Epidemiologic factors and urogenital infections associated with preterm birth in a midwestern U.S. population.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate epidemiologic factors with urogenital infections associated with preterm birth. METHODS: Pregnant women were sequentially included from four Wisconsin cohorts: large urban, midsize urban, small city, and rural city. Demographic, clinical, and current pregnancy data were collected. Cervical and urine specimens were analyzed by microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction for potential pathogens. RESULTS: Six hundred seventy-six women were evaluated. Fifty-four (8.0%) had preterm birth: 12.1% (19/157) large urban, 8.8% (15/170) midsize urban, 9.4% (16/171) small city, and 2.3% (4/178) rural city. Associated host factors and infections varied significantly among sites. Urogenital infection rates, especially Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma parvum, were highest at the large urban site. Large urban site, minority ethnicity, multiple infections, and certain historical factors were associated with preterm birth by univariable analysis. By multivariable analysis, preterm birth was associated with prior preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-6.02) and urinary tract infection (aOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.32-519), and negatively associated with provider-assessed good health (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.76) and group B streptococcal infection treatment (surrogate for health care use) (aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.15-.99). Risk and protective factors were similar for women with birth at less than 35 weeks, and additionally associated with M hominis (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4-9.7). CONCLUSION: These measured differences among sites are consistent with observations that link epidemiologic factors, both environmental and genetic, with minimally pathogenic vaginal bacteria, inducing preterm birth, especially at less than 35 weeks of gestation.

Hip muscle activation and knee frontal plane motion during weight bearing therapeutic exercises.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Hip abduction strengthening exercises may be critical in the prevention and rehabilitation of both overuse and traumatic injuries where knee frontal plane alignment is considered to be important. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the muscular activation of the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius during the double-leg squat (DLS), single-leg squat (SLS), or front step-up (FSU), and the same exercises when an added load was used to pull the knee medially. METHODS: Eighteen healthy females (ages 18-26) performed six exercises: DLS, DLS with load, FSU, FSU with load, SLS, and SLS with load. Integrated and peak surface electromyography of gluteus maximus and gluteus medius of the dominant leg were recorded and normalized. Motion analysis was used to measure knee abduction angle during each exercise. RESULTS: SLS had the highest integrated and peak activation for both muscles, regardless of load. Adding load, only increased DLS integrated gluteus maximus activation (p=0.019). Load did not increase integrated gluteus medius or peak gluteus maximus activation. Adding load decreased SLS peak gluteus medius activation (p=0.003). Adding load increased peak knee abduction angle during DLS (p=0.013), FSU (p=0.000), and SLS (p=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the SLS was most effective exercise for activating the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius. Applied knee load does not appear to increase muscle activation during SLS and FSU. DLS with an applied load may be more beneficial in activating the gluteus maximus. Overall, the use of applied loads appears to promote poorer musculoskeletal alignment in terms of peak knee valgus angle. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Preventing early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis: efforts to measure and improve compliance with guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: We describe strategies employed in achieving a high level of compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the prevention of early-onset Group B streptococcal neonatal sepsis. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all deliveries at or beyond 37 weeks gestation at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center to determine (1) whether and when cultures were obtained for group B Streptococcus, (2) whether antibiotics were administered, and (3) the timing of antibiotic treatment relative to delivery, following educational efforts to an integrated medical center's departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Family Practice. Changes were made in prenatal records and admission order forms to facilitate compliance. RESULTS: Cultures were obtained antenatally from 946 (99.0%) of the 956 women, with 87.4% (827) of these obtained between 35 and 37 weeks gestation. One hundred eighty-two (19.2%) of the women were colonized with group B Streptococcus. One hundred sixty of the 173 patients eligible for antibiotic prophylaxis (92.5%) received it. DISCUSSION: Our rates of antenatal culturing and prophylactic antibiotic administration compared favorably with those previously reported. Our strategies for achieving high compliance with group B Streptococcus prevention protocols include educating and obtaining consensus from individuals providing obstetrical care and building reminders into physician and nurse workflows.