SARS-CoV-2 infection, inflammation and birth outcomes in a prospective NYC pregnancy cohort.

Associations between antenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and pregnancy outcomes have been conflicting and the role of the immune system is currently unclear. This prospective cohort study investigated the interaction of antenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection, changes in cytokine and HS-CRP levels, birthweight and gestational age at birth. 2352 pregnant participants from New York City (2020-2022) were included.

The influence of structural racism, pandemic stress, and SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy with adverse birth outcomes.

Background: Structural racism and pandemic-related stress from the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes.

Objective: Our objective was to examine associations between neighborhood measures of structural racism and pandemic stress with 3 outcomes: SARS-CoV-2 infection, preterm birth, and delivering small-for-gestational-age newborns. Our secondary objective was to investigate the joint association of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and neighborhood measures with preterm birth and delivering small-for-gestational-age newborns.

The 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutation and risk of fetal loss: a case series and review of the literature.

Background: The true relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T homozygosity and risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion is unknown, and it is unclear if women with these mutations should be anticoagulated during pregnancy.

Objectives: We report a series of 8 patients with this issue and review the current literature.

Methods: 8 patients (3 of whom were actively pregnant) were referred with histories of spontaneous fetal loss; hypercoaguability work-ups revealed each were homozygous for the MTHFR C677T mutation without other thrombophilias.

Validation study of fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurements using a handheld monitoring device.

We tested reproducibility of exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) and inter-operator handling when measured with a handheld device, NIOX MINO. We enrolled 20 volunteers using a priori goals of acceptable reproducibility to be mean within-subject standard deviation less than 3 parts per billion (ppb) for FE(NO) measurements less than 30 ppb, and mean coefficient of variation less than 10% for FE(NO) measurements more than 30 ppb. Seventeen subjects with measurements less than 30 ppb displayed a mean standard deviation of 1.

Decreased prevalence of asthma among farm-reared children compared with those who are rural but not farm-reared.

Background: Farm exposure has been associated with decreased asthma prevalence.

Objectives: We compared asthma prevalence among rural farm-reared and non-farm-reared children and examined farm demographic and environmental factors.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, population-based survey among 36,500 rural kindergarten through 12th grade school children.

Improving adherence with antimicrobial therapy for respiratory tract infections: a discussion of directly observed therapy (DOT) and short-course therapies.

Although some of the variables associated with adherence (eg, patient age, place of residence) cannot be influenced, others are very amenable to modifications. Levels of adherence correlate with the convenience of dosage regimens, as shown in a number of clinical trials. Therefore, antimicrobial agents that are well accepted by patients should be considered whenever feasible.