Short Stature and Distinct Growth Characteristics in Angelman Syndrome.

Introduction: Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare, genetic, neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe impairments in speech, cognition, and motor skills accompanied by unique behaviors, distinct facial features, and high prevalence of epilepsy and sleep problems. Despite some reports of short stature among AS patients, this feature is not included in the clinical criteria defined in 2005. We investigated growth patterns among AS patients with respect to mutation type, growth periods, family history, and endocrine abnormalities.

Should patients with documented fetal lung immaturity after 34 weeks of gestation be treated with steroids?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether corticosteroid administration after 34 weeks of gestation is associated with improved neonatal outcome in the presence of fetal lung immaturity.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who underwent amniocentesis to determine fetal lung maturity from 34-37 weeks of gestation. Patients with negative results (167 women) received steroids based on physician preference and were categorized into 2 groups: study group treated with betamethasone (n = 83 women) and control group in which patients did not receive betamethasone therapy (n = 84 women).