Effect of maternal and infant covariates on sibship correlation in birth weight

Birth weight on 12,644 singleton infants from 6,196 sibships born in Maryland between 1980 and 1984 were used to estimate the effects of nine maternal and infant covariates on the sibship correlation in birth weight. Assuming a homogeneous correlation across all families, the estimated intraclass correlation was 0.4664 (+/- 0.0099). This high sibship correlation makes it possible to predict, with reasonable accuracy, the birth weight of a child given information on previous sibs, as well as covariates on the mother and/or infant pertinent to a given pregnancy. The reduction in variance associated with incorporating information on the nine covariates used here was approximately equal to that obtained by conditioning on a single previous sib. Testing for heterogeneity in correlation among different groups of families showed that a crude measure of parity (first live birth vs. other), time between births, mother's marital status, and maternal age at the birth of the last child significantly influenced the sibship correlation in birth weight.     

An Unusual Complication of Vesical Stones

The author reports a complicated recurrence of genital tract fistula. The initial vesicovaginal fistula resulted from obstructed labor, which was subsequently surgically managed without success. The patient had a recurrent vesicovaginal fistula that was formed by the erosion of vesical stones through the anterior endopelvic fascia into the vagina. The stones eventually eroded into the rectum, resulting in the formation of a complex vesicovaginal and rectovaginal fistula.     

Partner- and partnership-related risk factors for preterm birth among low-income women in Lima,Peru

A woman's partner and the characteristics of their partnership can play an important role in the health of her pregnancy. Yet, with the notable exception of intimate partner violence, there has been little previous research addressing the associations between partner- or partnership-related factors and birth outcomes. This analysis tested the hypothesis that risk factors related specifically to partner or partnership characteristics increased the risk for preterm birth. Between 2003 and 2005, a total of 580 preterm cases (20–36 weeks gestational age at delivery) and 633 term controls (≥37 weeks) were selected from women delivering at an obstetric hospital in Lima, Peru. Each woman completed a confidential, structured interview and provided biological specimens within 48 h after delivery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between partner and partnership characteristics and preterm birth. After adjustment for behavioral, demographic, and obstetric risk factors, ever having had a partner with a history of drug use (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.22–2.99), ever having had anal sex (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.07–1.84), having a current partner with a history of visiting prostitutes (aOR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.22–2.33), and perceiving one's current partner as a “womanizer” (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.02–1.77) were significantly associated with an elevated risk of preterm birth when tested in separate models. These four factors were then used to create a composite partnership risk score, which showed an increasing dose-response relationship with preterm birth risk (per additional partner risk factor: aOR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.16–1.49). These results highlight the importance of considering a broader set of risk factors for preterm birth, specifically those related to a woman's partner and partnership characteristics. Further research could clarify the specific mechanisms through which these partner and partnership characteristics may increase the risk of preterm birth.     

新生儿出生信息样本分析

目的:了解和探讨新生儿出生信息的分布态势及规律。方法:对本院2006年1~6月间所有新生儿出生信息进行样本分析。结果:半年间分娩的新生儿共1075例,其中死亡19例,双胞胎15例,以1028例单胎活产新生儿的出生体重、胎龄及产妇年龄作为研究样本进行分析,统计数据与传统意义上的正常胎龄和新生儿体重基本相符,胎龄、体重均值均有所提高。结论:孕产妇的健康状况和新生儿的体质均有所改善,随胎龄的增加,新生儿出生体重亦随之增加,并且,目前新生儿的整体统计体重要大于现有的临床指标,因此,应对现有的临床指标进行适当调整,重新确定低出生体重儿和巨大儿的临床指标。     

Lung function development in the first 2 yr of life is independent of allergic diseases by 2 yr

The aim of the study was to assess if lung function at birth predicts lung function at 2 yr and secondly, if lung function development was influenced by the common phenotypes of recurrent bronchial obstruction (rBO) or atopic eczema (AE) by 2 yr. Lung function was assessed at birth (n = 802) and at 2 yr within the prospective birth cohort study 'the Environment and Childhood Asthma Study' in Oslo. The 135 children with lung function measured at birth by tidal flow volume (TFV) loops and passive respiratory mechanics, who were included in a nested case-control study were reinvestigated at 2 yr with clinical examination, TFV loops (n = 90) (mean age 26.6 (3.7 s.d.) months), skin prick test and parental interview. Children were categorized into quartiles (lower, middle two, upper) according to time to peak tidal expiratory flow/total expiratory time (t(PTEF)/t(E)) at birth as well as clinical phenotype based on the presence of rBO and/or AE (ever) by 2 yr. The observed reduction in mean t(PTEF)/t(E) from birth to 2 yr within the quartiles, were not significantly different after controlling for 'regression to the mean'. t(PTEF)/t(E) at birth correlated significantly with t(PTEF)/t(E) at 2 yr, (r = 0.475, p < 0.001). Children with both rBO and AE by 2 yr had significantly lower t(PTEF)/t(E) at 2 yr (p = 0.002) and at birth (p = 0.027), compared with children with no rBO or AE. Clinical phenotype at 2 yr did not influence the change in t(PTEF)/t(E) from birth to 2 yr. This study demonstrates a clear tracking of lung function from birth, not influenced by rBO or AE by 2 yr.     

How many subjects are needed in a longitudinal birth cohort study?

One of the first decisions that needs to be taken when planning a birth cohort concerns the size of the study. This in turn will depend on the research questions to be answered and thence whether environmental exposures and outcomes are measured on a continuum or as dichotomous variables. Here we describe ways in which different birth cohorts have addressed this issue and explore the advantages of smaller detailed studies over larger less-detailed studies.     

Assessment of the durability of robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for treatment of vaginal vault prolapse

Transabdominal sacrocolpopexy has been shown, in multiple long-term studies of its success and durability, to be the definitive treatment option for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. It is, however, associated with greater morbidity than vaginal repair. We describe a minimally invasive technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair and present our experience with a minimum of one-year follow-up. The surgical technique involves five laparoscopic ports—three for the da Vinci robot and two for the assistant. After appropriate dissection a polypropylene mesh is attached to the sacral promontory and to the vaginal apex by use of Gore-Tex sutures. The mesh material is then covered by the peritoneum. Patient analysis focused on complications, urinary continence, patient satisfaction, and morbidity, with a minimum of 12 months follow-up. Forty-two patients with post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy at our institute and 35 have a minimum of 12 months follow-up, with a mean follow-up of 36 months (range 12–48) in the group. Mean age was 67 (47–83) years and mean operating time was 3.1 (2.15–4.75) h for the entire cohort. All but one patient were discharged home on postoperative day one; one patient left on postoperative day two. One developed recurrent grade three rectocele, one had recurrent vault prolapse, and two suffered from vaginal extrusion of mesh. All patients were satisfied with their outcome. The robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is a minimally invasive technique for vaginal vault prolapse repair, combining the advantages of open sacrocolpopexy with the reduced morbidity of laparoscopy. We observed reduced hospital stay, low occurrence of complications, and high patient satisfaction, with a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Most importantly, the long-term results of the robotic repair are similar to those of open repair, but with significantly less morbidity.     

两种阴道缩窄术矫正阴道松弛症的疗效分析

目的探讨改良阴道后壁修补术和阴道后壁环肌紧缩术的手术要点和效果,评价两种手术的优点及适应证。方法将42例不同程度阴道松弛的患者分为两组,其中24例行改良阴道后壁修补术,18例行阴道后壁环肌紧缩术,分析观察两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后伤口愈合情况,1年后评价两组患者的性生活满意度及阴道的松紧度。结果两种手术方法的手术时间、术中出血量及术后伤口愈合情况无明显差异,但1年后的远期效果包括性生活满意度和阴道的松紧度有明显差异。结论矫正阴道松弛症的目的不仅要达到解剖的恢复,更重要的是恢复功能。要根据患者的实际情况选择最佳的手术方法(A组优于B组)。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病前驱性呼吸衰竭患者呼吸驱动的改变

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)和COPD前驱性呼吸衰竭(前驱呼衰)患者中枢呼吸驱动的改变;评价界定COPD前驱性呼吸衰竭的临床意义.方法试验对象为COPD前驱性呼吸衰竭、COPD尚未达前驱性呼吸衰竭的患者和健康对照者各30名.所有受试者均进行如下参数的测定:动脉血气分析;常规肺功能,主要以第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)占预计值的百分比(FEV1%)来评价;中枢呼吸驱动水平,以0.1 s口腔阻断压(P0.1)、校正中枢呼吸驱动(以每分通气量来校正,即P0.1/MV)和吸气阻抗P0.1/VT/Ti)等来评价.结果P0.1和P0.1/MV在COPD前驱呼衰组明显高于正常对照组和未达前驱呼衰组,P0.1/VT/Ti在COPD前驱呼衰组和未达前驱呼衰组明显高于正常对照组(P=0.002);P0.1,P0.1/MV,P0.1/VT/Ti与PaO2,FEV1%呈显著负相关(rs=-0.769,-0.495,-0.543;-0.747,-0.480,-0.526,P均＜0.01);与PaCO2呈显著正相关(rs=0.270,0.312,0.369,P分别为＜0.05,＜0.01,＜0.01).结论COPD前驱呼衰患者呼吸储备能力减低,呼吸效率下降;P0.1,P0.1/MV,P0.1/VT/Ti等参数在推断患者神经-肌力输出水平与呼吸衰竭发生阈值方面具有较大的意义.当COPD进展至前驱呼衰阶段,从血气分析、肺功能检查到呼吸驱动水平都发生了显著的改变,从而提示界定此阶段具有一定的临床意义.