ObjectivesTo describe the effect of in utero exposure to the buprenorphine+naloxone combination product in a rural and remote population.SettingA district hospital that services rural and remote, fly-in communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.ParticipantsA retrospective cohort study was conducted of 855 mother infant dyads between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2015. Cases included all women who had exposure to buprenorphine+naloxone during pregnancy (n=62). 2 control groups were identified; the first included women with no opioid exposure in pregnancy (n=618) and the second included women with opioid exposure other than buprenorphine+naloxone (n=159). Women were excluded if they had multiple pregnancy or if they were part of a methadone programme (n=16). The majority of women came from Indigenous communities.OutcomesThe primary outcomes were birth weight, preterm delivery, congenital anomalies and stillbirth. Secondary neonatal outcomes included gestational age at delivery, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min, NAS Score >7 and treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Secondary maternal outcomes included the number of caesarean sections, postpartum haemorrhages, out of hospital deliveries and transfer of care to tertiary centres.ResultsNo difference was found in the primary outcomes or in the Apgar score and caesarean section rate between in utero buprenorphine+naloxone exposure versus no opioid exposure in pregnancy. Compared to women taking other opioids, women taking buprenorphine+naloxone had higher birthweight babies (p=0.001) and less exposure to marijuana (p<0.001) during pregnancy.ConclusionsRetrospective data suggest that there likely is no harm from taking buprenorphine+naloxone opioid agonist treatment in pregnancy. Larger, prospective studies are needed to further assess safety.

A high incidence of invasive non-type b Haemophilus influenzae disease was found in Northwestern Ontario, Canada; H. influenzae type a was the most prevalent serotype (42%). Clinical and demographic analyses indicate that aboriginal children aged <5 years and adults with predisposing medical conditions are the most affected by invasive H. influenzae disease in the post-H. influenzae vaccine era.

The authors develop a novel learning model. They propose that the context-rich environment of CBME allows for meaningful relationships and experiences for students and that such meaningfulness enhances learning.

Seven epidemiologically unrelated cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type a (Hia) disease were identified in First Nations communities of Northwestern Ontario, Canada, in 2004–2008. In all cases, Hia was isolated from blood. The clinical presentation in most of the cases was moderately severe and all patients responded to antibiotic therapy. Laboratory analysis of Hia isolates from Northwestern Ontario indicated striking similarities in their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. The findings are discussed in the context of current epidemiology of invasive Hia disease. Our data along with some published studies by others suggest an increased susceptibility to this infection among North American indigenous populations.