Hispanic Infants Research Articles

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: An Update

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: An Update

Transient Neonatal Hypocalcemia: Presentation and Outcomes

To determine the incidence of moderate-to-severe transient neonatal hypocalcemia in term neonates and to describe the characteristics of affected infants and the outcomes of their management. We reviewed medical records of all term infants <31 days of age who presented to Children's Medical Center Dallas from 2001 to 2009 with hypocalcemia (ionized calcium <1.00 mmol/L [4.00 mg/dL]). Seventy-eight infants met criteria. Median (interquartile range) age at admission was 8.0 (7.0-10.0) days, and median duration of admission was 3.0 (2.0-4.0) days. Most infants were male (71.8%) and Hispanic (62.8%). Neonates were generally severely hypocalcemic and hyperphosphatemic. Seventy-five of 78 were hypomagnesemic, and the majority had low or inappropriately normal parathyroid hormone responses. Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were ≤ 62.4 nmol/L (25 ng/mL) in all 42 infants in whom they were determined. All infants responded to therapy of limited duration with 1 or more of the following: calcium supplements, calcitriol, low phosphorus formula, and magnesium supplementation. Neuroimaging did not affect management decisions in any neonate. Moderate-to-severe late-onset neonatal hypocalcemia is more common in Hispanic and male infants, is often a sign of coexistent vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency and hypomagnesemia, and is readily managed with therapy of limited duration. Neonates presenting with seizures who are found to be hypocalcemic are unlikely to benefit from neuroimaging evaluations.

Effect of Acculturation and Distance From Cardiac Center on Congenital Heart Disease Mortality

Despite improvements in congenital heart disease (CHD) survival over the past 4 decades, ethnic disparities persist. Several studies have shown higher postoperative CHD adjusted mortality in black and Hispanic children. Others noted that non-English-speaking language at home was associated with appointment noncompliance, which the parents attributed to misunderstanding and living too far from a health center. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of home distance to a cardiac center, or having a Latin American-born parent, on first-year mortality in infants with severe CHD. Infants with severe CHD, having an estimated first-year mortality >25%, born 1996-2003, were identified from the Texas Birth Defects Registry and linked to state and national vital records. We examined the effects of defect type; birth weight; gestational age; extracardiac anomalies; infant gender; maternal race/ethnicity, marital status, and education; residence in a Texas county bordering Mexico; home distance to cardiac center; and parental birth country on first-year survival. Overall first-year survival was 59.9%, and no race/ethnic differences were noted; however, survival was significantly (P < .05) lower for Hispanic infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Neither home distance to a cardiac center nor parental birth country was related to first-year survival; however, survival was noted to be lower in Texas counties bordering Mexico, counties that have high rates of poverty. Further studies are needed to determine if these disparities in survival of infants with severe CHD are attributable to delays in referral to a cardiac center.

Evaluation of Serotype-Specific Immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae in Pregnant Women and Cord Blood of Infants: Impact of Race and Ethnicity

Although invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has significantly decreased in children since the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, instances of IPD from non-PCV7 serotypes have increased. Concerns remain regarding the risk for IPD during the neonatal period. Our objective was to measure quantitative antibody levels to 16 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in pregnant non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, and Hispanic mothers, and in cord blood samples. Antibody levels were evaluated by Luminex assay. Forty-two percent of all mothers had protective (-0.35 microg/mL) antibody levels to 16 serotypes. Hispanic mothers were most likely to possess protective antibody levels for 12 serotypes but were less likely to possess protective antibody levels for serotypes 9V, 12F, and 18C, compared to non-Hispanic white or black mothers. Thirty-three percent of cord blood samples demonstrated protective antibody levels. Hispanic infants had a higher prevalence of protective antibodies to all serotypes except 11A, 14, 18C, and 23F. Non-Hispanic black infants had a higher prevalence of protective immunity to serotypes 11A, 14, and 18C, and non-Hispanic white infants to only serotype 23F. Hispanic mothers and their infants have a higher prevalence of protective immunity to most serotypes of S pneumoniae, compared to white or black mothers/infants. We found no evidence of a lower prevalence of protective immunity to specific serotypes in non-Hispanic black vs. non-Hispanic white infants that might account for the reported higher incidence of IPDs in blacks. Environmental factors in Hispanic mothers may be responsible for their enhanced level of immunity. A significant number of cord blood samples had inadequate levels of protective immunity to a variety of S pneumoniae serotypes.

Gene variants in the folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism (FOCM) pathway as risk factors for conotruncal heart defects

We evaluated 35 variants among four folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism pathway genes, MTHFD1, SHMT1, MTHFR, and DHFR as risk factors for conotruncal heart defects. Cases with a diagnosis of single gene disorders or chromosomal aneusomies were excluded. Controls were randomly selected from area hospitals in proportion to their contribution to the total population of live-born infants. Odds ratios (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed for each genotype (homozygous variant or heterozygote, vs. homozygous wildtype) and for increase of each less common allele (log-additive model). Interactions between each variant and three folate intake variables (maternal multivitamin use, maternal dietary folate intake, and combined maternal folate intake) were also evaluated under the log-additive model. In general, we did not identify notable associations. The A allele of MTHFD1 rs11627387 was associated with a 1.7-fold increase in conotruncal defects risk in both Hispanic mothers (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5) and Hispanic infants (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.3). The T allele of MTHFR rs1801133 was associated with a 2.8-fold increase of risk among Hispanic women whose dietary folate intake was ≤ 25th centile. The C allele of MTHFR rs1801131 was associated with a two-fold increase of risk (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0-3.9) only among those whose dietary folate intake was >25th centile. Our study suggested that MTHFD1 rs11627387 may be associated with risk of conotruncal defects through both maternal and offspring genotype effect among the Hispanics. Maternal functional variants in MTHFR gene may interact with dietary folate intake and modify the conotruncal defects risk in the offspring.

Hispanic Infants with Cystic Fibrosis Show Low CFTR Mutation Detection Rates in the Illinois Newborn Screening Program

States develop specific protocols for cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening to reflect the population served. We hypothesized that mutation distribution and detection rates would differ between Hispanic and non-Hispanic CF patients diagnosed by IL newborn screen with more Hispanic infants carrying mutations not detected by the state panel. Data from CF cases diagnosed via newborn screen in IL between 3/1/2008 and 10/31/2010 were reviewed. More Hispanic infants with CF had one or more undefined mutations after screening, in comparison to non-Hispanic Caucasian patients (40% vs. 9.5%; p < 0.002). The risk of having a positive diagnosis of CF with only one mutation noted by positive newborn screen increases 2-fold in Hispanic Caucasian versus non-Hispanic Caucasian infants (5% vs. 2.4%). Health care providers must be aware of the limitations of CF newborn screening to ensure appropriate counseling and prompt referral for a positive newborn screen, even when zero or one mutations are identified.

Annual Summary of Vital Statistics: 2009

The number of births in the United States decreased by 3% between 2008 and 2009 to 4 130 665 births. The general fertility rate also declined 3% to 66.7 per 1000 women. The teenage birth rate fell 6% to 39.1 per 1000. Birth rates also declined for women 20 to 39 years and for all 5-year groups, but the rate for women 40 to 44 years continued to rise. The percentage of all births to unmarried women increased to 41.0% in 2009, up from 40.6% in 2008. In 2009, 32.9% of all births occurred by cesarean delivery, continuing its rise. The 2009 preterm birth rate declined for the third year in a row to 12.18%. The low-birth-weight rate was unchanged in 2009 at 8.16%. Both twin and triplet and higher order birth rates increased. The infant mortality rate was 6.42 infant deaths per 1000 live births in 2009. The rate is significantly lower than the rate of 6.61 in 2008. Linked birth and infant death data from 2007 showed that non-Hispanic black infants continued to have much higher mortality rates than non-Hispanic white and Hispanic infants. Life expectancy at birth was 78.2 years in 2009. Crude death rates for children and adolescents aged 1 to 19 years decreased by 6.5% between 2008 and 2009. Unintentional injuries and homicide, the first and second leading causes of death jointly accounted for 48.6% of all deaths to children and adolescents in 2009.

Effects of ethnicity and vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status and changes in bone mineral content in infants

BackgroundTo evaluate the effects on serum 25(OH)D and bone mineralization of supplementation of breast-fed Hispanic and non-Hispanic Caucasian infants with vitamin D in infants in Houston, Texas.MethodsWe measured cord serum 25(OH)D levels, bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and their changes over 3 months of life with 400 IU/day of vitamin D3 supplementation.ResultsCord serum 25(OH)D was significantly lower in Hispanic than non-Hispanic Caucasian infants (16.4 ± 6.5 ng/mL, n = 27, vs 22.3 ± 9.4 n = 22, p = 0.013). Among 38 infants who completed a 3 month vitamin D supplementation intervention, provision of 400 IU/day of vitamin D increased final 25(OH)D to a higher level in non-Hispanic Caucasian compared to Hispanic infants. There was no significant relationship between cord serum 25(OH)D and BMC or BMD in the first week of life (n = 49) or after 3 months of vitamin D supplementation.ConclusionLow cord 25(OH)D levels are seen in Hispanic infants, but their functional significance is uncertain related to bone health in a southern US setting. Daily vitamin D intake of 400 IU during the first months of life appears adequate to increase serum 25(OH)D and support BMC increases despite low initial 25(OH)D levels in some infants.Trial RegistrationClincalTrials.gov NCT00697294

Disparities in Infant Mortality and Effective, Equitable Care: Are Infants Suffering from Benign Neglect?

Quality care for infant mortality disparity elimination requires services that improve health status at both the individual and the population level. We examine disparity reduction due to effective care and ask the following question: Has clinical care ameliorated factors that make some populations more likely to have higher rates of infant mortality compared with other populations? Disparities in postneonatal mortality due to birth defects have emerged for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic infants. Surfactant and antenatal steroid therapy have been accompanied by growing disparities in respiratory distress syndrome mortality for black infants. Progesterone therapy has not reduced early preterm birth, the major contributor to mortality disparities among non-Hispanic black and Puerto Rican infants. The Back to Sleep campaign has minimally reduced SIDS disparities among American Indian/Alaska Native infants, but it has not reduced disparities among non-Hispanic black infants. In general, clinical care is not equitable and contributes to increasing disparities.

Reasons for the Increasing Hispanic Infant Mortality Rate: Florida, 2004–2007

Assess whether the 55% increase in Florida's Hispanic infant mortality rate (HIMR) during 2004-2007 was real or artifactual. Using linked data from Florida resident live births and infant deaths for 2004-2007, we calculated traditional (infant Hispanic ethnicity from death certificates and maternal Hispanic ethnicity from birth certificates) and nontraditional (infant and maternal Hispanic ethnicity from birth certificate maternal ethnicity) HIMRs. We assessed trends in HIMRs (per 1,000 live births) using Chi-square statistics. We tested agreement in Hispanic ethnicity after implementation of a revised 2005 death certificate by using kappa statistics and used logistic regression to test the associations of infant mortality risk factors. Hispanic was defined as being of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central/South American, or other/unknown Hispanic origin. During 2004-2007 traditional HIMR increased 55%, from 4.0 to 6.2 (Chi-square, P < 0.001) and nontraditional HIMR increased 20%, from 4.5 to 5.4 (Chi-square, P = 0.03). During 2004-2005, agreement in Hispanic ethnicity did not change with use of the revised certificate (kappa = 0.70 in 2004; kappa = 0.76 in 2005). Birth weight was the most significant risk factor for trends in Hispanic infant mortality (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.10-1.61). Differences in Hispanic reporting on revised death certificates likely accounted for the majority of traditional HIMR increase, indicating a primarily artifactual increase. Reasons for the 20% increase in nontraditional HIMR during 2004-2007 should be further explored through other individual and community factors. Use of nontraditional HIMRs, which use a consistent source of Hispanic classification, should be considered.

Laryngomalacia: The role of gender and ethnicity

Introduction The vast majority of infants in published studies regarding laryngomalacia are Caucasian. These studies suggest affected infants are likely to be male, of term pregnancies, and not of low birth weight. Our study seeks to identify possible associations among different genders and ethnicities with laryngomalacia as well as differences between our diverse population and published Caucasian-predominant studies. Methods Data was collected by chart review for seventy-eight children diagnosed with laryngomalacia before the age of 5, prospectively entered into a database at our academic, tertiary-care hospital from 1/16/2008 to 10/15/2010. Data was compared to expected values from the 2009 census data for the Bronx as well as published data in the literature for multiple factors, including gender, ethnicity, low birth weight, and prematurity. Results There were 45 male and 33 female infants in our study. Twenty-five children were African-American, 17 Hispanic, 12 multi-racial, and 4 Caucasian. Eighteen infants were premature, and 21 were of low birth weight. Twenty-eight percent of our infants had neurologic comorbidity at diagnosis and 30% received surgical treatment. Discussion Although larger studies are required, we have preliminary evidence that information learned from Caucasian-predominant studies may not apply to all patients of laryngomalacia. When ethnically diverse infants are represented, a strong association between male gender and laryngomalacia does not appear to exist. Our data suggests that premature African-American and Hispanic infants are at greater risk for laryngomalacia. In addition, African-American infants of all gestational ages may be at greater risk. Low birth weight may be a strong predictor of laryngomalacia regardless of the patient's gender or ethnicity.

Epidemiology of syphilis among Hispanic women and associations with congenital syphilis, Maricopa county, Arizona.

We investigated factors associated with high rates of congenital syphilis among Hispanic infants in Maricopa County, AZ. Using 2004-2008 syphilis case report data from the state and county health departments, we examined characteristics of pregnant and nonpregnant women with syphilis and their male partners. During 2004-2008, 970 women were reported to have syphilis: 49% were Hispanic (of whom 49% were non-US citizens), 27% were white, 13% were black, and 8% were American Indian/Alaskan Native. Although 16% of Hispanic noncitizens reported drug use or high-risk sexual behaviors, 64% of these women had a male sex partner who reported drug use or anonymous sex. Hispanic women with syphilis were more likely to be pregnant (37%) than white (15%) or black women (13%) (P < 0.05), and were overrepresented among pregnant women with syphilis. Pregnant Hispanic noncitizens were treated later than pregnant Hispanic citizens (median 28 weeks gestation vs. 21 weeks, P = 0.01). Innovative congenital syphilis prevention strategies that are relevant to Hispanic women are warranted. Strategies should address the reproductive health and prenatal care needs of Hispanic women, and may include interventions for their male partners.

Overweight Hispanic infants in an urban area: Saturated fat as a contributing factor

Overweight Hispanic infants in an urban area: Saturated fat as a contributing factor

Ambient Air Pollution and Birth Weight in Full-Term Infants in Atlanta, 1994–2004

BackgroundAn emerging body of evidence suggests that ambient levels of air pollution during pregnancy are associated with fetal growth.ObjectivesWe examined relationships between birth weight and temporal variation in ambient levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone, particulate matter ≤ 10 μm in diameter (PM10), ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), 2.5 to 10 μm (PM2.5–10), and PM2.5 chemical component measurements for 406,627 full-term births occurring between 1994 and 2004 in five central counties of metropolitan Atlanta.MethodsWe assessed relationships between birth weight and pollutant concentrations during each infant’s first month of gestation and third trimester, as well as in each month of pregnancy using distributed lag models. We also conducted capture-area analyses limited to mothers residing within 4 miles (6.4 km) of each air quality monitoring station.ResultsIn the five-county analysis, ambient levels of NO2, SO2, PM2.5 elemental carbon, and PM2.5 water-soluble metals during the third trimester were significantly associated with small reductions in birth weight (−4 to −16 g per interquartile range increase in pollutant concentrations). Third-trimester estimates were generally higher in Hispanic and non-Hispanic black infants relative to non-Hispanic white infants. Distributed lag models were also suggestive of associations between air pollutant concentrations in late pregnancy and reduced birth weight. The capture-area analyses provided little support for the associations observed in the five-county analysis.ConclusionsResults provide some support for an effect of ambient air pollution in late pregnancy on birth weight in full-term infants.

891 Population Pharmacokinetics Analysis of Motavizumab in Children at Risk for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Aims: To develop a population pharmacokinetics (PK) model and evaluate the impact of demographic covariates on PK of motavizumab in young children. Methods: Motavizumab serum concentrations from 6 pediatric (n=4316) studies and an adult study (n=30) were modeled simultaneously using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Children ≤24 months received up to 5 monthly doses of motavizumab 3 or 15 mg/kg. The structural PK model with different random effect assignments was evaluated first followed by assessment of effect of chronologic age (CA), gestational age (GA), body weight (BW), sex, race, and presence of CLD on motavizumab clearance (CL) and volume of distribution (V2) using NONMEM.. Results: Motavizumab serum PK best fit a twocompartment model; CL and V2 increased with BW. CL and V2 were related to the sum of GA and CA and were described using an asymptoticexponential model. Covariate analysis identified 7% lower motavizumab serum CL in infants without CLD compared with infants with CLD. V2 was 23% lower in Hispanic infants compared with other races. After accounting for demographic covariates, there was 25% inter-individual variability in CL and 23% residual variability in motavizumab concentrations. Conclusions: Population PK analysis of motavizumab concentrations demonstrated increased clearance with CA and BW. Motavizumab serum concentrations were similar across a range of GA, CA and BW confirming appropriateness of BWbased dosing. Given the inter-individual variability in motavizumab concentrations, the marginally lower clearance in patients without CLD and slightly lower volume of distribution in Hispanic patients are not expected to be clinically significant. Sponsored by MedImmune.

Identical twin Hispanic male infants with nonbilious nonbloody vomiting and diarrhea

We present a case of twin Hispanic male infants fed with cow's milk formula who presented at 3 weeks of life with nonbilious, nonbloody vomiting and diarrhea. Laboratory evaluation revealed leukocytosis, acidosis, and methemoglobinemia. Sepsis evaluation was negative. Although they recovered quickly with i.v. fluids, symptoms recurred again with ingestion of soy formula. An underlying diagnosis was sought that could explain their symptoms.

Disparities in the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Abuse Among Infants With Traumatic Brain Injury

To evaluate in a national database the association of race and socioeconomic status with radiographic evaluation and subsequent diagnosis of child abuse after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in infants. We conducted a retrospective study of infants with non-motor vehicle-associated TBI who were admitted to 39 pediatric hospitals from January 2004 to June 2008. Logistic regression controlling for age, type, and severity of TBI and the presence of other injuries was performed to examine the association of race and socioeconomic status with the principal outcomes of radiographic evaluation for suspected abuse and diagnosis of abuse. Regression coefficients were transformed to probabilities. After adjustment for type and severity of TBI, age, and other injuries, publicly insured/uninsured infants were more likely to have had skeletal surveys performed than were privately insured infants (81% vs 59%). The difference in skeletal survey performance for infants with public or no insurance versus private insurance was greater among white (82% vs 53%) infants than among black (85% vs 75%) or Hispanic (72% vs 55%) infants (P=.022). Although skeletal surveys were performed in a smaller proportion of white than black or Hispanic infants, the adjusted probability for diagnosis of abuse among infants evaluated with a skeletal survey was higher among white infants (61%) than among black (51%) or Hispanic (53%) infants (P=.009). National data suggest continued biases in the evaluation for abusive head trauma. The conflicting observations of fewer skeletal surveys among white infants and higher rates of diagnosis among those screened elicit concern for overevaluation in some infants (black or publicly insured/uninsured) or underevaluation in others (white or privately insured).

Differences in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels at Birth in Hispanic and Caucasian Infants Are Not Related to Neonatal Bone Mineral Status

Differences in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels at Birth in Hispanic and Caucasian Infants Are Not Related to Neonatal Bone Mineral Status

Assessing the impact of paternal involvement on racial/ethnic disparities in infant mortality rates.

We sought to assess the contribution of paternal involvement to racial disparities in infant mortality. Using vital records data from singleton births in Florida between 1998 and 2005, we generated odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and preventative fractions to assess the association between paternal involvement and infant mortality. Paternal involvement status was based on presence/absence of paternal first and/or last name on the birth certificate. Disparities in infant mortality were observed between and within racial/ethnic subpopulations. When compared to Hispanic (NH)-white women with involved fathers, NH-black women with involved fathers had a two-fold increased risk of infant mortality whereas infants born to black women with absent fathers had a seven-fold increased risk of infant mortality. Elevated risks of infant mortality were also observed for Hispanic infants with absent fathers (OR = 3.33. 95%CI = 2.66-4.17). About 65-75% of excess mortality could be prevented with increased paternal involvement. Paternal absence widens the black-white gap in infant mortality almost four-fold. Intervention programs to improve perinatal paternal involvement may decrease the burden of absent father-associated infant mortality.

Variations in cord 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels in Hispanic and Caucasian infants are not related to neonatal bone mineral status

BackgroundAt birth, an infant's vitamin D status, as assessed by 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level (25‐OHD) is dependent on the 25‐OHD status of the mother. There are few data regarding 25‐OHD in Hispanic infants and the relationship between 25‐OHD and bone mineral outcomes.ObjectivesTo evaluate the range of 25‐OHD in Hispanic newborn infants (HNI) compared to Caucasian newborn infants (CNI) in a southern US setting and to determine if cord blood 25‐OHD is related to bone mineral status in the first week of life.MethodsAt birth, umbilical cord blood was analyzed using the Diasorin RIA (Diasorin Inc, Stillwater, MN) for 25‐OHD. Approximately 1 week after birth, infants' received a whole body dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry measurement to assess bone mineral content/density (BMC/BMD).ResultsData are Mean ± SD. The 25‐OHD levels were significantly lower in HNI (n=20) versus CNI (n=18) (17.2 ± 5.7 ng/mL vs 24.1 ± 6.8 ng/mL, p = 0.002). There was no difference in whole body BMC or BMD between HNI and CNI (BMD: 0.197 ±0.013 g/cm2 vs 0.196 ± 0.011 g/cm2, p = 0.9). Using a value of 20 ng/mL to indicate possible vitamin D insufficiency there was no difference in BMC or BMD of 19 infants with 25‐OHD levels &lt; 20 ng/mL vs 19 infants with 25‐OHD levels ≥ 20 ng/mL (BMD: 0.195 ± 0.015 g/cm2 vs 0.197 ± 0.011 g/cm2, p = 0.8).ConclusionHispanic newborns in a southern US setting have lower 25‐OHD than Caucasians but this is not related to newborn bone mineral status.Supported in part by the Marshall Klaus Award of the American Academy of Pediatrics