Pattern visual evoked potentials show an inferior-superior topographic shift through maturation in childhood.

The pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (prVEP) is an established routine clinical test. Its objectivity is particularly valuable for assessing visual pathway function in children. International standards specify at a minimum that an active electrode is placed on the occiput at Oz, but we find an additional inferior electrode at the inion (Iz) provides larger and more sensitive prVEPs in young persons. This study assesses the significance and age-dependence of these observations. PrVEPs were recorded from 1487 patients considered ophthalmologically normal aged <20 years old, to a range of check widths including International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standard large (50') and small (12.5') check widths. P100 peak-time and amplitude from both electrode sites were analysed. A subset of 256 children were studied longitudinally by fitting logistic regression models including a random effect on subjects. PrVEPs were largest over the Iz electrode for the majority of infants and children. This transitioned with age to become equal or smaller at Oz as a function of check width. For ISCEV standard large and small check widths, transition periods were ∼8 and ∼12 years of age, respectively. We estimated abnormal result classifications of 3.7% with use of an Oz electrode alone, which decreases to 0.0-0.5% when adding or using an Iz electrode. The inferior dominance of prVEP topography in children may be explained by age-related anatomical changes altering the cortical dipole, combined with physiological maturation of the neural generators of the prVEP. We recommend the Iz electrode is used routinely in recording of prVEPs in children. KEY POINTS: Pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) are an established clinical test which provide objective assessment of visual pathway function. These are particularly valuable in providing objective information of vision in children. International standards specify the active recording electrode should be placed at the mid-occiput (Oz), but we find that pattern-reversal visual evoked potential amplitudes are larger for a lower placed electrode (Iz) in young persons. This was assessed in 1487 patients who had simultaneous PVEP recording at both electrode positions, and it was found that the majority of PVEPs in children were larger over the Iz electrode. The developmental differences in PVEP distribution transitioned to be equal between Iz and Oz with increasing age as a function of check width, at ∼8 and ∼12 years old for large and small check widths, respectively. These differences will improve diagnostic accuracy of paediatric PVEPs. We hypothesise these changes reflect developmental anatomical and neurophysiological changes altering the PVEP dipole.

Perinatal outcomes of frequent attendance in midwifery care in the Netherlands: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Over the last decade, a trend towards high utilisation of primary maternity care was observed in high-income countries. There is limited research with contradictory results regarding frequent attendance (FA) and perinatal outcomes in midwifery care. Therefore, this study examined possible associations between FA in midwifery care and obstetric interventions and perinatal outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in a medium-sized midwifery-led care practice in an urban region in the Netherlands. Frequent attenders (FAs) were categorised using the Kotelchuck-Index Revised. Regression analyses were executed to examine the relationship between FAs and perinatal outcomes, stratified by antenatal referral to an obstetrician. Main outcomes of interest were Apgar score ≤ 7 and perinatal death, birth weight, mode of delivery, haemorrhage, place of birth, transfer during labour, and a requirement for pain relief. RESULTS: The study included 1015 women, 239 (24%) FAs and 776 (76%) non-FAs, 538 (53%) were not referred and 447 (47%) were referred to an obstetrician. In the non-referred group, FA was significantly associated with a requirement for pain relief (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.24-3.17) and duration of dilatation (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04-1.38). In the referred group, FA was significantly associated with induction of labour (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.17-2.95), ruptured perineum (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.27-0.95) and episiotomy (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24-0.95). In the non-referred and the referred group, FA was not associated with the other obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Due to small numbers, we could not measure possible associations of FA with an Apgar score ≤ 7 and perinatal death. CONCLUSION: In our study, perinatal outcomes differed by FA and antenatal referral to an obstetrician. In the non-referred group, FA was significantly associated with medical pain relief and duration of dilatation. In the referred group, FA was significantly associated with induction of labour, ruptured perineum, and episiotomy. Further research with a larger study population is needed to look for a possible association between FA and primary adverse birth outcomes such as perinatal mortality.

Determinants and underlying causes of frequent attendance in midwife-led care: an exploratory cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: An adequate number of prenatal consultations is beneficial to the health of the mother and fetus. Guidelines recommend an average of 5-14 consultations. Daily practice, however, shows that some women attend the midwifery practice more frequently. This study examined factors associated with frequent attendance in midwifery-led care. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a large midwifery practice in the Netherlands among low-risk women who started prenatal care in 2015 and 2016. Based on Andersen's behavioral model, we collected data on potential determinants from the digital midwifery's practice database. Prenatal healthcare utilization was measured by a revised version of the Kotelchuck Index, which measures a combination of care entry and numbers of visits. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the likelihood of frequent attendance compared to the recommended number of visits, adjusted for all relevant factors. Separate models were fitted on the non-referred and the referred group of obstetric-led care, as referral was found to be an effect modifier. RESULTS: The prevalence of frequent attendance was 23% (243/1053), mainly caused by worries and/or vague complaints (44%; 106/243). Among non-referred women, 53% (560/1053), frequent attendance was associated with consultation with an obstetrician (OR = 3.99 (2.35-6.77)) and exposure to sexual violence (OR = 2.17 (1.11-4.24)). Among the referred participants, 47% (493/1053), frequent attendance was associated with a consultation with an obstetrician (OR = 2.75 (1.66-4.57)), psychosocial problems in the past or present (OR = 1.85 (1.02-3.35) or OR = 2.99 (1.43-6.25)), overweight (OR = 1.88 (1.09-3.24)), and deprived area (OR = 0.50 (0.27-0.92)). CONCLUSION: Our exploratory study indicates that the determinants of frequent attendance in midwifery-led care differs between non-referred and referred women. Underlying causes for frequent attendance was mainly because of non-medical reasons. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: A trustful midwife-client relationship is known to be needed for clients such as frequent attenders to share more detailed, personal stories in case of vague complaints or worries, which is necessary to identify their implicit needs.

Prenatal screening for congenital anomalies: exploring midwives' perceptions of counseling clients with religious backgrounds.

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, prenatal screening follows an opting in system and comprises two non-invasive tests: the combined test to screen for trisomy 21 at 12 weeks of gestation and the fetal anomaly scan to detect structural anomalies at 20 weeks. Midwives counsel about prenatal screening tests for congenital anomalies and they are increasingly having to counsel women from religious backgrounds beyond their experience. This study assessed midwives' perceptions and practices regarding taking client's religious backgrounds into account during counseling. As Islam is the commonest non-western religion, we were particularly interested in midwives' knowledge of whether pregnancy termination is allowed in Islam. METHODS: This exploratory study is part of the DELIVER study, which evaluated primary care midwifery in The Netherlands between September 2009 and January 2011. A questionnaire was sent to all 108 midwives of the twenty practices participating in the study. RESULTS: Of 98 respondents (response rate 92%), 68 (69%) said they took account of the client's religion. The two main reasons for not doing so were that religion was considered irrelevant in the decision-making process and that it should be up to clients to initiate such discussions. Midwives' own religious backgrounds were independent of whether they paid attention to the clients' religious backgrounds. Eighty midwives (82%) said they did not counsel Muslim women differently from other women. Although midwives with relatively many Muslim clients had more knowledge of Islamic attitudes to terminating pregnancy in general than midwives with relatively fewer Muslim clients, the specific knowledge of termination regarding trisomy 21 and other congenital anomalies was limited in both groups. CONCLUSION: While many midwives took client's religion into account, few knew much about Islamic beliefs on prenatal screening for congenital anomalies. Midwives identified a need for additional education. To meet the needs of the changing client population, counselors need more knowledge of religious opinions about the termination of pregnancy and the skills to approach religious issues with clients.

Maternal characteristics associated with referral to obstetrician-led care in low-risk pregnant women in the Netherlands: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, maternity care is divided into midwife-led care (for low-risk women) and obstetrician-led care (for high-risk women). Referrals from midwife-led to obstetrician-led care have increased over the past decade. The majority of women are referred during their pregnancy or labour. Referrals are based on a continuous risk assessment of the health and characteristics of mother and child, yet referral for non-medical factors and characteristics remain unclear. This study investigated which maternal characteristics are associated with women's referral from midwife-led to obstetrician-led care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in one midwife-led care practice in the Netherlands included 1096 low-risk women during January 2015-17. The primary outcomes were referral from midwife-led to obstetrician-led care in (1) the antepartum period and (2) the intrapartum period. In total, 11 maternal characteristics were identified. Logistic regression models of referral in each period were fitted and stratified by parity. RESULTS: In the antepartum period, referral among nulliparous women was associated with an older maternal age (aOR, 1.07; 95%CI, 1.05-1.09), being underweight (0.45; 0.31-0.64), overweight (2.29; 1.91-2.74), or obese (2.65; 2.06-3.42), a preconception period >1 year (1.34; 1.07-1.66), medium education level (0.76; 0.58-1.00), deprivation (1.87; 1.54-2.26), and sexual abuse (1.44; 1.14-1.82). Among multiparous women, a referral was associated with being underweight (0.40; 0.26-0.60), obese (1.61; 1.30-1.98), a preconception period >1 year (1.71; 1.27-2.28), employment (1.38; 1.19-1.61), deprivation (1.23; 1.03-1.46), highest education level (0.63; 0.51-0.80), psychological problems (1.24; 1.06-1.44), and one or multiple consultations with an obstetrician (0.68; 0.58-0.80 and 0.64; 0.54-0.76, respectively). In the intrapartum period, referral among nulliparous women was associated with an older maternal age (1.02; 1.00-1.05), being underweight (1.67; 1.15-2.42), a preconception period >1 year (0.42; 0.31-0.57), medium or high level of education (2.09; 1.49-2.91 or 1.56; 1.10-2.22, respectively), sexual abuse (0.46; 0.33-0.63), and multiple consultations with an obstetrician (1.49; 1.15-1.94). Among multiparous women, referral was associated with an older maternal age (1.02; 1.00-1.04), being overweight (0.65; 0.51-0.83), a preconception period >1 year (0.33; 0.17-0.65), non-Dutch ethnicity (1.98; 1.61-2.45), smoking (0.75; 0.57-0.97), sexual abuse (1.49; 1.09-2.02), and one or multiple consultations with an obstetrician (1.34; 1.06-1.70 and 2.09; 1.63-2.69, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study showed that several non-medical maternal characteristics of low-risk pregnant women are associated with referral from midwife-led to obstetrician-led care, and how these differ by parity and partum period.

Do adolescents with impaired vision have different intentions and ambitions for their education, career and social outcomes compared to their peers? Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate if impaired vision adversely impacts the intentions/ambitions of adolescents concerning their future education, careers and social outcomes. METHODS: Population-based birth cohort study in the UK comprising 9273 participants from the Millennium Cohort Study who were followed up to age 17 years. Children were classified as having normal vision or unilateral or bilateral impaired vision caused by significant eye conditions based on detailed parental-structured questionnaire data on sight problems and treatment coded by clinicians. Ten domains covering education, career and social outcomes by age 30 were investigated. RESULTS: Adjusted regression models showed few differences by vision status. Bilateral impaired vision was associated with increased odds of intending to remain in full-time education after statutory school age (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.00, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.68) and of home ownership at age 30 (aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.32). Impaired vision was not associated with intending to attend university. A significantly higher proportion of parents of children with bilateral or unilateral impaired vision thought that their child would not get the exam grades required to go to university than parents of those with normal vision (29% or 26% vs 16%, p=0.026). CONCLUSION: Adolescents with impaired vision have broadly the same intentions/ambitions regarding future education, careers and social outcomes as their peers with normal vision. The known significant gaps in attainment in these domains among young adults with vision impairment are therefore likely to be due to barriers that they face in achieving their ambitions. Improved implementation of existing interventions is necessary to ensure equality of opportunities.

Distribution and associations of vision-related quality of life and functional vision of children with visual impairment.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in paediatric ophthalmology. However, little is known about the distribution of PROM scores among children and young people with visual impairment. AIM: To investigate the distributions and predictors of scores on the VQoL_CYP (measuring vision-related quality of life) and FVQ_CYP (measuring functional vision). METHODS: Children and young people aged 8-18 years, with visual impairment/blindness (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) worse than 0.48 in the better eye, and/or eligible visual field restriction) completed the VQoL_CYP and FVQ_CYP at home or Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK. Associations between VQoL_CYP and FVQ_CYP scores and sociodemographic and clinical factors were analysed using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: Among 93 participants, VQoL_CYP scores ranged from 36.6 to 78.2 (mean=57.9, SD=8.1). FVQ_CYP scores ranged from 23.5 to 70.3 (mean=48.3, SD=10.1). Only 0.4% of the variation in VQoL_CYP scores was explained, with no associations with the variables of interest. By contrast, 21.6% of the variation in FVQ_CYP scores was explained, with a gradient of worse acuity (p<0.001) and female gender (p=0.04) associated with worse self-rated functional vision. Age, ethnicity, time of onset and stability/progression of visual impairment were not associated. DISCUSSION: Self-rated vision-related quality of life and functional vision are not readily predicted from sociodemographic or clinical characteristics that ophthalmologists measure/record. Routine use of PROMs in clinical practice can offer important insights. Use in research can provide valuable measures of effectiveness of interventions. The reference values provided will aid interpretation in both settings.

Differences in Self-Rated Versus Parent Proxy-Rated Vision-Related Quality of Life and Functional Vision of Visually Impaired Children.

PURPOSE: To investigate disagreement between children's self-reported vision-related quality of life (VQoL) and functional vision (FV) and their parents' proxy-reports. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 152 children aged 7-18 years with visual impairment (VI) (defined by the World Health Organization), and their parents, were recruited from 22 National Health Service (NHS) ophthalmology departments in the United Kingdom. Age-appropriate versions of 2 vision-specific instruments, capturing VQoL and FV, were administered to children alongside modified versions for completion by parents on behalf of their child (ie, parent proxy-report). Disagreement between self-report and parent proxy-report was examined using the Bland-Altman (BA) method and a threshold of disagreement based on 0.5 standard deviation. Disagreement was analyzed according to participants' age, sex, and clinical characteristics, using logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Children rated themselves as having better outcomes than their parents did, although parents both under- and overestimated their child's VQoL (mean score difference = 7.7). With each year of increasing age, there was a 1.18 (1.04-1.35) higher odds of children self-rating their VQoL better than their parents (P = .013). Although parents consistently underestimated their child's FV (mean score difference = -4.7), no characteristics were significantly associated with differences in disagreement. CONCLUSIONS: Disagreement between child self-report on the impact of VI and their parents' proxy-reports varies by age. This implies that self-report from children must remain the gold standard. Where self-reporting is not possible, parent proxy-reports may provide useful insights, but they must be interpreted with caution.

Optimal SBP targets in routine clinical care.

OBJECTIVE: Compare outcomes of intensive treatment of SBP to less than 120 mmHg versus standard treatment to less than 140 mmHg in the US clinical Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) with similar hypertensive patients managed in routine primary care in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Hypertensive patients aged 50-90 without diabetes or chronic kidney disease (CKD) were selected in SPRINT and The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database. Patients were enrolled in 2010-2013 and followed-up to 2015 (SPRINT N = 4112; THIN N = 8631). Cox's proportional hazards regressions were fitted to estimate the hazard of all-cause mortality or CKD (main adverse effect) associated with intensive treatment, adjusted for sex, age, ethnicity, smoking, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, aspirin, statin, number of antihypertensive drugs at baseline, change in number of antihypertensive drugs at trial entry, and clinical site. RESULTS: Almost half of the patients had intensive treatment (43-45%). In SPRINT, intensive treatment was associated with a decreased hazard of mortality of 0.63 (0.43-0.92), while in THIN with an increased hazard of 1.66 (1.28-2.15). In THIN, this effect was time-dependent. Intensive treatment was associated with an increased hazard of CKD of 2.67 (1.74-4.11) in SPRINT and 1.35 (1.08-1.70) in THIN. In THIN, this effect differed by the number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed at baseline. CONCLUSION: It appears that intensive treatment of SBP may be harmful in the general population where all have access to routine healthcare as with the UK National Health Services, but could be beneficial in high-risk patients who are closely monitored.

Survival prospects after acute myocardial infarction in the UK: a matched cohort study 1987-2011.

OBJECTIVES: Estimate survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the general population aged 60 and over and the effect of recommended treatments. DESIGN: Cohort study in the UK with routinely collected data between January 1987 and March 2011. SETTING: 310 general practices that contributed to The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database. PARTICIPANTS: 4 cohorts who reached the age of 60, 65, 70, or 75 years between 1987 and 2011 included 16 744, 43 528, 73 728, and 76 392 participants, respectively. Participants with a history of AMI were matched on sex, year of birth, and general practice to 3 controls each. OUTCOME MEASURES: The hazard of all-cause mortality associated with AMI was calculated by a multilevel Cox's proportional hazards regression, adjusted for sex, year of birth, socioeconomic status, angina, heart failure, other cardiovascular conditions, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, alcohol consumption, body mass index, smoking status, coronary revascularisation, prescription of ß-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, aspirin, or statins, and general practice. RESULTS: Compared with no history of AMI by age 60, 65, 70, or 75, having had 1 AMI was associated with an adjusted hazard of mortality of 1.80 (95% CI 1.60 to 2.02), 1.71 (1.59 to 1.84), 1.50 (1.42 to 1.59), or 1.45 (1.38 to 1.53), respectively, and having had multiple AMIs with a hazard of 1.92 (1.60 to 2.29), 1.87 (1.68 to 2.07), 1.66 (1.53 to 1.80), or 1.63 (1.51 to 1.76), respectively. Survival was better after statins (HR range across the 4 cohorts 0.74-0.81), ß-blockers (0.79-0.85), or coronary revascularisation (in first 5 years) (0.72-0.80); unchanged after calcium-channel blockers (1.00-1.07); and worse after aspirin (1.05-1.10) or ACE inhibitors (1.10-1.25). CONCLUSIONS: The hazard of death after AMI is less than reported by previous studies, and standard treatments of aspirin or ACE inhibitors prescription may be of little benefit or even cause harm.

Survival Benefits of Statins for Primary Prevention: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Estimate the effect of statin prescription on mortality in the population of England and Wales with no previous history of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Primary care records from The Health Improvement Network 1987-2011 were used. Four cohorts of participants aged 60, 65, 70, or 75 years at baseline included 118,700, 199,574, 247,149, and 194,085 participants; and 1.4, 1.9, 1.8, and 1.1 million person-years of data, respectively. The exposure was any statin prescription at any time before the participant reached the baseline age (60, 65, 70 or 75) and the outcome was all-cause mortality at any age above the baseline age. The hazard of mortality associated with statin prescription was calculated by Cox's proportional hazard regressions, adjusted for sex, year of birth, socioeconomic status, diabetes, antihypertensive medication, hypercholesterolaemia, body mass index, smoking status, and general practice. Participants were grouped by QRISK2 baseline risk of a first cardiovascular event in the next ten years of <10%, 10-19%, or ≥20%. RESULTS: There was no reduction in all-cause mortality for statin prescription initiated in participants with a QRISK2 score <10% at any baseline age, or in participants aged 60 at baseline in any risk group. Mortality was lower in participants with a QRISK2 score ≥20% if statin prescription had been initiated by age 65 (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.86 (0.79-0.94)), 70 (HR 0.83 (0.79-0.88)), or 75 (HR 0.82 (0.79-0.86)). Mortality reduction was uncertain with a QRISK2 score of 10-19%: the HR was 1.00 (0.91-1.11) for statin prescription by age 65, 0.89 (0.81-0.99) by age 70, or 0.79 (0.52-1.19) by age 75. CONCLUSIONS: The current internationally recommended thresholds for statin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in routine practice may be too low and may lead to overtreatment of younger people and those at low risk.