Safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of PfSPZ Vaccine against malaria in infants in western Kenya: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial.

The radiation-attenuated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite (PfSPZ) vaccine provides protection against P. falciparum infection in malaria-naïve adults. Preclinical studies show that T cell-mediated immunity is required for protection and is readily induced in humans after vaccination.

Contraceptive methods of privately insured US women with congenital heart defects.

Background: The American Heart Association recommends women with congenital heart defects (CHD) receive contraceptive counseling early in their reproductive years, but little is known about contraceptive method use among women with CHD. We describe recent female sterilization and reversible prescription contraceptive method use by presence of CHD and CHD severity in 2014.

Methods: Using IBM MarketScan Commercial Databases, we included women aged 15 to 44 years with prescription drug coverage in 2014 who were enrolled ≥11 months annually in employer-sponsored health plans between 2011 and 2014.

Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of Plasmodium falciparum Sporozoite Vaccine Administered by Direct Venous Inoculation to Infants and Young Children: Findings From an Age De-escalation, Dose-Escalation, Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Study in Western Kenya.

Background: The whole Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite (PfSPZ) vaccine is being evaluated for malaria prevention. The vaccine is administered intravenously for maximal efficacy. Direct venous inoculation (DVI) with PfSPZ vaccine has been safe, tolerable, and feasible in adults, but safety data for children and infants are limited.

Safety of contraceptive use among women with congenital heart disease: A systematic review.

Objective: Women with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk of pregnancy complications and need information on safe, effective contraceptive methods to avoid unintended pregnancy. This systematic review examines evidence regarding safety of contraceptive use among women with CHD.

Methods: The PubMed database was searched for any peer-reviewed articles published through April 2018 that included safety outcomes associated with reversible contraceptive methods among women with CHD.

Functional limitations and educational needs among children and adolescents with heart disease.

Objective: To examine how cognitive and motor limitations in children with heart disease are associated with education and participation in extracurricular activities.

Design: Using 2009-2010 parent-reported data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN), we examined prevalence of five functional limitations (learning/concentration, communication, self-care, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills) by diagnosed heart disease status using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Among CSHCN with heart disease, we examined the associations between severity of each functional limitation and missing ≥11 days of school in the past year, receiving special education services, and interference with extracurricular activities.

Preoperative echocardiographic measures in interrupted aortic arch: Which ones best predict surgical approach and outcome?

Objective: It is unclear whether neonates with interrupted aortic arch (IAA) and a smaller left ventricular outflow tract may have improved outcomes with a Yasui operation (ventricular outflow bypass procedure) over a primary complete repair. This study sought to identify preoperative echocardiographic parameters to differentiate which neonates may have improved outcomes with a primary vs Yasui operation.

Design: Patient demographics, cardiac surgery type, complications, need for reoperation and/or interventional catheterization, and date of last follow-up were collected on neonates who underwent a biventricular repair for IAA from 2003 to 2014.

Echocardiographic Predictors of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction following Repair of Atrioventricular Septal Defect.

Background: Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is a common complication following surgical repair of atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD).

Objective: We sought to determine predictors of LVOTO based on echocardiograms performed prior to initial repair of AVSD.

Methods: Of the 415 children that had repair of AVSD from 2003 to 2012, 17 children were identified with LVOTO that required surgical intervention.

Early surgical morbidity and mortality in adults with congenital heart disease: the University of Michigan experience.

Objectives: To review early surgical outcomes in a contemporary series of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing cardiac operations at the University of Michigan, and to investigate possible preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for morbidity and mortality.

Methods: A retrospective medical record review was performed for all patients > or =18 years of age who underwent open heart operations by a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at the University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2004. Records from a cohort of pediatric patients ages 1-17 years were matched to a subset of the adult patients by surgical procedure and date of operation.

Exercise assessment in infants after cardiac transplantation.

Background: Few data describe exercise performance after cardiac transplantation during infancy. The aim of this study was to compare the cardiorespiratory response to exercise in healthy subjects with that of subjects who had undergone heart transplantation during infancy to treat hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Methods: Subjects (24 heart transplant recipients and 25 healthy controls) exercised on a treadmill using pediatric ramp protocols.