Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effectiveness And Safety Profile Of Fingolimod In Treating Omani Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Single Tertiary Centre Experience, Ghaida K. H. Al-Hashmi, Abdullah Al-Asmi, M. Mazharul Islam, Ibrahim Al-Zakwani, Mehwish Butt, Ahmed Al-Qassabi, Haifa Al-Abri, Arunodaya R. Gujjar

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod in Omani multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Fingolimod is one of the oral drugs used to treat MS. However, there is limited information on its effectiveness and safety among the Omani population. Methods: This retrospective real-world study included 65 Omani MS patients who received fingolimod therapy from 2012 to 2021 at a single tertiary centre in Oman. Data were collected between August and November 2021. Various measures were used to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod. Results: Out of 65 MS patients included in the …

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: Exploring An Unusual Clinical Presentation – A Case Report, Mallak Al Naabi, Salim Al Busaidi, Amwaj Al Shahi, Maha Al Shaibi, Khalid Al Shamousi, Abdullah Al Alawi, Mohammed Al Hosni

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare clinicopathological condition characterised by mucin-producing peritoneal and omental deposits with an estimated incidence of 1--2 cases per million per year. We report a 42-year-old female patient who presented to a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman, in 2023 due to a 7-year history of chronic diarrhoea associated with progressive abdominal distension over the past 2 years. Her assessment was significant for ascites. No neoplastic lesions were found on the upper and lower gastrointestinal scopes. A diagnostic ascitic tapping revealed a free flow of gel-like thick, yellowish fluid. A diagnostic laparoscopy showed a perforated appendicular …

Impact Of Menstrual Cycle Phase On Upper Extremity Function, Emma D. Cochran, Kaitlyn M. Armstrong

Honors Theses

Abstract

The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Upper Extremity Function

Background: There has been a significant rise in the number of female athletes participating across the spectrum of sports. While there are a multitude of research studies looking at physiology in sports on performance, training methods, and injuries; this research is general across genders. When it comes to female-specific physiology concerning training and injuries, there is little research. One such gender-specific physiological focus is the menstrual cycle in the female population. The literature suggests changes in joint laxity and muscle repair throughout the various phases of the menstrual cycle, …

A Pill Too Expensive: A Comprehensive Review For Exploring Medical Non-Adherence In The Age Of Rising Drug Prices, Vidhani Goel, Roberto Sagaribay

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Prevalence & Health Disparities:

• Medication non-adherence is a major public health issue.
• High prescription drug costs are a significant barrier.
• Affects chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health disorders.

Potential Solutions:

• Patient assistance programs.
• Use of generic drugs.
• Policy reforms to reduce medication costs.

Future Directions & Solutions:

• Address research gaps in long-term outcomes.
• Explore broader policy interventions.
• Improve accessibility and awareness of assistance programs.

Contributing Factors:

• Leads to worse health outcomes.
• Increases hospitalizations and long-term healthcare costs.
• Affects vulnerable populations (i.e., elderly, uninsured, racial minorities)

A Multimodal Intervention To Improve Treatment And Clinical Outcomes In Children With Recurrent Otitis Media, Daniel Courtaney

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Acute otitis media is the number one cause for primary health care visits and antibiotic prescriptions in the pediatric population (El Feghaly & Jackson, 2023). Upwards of 27% of children experience multiple episodes of otitis media (OM) that meet recurrent otitis media (ROM) diagnosis criteria (Pelton & Marchisio, 2023). Guided by the Iowa Model (Iowa Model Collaborative, 2017), the project’s purpose was to implement a multimodal intervention to decrease recurrent OM and repeat clinic visits. A comprehensive literature search of 5 databases yielded 16 sources ranging from levels I-IV (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023). Using the AGREE II and JBI Critical …

A Rare Case Of Esophageal Perforation: Esophageal Perforation Following Cervical Spine Hardware Removal, Amira Al-Nabolsi, Jessica Kopchia, Cameron Hubbard, Hussein Hamade, Mouhamed Shatila

Conference Presentation Abstracts

An esophageal perforation is an uncommonly encountered life-threatening emergency that can lead to leakage of gastric contents into surrounding esophageal tissue. It is most commonly due to iatrogenic injury, typically involving endoscopy, intubation, or esophageal surgery. We describe an unusual case of esophageal perforation secondary to the removal of infected cervical spine hardware. A 73-year-old male with cervical spine central stenosis with history of an anterior cervical spinal fusion of C5-C7 over 40 years ago presented to the emergency department at the request of his pulmonologist. A CT scan of the neck was obtained in the outpatient setting, as the …

Case Report - Complex Management Of Tricuspid And Pulmonic Valve Endocarditis In An Intravenous Drug User: A Case Report And Review Of Challenges And Outcomes, Luxhman Gunaseelan, Michael Kattula, Sam Alsabti, Ahmad El-Gammal, Khurram Arshad, James Richard Spears

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE), commonly associated with intravenous drug use (IVDU), primarily affects the tricuspid valve (TV). With sustained bacteremia, the pulmonic valve may also become involved. Staphylococcus aureus remains the leading cause of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (TVIE), diagnosed using Duke’s criteria, which integrate clinical findings, blood culture results, and echocardiographic evidence. The management of TVIE poses unique challenges, particularly in patients with IVDU, who often face barriers to surgical intervention despite severe complications like tricuspid regurgitation (TR), which normally carries a poor prognosis if left untreated. Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 39-year-old female with …

Development Of Parapneumonic Effusion In A Patient Using Kratom, Emma Glover, Morgan Kiryakoza, Nader Mina

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: “Kratom” refers to both Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia, and to its products, derived from the tree’s leaves, which are marked as an herbal supplement. Kratom is an herbal supplement with both opioid and stimulant-like effects. While there are no approved uses for kratom by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it is frequently used by individuals to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings (especially related to opioid use), pain, fatigue, and mental health disorders. Furthermore, because kratom is unregulated, it can contain contaminants, including heavy metals and harmful bacteria. This case details the development of parapneumonic …

Silent To Stressed: Evaluation Of An Incidentaloma With Elevated Normetanephrine Levels, Julia Meireles, Berk Celik, Ajaz Banka

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction/Background: The prevalence of adrenal incidentalomas varies between 1.4-7.3% rising with age due to an increase in imaging studies performed for other reasons. Additional workup is typically done to evaluate for presence of functional masses that over secrete hormones. Elevated catecholamines in the context of an adrenal mass should trigger clinical suspicion for pheochromocytoma, an adrenal medulla tumor. However, for isolated elevations in normetanephrines a broader differential should include paraganglioma as well as stress, certain foods, and medication side effects requiring a thorough history and clinical evaluation. We present a case of an adrenal mass with elevated normetanephrine levels in …

Hiding In The Midgut: A Case Of Small Bowel Diverticular Bleeding In An Elderly Female, Aagamjit Singh, Nishant Aggarwal, Faid Odish

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Diverticulosis in the colon is a common cause of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Non-Meckel diverticula in the small bowel have been reported in the literature; however, they rarely cause significant bleeding. We present a case of an 88-year-old woman with a bleeding jejunal diverticulum that was diagnosed and treated with a push enteroscopy. Case Description An 88-year-old African-American female with a past medical history of colonic diverticulosis and atrial fibrillation on rivaroxaban presented with a 4-day history of melena. She reported having soft, black stools 2–3 times a day, associated with persistent epigastric discomfort and nausea. Her last dose …

Marathon Miles And Melena: Unmasking Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding In An Endurance Athlete, Usman Bin Hameed, Mujtaba Moazzam, Nathanial Bartosek, Fady Banno, Naveen Reddy

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a recognized complication of endurance sports, particularly long-distance running. While most cases are mild and self-limited, studies indicate that up to 12% of ultramarathon participants experience occult bleeding. Severe or life-threatening GIB, such as ischemic colitis requiring surgery, has been reported but remains rare. Despite its potential significance, exercise-induced GIB remains poorly understood, with limited organized data on its prevalence and mechanisms. A 38-year-old male presented with a three-day history of melena following a recent marathon. Symptoms began with loose stools, progressing to tarry stools, accompanied by fatigue, exertional dyspnea, dizziness, and mild generalized abdominal discomfort. …

Real-World Clinical Burden Of Patients Presenting With Vaginitis Symptoms In The United States, Justin Chen, Jenny Tse, Liucheng Shi, Mindy M. Cheng, Rebecca Lillis, Aimee M. Near

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: While vaginitis is a leading cause of primary care visits among women with a gynecologic-related diagnosis, there are limited contemporary data on the healthcare burden. This study describes the real-world healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) of patients presenting with vaginitis symptoms in the United States (US) at symptom presentation and over long-term follow-up. Methods: This retrospective study utilized IQVIA's Longitudinal Prescription (LRx) and Medical Claims (Dx) databases to capture patients presenting with vaginitis symptoms from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2022. The date of the first diagnosis code for vaginitis or related symptoms was considered the first clinical presentation …

Investigating The Ability Of The Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor Nomifensine To Reverse The Effort-Related Effects Of Tetrabenazine In Female Rats, Vivien Daytree

Honors Scholar Theses

Anergia, lassitude, and psychomotor retardation are core symptoms of motivational dysfunction that often accompany Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors effectively alleviate mood and anxiety symptoms, they remain relatively ineffective at alleviating motivational deficits. Compounds that elevate extracellular dopamine (DA) have shown promise in addressing these symptoms. Bupropion, a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), increases DA and is effective at attenuating motivational symptoms in patients. Another NDRI, nomifensine, has demonstrated potential antidepressant properties in preclinical research. Effort-based choice tasks, such as the FR5/chow choice task, serve as animal models for studying motivational dysfunction. Rats choose between exerting effort …

How Individual Differences In Cue Weighting Influence The Link Between Memory And Speech In Noise Perception, Ava Buckmir, Anne Marie Crinnion, Emily Myers

Honors Scholar Theses

Listening to speech is challenging, particularly when there is background noise or ambiguities in the speech signal. Numerous factors impact our ability to understand speech, including age, cognitive processes, and contextual information. But how do we account for these challenges? The types of cues we use may aid us in perceiving ambiguities in speech. Some individuals may rely on semantic cues (higher-level cues), such as how words relate to each other, or they may rely on acoustic-phonetic cues (lower-level cues), such as the durational information in the speech signal itself. But why do individuals differ in the types of cues …

A Rare Case Of Lenalidomide Associated B Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Yagnapriya Ammakola, Nitya Batra, Ashbita Pokharel, Ishmael Jaiyesimi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Autologous stem cell transplantation followed by maintenance with Lenalidomide has improved the overall survival and progression free survival in patients with Multiple Myeloma. However, maintenance therapy with Lenalidomide can increase the risk of several hematological adverse events including secondary B cell lymphoblastic leukemia. We present a case of 61 year old female who was previously treated for multiple myeloma and on maintenance Lenalidomide developed B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma. Case presentation A 61 year old female initially presented with left sided hip pain and lower back pain in 2018.Chest X ray revealed mass like opacity in the left upper lobe and …

A Complex Case Of Tracheoesophageal Fistula Following Chemoradiation And Esophagectomy, Mujtaba Moazzam, Usman Bin Hameed, Fady Banno, Rocco Sbrocca, Ramona M. Berghea

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a pathological connection between the trachea and esophagus. It is a rare but serious complication following esophagectomy, particularly in patients who have undergone concurrent radiation therapy, with rates of 5-15%. TEFs often manifest with severe complications such as malnutrition, infections, and life-threatening bleeding, making them exceptionally difficult to manage. This case report highlights a rare presentation of TEF in a patient with esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with multimodal therapy. A 45-year-old male with stage III esophageal adenocarcinoma underwent concurrent chemoradiation, esophagectomy, and immunotherapy. Subsequent oligometastatic disease required further treatment, including radiofrequency ablation and Keytruda maintenance. The patient …

Pericardial Effusion Of Uncommon Origin: A Diagnostic Journey, Tannoz Norouzi, Carol Lima, Sayf Al-Katib

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Tuberculous (TB) pericarditis is a rare yet serious form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, characterized by a diverse clinical presentation and the potential to occur as an isolated extrapulmonary manifestation. In developed countries, tuberculosis is a rare cause of pericarditis, contributing to less than 5% of pericardial effusion cases and an even smaller percentage of constrictive pericarditis cases. This case describes a 27-year-old male from Mali with no significant medical history presenting with progressive fatigue, shortness of breath, and palpitations over one year. Family history revealed sudden cardiac death in his father in his 30s. Physical examination and initial investigations, including echocardiography, …

The Diagnostic Utility Of Bronchoalveolar Lavage In Pulmonary Infections: Study From A Tertiary Care Hospital In Oman, Masoud Kashoub, Al-Baraa Al-Jabri, Mohammed Al Rashdi, Jamal Al-Aghbari

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is an important diagnostic tool. Despite advancements in microbiological strategies, BAL's yield remains inconsistent. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the yield of BAL in terms of microbial detection and correlate these results with computed tomography (CT) findings and antimicrobial usage duration before bronchoscopy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all adult patients who underwent bronchoscopy with BAL at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, from January 2021 to December 2022. Results: A total of 203 patients underwent bronchoscopy. The primary indication for bronchoscopy was lung infiltrates in patients with haematological malignancies (49.3%). The …

Healthcare-Associated Infections Secondary To Multidrug-Resistant Organisms In Hospitalised Patients With Covid-19 Pneumonia: A Single-Centre Experience, Yahyia Al Hanashi, Abdullah Balkhair

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: Hospitalisations related to COVID-19 pneumonia have increased the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), including those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of HCAIs secondary to MDROs among hospitalised patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: This retrospective study population included patients with COVID-19 pneumonia aged 18 years and older who were admitted to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, for more than 48 hours between March 2020 and December 2021. Results: A total of 486 patients were included in this study. Among the cohort, 76 patients (15.6%) were diagnosed with concurrent HCAIs …

Dengue Fever: Clinical Features And Health Outcomes In Patients Presenting To A Tertiary Care Hospital, Khalfan Al Zeedy, Sheikha Al Shibli, Jawahar H. Al Noumani, Mohammed Al Azri, Abdullah Al Alawi

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the mortality rate and related factors in dengue fever (DF) patients. Additionally, it will outline the clinical and biochemical characteristics and treatments administered to confirmed cases. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included DF patients who presented to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital between January 2022 and July 2023. Data were extracted from the hospital's electronic system into a pre-designed Excel data collection sheet and analysed. Results: The study identified 319 confirmed DF cases with male predominance. The overall mortality rate was 3.8% (n = 12). Mortality was significantly higher among those with …

A Case Of Orbital Apex Syndrome And Mucormycosis In Undiagnosed Diabetes, Basant Sanad, Deena Sukhon, Merzia Subhan, Mamon Tahhan

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) is a slowly progressive and indolent condition often characterized by nonspecific symptoms at onset, which can result in delayed diagnosis and the development of severe complications. We report a case presenting with HHS/DKA, left orbital apex syndrome due to invasive fungal sinusitis, and multiple neuropathies. Despite aggressive surgical debridement, antifungal therapy, and ongoing ophthalmologic monitoring, he remains at risk for further complications, including potential orbital exenteration. A 45-year old male who has not sought medical care in the past 20 years and has no significant past medical history presented with progressive bilateral leg pain …

Reexploring The Stress Trial: Subgroup Postoperative Outcomes Following Methylprednisolone For Infant Heart Surgery, Sudeep D Sunthankar, Kevin D Hill, Jeffrey P Jacobs, H Scott Baldwin, Marshall L Jacobs, Jennifer S Li, Eric M Graham, Ashraf M Resheidat, Venugopal Amula, Mark S Bleiweis, Eric L Wald, Pirooz Eghtesady, John P Scott, Brett R Anderson, Michael F Swartz, Alexis Benscoter, William Ravekes, Prince J Kannankeril

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective Assess the association between intraoperative methylprednisolone and specific postoperative outcomes among subgroups undergoing infant heart surgery.

Design: Subpopulation analyses of The Steroids to Reduce Systemic Inflammation after Infant Heart Surgery trial, a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: 24 congenital heart centers.

Patients: Infants (< 1 year old) undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients stratified by Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Congenital Heart Surgery (STAT) Mortality Category, age, gestational age, and presence of chromosomal or syndromic diagnosis (CSD).

Interventions: Methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) versus placebo administered into cardiopulmonary bypass pump-priming fluid.

Measurements and main results: Outcomes included death, heart transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, reinterventions, and hospital length of stay. Ranked composite outcome (death, transplant, or one of 13 major complications) was compared between placebo and methylprednisolone for each subgroup using the win ratio. Methylprednisolone …

Mrn-Ctip, Exo1, And Dna2-Wrn/Blm Act Bidirectionally To Process Dna Gaps In Parpi-Treated Cells Without Strand Cleavage, Isabelle M Seppa, Mithila Tennakoon, Jessica Jackson, Celia D Rouault, Sumedha Agashe, Vladislav O Sviderskiy, Mangsi Limbu, Erica Lantelme, Alice Meroni, Priyanka Verma, Alessandro Vindigni, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) gaps impact genome stability and PARP inhibitor (PARPi) sensitivity, especially in BRCA1/2-deficient tumors. Using single-molecule DNA fiber analysis, electron microscopy, and biochemical methods, we found that MRN, CtIP, EXO1, and DNA2-WRN/BLM resect ssDNA gaps through a mechanism different from their actions at DNA ends. MRN resects ssDNA gaps in the 3'-to-5' direction using its pCtIP-stimulated exonuclease activity. Unlike at DNA ends, MRN does not use its endonucleolytic activity to cleave the 5'-terminated strand flanking the gap or the ssDNA. EXO1 and DNA2-WRN/BLM specifically resect the 5' end of the gap independent of MRN-CtIP. This resection process alters …

Staff Education On Medication Reconciliation, Ivana Priscilla Adwoa Antwiwaa Buamah

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This Doctor of Nursing Practice education project focused on improving staff knowledge of medication reconciliation through an evidence-based educational intervention in an outpatient clinic. Medication reconciliation is crucial for ensuring accurate and consistent medication lists across care transitions, helping to prevent errors, such as omissions, duplications, dosing mistakes, and drug interactions. The project’s central question was whether staff education on an evidence-based approach to medication reconciliation would improve staff knowledge. A pre- and post-education survey was used to measure changes in staff knowledge after a PowerPoint presentation. Results showed a significant increase in staff knowledge after the intervention; the participants’ …

Contribution Of Various Factors On The Rate Of Traffic Accidents In The Us, Martin Mnatsakanyan

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Background:

Until 2020, the number of traffic accidents has been steadily decreasing. After 2020, the number started increasing until 2022, then started s lowly decreasing again. Most drivers aren’t fully aware of the reason behind all of these accidents.

Unseen And Underserved: A Narrative Review Of Binge Eating And Binge-Eating Disorder In Black Women, Vidhani Goel, Roberto Sagaribay, Kavya Gururaj, Laksh Ghai, Akriti Kapoor

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Prevalence & Health Disparities:

Black women engage in binge eating at similar or higher rates than White women. Lower diagnosis and treatment in black women.

Barriers to Treatment:

Limited access to mental health resources. Implicit bias in clinical settings. Lack of culturally tailored interventions.

Future Directions & Solutions:

Need for inclusive clinical research. Culturally responsive treatment models. Policy reforms to improve healthcare accessibility.

Contributing Factors:

Racial stress, trauma, and socioeconomic constraints. Food insecurity, stigma, and healthcare disparities.

Sweet Snacks Effects On Hispanic/Latino Childhood Obesity, Lemlen Belete, Brisa Rodriguez Alcantar

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Background:

Obesity rates in children has become a growing concern in the Hispanic/Latino community in Nevada. This study examines the availability of sweet snacks in the home and its association with children's dietary behavior.

Methods:

Data was analyzed from a survey of 155 Latina mothers using logistic regression while controlling for income, education, and acculturation. The survey was conducted in Nevada, between October 2022 and March 2024.

Results:

The frequency of keeping sweets in the home was significantly associated with children's consumption of various sweets. For every increase in keeping sweets at home, the odds of children consuming: • Chocolate …

Analyzing Healthcare As A Right, Instead Of A Privilege, Saidt Gutierrez

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Healthcare is a fundamental necessity, yet in many countries including the United States, it remains a privilege rather than a right. This research examines the benefits of universal healthcare by analyzing its impact in countries that have successfully implemented healthcare such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. This study evaluates the healthcare accessibility, cost efficiency, and health outcomes in these countries against the U.S. This finding will suggest that universal health care leads to lower overall healthcare costs, improve public health, and reduce financial burdens on individuals. By ensuring healthcare as a right, rather than a privilege, the U.S …

Costing Care: Unpacking The Drivers Of Medicaid Spending For Nicu Admissions In Nevada, Vidhani Goel, Ana L. Reyes, Bertille Assoumou, Dodds P. Simangan, Farooq Abdulla, Deborah A. Kuhls

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Overview This study examines how maternal and neonatal factors influence Medicaid spending for NICU admissions in Nevada, with an emphasis on identifying cost-driving health disparities. Approach: A retrospective analysis was conducted using linked data from Nevada’s Birth Registry and Medicaid claims (2015–2021). Infant records were analyzed using univariate and bivariate statistics, and logistic regression models identified associations between maternal/neonatal characteristics and above-median Medicaid spending. Cost trends were assessed using NICU case costs, annual growth rates, and year-to-year fluctuations. Key Objectives: Analyze trends in NICU-related Medicaid spending over a seven-year period. Identify maternal and neonatal characteristics linked to higher NICU costs. …

Beyond The Nursery: Unraveling Maternal And Neonatal Factors Associated With Nicu Admissions In Nevada (2015–2021), Vidhani Goel, Ana L. Reyes, Bertille Assoumou, Dodds P. Simangan, Farooq Abdulla, Deborah A. Kuhls

Undergraduate Research Symposium Podium Presentations

Overview

This project focuses on investigating the relationship between maternal medical conditions, socioeconomic factors, and NICU admission levels among Medicaid beneficiaries in Nevada.

Approach:

•A retrospective analysis was conducted using linked data from the Birth Registry and Nevada Medicaid Claims from 2015 to 2021.

•Infant records were analyzed using univariate and bivariate statistical methods, with a significance level set at 5%.

•Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between maternal characteristics and NICU admission levels.

Key Objectives:

•Analyze NICU admission trends among Medicaid beneficiaries.

•Identify maternal health risk factors linked to NICU admissions.

•Examine neonatal characteristics influencing NICU admissions.