bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postpartum Consequences of an Overlap of Breastfeeding and Pregnancy: Reduced Breast Milk Intake and Growth During Early Infancy
Authors: Marquis Grace S. , Penny Mary E. , Diaz Judith M. , Marín R. Margot 
Published: August 2004

Objective. Despite cultural pressure to wean when a new pregnancy occurs, some women choose to continue breastfeeding. We determined the effect of an overlap of lactation and late pregnancy on breastfeeding and growth in early infancy.
Methods. We studied 133 Peruvian pregnant women who were ≥18 years of age, had a child &lt;4 years old, and who then had a vaginal birth with a healthy, normal weight infant. Of the 133 women, 68 breastfed during the last trimester of pregnancy (BFP), and 65 had not breastfed during pregnancy (NBFP). On day 2 and at 1-month postpartum, 24-hour intake of breast milk and other liquids was measured. Twice weekly home surveillance documented infant morbidity and dietary intakes. Anthropometry was taken at birth and at 1 month. Maternal anthropometric, health, and socioeconomic status data were collected pre- and postpartum.
Results. Pregnant BFP mothers breastfed 5.3 ± 4.3 times/day. BFP and NBFP infants did not differ in breastfeeding behavior or in colostrum intake on day 2. BFP infants breastfed longer per feed and per 24 hours (35.2 minutes/24 hours) than did NBFP infants; however, 1-month intakes per feed tended to be lower among the BFP infants. After controlling for confounders, BFP infants gained 125 g less than did NBFP infants (about 15% of mean weight gain). A sustained decline would result in a −0.7 z score change in weight-for-age by 6 months.
Conclusions. A lactation-pregnancy overlap had a negative effect on early infant outcomes. Additional studies are needed to determine whether the effect continues past 1 month of age.
Correlates of Lactation in Mothers of Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Furman Lydia , Minich Nori , Hack Maureen 
Published: August 2004

Objective. We sought to determine the correlates of intent to breastfeed and of successful lactation and nursing at the breast in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW; &lt;1.5 kg) infants.Methods. We conducted a prospective observational study of 119 mothers of singleton VLBW infants (mean birth weight: 1056 g; mean gestational age: 28 weeks), 87 (73%) of whom intended to breastfeed. Mothers completed questionnaires at 3 weeks’ postnatal age and at 35 and 40 weeks’ (term) and 4 months’ corrected ages (CAs).Results. Of the 87 mothers who intended to breastfeed, 30 mothers (34%) continued lactation beyond 40 weeks’ CA (postmenstrual plus postnatal age). Compared with mothers who discontinued lactation before this time, those who continued were older (31 vs 26 years), more were married (80% vs 39%), they had more than a high school education (70% vs 42%), and they were white (63% vs 35%). There were no significant differences in their infants’ birth data or rates of neonatal morbidity. Significant correlates of lactation beyond 40 weeks’ CA included beginning milk expression before 6 hours postdelivery, expressing milk ≥5 times per day, and kangaroo care. These correlates remained significant after controlling for maternal age, race, marital status, and education beyond high school. At 4 months’ CA, 14 mothers (16%) were still lactating, 12 of whom were nursing at the breast.Conclusions. Increased maternal support specifically directed toward behavioral factors, including early and more frequent milk expression and kangaroo care, may improve the rates of successful lactation among mothers of VLBW infants who choose to breastfeed.
Economic Evaluation of Different Methods of Screening for Amblyopia in Kindergarten
Authors: König Hans-Helmut , Barry Jean-Cyriaque 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To compare the cost-effectiveness of 5 methods of screening for untreated amblyopia in kindergarten from a third-party-payer perspective: A) uncorrected monocular visual acuity testing with pass threshold ≥0.5 (20/40) and ≤1 line difference between eyes; B) same as A, but pass threshold ≥0.6 (20/32); C) same as A, plus cover tests and examination of eye motility and head posture; D) same as C, but pass threshold ≥0.6 (20/32); and E) refractive screening without cycloplegia using the Nikon Retinomax autorefractor.
Methods. A decision-analytic model was used with a time horizon until diagnostic examination. According to the model, all 3-year-old children were screened in kindergarten with 1 of the screening methods. Children with positive screening results were referred to an ophthalmologist for diagnostic examination. Children with inconclusive screening results were either referred to an ophthalmologist directly (option 1) or rescreened by the same method after 1 year and referred to an ophthalmologist if rescreening was positive or inconclusive (option 2). Screening test characteristics and costs were estimated on the basis of a field study in which 1180 3-year-old children were examined by orthoptists in 121 German kindergartens.
Results. Compared with methods A option 1 (A-1), B-1, C-1, C-2, E-1, and E-2, there was at least 1 other method that was both less costly and more effective. The average costs per detected case were lowest for method A-2 (878 Euro), followed by methods B-2 (886 Euro), D-2 (908 Euro), and D-1 (965 Euro). When these methods were compared with each other, the additional costs per extra case detected were 1058 Euro (B-2 vs A-2), 1359 Euro (D-2 vs B-2), and 13 448 Euro (D-1 vs D-2).
Conclusions. Monocular visual acuity screening with rescreening of inconclusive results had a favorable cost-effectiveness. By adding additional test items, few more cases could be detected. Because of a great proportion of false-negative, false-positive, and inconclusive results, refractive screening was less effective with an unfavorable cost-effectiveness.
Zidovudine and Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Transmission: A Population-Based Approach
Authors: Harris Norma S. , Thompson Shirley J. , Ball Robert , Hussey James , Sy Francisco 
Published: August 2004

Objective. This study examined the impact of the full 3-arm zidovudine regimen on the perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) using population-based data.
Methods. We retrospectively ascertained information on zidovudine prescription and other characteristics of HIV-infected pregnant women and children for birth cohort years 1993, 1995, 1996, and 1997 using HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome registry data from a state health department supplemented by medical record reviews.
Results. The transmission rate decreased from 12.5% in 1993 to 4.6% in 1997. The proportions of HIV-1-infected mothers and children who were prescribed all 3 arms of zidovudine increased from 68% in 1995 to 93% in 1997. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for the relationship between the prescription of 3 arms of zidovudine and the infants’ HIV status were 0.19 (95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.84) and 0.15 (95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.96), respectively.
Conclusion. Perinatal HIV-1 transmission rates have decreased over time. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the rapid implementation of the United States Public Health Service recommendations for the comprehensive use of zidovudine among HIV-1-infected pregnant women in a predominantly rural state.
Reported Adherence as a Determinant of Response to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Children Who Have Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Van Dyke Russell B. , Lee Sophia , Johnson George M. , Wiznia Andrew , Mohan Kathleen , Stanley Kenneth , Morse Edward V. , Krogstad Paul A. , Nachman Sharon ,   Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Adherence Subcommittee,   Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group 377 Study Team
Published: August 2004

Objective. The complexity of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with multiple medications, formulations, and dosing intervals, makes adherence challenging. Little is known about the adherence of children to HAART. The objective of this study was to identify correlates of adherence to HAART and the relationship between adherence and study outcomes in a pediatric clinical trial.
Methods. Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group 377 is a phase I/II randomized trial of 4 HAART regimens in antiretroviral-experienced, clinically stable children aged 4 months to 17 years. The 4 treatment arms include various 3- or 4-drug combinations of d4T, 3TC, nevirapine, ritonavir, and nelfinavir. After informed consent was obtained, 193 children were enrolled between December 1997 and September 1998. Questionnaires were developed to collect subject- or caregiver-reported adherence to study medications and to identify problems associated with medication administration. Every 3 months, the number of doses of each medication missed during the 3 days preceding the study visit was recorded. Full adherence (FA) and non-full adherence were defined as missing no doses and missing at least 1 dose, respectively.
Results. Adherence data from study week 48 or the most recent study visit were available for 125 children (week 48 for 109 children). Overall, 70% of children reported FA and 30% reported non-full adherence. Adherence did not differ by treatment arm, age, or the child’s knowledge of his or her human immunodeficiency virus infection status. There was a suggestion that adherence was less for white than nonwhite children (40% vs 73% FA) and did not differ between black and Hispanic children. Rates of FA were 82% for d4T, 79% for 3TC, 83% for nevirapine, 84% for ritonavir, and 68% for nelfinavir. Despite the similar rates of FA, difficulties with taking specific medications were reported most frequently for ritonavir and nelfinavir. These included poor taste, patient refusal, and scheduling problems. Adherence was associated with the virologic response: FA was seen in 92% of children with ≥2 log10 drop in viral load and in 64% with &lt;2 log10 drop in viral load.
Conclusion. In children, reported adherence predicts the virologic response to HAART therapy and is a useful measure of adherence. Interventions and regimens to increase adherence to HAART should result in an improved outcome.
Ondansetron Decreases Vomiting Associated With Acute Gastroenteritis: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Reeves John J. , Shannon Michael W. , Fleisher Gary R. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. Relatively little research has examined the role of antiemetic agents in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis. The use of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (eg, ondansetron) offers a potentially valuable treatment option. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ondansetron for the treatment of vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis in children.
Methods. A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary-care children’s hospital. Eligible patients were 1 month to 22 years old and required intravenous fluids for gastroenteritis. Of 172 patients approached, 107 were enrolled (54 to intravenous ondansetron, 53 to placebo). The mean age was 5.3 years, and 53% of the patients were male. The frequency of vomiting, admission rate, and occurrence of complications were measured.
Results. After drug administration, 38 (70%) of the 54 patients in the ondansetron group had complete cessation of vomiting compared with 27 (51%) of the 53 patients in the placebo group. Sixteen (30%) of the 53 patients in the placebo group required admission compared with 14 (26%) of the 54 in the ondansetron group. An analysis of previously untreated patients with a measured serum carbon dioxide ≥15 mEq/L showed that 11 (23%) of the 47 who received placebo were admitted compared with 3 (7%) of the 43 who received ondansetron. No significant complications were detected.
Conclusions. Intravenous ondansetron decreases vomiting in children with gastroenteritis. In addition, ondansetron reduces the need for admission in those who are treated at an initial visit to the emergency department and have a measured serum carbon dioxide ≥15 mEq/L. The safety and low cost of this therapy suggests that ondansetron can be valuable in treating gastroenteritis in children.
Rising Prevalence of Antidepressants Among US Youths
Authors: Zito Julie Magno , Safer Daniel J. , dosReis Susan , Gardner James F. , Soeken Karen , Boles Myde , Lynch Frances 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To examine changes in antidepressant (ATD) prevalence and the sociodemographic and clinical correlates of ATD use among youths who are treated in community practice settings.
Methods. A retrospective study was undertaken using large data sets from 3 US sites. Outpatient prescription and clinical service records of youths who were aged 2 to 19 and enrolled in Midwestern Medicaid (MWM) and mid-Atlantic Medicaid (MAM) state programs and a group-model health maintenance organization (HMO) were organized into seven 1-year cross-sectional data sets from 1988 through 1994 to evaluate ATD utilization patterns.
Results. In 1994, ATD prevalence per 1000 youths was 19.10 (MWM), 17.78 (MAM), and 12.85 (HMO), which represented a consistent increase in prevalence from 1988–1994: 2.9-fold (MWM), 4.6-fold (MAM), and 3.6-fold (HMO). Despite the rapidly expanding use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors prescribed mainly for depression, more than half of ATD use in 1994 was still attributable to tricyclic antidepressants prescribed mainly for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ATD prevalence was generally predominant among 10- to 14-year-old boys and among 15- to 19-year-old girls. In the Medicaid populations, 42% (MAM) and 72% (MWM) of ATD-treated youths had primary care services, whereas the bulk of the remainder had psychiatric services. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder followed by depression led the physician-reported primary care diagnoses associated with ATD use, whereas that diagnostic rank order was reversed for youths who received psychiatric services.
Conclusions. ATD treatments among youths substantially increased in the 1990s. This was generated primarily by primary care providers, and thus evaluations of the outcome of ATD treatment need to target primary care in addition to psychiatric providers. Longitudinal study designs are needed to evaluate the use of ATDs in youths in regard to the duration of treatment, combination medications, and the reasons for treatment.
Factors Associated With Prescription Drug Expenditures Among Children: An Analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Authors: Chen Alex Y. , Chang Ruey-Kang R. 
Published: August 2004

Objective.Pharmaceutical costs have reached 14% of total health care costs in the United States and continue to rise. Many studies have looked at factors that influence utilization of hospital and ambulatory care services in the pediatric population. This study examines the factors that influence utilization of prescription drugs in the pediatric population.Methods.Data from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) were used in the analysis. A 2-part multivariate regression analysis was conducted using pediatric (ages 0–17) prescription drug expenditures as the dependent variable. Independent variables were constructed using demographic variables, socioeconomic variables, health status, and medical conditions.Results.Black children are less likely than white children to use any prescription drug (odds ratio: 0.67). Similarly, uninsured children are less likely than privately insured children to use any prescription drug (odds ratio: 0.62). Among children who had any prescription drug expenditure in 1996, children who are black, Asian, and Hispanic had lower prescription drug expenditures than children who are white. Children who are uninsured had lower expenditures than children who are privately insured. Children in near-poor families had lower prescription drug expenditures than those in high-income families, even after controlling for insurance status. Children who are covered by Medicaid had comparable prescription drug expenditures to children who are covered by private insurance.Conclusion.Socioeconomic characteristics such as race, insurance status, and family income levels had significant impact on pediatric prescription drug expenditures, even after controlling for the influences of health status and medical conditions.
Parent and Physician Attitudes Regarding Electronic Communication in Pediatric Practices
Authors: Kleiner Katie D. , Akers Rachel , Burke Bonnie L. , Werner Eric J. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. To determine 1) the electronic mail (e-mail) capabilities of families, general pediatricians (GPs), and subspecialty pediatricians (SPs) from an integrated pediatric health care delivery system and 2) the knowledge base and attitudes of these groups regarding the potential issues involved in using e-mail for physician-patient communication.
Methods. Parents were interviewed in the offices of participating practices using a standardized survey tool. Pediatricians and staff were interviewed using a separate instrument. The data were entered into a database for analysis.
Results. A total of 325 parents and 37 physicians were interviewed. Fifty-seven percent of the 161 parents who were interviewed at the GP offices and 66% of the 164 families that were interviewed at SP offices had access to e-mail. Parents aged 31 to 40 years were significantly more likely to have access to e-mail than parents of other age groups. Access to e-mail increased with family income and parental education. Most (74%) parents who were interviewed expressed interest in using e-mail to contact their child’s physician/physician’s office for several purposes, including getting information or test results, scheduling appointments, and/or discussing a particular symptom. Although both groups of parents expressed concerns about confidentiality, parents at the GP offices were significantly more concerned (medianGP = 95 vs medianSP = 70). Seventy-four percent of GPs and 100% of SPs had access to e-mail; however, 79% did not want to use e-mail for physician-patient communication, citing concerns about confidentiality and the time demands that patient e-mail might engender.
Conclusions. The majority of parents and pediatricians at both general and subspecialty pediatric offices are capable of communicating electronically. Parents and pediatricians are aware of the issues surrounding e-mail use for patient communication. Most parents express an interest in using e-mail for patient-physician communications, whereas most physicians are opposed to this practice.
Performance Profiles: The Influence of Patient Satisfaction Data on Physicians’ Practice
Authors: Rider Elizabeth A. , Perrin James M. 
Published: August 2004

Objective. Health maintenance organizations and other payers increasingly use patient satisfaction data to profile physician performance. Little is known about physicians’ use of patient satisfaction information or how profiles affect individual physician behaviors. The objective of this study was to examine primary care physicians’ perceptions of performance profiles based on patient satisfaction data, whether physicians use profiles to change practice behaviors, and which profile components physicians think are important for assessing quality of care.
Methods. A written survey was conducted in 1998 in Massachusetts with 810 primary care physicians (304 pediatricians, 201 family practitioners, 305 internists) who had at least 100 patients in a large managed care plan and had received 1 or more profiles based on patient satisfaction data. Physicians in training were excluded. Physicians’ perceptions of profiles and their reported use to change practice behaviors were measured.
Results. The response rate was 68%. Twenty-three percent reported that profiles were very or extremely useful for improving care. Only 7% reported using profiles often or always to change care. Although specific profile components related to interpersonal aspects of care were rated more useful, &lt;11% reported using profiles often or always to make changes on any individual component. A majority, 67% to 89%, reported making no or minor changes on profile components. Responses did not vary by specialty, demographics, or practice characteristics. Physicians rated interpersonal factors (eg, ability to communicate with patients, ability to show caring and empathy) as the most important indicators of quality of care; they report having the most control over these factors. Office factors (eg, staying on schedule, ease of scheduling appointments) were ranked as least important for assessing quality of care.
Conclusion. Although health maintenance organizations and other payers increasingly use patient satisfaction reports to profile individual physicians and guide physician compensation and health plan participation, &lt;25% of primary care physicians find profiles useful for improving patient care and even fewer report using profiles to change practice. Profiles likely have limited influence on behavior changes. Payers who invest in profiles may find it advantageous to focus on health plans and practice facilities rather than on individual physicians.
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patients: Risk Factors and Outcomes
Authors: Elward Alexis M. , Warren David K. , Fraser Victoria J. 
Published: August 2004

Objectives. To determine the rates, risk factors, and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients.
Methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted at the St Louis Children’s Hospital PICU on all patients who were admitted to the PICU from September 1, 1999, to May 31, 2000, except those who died within 24 hours, were ≥18 years of age, or were neonatal intensive care unit patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The primary outcome measured was the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Secondary outcomes were death and hospital and PICU length of stay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors for ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Results. There were 34 episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in 30 patients of 911 admissions (3.3%) and 595 (5.1%) mechanically ventilated patients. The mean ventilator-associated pneumonia rate was 11.6/1000 ventilator days. By logistic regression analysis, genetic syndrome (odds ratio [OR]: 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–5.46), reintubation (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.18–6.21), and transport out of the PICU (OR: 8.90; 95% CI: 3.82–20.74) independently predicted ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Conclusions. Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurs at significant rates among mechanically ventilated PICU patients and is associated with processes of care. Additional studies are necessary to develop interventions to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.