Some reproductive-aged individuals remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 due to concerns about potential adverse effects on fertility. We examined the associations of COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection with fertility among couples trying to conceive spontaneously using data from an internet-based preconception cohort study. We enrolled 2,126 self-identified females residing in the U.S. or Canada during December 2020-September 2021 and followed them through November 2021. Participants completed questionnaires every 8 weeks on sociodemographics, lifestyle, medical factors, and partner information. We fit proportional probabilities regression models to estimate associations between self-reported COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection in both partners with fecundability, the per-cycle probability of conception, adjusting for potential confounders. COVID-19 vaccination was not appreciably associated with fecundability in either partner (female FR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.95, 1.23; male FR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.10). Female SARS-CoV-2 infection was not strongly associated with fecundability (FR=1.07, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.31). Male infection was associated with a transient reduction in fecundability (FR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.47, 1.45 for infection within 60 days; FR=1.16, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.47 for infection >60 days). These findings indicate that male SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with a short-term decline in fertility and that COVID-19 vaccination does not impair fertility in either partner.
Documentation is lacking regarding the ability of congenitally deaf children to attain age-appropriate spoken language skills using a cochlear implant, and how early implantation must occur if such development is to be possible. Spoken language data are presented for infants who underwent implantation at 18 months of age or younger. Additional data are used to compare outcomes among children who differed in age at implantation. Data collected at Carle Clinic and Foundation Hospital were reviewed for 47 consecutively implanted children ranging in age from 9 to 48 months at implantation. These data were analyzed and compared by age-at-implantation groupings for speech perception skills, communication mode, and spoken language abilities. The groups differed dramatically in abilities. The best outcomes occurred in children who underwent implantation at or before 18 months of age. Several of these infants demonstrated age-appropriate spoken language skills. We conclude that early implantation is desirable. Children who undergo implantation as infants may develop language skills commensurate with those of their hearing peers.
BACKGROUND: Oil and natural gas extraction may produce environmental pollution at levels that affect reproductive health of nearby populations. Available studies have primarily focused on unconventional gas drilling and have not accounted for local population changes that can coincide with drilling activity. OBJECTIVE: Our study sought to examine associations between residential proximity to oil and gas drilling and adverse term birth outcomes using a difference-in-differences study design. METHODS: We created a retrospective population-based term birth cohort in Texas between 1996 and 2009 composed of mother-infant dyads (n = 2,598,025) living <10 km from an oil or gas site. We implemented a difference-in-differences approach to estimate associations between drilling activities and infant health: term birth weight and term small for gestational age (SGA). Using linear and logistic regression, we modeled interactions between births before (unexposed) or during (exposed) drilling activity and residential proximity near (0-1, 1-2, or 2-3 km) or far (3-10 km) from an active or future drilling site, adjusting for individual-and neighborhood-level characteristics. RESULTS: The adjusted mean difference in term birth weight for mothers living 0-1 vs. 3-10 km from a current or future drilling site was -7:3 g [95% confidence interval (CI): -11:6, -3:0] for births during active vs. future drilling. The corresponding adjusted odds ratio for SGA was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.06). Negative associations with term birth weight were observed for the 1-2 and 2-3 km near groups, and no consistent differences were identified by type of drilling activity. Larger, though imprecise, adverse associations were found for infants born to Hispanic women, women with the lowest educational attainment, and women living in cities. CONCLUSIONS: Residing near oil and gas drilling sites during pregnancy was associated with a small reduction in term birth weight but not SGA, with some evidence of environmental injustices. Additional work is needed to investigate specific drilling-related exposures that might explain these associations.
Background Oil and gas extraction produces air pollutants that are associated with increased risks of hypertension. To date, no study has examined residential proximity to oil and gas extraction and hypertensive conditions during pregnancy. This study quantifies associations between residential proximity to oil and gas development on gestational hypertension and eclampsia. Methods We utilized a population-based retrospective birth cohort in Texas (1996–2009), where mothers reside <10 km from an active or future drilling site (n = 2 845 144.) Using full-address data, we linked each maternal residence at delivery to assign exposure and evaluate this exposure with respect to gestational hypertension and eclampsia. In a difference-in-differences framework, we model the interaction between maternal health before (unexposed) or after (exposed) the start of drilling activity (exposed) and residential proximity near (0–1, >1–2 or >2–3 km) or far (≥3–10 km) from an active or future drilling site. Results Among pregnant women residing 0–1 km from an active oil or gas extraction site, we estimate 5% increased odds of gestational hypertension [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.10] and 26% increased odds of eclampsia (95% CI: 1.05, 1.51) in adjusted models. This association dissipates in the 1- to 3-km buffer zones. In restricted models, we find elevated odds ratios among maternal ages ≤35 years at delivery, maternal non-Hispanic White race, ≥30 lbs gained during pregnancy, nulliparous mothers and maternal educational attainment beyond high school. Conclusions Living within 1 km of an oil or gas extraction site during pregnancy is associated with increased odds of hypertensive conditions during pregnancy.
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