prospective longitudinal study
Recently Published Documents


TOTAL DOCUMENTS

1933
(FIVE YEARS 664)

H-INDEX

89
(FIVE YEARS 9)

Autism ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 136236132110689
Author(s):  
Nisha Narvekar ◽  
Virginia Carter Leno ◽  
Greg Pasco ◽  
Mark H Johnson ◽  
Emily JH Jones ◽  
...  

Autism is diagnosed based on social and communication difficulties, restricted and repetitive behaviours and sensory anomalies. Existing evidence indicates that anxiety and atypical sensory features are associated with restricted and repetitive behaviours, but cannot clarify the order of emergence of these traits. This study uses data from a prospective longitudinal study of infants with and without a family history of autism ( N = 247; Elevated Likelihood N = 170 and Typical Likelihood N = 77). Longitudinal cross-lag models tested bidirectional pathways between parent-rated infant fear/shyness and perceptual sensitivity at 8, 14 and 24 months, and associations between these domains and parent-rated restricted and repetitive behaviours and social communication scores at 36 months. In addition to within-domain continuity, higher levels of fear/shyness at 14 months were associated with higher levels of perceptual sensitivity at 24 months. Higher levels of both fear/shyness and perceptual sensitivity at 24 months were associated with greater restricted and repetitive behaviours and social communication scores at 36 months. Results demonstrate the directionality of developmental pathways between fear/shyness and perceptual sensitivity in infancy and toddlerhood, but question theories that argue that these domains specifically underlie restricted and repetitive behaviours rather than autism. Identifying how early emerging anxiety and sensory behaviours relate to later autism is important for understanding pathways and developing targeted support for autistic children. Lay abstract Restricted interests and repetitive behaviours are central to the diagnosis of autism and can have profound effects on daily activities and quality of life. These challenges are also linked to other co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and sensory sensitivities. Here, we looked at whether early emerging signs of anxiety and sensory problems appear before symptoms of autism by studying infants with a family history of autism, as these infants are more likely to develop autism themselves. Studying infant siblings provides an opportunity for researchers to focus on early developmental markers of autism as these infants can be followed from birth. This study found that early infant signs of anxiety (e.g. fear/shyness) predicted later perceptual sensitivity, and those infants who scored higher on fear/shyness and sensitivity were more likely to experience more persistent repetitive behaviours, but also social and communication difficulties in toddlerhood. Early signs of anxiety and perceptual sensitivity may thus relate to both later social difficulties and repetitive behaviours. These findings support the importance of further research exploring the causal links between these domains in relation to autism, resulting in increased understanding of children who go onto develop autism in the future and guiding early interventions and supports.


2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Carlos L. Correa-Martínez ◽  
Annette Jurke ◽  
Janne Schmitz ◽  
Frieder Schaumburg ◽  
Stefanie Kampmeier ◽  
...  

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) pose a public health challenge worldwide. While VRE bloodstream infections (VREBI) increase in Germany and Europe, population-based molecular data are scarce. We aimed to analyze the molecular epidemiology, demographic aspects, and geographical distribution of VREBI in the German Federal State of North-Rhine–Westphalia (NRW), located in the German–Dutch–Belgian border area, representing over 20% of Germany’s population. VREBI isolates were collected from hospitals across NRW between 2016 and 2019. Demographic data were gathered and anonymized upon sample collection. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and identification of glycopeptide resistance were carried out. Epidemiological analysis and geographical mapping were performed. Single VREBI isolates from 755 patients were analyzed. In total, 38.9% were female, and 80.0% were aged ≥ 60 years. The VREBI incidence per 100,000 inhabitants nearly tripled, from 0.52 (2016) to 1.48 (2019), particularly in male patients aged ≥ 50 years. The proportion of vanB reached 83% (n = 202/243) in 2018, overtaking vanA as the predominant glycopeptide resistance determinant, detected in close relation with ST117 isolates. The proportion of MLST sequence type (ST) 117 peaked in 2018, at 78.2% (n = 190/243). The major role of these emerging strains in invasive infections in central Europe requires novel strategies for their diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.


2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendal Danna ◽  
Grace Jaworski ◽  
Bakoly Rahaivondrafahitra ◽  
Francia Rasoanirina ◽  
Anthony Nwala ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The hormonal Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a highly effective contraceptive option growing in popularity and availability in many countries. The hormonal IUD has been shown to have high rates of satisfaction and continuation among users in high-income countries. The study aims to understand the profiles of clients who choose the hormonal IUD in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and describe their continuation and satisfaction with the method after 12 months of use. Methods A prospective longitudinal study of hormonal IUD acceptors was conducted across three countries—Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zambia—where the hormonal IUD had been introduced in a pilot setting within the of a broad mix of available methods. Women were interviewed at baseline immediately following their voluntary hormonal IUD insertion, and again 3 and 12 months following provision of the method. A descriptive analysis of user characteristics and satisfaction with the method was conducted on an analytic sample of women who completed baseline, 3-month, and 12-month follow-up questionnaires. Kaplan–Meier time-to-event models were used to estimate the cumulative probability of method continuation rates up to 12 months post-insertion. Results Each country had a unique demographic profile of hormonal IUD users with different method-use histories. Across all three countries, women reported high rates of satisfaction with the hormonal IUD (67–100%) and high rates of continuation at the 12-month mark (82–90%). Conclusions Rates of satisfaction and continuation among hormonal IUD users in the study suggest that expanding method choice with the hormonal IUD would provide a highly effective, long-acting method desirable to many different population segments, including those with high unmet need.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie E. Perez ◽  
Luis Diego Luna Centeno ◽  
Wesley A. Cheng ◽  
Carolyn Jennifer Marentes Ruiz ◽  
Yesun Lee ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–specific antibodies have been detected in human milk up to 6 weeks post–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, neutralization activity, effect of pasteurization, and persistence through 6 months after vaccination. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 30 pregnant or lactating women. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and neutralization capacity were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay compared at prevaccination and 1, 3, and 6 months postvaccination, and through Holder pasteurization. RESULTS: Human milk SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG levels peaked at 1 month postvaccination and persisted above prevaccination levels for at least 6 months (P = .005). SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA was detected at 1 and 3 months (both P < .001) but waned by 6 months compared with baseline (P = .07). Milk SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgA correlated with serum IgG at the same time point (R2 = 0.37, P < .001 and R2 = 0.19, P < .001). Neutralization activity was seen in 83.3%, 70.4%, and 25.0% of milk samples at 1, 3, and 6 months postvaccination. Neutralization most strongly correlated with SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG (R2 = 0.57, P < .001). Pre- and postpasteurization samples showed similar IgG (0.84 vs 1.07, P = .36) and neutralizing activity (57.7% vs 58.7% inhibition, P = .27), but lower IgM and IgA levels postpasteurization (0.09 vs 0.06, P = .004 and 0.21 vs 0.18, P = .043). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that human milk SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies may be available to milk-fed infants for up to 6 months. In addition, donor milk from vaccinated mothers retain IgG and neutralizing activity.


BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e051436
Author(s):  
Kai Chen ◽  
Lulu Song ◽  
Bingqing Liu ◽  
Mingyang Wu ◽  
Yunyun Liu ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo identify common length, weight and body mass index (BMI) growth trajectories of term infants during infancy, and to determine their association with early-term infants.DesignProspective longitudinal study.SettingWuhan, China.PatientsA total of 4308 term infants (born at 37–41 weeks of gestation) were included. All term infants were single live birth with no defects and birth weight ≥2500 g, and their mothers were permanent residents of Wuhan for more than 2 years. After excluding 887 infants, a total of 3421 term infants (1028 early-term infants born at 37–38 weeks of gestation and 2393 full-term infants born at 39–41 weeks of gestation) entered the statistical analysis stage.Main outcome measuresPatterns of length, weight and BMI growth trajectories by using group-based trajectory modelling.ResultsThree distinct physical growth trajectories were identified as follows: length: low stable (1056, 30.9%), moderate stable (1887, 55.2%) and high increasing (477, 13.9%); weight: low stable (1031, 30.1%), moderate stable (1884, 55.1%) and high increasing (505, 14.8%); BMI: low stable (689, 20.1%), moderate stable (2167, 63.4%) and high increasing (564, 16.5%). Compared with the full-term infants, early-term infants were more likely to remain at low-stable trajectory in length (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.66) and weight (OR:1.29; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.53). These associations were still statistically significant after adjusting potential confounders and were more evident among girls in the stratified analysis. There was no statistical association between BMI trajectory patterns and gestational age categories.ConclusionOur results suggested the heterogeneity of term infants existed in length, weight and BMI growth trajectories of early childhood. Compared with full-term birth, early-term birth was related to low length and weight trajectories rather than BMI trajectory. Further research is needed to evaluate the duration of these low trajectories and their possible long-term health effects.


BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e053094
Author(s):  
Jane C Falkingham ◽  
Maria Evandrou ◽  
Min Qin ◽  
Athina Vlachantoni

ObjectivesCOVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups and women. Concern over direct and indirect effects may also impact on sleep. We explore the levels and social determinants of self-reported sleep loss among the UK population during the pandemic, focusing on ethnic and gender disparities.SettingThis prospective longitudinal study analysed data from seven waves of the Understanding Society: COVID-19 Study collected from April 2020 to January 2021 linked to prepandemic data from the 2019 mainstage interviews, providing baseline information about the respondents prior to the pandemic.ParticipantsThe analytical sample included 8163 respondents aged 16 and above who took part in all seven waves with full information on sleep loss, defined as experiencing ‘rather more’ or ‘much more’ than usual sleep loss due to worry, providing 57 141 observations.Primary outcome measuresSelf-reported sleep loss. Mixed-effects regression models were fitted to consider within-individual and between-individual differences.ResultsWomen were more likely to report sleep loss than men (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.9 to 2.4) over the 10-month period. Being female, having young children, perceived financial difficulties and COVID-19 symptoms were all predictive of sleep loss. Once these covariates were controlled for, the bivariate relationship between ethnicity and sleep loss (1.4, 95% CI 1.6 to 2.4) was reversed (0.7, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.8). Moreover, the strength of the association between gender and ethnicity and the risk of sleep loss varied over time, being weaker among women in July (0.6, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.7), September (0.7, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.8), November (0.8, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.0) and January 2021 (0.8, 95% CI 0.7 to 0.9) compared with April 2020, but positively stronger among BAME individuals in May (1.4, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.1), weaker only in September (0.7, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.0).ConclusionsThe pandemic has widened sleep deprivation disparities, with women with young children, COVID-19 infection and BAME individuals experiencing sleep loss, which may adversely affect their mental and physical health.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document