Predicting the risk of infant mortality for newborns operated for congenital heart defects: A population-based cohort (EPICARD) study of two post-operative predictive scores.

Background: Whereas no global severity score exists for congenital heart defects (CHD), risk (Risk Adjusted Cardiac Heart Surgery-1: RACHS-1) and/or complexity (Aristotle Basic Complexity: ABC) scores have been developed for those who undergo surgery. Population-based studies for assessing the predictive ability of these scores are lacking.

Objective: To assess the predictive ability of RACHS-1 and ABC scores for the risk of infant mortality using population-based cohort (EPICARD) data for newborns with structural CHD.

Prospective Whole-Genome Sequencing in Tuberculosis Outbreak Investigation, France, 2017-2018.

During June 2017-April 2018, active tuberculosis with Beijing SIT1 isolates was diagnosed in 14 persons living in 4 distant cities in France. Whole-genome sequencing indicated that these patients belonged to a single transmission chain. Whole-genome sequencing-based laboratory investigations enabled prompt tracing of linked cases to improve tuberculosis control.

Assessing the risk of preterm birth for newborns with congenital heart defects conceived following infertility treatments: a population-based study.

Objectives: To quantify the risk of preterm birth (PTB) for newborns with congenital heart defects (CHDs) conceived following infertility treatments, and to examine the role of multiple pregnancies in the association between infertility treatments and PTB for newborns with CHD.

Methods: We used data from a population-based, prospective cohort study (EPICARD EPIdémiologie des CARDiopathies congénitales) including 2190 newborns with CHD and excluding cases with atrial septal defects born to women living in the Greater Paris area between May 2005 and April 2008. Statistical analysis included logistic regression to take into account potential confounders (maternal characteristics, invasive prenatal testing, CHD prenatal diagnosis, medically induced labour/caesarean section before labour, birth year).

Community outbreak of serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease in Beaujolais, France, February to June 2016: from alert to targeted vaccination.

In February and March 2016, four cases of serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) occurred over 3 weeks in a small area north of Lyon in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France. There were no deaths but two cases had sequelae. This community outbreak was caused by a rare meningococcal strain of the clonal complex ST-32, covered by the 4CMenB/Bexsero vaccine.

Assessing the role of multiple pregnancies in the association between tetralogy of Fallot and assisted reproductive techniques: a path-analysis approach.

Background: Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are associated with a higher risk of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and multiple pregnancies may be associated with a higher risk of congenital anomalies. We assessed the extent to which the association between ART and risk of TOF may be mediated by the higher risk of multiple pregnancies associated with ART.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study using population-based data from the Paris Registry of Congenital Malformations for the period 1987-2009 and a cohort study of congenital heart defects (EPICARD).

Clinical and socioeconomic predictors of pregnancy termination for fetuses with congenital heart defects: a population-based evaluation.

Objectives: This study aims to (1) evaluate the probability and timing of termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA) for all congenital heart defects (CHD) and categories of CHD and (2) assess clinical and socioeconomic predictors of TOPFA for isolated CHD excluding ventricular septal defects (VSD).

Methods: Using population-based data from the Paris Registry of Congenital Malformations, we assessed the probability of TOPFA and gestational age at TOPFA. We used logistic regression to estimate the adjusted effects of maternal characteristics, clinical factors (CHD type, fetal growth restriction, nuchal translucency measurement and gestational age at prenatal diagnosis) on the odds of TOPFA.

The risk for four specific congenital heart defects associated with assisted reproductive techniques: a population-based evaluation.

Study Question: Are the risks of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and coarctation of the aorta increased in infants conceived by different assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs)?

Study Answer: ARTs, and particularly intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), are specifically associated with a higher risk of TOF.

What Is Already Known: ARTs are associated with an increase in the overall risk of birth defects. The risk for congenital heart defects (CHDs) associated with ARTs has been evaluated as a whole but there is limited information on the risks for specific CHDs.

Prostaglandin E2 analogue sulprostone for treatment of atonic postpartum hemorrhage.

Objectives: Use of prostaglandins, including sulprostone (an E2 analog), is recommended for second-line uterotonic treatment of atonic postpartum hemorrhage and might be considered as an indicator of quality of care in severe atonic postpartum hemorrhage management. Our objective was to estimate whether sulprostone was appropriately used and how it was tolerated in women with atonic postpartum hemorrhage.

Methods: This large population-based study (146,781 deliveries) included 4,038 women with clinically assessed atonic postpartum hemorrhage in 106 French hospitals during 1 year.

Risk of congenital heart defects associated with assisted reproductive technologies: a population-based evaluation.

Aims: To estimate the risk of congenital heart defects (CHD) associated with assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

Methods And Results: We used data from the Paris Registry of Congenital Malformations on 5493 cases of CHD and 3847 malformed controls for which no associations with ART were reported in the literature. Assisted reproductive technologies included inductors of ovulation only, in vitro fertilization, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.