Group B streptococcal colonization: Prevalence and impact of smoking in women delivering term or near term neonates in a large tertiary care hospital in the southern United States.

Background And Hypothesis: The role of smoking as a risk factor for group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization in women during pregnancy has not been previously adequately explored. We hypothesized that women of term or near term neonates who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to have GBS colonization than their non-smoking counterparts.

Methods: The electronic health records (EHRs) of a convenience sample of women delivering in an inner-city university tertiary care center were reviewed.

Tobacco smoke exposure as a risk factor for human papillomavirus infections in women 18-26 years old in the United States.

Background: Although tobacco smoke has been associated with many infections, little is known of its association with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among young adult women. The aim of the study was to explore the association of tobacco smoke exposure on HPV infections in young adult women in the United States. It was hypothesized that tobacco smoke exposure (both active and passive) as objectively measured by cotinine levels was associated with increased HPV infection in a national sample of 18 and 26 year-old women in the United States.

The prevalence and effects of environmental tobacco smoke exposure among inner-city children: lessons for pediatric residents.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, to explore the relationship between ETS exposure and the use of health services, and to examine the degree to which pediatric residents document ETS exposure status and counsel parents.

Method: In 2006, the authors recruited dyads of children (0-12 years old) and their mothers from an inner-city pediatric group practice clinic. Mothers completed a survey, and the authors searched the children's medical charts.

Predischarge screening for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia identifies infants who need phototherapy.

Objective: To test whether the combined use of total plasma/serum bilirubin (TSB) levels and clinical risk factors more accurately identifies infants who receive phototherapy than does the use of either method alone.

Study Design: We recruited healthy infants of ≥35 weeks' gestation at 6 centers that practiced universal predischarge TSB screening. Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) was measured at 24 hours, with TSB at 24-60 hours and at 3- to 5- and 7- to 14-day follow-up visits.

Environmental tobacco smoke exposure: prevalence and mechanisms of causation of infections in children.

Background And Objectives: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is probably one of the most important public health hazards in our community. Our aim with this article is to (1) review the prevalence of ETS exposure in the United States and how this prevalence is often measured in practice and (2) summarize current thinking concerning the mechanism by which this exposure may cause infections in young children.

Methods: We conducted a Medline search to obtain data published mainly in peer-reviewed journals.

Prenatal cocaine exposure and infant performance on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale.

Drug-exposed infants did not differ from nonexposed infants on Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) clusters or on birth characteristics. Infants (n = 137) born to three groups of low-income mothers--cocaine and poly-drug-using mothers in a drug user treatment group (n = 76) and in a treatment rejecter group (n = 18), and to a nonuser group (n = 43)--were examined at 2 days and 2-4 weeks. The motor cluster improved and regulation of state worsened from time 1 to 2.