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Biomedical subjects

B Reichman

Publications and source records attributed to B Reichman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very low birth weight infants is associated with prolonged hospital stay.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is associated with prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) and delayed discharge home. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between BPD and LOS and to assess the contribution of concomitant major morbidities on LOS among infants with BPD. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based observational study of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants born from 1995 through 2003. Multivariate analyses, adjusted for perinatal variables, assessed the association between BPD and concomitant morbidities on LOS. RESULTS: Of 10 134 survivors, 1926 (19.0%) had BPD. The adjusted LOS for infants with and without BPD was 84.1 days (95% CI, 82.8, 85.6) and 58.1 days (95% CI, 57.2, 59.0), respectively. Addition of a single concomitant morbidity increased mean LOS by 4 to 13 days. CONCLUSIONS: BPD is a major cause of increased length of hospitalization among VLBW infants. Preventive or therapeutic modalities are required to reduce the significant burden of this condition.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗

Less postnatal steroids, more bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a population-based study in very low birthweight infants.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between reduced use of postnatal steroids for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants and oxygen (O(2))-dependency at 28 days of age and at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. DESIGN: Large national database study. SETTING: The Israel National VLBW Neonatal Database. PATIENTS: The sample included infants born between 1997 and 2004, of gestational age 24-32 weeks, who required mechanical ventilation or O(2) therapy. Four time periods were compared: 1997-8 (era 1, peak use), 1999-2000 (era 2, intermediate), 2001-2 (era 3, expected reduction) and 2003-4 (era 4, lowest). The outcome variable "oxygen dependency" was based on clinical criteria. Multivariate regression models were used to account for confounding variables. RESULTS: Steroid use fell significantly from 23.5% in 1997-8 to 11% in 2003-4 (p<0.005). After adjustment for relevant confounding variables, the odds ratio for O(2) therapy at 28 days in era 4 versus era 1 was 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47 to 2.09 and 1.41, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.73 at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The mean duration of O(2) therapy increased from 25.3 days (95% CI 23.3 to 26.3) in era 1, to 28.0 days (95% CI 26.6 to 29.4) in era 4. Survival increased from 78.5% in era 1 to 81.6% in era 4 (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The use of steroids has fallen considerably since the awareness of the adverse effects of this treatment. This change has been temporally associated with increased O(2) dependency at 28 days of age and at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The prolongation of O(2) therapy was modest in degree.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia↗

Health-related quality of life among children and adolescents: associations with obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of obesity on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children, and to compare HRQOL scores of obese children in a hospital versus community setting. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in two clinical samples. SUBJECTS: A total of 182 children and adolescents recruited from the community pediatric clinics and a hospital-based obesity clinic. MEASUREMENTS: Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) >95th percentile for age and gender. Subjects were divided into quartiles of BMI Z-scores each containing 45 or 46 children. The first two quartiles correspond to normal BMI, 3rd and 4th quartiles represent moderate and severe obesity, respectively. HRQOL was assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) questionnaire submitted by both children and their parents. RESULTS: Obese children reported significantly lower HRQOL in physical, social and school domains compared with normal weight children (P<0.01). Analyzing results of HRQOL by BMI quartiles showed that the emotional and school domains scores of the moderately obese children were similar to the normal BMI quartiles. Only in the 4th quartile, that of children with severe obesity, were scores significantly lower. In contrast, in both physical and social domains scores decreased progressively with increased BMI Z-scores. In the obese group, parents' scores were lower than the children's in all domains. HRQOL scores of obese children assessed in the hospital clinic were similar to that of obese children assessed in the community. CONCLUSIONS: Moderately obese children had similar emotional and school HRQOL scores as normal weight children, whereas in the physical domain, a significant difference was documented even in moderate obesity. Parents of obese children perceived their child's HRQOL lower than the children themselves. We believe that intervention programs aimed at improving HRQOL should be directed to both parents and children. Understanding the resilience of moderately obese children in school and emotional domains may assist us in the management of childhood obesity.

Adolescent↗

Effect of birth order on neonatal morbidity and mortality among very low birthweight twins: a population based study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of birth order on the risk for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), chronic lung disease (CLD), adverse neurological findings, and death in very low birthweight (VLBW; < 1500 g) twins. METHODS: A population based study of VLBW infants from the Israel National VLBW Infant Database. The sample included all complete sets of VLBW twin pairs admitted to all 28 neonatal intensive care units between 1995 and 1999. Outcome variables were compared by birth order and stratified by mode of delivery and gestational age, using General Estimating Equation models, with results expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Second twins were at increased risk for RDS (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.76), CLD (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.66), and death (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.51) but not for adverse neurological findings (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.60). Mode of delivery did not significantly influence outcome. The odds ratio for RDS in the second twin was inversely related to gestational age, and the increased risk for RDS and CLD was found in both vaginal and caesarean deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: VLBW second twins are at increased risk for acute and chronic lung disease and neonatal mortality, irrespective of mode of delivery.

Birth Order↗

Excess risk of mortality in very low birthweight triplets: a national, population based study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal morbidity and mortality differ between singletons, twins, and triplets. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether plurality is associated with excess risk of neonatal morbidity and poor outcome (death, chronic lung disease, or adverse neurological findings) in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants from a national, population based cohort. METHODS: The Israel national VLBW infant database has prospectively collected extensive perinatal and neonatal data on all liveborn VLBW infants since 1995. The study sample (n = 5594) consisted of all singletons (n = 3717) and all complete sets of twins (n = 1394) and triplets (n = 483) born during 1995-1999. To account for differences in case-mix, both univariate and multivariate comparisons that included confounding variables such as antenatal steroid treatment and mode of delivery were performed for each of the outcome variables. RESULTS: There was a small inverse correlation between gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) and the number of fetuses (singletons: GA 28.9 (2.6) weeks, BW 1096 (269) g; twins: GA 28.4 (2.3) weeks, BW 1062 (271) g; triplets: GA 28.5 (2.4) weeks, BW 1049 (259) g). Triplets were significantly more likely to have been conceived following fertility treatments, to have received antenatal steroids, and to be delivered by caesarean section. Respiratory distress syndrome was significantly more common in twins and triplets in spite of the increased exposure to antenatal steroids. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using all significant perinatal covariates showed that triplets were at increased risk of death (odds ratio (OR) 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13 to 2.11), but not of adverse neurological outcome (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.85) or chronic lung disease (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.02). CONCLUSION: Despite considerable differences in the incidence of confounding variables between the groups, VLBW triplets are at increased risk of death compared with twins and singletons. In addition, VLBW twins and triplets more often have respiratory distress syndrome but not chronic lung disease or adverse neurological findings.

Analysis of Variance↗

Effect of ethnicity on mortality of very low birthweight infants in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Multiple demographic, genetic, and environmental factors differ between Muslim and Jewish infants in Israel. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether, after adjustment for perinatal factors associated with mortality, excess mortality occurs in very low birthweight (VLBW) Muslim compared with Jewish infants. DESIGN: The Israel National VLBW infant database includes data on 99% of all VLBW births in Israel. The study population comprised 5015 Jewish and 1549 Muslim VLBW infants of more than 23 weeks gestation, born between 1995 and 1999. The Mantel-Haenszel test was used for stratified analysis and logistic regression analysis to assess the effect of ethnic origin on mortality. RESULTS: The death rate was significantly higher among Muslim infants (22.7% v 17.2%; crude odds ratio 1.42; 95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.63). Excess mortality in Muslims occurred mainly in the 32-33 week (8.0% v 2.8%) and >33 week (14.7% v 4.7%) gestational age groups, and in birthweight groups of 1000-1249 g (17.6% v 9.3%) and 1250-1500 g (9.1% v 3.6%). In VLBW infants without congenital malformations, there was a significantly higher risk of mortality among Muslim infants (odds ratio 1.28; 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.57) compared with Jewish infants, after adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, small for gestational age, prenatal care, prenatal steroid treatment, plurality, mode of delivery, and Apgar score. CONCLUSIONS: Excess mortality was present among Muslim VLBW infants without congenital malformations. Perinatal factors associated with increased risk of mortality were more prevalent in the Muslim VLBW population. The pattern of disparities suggests inadequate access to, or utilisation of, effective perinatal technology in the Muslim population in Israel.

Databases, Factual↗

Effect of maternal tocolysis on the incidence of severe periventricular/intraventricular haemorrhage in very low birthweight infants.

AIM: To examine the relation between grade III-IV periventricular/intraventricular haemorrhage (PVH/IVH) and antenatal exposure to tocolytic treatment in very low birthweight (VLBW) premature infants. STUDY DESIGN: The study population consisted of 2794 infants from the Israel National VLBW Infant Database, of gestational age 24-32 weeks, who had a cranial ultrasound examination during the first 28 days of life. Infants of mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension or those exposed to more than one tocolytic drug were excluded. Of the 2794 infants, 2013 (72%) had not been exposed to tocolysis and 781 (28%) had been exposed to a single tocolytic agent. To evaluate the effect of tocolysis and confounding variables on grade III-IV PVH/IVH, the chi(2) test, univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model were used. RESULTS: Of the 781 infants (28%) exposed to tocolysis, 341 (12.2%) were exposed to magnesium sulphate, 263 (9.4%) to ritodrine, and 177 (6.3%) to indomethacin. The overall incidence of grade III-IV PVH/IVH was 13.4%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following factors were related significantly and independently to grade III-IV PVH/IVH: no prenatal steroid treatment, low gestational age, one minute Apgar score 0-3, respiratory distress syndrome, patent ductus arteriosus, mechanical ventilation, and pneumothorax. Infants exposed to ritodrine tocolysis (but not to the other tocolytic drugs) were at significantly lower risk of grade III-IV PVH/IVH after adjustment for other variables (odds ratio = 0.3; 95% confidence interval 0.2 to 0.6). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that antenatal exposure of VLBW infants to ritodrine tocolysis, in contrast with tocolysis induced by magnesium sulphate or indomethacin, was associated with a lower incidence of grade III-IV PVH/IVH.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Higher-order structure of mammalian chromatin deduced from viscoelastometry data.

The results of viscoelastometry (VE) for mammalian DNA have been puzzling because they have two orders of magnitude smaller measured viscoelastic relaxation times for mammalian chromosomes than that expected for DNA linear coils of chromosomal size. In an attempt to resolve this discrepancy, we have applied a recent model of G1 chromosome structure (J.Y. Ostashevsky, Mol Biol. Cell 9, 3031-3040, 1998) in which the 30 nm chromatin fiber of each chromosome forms a string of loop clusters (micelles). This model has two parameters: the number of loops per micelle (f) and the average loop size (Mf), which can be estimated independently from VE data. Using our VE data for plateau phase V79 Chinese hamster cells (unirradiated and X-irradiated with doses up to 40 Gy) we show that f approximately 13 , which is close to other estimates made using the model (f ranges from 10-20), and Mf approximately 2 Mbp, which is similar to estimates made from our nucleoid data (1.3 Mbp) and to estimates made in the literature using a variety of techniques (1-3 Mbp).

Animals↗

Unexplained fever in neonates may be associated with hepatitis B vaccine.

AIM: To investigate whether hepatitis B vaccination has increased the number of cases of unexplained neonatal fever. METHOD: The files of all infants born from 1 January 1991 to 31 December 1992, in whom a diagnosis of "injected antibiotic" or "disease of temperature regulation" was recorded, were reviewed. Those who had unexplained fever of 38 degrees C or higher during the first three days of life were divided into two groups: infants who did not receive the hepatitis B vaccine (1991) and infants who did (1992). RESULTS: In 1992 the incidence of unexplained fever in hepatitis B vaccinated neonates was significantly higher than in the 1991 group of pre-vaccination neonates (35 out of 5819 (0.6%) vs 14 out of 5010 neonates (0.28%) respectively, p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the number of cases of unexplained neonatal fever seems to be associated with the introduction of routine hepatitis B vaccination on the first day of life. The possibility that an excess number of neonates will undergo unnecessary procedures and treatment to diagnose unexplained fever justifies planning a controlled study to determine whether these preliminary findings point to a significant problem.

Fever of Unknown Origin↗

5-year results of dose-intensive sequential adjuvant chemotherapy for women with high-risk node-positive breast cancer: A phase II study.

PURPOSE: We conducted a phase II pilot study of dose-intensive adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin followed sequentially by high-dose cyclophosphamide to determine the safety and feasibility of this dose-dense treatment and to estimate the disease-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients with four or more involved axillary lymph nodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients received adjuvant treatment with four cycles of doxorubicin 75 mg/m(2) as an intravenous bolus every 21 days, followed by three cycles of cyclophosphamide 3,000 mg/m(2) every 14 days with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were assessable, and all but two completed all planned chemotherapy. There was no treatment-related mortality. The most common toxicity was neutropenic fever, which occurred in 39% of patients. Median disease-free survival is 66 months (95% confidence interval, 34 to 98 months), and median overall survival has not yet been reached. At 5 years of follow-up, the disease-free survival is 51.7%, and overall survival is 60.0%. There is no long-term treatment-related toxicity, and no cases of acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome have been observed. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study of doxorubicin followed by cyclophosphamide demonstrates the safety and feasibility of the sequential dose-dense plan. Long-term follow-up, although noncomparative, is promising. However, this regimen is associated with a higher incidence of toxicity (and also higher costs) than the standard dose and schedule of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, and therefore it should not be used as conventional therapy in the absence of demonstrated improvement of outcome. Randomized trials testing the dose-dense approach have been completed but not yet reported. Because the sequential plan can decrease overlapping toxicities, it is an appropriate platform for the addition of newer active agents, such as taxanes or monoclonal antibodies.

Adult↗

A simple clinical test for differentiating physiological from pathological head lag in full-term newborn infants.

UNLABELLED: This prospective study was designed to assess the value of a simple clinical test, a "feeding test", on the outcome of head lag among term neonates. Of 5718 infants who were examined before their morning meal, 67 had moderate to severe head lag in the absence of predisposing risk factors for head lag. Fifteen minutes following feeding, 62 infants (92%) showed an improvement in or disappearance of head lag with concomitant rise in serum glucose. All of these infants had normal psychomotor development on follow up. In 4 infants in whom no improvement occurred after feeding, an underlying pathological cause for head lag was subsequently diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Use of the feeding test as a screening procedure in apparently healthy newborns with head lag may rule out pathological conditions in over 90% of the cases.

Blood Glucose↗

Topical iodine-containing antiseptics and subclinical hypothyroidism in preterm infants.

The influence of topical iodine-containing antiseptics on thyroid function test results of premature infants was determined in two separate studies. Thyroxine and thyrotropin levels were measured on blood-spotted filter paper. Samples were obtained from 128 premature infants on their tenth day of life; the infants were treated in two neonatal intensive care units. Both units used similar treatment protocols; however, one routinely used topical iodinated antiseptic agents (n = 73), whereas the other used chlorhexidine-containing antiseptics (n = 55). There was no difference in the mean T4 levels between the two groups. The mean thyrotropin levels were elevated in preterm babies exposed to iodine (15.4 vs 7.8 mIU/L, p < 0.01). Among the iodine-exposed infants, elevated thyrotropin levels (> 30 mIU/L) were found in 13.7% of infants, compared with none in the chlorhexidine-treated group (p < 0.01). We then studied an additional 46 premature infants who were treated in one neonatal intensive care unit. Iodine-containing solutions were used in 24 infants and chlorhexidine was used in 22 infants. T4 and thyrotropin levels were measured weekly during the first 28 days, one every 2 weeks until the age of 60 days, and at the age of 90 days. Among iodine-exposed infants, 20.8% had thyrotropin values > 30 mIU/L, whereas none of the infants in the chlorhexidine group had elevated thyrotropin values (p < 0.05). The elevated thyrotropin levels correlated positively with the area of disinfection. Elevated urine iodine levels were present reflecting an abnormally high iodine absorption. This study suggests that iodine absorption from topical iodine-containing antiseptics may cause disturbances in thyroid function test results in premature infants. We recommend that caution be exercised in the use of iodine-containing antiseptics in premature infants.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

Effects of theophylline on renal function in premature infants.

Xanthines are frequently being used in the management of premature babies. Studies in adult subjects have demonstrated a diuretic effect of aminophylline due to the inhibition of solute reabsorption in various segments of the nephron. We evaluated the effects of aminophylline on the developing kidney. Nineteen premature infants, with a mean +/- SD gestational age of 31.1 +/- 2.8 weeks and mean birth weight of 1481 +/- 454 g were studied at mean age of 4.5 +/- 4.0 days before and after a 20-minute loading infusion of 6 mg/kg aminophylline, followed by maintenance therapy at a dose of 2 mg/kg every 12 hours. A marked diuresis occurred immediately after the loading dose, the ratio of urinary output to water intake increased from 0.58 +/- 0.36 to 1.19 +/- 0.65. Concomitantly, the fractional excretion of sodium increased from 2.7 +/- 2.6% to 5.7 +/- 4.4% and that of potassium rose from 21 +/- 19% to 31 +/- 21%. Urinary calcium and uric acid excretion were also enhanced: calcium to creatinine ratio rose from 0.31 +/- 0.29 to 0.60 +/- 0.54 and uric acid to creatinine ratio increased from 2.5 +/- 1.5 to 3.8 +/- 2.0. Tubular reabsorption of phosphorus (TRP) was not affected. Most of the effects were no longer evident after 24 hours, despite continuing aminophylline maintenance therapy. In premature infants the aminophylline loading dose, but not maintenance therapy, affected renal functions. Because heart rate, blood pressure, and creatinine clearance did not change, it appears that aminophylline acts directly on tubular reabsorptive functions.

Absorption↗

Prelabour rupture of membranes at term: early induction of labour versus expectant management.

OBJECTIVES: To compare expectant management with early induction of labour in pregnant patients with prelabour rupture of membranes at term and unfavourable cervix. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomised study of 154 women with prelabour rupture of membranes at term of whom 80 had been managed expectantly, and 74 had undergone oxytocin induction at a rate of 2.5 mU/min. Digital examination was not performed before oxytocin infusion, and the first was delayed until 4 h (nulliparae), or 2 h (multiparae) of regular uterine contractions. RESULTS: The mean period from rupture of membranes to delivery was significantly shorter in the induction group. The mean duration of labour was significantly shorter in the expectant group. Operative vaginal deliveries were more common in the induction group, and fetal distress was the most common cause of operative vaginal deliveries. The caesarean rates were low and similar in both groups. Maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity was similar and no difference was found in the length of hospitalisation. CONCLUSIONS: Expectant management in patients with ruptured membranes at term is safe and reduces the frequency of operative vaginal deliveries.

Adult↗

Outcome of twin pregnancies reduced from triplets compared with nonreduced twin gestations.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of triplet pregnancies reduced to twins who reached 24 weeks' gestation with the outcome of twin pregnancies managed in the same perinatal department. METHODS: The study group included 43 triplet pregnancies reduced to twins who reached 24 weeks' gestation and were delivered between January 1989 and December 1993. The complications and outcomes of these pregnancies were compared with all 134 bichorionic twin pregnancies delivered during 1993. RESULTS: In general, the outcome of triplet pregnancies reduced to twins was not significantly different from that of twin pregnancies. Both pregnancy-induced hypertension and premature contractions were similar in the two groups. The higher incidence of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in the reduced cases compared with nonintervention twins (18.6 versus 8.2%) was of borderline significance (relative risk [RR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-5.27). Although premature delivery occurred in 30% of patients in both groups, 20.9% of patients in the reduction group delivered before 35 weeks' gestation, compared with 10.4% in the nonintervention group (RR 2.0, 95% CI 0.93-4.30). The mean gestational age was similar in the two groups, as was the risk of low birth weight and respiratory disorders. Differences in the proportion of patients with PROM, low gestation duration, and very low birth weight, although not quite statistically significant, are probably because of the relatively small numbers and, hence, of low power (50-55%), but may be of clinical importance. CONCLUSION: The outcome of triplet pregnancies reduced to twins did not differ substantially from that of nonreduced twin pregnancies.

Female↗

Hypoxemia associated with cimetidine therapy in a newborn infant.

Cimetidine therapy used for the treatment of gastric bleeding due to tolazoline therapy in a newborn infant was temporally associated with episodes of severe hypoxemia. It appears likely that the histamine H2 receptor blocked by cimetidine obviated the pulmonary vasodilator effect of tolazoline therapy.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Early immunization with inactivated poliovirus vaccine in premature infants.

The antibody titers of 41 premature infants receiving inactivated poliovirus vaccine at 2 months of age (control group) were compared with titers of 39 infants receiving an additional dose at 5 to 10 days of age (study group). At 1 month of age 97.4% of the study group but only 70.8% of the control group had protective antibodies against poliovirus 3 (p < 0.001).

Administration, Oral↗

The clinical value of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in the management of intrauterine growth-retarded fetuses before 32 weeks' gestation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical utility of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry in the management of very premature growth-retarded fetuses. The study comprised 34 fetuses between 26 and 34 weeks' gestation, diagnosed ultrasonically as suffering from intrauterine growth retardation. Based on the umbilical artery Doppler findings, patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (10 fetuses) with normal Doppler systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratios (within 2 SD of the mean for gestational age); group 2 (9 fetuses) with significant abnormal umbilical artery S/D ratios (above 2 SD of the mean for gestational age), and group 3 (15 fetuses) with absent or reverse end-diastolic flow. Fetal outcome was assessed in terms of neonatal mortality and morbidity, i.e. low umbilical artery pH (pH < 7.20) and Apgar scores. In group 1, all fetuses had a stable, normal S/D ratio; in group 2, 2 fetuses (22%) showed deterioration in the Doppler findings and were transferred to group 3, while in group 3, 3 of 15 fetuses (20%) showed improvement in the absence of end-diastolic flow and were thus transferred to group 2. Emergency cesarean section due to antenatal deterioration of the biophysical profile occurred in only 1 patient (10%) in group 1, compared to 33 and 87% in groups 2 and 3, respectively (p < 0.05). The other 9 patients in group 1 had normal vaginal deliveries at 36-37 weeks' gestation, with no perinatal complications. The mean expectant interval from admission to delivery in group 3 was 8.2 days, while in groups 1 and 2 it was 23.8 and 22.2, respectively (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗