for cardiovascular risk assessment

A neonatal index of cardiovascular risk is discussed which can be based entirely on the results of tests on the pregnant woman and the fetus. The index may provide indications for intervention on the newborn if the fetus is responsive to measures during pregnancy. If this index can be documented by tracking alone, it will underlie an individualized approach to prevention as opposed to current methods which depend heavily on the unalterable family history. Such an index would be useful to test the effect of preventive measures instituted during pregnancy and to assess the possibly harmful effects (on the baby) of the administration of drugs such as beta-adrenergic agonists or corticoids. It is believed that this technology for automatic monitoring and chronobiologic evaluation of adults as well as infants should be of special interest to the primary care physician