Phuong Lien Tran

Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Low Birth Weight and Small for Gestational Age Infants

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between birth weight, gestational age, small for gestational age (SGA), and 3 of the most common autism spectrum disorder (ASD) subtypes. STUDY DESIGN In this population-based case-control study conducted in Finland, 4713 cases born between 1987 and 2005 with International Classification of Diseases-diagnoses of childhood autism, Asperger syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), were ascertained from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register. Four controls, individually matched on sex, date of birth, and place of birth, were selected from the Finnish Medical Birth Register for each case. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess whether birth weight and gestational age information predicted ASD after controlling for maternal age, parity, smoking during pregnancy, and psychiatric history, as well as for infants major congenital anomalies. RESULTS Very low (<1500 g) and moderately low (<2500 g) birth weight, very low gestational age (less than 32 weeks), and SGA increased risk of childhood autism (adjusted OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.4-6.5; 1.57, 1.1-2.3; 2.51, 1.3-5.0; and 1.72, 1.1-2.6, respectively). Very low and moderately low birth weight, very low gestational age, and SGA were also associated with increase in PDD risk (OR 3.44, 95% CI 1.9-6.3; 1.81, 1.4-2.4; 2.46, 1.4-2.3; and 2.24, 1.7-3.0, respectively). No associations were found between the perinatal characteristics and Asperger syndrome. The increased risks persisted after controlling for selected potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS The finding that low birth weight, prematurity, and SGA were related to childhood autism and PDD but not to Asperger syndrome suggests that prenatal factors related to these exposures may differ for these ASD subtypes, which may have preventive implications.

Smoking during Pregnancy and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Finnish National Birth Cohort

BACKGROUND Results of previous population-based studies examining associations between smoking during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are contradictory. Furthermore, there is a lack of population-based studies examining the relationship between smoking during pregnancy and the main diagnostic subtypes of ASD. METHODS We conducted a population-based nested case-control study based on the Finnish Prenatal Study of Autism (FIPS-A) among liveborn infants delivered in Finland between 1987 and 2005. Data on maternal smoking during pregnancy were available from the Finnish Medical Birth Register (FMBR) since October 1990. Data on ASD in the offspring were obtained from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register (FHDR). RESULTS Among the three subtypes of ASD, maternal smoking during the whole pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.0, 1.5). The increase in odds persisted after controlling for maternal age, mothers socio-economic and psychiatric status, and infants weight for gestational age. However, smoking exposure limited to the first trimester was not associated with PDD or any of the other ASD subtypes. CONCLUSIONS Maternal smoking is related to a modest increase in risk of PDD, while no associations were observed for childhood autism and Aspergers syndrome.

Cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings: a smartphone image application as an alternative to colposcopy

Background Visual inspection after application of acetic acid (VIA) and Lugol’s iodine (VILI) is a cervical cancer (CC) screening approach that has recently been adopted in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Innovative technologies allow the acquisition of consecutive cervical images of VIA and VILI using a smartphone application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of smartphone images in order to assess the feasibility and usability of a mobile application for CC screening in LMIC. Methods Between May and November 2015, women aged 30–65 years were recruited in a CC screening campaign in Madagascar. Human papillomavirus-positive women were invited to undergo VIA/VILI assessment. Pictures of their cervix were taken using a Samsung Galaxy S5 with an application called “Exam”, which was designed to obtain high-quality images and to classify them in the following sequence: native, VIA, VILI and posttreatment. Experts in colposcopy were asked to evaluate if the quality of the pictures was sufficient to establish the diagnosis and to assess sharpness, focus and zoom. Results The application use was simple and intuitive, and 208 pictures were automatically classified and recorded in the patient’s file. The quality was judged as adequate for diagnosis in 93.3% of cases. The interobserver agreement was κ =0.45 (0.23–0.58), corresponding to a moderate agreement on the common scale of kappa values. Conclusion This smartphone application allows the acquisition of good quality images for VIA/VILI diagnosis. The classification of images in a patient database makes them accessible to on- and off-site experts, and allows continuous clinical education. Smartphone applications may offer an alternative to colposcopy for CC screening in LMIC.

Delayed-Interval Delivery in Multifetal Pregnancy: A Review andGuidelines for Management

The objective of the study was to review the literature concerning delayed deliveries in multiple pregnancies and to highlight the existing guidelines for a better management of asynchronous births. A literature-search was done using Medline and ScienceDirect. All articles reporting at least 4 cases of delayed delivery were included, if they provided full information on gestational age and outcome of each offspring. The main outcome was the survival rate of the second twin or other higher-order multiples, stratified for gestational age of the first born (before or after 24 weeks of gestation). Secondary outcomes were: management strategies, interval between deliveries, neonatal and maternal complications. Among 18 relevant cohort studies, 391 twin and 34 triplet pregnancies could be analysed. In case of delayed delivery, the survival rate of the second twin or higher-order multiple was respectively 44.8% and 82.7% when the first twin was born before or after 24 weeks of gestation The later was the delivery of the first twin, the higher was the second twins survival rate, but the shorter was the interval between births (14 vs. 26 days). Conservative measures included: high ligature of umbilical cord, tocolysis, corticoids, antibiotic therapy and cerclage. Main neonatal complications were septicemia (42%), retinopathy (62%) and intraventricular hemorrhage (37%), and the most frequent maternal complication was chorioamniotitis (30%). In spite of higher rates of chorioamniotitis, there was a clear advantage in delaying delivery of remaining multiples, as this improved the outcome of preterm birth. The possible strategies and their grades of recommendation for the management of asynchronous deliveries are summarized.

A comparison of cotton and flocked swabs for vaginal self-sample collection

Objective Vaginal self-sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV) testing has recently been proposed to optimize cervical cancer screening coverage. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of self-taken samples using flocked and cotton swabs for HPV detection and cellular retrieval. Methods We recruited women aged 21–65 years, referred to colposcopy at the Division of Gynecology of the Geneva University Hospitals between May and September 2016. Each participant collected 2 vaginal samples: 1 with a cotton swab and 1 with a flocked swab. A 1:1 randomization determined the order in which the 2 samples were taken. The swabs were introduced into a 20 mL PreservCyt® vial. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis using the Anyplex™ II HPV HR assay, cytofluorometric analysis and cytological cell counting were performed on each sample. Results A total of 119 participants were recruited in the study. Their mean ± standard deviation age was 35.1±8.9 years. The HPV prevalence was 29.7% and 38.1% according to the cotton and flocked swab, respectively (p=0.006). The mean number of cells collected per milliliter according to cytofluorometry was 96,726.6 with the cotton swab and 425,544.3 with the flocked swab (p<0.001). The mean number of cells detected at cytological cell count was 13,130.42 using the cotton swab and 17,503.6 using the flocked swab (p<0.001). Conclusion The flocked swab achieved a greater cellular retrieval and showed an improved performance in HPV detection. Further studies are needed to assess the usability and cost-effectiveness of the 2 self-sampling devices.

Self- versus physician-collected samples for the follow-up of human papillomavirus-positive women in sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is a suitable tool for primary cervical cancer (CC) screening and follow-up in low-resource settings. Vaginal samples taken by women themselves (Self-HPV) are an interesting alternative to physician-performed sampling (Dr-HPV). Our aim was to assess the performance of Self-HPV and Dr-HPV at 6 and 12 months following a CC screening campaign. Methods This study was carried out at the Dschang District Hospital, Cameroon. Women aged 30–49 years were recruited in a CC screening campaign. HPV-positive women, of whom 2/3 were treated with thermoablation because of abnormal results at baseline screening, were invited to participate in a follow-up study. Self- and Dr-HPV, as well as cytology, were performed at 6 and 12 months. HPV samples were analyzed using the Xpert HPV assay. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse and of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse were calculated for Self-HPV and Dr-HPV, using cytology as the reference diagnosis. Results Overall, 188 HPV-positive women were invited to attend follow-up. The obtained follow-up visits’ attendance was 154 (81.9%) and 131 (69.7%) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. While the overall performance of Dr-HPV at 6 months was slightly superior, Self-HPV showed an improved sensitivity for HSIL+ detection at 12 months when compared with Dr-HPV (83.3% [95% CI 41.8–98.9] versus 71.4% [95% CI 21.5–95.8], respectively). The overall HPV positivity agreement between Self- and Dr-HPV at 6 and 12 months corresponded to a κ value of 0.62 and 0.52, respectively. Among women treated with thermoablation (n=121) at baseline screening, Self-HPV was as sensitive as Dr-HPV, although less specific (P=0.003). Conclusion Self-HPV is a valuable tool for the follow-up of HPV-positive women in low-resource settings. Larger, randomized trials are needed to confirm the validity of our findings.

HPV-negative CIN3 and cervical cancer in Switzerland: any evidence of impact on screening policies?

The authors summarise the rationale for hrHPV testing as the primary test for screening, explain potential reasons for false-negative hrHPV test results, describe true HPV-negative precancer and cancer, and comment on the relevance of the debate about co-testing versus hrHPV-only screening approaches in Switzerland.

Elevated human chorionic gonadotrophin without pregnancy: A case of gallbladder carcinoma

We report a rare case of primary gallbladder adenocarcinoma producing human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in a 31-year-old woman. The patient was first misdiagnosed and monitored for an extra-uterine pregnancy. The most frequent cause of elevated serum HCG is pregnancy but elevated HCG can also be a marker of others pathologies like tumors. It is of utmost importance to keep in mind all the possible causes of elevated serum HCG. Once pregnancy has been ruled out, complementary exams should be performed to seek a tumor, especially since tumors producing HCG can be particularly aggressive.

Efficacy of thermoablation in treating cervical precancerous lesions in a low-resource setting

Introduction Treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 and 3 is the recommended strategy for preventing invasive carcinoma in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our objective was to assess the efficacy of thermoablation in the treatment of CIN2 and CIN3 in a screen-and-treat approach. Methods Women aged 30–49 years in Dschang, Cameroon, were invited to undergo vaginal sampling for human papillomavirus (HPV), samples being assessed by an Xpert HPV Assay. HPV-positive women underwent visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine (VILI), cervical biopsy, and endocervical curettage. Women positive for HPV-16/18/45 or other HPV types with abnormal VIA/VILI were treated by thermoablation on the same day. The primary outcome was persistence of high-grade disease on cytologic examination at 12 months. Results Of a total of 1,012 recruited women, 188 were HPV-positive, 121 patients required thermoablation, and 99 had a CIN of grade <2, making the overtreatment rate 9.9%. The cure rate for CIN2 and CIN3 at 12 months was 70.6%. Failure (higher risk of persistent disease) was associated with the presence of occult endocervical lesions at baseline diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =128.97 [95% confidence interval [CI], 8.80–1,890.95]; p<0.0001). First sexual intercourse before the age of 15 was also a risk factor (aOR =0.003 [95% CI, 0.001–0.61]; p=0.023). Conclusion In LMICs, use of thermoablation in a screen-and-treat approach is a valuable treatment option for CIN2 and CIN3. Studies comparing thermoablation with cryotherapy are needed to determine the most appropriate treatment for cervical precancer in such countries.

Impact of management on mortality in patients with invasive cervical cancer in Reunion Island

OBJECTIVE In Reunion Island, the standardized mortality rate for cervical cancer is 4.8/100,000 women, twice higher than in Metropolitan France. For locally advanced disease, the standard of care includes a treatment by brachytherapy. Nevertheless, brachytherapy was not available on the Island before 2016. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the management of patients with invasive cervical cancer on mortality in Reunion. METHODS We have identified all the women hospitalized in one of the health care centers of the Island diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer between 01/01/2010 and 31/12/2015. The guidelines of the French Society of Gynecological Oncology (FSGO) were considered as the reference to evaluate professional practices. The characteristics that had an influence on global survival after log-rank test were included in a multivariate analysis according to the Cox Model. RESULTS Retrospective analysis identified 303 women meeting inclusion criteria. The assessment of professional practices showed that the decisions on 11.6% of the patients discussed during multidisciplinary meetings, were not applied, consequentially leading to a decrease in survival (p=0.001). A total of 156 patients (51.5%) were administered a treatment in accordance with the guidelines of the FSGO and had a better survival, even after multivariate analysis (HR 2.53 [CI 95% 1.55-4.14], p<10-3). Nonconformity was associated with the lack of access to brachytherapy on the Island. Women on the Island presented low rates of screening tests (cover rates 53.2%). CONCLUSION The absence of treatment in accordance with the guidelines and decisions taken during multidisciplinary meetings and the absence of brachytherapy were associated to a higher mortality among patients with invasive cervical cancer in Reunion Island. We hope that the implementation of brachytherapy in Reunion will address these deficiencies.