Differential item functioning for lesbians, bisexual, and heterosexual women in the center for epidemiological studies depression scale.

This study assessed whether the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) functions equivalently in assessing depressive symptom severity in lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women. Using differential item functioning methods, the authors examined (a) whether there is a bias in CES-D total scores and in individual item scores and (b) whether there are differences across female sexuality groups in the construct of depression assessed by the CES-D. Data were collected anonymously online from 273 women.

Selective reduction of multifetal pregnancies to twins improves outcome over nonreduced triplet gestations.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate effects of multifetal pregnancy reduction on pregnancy complications and birth weights of remaining twin fetuses compared with expectantly managed triplets and nonreduced twins.

Study Design: Medical records of 54 triplet pregnancies, 59 twin pregnancies resulting from multifetal pregnancy reduction, and 88 sets of twins conceived with assisted reproductive techniques and delivered at New York Hospital after 24 weeks were retrospectively reviewed. Birth weights were corrected for gestational age at delivery by use of a formula derived from composite standardized growth curves.

Amniotic fluid accumulation in the first trimester.

Amniotic fluid volume was estimated sonographically in 507 of 977 first trimester pregnancies with living fetuses and in 99 of 227 instances of missed abortion. Volume is correlated with fetal length, cross referenced by average heart rate for living fetuses. Fluid volume increases exponentially after 9 weeks, consistent with the onset of renal function.

Smaller parts scanning of the fetus.

Current instrumentation provides capabilities for minute fetal anatomic exploration and for integrative physiologic inference. This extends the complexity of the study and the diagnostic obligation of the examiner. The direction of study and clarification of findings devolve increasingly upon pathology and pathophysiology rather on than prior imaging experience.