Prenatal Exposure to Source-Specific Fine Particulate Matter and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

In this study, associations between prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from 9 sources and development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were assessed in a population-based retrospective pregnancy cohort in southern California. The cohort included 318,750 mother-child singleton pairs.

Decomposing the variance: The unique and shared associations of fine and ultrafine particulate matter exposed during pregnancy with child autism spectrum disorder.

While fine particulate matter (PM) has been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), few studies focused on ultrafine particles (PM). Given that fine and ultrafine particles can be highly correlated due to shared emission sources, challenges remain to distinguish their health effects. In a retrospective cohort of 318,371 mother-child pairs (4549 ASD cases before age 5) in Southern California, pregnancy average PM and PM were estimated using a California-based chemical transport model and assigned to residential addresses.

Trends in Adolescent Depression Screening Outcomes Over the COVID-19 Pandemic at a Large, Integrated Health Care System in Southern California.

Purpose: Little is known about changes in depression screening outcomes among adolescents in primary healthcare across the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe trends in depression screening outcomes within a large integrated health care system in Southern California.

Methods: Retrospective electronic health record data from preventative healthcare visits of 11-12-year-olds and 13-17-year-olds screened for depression from March 1, 2017, to August 31, 2022, were extracted in 6-month blocks.

Preeclampsia Onset, Days to Delivery, and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: Clinical Birth Cohort Study.

Background: Maternal preeclampsia is associated with a risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in offspring. However, it is unknown whether the increased ASD risk associated with preeclampsia is due to preeclampsia onset or clinical management of preeclampsia after onset, as clinical expectant management of preeclampsia allows pregnant women with this complication to remain pregnant for potentially weeks depending on the onset and severity. Identifying the risk associated with preeclampsia onset and exposure provides evidence to support the care of high-risk pregnancies and reduce adverse effects on offspring.

Predictive Value of LACE Scores for Pediatric Readmissions.

Introduction: Hospital readmissions are recognized as a prevalent, yet potentially preventable, personal and economic burden. Length of stay, Acuity of admission, Comorbidities, and number of Emergency Department visits in the preceding 6 months can be quantified into one score, the LACE score. LACE scores have previously been identified to correlate with hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge, but research specific to the pediatric population is scant.

Neighborhood Disadvantage and Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Population With Health Insurance.

Importance: Family socioeconomic status has been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses. Less is known regarding the role of neighborhood disadvantage in the United States, particularly when children have similar access to health insurance.

Objective: To evaluate the association between neighborhood disadvantage and the diagnosis of ASD and potential effect modification by maternal and child demographic characteristics.

Types of diabetes during pregnancy and risk of depression and anxiety in offspring from childhood to young adulthood.

Aims: To assess maternal pre-existing type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy and risk of depression and anxiety from childhood to young adulthood in offspring.

Materials And Methods: This birth cohort included singletons born during 1995-2015, followed using electronic medical records through 2020. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) of depression or anxiety diagnosis during follow-up associated with in-utero exposure to maternal diabetes.

Maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy and early autism screening score at well-child visits in standard clinical practice.

Early intervention and treatment can help reduce disability in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Screening for autism spectrum disorder in young children identifies those at increased likelihood of diagnosis who may need further support. Previous research has reported that exposure to maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy is associated with higher likelihood of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in children.

Prenatal air pollution, maternal immune activation, and autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) risk is highly heritable, with potential additional non-genetic factors, such as prenatal exposure to ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm (PM) and maternal immune activation (MIA) conditions. Because these exposures may share common biological effect pathways, we hypothesized that synergistic associations of prenatal air pollution and MIA-related conditions would increase ASD risk in children.

Prenatal exposure to tailpipe and non-tailpipe tracers of particulate matter pollution and autism spectrum disorders.

Background: Traffic-related air pollution exposure is associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is unknown whether carbonaceous material from vehicular tailpipe emissions or redox-active non-tailpipe metals, eg. from tire and brake wear, are responsible.

Associations of Autism Spectrum Disorder with PM Components: A Comparative Study Using Two Different Exposure Models.

This retrospective cohort study examined associations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with prenatal exposure to major fine particulate matter (PM) components estimated using two independent exposure models. The cohort included 318 750 mother-child pairs with singleton deliveries in Kaiser Permanente Southern California hospitals from 2001 to 2014 and followed until age five. ASD cases during follow-up ( = 4559) were identified by ICD codes.

In utero exposure to near-roadway air pollution and autism spectrum disorder in children.

Importance: Previous studies have reported associations between in utero exposure to regional air pollution and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In utero exposure to components of near-roadway air pollution (NRAP) has been linked to adverse neurodevelopment in animal models, but few studies have investigated NRAP association with ASD risk.

Objective: To identify ASD risk associated with in utero exposure to NRAP in a large, representative birth cohort.

Association Between Epidural Analgesia During Labor and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring.

Importance: Although the safety of labor epidural analgesia (LEA) for neonates has been well documented, the long-term health effects of LEA on offspring remain to be investigated.

Objective: To assess the association between maternal LEA exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Data for this retrospective longitudinal birth cohort study were derived from electronic medical records from a population-based clinical birth cohort.

Treatment Course of Patients with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Ocular Hypotensives.

Purpose: To characterize the visual outcomes and the treatment course of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) based on ocular hypotensive use.

Design: A matched retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Southern California health plan was conducted. Patients taking ocular hypotensives were identified using pharmacy dispensing data and were matched to controls to compare visual acuity, number of anti-VEGF injections, and conversation to secondary anti-VEGF agents in the first year of treatment.

Low Rate of Cancer Detection by Colonoscopy in Asymptomatic, Average-Risk Subjects with Negative Results From Fecal Immunochemical Tests.

Background & Aims: Screening colonoscopies are of uncertain benefit for persons with negative results from a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). We investigated detection of CRC by colonoscopy in asymptomatic, average-risk, FIT-negative subjects.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study of 96,804 subjects with an initial negative result from a FIT at ages 50-75 years, from 2008 through 2014, who then underwent colonoscopy, using the Kaiser Permanente California databases.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy Does Not Improve Recurrence-Free Survival in Patients With Stage 2 or Stage 3 Rectal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy and Total Mesorectal Excision.

Background: Current guidelines for locally advanced stage 2/3 rectal cancer recommend neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision and adjuvant chemotherapy. The oncologic benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy has not been consistently demonstrated.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate disease recurrence and survival in patients with rectal cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy after chemoradiotherapy and total mesorectal excision.

Radical Prostatectomy and Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Kaiser Permanente Southern California: 15-Year Experience.

Introduction: Radical prostatectomy (RP) with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) is the standard treatment of high-risk prostate cancer. High-risk patients and those with lymph node metastasis (LNM) require further treatment. We review outcomes of RP+PLND in Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC).

The Utility of the Reflux Symptom Index for Diagnosis of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in an Allergy Patient Population.

Background: Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is associated with asthma, vocal cord dysfunction, cough, postnasal drainage, and throat irritation. The Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) is a clinical tool to predict the presence of LPR, but a threshold RSI score has never been validated for the diagnosis of LPR in an allergic patient population.

Objective: To identify the optimal threshold RSI score predictive of LPR in an allergy clinic population.