Nathalie Fleming

Paternal age and adverse birth outcomes: teenager or 40+, who is at risk?

BACKGROUND Most previous studies on the effect of paternal age have focused on the association of advanced paternal age with congenital anomalies. The objective of this study was to determine whether paternal age is associated with the risk of adverse birth outcomes, independent of maternal confounders. METHODS We carried out a retrospective cohort study of 2 614 966 live singletons born to married, nulliparous women aged 20-29 years between 1995 and 2000 in the USA. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to estimate the independent effect of paternal age on adverse birth outcomes. RESULTS Compared with infants born to fathers aged 20-29 years, infants fathered by teenagers (<20 years old) had an increased risk of preterm birth [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10, 1.20], low birth weight (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.19), small-for-gestational-age births (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.22), low Apgar score (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.27), neonatal mortality (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49) and post-neonatal mortality (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.82). Advanced paternal age (> or =40 years) was not associated with the risk of adverse birth outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Teenage fathers carry an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes that is independent of maternal confounders, whereas advanced paternal age is not an independent risk factor for adverse birth outcomes.

Increased risks of neonatal and postneonatal mortality associated with teenage pregnancy had different explanations

OBJECTIVE To determine the potential pathway of the association between teenage pregnancy and neonatal and postneonatal mortality. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING We carried out a retrospective cohort study of 4,037,009 nulliparous pregnant women under 25 years old who had a live singleton birth during 1995 to 2000, based on linked birth and infant death data set of the United States. RESULTS Teenage pregnancy (10-19 years old) was associated with increased neonatal mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.16-1.24) and postneonatal mortality (OR: 1.47, 95% CI=1.41-1.54) after adjustment for potential confounders. With further adjustment for weight gain during pregnancy, teenage pregnancy was still associated with increased risk of neonatal (OR: 1.23, 95% CI=1.19-1.28) and postneonatal mortality (OR: 1.48, 95% CI=1.42-1.55). When adjustment was made for gestational age at birth, there was no association of teenage pregnancy with neonatal mortality (OR: 0.98, 95% CI=0.95-1.02), whereas there was significant association with postneonatal mortality (OR: 1.40, 95% CI=1.34-1.46). CONCLUSION The increased risk of neonatal death associated with teenage pregnancy is largely attributable to higher risk of preterm births, whereas increased postneonatal mortality is independent of the known confounders and gestational age at birth.

Pediatric vulvovaginal disorders: a diagnostic approach and review of the literature.

Vulvovaginal complaints in the prepubertal child are a common reason for referral to the health care provider. The Cochrane Library and Medline databases were searched for articles published in English from 1980 to December 2004 relating to vulvovaginal conditions in girls. The following search terms were used: vulvovaginitis, prepubertal, pediatric, lichen sclerosis, labial fusion, labial adhesion, genital ulcers, urethral prolapse, psoriasis, and straddle injuries. The objectives of this article are to review the normal vulvovaginal anatomy, describe how to perform an age-appropriate examination, and discuss common vulvovaginal disorders and their management in young girls.

Maternal smoking and fetal erythropoietin levels

Objective To determine the influence of maternal smoking on fetal erythropoietin concentrations in health term pregnancies and test the correlation between cotinine, a biomarker of maternal smoking, and erythropoietin levels in fetuses. Methods We invited women with healthy term pregnancies to participate in the study, excluding those with conditions previously known to be associated with elevated fetal erythropoietin levels. We recorded demographic data, smoking status, and labor outcome prospectively for each patient. Umbilical venous samples were collected, and serum was stored at −70C to be analyzed later for erythropoietin and cotinine. Umbilical arterial samples were tested for pH and base excess determination. We compared fetal erythropoietin and cotinine between smokers and nonsmokers and examined correlations between erythropoietin and cotinine. Kruskal-Wallis test, t test, median test, and Spearman rank correlation test were used when appropriate. Statistical significance was P < .05. Results We recruited 35 nonsmokers and 26 smokers and analyzed their samples. The two groups were comparable in demographics and birth outcomes, except for birth weights, which were lower in smokers. Fetal erythropoietin concentrations increased significantly with increasing maternal cigarette consumption, ranging from none to more than 15 cigarettes per day (P = .03). There was positive correlation between fetal erythropoietin and cotinine concentrations (r = .41; P = .04), suggesting a dose-response relationship. Conclusion Fetuses of smokers had increased erythropoietin concentrations that correlate positively with fetal cotinine levels; which suggests an increased risk of subacute hypoxia related to degree of maternal cigarette consumption.

Mullerian Adenosarcoma of the Cervix in a 10-Year-Old Girl: Case Report and Review of the Literature

UNLABELLED Müllerian adenosarcoma is a rare neoplasm usually found in postmenopausal women. It usually presents as a polypoid mass within the endometrium. It is a biphasic tumor, composed of a benign epithelial component and a malignant stromal component. To date, this neoplasm has been reported in only 16 adolescent girls. We present a case of a 10-year-old girl who was diagnosed with müllerian adenosarcoma arising from the endocervix, the youngest female ever reported. CASE REPORT A 10-year-old previously healthy girl presented to the Emergency Department at the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario with a painless mass protruding from her vagina. She had experienced mild vaginal bleeding for two weeks prior to her presentation. On physical examination, her vital signs were stable, and pubertal development was Tanner III breast and Tanner II pubic development. Rectoabdominal examination was negative. Two polypoid lesions were seen protruding past the hymenal ring and were removed in the emergency department. On gross examination, they were a dark tan color and had a fleshy appearance with a gelatinous consistency. They measured 5.5 x 1.5 x 1.0 cm and 3.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm. The final pathology revealed müllerian adenosarcoma, favoring an endocervical origin. Further investigations, including an abdominal/pelvic ultrasound and MRI and chest radiography, were negative. The patient subsequently underwent examination under anesthesia, vaginoscopy, hysteroscopy, polypectomy, and dilatation and curettage. The vagina appeared normal. At the level of the cervix, there were 3 polypoid gelatinous structures arising from the endocervix and extruding past the exocervix. They measured 0.8 x 0.5 x 0.2 cm up to 1.1 x 0.7 x 0.5 cm. The lesions were removed. Hysteroscopic inspection of the uterine cavity did not find any abnormalities. An endometrial curettage was performed. Pathology confirmed a diagnosis of müllerian adenosarcoma originating from the endocervix. Uterine curettings were negative for malignancy. After a thorough evaluation of the available literature, review with the Regional Tumor Board and extensive discussions with the family, a decision was made to perform a radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, upper vaginectomy and preservation of ovaries. The procedure was uncomplicated. Clinically, there was no evidence of residual disease. The final pathology was negative for malignancy. CONCLUSION Müllerian adenosarcoma of the endocervix is a very rare pediatric tumor. Due to the rarity of this tumor in this age group, optimal therapy is uncertain. Most experts recommend hysterectomy. The review of literature reveals a high recurrence rate following conservative surgical management. Chemotherapy and radiation have not been used in the absence of extensive pelvic and/or residual disease. Poor prognostic factors include depth of invasion, sarcomatous overgrowth and high-grade malignant features in the stromal component. If recurrence occurs, it tends to be local and following prior conservative treatments such as cone biopsy or trachelectomy. Recurrences may occur late and thus long term follow-up of these patients is recommended.

Improved Obstetrical Outcomes for Adolescents in a Community-Based Outreach Program: A Matched Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE Adolescent pregnancies are higher-risk pregnancies, and standard obstetrical care environments may not meet their needs. The objective of this study was to determine if adolescents followed in a community-based adolescent outreach obstetrical program had improved perinatal outcomes compared with provincial control subjects. METHODS We conducted a matched cohort study. Adolescent women who received prenatal care in the outreach program between 2004 and 2010 (intervention group, n = 206) were identified and matched 1:4 to adolescent control subjects in the provincial perinatal database (n = 831). Chi-square and Student t tests were performed for categorical and continuous variables. Regression models assessed the association between the intervention and pregnancy/perinatal outcomes. RESULTS The intervention cohort had significantly higher rates of smoking, drug use, and alcohol use than control subjects P < 0.001); however, rates of first trimester visits (76.7% vs. 64%, P = 0.009), prenatal class attendance (52.8% vs. 30.3%; P < 0.001), and group B streptococcus screening (P = 0.01) were also higher. Although the intervention cohort had higher risk behaviours than control subjects, there were no significant differences between the groups in the proportion of preterm or very preterm births, low birth weight or very low birth weight infants, or intrauterine growth restricted/small for gestational age infants. The intervention cohort had a significantly higher mean gestational age at delivery (P = 0.005) and higher mean birth weight (P = 0.002) than control subjects. The adjusted relative risk of low birth weight was significantly lower in the intervention group (RR 0.41; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.95) and a decreased risk of preterm delivery was seen (RR 0.47; 95% CI 0.22 to 1.00). CONCLUSION Pregnant adolescents may engage in higher-risk behaviours that can affect perinatal outcomes. Early prenatal care and education in adolescent-friendly programs may mitigate the effect of these behaviours on perinatal outcomes. Multidisciplinary adolescent-focused outreach programs that facilitate early and regular access to care are important models for future adolescent obstetrical care.

Resident Education Curriculum in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology: The Short Curriculum

The degree of exposure to Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (PAG) varies across academic programs in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Adolescent Medicine. Nevertheless, these programs are responsible to train residents and provide opportunities within their training programs to fulfill PAG learning objectives. To that end, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology has taken a leadership role in PAG resident education by disseminating the Short Curriculum with specific learning objectives and list of essential resources where key concepts in PAG can be covered.

Tubo-ovarian Abscess in Virginal Adolescent Females: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND A tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a serious complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), predominantly polymicrobial and present in sexually active women. TOA in virginal adolescent females are extremely rare but have serious and lifelong consequences. CASE A 13 y.o. virginal female presented to the Emergency Room of a tertiary care pediatric hospital with abdominal pain and vomiting. Imaging suggested bowel compromise with potential perforation. An exploratory laparotomy revealed TOA which grew Escherichia Coli. This is the first reported case of Escherichia Coli TOA due to suspected bowel translocation. CONCLUSION Review of the literature identified 8 cases of TOA in virginal adolescents. Given the severity of outcomes following TOA, this pathology should be considered in the differential diagnosis of virginal adolescents who present with fever and abdominal pain. If suspected, a prompt gynecology consult should be initiated, followed by a first line antibiotic therapy and when indicated, surgical drainage.

Juvenile Granulosa and Theca Cell Tumor of the Ovary as a Rare Cause of Precocious Puberty: Case Report and Review of Literature

BACKGROUND The differential diagnosis for precocious puberty in a young female includes peripheral causes. This case documents a rare cause of peripheral precocious puberty--a juvenile granulosa and theca cell ovarian tumor--and a brief review of the literature for this tumor type. CASE A 7-year-old girl presented with rapid onset of pubertal development and elevated estradiol levels. Menarche occurred 5 months after thelarche. A thorough workup revealed a large multicystic left ovary. Other causes of precocious puberty were excluded. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy. Pathology reported a juvenile granulosa and theca cell tumor of the ovary, FIGO stage 1A. Postoperatively, she experienced a cessation of vaginal bleeding and estradiol levels normalized. A literature review found that early stage disease has an excellent prognosis and that adjuvant chemotherapy is not indicated in this setting. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Juvenile granulosa and theca cell tumor of the ovary is a rare cause of peripheral precocious puberty, even more so than juvenile granulosa cell tumor, due to the theca component. Treatment is surgical and an excellent prognosis is possible for early stage disease.

Imiquimod 5% cream treatment for rapidly progressive genital condyloma in a 3-year-old girl.

BACKGROUND The incidence of genital warts in children has increased in the last 50 years. Although pediatric genital warts may resolve spontaneously, the treatment of extensive perianal genital warts in children can be challenging. Imiquimod, although not approved in the pediatric population, may avoid the pain or extensive scarring associated with other treatment modalities. CASE A 3-year-old female was scheduled for surgical resection of genital warts. At surgery, she had extensive condylomas that had progressed rapidly from initial presentation. They were not amenable to surgical treatment due to concerns of incomplete resection, post-operative pain, and genital scarring. After 6 weeks of imiquimod treatment, the condylomatous lesions had completely resolved with minimal side effects. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Imiquimod 5% cream is an effective treatment option for children with extensive and rapidly progressive perianal warts and is associated with minimal side effects. Its use should be considered in children with extensive condyloma in order to avoid the pain and possible scarring associated with other approved treatment modalities.