Neonatal abstinence syndrome and early childhood morbidity and mortality in Washington state: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and long-term childhood morbidity and infant mortality. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cohort study of infants born in Washington State during 1990 to 2008 who were diagnosed with NAS (n=1900) or were unexposed (n=12,283, frequency matched by birth year). 5-year hospital readmissions and infant mortality were ascertained. RESULTS: Children with history of NAS had increased risk of readmission during the first 5 years of life relative to unexposed children; this remained statistically significant after adjustment for maternal age, maternal education, gestational age and intrapartum smoking status (readmission rates: NAS=21.3%, unexposed=12.7%, adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37 to 1.73). NAS was associated with increased unadjusted infant mortality risk, but this did not persist after adjustment (aRR 1.94, 95% CI 0.99 to 3.80). CONCLUSION: The observed increased risk for childhood hospital readmission following NAS diagnosis argues for development of early childhood interventions to prevent morbidity.Journal of Perinatology advance online publication,.

Cigarette smoking, physical fitness, and injuries in infantry soldiers.

Reliable data on the impact of physical training on light infantry units in terms of injuries and time loss are sparse. This study evaluated a light infantry unit (n = 181) prospectively and followed it throughout one year of infantry training and operations. Fifty-five percent of the soldiers (n = 101) experienced one or more injuries. Eighty-eight percent of the injuries were training-related conditions, which resulted in 1,103 days of limited duty. Lower extremity overuse injuries were the most common type of injury documented. Fractures accounted for the greatest number of days of limited duty. Risk factors for training-related injuries identified by this study were cigarette smoking, high percentage of body fat, extremely high or low body mass index, low endurance levels, and low muscular endurance levels (sit-ups). Logistic regression showed that cigarette smoking and low endurance levels were independent risk factors for training injuries. These data indicate that the incidence of training-related injuries in infantry units is high. A number of modifiable injury risk factors were identified, suggesting that many of these injuries may be preventable.

Effects of extended hypoxia on night vision.

The effects of 16 d of sustained hypoxia (4300-m equivalent) on the dark adaptation threshold function were studied in 12 male subjects measured periodically (days 2,4,6,9,11,13,16 of exposure) over a 20-min test period for both red and green stimuli using a new computerized dark adaptometer. Comparison with sea level performance showed negligible elevations of thresholds for red response, but highly significant impairment of green response (p less than 0.00001) over almost the entire dark adaptation function. These losses peaked between the sixth and ninth day followed by little recovery, except at the eleventh day when the subjects descended briefly to 3200 m elevation. Impairments developed rapidly again upon return to the original higher altitude. The results differ from previous findings after shorter exposure periods, which showed only slight impairments of the early segment of dark adaptation. Implications of the results are discussed.

Injuries and risk factors in a 100-mile (161-km) infantry road march.

BACKGROUND: Light infantry soldiers (N = 218) completed a 161-km cross-country march over 5 days carrying an average +/- SD load mass (i.e., the weight of all equipment and clothing) of 47 +/- 5 kg. METHODS: Prior to the march, height, weight, body fat, and physical fitness (3.2-km run, sit-ups, push-ups) were measured. Soldiers completed a demographic questionnaire which included questions on age and tobacco use history. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent (78/218) of the soldiers suffered one or more injuries. Of the total injuries, 48% presented were blisters and 18% were foot pain (not otherwise specified). Eight percent (17/218) of the soldiers were unable to complete the march because of injuries. Thirty-five percent (27/78) of the injured soldiers had 1 or more limited duty days for a total of 69 days. Risk of injury was higher among smokers (risk ratio = 1.8, P = 0.03 compared to nonsmokers) and lower among older soldiers (risk ratio = 3.2, P = 0.02, < 20 years compared to > 24 years). CONCLUSIONS: Carrying heavy loads over long distances can result in a high injury incidence to the lower body, since 36% of soldiers were injured during the 161-km march. Smoking and younger age (< 20 years) were independent risk factors for injuries.