BRCA genetic test results provide important information to manage cancer risk for patients and their families. Little is known on the communication of genetic test results by mutation status with family members and physicians in the oncology care setting. As part of a longitudinal study evaluating the impact of genetic counseling and testing among recently diagnosed breast cancer patients, we collected patients' self-reported patterns of disclosure. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample and determined the prevalence of disclosure of BRCA test results to family members and physicians. Of 100 patients who completed the baseline and the 6-month followup survey, 77 reported pursuing testing. The majority shared test results with female first-degree relatives; fewer did with males. Participants were more likely to share results with oncologists compared to surgeons, primary care physicians, or other specialty physicians. These findings suggest that while breast cancer patients may communicate results to at-risk female family members and their medical oncologist, they may need education and support to facilitate communication to other first-degree relatives and providers.

To examine the association between prior infant mortality and subsequent risk for small for gestational age (SGA). This population-based, retrospective cohort study used the Missouri maternally linked, longitudinal dataset (1989–2005). Analyses were restricted to women who had two singleton pregnancies during the study period. Logistic regression was conducted to obtain adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for the association between infant mortality in the first pregnancy and SGA in the second pregnancy. Women with a prior occurrence of infant death were more likely to be black and obese and had lower educational levels and had higher rates of pregnancy-related complications (p < 0.01). White women with previous infant mortality were at 1.46 times greater risk for SGA in the subsequent pregnancy (AOR = 1.46, 95 % CI = 1.24–1.71). For black women with prior infant death, the risk for SGA increased to 2.77 times (AOR = 2.77, 95 % CI = 2.19–3.51). White mothers who experienced infant mortality coupled with SGA in the first pregnancy had a nearly threefold heightened risk for SGA in the second pregnancy (AOR = 2.89, 95 % CI = 2.21–3.78), whereas black women with this history were more than four times as likely to have an infant with SGA (AOR = 4.60 95 % CI = 3.05–6.96). Prior occurrence of infant mortality is associated with increased risk for subsequent SGA. This finding has important implications for health professionals, as targeted inter-conception strategies for women who have experienced infant death, as well as SGA, may be warranted.

Advanced maternal age (AMA) and HIV status have been investigated separately for their influence on infant outcomes. Both are associated with adverse fetal growth outcomes, including low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PTB). However, the impact of the cooccurrence of these factors in relation to birth outcomes remains relatively understudied. We analyzed Florida hospital discharge data linked to vital records. The study population consisted of women who had a singleton live birth between 1998 and 2007 (N=1,687,176). The exposure variables were HIV infection and maternal age, while the outcomes of interest were LBW, PTB, and small for gestational age (SGA). We matched HIV-positive women to HIV-negative women on selected variables using propensity scores. To approximate relative risks, we computed adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) generated from logistic regression models and accounted for the matched design using the generalized estimating equations framework. After adjusting for demographic variables, clinical conditions, and route of birth, the risks of LBW, PTB, and SGA remained significant for HIV-positive women, regardless of age. HIV-positive women of AMA (≥35 years) were more likely to have infants of LBW (AOR=1.73, 95% CI=1.37-2.18), PTB (AOR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.06-1.71), and SGA (AOR=1.52, 95% CI=1.22-1.89), compared to uninfected mothers of younger age (<35 years). For women of advanced age, HIV positivity elevates their risk for LBW and PTB. The interplay of HIV status and age should be considered by healthcare providers when determining appropriate interconception strategies for women and their families.

properly cited.Purpose. To examine the association between previous preterm birth and the risk of stillbirth. Methods. This population-based retrospective cohort study analyzed live births and stillbirth records in Missouri (1989Missouri ( -1997. The main outcome of interest was stillbirth occurrence while the exposures were prior preterm birth. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed using logistic regression. Results. Women who had a previous preterm birth have 63% increased odds of stillbirth in singleton pregnancies and 75% increased odds in twins as compared to those who did not have a preterm birth in a prior pregnancy (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.41-1.88 and AOR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.20-2.56), respectively. The most significant risk factor for stillbirth in singleton pregnancies was uterine bleeding (AOR = 5.89, 95% CI = 5.13-6.76). In twin pregnancies, it was the condition hydramnios/oligohydramnios (AOR = 4.72, 95% CI = 3.70-6.02). Eclampsia was associated with a heightened risk of stillbirth in singletons (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.41-4.12), but not in twins (AOR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.13-7.00). Black mothers were more likely than white to experience stillbirth (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.99-2.22 for singletons and AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.27-1.79 for twins). Conclusion. Stillbirth is a vital public health issue and its etiology is not well understood. Previous history of preterm birth was found to be associated with future stillbirth. Targeted early medical and obstetric care and interventions among women with preterm birth history may potentially reduce the likelihood of stillbirth.

Preterm birth, low birthweight, intrauterine growth retardation and small for gestational age are birth phenotypes that significantly contribute to life-long morbidity and mortality. This review examines the epidemiologic and biologic evidence of folic acid (FA) as a potential population-based intervention to curtail some adverse birth phenotypic expressions, and by extension, their later physical and neurodevelopmental consequences. We outlined a feto-placental adaptation categorization taking into account how prenatal insults may be encoded in fetal development, the adaptive success of the feto-placental response, and subsequent expression in the health of the fetus. Although there are plausible biological pathways that can be implicated, we found that the epidemiological evidence on the role of perinatal FA nutriture and fetal programming of adverse birth phenotypes is still inconclusive. Because biologic and epidemiological considerations alone do not suffice in deciphering the utility of FA in averting adverse birth phenotypes, we proposed a biopsychosocial model that takes into account multi-layered psychosocial contexts for improving subsequent research studies in this area.