Advanced Deep-Plane Rhytidectomy: Advantages for Neck Treatment and Volumization of the Midface.

The aged neck is the most common motivator for patients seeking facial rejuvenation. Unlike the deflated midface, surgical treatment is still the gold standard for optimal outcomes. It is our view that the majority etiology of both the aged neck and deflated midface is gravity's effects on the superficial soft tissue envelope, leading to soft tissue redundancy. It is also our view that the deep-plane rhytidectomy is supported by anatomy, embryology, and clinical evidence as the best methodology to treat soft tissue redundancy without producing the aesthetic and longevity issues associated with superficial musculoaponeurotic system techniques. As one of the early pioneers in deep-plane rhytidectomy, the lead author will define contemporary advances in deep-plane technique such as dissection entry point, flap design, and flap fixation concepts that allow aggressive approach to treating both the aged neck and deflated midface.

Mapping the Theoretical Domain Framework to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: do multiple frameworks add value?

BACKGROUND: Implementation researchers often combine the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF) and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) in their studies. However there is some debate on the merits of using multiple frameworks-whether they contribute to results or provide superfluous analysis. Our recent research combined the TDF and CFIR to identify determinants to widespread incorporation of patient held medication lists (PHML) in healthcare practice. The aim of this report is to provide guidance on the use of the TDF and CFIR; by assessing the degree of overlap between the two frameworks in their application to interviews about PHML. METHODS: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and non HCPs (people taking multiple medicines and caregivers).Interview data were transcribed and analysed using the TDF and CFIR. Within paired domains substantial intersection/overlap across constructs and domains within the two frameworks was classified as > 75% of coding references, consistent intersection/overlap was defined as > 50% and ≤ 75%, average intersection/overlap was defined as ≤ 50% and > 25% and non-substantial intersection/overlap was classified as ≤ 25% of coding references. RESULTS: Interview data were collected from 39 participants - 21 HCPs and 18 non HCPs. Mapping of TDF domains to CFIR domains/constructs identified key determinants in six TDF domains: Environmental context & resources, Beliefs about capabilities, Beliefs about consequences, Social influences, Behavioural regulation and Social/professional role & identity; and five CFIR domains: Intervention Characteristics, Outer Setting, Inner Setting, Characteristics of Individual and Process. A pattern of substantial intersection/overlap in coding emerged with broad TDF domains such as Environmental context & resources often linked to well-defined CFIR domains and constructs (e.g. design quality & packaging within Intervention Characteristics). Broad CFIR constructs such as knowledge & beliefs about intervention within Characteristics of Individuals also linked to more descriptive TDF domains like Beliefs about capabilities. In addition there was some unexpected non-substantial intersection/overlap in coding with the TDF domain Social influences less frequently linked to the CFIR Inner Setting domain and constructs such as networks and communications. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying intersections/overlaps in coding between CFIR and TDF can assist interpretation of findings in implementation research. The strengths of each framework were exploited in a reciprocal process which provided more information to broad/poorly defined domains and enabled identification of implementation determinants and innovation determinants.

Impairments of the ipsilesional upper-extremity in the first 6-months post-stroke.

BACKGROUND: Ipsilesional motor impairments of the arm are common after stroke. Previous studies have suggested that severity of contralesional arm impairment and/or hemisphere of lesion may predict the severity of ipsilesional arm impairments. Historically, these impairments have been assessed using clinical scales, which are less sensitive than robot-based measures of sensorimotor performance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize progression of ipsilesional arm motor impairments using a robot-based assessment of motor function over the first 6-months post-stroke and quantify their relationship to (1) contralesional arm impairment severity and (2) stroke-lesioned hemisphere. METHODS: A total of 106 participants with first-time, unilateral stroke completed a unilateral assessment of arm motor impairment (visually guided reaching task) using the Kinarm Exoskeleton. Participants completed the assessment along with a battery of clinical measures with both ipsilesional and contralesional arms at 1-, 6-, 12-, and 26-weeks post-stroke. RESULTS: Robotic assessment of arm motor function revealed a higher incidence of ipsilesional arm impairment than clinical measures immediately post-stroke. The incidence of ipsilesional arm impairments decreased from 47 to 14% across the study period. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests revealed that ipsilesional arm impairment severity, as measured by our task, was not related to which hemisphere was lesioned. The severity of ipsilesional arm impairments was variable but displayed moderate significant relationships to contralesional arm impairment severity with some robot-based parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Ipsilesional arm impairments were variable. They displayed relationships of varying strength with contralesional impairments and were not well predicted by lesioned hemisphere. With standard clinical care, 86% of ipsilesional impairments recovered by 6-months post-stroke.

A scoping review protocol of the rehabilitation needs of people with brain tumours.

Background: Every year 480 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour in Ireland. Brain tumours can vary in type, location, treatment, and progression but neurological impairments are a consistent feature. Such neurological disability creates significant symptom burden that can seriously impact peoples' functional ability and quality of life. Rehabilitation can improve functional prognosis (motor and cognitive) and quality of life in people with brain tumours. However, research and experience consistently show that people with brain tumours can have difficulties accessing rehabilitation services. Our scoping review will investigate the research evidence concerning the rehabilitation needs of people with brain tumours. Methods: The scoping review will be conducted in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting guidelines. Relevant databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL+, PsychINFO, PEDro) and grey literature sources will be searched. Publications relating to international rehabilitation practices will be included. A data extraction table will be created to facilitate narrative synthesis of the results. Conclusions: This scoping review will examine the scope of the literature on the rehabilitation needs of people with brain tumours. The findings will inform a research project entitled "Surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, but now what? Exploring the rehabilitation needs of people with brain tumours in Ireland". An article reporting the results of the scoping review will be submitted to a scientific journal and presented at relevant national and international conferences.

Corrigendum to "Trust and cancer screening: Effects of a screening controversy on women's perceptions of cervical cancer screening" [Prev. Med. Rep. 25 (2022) 101684].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101684.].

Trust and cancer screening: Effects of a screening controversy on women's perceptions of cervical cancer screening.

There is a paucity of data on trust of service users in cervical screening. A significant controversy in Ireland's national cervical cancer screening programme emerged in 2018. The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that a clinical audit had revealed that more than 200 women who developed cancer had not been told of earlier misdiagnosed smear tests. During this high profile controversy we conducted qualitative interviews exploring factors that influence cervical screening participation. Women who had been invited for routine screening tests were recruited from the national screening register. Telephone interviews were conducted with 48 women aged 25-65 years; with a range of screening histories - 34 were adequately screened (attended all routine screening tests) and 14 were inadequately screened (attended some/no screening tests). Thematic analysis was conducted and all interviewees spontaneously raised the screening controversy revealing that the crisis had resulted in serious loss of trust, faith and confidence in the screening programme. Publicity surrounding the controversy had some beneficial effects, including increased awareness of the value of screening and beliefs that intense focus on the programme will improve the service long-term. Strategies which incorporate these findings could help rebuild trust in screening.

Barriers and facilitators to discussing HPV with head and neck cancer patients: A qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of human papillomavirus-associated head and neck cancers (HPV-HNC) is increasing worldwide. Research in other clinical contexts has shown that healthcare professionals (HCPs) can find discussing HPV with patients challenging. However, limited research has been conducted in HNC. This study aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators to, discussing HPV among HCPs caring for patients with HNC in Ireland. METHODS: Semi-structured telephone/face-to-face interviews were conducted with HCPs. Barriers and facilitators to discussing HPV with patients were identified using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). RESULTS: 20 HCPs (8 clinicians, 3 nurses, 9 allied healthcare professionals) were interviewed. Barriers to discussing HPV included professionals' lack of HPV knowledge, difficulties in talking about sexual issues with patients and lack of privacy to discuss HPV in busy clinic settings. Facilitators included increasing public and patient awareness of the link between HPV and HNC and professional education and skills development. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first theoretically informed study to identify barriers and facilitators to discussing HPV with HNC patients. HCPs consider HPV discussions to be an essential part of HNC patient care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Understanding the issues associated with patient-provider HPV communication will help develop effective interventions to support HCPs in their HPV discussions.

Communicating about HPV in the context of head and neck cancer: A systematic review of quantitative studies.

OBJECTIVE: Rising incidence of HPV-positive head and neck cancers (HPV-HNC) means HPV infection is increasingly relevant to patient-provider consultations. We performed a systematic review to examine, in the context of patient-provider HNC consultations: discussions about HPV, attitudes towards discussing HPV and information needs. METHODS: We searched Embase, PsychINFO, and CINAHL + for studies to August 2018. Eligible studies included: HNC healthcare professionals (HCPs) and/or HNC patients investigated HNC patient-provider communication about HPV. RESULTS: Ten studies were identified: six including HCPs and four including HNC patients. HCPs varied in confidence in HPV discussions, which was related to their HPV knowledge. Both HCPs and patients acknowledged the need for reliable HPV information. Factors which facilitated HPV discussions included accessible HPV information for patients and HCPs and good HPV knowledge among HCPs. Barriers included the perception, among HCPs, that HPV was a challenging topic to discuss with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Information deficits, communication challenges and barriers to discussing HPV were identified in HNC patient-provider consultations. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Appropriate HPV information is needed for HCPs and patients. Professional development initiatives which increase HCPs' HPV knowledge and build their communication skills would be valuable.

Syndromic Scoliosis: National Trends in Surgical Management and Inpatient Hospital Outcomes: A 12-Year Analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the trends in management and inpatient outcomes in patients with syndromic scoliosis undergoing spinal deformity correction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Syndromic scoliosis (SS) refers to scoliosis that is most commonly associated with systemic disease including Ehler Danhlos syndrome (EDS), Marfan syndrome (MF), Down syndrome (DS), Achondroplasia (AP), and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Limited data exist evaluating hospital outcomes in patients with SS undergoing spinal deformity correction. METHODS: The Kids' Inpatient Database (KIDS) was queried from 2001 to 2012 to identify all pediatric patients with scoliosis undergoing spinal fusion. These patients were then sub-divided into two cohorts: (1) patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) and (2) patients with syndromic scoliosis. Trends in surgical management, and postoperative morbidity and mortality were assessed. Length of stay and total hospital charges were additionally analyzed. A sub-analysis to characterize outcomes in each syndrome was also performed. RESULTS: An estimated 1071 patients with SS were identified and compared with 24,989 pediatric patients with IS. MF (36.8%), Down syndrome (16.0%), and PWS (14.9%) were the most common diagnoses among patients with SS. Between 2001 and 2012, there was a significant decline in the number of anterior procedures performed in both cohorts. Conversely, the number of posterior based procedures increased. SS was associated with increased major complications (2.7% compared with 1.0% in IS; P < 0.001) and minor complication rates (41.0% compared with 28.5% in IS; P < 0.001). Patients with AP incurred the highest rate of major complications (10.7%), minor complications (60.8%), and intraoperative durotomies (6.1%). Total hospital charges increased significantly over the 12-year span. CONCLUSION: Trends in management of syndromic scoliosis have paralleled that of idiopathic scoliosis. Syndromic scoliosis is associated with increased risks with surgical deformity correction. Further prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the reasons for these differences. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Making medicines safer: analysis of patient reports to the UK's Yellow Card Scheme.

Objectives: No studies describing UK patient Yellow Card reports have been published since the evaluation of the first two years of direct patient reporting (2005-7), when 5,180 reports were analyzed.Methods: Patient Yellow Card reports submitted July-December 2015 for vaccines and other drugs were analyzed. Comparisons to the initial evaluation were made of: reporting method, number of suspect drugs, proportion classed as serious. Factors affecting seriousness of reports were examined.Results: There were 3,060 patient Yellow Card reports analyzed. Vaccine reports have increased from very few in 2005-7 to 25% of reports. The proportion of reports citing one drug (94.3%) and the proportion considered serious (70.3%) increased from the 84% and 58% respectively found in 2005-7. The main method of reporting had changed from paper (61%) to internet (88.5%). Serious reports were more common in females, for vaccines in young persons, but in adults for other drugs, and included more reaction terms than non-serious reports.Conclusion: Patient reporting, in particular to vaccines, has increased dramatically since 2005-7. Increases in the proportion of reports concerning one drug and the proportion considered serious could indicate that the usability of patient reports may have improved in comparison to early reporting.

A diagnostic evaluation of a molecular assay used for testing and treating anorectal chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections at the point-of-care in Papua New Guinea.

OBJECTIVES: Papua New Guinea has among the highest prevalences of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) globally with no services able to accurately test for anorectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infections. Here we prospectively evaluated the diagnostic performance of a molecular CT/NG assay used at the point-of-care (POC) with the aim of enhancing anorectal STI screening and same-day treatment. METHODS: Men who have sex with men, transgender women and female sex workers taking part in Papua New Guinea's first large-scale biobehavioural study were enrolled and asked to provide a self-collected anorectal swab for POC GeneXpert CT/NG testing. Same-day treatment was offered if positive. A convenience sample of 396 unique and randomly selected samples were transported to Australia for comparison using the Cobas 4800 CT/NG test (Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Pleasanton, CA, USA). RESULTS: A total of 326 samples provided valid results by Cobas whereas 70 samples provided invalid results suggesting inhibition. The positive, negative and overall percentage agreements of GeneXpert CT/NG for the detection of C. trachomatis were 96.7% (95% CI 92.3%-98.9%), 95.5% (95% CI 91.3%-98.0%) and 96.0% (95% CI 93.3%-97.8%), and for N. gonorrhoeae were 93.0% (95% CI 86.1%-97.1%), 100.0% (95% CI 98.3%-100.0%) and 97.8% (95% CI 95.6%-99.1%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of agreement between the GeneXpert and Cobas CT/NG assays was high with 96.0% for C. trachomatis and 97.8% for N. gonorrhoeae. Results from this study data suggest that the GeneXpert CT/NG assay is suitable for testing self-collected anorectal specimens at the POC and that same-day treatment was feasible.

Reduction and Increase in Thermal Conductivity of Si Irradiated with Ga+ via Focused Ion Beam.

Focused ion beam (FIB) technology has become a valuable tool for the microelectronics industry and for the fabrication and preparation of samples at the micro/nanoscale. Its effects on the thermal transport properties of Si, however, are not well understood nor do experimental data exist. This paper presents a carefully designed set of experiments for the determination of the thermal conductivity of Si samples irradiated by Ga+ FIB. Generally, the thermal conductivity decreases with increasing ion dose. For doses of >1016 (Ga+/cm2), a reversal of the trend was observed due to recrystallization of Si. This report provides insight on the thermal transport considerations relevant to engineering of Si nanostructures and interfaces fabricated or prepared by FIB.

Long-term impact of childhood hepatitis B vaccination programs on prevalence among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women giving birth in Western Australia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the long-term effect of infant and childhood hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination programs among birthing women in Western Australia. METHODS: A cohort of Western Australian women born from 1974 to 1995 was created using Birth Registrations and Electoral Roll records. They were linked to a perinatal register and notifiable diseases register to identify women having respectively their first births between 2000 and 2012 and diagnoses of HBV infections. HBV prevalence was estimated in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women, and according to maternal birth year cohorts. RESULTS: Of 66,073 women, 155 (0.23%) had a linked non-acute HBV notification. HBV prevalence was five times higher in Aboriginal women compared to their non-Aboriginal counterparts (0.92%, 95%CI 0.65-1.18 versus 0.18%, 0.15-0.21). Among Aboriginal women, after adjusting for year of giving birth and region of residence, those born in the targeted infant and school-based vaccination era (maternal year of birth 1988-1995) had an 89% lower risk (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.11, 0.04-0.33) of HBV than those born in the pre-vaccination era (1974-1981). Prevalence also differed between Aboriginal women residing in rural/remote areas compared to those in major cities (aOR 3.06, 1.36-6.88). Among non-Aboriginal women, no significant difference in HBV prevalence was observed by maternal birth cohort (p = 0.20) nor by residence (p = 0.23), but there were significant differences by ethnicity with a 36-fold higher prevalence (aOR 36.08, 22.66-57.46) in non-Caucasian versus Caucasian women. CONCLUSIONS: A significant decline in HBV prevalence in Aboriginal birthing mothers was observed following the introduction of HBV vaccination programs in Western Australia. There were also considerable disparities in prevalence between women by area of residence and ethnicity. Our findings reflect those observed in women in other Australian jurisdictions. Continued surveillance of HBV prevalence in birthing mothers will provide ongoing estimates of HBV vaccination program impact across Australia and the populations most at risk of chronic HBV.

A reliable and easy to transport quality control method for chlamydia and gonorrhoea molecular point of care testing.

Quality control (QC) is an essential component of point-of-care testing programs. In the context of a randomised-controlled trial (TTANGO) using GeneXpert (Xpert) Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT/NG) point-of-care testing in remote areas of Australia, we aimed to develop and utilise a stable positive control material. Bacterial cultures of CT and NG were resuspended together to provide cycle threshold (Ct) values of approximately 25 cycles for both CT and NG when tested on the Xpert CT/NG assay. These positive control suspensions were dried in aliquots, heat inactivated, and then provided to 12 participating health services as research-only QC samples in kit form. At each service, a QC sample was resuspended and tested each month on the Xpert. QC results, including Xpert Ct values, were analysed from each site over 30 months and we calculated costs per QC sample. Overall, at 12 health services there were 89 QC samples tested (average of 8 tests per site per year). Mean Ct values for the 89 controls samples were 25.25 cycles (SD = 1.15) for CT, 24.04 cycles (SD = 1.400) for one NG target and 23.35 cycles (SD = 1.55) for the other NG target. No significant differences in Ct value for CT or NG controls were observed over a trial period of 30 months. Positive QC samples for research use in a trial of a molecular point-of-care assay were inexpensive to produce and stable when stored at 2-8°C. For routine use, additional requirements such as meeting National Association of Testing Authority (NATA) regulations and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval will need to be achieved.

Generation of High Concentrations of Respirable Solid-Phase Aerosols from Viscous Fluids.

High outputs of respirable solid-phase aerosols were generated from viscous solutions or suspensions of low and high molecular weight polyvinylprrolidone (PVP) solutions, 10% (w/v) albumin and, gamma-globulin solutions as well as 10.3% (w/v) surfactant suspensions. A central fluid flow was aerosolized by coaxial converging compressed air. The water was evaporated from the droplets using warm dilution air and infrared radiation. The resulting aerosol particles were concentrated using a virtual impactor. The aerosols were generated at fluid flow rates between 1 and 3 ml/min and delivered at a flow rate of 44 l/min as 2.6 - 3.6 µm MMAD aerosols with geometric standard deviations between 1.5 and 2. Increases in viscosity over the range of 4 to 39 cSt caused a modest increase in MMAD. Increases in aerosol exit orifice diameter was associated with a decrease in aerosol diameter. Increases in compressed air pressure caused a decrease in aerosol diameter. Increases in fluid flow rate resulted modest increases in MMAD together with proportional increases in output mass. Aerosolizing 10% 8 kDa PVP at 3 ml/min resulted in the delivery of 193 mg/min of PVP at 64% efficiency enabling 1.2 g to be collected in 7 min. Aerosolizing 10.3% surfactant suspensions at 3 ml/min resulted in the delivery of up to 163 mg/min with 59% efficiency. The surface tension of the surfactant was not changed by these processes. SEM showed dimpled particles of PVP, albumin and gamma globulin indicating that their aerodynamic diameter was less than their morphometric diameter.

A longitudinal cohort study of HIV 'treatment as prevention' in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: the Treatment with Antiretrovirals and their Impact on Positive And Negative men (TAIPAN) study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Australia has increased coverage of antiretroviral treatment (ART) over the past decade, reaching 73% uptake in 2014. While ART reduces AIDS-related deaths, accumulating evidence suggests that it could also bolster prevention efforts by reducing the risk of HIV transmission ('treatment as prevention'). While promising, evidence of community-level impact of treatment as prevention on reducing HIV incidence among gay and bisexual men is limited. We describe a study protocol that aims to determine if scale up of testing and treatment for HIV leads to a reduction in community viraemia and, in turn, if this reduction is temporally associated with a reduction in HIV incidence among gay and bisexual men in Australia's two most populous states. METHODS: Over the period 2009 to 2017, we will establish two cohorts making use of clinical and laboratory data electronically extracted retrospectively and prospectively from 73 health services and laboratories in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. The 'positive cohort' will consist of approximately 13,000 gay and bisexual men (>90% of all people living with HIV). The 'negative cohort' will consist of at least 40,000 HIV-negative gay and bisexual men (approximately half of the total population). Within the negative cohort we will use standard repeat-testing methods to calculate annual HIV incidence. Community prevalence of viraemia will be defined as the proportion of men with a viral load ≥200RNA copies/mm3, which will combine viral load data from the positive cohort and viraemia estimates among those with an undiagnosed HIV infection. Using regression analyses and adjusting for behavioural and demographic factors associated with infection, we will assess the temporal association between the community prevalence of viraemia and the incidence of HIV infection. Further analyses will make use of these cohorts to assess incidence and predictors of treatment initiation, repeat HIV testing, and viral suppression. DISCUSSION: This study will provide important information on whether 'treatment as prevention' is associated with a reduction in HIV incidence at a community level among gay and bisexual men.

Depletion of Abundant Sequences by Hybridization (DASH): using Cas9 to remove unwanted high-abundance species in sequencing libraries and molecular counting applications.

Next-generation sequencing has generated a need for a broadly applicable method to remove unwanted high-abundance species prior to sequencing. We introduce DASH (Depletion of Abundant Sequences by Hybridization). Sequencing libraries are 'DASHed' with recombinant Cas9 protein complexed with a library of guide RNAs targeting unwanted species for cleavage, thus preventing them from consuming sequencing space. We demonstrate a more than 99 % reduction of mitochondrial rRNA in HeLa cells, and enrichment of pathogen sequences in patient samples. We also demonstrate an application of DASH in cancer. This simple method can be adapted for any sample type and increases sequencing yield without additional cost.

Reactive arthritis following a Microsporidia infection.

Reactive arthritis may be caused by both sexually transmissible and enteric organisms, though Microsporidia is not currently recognised as a causative agent. This case report describes the development of reactive arthritis following Microsporidia infection in an immunocompetent man.

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and the risk for adverse infant outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is of particular concern during pregnancy when not one, but two lives are at risk. Previous meta-analyses have suggested an association between IPV and adverse birth outcomes; however, many large studies have since been published, illustrating the need for updated pooled effect estimates. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between IPV during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth (PTB), low-birthweight (LBW), and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched PubMed and SCOPUS (from inception until May 2015), and the reference lists of the relevant studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Observational studies comparing the rates of at least one adverse birth outcome (SGA, LBW, or PTB) in women who experienced IPV during pregnancy and those who did not. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data extracted from 50 studies were pooled and pooled odds ratios were calculated using random-effects models. MAIN RESULTS: Intimate partner violence (IPV) was significantly associated with PTB (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.60-2.29) and LBW (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.68-2.65), although a large level of heterogeneity was present for both (I(2)  = 84 and 91%, respectively). The association with SGA was less pronounced and marginally significant (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.84), although fewer studies were available for meta-analysis (n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis indicates that women who experienced IPV during pregnancy are at increased risk of having a PTB, and an LBW or an SGA infant. More studies examining the association between IPV and SGA are needed. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Meta-analysis of IPV during pregnancy finds increased risk for preterm birth, LBW and SGA infants.