CE children report more symptoms of ODD and ADHD than nonexposed children. Adoptive or foster caregivers rated their CE children as having more behavioral problems than did maternal or relative caregivers of CE children or parents of NCE children. Although further studies are needed to understand the basis for the more negative ratings by adoptive or foster caregivers of their CE children, the self-report of CE children indicates a need for psychological interventions.

Persistent teratologic effects of CE on specific cognitive functions and additive effects of alcohol, lead, and marijuana exposure; IDA; and the home environment were identified. Documenting environmental factors in behavioral teratology studies is important, because in this sample, CE was associated with better home environment and lower environmental risk in a substantial number of children.

Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationship of childhood trauma

Background Quality of life (QOL) is increasingly recognized as central to the broad construct of recovery in substance abuse services. QOL measures can supplement more objective symptom measures, identify specific service needs and document changes in functioning that are associated with substance use patterns. To date however, QOL remains an under investigated area in the addictions field, especially in the United States. Methods This study examines patterns and predictors of QOL at 1 and 6 months post treatment intake among 240 women enrolled in substance abuse treatment in Cleveland, Ohio. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) measure was used to assess physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to identify correlates of QOL at 6 months post treatment intake. Results All QOL domains across the follow up time points improved significantly. However, QOL scores across domains remained below those of healthy population norms. Trauma symptoms significantly predicted Physical and Psychological QOL. Among treatment process variables, alcohol use was the sole significant factor associated with QOL and only for Environmental QOL. Recovery support and friends support for abstinence were consistently associated with QOL across all four domains. Implications This study suggests the usefulness of the WHOQOL measure as an indicator of functioning in substance abusing populations. Findings underline the importance of helping women deal with trauma symptoms and develop support for recovery. Further research is needed on the longitudinal relationship between QOL and substance use patterns

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This prospective study was an attempt to determine the frequency of viral hepatitis in general, and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in particular, in 62 pregnant women who had jaundice in the third trimester. Maternal serum was analyzed for markers of hepatitis A, B, C, and E viruses, and cord blood samples were tested for immunoglobulin M anti-HEV antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HEV-RNA was identified by the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique.HEV infection was diagnosed in 45% of the 62 women. Nine of these women developed fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), defined as deep jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy developing within 4 weeks. Most HEV-positive women were primigravidas and presented at 32 to 34 weeks gestation. The largest number of cases occurred in July. Both fever and deeply colored urine were common signs of HEV infection. Serum levels of bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were higher in women with FHF. HEV accounted for 37% of cases of acute viral hepatitis and 81% of cases of FHF. More than one fourth of women with HEV infection had obstetric complications, including premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine growth restriction, placenta previa, and retained placenta. Approximately two thirds of women with HEV infection had preterm deliveries. Only 5% were not delivered vaginally. Mortality for HEV-positive women was 27%. Vertical transmission was documented in 33% of 18 cases of HEV infection.One third of pregnant women with HEV in this study had severe hepatitis in the third trimester. HEV infection during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of both preterm labor and mortality. ABSTRACTOvarian tumors are reported in 1 of every 200 pregnancies and may cause serious problems such as torsion, infarction, and obstruction of vaginal delivery. These tumors have typically been removed by elective surgery, preferably in the second trimester. Because abdominal surgery significantly stresses both the mother and fetus, this study was planned to determine the optimal management of ovarian tumors in 89 pregnant women with tumors requiring surgery. Surgery was emergent because of torsion of the tumor in 36 cases (group A) and elective in 53 cases (group B).The 2 groups were similar in maternal age, parity, and gestational age at the time of surgery. Emergency surgery was done in the first, second, and third trimesters in 22, 5, and 9 women, respectively. Elective surgery was done in the second trimester in two thirds of cases and in the first trimester in the others. Mean birth weights were similar for the 2 groups, but preterm births were significantly more frequent in group A (22% vs. 4%). There was no group difference in gestational age at preterm delivery. Tumors were of comparable size in the 2 groups, and there was no difference in 8Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey ABSTRACTZinc deficiency in pregnancy probably is common all over the world but especially in developing countries and where women eat a diet based on cereals, vegetables, ...

While recreational drug use in UK women is prevalent, to date there is little prospective data on patterns of drug use in recreational drug-using women immediately before and during pregnancy. A total of 121 participants from a wide range of backgrounds were recruited to take part in the longitudinal Development and Infancy Study (DAISY) study of prenatal drug use and outcomes. Eighty-six of the women were interviewed prospectively while pregnant and/or soon after their infant was born. Participants reported on use immediately before and during pregnancy and on use over their lifetime. Levels of lifetime drug use of the women recruited were high, with women reporting having used at least four different illegal drugs over their lifetime. Most users of cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) and other stimulants stopped using these by the second trimester and levels of use were low. However, in pregnancy, 64% of the sample continued to use alcohol, 46% tobacco and 48% cannabis. While the level of alcohol use reduced substantially, average tobacco and cannabis levels tended to be sustained at pre-pregnancy levels even into the third trimester (50 cigarettes and/or 11 joints per week). In sum, while the use of `party drugs' and alcohol seems to reduce, levels of tobacco and cannabis use are likely to be sustained throughout pregnancy. The data provide polydrug profiles that can form the basis for the development of more realistic animal models.

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