Effect of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in infant formula on long-term cognitive function in childhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

PROSPERO registration numbers CRD42018105196 and CRD42018088868.

Linking surveillance and clinical data for evaluating trends in bloodstream infection rates in neonatal units in England.

Objective: To evaluate variation in trends in bloodstream infection (BSI) rates in neonatal units (NNUs) in England according to the data sources and linkage methods used.

Methods: We used deterministic and probabilistic methods to link clinical records from 112 NNUs in the National Neonatal Research Database (NNRD) to national laboratory infection surveillance data from Public Health England. We calculated the proportion of babies in NNRD (aged <1 year and admitted between 2010-2017) with a BSI caused by clearly pathogenic organisms between two days after admission and two days after discharge.

Associations between use of macrolide antibiotics during pregnancy and adverse child outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Evidence on adverse effects of maternal macrolide use during pregnancy is inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between macrolide use during pregnancy and adverse fetal and child outcomes.

Methods And Findings: We included observational studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that recorded macrolide use during pregnancy and child outcomes.

A guide to evaluating linkage quality for the analysis of linked data.

Linked datasets are an important resource for epidemiological and clinical studies, but linkage error can lead to biased results. For data security reasons, linkage of personal identifiers is often performed by a third party, making it difficult for researchers to assess the quality of the linked dataset in the context of specific research questions. This is compounded by a lack of guidance on how to determine the potential impact of linkage error.

Cost-Effectiveness of Pediatric Central Venous Catheters in the UK: A Secondary Publication from the CATCH Clinical Trial.

Antibiotic-impregnated central venous catheters (CVCs) reduce the risk of bloodstream infections (BSIs) in patients treated in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). However, it is unclear if they are cost-effective from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Economic evaluation alongside the CATCH trial (ISRCTN34884569) to estimate the incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of antibiotic-impregnated (rifampicin and minocycline), heparin-bonded and standard polyurethane CVCs.

Antibiotics versus no treatment for toxoplasma retinochoroiditis.

Background: Acute toxoplasma retinochoroiditis causes transient symptoms of ocular discomfort and may lead to permanent visual loss. Antibiotic treatment aims primarily to reduce the risk of permanent visual loss, recurrent retinochoroiditis, and the severity and duration of acute symptoms. There is uncertainty about the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment.

Impregnated central venous catheters for prevention of bloodstream infection in children (the CATCH trial): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Impregnated central venous catheters are recommended for adults to reduce bloodstream infections but not for children because there is not enough evidence to prove they are effective. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of any type of impregnation (antibiotic or heparin) compared with standard central venous catheters to prevent bloodstream infections in children needing intensive care.

Methods: We did a randomised controlled trial of children admitted to 14 English paediatric intensive care units.

CATheter Infections in CHildren (CATCH): a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation comparing impregnated and standard central venous catheters in children.

Background: Impregnated central venous catheters (CVCs) are recommended for adults to reduce bloodstream infection (BSI) but not for children.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of impregnated compared with standard CVCs for reducing BSI in children admitted for intensive care.

Design: Multicentre randomised controlled trial, cost-effectiveness analysis from a NHS perspective and a generalisability analysis and cost impact analysis.

Pregnancy as a major determinant for discontinuation of antidepressants: an analysis of data from The Health Improvement Network.

Background: Potential adverse effects of antidepressants during pregnancy have caused concern about their use. There are, however, very limited detailed data on patterns of antidepressant prescribing in pregnancy.

Objective: To examine secular trends in prescribing during pregnancy, to assess whether pregnancy is a major determinant for stopping antidepressants, and to identify characteristics of those who stopped antidepressants during pregnancy.

Prenatal treatment for serious neurological sequelae of congenital toxoplasmosis: an observational prospective cohort study.

Background: The effectiveness of prenatal treatment to prevent serious neurological sequelae (SNSD) of congenital toxoplasmosis is not known.

Methods And Findings: Congenital toxoplasmosis was prospectively identified by universal prenatal or neonatal screening in 14 European centres and children were followed for a median of 4 years. We evaluated determinants of postnatal death or SNSD defined by one or more of functional neurological abnormalities, severe bilateral visual impairment, or pregnancy termination for confirmed congenital toxoplasmosis.

Cisapride treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux in children.

Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is common and usually self-limiting in infants. Cisapride, a pro-kinetic agent, was commonly prescribed until reports of possible serious adverse events were associated with its use.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of cisapride versus placebo or non-surgical treatments for symptoms of GOR.

Recovery of anti-Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin M in stored guthrie card blood spots.

Retrospective testing of neonatal Guthrie card blood spots for specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) can distinguish congenital toxoplasmosis from acquired toxoplasmosis. We determined whether storage temperature reduced IgM detection, using filter paper blood samples "spiked" with anti-Toxoplasma IgM. After 300 days, IgM detection deteriorated with storage at room temperature but not at temperatures of 4 degrees C or lower.

Host genetic and epigenetic factors in toxoplasmosis.

Analysing human genetic variation provides a powerful tool in understanding risk factors for disease. Toxoplasma gondii acquired by the mother can be transmitted to the fetus. Infants with the most severe clinical signs in brain and eye are those infected early in pregnancy when fetal immunity is least well developed.

Effect of antibiotics for otitis media on mastoiditis in children: a retrospective cohort study using the United kingdom general practice research database.

Background: Information is needed on whether mastoiditis has increased in association with the decline in antibiotics prescribed to children by primary care physicians in the United Kingdom.

Objective: To determine time trends in mastoiditis incidence, the frequency of antecedent otitis media, and the effect of antibiotics for otitis media on the risk of mastoiditis in children.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study by using the UK General Practice Research Database.

Ocular sequelae of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil compared with Europe.

Background: Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis appears to be more severe in Brazil, where it is a leading cause of blindness, than in Europe, but direct comparisons are lacking. Evidence is accumulating that more virulent genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii predominate in South America.

Methods: We compared prospective cohorts of children with congenital toxoplasmosis identified by universal neonatal screening in Brazil and neonatal or prenatal screening in Europe between 1992 and 2003, using the same protocol in both continents.

Genetic and epigenetic factors at COL2A1 and ABCA4 influence clinical outcome in congenital toxoplasmosis.

Background: Primary Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy can be transmitted to the fetus. At birth, infected infants may have intracranial calcification, hydrocephalus, and retinochoroiditis, and new ocular lesions can occur at any age after birth. Not all children who acquire infection in utero develop these clinical signs of disease.

Effectiveness of impregnated central venous catheters for catheter related blood stream infection: a systematic review.

Purpose Of Review: Clinicians need information on the relative effectiveness of different types of impregnated central venous catheter for serious infection and their relative costs and adverse effects in order to decide which type, if any, to use.

Recent Findings: We systematically reviewed 37 randomized controlled trials involving 11 586 patients. Only seven studies were classified as good on all measures of study quality.

Supplementation with antioxidants and folinic acid for children with Down's syndrome: randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To assess whether supplementation with antioxidants, folinic acid, or both improves the psychomotor and language development of children with Down's syndrome.

Design: Randomised controlled trial with two by two factorial design.

Setting: Children living in the Midlands, Greater London, and the south west of England.

Preventive strategies for group B streptococcal and other bacterial infections in early infancy: cost effectiveness and value of information analyses.

Objective: To determine the cost effectiveness of strategies for preventing neonatal infection with group B streptococci and other bacteria in the UK and the value of further information from research.

Design: Use of a decision model to compare the cost effectiveness of prenatal testing for group B streptococcal infection (by polymerase chain reaction or culture), prepartum antibiotic treatment (intravenous penicillin or oral erythromycin), and vaccination during pregnancy (not yet available) for serious bacterial infection in early infancy across 12 maternal risk groups. Model parameters were estimated using multi-parameter evidence synthesis to incorporate all relevant data inputs.

Screening for congenital toxoplasmosis: accuracy of immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin A tests after birth.

Objectives: To determine the accuracy of postnatal screening for toxoplasma-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgA.

Setting: Ten centres in three European countries.

Methods: We compared results of the first postnatal IgM or IgA test in infants with infected mothers identified by prenatal screening with the reference standard for congenital infection status of specific IgG status at one year of age.

Association between congenital toxoplasmosis and parent-reported developmental outcomes, concerns, and impairments, in 3 year old children.

Background: Information is lacking on the effects of congenital toxoplasmosis on development, behavior, and impairment in later childhood, as well as on parental concerns and anxiety. This information is important for counselling parents about the prognosis for an infected child and for policy decisions on screening.

Methods: We prospectively studied a cohort of children identified by screening for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women or neonates between 1996 and 2000 in ten European centers.

Antibiotics for toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis: an evidence-based systematic review.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of systemic antibiotic treatment for toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis.

Clinical Relevance: Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis is a significant cause of visual morbidity. Multiple different antibiotic regimens are used, but controversy about treatment effectiveness remains.