Nevin Manimala

Ital J Pediatr. 2025 Feb 7;51(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s13052-025-01876-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The timely initiation of trophic feeding (TF) is crucial for premature newborns, but challenging due to immaturity, respiratory instability, abdominal distension, resource scarcity, and healthcare worker expertise. Moreover, there is a dearth of information on predictors of full trophic feeding time. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the time it takes and its predictors to initiate minimal enteral feeding in preterm neonates in Southern Oromia, Ethiopia.

METHOD: A facility-based retrospective follow up study was conducted among 434 randomly selected preterm neonates admitted to NICU of Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital and Yabello General Hospital from January 1, 2021 to December 30, 2022. Data were extracted by a pretested structured checklist, entered into Epidata 3.1 and then transferred to Stata version 17 for analysis. Kaplan Meier survival curve and log rank test were used to estimate survival time and a statistical comparison respectively. Bivariable and multivariable cox proportional hazard model was fitted to identify predictors of time to initiate TF and their outputs are presented using Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs).

RESULT: The overall incidence density of TF initiation was reported as 43.6 per 100 neonate-days. Moreover, the median (IQR) time to initiate TF was found to be 2 (1-4) days. Neonates delivered vaginally had a higher likelihood of early TF initiation (AHR: 1.64, CI: 1.26, 2.13), while those born between 32 and 34 weeks (AHR: 0.61, CI: 0.46, 0.81), VLBW neonates (AHR: 0.45, CI: 0.34, 0.60), neonates without KMC (AHR: 0.59, CI: 0.46, 0.79), and those in level II hospitals were less likely to start TF promptly (AHR: 0.78, CI: 0.62, 0.99). Furthermore, neonates with sepsis (AHR: 1.76, CI: 1.36, 2.28) and hypothermia (AHR: 1.51, CI: 1.19, 1.93) had delayed TF initiation.

CONCLUSION: We observed a significant low rate of early TF initiation and higher death rate of preterm newborn in our study as compared to the global. Preterm neonates with lower GA, no KMC, and a VLBW are more likely to have a delayed initiation. Our results highlight that staff training on identifying neonates suitable for TF, and ensuring adequate resources for KMC in all NICU levels should be considered.

PMID:39915788 | DOI:10.1186/s13052-025-01876-1

BMC Med. 2025 Feb 6;23(1):69. doi: 10.1186/s12916-025-03877-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Postpartum maternal depression and socioeconomic factors are established risk factors for the mental health of offspring. It has been consistently unclear as to whether female or male offspring are more vulnerable to the effects of postpartum maternal depression at different stages of the child’s life course. To determine whether the characteristics of postpartum maternal depression with a history of prenatal depression influence sex differences in offspring internalizing symptoms across childhood and adolescence, socioeconomic factors should be considered.

METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CNKI, and SinoMed databases from inception to November 28, 2023, and selected longitudinal cohort studies that quantified sex differences in internalizing symptoms of children and adolescents. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effects models. ROBINS-E tool was used to rate the quality of evidence.

RESULTS: Twenty-eight studies were eligible between 1997 and 2023, including 24,022 mother-child dyads. Sex-difference trajectories of offspring internalizing symptoms were identified after exposure to postpartum maternal depression, ranging from a lack of significant sex differences in childhood to a higher prevalence observed among girls than boys in adolescence (SMD, 0.25, 95% CI, 0.13-0.38). Economic income and maternal education affected the associations between the magnitude and concurrent recurrence of postpartum depression and significant sex differences in adolescent internalizing symptoms, respectively. After adjusting for socioeconomic factors, early nonconcurrent recurrence of postpartum depression was associated with greater odds of internalizing symptoms among adolescent girls than among boys (β = 0.03, 95% CI, 0.01-0.06); however, there was no statistical significance after adjusting for prenatal depression.

CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic factors differentially impacted the association between postpartum maternal depression and significant sex differences in adolescent internalizing symptoms. Independent of socioeconomic factors and prenatal depression, postpartum maternal depression was not associated with significant sex differences in adolescent internalizing symptoms. Therefore, the significant sex effects of postpartum maternal depression are more likely due to complex interactions between maternal depression and the intrauterine and postpartum environments that shape offspring sex-difference trajectories, with consequences occurring for later internalizing symptoms in adolescence.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42022301445.

PMID:39915783 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-025-03877-7

Malar J. 2025 Feb 7;24(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s12936-025-05268-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: With the recent approval of the malaria vaccine by the World Health Organization, it is expected that global acceptance and subsequent uptake of the intervention can help to reduce the burden of the disease in Africa. This study adopted a proactive approach in assessing parents’ acceptance of the malaria vaccine, alongside their willingness to pay for the novel public health intervention.

METHODS: A national cross-sectional survey was undertaken in Nigeria using a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The study tool was administered to parents of child-bearing age. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25.

RESULTS: A total of 1413 valid responses were received with male (49.5%) and female (50.5%) participants represented by similar proportions. Close to two-thirds (62.5%) of the participants were between the ages of 31 and 40 years, and 47.4% of the participants were educated up to national diploma level. More than two-thirds (69.6%) of the participants indicated that they were worried about side effects that may be associated with the malaria vaccine. A strong majority (90%) of the participants indicated that the vaccine should be administered at no cost to citizens, while 46.7% of the respondents were willing to pay for the malaria vaccination. Levels of education attained by the respondents influenced their willingness to pay for malaria vaccination. This variable also underpinned participants’ reasons for non-acceptance of the vaccine. Those who attained only primary and secondary levels of education were significantly more likely to reject the malaria vaccine because they were against vaccines in general (AOR = 6.63; 95% CI = 1.33 – 39.25; p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION: This study provides critical novel insights which could influence vaccination efforts aimed at reducing the burden of malaria in Nigeria, as well as similar settings.

PMID:39915774 | DOI:10.1186/s12936-025-05268-y

J Med Internet Res. 2025 Feb 6;27:e66072. doi: 10.2196/66072.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mumps is a viral respiratory disease characterized by facial swelling and transmitted through respiratory secretions. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, mumps outbreaks have reemerged globally, including in China, where it remains a significant public health issue. In Yunnan province, China, the incidence of mumps has fluctuated markedly and is higher than that in mainland China, underscoring the need for improved outbreak prediction methods. Traditional surveillance methods, however, may not be sufficient for timely and accurate outbreak prediction.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to leverage the Baidu search index, representing search volumes from China’s most popular search engine, along with environmental data to develop a predictive model for mumps incidence in Yunnan province.

METHODS: We analyzed mumps incidence in Yunnan Province from 2014 to 2023, and used time series data, including mumps incidence, Baidu search index, and environmental factors, from 2016 to 2023, to develop predictive models based on long short-term memory networks. Feature selection was conducted using Pearson correlation analysis, and lag correlations were explored through a distributed nonlinear lag model (DNLM). We constructed four models with different combinations of predictors: (1) model BE, combining the Baidu index and environmental factors data; (2) model IB, combining mumps incidence and Baidu index data; (3) model IE, combining mumps incidence and environmental factors; and (4) model IBE, integrating all 3 data sources.

RESULTS: The incidence of mumps in Yunnan showed significant variability, peaking at 37.5 per 100,000 population in 2019. From 2014 to 2023, the proportion of female patients ranged from 41.3% in 2015 to 45.7% in 2020, consistently lower than that of male patients. After excluding variables with a Pearson correlation coefficient of <0.10 or P values of <.05, we included 3 Baidu index search term groups (disease name, symptoms, and treatment) and 6 environmental factors (maximum temperature, minimum temperature, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less, and particulate matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less) for model development. DNLM analysis revealed that the relative risks consistently increased with rising Baidu index values, while nonlinear associations between temperature and mumps incidence were observed. Among the 4 models, model IBE exhibited the best performance, achieving the coefficient of determination of 0.72, with mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error, and root-mean-square error values of 0.33, 15.9%, and 0.43, respectively, in the test set.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study developed model IBE to predict the incidence of mumps in Yunnan province, offering a potential tool for early detection of mumps outbreaks. The performance of model IBE underscores the potential of integrating search engine data and environmental factors to enhance mumps incidence forecasting. This approach offers a promising tool for improving public health surveillance and enabling rapid responses to mumps outbreaks.

PMID:39913179 | DOI:10.2196/66072

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2025 Feb 6:0. doi: 10.18176/jiaci.1054. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To analyze causality between gut microbiota and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and to investigate the mediating effect of metabolic pathways.

METHODS: We extracted genome-wide association study summary statistics for 211 microbiota taxa from the MiBioGen consortium (N=18 340), 205 microbiota metabolic pathways from the Dutch Microbiome Project (N=7738), and CSU from the FinnGen genomics initiative (N=450). Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) was performed to detect genetic causality between gut microbiota, gut bacterial pathways, and CSU. Sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the robustness of the results. Mediation MR investigated mediators in the association between gut microbiota and CSU.

RESULTS: MR analysis suggested that the family Peptococcaceae and its child taxon, the genus Peptococcus, were risk factors for CSU. In addition, the genera Collinsella, Lachnospiraceae UCG004, Ruminococcaceae UCG004, and Sellimonas were also risk factors for CSU, whereas Family XIII UCG001, Lachnospiraceae UCG010, and Methanobrevibacter had protective effects on CSU. As for metabolic pathways, NONMEVIPP-PWY, PWY-5022, and PWY-7221 were positively associated with CSU, although others, such as KDO-NAGLIPASYN-PWY, PWY- 6353, and PWY-7400 presented a suggestive association with CSU. Moreover, PWY-7400 was a mediator in causality between the family Peptococcaceae and CSU. These results were based on nominal significance (P<.05). None of the Bonferroni corrected P values were <.05.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed a causal association between gut microbiota and CSU, with the metabolic pathway being a potential mediator. Our findings provide new insights for further mechanistic and clinical studies in CSU.

PMID:39913178 | DOI:10.18176/jiaci.1054

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2025 Feb 6. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2024.0102. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Cancer organizations recommend cost-of-care (CoC) information be provided to patients with cancer by their care teams. Little is known about the CoC conversation experiences and preferences of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. Methods: Eligible participants were 18-39 years old, diagnosed with cancer, and insured. Recruitment occurred at two cancer centers in Utah from October 2019 to March 2020. Data were collected via survey and semistructured telephone interviews, which were recorded and transcribed. Interview questions pertained to willingness, perceived usefulness, and past experiences with CoC conversations with their cancer care team. Interviews were analyzed by applying two rounds of thematic content analysis. Summary statistics were calculated for demographics, health insurance literacy, and financial toxicity. Results: Among 24 participants, half were aged 18-25 and half were aged 26-39 at interview and survey, with many currently receiving treatment (62.5%). Four qualitative themes emerged concerning CoC conversations (1) past experiences, (2) willingness, (3) usefulness, and (4) preferred provider. In interviews, most AYAs shared interest in discussing CoC, but previous CoC conversations were infrequent. Most AYAs who had previous CoC conversation experiences brought up the topic themselves. Interview data revealed that preferred individuals to lead CoC conversations were often social workers (25.0%), nurses (20.8%), or oncologists (20.8%), while others wanted any provider knowledgeable in financial matters (20.8%). Conclusions: AYA patients are willing to have CoC conversations; however, they infrequently occur. Future work may include interventions that guide clinicians in initiating in-depth CoC discussions with AYAs.

PMID:39913169 | DOI:10.1089/jayao.2024.0102

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 3;8(2):e2457843. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57843.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: While early detection of glaucoma is vital to prevent irreversible vision loss, there are sparse data on the effectiveness of glaucoma referrals and methods to establish evidence-based referral guidelines in large, diverse populations.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for diagnosed glaucoma and loss to follow-up among adult patients aged 18 to 40 years after a new diagnosis of referable glaucoma (ie, with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study included patients aged 18 to 40 years presenting to Kaiser Permanente Southern California, a large managed health care system, for first-time eye examinations between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018. Data analysis occurred between September 2022 and August 2024.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was glaucoma diagnosed within 2 years of the first eye examination. The secondary outcome was the loss to follow-up, defined as failure to receive a glaucoma evaluation with visual field or optical coherence tomography testing within 2 years.

RESULTS: The cohort included 292 453 patients aged 18 to 40 years who underwent first-time eye evaluations (mean [SD] age, 29.8 [6.4] years). Among 12 050 identified patients with referable glaucoma (52.3% female), 6827 (56.7%) completed glaucoma evaluations, of whom 563 (8.2%) were diagnosed with glaucoma (344 [61.1%] with open angle, 28 [5.0%] with angle closure, 84 [14.9%] with secondary glaucoma, and 107 [19.0%] with unspecified glaucoma). On multivariable analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.55 [95% CI, 1.07-2.27]), higher intraocular pressure (IOP) (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.15-1.23] per 1 mm Hg), and greater cup-disc ratio (CDR) (OR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.34-1.75] per 0.1 unit) were associated with greater odds of glaucoma. Dichotomized age, IOP, and CDR models stratified 51 of 1613 patients (3.2%) into the low-risk group and 202 of 1477 patients (13.7%) into the high-risk group. Being younger than 32 years and having an IOP less than 18 mm Hg and a CDR less than 0.7 yielded a negative predictive value of 98.2% for a glaucoma diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, the diagnostic yield of glaucoma referrals was low among adults aged 18 to 40 years with first-time eye examinations. A simple risk-stratification strategy could help identify individuals with low and high risks of developing glaucoma, and adoption of evidence-based risk stratification and referral guidelines by health care systems and clinicians could improve equity of glaucoma care and use of eye-care resources.

PMID:39913139 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57843

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 3;8(2):e2457852. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57852.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Cannabis use disorders (CUD) are associated with adverse health effects, including mental disorders and motor vehicle collision-related injuries. However, little is known about whether CUDs are associated with increased mortality risk.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether individuals receiving incident hospital-based care (an emergency department visit or hospitalization) for a CUD is associated with increased risk of death.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This population-based retrospective cohort study included all individuals aged 15 to 105 years living in Ontario, Canada, between 2006 and 2021 (n = 11 622 571 individuals). Overall and cause-specific mortality were compared between individuals with incident hospital-based CUD care and age- and sex-matched members of the general population or individuals with hospital-based care for other substance use disorders using cause-specific hazard models adjusted for comorbid mental health, substance use, and chronic health conditions. Statistical analysis was performed from September to December 2024.

EXPOSURE: Incident hospital-based CUD care.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Overall and cause-specific mortality identified using vital statistics.

RESULTS: The matched analysis included 527 972 individuals (mean [SD] age, 29.9 [13.6] years; 330 034 [62.5%] female) with a median (IQR) follow-up of 5 (3-9) years; 106 994 had incident CUD. Within 5 years of incident hospital-based CUD care, 3770 individuals (3.5%) died compared with 3770 (0.6%) of matched general population members. After adjusting for comorbid conditions, individuals with incident hospital-based CUD care were at increased risk of death relative to the general population (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.79 [95% CI, 2.62-2.97]). Individuals with hospital-based CUD care were at increased risk of all investigated types of death and particularly elevated risk of death by suicide (aHR, 9.70 [95% CI, 6.04-15.57]), trauma (aHR, 4.55 [95% CI, 3.55-5.82]), opioid poisoning (aHR, 5.03 [95% CI, 2.86-8.84]), other drug poisonings (aHR, 4.56 [95% CI, 3.11-6.68]), and lung cancer (aHR, 3.81 [95% CI, 2.39-6.07]) relative to the general population. Compared with an individual with hospital-based care for CUD, individuals with hospital-based care for alcohol (aHR, 1.30 [95% CI, 1.26-1.34]), stimulants (aHR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.62-1.75]), and opioids (aHR, 2.19 [95% CI, 2.10-2.27]) were at relatively increased risk of death within 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study of all residents of Ontario, Canada, individuals with incident hospital-based CUD care were at markedly increased risk of death compared with the general population. These findings suggest important clinical and policy implications, given global trends toward cannabis legalization and market commercialization accompanied by increasing cannabis use and CUDs.

PMID:39913138 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57852

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 3;8(2):e2458155. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.58155.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: During the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency, states provided continuous Medicaid coverage to enrollees. In April 2023, states began to unwind this continuous coverage, prompting concern about the impact of this on pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine loss of coverage during the unwinding of continuous Medicaid coverage among pediatric patients seen at community-based health care organizations.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study with statistical analysis in November 2024 included pediatric patients from a multistate network of community-based health care organizations. Participants were aged up to 17 years at both their last Medicaid-insured visit during the continuous coverage period and at their first visit during the unwinding period (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024).

EXPOSURES: Age, sex, race and ethnicity, language, and medical complexity.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: The main outcome was Medicaid disenrollment to uninsured status during the unwinding period. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of ever being uninsured during unwinding, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the time to uninsured status from the start of unwinding in each patient’s state of residence through the end of March 2024. Associations between age, sex, race and ethnicity, language, and medical complexity and the outcome were assessed.

RESULTS: Among 450 146 pediatric patients, mean (SD) patient age was 8.11 (5.07) years and 50.1% were male. Overall, 8.7% were disenrolled from Medicaid to uninsured status. Patients aged 12 to 17 years had the highest estimated disenrollment among age groups (10.5%), but after adjustment, all other age groups had lower odds of disenrollment compared with those younger than 1 year. Females had higher odds of disenrollment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.15 [95% CI, 1.13-1.18]; adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.14 [95% CI, 1.12-1.17]) than males. American Indian or Alaska Native patients had higher odds of disenrollment (AOR, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.81-2.09]; AHR, 1.81 [95% CI, 1.05-3.13]) than White patients, with estimated disenrollment of 17.1% vs 9.4%. Compared with patients with low medical complexity, those with either chronic but noncomplex (AOR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.79-1.88]; AHR, 1.80 [95% CI, 1.44-2.27]) or complex chronic (AOR, 1.95 95% CI, 1.89-2.00]; AHR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.67-2.21]) medical complexity had higher odds of disenrollment.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study of previously Medicaid-insured pediatric patients seen at community-based health care organizations, a meaningful proportion of patients were disenrolled to uninsured status during the unwinding of continuous Medicaid coverage, with associated differences by demographic and clinical characteristics. This could impact access to care and health outcomes for the patients.

PMID:39913136 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.58155

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Feb 3;8(2):e2458160. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.58160.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: The rising incidence of mental illness in the US underscores the need for timely access to psychiatric care, especially for vulnerable populations such as older adults and individuals with mental and physical disabilities who receive Medicare.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in the number and proportion of active psychiatrists providing professional services to traditional Medicare Part B enrollees from 2014 to 2022.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This repeated cross-sectional study of Medicare Part B enrollees used publicly available data (for January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2022) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Kaiser Family Foundation. Data from all traditional Medicare Part B enrollees in all 50 states and the District of Columbia were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes included changes in (1) the proportion of active psychiatrists billing traditional Medicare and (2) the number of psychiatrists providing care relative to the number of Medicare Part B enrollees nationally, regionally, and by state.

RESULTS: The study population comprised 291 748 472 Medicare Part B enrollee-years (33 042 936 in 2014: 5 800 903 [17.6%] eligible due to disability alone and 27 242 030 [82.4%] eligible due to age). From 2014 to 2022, the number of Medicare Part B enrollees decreased by 3 497 942 enrollee-years (10.6%), while the number of psychiatrists submitting more than 10 claims to Medicare Part B decreased by 3772 (16.8%). The nationwide proportion of professionally active psychiatrists submitting claims to Medicare Part B for professional services during this period declined from 22 409 of 50 416 (44.4%) in 2014 to 18 637 of 56 492 (33.0%) in 2022 (P < .001 on univariable regression). From 2014 to 2022, state-level changes in Medicare Part B-serving psychiatrists per enrollee ranged from a 31.7% increase in Alabama (from 36.5 to 48.1 psychiatrists per 100 000 enrollees) to a 67.8% decrease in Wyoming (from 42.9 to 13.8 psychiatrists per 100 000 enrollees). Every state and district assessed saw a decrease in the percentage of active psychiatrists who billed Medicare Part B for professional services over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this study of Medicare Part B acceptance among active US psychiatrists, declining acceptance of Medicare Part B for professional services among psychiatrists was observed nationally and across all states. During a time of psychiatrist workforce growth, the number of psychiatrists accepting traditional Medicare decreased, indicating potential challenges in providing equitable access to psychiatric care.

PMID:39913135 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.58160