Prevalence and Spatial Distribution of Gastroschisis in an Industrial Watershed.

The relationship between the congenital defect of gastroschisis and environmental toxins is poorly understood. We examined gastroschisis incidence, risk factors, and spatial association in a geographic region with known environmental pollution and hazardous waste sites. An observational study of fetal and neonatal gastroschisis diagnosed from 1/1/2006 to 12/31/2020 was conducted in a southern West Virginia (WV) tertiary care hospital.

Clinical and Socioeconomic Factors that Predict Non-completion of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer in a Rural Cancer Center.

Background: Previous literature demonstrates correlations between comorbidities and failure to complete adjuvant chemotherapy. Frailty and socioeconomic disparities have also been implicated in affecting cancer treatment outcomes. This study examines the effect of demographics, comorbidities, frailty, and socioeconomic status on chemotherapy completion rates in colorectal cancer patients.

The Provision of Acute Pediatric Surgical Care by Adult Acute Care General Surgeons : Is There a Learning Curve?

Background: At our hospital, acute surgical care of children aged 6 and older is managed by adult acute care surgeons. Previously published data from a 10-year experience with this model demonstrated no differences in outcomes when compared with pediatric surgical benchmark data. This study assesses for the effects of a learning curve in the care of pediatric patients by comparing outcomes of patients treated in the first three years with those treated in the last 3 years during a 10-year experience with this model.