Assisted reproductive technology and multiple pregnancy in Malta - A population based study

Neonatal outcomes among twins born through assisted reproduction, compared to those born naturally

The growing prevalence of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is leading to a continuous rise in twin pregnancies. This study assessed the influence of ART on neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies. Clinical records of twin deliveries at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between 2019 and 2021 were retrospectively selected and grouped based on the method of conception: ART-conceived and naturally conceived. Neonatal outcomes of interest included low birth weight (LBW), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), prematurity, low Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration scores, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to adjust for potential confounders. The results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 1270 pairs of twins were included in the analysis. ART-conceived twins had significantly lower odds of being born with LBW (adjusted OR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.75), prematurity (adjusted OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.91), and IUGR (adjusted OR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.39) compared to naturally conceived twins. Rates of other outcomes were comparable in both groups. Twins born through ART had reduced odds of LBW, prematurity, and IUGR, with no impact on other neonatal outcomes. These findings suggest that ART may have a protective effect on twin fetal growth, although the risks associated with multiple gestations remain. Further studies should explore the mechanisms and long-term effects of these outcomes.

Perinatal, obstetric and parental risk factors for asthma in the offspring throughout childhood: a longitudinal cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Asthma is a common chronic and burdensome disease which typically begins in childhood. The aim of this study was to assess perinatal and obstetric factors which may increase the risk of developing asthma in the offspring.

METHODS

Data from five consecutive waves (n=7,073 children, from birth to 15 years old) from a nationally-representative birth cohort of people born in the United Kingdom between 2000 and 2002, the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), were used. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to graphically display the risk of developing asthma from early childhood to adolescence. The Z-based Wald test was used to prove significant covariate loading.

RESULTS

Cox regression analyzing the influence of covariates on asthma development risk showed a significant likelihood ratio test, χ2(18)=899.30, p<0.01. A parent with asthma (OR=2.02, p<0.01), a younger maternal age at delivery (OR=0.98, p<0.05), and the use of assisted reproductive technology (OR=1.43, p<0.05) were associated with an increased risk of developing asthma in the offspring.

CONCLUSIONS

Perinatal factors (a younger maternal age, assisted reproductive technology) and a parental factor (a parent with asthma) increased the risk for developing asthma in the offspring.

Publish or perish, information overload, and journal impact factors - A conflicting tripod of forces

The academic mantra, to the point of cliché, is "publish or perish." Academia is generally too preoccupied with research and publishing to stand back and consider the driving forces behind the actual processes and systems involved. Indeed, academics are generally unaware of the factors that influence one's ability to publish: The drive to publish itself, readers' information overload, and editors' desire to increase journals' impact factors. This paper will detail these forces, and it behooves potential researchers to keep this veritable tripod of forces in mind since understanding the tripod may facilitate publication chances through the invocation and active implementation of news media theory. Media writers' remuneration is dependent on readers clicking on their articles. The media reel in readers by displaying an intriguing/bold/provocative headline and then keep the readers interested and hooked with initial sentences that not only give information but also tantalize with the promise of more to come. A paper's title and abstract should adhere to these precepts so as to increase the chances of avoiding immediate rejection at editorial or initial reviewer level.