Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Commons^™

The Case Of A Pain-Ridden Pregnancy In A Woman With Sickle Cell Disease, Katie Riffle, Linda Haddox

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Successful Anesthetic Management Of Patient With Marfan Syndrome: Optimizing Cardiovascular Stability And Maternal Outcomes, M Roberts, C Cox, K Leavitt

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Pharmacologic Treatment For Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (Optimize Now): A Symptom-Based Dosing Approach Study Protocol For A Multi-Center, Cluster Crossover Design Randomized Controlled Trial, Leslie W. Young, Denise C. Babineau, Abhik Das, Sara Demauro, Walter K. Kraft, Scott Lorch, Michele C. Walsh, Stephanie Merhar, Lori A. Devlin

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Opioid use and misuse during pregnancy rose from 1.5 to 6.5 per 1000 deliveries between 1999 and 2014 and continues as a significant public health concern. A fivefold increase in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) has accompanied the increase in opioid use. The Eating, Sleeping, Consoling care approach (ESC) has been shown to improve outcomes for infants with NOWS and is quickly becoming the standard of care for infants affected by opioid use disorder. Quality improvement initiatives following the implementation of ESC provide some evidence to suggest that symptom-based (i.e., as needed, PRN, just in time) dosing of opioid …

Effectiveness Of Intrapartum Azithromycin To Prevent Infections In Planned Vaginal Births In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries: A Post-Hoc Analysis Of Data From A Multicentre, Randomised, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial, Waldemar A. Carlo, Alan T.N. Tita, Janet L. Moore, Musaku Mwenechanya, Elwyn Chomba, Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday, Avinash Kavi, Mrityunjay C. Metgud, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Richard J. Derman, Adrien Lokangaka, Antoinette Tshefu, Melissa Bauserman, Jackie K. Patterson, Poonam Shivkumar, Manju Waikar, Archana Patel, Patricia L. Hibberd, Paul Nyongesa, Fabian Esamai, Osayame Austine Ekhaguere, Sherri Bucher, Saleem Jessani, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Sarah Saleem, Robert L. Goldenberg, Sk Masum Billah, Ruth Lennox, Rashidul Haque, William Petri, Manolo Mazariegos, Nancy F. Krebs, Denise C. Babineau, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Marion Koso-Thomas, A-Plus Trial Group

Global Health Articles

Background

In 2023, the Azithromycin Prevention in Labor Use (A-PLUS) trial showed intrapartum azithromycin reduces maternal sepsis or death in women with planned vaginal delivery in low-resource settings, but whether it reduces maternal infection is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intrapartum azithromycin in reducing maternal infection.

Methods

We performed a post-hoc analysis of the multicentre, facility-based, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled A-PLUS trial. This trial compared prophylactic intrapartum single oral dose of 2 g azithromycin versus placebo on maternal morbidity and mortality in low-resource settings in southeast Asia and Africa from Sept 9, 2020, to Aug 18, 2022. The …

Bayesian Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling Of Ondansetron For Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, Kevin Lam, John Mondick, Gary Peltz, Manhong Wu, Walter Kraft

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Ondansetron is an anti-emetic 5-HT3 receptor antagonist being investigated for treating neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Sparse PK data were analyzed from a multicenter, double-blind clinical trial with 98 mother/neonate dyads. Pregnant women with opioid use disorder were randomized to receive either placebo or ondansetron 8 mg intravenously within 4 h of delivery. Neonates born to mothers who were randomized to ondansetron received 0.07 mg/kg orally once every 24 h for up to five doses. Using current PK data, model parameters from a two-compartmental structural model from the literature (i.e., a priori model) were updated with the Metropolis-Hastings Markov-chain Monte …

The Effect Of Cesarean Delivery On The Neonatal Gut Microbiome In An Under-Resourced Population In The Bronx, Ny, Usa, Sandra E Reznik, Ayodele J Akinyemi, David Harary, Mariam S Latuga, Mamta Fuloria, Maureen J Charron

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

BACKGROUND: Neonatal and early-life gut microbiome changes are associated with altered cardiometabolic and immune development. In this study, we explored Cesarean delivery effects on the gut microbiome in our high-risk, under-resourced Bronx, NY population.

RESULTS: Fecal samples from the Bronx MomBa Health Study (Bronx MomBa Health Study) were categorized by delivery mode (vaginal/Cesarean) and analyzed via 16 S rRNA gene sequencing at four timepoints over the first two years of life. Bacteroidota organisms, which have been linked to decreased risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes, were relatively reduced by Cesarean delivery, while Firmicutes organisms were increased. Organisms belonging to …

Risk Stratification By Percent Liver Herniation In Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Oluyinka O Olutoye, Steven C Mehl, Anoosha Moturu, Rowland W Pettit, Ryan D Coleman, Adam M Vogel, Timothy C Lee, Sundeep G Keswani, Alice King

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

INTRODUCTION: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary hypertension, and significant neonatal morbidity. Although intrathoracic liver herniation (LH) >20% is associated with adverse outcomes, the relationship between LH

METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed from 2011 to 2020 of 80 fetuses with left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia that were delivered and repaired at our institution. Perinatal, perioperative, and postoperative data were collected. We evaluated the association of %LH with outcomes as a stratified ordinal variable (0%-10% LH, 10%-19% LH, and >20% LH) and as a continuous variable. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance with Bonferroni post …

Cardiac Size, Shape, And Ventricular Contractility In Fetuses At Sea Level With An Estimated Weight Less-Than 10th Centile, Wesley Lee, Lauren M Mack, Roxanna Miremadi, Betul Yilmaz Furtun, Haleh Sangi-Haghpeykar, Greggory R Devore

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVES: To investigate cardiac size, shape, and ventricular contractility in fetuses with estimated fetal weight (EFW)(Houston).

METHODS: A prospective ultrasound study examined 37 fetuses with EFWsize, shape, and contractility of both ventricles were analyzed with speckle tracking methods. Z scores were calculated using the mean ± standard deviation (SD) derived from normal controls. Measurements were abnormal if their Z score values were+1.65. The proportion of small fetuses with abnormal parameters was compared to normal reference ranges. Results were compared to a similar published study of small fetuses at higher altitude in Denver.

RESULTS: About one-third of Houston fetuses with EFW(RV) …

Associations Between Maternal Reports Of Periconceptional Fever From Miscellaneous Causes And Structural Birth Defects, Nithya Lakshmi Mohan Dass, Lorenzo D Botto, Sarah C Tinker, Mark A Canfield, Richard H Finnell, Michael Shayne Gallaway, Syed Shahrukh Hashmi, Adrienne T Hoyt, Wendy N Nembhard, Dorothy K Waller, National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Associations between birth defects and fevers attributed to colds, influenza, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been observed in previous studies. Our aim was to study associations between birth defects and fevers attributed to other causes.

METHODS: We analyzed data from 34,862 participants in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a multistate case-control study of major structural birth defects. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed the association between maternal report of fever during early pregnancy due to causes other than colds, influenza, or UTI and 36 categories of birth defects.

RESULTS: Maternal reports of fever due to other causes …

Anticipation, Accompaniment, And A Good Death In Perinatal Care., Bryanna S. Moore, Brian S. Carter, Bryan Beaven, Katie House, Joel House

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The ethics of perinatal care, and the experiences of families who receive such care, remains a nascent area of inquiry. It can be hard to see how existing "good death" constructs apply to the experiences of fetal patients and their families. In this paper, we explore two themes raised by a case at our fetal health center: anticipation and accompaniment. In this case, a mother presented to our fetal health center; her unborn son, our fetal patient, was diagnosed with life-threatening hypoplastic left heart syndrome and endocardial fibroelastosis. The parents were told that their son's life expectancy, upon birth, was …

The Impact Of Pulmonary Hypertension In Preterm Infants With Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Through 1 Year., Joanne M. Lagatta, Erik B. Hysinger, Isabella Zaniletti, Erica M. Wymore, Shilpa Vyas-Read, Sushmita Yallapragada, Leif D. Nelin, William E. Truog, Michael A. Padula, Nicolas F M Porta, Rashmin C. Savani, Karin P. Potoka, Steven M. Kawut, Robert Digeronimo, Girija Natarajan, Huayan Zhang, Theresa R. Grover, William A. Engle, Karna Murthy, Children's Hospital Neonatal Consortium Severe Bpd Focus Group

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of pulmonary hypertension on neonatal intensive care unit mortality and hospital readmission through 1 year of corrected age in a large multicenter cohort of infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 1677 infants bornChildren's Hospital Neonatal Consortium with records linked to the Pediatric Health Information System.

RESULTS: Pulmonary hypertension occurred in 370 out of 1677 (22%) infants. During the neonatal admission, pulmonary hypertension was associated with mortality (OR 3.15, 95% CI 2.10-4.73, P < .001), ventilator support at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age (60% vs 40%, P < .001), duration of ventilation (72 IQR 30-124 vs 41 IQR 17-74 days, P < .001), and higher respiratory severity score (3.6 IQR 0.4-7.0 vs 0.8 IQR 0.3-3.3, P < .001). At discharge, pulmonary hypertension was associated with tracheostomy (27% vs 9%, P < .001), supplemental oxygen use (84% vs 61%, P < .001), and tube feeds (80% vs 46%, P < .001). Through 1 year of corrected age, pulmonary hypertension was associated with increased frequency of readmission (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.38, 95% CI 1.18-1.63, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: Infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension have increased morbidity and mortality through …

The Effect Of Breastfeeding And Rooming-In Care On Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Rachel Boyer, Lindsay Gal, Mahaylie Cline

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Concurrent with a rise in opioid abuse during pregnancy is an increase in the number of babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Despite this crisis, no single treatment has been identified for NAS. This paper sought to analyze and synthesize research evaluating the effectiveness of breastfeeding and rooming-in care on the need and length of pharmacologic treatment and length of hospital stay for neonates with NAS. Twenty-six peer reviewed research articles published between 2006 and 2017 were selected from PubMed and CINAHL for analysis. The studies focused on neonates with NAS born to mothers addicted to opioids or undergoing …

Increased Birth Weight Is Associated With Altered Gene Expression In Neonatal Foreskin, Leryn J. Reynolds, Rebecca I. Pollack, Richard J. Charnigo, Cetewayo S. Rashid, Arnold J. Stromberg, Shu Shen, John O'Brien, Kevin J. Pearson

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Elevated birth weight is linked to glucose intolerance and obesity health-related complications later in life. No studies have examined if infant birth weight is associated with gene expression markers of obesity and inflammation in a tissue that comes directly from the infant following birth. We evaluated the association between birth weight and gene expression on fetal programming of obesity. Foreskin samples were collected following circumcision, and gene expression analyzed comparing the 15% greatest birth weight infants (n = 7) v. the remainder of the cohort (n = 40). Multivariate linear regression models were fit to relate expression levels on differentially …

Surrogate Pregnancy After Prenatal Diagnosis Of Spina Bifida., Lynnette J. Mazur, Mary Kay Kisthardt, Helen H. Kim, Laura M. Rosas, John Lantos

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Some pregnancies today involve infertile individuals or couples who contract with a fertile woman to carry a pregnancy for them. The woman who carries the pregnancy is referred to as a "gestational carrier." The use of such arrangements is increasing. Most of the time, these arrangements play out as planned; sometimes, however, problems arise. This article discusses a case in which a fetal diagnosis of spina bifida led the infertile couple to request that the gestational carrier terminate the pregnancy, and the gestational carrier did not wish to do so. Experts in the medical and legal issues surrounding surrogacy discuss …

Parental Refusal Of Surgery In An Infant With Tricuspid Atresia., Alexander A. Kon, Angira Patel, Steven Leuthner, John Lantos

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

We present a case of a fetal diagnosis of tricuspid atresia (TA). The pregnant woman and her husband requested that the baby be treated with only palliative care. The cardiologist did not think it would be appropriate to withhold life-prolonging surgery once the infant was born. The neonatologist argued that outcomes for TA are similar to those for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and the standard practice at the institution was to allow parents to choose surgery or end-of-life care for those infants. The team requested an ethics consultation to assist in determining whether forgoing life-prolonging interventions in this case would …

Contraceptive Provision To Adolescent Females Prescribed Teratogenic Medications., Stephani L. Stancil, Melissa K. Miller, Holley Briggs, Daryl Lynch, Kathy Goggin, Gregory Kearns

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rates of adult women receiving contraceptive provision when simultaneously prescribed a known teratogen are alarmingly low. The prevalence of this behavior among pediatric providers and their adolescent patients is unknown. The objective of this study was to describe pediatric provider behaviors for prescribing teratogens concurrently with counseling, referral, and/or prescribing of contraception (collectively called contraceptive provision) in the adolescent population.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted examining visits in 2008-2012 by adolescents aged 14 to 25 years in which a known teratogen (US Food and Drug Administration pregnancy risk category D or X) was prescribed. The electronic …

Whole-Genome Sequencing And Disability In The Nicu: Exploring Practical And Ethical Challenges., Michael J. Deem

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Clinical whole-genome sequencing (WGS) promises to deliver faster diagnoses and lead to better management of care in the NICU. However,several disability rights advocates have expressed concern that clinical use of genetic technologies may reinforce and perpetuate stigmatization of and discrimination against disabled persons in medical and social contexts. There is growing need, then, for clinicians and bioethicists to consider how the clinical use of WGS in the newborn period might exacerbate such harms to persons with disabilities. This article explores ways to extend these concerns to clinical WGS in neonatal care. By considering these perspectives during the early phases of …

Prenatal Diagnosis And Risk Factors For Preoperative Death In Neonates With Single Right Ventricle And Systemic Outflow Obstruction: Screening Data From The Pediatric Heart Network Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial(∗)., Andrew M. Atz, Thomas G. Travison, Ismee A. Williams, Gail D. Pearson, Peter C. Laussen, William T. Mahle, Amanda L. Cook, Joel A. Kirsh, Mark Sklansky, Svetlana Khaikin, Caren Goldberg, Michele Frommelt, Catherine Krawczeski, Michael D. Puchalski, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Jeanne M. Baffa, Jack Rychik, Richard G. Ohye, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this analysis was to assess preoperative risk factors before the first-stage Norwood procedure in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and related single-ventricle lesions and to evaluate practice patterns in prenatal diagnosis, as well as the role of prenatal diagnosis in outcome.

METHODS: Data from all live births with morphologic single right ventricle and systemic outflow obstruction screened for the Pediatric Heart Network's Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial were used to investigate prenatal diagnosis and preoperative risk factors. Demographics, gestational age, prenatal diagnosis status, presence of major extracardiac congenital abnormalities, and preoperative mortality rates were recorded.

RESULTS: …

Chromosomal Anomalies Influence Parental Treatment Decisions In Relation To Prenatally Diagnosed Congenital Heart Disease., Sinai C. Zyblewski, Elizabeth G. Hill, Girish S. Shirali, Andrew Atz, Geoffrey Forbus, Javier Gonzalez, Anthony Hlavacek

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

This study aimed to identify the variables that influence parental treatment decisions after a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). The authors reviewed all cases of prenatally diagnosed structural CHD from August 1998 to December 2006 at their center. The following variables were studied as potential predictors of parental intent to treat: maternal age, race, insurance status, obstetric history, fetal gender, univentricular versus biventricular cardiac physiology, and fetal chromosomal abnormality. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. In the review, 252 consecutive cases of prenatally diagnosed CHD were identified. Of these, 204 women pursued full medical treatment, whereas …

Current Significance Of Meconium Plug Syndrome., Scott J. Keckler, Shawn D. St Peter, Troy L. Spilde, Kuojen Tsao, Daniel J. Ostlie, G W. Holcomb Iii, Charles L. Snyder

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The significance of meconium plug syndrome is dependent on the underlying diagnosis. The incidence of pathologic finding, particularly Hirschsprung's disease, contributing to the presence of these plugs, has been debated. However, there are little recent data in the literature. Therefore, we reviewed our experience with meconium plugs as a cause of abdominal distension to evaluate the associated conditions and incidence of Hirschsprung's disease.

METHODS: We reviewed the records of newborns with meconium plugs found in the distal colon on contrast enema from 1994 to 2007. Demographics, radiologic findings, histologic findings, operative findings, and clinical courses were reviewed.

RESULTS: During …

Risk Assessment For Developmental Toxicity: Airborne Occupational Exposure To Ethanol And Iodine, Donald R. Mattison

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Dean Mattison explains hazard identification, hazard characterization and exposure characterization as furnishing a foundation for Risk assessment generally. He then illustrates their application in assessing the fetal Risk posed by two common substances. Ultimately, he argues that only after Risks have been so examined can women of child bearing age (or anyone) decide what if any measures are appropriate to avoid them.

Fertile Women May Now Apply: Fetal Protection Policies After Johnson Controls, Barbara Ruhe Grumet

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

In its recent interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the U.S. Supreme Court leaves little room for permissible occupational sex discrimination. However, its decision has wider implications. Here, Professor Grumet takes a look at some of them from both a legal and a social perspective, including matters such as employees' reproductive freedom and employers' potential liability for a variety of possible injuries to employees' offspring.

Maternal-Neonatal Serum Vitamin A Concentrations., Girish S. Shirali, D G. Oelberg, K P. Mehta

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Prevention of neonatal vitamin A deficiency is related to the adequacy of maternal vitamin A stores. In this study we investigated maternal and cord serum vitamin A and retinol-binding protein (RBP) values in an Indian population including, for the first time, clinically vitamin A-deficient mothers. Twenty-eight maternal-neonatal pairs were selected from maternal cohorts of high socioeconomic status without clinical evidence of vitamin A deficiency (group I) and low socioeconomic status with conjunctival xerosis and Bitot's spots (group II). Maternal education, caloric and vitamin A intakes, weight, height, hemoglobin, and birth weight were significantly lower in group II. Serum vitamin A …