Although individuals born at extremely low birth weight (ELBW; < 1,000 g) are the most vulnerable of all preterm survivors, their risk for mental health problems across the life span has not been systematically reviewed. The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to ascertain whether the risk for mental health problems is greater for ELBW survivors than their normal birth weight (NBW) peers in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Forty-one studies assessing 2,712 ELBW children, adolescents, and adults and 11,127 NBW controls were reviewed. Group differences in mental health outcomes were assessed using random effects meta-analyses. The impacts of birthplace, birth era, and neurosensory impairment on mental health outcomes were assessed in subgroup analyses. Children born at ELBW were reported by parents and teachers to be at significantly greater risk than NBW controls for inattention and hyperactivity, internalizing, and externalizing symptoms. ELBW children were also at greater risk for conduct and oppositional disorders, autistic symptoms, and social difficulties. Risks for parent-reported inattention and hyperactivity, internalizing, and social problems were greater in adolescents born at ELBW. In contrast, ELBW teens self-reported lower inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior levels than their NBW peers. Depression, anxiety, and social difficulties were elevated in ELBW survivors in adulthood. Group differences were robust to region of birth, era of birth, and the presence of neurosensory impairments. The complex needs faced by children born at ELBW continue throughout development, with long-term consequences for psychological and social well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record

Background: Maternal weight status may contribute to the development of atopic disorders in children. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess associations of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with risk of atopic dermatitis in children. Methods: Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG were assessed by questionnaire through the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), a prospective cohort study of U.S. children. Mothers reported whether GUTS participants had ever been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis by a clinician in either 1997 or 1999, when GUTS participants were between 10–17 years old. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association of BMI and GWG with atopic dermatitis in offspring (expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals). Results: Among 13,269 GUTS participants, 2,058 (16%) had childhood atopic dermatitis. Higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was not associated with atopic dermatitis (p trend = 0.48). By contrast, GWG was associated with increased atopic dermatitis risk (p trend = 0.005). Compared to children of mothers who gained 25–34 lb, children of mothers who gained 35–44 lb (OR 1.11,0.98–1.26) and ≥45 lbs (OR 1.23,1.05–1.43) had an increased risk of atopic dermatitis. These associations appeared stronger with pre-pregnancy BMI >25 (GWG 35–44 lb: OR 1.20,0.84–1.69; GWG ≥45 lb: OR 1.57,1.07–2.31), but the statstical interaction between BMI and GWG was not significant. Conclusion: In this study, increased GWG was associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis in offspring. This supports existing evidence that prenatal exposures contribute to the development of atopic disorders.

These findings suggest that AV interventions have modest, positive effects on both parental and children's preoperative anxiety. Although a statistically significant medium size effect was detected, the clinical significance of this finding requires further exploration. Further research aimed at developing better AV interventions to help guide future practice is warranted. (PsycINFO Database Record

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is a common gestational condition. This is the first study to compare the use of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) versus Diclectin (doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine HCl) for NVP symptoms. Participants were pregnant women with NVP who used either pyridoxine or doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine HCl for ≥4 days prior to calling the Motherisk NVP Helpline. Women receiving pyridoxine only (n = 80) were matched to a woman taking doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine HCl only (n = 80), accounting for potential confounders and baseline level of NVP, measured by the Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) score. Change in NVP severity after a week of therapy with either pyridoxine or doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine HCl was quantified using the PUQE-24 scale, which describes NVP symptoms 24 hours prior to their call. Doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine HCl use found a significant reduction in PUQE score, compared with pyridoxine (+0.5 versus -0.2, P < .05; negative denotes worsening). This association was especially prominent in women with more severe symptoms, where doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine HCl use saw a mean improvement of 2.6 versus 0.4 with pyridoxine (P < .05). As well, doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine HCl use was associated with fewer women experiencing moderate to severe scores after a week of treatment, compared with the pyridoxine group (7 versus 17, P < .05), despite similar baseline PUQE scores.