Cesarean delivery on maternal request in Israel: Maternity department policies and obstetricians' perspectives.

Objective: This study aimed to describe Israeli maternity departments' policies regarding cesarean delivery on maternal request, and factors associated with obstetricians' support for cesarean delivery on maternal request in specific scenarios.

Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included 22 maternity department directors and 222 obstetricians from the majority of Israeli hospitals. Directors were interviewed and completed a questionnaire about their department's cesarean delivery on maternal request policy, and obstetricians responded to a survey presenting case scenarios in which women requested cesarean delivery on maternal request.

Type of Re-Hospitalization and Association with Neonatal Morbidities in Infants of Very Low Birth Weight.

Background: Preterm infants are at high risk for long-term morbidities and an increased rate of re-hospitalization.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the type of re-hospitalization of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, from infancy through adolescence, and to assess the association of neonatal morbidities with specific types of re-hospitalization.

Study Design: The study cohort comprised 6,385 VLBW infants who were registered with the Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS) from their birth hospitalization.

The effect of body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain on adverse obstetrical outcomes in pregnancies following assisted reproductive technology as compared to spontaneously conceived pregnancies.

Objective: To compare the effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and inappropriate gestational weight gain (GWG) on adverse obstetrical outcomes among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments as compared to spontaneously-conceived (SC) pregnancies.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 1058 pregnant women from two medical centres; 504 women who conceived following ART treatments and 554 who conceived spontaneously. The women were recruited at 8 weeks of gestation and follow-up telephone interviews were conducted 6 weeks after delivery.

Knowledge of risk factors and prevention of osteoporosis: the Israeli women's health at midlife study.

Unlabelled: Wide disparities in knowledge of risk factors and prevention of osteoporosis were demonstrated among midlife Israeli minority women (Arabs and immigrants from the former USSR) compared to Jewish long-time residents. Women who believed osteoporosis to be a serious disease and those who felt susceptible to it reported better knowledge.

Purpose: The main goals of this study were to assess knowledge of risk factors and preventive measures for osteoporosis in middle-aged women and to evaluate the relationship of knowledge to personal risk factors and personal perceptions about osteoporosis.

The mortality of very low birth weight infants: the benefit and relative impact of changes in population and therapeutic variables.

Objective: Very low birth weight (VLBW, ≤1500 g) infants' mortality rates have decreased markedly. We aimed to quantify the relative contribution of changes in the distribution of population characteristics and changes in specific mortality rates on the decline in mortality rates of VLBW infants.

Study Design: A population-based observational study of the Israel national VLBW infant database.

Rehospitalization Through Childhood and Adolescence: Association with Neonatal Morbidities in Infants of Very Low Birth Weight.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of major neonatal morbidities on the risks for rehospitalization in children and adolescents born of very low birth weight.

Study Design: An observational study was performed on data of the Israel Neonatal Network linked together with the Maccabi Healthcare Services medical records. After discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit, 6385 infants of very low birth weight born from 1995 to 2012 were registered with Maccabi Healthcare Services and formed the study cohort.

Population-based study on antenatal corticosteroid treatment in preterm small for gestational age and non-small for gestational age twin infants.

Objectives: To assess the associations between antenatal corticosteroid use (ACU), mortality and severe morbidities in preterm, twin neonates and compare these between small for gestational age (SGA) and non-SGA twins.

Materials And Methods: Population-based study using data collected by the Israel National Very Low Birth Weight infant database from 1995 to 2012, comprising twin infants of 24-31 weeks' gestation, without major malformations. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Possible risk for cancer among children born following assisted reproductive technology in Israel.

Background: Among children conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART), increased risk of adverse birth outcomes has been observed, including multiple births, preterm births, and congenital malformations. Regarding cancer among ART-conceived children, findings are discrepant.

Methods: This is a historical cohort of 9,042 ART-conceived children and 211,763 spontaneously conceived (SC) children born from 1997 through 2004.

Cultural Disparities in the Use of Prescription and Nonprescription Medications Among Midlife Women in Israel.

The study aimed to examine differences in medication use among midlife women from different cultural origins and to identify socio-demographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics associated with prescribed and non-prescribed medication use. Face-to-face interviews with women aged 45-64 years were conducted during 2004-2006 within three population groups: long-term Jewish residents (LTJR), immigrants from the former Soviet Union after 1989, and Arab women. The survey instrument included current use of medications and way of purchasing (with/without prescription).

Sexual lifestyle among young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Background: Sexual lifestyles including sexual activity, problems, satisfaction, and the formation and maintenance of relationships are greatly affected by physical health. Data are limited regarding the sexual lifestyle of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Fear of hypoglycemic episodes during sexual intercourse and intimacy issues can impact individuals with T1DM.

Rate, risk factors and assessment of a counselling intervention for antenatal depression by public health nurses in an Israeli ultra-orthodox community.

Aim: To investigate the rate of and risk factors for perinatal depression in an Israeli ultra-orthodox Jewish community and assess the contribution of antenatal nursing intervention to reducing symptoms of postpartum depression.

Background: Perinatal depression is recognized globally as a common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, with negative effects on the mother, infant and family. Among Jewish ultra-orthodox women both religion and childbearing play major roles.

Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes Among Primiparae at Very Advanced Maternal Age: At What Price?

Objectives: In light of the potential physical and emotional costs to both woman and child, this study was conducted to assess pregnancy complications and birth outcomes in primiparae at very advanced maternal age (VAMA, aged ≥45) compared to younger primiparae.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study comparing 222 VAMA primiparae and a reference group of 222 primiparae aged 30-35, delivering at Sheba Medical Center from 2008 through 2013.

Results: VAMA primiparae were more likely than younger primiparae to be single, to have chronic health conditions, and higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational-hypertension (GHTN) and preeclampsia-eclampsia.

A case-control study of caesarean delivery on maternal request: who and why?

Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the profile of women who are most likely to undergo caesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) and clarify their reasons for this decision.

Methods: For this multicentre case-control study, data were collected from 429 women who underwent CDMR and 429 matched controls who delivered vaginally from June, 2008 through February, 2009. Participants were interviewed by telephone regarding sociodemographic variables, health and lifestyle.

Overweight and obese midlife women in Israel: cultural differences in perceived weight status.

Objectives: To examine cultural differences in Weight status misperception (WSMP) and identify associations between weight perception and weight control efforts among overweight/obese midlife women in Israel.

Methods: Data from the nationally representative Women's-Health-in-Midlife-National-Study were used. Participants included overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30) and obese (BMI ≥ 30) midlife women (45-64 years) from three cultural groups: Long-Term Jewish Residents (LTJR), Immigrants from the former USSR, and Arabs.

Women's knowledge about heart disease: Differences among ethnic and cultural groups in the Israeli Women's Health in Midlife Study.

The current investigation aimed to assess levels of knowledge about risk factors for heart disease among midlife Israeli women, and to evaluate the relationship of knowledge to personal risk factors and vulnerability to heart disease. Face-to-face interviews with women aged 45-64 years were conducted during 2004-2006 within three population groups: long-term Jewish residents (LTR), immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and Arab women. The survey instrument included six knowledge statements relating to: the risk after menopause, family history, elevated cholesterol level, diabetes, obesity, and warning signs of a heart attack.

Population-based trends in mortality and neonatal morbidities among singleton, very preterm, very low birth weight infants over 16 years.

Background: Improved survival of singleton very preterm, very low birth weight (VPTVLBW) infants has been associated with increasing rates of severe neonatal morbidities.

Aim: To assess changes in mortality and neonatal morbidities among singleton VPT-VLBW infants.

Study Design: Population-based observational study of data collected by the Israel Neonatal Network.

The possible association between exposure to air pollution and the risk for congenital malformations.

Background: Over the last decade, there is growing evidence that exposure to air pollution may be associated with increased risk for congenital malformations.

Objectives: To evaluate the possible association between exposures to air pollution during pregnancy and congenital malformations among infants born following spontaneously conceived (SC) pregnancies and assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancies.

Methods: This is an historical cohort study comprising 216,730 infants: 207,825 SC infants and 8905 ART conceived infants, during the periods 1997-2004.

Trajectories of HbA1c levels in children and youth with type 1 diabetes.

Purpose: To illustrate the distribution of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels according to age and gender among children, adolescents and youth with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

Methods: Consecutive HbA1c measurements of 349 patients, aged 2 to 30 years with T1DM were obtained from 1995 through 2010. Measurement from patients diagnosed with celiac disease (n = 20), eating disorders (n = 41) and hemoglobinopathy (n = 1) were excluded.

Prevalence of overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome components in children, adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: We aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children, adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and to assess the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components.

Methods: The study cohort comprised 326 (168 women) consecutive patients aged 5 to 30 years diagnosed with T1DM and followed up in the Juvenile Diabetes Clinic, Maccabi Health Care Services. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, presence of additional diseases, other medications, HbA1c , triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were obtained.

Health, cultural and socioeconomic factors related to self-rated health of long-term Jewish residents, immigrants, and Arab women in midlife in Israel.

Self-rated health (SRH) has been found to predict future health, yet its importance is unique in the information it captures, beyond more objective measures. This information can include psychosocial and cultural factors that can be important in understanding women's health. Our goal was to test whether long-term Jewish residents (LTJR), immigrant, and Arab women differed in their SRH, whether these differences were maintained after controlling for indicators of health status, and, if so, whether the differences among the three groups reflected psychosocial or socioeconomic factors.

An intervention for improving the lifestyle habits of kindergarten children in Israel: a cluster-randomised controlled trial investigation.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an intervention programme to improve kindergarten children's eating and leisure habits in Israel.

Design: A cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Six full-day kindergartens in Israel were randomly divided into three groups.

Follow-up of newborns of mothers with Graves' disease.

Background: Overt neonatal Graves' disease is rare, but may be severe, even life threatening, with deleterious effects on neural development. The main objective of this study was to describe the course of thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxin (fT4) levels, as well as postnatal weight gain in relation to fT4 levels, in neonates born to women with Graves' disease without overt neonatal thyrotoxicosis. Such information is important to deduce the optimal schedule for evaluation.

Population-based study shows improved postnatal growth in preterm very-low-birthweight infants between 1995 and 2010.

Aim: To assess whether the postnatal growth of preterm very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants, as determined by measures of postnatal growth failure (PNGF), improved during the period 1995-2010 and to evaluate postnatal growth by gestational age (GA) and intrauterine growth groups.

Methods: The study was based on the Israel national VLBW infant database and comprised 13 531 VLBW infants of 24-32 weeks' GA, discharged at a postmenstrual age of ≤40 weeks. Z-scores were determined for weight at birth and discharge.