Digital Commons Network^™

A Case Study In Program Evaluation Evaluation Of A Physical Inactivity Program In Bourbon County, Kentucky, Carine N. Malekera

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

This paper evaluates a physical activity program by the Bourbon County Health Department aimed at increasing physical activity among local residents. Using the CDC’s Framework for Program Evaluation, the study includes both process and outcome evaluations to assess program implementation and impact on health outcomes. Key findings indicate success in urban areas but challenges in rural regions due to limited access to resources. Recommendations include improving access to exercise opportunities in rural areas and offering virtual classes. This evaluation emphasizes the importance of continuous assessment for effective public health interventions.

A Case Study In Program Evaluation, Kaitlyn E. Lee

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

This capstone project evaluates a fictious online MRSA education program developed by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and Fayette County Public Schools after a suspected outbreak among student athletes. Using the CDC’s 6-Step Framework for Program Evaluation, the project focuses on how stakeholders were engaged, how the program was described and mapped, how the evaluation questions were developed, what evidence was collected, and how conclusions were formed. The goal of the evaluation is to understand whether the program’s structure, delivery, and implementation support clear infection-control education for the different school personnel who use it. This project emphasizes the overall evaluation …

Identifying Adverse Childhood Experiences And Mental Health Needs Among A Small Sample Of Pregnant Women Who Use Cannabis, Aubrey Jones, Lisa M. Blair, Julie A. Kurzer, Kathy Rademacher, Letitia Ducas, Cynthia Cockerham, Kristin Ashford

Social Work Faculty Publications

Introduction: As the legalization of cannabis becomes more widespread use has steadily increased. Approximately 5 percent of pregnant individuals self-report use during pregnancy.

Methods: This study uses a mixed methods approach to examine adverse childhood experiences, mental health needs, and cannabis use among a small sample (N =59) of women. Cumulative ACE scores of four or more were considerably high within this sample compared to the US average.

Results: Results of a binary logistic regression indicate an association between ACEs and Cannabis use (OR 1.27, 95% CI (1.002- 1.616) when controlling for maternal age and anxiety. Qualitative results identified two …

Investigating Non-Functional Overreaching In Special Operations Tactical Training, Jeremy Alan Ross

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Special Operations Forces (SOF) tactical training requires high levels of physical performance and psychological resilience. This training is often characterized by extreme temperatures and environments, extremely high levels of physical activity and large caloric deficits. As such, SOF personnel follow intense strength and conditioning (S&C) programs to enhance a wide range of athletic abilities. Such programs rely on a balance between training stress and recovery to allow for gradual improvement in physical ability over time, however it is unknown how to quantify tactical training stress in the context of a training program. This dissertation explores evidence related to how this …

Sifting Wheat: Structural Determinants Of Us Wheat Pricing, Caleb Kevin Brown

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

Soft red winter (SRW) wheat basis reflects local demand conditions influenced by a range of structural and market factors. This study describes market signaling through carry and basis, arbitrage opportunities in SRW wheat, and the advantages or disadvantages of different grain origination contracts. A hedonic modeling framework, using observations pooled by futures board period, evaluated the seasonal drivers of wheat basis. A panel dataset was constructed from public and private sources and aggregated to the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural District level. Explanatory variables included regional milling capacity, mill storage, NASS wheat production, diesel price, rail car cost, …

Analysis And Design Optimization Of Synchronous Machines With Excitation Through Stator Dc Coils Or Magnets And Reluctance Rotors, Oluwaseun A. Badewa

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

The design and optimization of electric machines face increasing demands for higher efficiency, improved torque density, manufacturability, and effective utilization of materials, particularly in applications such as electric traction and propulsion, where performance, reliability, and cost are critical. This work explores innovative synchronous machine configurations with reluctance rotors and stator-combined excitation, including permanent magnet and DC-excited topologies, to address these challenges through advanced design methodologies, computational modeling, and experimental validation. This research is relevant to address the growing demand for high-performance electric machines that combine high power density with costeffective manufacturing. The conventional limitations in power and torque density, thermal …

Contaminant Mixtures And Their Impact On Nitrate Removal In Wetlands: A Mesocosm Study, Emily N. Byers, Tiffany L. Messer, Daniel N. Miller, Christopher Barton, Jason M. Unrine, Carmen Agouridis

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Constructed wetlands are used extensively to mitigate surface runoff. While wetland treatment for nitrogen (N) has been comprehensively studied, a knowledge gap remains regarding the implications of other contaminants (e.g., pesticides, pharmaceuticals) on nitrate-N (NO₃-N) removal. This study sought to fill that gap by determining the impact imidacloprid, caffeine, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), atrazine, glyphosate, and sulfate (SO₄²⁻) have on NO₃-N removal rates. The contaminants were determined based on their occurrence across Kentucky surface waters in urban (imidacloprid, caffeine, and PFOS) and rural (atrazine, glyphosate, and SO₄²⁻) environments. Two constructed …

Residual Next-Day Effects Of Alprazolam On Psychomotor Performance And Simulated Driving In Healthy Normal Adults, Stevie C. Roszkowski, Shanna Babalonis, Marion A. Coe, Paul Nuzzo, Michelle R. Lofwall, Laura C. Fanucchi, Sharon L. Walsh

Center on Drug and Alcohol Research Faculty Publications

The prevalence of drugged driving has increased in the United States. Some drugged driving may be unintentional as prescription medications used as sleeping aids, like zolpidem, cause impairment after the predicted duration of therapeutic action has elapsed. The aim of this study was to determine if nighttime administration of alprazolam, a drug commonly prescribed off-label as a sleeping aid, impacts driving performance the following day. Participants were healthy adults (n = 15) who completed a double-blind, double-dummy, within-subjects inpatient study examining the effects of nighttime administration of alprazolam (0.5, 1, and 2 mg), zolpidem (10 mg), and placebo on driving …

Analysis Of Tar And Oil Derived From Pyrolysis And Copyrolysis Of Waste Plastics And Biomass, Anitha Shankaralinge Gowda, Dimitrios Karadimas, Jeffrey Seay

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Pyrolysis has been proposed as a potential technology for managing the growing volume of plastic waste generated worldwide. Co-pyrolysis of plastic waste with biomass is a promising technology for generating fuel and chemical products. However, this process generates tar as a waste product. The chemical properties of this tar have yet to be thoroughly analyzed. This study presents the results of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of oil and tar obtained from the pyrolysis of pure plastics including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and plastic-biomass mixtures. GC–MS analysis …

A Qualitative Study Of End-Stage Liver Disease And Liver Transplant Referral Practices Among Primary Care Providers In Nonurban America, Vashisht Madabhushi, Matthew Wright, Gabriel Orozco, Allison Murphy, Antonio R. Garcia, Natalie D. Pope, Xiaonan Mei, Alexandra Cocca, Roberto Gedaly, Meera Gupta

Surgery Faculty Publications

Purpose: In rural America, the road to obtaining a liver transplant (LTX) often starts at the primary care provider’s (PCP’s) office. Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) in rural communities experience lower rates of wait-listing and higher mortality. This study identifies issues related to the knowledge and perceptions of ESLD and LTX referral among PCPs in rural Kentucky (KY).

Methods: The study protocol involved relying upon a semistructured outline to explore the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of PCPs toward ESLD and LTX referral among PCPs in rural KY. Inductive thematic analysis was utilized to identify, analyze, and report themes.

Findings: …

A Community Effort To Develop Common Data Elements For Pre-Clinical Spinal Cord Injury Research., Britt A. Fedor, Abel Torres-Espin, Romana Vavrek, Maryann E. Martone, John L. Bixby, John C. Gensel, Vance Lemmon, Jeffrey S. Grethe, J. Russel Huie, Adam R. Ferguson, Karim Fouad, The Preclinical Sci Common Data Elements (Cde) Workshop Participants

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center Faculty Publications

For nearly 350 years, the process of disseminating scientific knowledge has remained largely unchanged. Scientists conduct experiments, analyze the data, and publish their findings in the form of scientific articles. Since the turn of the century, this process has been challenged by numerous open science and data sharing efforts to enhance transparency, reproducibility, and replicability of scientific research. Big data approaches, together with machine learning and artificial intelligence, are frequently used to gain insight into the ever-growing complexity of biological systems and biomedical research. To utilize these approaches and harness the continuously increasing computational power requires data to be both …

Cross-Species Comparisons Between Pigs And Mice Reveal Conserved Sex-Specific Intraspinal Inflammatory Responses After Spinal Cord Injury, Reena Kumari, Gabrielle V. Hammers, Robert H. Hammons, Andrew N. Stewart, Steven M. Maclean, Tracy Niedzielko, Lonnie E. Schneider, Candace L. Floyd, John C. Gensel

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center Faculty Publications

Objective Therapeutic translation is challenging in spinal cord injury (SCI) and large animal models with high clinical relevance may accelerate therapeutic development. Pigs have important anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. Intraspinal inflammation mediates SCI pathophysiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex on inflammation and outcomes in a pig thoracic contusion/compression SCI model.

Methods Adult (gonad-intact) male and female Yucatan miniature swine were subjected to either SCI or sham (laminectomy-only) injury.

Results SCI caused locomotor dysfunction (measured with the Porcine Thoracic Injury Behavior Score) with some recovery over 6 weeks and limited tissue sparing …

A Longitudinal Study Of The Association Between The Teachable Moment Heuristic And Smoking Of Head And Neck Cancer Patients, Tia Borger, Matthew W. Southward, Jessica Maras, Abigayle Feather, Jessica L. Burris

Psychiatry Faculty Publications

Background: The Teachable Moment Heuristic (TMH) posits that change in its three components (ie, affective response, risk perception, and social role/self-concept) could increase motivation and confidence for health promotion, such as smoking cessation. For patients with cancer, smoking cessation can extend survival, while persistent smoking causes numerous problems (eg, cancer recurrence).

Purpose: This intensive longitudinal study with cancer patients aimed to evaluate the link between TMH constructs and smoking outcomes.

Methods: Participants included 42 newly diagnosed head/neck cancer patients who reported smoking in the past month. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire before a 30-day daily assessment. Single-item measures were used …

Barriers To Adherence To Standard Of Care In Appalachia: A Qualitative Assessment In Gastrointestinal Cancers, Brittany Levy, Jennifer T. Castle, Roshmita Bardhan, Mark Dignan, Avinash S. Bhakta

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: Appalachian Kentucky, a 32-county region in the eastern part of the state, has elevated colon cancer mortality rates. While recommended as the standard of care, access to adjuvant chemotherapy treatment is limited in this region due to scarce health services and significant social and geographical barriers. The purpose of this investigation was to improve understanding of barriers that cancer patients residing in rural areas not served directly by tertiary medical systems must overcome in completing adjuvant therapy.

Methods: Participants were recruited from two medical centers: A tertiary care NCI designated Cancer Center and a regional hospital. Participants underwent a …

Circulating Molecular Drivers Of Bone Remodeling In Pancreatitis, Rachel L. Hill, Dhiraj Yadav, Phil A. Hart, David C. Whitcomb, Kristen J. Mcquerry, Kelsey N. Karnik, Kimberly M. Stello, Darwin L. Conwell, Madhumathi Rao

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: 

Pancreatitis-associated osteopathy is a clinically significant but mechanistically underexplored complication of pancreatic disease. We aimed to characterize stage-specific alterations in bone remodeling biomarkers across the spectrum of disease: recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP).

METHODS: 

In a cross-sectional analysis of North American Pancreatitis Study 2 participants, we measured serum mechanistic (sclerostin, dickkopf-1, receptor activator of nuclear factor κβ ligand, and osteoprotegerin), hormonal (fibroblast growth factor 23, insulin, and leptin), and modulatory (osteopontin, oncostatin, and osteoactivin) markers in controls (n = 30), RAP (n = 40), and CP (n = 40) using a multiplex assay. Group differences were …

Digital Health Interventions For Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake: A Scoping Review, Sujin Kim, Andrew J. Whipkey, Jihye Bae, Avinash S. Bhakta

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

Digital health interventions (DHIs) are increasingly employed to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake, yet comprehensive syntheses of their effectiveness across diverse contexts remain scarce. This scoping review examines how individual, contextual, technological, and timing-related factors shape CRC screening outcomes in DHI-based trials. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov from March 1 to April 20, 2024, identifying 4,523 records through databases and an additional 2,039 through backward citation tracking. After deduplication and screening, 51 studies were included and charted using the PICOT (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Timing) framework. Included studies spanned …

Early-Onset Bevacizumab-Associated Knee Osteonecrosis In A Young Adult With Astrocytoma, Chandra L. Kakarala, Nicole A. Lisek, Clyde Coleman, John L. Villano, Katherine L. Copely, Patricia A. Santos

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

We describe a rare case of knee osteonecrosis in a 22-year-old man with astrocytoma and neurofibromatosis type 1 after short-term treatment with bevacizumab and corticosteroids. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified infarctions and osteonecrosis of the distal femur and proximal tibia. Osteonecrosis associated with bevacizumab is typically limited to the jaw; this case highlights the potential for earlier, extra-jaw involvement. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for osteonecrosis in patients on vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, especially with concurrent steroid use, and consider prompt MRI in the evaluation of unexplained joint pain.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Depression And Subjective Cognitive Decline By Gender: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Monique J. Brown, Darlingtina K. Esiaka, Jaya Viswanathan

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Studies assessing depression as a mediating factor between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are lacking. Therefore, the aims of this study were to: (1) determine the mediating role of depression in the association between ACEs and SCD; and (2) assess the moderating role of gender. Data were obtained from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study (BRFSS) survey (N = 38,600). Crude and adjusted path analyses were used to determine the mediating role of depression between ACEs and SCD. Adjusted analyses controlled for sociodemographic confounders. ACEs were positively associated with depression (B = 0.129, p …

Commercial Tobacco Retail Marketing In Rural Communities In Appalachian Kentucky, 2024, Saber Feizy, Judy Van De Venne, Melissa Abadi, W. Jay Christian, Jayani Jayawardhana, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Delvon T. Mattingly, Shyanika W. Rose

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Objective: To investigate heterogeneous commercial tobacco marketing patterns across rurality gradient.

Methods: We conducted audits in all retail stores (n = 279) selling at least one commercial tobacco/nicotine product in eight U.S. Appalachian Kentucky counties in 2024, comprising rural and peri-urban catchments. Trained auditors assessed product availability, discounts, and advertising. Stores were linked to census tract demographics and Index of Relative Rurality (IRR) quartiles. Poisson models assessed prevalence rates of exterior and interior ads and discounts for cigarettes, nicotine vapes, and nicotine pouches (ONP) by IRR quartiles.

Results: Most stores carried cigarettes, cigarillos, and smokeless products, and over 50 % …

Disparities In Use Modalities Among Adults Who Currently Use Cannabis, 2022–2023, Meman Diaby, Osayande Agbonlahor, Bethany Shorey Fennell, Joy L. Hart, Delvon T. Mattingly

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Purpose

Following the legalization of cannabis in several U.S. states, the cannabis market has expanded, leading to a wider range of products including smoked, edible, and vape products which have variable health effects. This proliferation highlights the need for more research on patterns of current cannabis use among U.S. adults.

Methods

We used combined data on adults who currently use (i.e., past 30-day use) cannabis (n = 16,999) from the 2022 and 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We analyzed whether seven cannabis use modalities including smoking, vaping, dabbing, consuming edibles, taking pills, applying topicals, and absorbing …

Examining The Relationship Between Racial, Ethnic, And Economic Residential Segregation And Cigarette Smoking Among A Nationally Representative Sample Of Young Adults, Shyanika W. Rose, Mary Kay Rayens, Mona Azadi, Elexis C. Kierstead, Amanda Y. Kong, Kimberly Horn

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

Introduction

Predominantly Black, Hispanic or Latino, and lower-income communities are overexposed to tobacco. This study investigated the relationship between cigarette smoking and racial/ethnic and economic segregation using the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE). Aims and Methods

A nationally representative sample of 4091 (aged 18–34 years) was surveyed between September and October 2016. We calculated census-tract population estimates to form ICE measures for ethnicity, race, income, ethnicity and income, and race and income. Quintiles were determined, with Quintile 1 (Q1) representing the most Hispanic/Latino, Black, and lowest-income neighborhoods and Q5 representing the most non-Hispanic/Latino, White, and highest-income neighborhoods. State …

Psychometric Properties Of The Gad-7 Among College Students: Reliability, Validity, Factor Structure, And Measurement Invariance, Agnes E. White, Justin E. Karr

Psychology Faculty Publications

The GAD-7 (seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale) is a brief, freely available questionnaire measuring anxiety, which is a common mental health problem among college students. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the GAD-7 among undergraduate students from a public midwestern university (n = 582; M = 19.0 +/- 1.0 years old; 79.4% women; 81.6% White) who completed the GAD-7, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait subscale (STAI-T), and Behavioral Inhibition and Activation Scale-Reward subscale (BIAS-R). The psychometric properties of two GAD-7 models were examined: a one-factor model, equivalent to a single total score, and a two-factor model, including cognitive-emotional and somatic …

Appalachian Primary Care Patients’ Quit Readiness And Tobacco Treatment Receipt, Jessica L. Burris, Abigayle R. Feather, Asal Pilehvari, Sarah Cooper, Amie M. Ashcraft, Roger Anderson, Amy K. Ferketich

Psychology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Healthcare providers should facilitate smoking cessation, and primary care is an ideal setting for delivering this evidence-based care. This study’s objective was to describe readiness to quit smoking combustible cigarettes among adult Appalachian primary care patients and determine their providers’ implementation of an established tobacco treatment model.

Methods: As part of a randomized clinical trial, 298 providers in 10 health systems across 4 states received tobacco treatment training. Periodically between January 2022 and June 2023, anonymous surveys were distributed to patients after primary care visits. The survey included questions about demographics, visit type, smoking status, readiness to quit, and …

Using Llms To Model Arguments In U.S. Supreme Court Briefs: Preliminary Report, Heng Zheng, Dexter Williams, Bertram Ludäscher

Information Science Faculty Publications

Supreme Court briefs can impact the decision-making of Supreme Court cases. We show how to represent the briefs for a U.S. Supreme Court case as a formal argument model that relies on the briefs’ existing structure. We explore how to generate argument models with large language models (LLMs) by using them to identify attacks between arguments.

Bilirubin Hepatic And Intestinal Transport And Catabolism: Physiology, Pathophysiology, And Benefits, Zachary A. Kipp, Sally N. Pauss, Genesee J. Martinez, Terry D. Hinds, Jr., Wang-Hsin Lee

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Bilirubin, a metabolite derived from heme degradation, has traditionally been regarded as a waste product and a marker of liver injury. However, increasing evidence suggests that bilirubin also functions as a hormone, and reduced levels are associated with metabolic dysfunction. Studies have shown a strong association between low circulating bilirubin levels and an increased risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. To advance bilirubin-based treatment strategies, it is essential to elucidate the mechanisms underlying bilirubin transport and metabolism. Therefore, we provide an in-depth discussion of bilirubin production and its subsequent fates, with a particular focus on the transport between the …

Gut Microbiome, Neuroinflammation, And Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Insights From Rodent Models, Abdulrahman M. Busayli, Wenhua Xu, Ghaidaa A. Raffah, Gang Chen

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a significant public health issue that affects children. It results from ethanol exposure during pregnancy, leading to considerable physical, neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and cognitive deficits. The exact mechanism is not well understood. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the influence of gut microbiome on brain development through the gut–brain axis. Changes in the gut microbiome resulting from ethanol exposure may contribute to the pathology of FASD, potentially involving neuroinflammation. This literature review summarizes the existing research and primary animal studies on the impact of early ethanol exposure on the gut microbiome, neuroinflammation, brain development, …

Adolescents’ And Parents’ Perspectives On Using The Medsmarxt Families Intervention In Emergency Departments For Opioid Medication Safety Education: Mixed Methods Study, Olufunmilola Abraham, Sara Nadi, Irene Hurst

Pharmacy Practice and Science Faculty Publications

Background: The opioid crisis has significantly impacted adolescents and their families. This is attributed in part to increased opioid prescriptions in pediatric emergency departments (EDs) due to acute pain conditions and injuries. Although EDs frequently prescribe opioids, no effective preventative interventions have been implemented to educate adolescents and their families on safe opioid use. This study evaluates the MedSMA℞T Families intervention, which consists of an engaging serious game, Adventures in PharmaCity, and a personalized Family Medication Safety Plan (FMSP) with the aim of reducing opioid misuse and promoting opioid medication safety. The MedSMA℞T Families intervention was developed to educate adolescents …

Ceramide Homeostasis In Hepatic Lipid Droplets, Leobarda Robles-Martinez, Kylie H. Morin, Mariana Nikolova‑Karakashian

Physiology Faculty Publications

Almost all eukaryotic cells have the capacity to form lipid droplets (LDs) in conditions of excess energy. Traditionally thought to be just inert fat reservoirs, LDs have recently emerged as important metabolic regulators of cellular stress response that buffer excess free fats and protect cells from lipotoxicity. Ceramide is a bioactive lipid that accumulates in metabolic tissues during fat oversupply. Emerging evidence suggests that sphingolipids and sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes are found in the LDs and affect LD biogenesis and functions. This article aims to summarize the evidence, delineate some plausible functions of ceramide in hepatic LD biogenesis, and illustrate some of …

Impact Of Fast Advancement And Early Fortification Of Enteral Feedings In Preterm Infants, A Retrospective, Observational Study., Enrique Gomez-Pomar, Holly Clarke, Jamie Adams

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

UNLABELLED: We aimed to evaluate the outcomes and growth of preterm infants at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that focuses on early initiation, fast advancement, and early fortification of enteral feeds.

METHODS: Retrospective study conducted at a community hospital level III NICU. Extensive feeding data and outcomes were collected by utilizing a NutritionIQ software application, NICUtrition®. Infants born between 26- and 34-weeks gestational age were included, whereas infants with congenital defects, deceased or with incomplete data were excluded. Frequency and descriptive statistical analysis were conducted using chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Unadjusted odds ratios were computed for categorical variables and …

Congenital Malignant Ectomesenchymoma Presenting As A Neck Mass In A Newborn, Ianna S. C. Blanchard, Ravi C. Bhavsar, Ashley M. Olszewski, Nathan R. Shelman, John A. D'Orazio, Prasad Bhandary, Thitinart Sithisarn

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background: Malignant Ectomesenchymoma (MEM) is a rare, aggressive soft tissue neoplasm with both neuroectodermal and mesenchymal differentiation. Congenital cases are extremely uncommon, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a full-term male neonate presenting with a large congenital neck mass and respiratory distress at birth. Imaging revealed a lobulated, heterogeneously enhancing mass in the left submandibular region with a mass effect on the airway. Open biopsy and gross resection on day six of life confirmed MEM with rhabdomyoblastic and neuroectodermal differentiation. Post-surgical staging classified the tumor as Stage I, Clinical Group II. Despite initial …