Early Predictors of Microsurgical Reconstruction in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy.

Background: Microsurgical reconstruction is indicated for infants with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) that demonstrate limited spontaneous neurological recovery. This investigation defines the demographic, perinatal, and physical examination characteristics leading to microsurgical reconstruction. Methods: Infants enrolled in a prospective multicenter investigation of BPBP were evaluated. Microsurgery was performed at the discretion of the treating provider/center. Inclusion required enrollment prior to six months of age and follow-up evaluation beyond twelve months of age. Demographic, perinatal, and examination characteristics were investigated as possible predictors of microsurgical reconstruction. Toronto Test scores and Hospital for Sick Children Active Movement Scale (AMS) scores were used if obtained prior to three months of age. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: 365 patients from six regional medical centers met the inclusion criteria. 127 of 365 (35%) underwent microsurgery at a median age of 5.4 months, with microsurgery rates and timing varying significantly by site. Univariate analysis demonstrated that several factors were associated with microsurgery including race, gestational diabetes, neonatal asphyxia, neonatal intensive care unit admission, Horner's syndrome, Toronto Test score, and AMS scores for finger/thumb/wrist flexion, finger/thumb extension, wrist extension, elbow flexion, and elbow extension. In multivariate analysis, four factors independently predicted microsurgical intervention including Horner's syndrome, mean AMS score for finger/thumb/ wrist flexion <4.5, AMS score for wrist extension <4.5, and AMS score for elbow flexion <4.5. In this cohort, microsurgical rates increased as the number of these four factors present increased from zero to four: 0/4 factors = 0%, 1/4 factors = 22%, 2/4 factors = 43%, 3/4 factors = 76%, and 4/4 factors = 93%. Conclusions: In patients with BPBP, early physical examination findings independently predict microsurgical intervention. These factors can be used to provide counseling in early infancy for families regarding injury severity and plan for potential microsurgical intervention.Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level I.

Role of Genetic Susceptibility in the Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess heritable contributions to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) risk in a twin cohort restricted to gestational age at birth <29 weeks. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 250 twin pairs (192 dichorionic, 58 monochorionic) born <29 weeks gestational age with known BPD status were identified. Three statistical methods applicable to twin cohorts (χ2 test, intraclass correlations [ICCs], and ACE modeling [additive genetic or A, common environmental or C, and unique environmental or E components]) were applied. Heritability was estimated as percent variability from A. Identical methods were applied to a subcohort defined by zygosity and to an independent validation cohort. RESULTS: χ2 analyses comparing whether neither, 1, or both of monochorionic (23, 19, 16) and dichorionic (88, 56, 48) twin pairs developed BPD revealed no difference. Although there was similarity in BPD outcome within both monochorionic and dichorionic twin pairs by ICC (monochorionic ICC = 0.34, 95% CI [0.08, 0.55]; dichorionic ICC = 0.39, 95% CI [0.25, 0.51]), monochorionic twins were not more likely than dichorionic twins to have the same outcome (P = .70). ACE modeling revealed no contribution of heritability to BPD risk (% A = 0.0%, 95% CI [0.0%, 43.1%]). Validation and zygosity based cohort results were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that heritability is not a major contributor to BPD risk in preterm infants <29 weeks gestational age.

Acetabular Global Insufficiency in Patients with Down Syndrome and Hip-Related Symptoms: A Matched-Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of hip instability in Down syndrome is not completely understood. We investigated the morphology of the acetabulum and femur in patients with Down syndrome and compared measurements of the hips with those of matched controls. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) images of the pelvis of 42 patients with Down syndrome and hip symptoms were compared with those of 42 age and sex-matched subjects without Down syndrome or history of hip disease who had undergone CT for abdominal pain. Each of the cohorts had 23 male and 19 female subjects. The mean age (and standard deviation) in each cohort was 11.3 ± 5.3 years. The lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), acetabular inclination angle (IA), acetabular depth-width ratio (ADR), acetabular version, and anterior and posterior acetabular sector angles (AASA and PASA) were compared. The neck-shaft angle and femoral version were measured in the patients with Down syndrome only. The hips of the patients with Down syndrome were further categorized as stable (n = 21) or unstable (n = 63) for secondary analysis. RESULTS: The hips in the Down syndrome group had a smaller LCEA (mean, 10.8° ± 12.6° compared with 25.6° ± 4.6°; p < 0.0001), a larger IA (mean, 17.4° ± 10.3° compared with 10.9° ± 4.8°; p < 0.0001), a lower ADR (mean, 231.9 ± 56.2 compared with 306.8 ± 31.0; p < 0.0001), a more retroverted acetabulum (mean acetabular version as measured at the level of the centers of the femoral heads [AVC], 7.8° ± 5.1° compared with 14.0° ± 4.5°; p < 0.0001), a smaller AASA (mean, 55.0° ± 9.9° compared with 59.7° ± 7.8°; p = 0.005), and a smaller PASA (mean, 67.1° ± 10.4° compared with 85.2° ± 6.8°; p < 0.0001). Within the Down syndrome cohort, the unstable hips showed greater femoral anteversion (mean, 32.7° ± 14.6° compared with 23.6° ± 10.6°; p = 0.002) and worse global acetabular insufficiency compared with the stable hips. No differences between the unstable and stable hips were found with respect to acetabular version (mean AVC, 7.8° ± 5.5° compared with 7.6° ± 3.8°; p = 0.93) and the neck-shaft angle (mean, 133.7° ± 6.7° compared with 133.2° ± 6.4°; p = 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Down syndrome and hip-related symptoms had more retroverted and shallower acetabula with globally reduced coverage of the femoral head compared with age and sex-matched subjects. Hip instability among those with Down syndrome was associated with worse global acetabular insufficiency and increased femoral anteversion, but not with more severe acetabular retroversion. No difference in the mean femoral neck-shaft angle was observed between the stable and unstable hips in the Down syndrome cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Risk factors for intestinal failure in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis: a Glaser Pediatric Research Network study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for intestinal failure (IF) in infants undergoing surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). STUDY DESIGN: Infants were enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort study. IF was defined as the requirement for parenteral nutrition for >or= 90 days. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of IF. RESULTS: Among 473 patients enrolled, 129 had surgery and had adequate follow-up data, and of these patients, 54 (42%) developed IF. Of the 265 patients who did not require surgery, 6 (2%) developed IF (OR 31.1, 95% CI, 12.9 - 75.1, P < .001). Multivariate analysis identified the following risk factors for IF: use of parenteral antibiotics on the day of NEC diagnosis (OR = 16.61, P = .022); birth weight < 750 grams, (OR = 9.09, P < .001); requirement for mechanical ventilation on the day of NEC diagnosis (OR = 6.16, P = .009); exposure to enteral feeding before NEC diagnosis (OR=4.05, P = .048); and percentage of small bowel resected (OR = 1.85 per 10 percentage point greater resection, P = .031). CONCLUSION: The incidence of IF among infants undergoing surgical treatment for NEC is high. Variables characteristic of severe NEC (low birth weight, antibiotic use, ventilator use, and greater extent of bowel resection) were associated with the development of IF.

Seroprevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II among a cohort of HIV-infected women and women at risk for HIV infection. Women's Interagency HIV Study

OBJECTIVES: To determine the seroprevalence of, and risk factors for, HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection among HIV-infected women and women at high risk for HIV infection. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data for women enrolled in the prospective Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). METHODS: From October 1994 through November 1995, 2657 women from five metropolitan areas in the United States (Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City [two sites], Northern California, and Washington DC) were enrolled in WIHS. An interview-based survey collected data on demographics, behavior, and medical history. HTLV-I and HTLV-II determinations were made using a combined HTLV-I/HTLV-II indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) screening test, an IFA titration specificity test, and individual HTLV-I and HTLV-II confirmatory Western blots. Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression were used to determine univariate and multi variate independent predictors for HTLV-II infection. RESULTS: Of 2625 women enrolled in WIHS with confirmed HIV results, 2487 (95 percent) were tested for HTLV-I and HTLV-II. Of these, 241 (10 percent) HTLV-II-seropositive and 13 (0.5 percent) were HTLV-I-seropositive. On multivariate analysis, independent predictors of HTLV-II infection included injection drug use (OR = 5.2; p < .001), black race (OR = 3.6; p < 0.001), age > 35 years (OR = 3.3; p < .001) and a history of sex with a male injecting drug user (OR = 1.9; p < .001). Among women injected with HIV, the seroprevalence of HTLV-II was 11 percent compared infected with HIV, the seroprevalence of HTLV-II was 11 percent compared with 6 percent for women at risk for HIV but not infected (p < .001). However, HIV was not an independent predictor of HTLV-II infection in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This cross sectional analysis confirms that HTLV-II is found commonly in HIV-infected women at risk for HIV in major urban areas throughout the United States and that HTLV-II is far more common than HTLV-I in these populations. Although injecting drug use is most strongly associated with HTLV-II infection, sexual transmission likely contributes to the high HTLV-II seroprevalence in this cohort.(AU)