Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Children following in Utero Exposure to Zika in Nicaragua

Background: Neurodevelopmental outcomes of asymptomatic children exposed to Zika virus (ZIKV) in utero are not well characterized. Methods: We prospectively followed 129 newborns without evidence of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) up to 24 months of age. Participants were classified as ZIKV exposed or ZIKV unexposed. The Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) was administered in the participants' homes at 6, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months of age by trained psychologists. Sociodemographic data, medical history, and infant anthropometry at birth were collected at each home visit. Our primary outcome was the Mullen Early Learning Composite Score (ECL) at 24 months of age between our 2 exposure groups. Secondary outcomes were differences in MSEL subscales over time and at 24 months. Results: Of 129 infants in whom exposure status could be ascertained, 32 (24.8%) met criteria for in utero ZIKV exposure and 97 (75.2%) did not. There were no differences in maternal age, maternal educational attainment, birthweight, or gestational age at birth between the 2 exposure groups. The adjusted means and standard errors (SEs) for the ELC score between the ZIKV-exposed children compared to ZIKV-unexposed children were 91.4 (SE, 3.1) vs 96.8 (SE, 2.4) at 12 months and 93.3 (SE, 2.9) vs 95.9 (SE, 2.3) at 24 months. In a longitudinal mixed model, infants born to mothers with an incident ZIKV infection (P =. 01) and low-birthweight infants (<2500 g) (P =. 006) had lower composite ECL scores. Conclusions: In this prospective cohort of children without CZS, children with in utero ZIKV exposure had lower neurocognitive scores at 24 months

A morphometric study of inflammatory conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DXN1734 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Primary care physicians' view's on H-pylori in dyspepsia management and use of a locally available 13-carbon urea breath test

This paper discusses Primary care physicians' view's on H-pylori in dyspepsia management and use of a locally available 13-carbon urea breath test

General practitioners' habits and knowledge in relation to the management of H-pylori-associated dyspepsia and their views about a locally available 13-carbon urea breath test

We report the results of general practitioners' views on Helicobacter pylori-associated dyspepsia and use of screening tests in the community. The use of office serology tests in screening is of concern as independent validation in specialist units has been disappointing

General practitioners' habits and knowledge in relation to the management of H. pylori-associated dyspepsia and their views about a locally available 13-carbon urea breath test.

We report the results of general practitioners' views on Helicobacter pylori-associated dyspepsia and use of screening tests in the community. The use of office serology tests in screening is of concern as independent validation in specialist units has been disappointing

The breath test - A call for more regional use

Objective: Although the C-13-urea breath test is commonly used for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection and eradication, access to commercial testing centres for analysis may at times limit its use. We have addressed this issue by establishing a regional-based means of analysis as a Hospital-University collaboration. Design/methods: A blind comparison was undertaken of C-13-urea breath test results performed 'in house' by the stable isotope laboratory in Queen's University Belfast and a commercially available C-13-urea breath test. Results: The H. pylori status of the patients (n = 110) agreed for all patients (kappa score = 1). The excess values showed good agreement. The cost of the 'in house' breath test was less than 20 pounds compared with 32.90 pounds for the commercial breath test. Conclusion: Regional access to the C-13-urea breath test could decrease costs, increase availability of testing, improve local health services and economy and increase collaborative research opportunities