Atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude a high-grade intraepithelial lesion and its clinical significance in postmenopausal, pregnant, postpartum, and contraceptive-use patients.

Background: Previous studies have confirmed the low predictive value of a diagnosis of atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H) in a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear for subsequent high-grade dysplasia in the postmenopausal age group. It appears plausible that the decrease in estrogen inherent in the postmenopausal state likely produces reactive cytologic atypia, which is misinterpreted as ASC-H. The change in hormone levels observed in pregnant patients, postpartum patients, and contraceptive users, as a corollary, potentially could create a similar diagnostic dilemma.

Child mortality analysis project.

This status report outlines a new national research initiative from Health Canada's Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, the "Child Mortality Analysis Project."