Association of community characteristics as measured by social deprivation index score with prenatal care and obstetrical outcomes.

Objective We aimed to determine the relationships between socioeconomic disadvantage, as measured by the Social Deprivation Index (SDI), and prenatal care (PNC) utilization, obstetrical outcomes, and neonatal complications. Study Design All spontaneously-conceived singleton deliveries of nulliparous gravidae with residence zip code available (n= 4,786) were identified in a population-based database. Deliveries were assigned SDI scores based on preconception zip code.

A cluster randomized trial of xylitol chewing gum for prevention of preterm birth: The PPaX trial.

Background: Maternal periodontal disease is associated with preterm and low-birthweight deliveries, but randomized trials of likely efficacious treatments (e.g., dental scaling and root planing) during pregnancy have not reduced these adverse outcomes.

A survey of contraceptive method use among patients with delayed permanent contraception due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Evaluate contraception usage in patients awaiting permanent contraception during COVID-19 pandemic.

Study Design: Patients awaiting permanent contraception between March 2020 and July 2022 completed a survey assessing contraceptive usage. Descriptive statistics were analyzed.

Dose-Dense Chemotherapy Regimen for Breast Cancer Associated with Significant Decline in Ovarian Reserve.

To determine the impact of dose-dense chemotherapy administration on ovarian reserve in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of reproductive age women who underwent dose-dense chemotherapy regimens with doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide with or without paclitaxel for a new diagnosis of breast cancer. We compared pre- and post-treatment serum antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels and assessed changes in AMH over time.

Fetal Anemia: Determinants and Perinatal Outcomes according to the Method of Intrauterine Blood Transfusion.

Introduction: Fetal anemia from hemolytic disease treated by intrauterine transfusion (IUT) can be performed by intraperitoneal, intracardiac, and intravascular transfusion (IVT). Objective of our study was to compare different transfusion techniques.

Methods: Retrospective review of IUT secondary to red cell alloimmunization was conducted at eight international centers from 2012 to 2020.

Relationship between clinical measures of hearing and clinical measures of vestibular function.

Purpose: Patients often have basic audiometry (BA) but not objective diagnostic tests of the vestibular system (VNG) when complaining of symptoms of a vestibular disorder. The relationship of BA results to VNG results is unknown. This study sought to determine if BA scores are related to impaired VNG scores.

Fetal sex and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus in gravidae with multiple gestation pregnancies.

Introduction: There is an increasing incidence of pregnancies with twin gestations. One outcome more likely to occur with multiple gestations is gestational diabetes mellitus. Studies have suggested that in singleton pregnancies, fetal sex may affect insulin resistance.

Perforation of cavum septi pellucidi in open spina bifida and need for hydrocephalus treatment by 1 year of age.

Objective: In-utero repair of an open neural tube defect (ONTD) reduces the risk of developing severe hydrocephalus postnatally. Perforation of the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) may reflect increased intraventricular pressure in the fetal brain. We sought to evaluate the association of perforated CSP visualized on fetal imaging before and/or after in-utero ONTD repair with the eventual need for hydrocephalus treatment by 1 year of age.

Umbilical cord gas analysis: clinical implications of a comprehensive, contemporary determination of normal ranges.

Background: Umbilical cord gases are often used to assess the impact of labor and delivery on the fetus. However, no large series exists that reflects contemporary obstetrical practice or that analyzed blood gas ranges by route of delivery. Baseline, prelabor acid-base status in the human fetus is also poorly defined, rendering the assessment of blood gas changes during labor difficult.

Improved Identification of Adolescent Hip Dysplasia Using a Screening Method Based on Lateral Center Edge Angle Measurements.

Background: In addition to the clinical exam, several quantitative measurement tools are performed on pelvic radiographs in the assessment of adolescent hip dysplasia at most dedicated pediatric hip preservation clinics, with the most commonly used measurement called the lateral center edge angle (LCEA). However, most pediatric radiologists do not use these quantitative measuring tools and instead make the diagnosis of adolescent hip dysplasia based on subjective review.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the additive value of a measurement-based diagnosis of adolescent hip dysplasia using LCEA versus subjective radiographic interpretation by pediatric radiologists.

Social Drivers of COVID-19 Disease Severity in Pregnant Patients.

Objective: While coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has had global impact in all populations, certain groups of patients have experienced disproportionate rates of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between COVID-19 disease severity, demographic variables, race and ethnicity, and social determinants of health among pregnant patients in a diverse urban population.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis was performed of all pregnant patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at two urban tertiary care centers in Houston, TX between March and August 2020.

The Effect of the Rate of Increase of Estrogen Replacement Therapy on Bone Mineral Density Accrual in Young Patients with Turner Syndrome.

Background: Turner syndrome (TS) is caused by partial/complete X-chromosome monosomy with variable phenotypes, characterized by hypogonadism and short stature. To achieve pubertal changes, up to 50%-79% of patients with TS require estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), and 80% have low bone mineral density (BMD). Studies show that pubertal delays are associated with decreased BMD.

Fetal sex and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus in polycystic ovarian syndrome gravidae.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is characterized by elevated androgens and is a well-known risk factor for the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus. Androgens (particularly dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate) are crucial for the development and characteristics of the male reproductive tract during fetal life, and fetal dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate enters the placenta where it is metabolized and functions as an estrogen substrate. Given this unique sex-specific relationship with androgens and the association of serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate concentration with insulin resistance, we hypothesized that metabolic comorbidities in pregnancy might differ by fetal sex in gravidae with polycystic ovarian syndrome, notably in those with infertility.

Relationship Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Balance on Computerized Dynamic Posturography.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) leads to chronic sleep deprivation. The relationship between OSA and balance is poorly understood.

Aim/objective: This study aimed to determine if OSA adversely affects standing balance.

Obstetric outcomes after fetal intervention - a single-center descriptive review.

Background: Advancements in fetal interventions have enabled management of several fetal congenital anomalies and conditions; these are accomplished ultrasound-guided, fetoscopic or open techniques. Understanding the risk of preterm labor associated with each technique is critical for patient counseling and choice of intervention; however, data on obstetrical outcomes associated with each type of intervention remains limited.

Objective: To provide descriptive information on the risk of preterm birth following fetal intervention, based on underlying disease and procedure performed.

Effect of preoperative low-normal cervical length on perinatal outcome after laparotomy-assisted fetoscopic spina bifida repair.

Objective: To determine if preoperative cervical length in the low-normal range increases the risk of adverse perinatal outcome in patients undergoing fetoscopic spina bifida repair.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent fetal spina bifida repair between September 2014 and May 2022 at a single center. Cervical length was measured on transvaginal ultrasound during the week before surgery.

Changes in Measures of Vestibular and Balance Function and Hippocampus Volume in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Objective: To test the hypotheses that people with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment have increased frequency of vestibular impairments and decreased hippocampal volume compared with healthy age-matched controls.

Study Design: Retrospective, with some historical controls.

Setting: Out-patient, tertiary care center.

Association between ambulatory skills and diffusion tensor imaging of corpus callosal white matter in infants with spina bifida.

Objectives: To assess brain white matter using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at 1 year of age in infants diagnosed with open neural tube defect (ONTD) and explore the association of DTI parameters with ambulatory skills at 30 months of age.

Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at an average of 12 months of age and included an echo planar axial DTI sequence with diffusion gradients along 20 non-collinear directions. TORTOISE software was used to correct DTI raw data for motion artifacts, and DtiStudio, DiffeoMap and RoiEditor were used for further postprocessing.

Screening for balance in children and adults in a community science education setting: Normative data, influence of age, sex, and body mass index, and feasibility.

Background: Screening standing and walking balance is useful for people suspected of having vestibular disorders, a variety of neurologic and musculoskeletal disorders, and for screening astronauts returning after exposure to microgravity. Visitors to a community science education center children and adults, aged 4 to 85, were tested on tandem walking with eyes closed and the modified Romberg test on compliant foam. They were then asked about their experience participating in research, many people for the first time.

Examining the effect of quality improvement initiatives on decreasing racial disparities in maternal morbidity.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of quality improvement (QI) and patient safety initiatives and data disaggregation on racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity from hemorrhage (SMM-H).Our hospital began monitoring and reporting on SMM-overall and SMM-H rates in 2018 using administrative data. In March 2019, we began stratifying data by race and ethnicity and noted a disparity in rates, with non-Hispanic Black women having the highest SMM rates.

Lower skeletal muscle mass on CT body composition analysis is associated with adverse clinical course and outcome in children with COVID-19.

Objectives: To assess the association between body composition measures in children with COVID-19 and severity of the disease course and clinical outcome.

Methods: A retrospective study of children (< 19 years) with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital who underwent CT of the chest and/or abdomen was conducted. Data compiled from electronic medical records included demographics, body mass index (BMI), length of stay, ICU admission, invasive mechanical ventilation and death.

Cardiac Size, Shape, and Ventricular Contractility in Fetuses at Sea Level With an Estimated Weight Less-than 10th Centile.

Objectives: To investigate cardiac size, shape, and ventricular contractility in fetuses with estimated fetal weight (EFW) <10th centile at sea level (Houston).

Methods: A prospective ultrasound study examined 37 fetuses with EFW <10th centile at sea level. High-frequency cine clips were used to evaluate the 4-chamber view including end-diastolic measurements and global sphericity index.

Acute appendicitis and SARS-CoV-2 in children: imaging findings at a tertiary children's hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Evidence suggests severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may be associated with appendicitis or clinical symptoms that mimic appendicitis, but it is not clear if the findings or utility of imaging in pediatric patients with suspected appendicitis have changed since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Objective: To evaluate for potential differences in SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative pediatric patients imaged for suspected appendicitis to determine the reliability of the existing medical imaging approach for appendicitis in a population that contains both SARS-CoV-2 positive and SARS-CoV-2 negative pediatric patients.

Materials And Methods: Patients imaged for suspected appendicitis Apr.

Can MRI Differentiate between Infectious and Immune-Related Acute Cerebellitis? A Retrospective Imaging Study.

Background And Purpose: Acute cerebellitis is an acute neurologic condition attributable to a recent or concurrent infection or a recent vaccination or ingestion of medication, with MR imaging evidence of cerebellar edema. MR imaging can confirm an anatomic abnormality and may allow the radiologist to establish a differential diagnosis. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the MR imaging findings in children with acute cerebellitis due to infectious versus immune-related conditions, in particular whether MR imaging findings allow differentiation.