The risk of fatal distal limb fractures in thoroughbreds racing in the UK was calculated and shown to vary considerably between the different types of race. Flat turf racing was associated with the lowest risk (0.4 per 1000 starts) and national hunt flat racing was associated with the highest risk (2.2 per 1000 starts). The types of fracture were classified by detailed radiographic and postmortem examinations of all the cases recorded over two years, and the distribution of the different types of fracture in the five main types of racing was examined. Overall, lateral condylar fractures of the third metacarpus were the most common, and they were also the most common in national hunt-type races (hurdle, steeplechase and national hunt flat races). In all-weather flat racing biaxial proximal sesamoid fractures were most common, and in turf flat racing fractures of the first phalanx were most common. The risk of fractures of more than one bone was greater in national hunt-type races.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Fractures below the level of the radius or tibia (distal limb fractures) are the most common cause of equine fatality on UK racecourses; however, little is known about their epidemiology or aetiology. Identification of risk factors could enable intervention strategies to be designed to reduce the number of fatalities. Objectives: To identify horse‐level risk factors for fatal distal limb fracture in Thoroughbreds on UK racecourses. Methods: A case‐control study design was used. Fractures in case horses were confirmed by post mortem examination and 3 matched uninjured controls were selected from the race in which the case horse was running. One hundred and nine cases were included and information was collected about previous racing history, horse characteristics and training schedules. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between a number of independent variables and the likelihood of fracture. Results: Horses doing no gallop work during training and those in their first year of racing were at significantly increased risk of fracture on the racecourse. Case horses were also more likely to have trained on a sand gallop, i.e. a gallop described by trainers as being primarily composed of sand. Conclusions: Modifications to training schedules, specifically within the first year of racing, may have a large impact on the risk of fatal distal limb fracture on the racecourse. Horses should do some gallop work in training and our results suggest that the minimum distance galloped should be between 805‐2012 m (4‐10 furlongs)/week. Potential relevance: The information from this study can be used to alter training schedules in an attempt to reduce the incidence of fatal distal limb fracture in Thoroughbred racehorses. Training should include some gallop work, and further studies, recording the exact level of work, will help to identify an optimum range of training speeds and distances which will reduce the liklihood of catastrophic fracture on the racecourse.

Readmission is common after very preterm birth. Risk factors for medical and surgical admission differ with CLD being the only perinatal factor associated with both medical and surgical admission.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Lateral condylar fractures of the third metacarpus/metatarsus are the most common cause of equine fatality on UK racecourses. Identification of risk factors for such injuries and the subsequent implementation of intervention strategies could significantly reduce the total number of racecourse fatalities. Objectives: To identify horse‐, race‐ and course‐level risk factors for fatal lateral condylar fracture in Thoroughbreds on UK racecourses. Methods: Case‐control study designs were used. Case horses were defined as those that were subjected to euthanasia having sustained an irreparable lateral condylar fracture while racing at any of the 59 UK racecourses. Case races were defined as those in which one or more horses sustained a fatal lateral condylar fracture. Three controls for each case horse were selected at random from the race in which the case was running. Three controls for each case race were selected at random from all races of the same type held in the same year. Ninety‐eight cases were included in the study. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify the relationship between a number of independent variables and the likelihood of fracture. Results: Horses doing no gallop work during training and those in their first year of racing were at significantly increased risk of fracture on the racecourse. Case horses were also more likely to have started racing as 3‐ or 4‐year‐olds. Fractures were found to be more likely in longer races with a larger number of runners, races in which professional jockeys were not permitted to ride and races in which the going was described as firm or hard. Conclusions and potential relevance: Modifications to training schedules, specifically within the first year of racing, may have a large impact on the risk of fatal lateral condylar fracture on the racecourse. Horses should do some gallop work in training and our results suggest that the minimum distance galloped should be between 201 m (1 furlong) and 1609 m (8 furlongs) per week. The association with age at first race requires further investigation for flat and National Hunt racing separately. A reduction in the number of races taking place on very firm going could have an impact on the number of lateral condylar fractures.

Aims-To document the prevalence of, and identify risk factors for, recurrent wheezing treated with bronchodilators in the first year of life. Methods-Parental history and neonatal data were coliected prospectively in a regional cohort of very preterm infants (<33 weeks). Data on maternal smoking, siblings at home, breast feeding, respiratory symptoms, and hospital re-admissions were documented at 12 months. Results-Outcome data were available for 525/560 (95%) of survivors. The incidence of recurrent wheeze was 76/525 (14/5%) in very preterm infants and 20/657 (3%) in a cohort of term newborns. Significant risk factors for recurrent wheeze in very preterm infants were parental history of asthma, maternal smoking, siblings at home, neonatal oxygen supplementation at 28 days, 36, and 40 weeks of gestation. Conclusions-Wheezing respiratory illnesses are common in very preterm infants. The factors involved are similar to those in more mature infants, with the addition of immaturity and neonatal lung injury. (Arch Dis Child 1996; 74: F165-F17 1)