Refugee Births and the Migrant Health Effect in Syracuse NY.

OBJECTIVES: In Syracuse, NY among 5998 births in a 3-year period (2017-2019), 24% were to foreign-born women, among whom nearly 5% were refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia. The impetus for the study was to identify potential risk factors and birth outcomes of refugee women, other foreign-born women, and US born women to inform care. METHODS: This study reviewed 3 years of births (2017-2019) in a secondary database of births in Syracuse, New York. Data reviewed included maternal demographics, natality, behavioral risk factors (e.g., drug use, tobacco use), employment, health insurance, and education. RESULTS: In a logistic regression model controlling for race, education, insurance status, employment status, tobacco use and illicit drug use, compared to US born mothers, refugees (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.83) and other foreign born (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.47-0.85) had significantly fewer low birth weight births. CONCLUSION: The results of this study supported the "healthy migrant effect," a concept that refugees have fewer low birth weight (LBW) births, premature births, and cesarean section deliveries than US born women. This study adds to the literature on refugee births and the healthy migrant effect.

Multidisciplinary Approaches: Cingulotomy in an Adult With Refractory Neuropathic Cancer-Related Pain.

Background: Oral medications, intravenous medications, and invasive interventions are effective means of neuropathic pain control. In patients with pain refractory to more conventional approaches, cingulum bundle ablation is an alternative treatment modality not routinely considered by providers. Case Description: A 42-year-old woman with history of cervical cancer in remission presented with intractable left lower extremity pain. Workup revealed radiation-induced left iliopsoas osteosarcoma complicated by deep venous occlusion and thrombosis. Her pain remained intractable to pharmacologic therapies and more invasive pain control interventions. A multidisciplinary decision was made to pursue bilateral subcortical cingulum bundle radiofrequency ablation. After a technically successful surgery, the patient exhibited improved pain control as evidenced by a decline in her numerical rating scale of pain and analgesic medication requirements. Conclusion: Cancer-related neuropathic pain often requires treatment with multiple modalities involving multidisciplinary teams. In select refractory cases, cingulum bundle ablation may be an effective alternative treatment modality.

Serologic Presentation of Lamotrigine-Induced Lupus.

This paper discusses the presentation of a rare drug side effect, a case of drug-induced lupus presenting with weight loss, weakness, hepatitis, and pancreatitis. A 24-year-old male with a history of major depressive disorder and childhood seizures presented to the ER with symptoms of abdominal pain, significant weight loss, and weakness. Initial workup revealed acute pancreatitis, elevated liver function enzymes (LFTs), and abnormal anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA) 1 : 640. He showed no classical clinical signs of lupus including rash, arthritis, or photosensitivity. He had multiple hospitalizations in the previous 6 months for excessive weight loss, malnutrition, weakness, and altered mental status. He had been taking lamotrigine for seizure prevention and mood stabilization while on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and had a decline in health since the lamotrigine dose was increased. Antihistone antibodies were positive suggesting a drug-induced lupus syndrome. We hope to bring awareness to the possible rare complication of lamotrigine-induced lupus.