Prevalence of infertility and pregnancy loss among individuals with kidney disease in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

BACKGROUND: Hispanic/Latino individuals are less likely to receive optimal treatment for chronic kidney disease than non-Hispanic whites. This may be particularly detrimental for women of reproductive age as chronic kidney disease increases risk for infertility, menstrual irregularities, and pregnancy loss. While these maternal outcomes have been associated with advanced chronic kidney disease, their occurrence in early chronic kidney disease is unclear. OBJECTIVES/DESIGN: Using baseline (2008-2011) and second study visit (2014-2017) data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, we retrospectively assessed the prevalence of chronic kidney disease as well as the association between chronic kidney disease and self-reported infertility, cessation of menses, hysterectomy, and nonviable pregnancy loss (experienced at less than 24 weeks gestation) in women of reproductive age (18-45 years). METHODS: Multivariable survey logistic regression analyses determined the unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted prevalence odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals between chronic kidney disease and the separate outcomes. RESULTS: Among 2589 Hispanic/Latino women included (mean age = 31.4 years), 4.6% were considered to have chronic kidney disease. In adjusted analyses, women with chronic kidney disease did not have a significantly increased odds of infertility (odds ratio = 1.02, 95% confidence interval = 0.42-2.49), cessation of menses (odds ratio = 1.25, 95% confidence interval = 0.52-3.04), or hysterectomy (odds ratio = 1.17, 95% confidence interval = 0.61-2.25) compared to those without chronic kidney disease. In those with chronic kidney disease, the adjusted odds of a nonviable pregnancy loss occurring after baseline visit were increased (odds ratio = 2.11, 95% confidence interval = 0.63-7.02) but not statistically significance. CONCLUSION: The presence of early stage chronic kidney disease did not confer a significant risk of infertility, cessation of menses, or nonviable pregnancy loss.

The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is a population-based study of over 16,000 Hispanic/Latino individuals throughout the United States. Within this cohort, we assessed the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in women of reproductive age (18­45 years old) and the associations between kidney disease and infertility, cessation of menses, and nonviable pregnancy loss (loss occurring before the 24th week of pregnancy). We found that kidney disease affected 1 in 20 women of reproductive age and those with kidney disease were more likely to have obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Compared to those without kidney disease, the presence of kidney disease did not increase risk of infertility, cessation of menses, or nonviable pregnancy loss.

Connections between reproductive health and cognitive aging among women enrolled in the HCHS/SOL and SOL-INCA.

INTRODUCTION: Reproductive health history may contribute to cognitive aging and risk for Alzheimer's disease, but this is understudied among Hispanic/Latina women. METHODS: Participants included 2126 Hispanic/Latina postmenopausal women (44 to 75 years) from the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging. Survey linear regressions separately modeled the associations between reproductive health measures (age at menarche, history of oral contraceptive use, number of pregnancies, number of live births, age at menopause, female hormone use at Visit 1, and reproductive span) with cognitive outcomes at Visit 2 (performance, 7-year change, and mild cognitive impairment [MCI] prevalence). RESULTS: Younger age at menarche, oral contraceptive use, lower pregnancies, lower live births, and older age at menopause were associated with better cognitive performance. Older age at menarche was protective against cognitive change. Hormone use was linked to lower MCI prevalence. DISCUSSION: Several aspects of reproductive health appear to impact cognitive aging among Hispanic/Latina women.

Factors associated with urinary incontinence among Hispanic/Latina women in the United States: Findings from The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

PURPOSE: To identify factors associated with urinary incontinence (UI) in women of various Hispanic/Latina backgrounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a multicenter, community-based cohort study which includes a health-related questionnaire assessing presence and type of UI. Complex survey logistic regression analysis was used to assess the cross-sectional association of Hispanic/Latina backgrounds and other factors of UI. All estimates accounted for HCHS/SOL survey design. RESULTS: Of 5027 women, 33.4% answered "yes" to UI. Rates of any UI ranged from approximately 21.9% to 40.3% in women of Dominican and Puerto-Rican background, respectively. Any UI and UI subtypes were associated with age older than 65 years, increasing body mass index, smoking status, any alcohol use, parity ≥3, and postmenopausal status. After controlling for covariates and when compared with women of Mexican background, women of Dominican background were less likely to have any UI (OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.30-0.57), as were women of Cuban (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.37-0.62), Puerto-Rican (OR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.62-1.0), and mixed (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.99) background; and women of every other background except for South American were less likely to have stress UI. In addition, women of Cuban (OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.32-0.86) and mixed (OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.16-0.87) background were less likely to have urge UI than women of Mexican background. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates differences in UI by Hispanic/Latina background, suggesting collective designation of Hispanics/Latinas as a single ethnic group does not adequately describe UI among this diverse group.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease: Knowledge Gained from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) has made important contributions on the prevalence of and factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults in the US. This article summarizes the knowledge gained thus far on major CVD risk factors from this landmark study. RECENT FINDINGS: HCHS/SOL demonstrated the sizeable burdens of CVD risk in all major Hispanic/Latino groups in the US, as well as the marked variations in prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, obesity, and smoking by sex and background. It also identified sociodemographic, lifestyle, and sociocultural characteristics associated with risk factors. HCHS/SOL has yielded an expanding body of literature on characteristics associated with adverse CVD risk factors in this population. Long-term follow-up of this cohort will shed further light on the observed heterogeneity in CVD risk across Hispanic/Latino groups and identify specific risk/protective factors driving these variations.

Large-Scale Data Harmonization Across Prospective Studies.

The Preconception Period Analysis of Risks and Exposures Influencing Health and Development (PrePARED) Consortium creates a novel resource for addressing preconception health by merging data from numerous cohort studies. In this paper, we describe our data harmonization methods and results. Individual-level data from 12 prospective studies were pooled. The crosswalk-cataloging-harmonization procedure was used. The index pregnancy was defined as the first postbaseline pregnancy lasting more than 20 weeks. We assessed heterogeneity across studies by comparing preconception characteristics in different types of studies. The pooled data set included 114,762 women, and 25,531 (22%) reported at least 1 pregnancy of more than 20 weeks' gestation during the study period. Babies from the index pregnancies were delivered between 1976 and 2021 (median, 2008), at a mean maternal age of 29.7 (standard deviation, 4.6) years. Before the index pregnancy, 60% of women were nulligravid, 58% had a college degree or more, and 37% were overweight or obese. Other harmonized variables included race/ethnicity, household income, substance use, chronic conditions, and perinatal outcomes. Participants from pregnancy-planning studies had more education and were healthier. The prevalence of preexisting medical conditions did not vary substantially based on whether studies relied on self-reported data. Use of harmonized data presents opportunities to study uncommon preconception risk factors and pregnancy-related events. This harmonization effort laid the groundwork for future analyses and additional data harmonization.

Step-Based Metrics and Translations of Physical Activity Guidelines among Adults in the HCHS/SOL.

PURPOSE: In a cross-sectional sample of US Hispanic/Latino adults, we aimed to describe step-based metric distributions, estimate their associations with activity counts and self-report, and calibrate step-based translations of current (2018) US physical activity (PA) guidelines, that is, ≥150 min·wk -1 moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) from accelerometer counts and self-report. METHODS: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos enrolled 16,415 Hispanic/Latino adults 18-74 yr from four US cities (2008-2011). Participants completed the Global PA Questionnaire and 1 wk of Actical accelerometer wear ( n = 12,528). Weighted medians were used to describe step-based metrics, and Spearman correlations estimated their relationships with count-based and self-reported PA indicators. Receiver operator characteristic curve analyses were used to examine the ability of each step-based metric to classify participants meeting PA guidelines. RESULTS: Overall, US Hispanic/Latino adults accumulated medians of 6770 steps per day and 6, 18, 236, and 630 min·d -1 at ≥100, ≥70, 1-69, and 0 steps per minute, respectively. Count-based time in MVPA, light PA, and sedentary behavior were most strongly correlated ( rs = 0.79-0.85) with times ≥70, 1-69, and 0 steps per minute, respectively, whereas self-reported MVPA had similar correlations with steps per day and times ≥40 and ≥70 steps per minute ( rs = 0.28-0.29). Time ≥70 steps per minute had the greatest capacity to classify participants meeting PA guidelines with both measures of MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first normative values (based on percentiles) of step-based metrics for US Hispanic/Latino adults, which can facilitate surveillance, program planning, research, and data interpretation. Our finding that PA guidelines corresponded to 6000-7000 steps per day or ~20 min·d -1 at ≥70 steps per minute with an Actical accelerometer can be considered alongside dose-response relationships with health outcomes to develop step-based recommendations that are consistent with and better communicate PA guidelines.

Preconception Cardiometabolic Markers and Birth Outcomes Among Women in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

Background: Associations between preconception cardiometabolic markers and birth outcomes have been noted, but data are scarce for Hispanics/Latinos. We examined the association between preconception cardiometabolic markers, birthweight and preterm birth among U.S. Hispanic/Latina women. Materials and Methods: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is a cohort study of U.S. adults 18-74 years of age, including 3,798 women of reproductive age (18-44 years) from four field centers representing Hispanic/Latino backgrounds of Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central American, and South American. A baseline clinic examination (2008-2011) and a second clinic examination (2014-2017), including ascertainment of birth outcomes, allowed for identification of 517 singleton live births between the exams. Preconception cardiometabolic markers included abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥88 cm), body mass index >30 kg/m2, high blood pressure (systolic ≥120 mmHg and diastolic ≥80 mmHg), elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<50 mg/dL), elevated fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dL), and insulin. Complex survey linear regression modeled the association between cardiometabolic markers and birthweight-for-gestational age z-score; complex survey logistic regression modeled the association with preterm birth. Analyses adjusted for Hispanic/Latina background, field center, years between baseline and birth, age, and nulliparity. Results: In adjusted linear regression models, elevated fasting glucose was associated with higher birthweight z-scores (ß = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.14 to 0.99), even after further adjustment for maternal percent body fat (ß = 0.53, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.95). In adjusted logistic regression models, high blood pressure (odds ratio [OR] = 2.57, 95% CI 1.13 to 5.88) and increased insulin (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.14, for a 10 mU/L increase) were associated with higher odds for preterm birth. Conclusions: Infant birthweight and preterm birth may be influenced by selected cardiometabolic risk factors before pregnancy among Hispanic/Latina women.

Predictors of incident diabetes in two populations: framingham heart study and hispanic community health study / study of latinos.

BACKGROUND: Non-genetic factors contribute to differences in diabetes risk across race/ethnic and socioeconomic groups, which raises the question of whether effects of predictors of diabetes are similar across populations. We studied diabetes incidence in the primarily non-Hispanic White Framingham Heart Study (FHS, N = 4066) and the urban, largely immigrant Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL, N = 6891) Please check if the affiliations are captured and presented correctly. METHODS: Clinical, behavioral, and socioeconomic characteristics were collected at in-person examinations followed by seven-day accelerometry. Among individuals without diabetes, Cox proportional hazards regression models (both age- and sex-adjusted, and then multivariable-adjusted for all candidate predictors) identified predictors of incident diabetes over a decade of follow-up, defined using clinical history or laboratory assessments. RESULTS: Four independent predictors were shared between FHS and HCHS/SOL. In each cohort, the multivariable-adjusted hazard of diabetes increased by approximately 50% for every ten-year increment of age and every five-unit increment of body mass index (BMI), and was 50-70% higher among hypertensive than among non-hypertensive individuals (all P < 0.01). Compared with full-time employment status, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for part-time employment was 0.61 (0.37,1.00) in FHS and 0.62 (0.41,0.95) in HCHS/SOL. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was an additional predictor in common observed in age- and sex-adjusted models, which did not persist after adjustment for other covariates (compared with MVPA ≤ 5 min/day, HR for MVPA level ≥ 30 min/day was 0.48 [0.31,0.74] in FHS and 0.74 [0.56,0.97] in HCHS/SOL). Additional predictors found in sex- and age-adjusted analyses among the FHS participants included male gender and lower education, but these predictors were not found to be independent of others in multivariable adjusted models, nor were they associated with diabetes risk among HCHS/SOL adults. CONCLUSIONS: The same four independent predictors - age, body mass index, hypertension and employment status - were associated with diabetes risk across two disparate US populations. While the reason for elevated diabetes risk in full-time workers is unclear, the findings suggest that diabetes may be part of the work-related burden of disease. Our findings also support prior evidence that differences by gender and socioeconomic position in diabetes risk are not universally present across populations.

Diabetes Incidence Among Hispanic/Latino Adults in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

OBJECTIVE: To examine diabetes incidence in a diverse cohort of U.S. Hispanic/Latinos. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is a prospective cohort study with participants aged 18-74 years from four U.S. metropolitan areas. Participants were assessed for diabetes at the baseline examination (2008-2011), annually via telephone interview, and at a second examination (2014-2017). RESULTS: A total of 11,619 participants returned for the second examination. The overall age-adjusted diabetes incidence rate was 22.1 cases/1,000 person-years. The incidence was high among those with Puerto Rican and Mexican backgrounds as well as those aged ≥45 years and with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Significant differences in diabetes awareness, treatment, and health insurance coverage, but not glycemic control, were observed across Hispanic/Latino background groups, age groups, and BMI categories. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in diabetes incidence by Hispanic/Latino background, age, and BMI suggest the susceptibility of these factors.

Body image and disordered eating behaviors in Hispanic/Latino Youth: Findings from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of certain disordered eating behaviors is higher among Hispanic youth compared to non-Hispanics. Understanding the role of body image and social attitudes towards weight in disordered eating may inform treatment in Hispanic youth. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth). Our sample included 1,463 children aged 8-16 years from four sites (Bronx, Chicago, Miami, San Diego) assessed in 2011-2014. Body image discrepancy score was calculated as the difference between perceived ideal body image and actual body image using two numbered visual graphs: adolescent (n = 728) or child (n = 735), each with slightly different scales. Questionnaires measured influences from social attitudes toward weight and disordered eating behaviors. Three disordered eating behaviors (dieting, overeating, and compensatory behaviors) were analyzed as the dependent variable. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, acculturative stress, and field center to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Mean body image discrepancy score was -0.79 for adolescents (SE = 0.08) and -0.50 for children (SE = 0.05), with a negative score signifying a perceived actual body image larger than their ideal. Body image discrepancy was strongly associated with dieting (dieting ≥5 times/year aOR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.53, 0.77) and compensatory behaviors (aOR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.50, 0.85) among adolescents, and was strongly associated with overeating among children (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.61, 0.91). Significant associations were not observed with social attitudes towards weight. CONCLUSIONS: Associations observed with body image discrepancy and disordered eating behaviors can inform interventions in Hispanic/Latino youth, which should consider acculturative stress.

Pre-pregnancy Health Behaviors and Gestational Weight Gain Among Hispanic/Latino Women: Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between preconception diet quality, sedentary behavior, and physical activity with gestational weight gain (GWG) among Hispanic/Latina women. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of participants from visits 1 and 2 of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and singleton pregnancies between the 2 visits. Diet quality (alternative healthy eating index/AHEI-2010), sedentary behaviors, and physical activity (global physical activity questionnaire) were measured at visit 1 and accounted for preconception health behaviors. GWG was evaluated as a continuous and categorical variable according to the 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines (inadequate, adequate, excessive). Linear and generalized logit survey regressions were used to study the association between health behaviors and GWG, using adequate GWG as the reference. RESULTS: Of the 457 women included, deliveries occurred at 3.2 years (mean) from visit 1; 48.7% of women had excessive GWG. Mean AHEI-2010 scores were < 45% for women of all Hispanic/Latina backgrounds. There was no association between each 10-unit increase in AHEI-2010 or a 500 kcal/day increase in energy intake for mean and categorical GWG. There was no association between 30 min/day higher sedentary behavior, 30 min/day higher physical activity, or meeting the 2008 US physical activity guidelines for mean and categorical GWG. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find any association between diet quality, sedentary behavior, and physical activity at visit 1 with GWG in pregnancies occurring between visits 1 and 2. We noted widespread poor diet quality as measured by the AHEI-2010 and low levels of physical activity among Hispanic/Latina women.

Adverse childhood experiences and lifetime adverse maternal outcomes (gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy) in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

PURPOSE: Childhood adversity is associated with increased risk of adult disease, including type II diabetes and hypertension. However, little is known about potential associations between childhood adversity and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and ever experiencing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) in a cohort of Hispanic or Latina women. METHODS: We analyzed data from 2319 women from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos who had ever given birth to a liveborn infant. We fit separate logistic regression models accounting for sample weights to examine the association between ACEs and risk of GDM and HDP adjusting for Hispanic/Latino background, age at immigration to the United States, and education. RESULTS: Women who reported four or more ACEs did not show increased odds of GDM or HDP compared with those who reported three or fewer (GDM adjusted odds ratio: 0.8 [0.5, 1.3]; HDP adjusted OR: 1.0 [0.7, 1.5]). CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous research with majority non-Hispanic White cohorts, there was no association between ACEs and GDM or HDP. Future research should explore if this relationship varies by race/ethnicity in multiethnic cohorts.

Neonatal jaundice in association with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between neonatal jaundice and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and non-ASD developmental disorder (DD). STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data from the Study to Explore Early Development, a US multisite, case-control study conducted from 2007 to 2011. Developmental assessment classified children aged 2-5 years into: ASD (n = 636), DD (n = 777), or controls (POP; n = 926). Neonatal jaundice (n = 1054) was identified from medical records and maternal interviews. We examined associations between neonatal jaundice and ASD and DD using regression models to obtain adjusted odds ratios (aOR). RESULTS: Our results showed interaction between gestational age and neonatal jaundice. Neonatal jaundice was associated with ASD at 35-37 weeks (aOR = 1.83, 95%CI 1.05, 3.19), but not ≥38 weeks gestation (aOR = 0.97, 95%CI 0.76, 1.24). Similar results were observed with DD. CONCLUSIONS: Further exploration of timing and severity of neonatal jaundice and ASD/DD is warranted.

Maternal diabetes and hypertensive disorders in association with autism spectrum disorder.

Previous studies have shown complications of pregnancy, often examined in aggregate, to be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Results for specific complications, such as maternal diabetes and hypertension, have not been uniformly consistent and should be investigated independently in relation to ASD in a large community-based sample. The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), a US multisite case-control study, enrolled children born in 2003-2006 at 2-5 years of age. Children were classified into three groups based on confirmation of ASD (n = 698), non-ASD developmental delay (DD; n = 887), or controls drawn from the general population (POP; n = 979). Diagnoses of any diabetes or hypertensive disorder during pregnancy were identified from prenatal medical records and maternal self-report. Logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and confidence intervals (CI) adjusting for maternal age, race/ethnicity, education, smoking during pregnancy, and study site. Models for hypertension were additionally adjusted for parity and plurality. Among 2,564 mothers, we identified 246 (9.6%) with any diabetes and 386 (15.1%) with any hypertension in pregnancy. After adjustment for covariates, any diabetes during pregnancy was not associated with ASD (aOR = 1.10 [95% CI 0.77, 1.56]), but any hypertension was associated with ASD (aOR = 1.69 [95% CI 1.26, 2.26]). Results were similar for DD, and any diabetes (aOR = 1.29 [95% CI 0.94, 1.78]) or any hypertension (aOR = 1.71 [95% CI 1.30, 2.25]). Some pregnancy complications, such as hypertension, may play a role in autism etiology and can possibly serve as a prompt for more vigilant ASD screening efforts. Autism Res 2019, 12: 967-975. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: We studied if common complications in pregnancy are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a large sample of mothers and children. Our results show an association between conditions marked by high blood pressure and ASD, but no association with conditions marked by high blood sugar and ASD. Associations were similar for children who had a developmental disorder that was not ASD, suggesting that this relationship may not be specific to ASD.

Understanding the Gap: Perceived Health Literacy Levels Among Spanish-Speaking Immigrants in Miami-Dade County, 2016.

Health literacy levels among immigrant populations in Miami-Dade County have yet to be examined. This study investigates perceived health literacy ability and measured health literacy scores among Miami-Dade County immigrants. Methods: Patients seen in the Refugee Health Assessment Program and Family Planning Program completed a health literacy assessment in November 2016. Participants were immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries who reported living in the U.S. for ≤ 10 years. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of agreement. 283 patients responded. No characteristics were significant predictors of agreement; However, we found lower agreement among participants that were 18-24 years old (49%), received medical information from the internet/television (46%), and had lived in the U.S. for only 6-12 months (49%). Our findings suggest that immigrant patients may have limited understanding of their health literacy abilities. Clinicians need to take health literacy levels into account when interacting with patients.

Maternal Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain in Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disorders in Offspring.

Most prior studies examining maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) in relation to offspring autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have reported an association, though findings are not uniform and few have also examined gestational weight gain (GWG). Therefore, we examined both in the Study to Explore Early Development, a multi-site case-control study of children born in 2003-2006. Children identified from clinics, schools, and birth certificates were enrolled at ages 2-5 year and using standardized developmental evaluations, classified as: ASD, other developmental delays (DD), or population-based controls. Maternal height, weight, and GWG were self-reported during the telephone interview. Three primary weight risk factors were examined: (a) Pre-pregnancy BMI, classified as underweight to obese, (b) GWG continuous and categorized as quintiles, and (c) Institute of Medicine clinical weight-gain recommendations. Odds ratios adjusted (AOR) for sociodemographic and prenatal factors were calculated among term singletons, comparing the ASD (n = 540) or DD (n = 720) groups to the control group (n = 776). The AOR of ASD and maternal obesity was 1.37 (95%CI 0.98-1.92). Associations with higher GWG were stronger (Quintile5 vs. Quintile3 AOR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.08-2.31), and particularly so among overweight/obese women (AOR = 1.90, 95%CI 0.98-3.68). DD was associated with maternal overweight and obesity (obesity AOR = 1.48, 95%CI 1.08-2.02), but not with total GWG or clinical recommendations. High maternal BMI and GWG are risk factors for other pregnancy and child outcomes, and our results suggest they may also represent modifiable risk factors for neurodevelopmental outcomes. Autism Res 2019, 12: 316-327 © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: In a large, national study, we found that children with autism were more likely than unaffected children to have mothers with higher weight gain during pregnancy; risk of autism may be even stronger if mothers were also overweight before pregnancy. Children with other developmental delays were more likely to have mothers who were overweight or obese before pregnancy, but not who gained more weight during pregnancy. Overweight and weight gain may represent factors that could be modified.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Zika Virus Infections.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In July 2016, local transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) was announced in Miami-Dade County, Florida. In this report, we describe the epidemiology of pediatric ZIKV infections in locally acquired and travel-associated cases. METHODS: All children aged 1 to 17 years tested for ZIKV between October 1, 2015, and March 29, 2017, were included. SAS 9.4 was used to analyze age, sex, race and/or ethnicity, origin of exposure, onset date, affiliation with a household cluster, clinical symptoms, hospitalizations, viremia, viruria, and antibody detection in specimens. RESULTS: Among 478 confirmed ZIKV cases in Miami-Dade County, 33 (6.9%) occurred in children (1-17 years). Twenty-seven (82.3%) cases were travel-associated. The median age of a pediatric Zika case patient was 11 years. Seventeen (51.5%) case patients were boys, and 23 (69.9%) were Hispanic. Among 31 symptomatic cases, all reported having rash, 25 (80.6%) reported fever, 9 (29.0%) reported conjunctivitis, and 7 (22.6%) reported arthralgia. Sixteen (48.5%) cases reported 2 of 4 and 8 (24.2%) reported 3 of 4 main symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This report found that the majority of children identified during the 2016 ZIKV outbreak only presented with 2 of the 4 main symptoms. In addition, pediatric ZIKV cases were frequently associated with symptomatic household members.

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED).

BACKGROUND: Prenatal alcohol exposure can affect neurodevelopment, but few studies have examined associations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: We assessed the association between maternal alcohol use and ASD in the Study to Explore Early Development, a multi-site case-control study of children born between September 2003 and August 2006 in the US Regression analyses included 684 children with research clinician-confirmed ASD, 869 children with non-ASD developmental delays or disorders (DDs), and 962 controls ascertained from the general population (POP). Maternal alcohol exposure during each month from 3 months prior to conception until delivery was assessed by self-report. RESULTS: Mothers of POP children were more likely to report any prenatal alcohol use than mothers of children with ASD or DD. In trimester one, 21.2% of mothers of POP children reported alcohol use compared with 18.1% and 18.2% of mothers of children with ASD or DD, respectively (adjusted OR for ASD vs. POP 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.6, 1.1). During preconception and the first month of pregnancy, one to two drinks on average per week was inversely associated with ASD risk. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support an adverse association between low-level alcohol exposure and ASD, although these findings were based on retrospective self-reported alcohol use. Unmeasured confounding or exposure misclassification may explain inverse associations with one to two drinks per week. Pregnant or potentially pregnant women should continue to follow recommendations to avoid alcohol use because of other known effects on infant health and neurodevelopment.

Differences in Presentation and Outcomes Between Children With Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Children With Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Report From the Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Research comparing the survival of children with familial dilated cardiomyopathy (FDCM) to that of children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) has produced conflicting results. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from children with FDCM or IDCM using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry. Compared to children with IDCM (n=647), children with FDCM (n=223) were older (mean 6.2 versus 4.5 years, P<0.001), less often had heart failure (64% versus 78%, P<0.001), had less-depressed mean left ventricular fractional shortening z scores (-7.85±3.98 versus -9.06±3.89, P<0.001) and lower end-diastolic dimension z scores (4.12±2.61 versus 4.91±2.57, P<0.001) at diagnosis. The cumulative incidence of death was lower for patients with FDCM compared with IDCM (P=0.04; hazard ratio 0.64, P=0.06), but no difference in risk of transplant or the combined death or transplant outcome. There was no difference in the proportion of children with echocardiographic normalization at 3 years of follow-up (FDCM, 30% versus IDCM, 26%; P=0.33). Multivariable analysis showed no difference in outcomes between FDCM and IDCM but for both groups older age, congestive heart failure, and increased left ventricular end-systolic dimension zscore at diagnosis were independently associated with an increased risk of death or heart transplantation (all Ps<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was no survival difference between FDCM and IDCM after adjustment for other factors. Older age, congestive heart failure, and greater left ventricular dilation at diagnosis were independently associated with increased risk of the combined end point of death or transplantation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00005391.

Characterization of the enzymatic activity of the actin cross-linking domain from the Vibrio cholerae MARTX Vc toxin.

Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that exports enterotoxins, which alter host cells through a number of mechanisms resulting in diarrheal disease. Among the secreted toxins is the multifunctional, autoprocessing RTX toxin (MARTX(Vc)), which disrupts actin cytoskeleton by covalently cross-linking actin monomers into oligomers. The region of the toxin responsible for cross-linking activity is the actin cross-linking domain (ACD). In this study, we demonstrate unambiguously that ACD utilizes G- and not F-actin as a substrate for the cross-linking reaction and hydrolyzes one molecule of ATP per cross-linking event. Furthermore, major actin-binding proteins that regulate actin cytoskeleton in vivo do not block the cross-linking reaction in vitro. Cofilin inhibits the cross-linking of G- and F-actin, at a high mole ratio to actin but accelerates F-actin cross-linking at low mole ratios. DNase I completely blocks the cross-linking of actin, likely due to steric hindrance with one of the cross-linking sites on actin. In the context of the holotoxin, the inhibition of Rho by the Rho-inactivating domain of MARTX(Vc) (Sheahan, K. L., and Satchell, K. J. F. (2007) Cell. Microbiol. 9, 1324-1335) would accelerate F-actin depolymerization and provide G-actin, alone or in complex with actin-binding proteins, for cross-linking by ACD, ultimately leading to the observed rapid cell rounding.