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Biomedical subjects

M L Socol

Publications and source records attributed to M L Socol.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cost-effectiveness of elective cesarean delivery after one prior low transverse cesarean.

OBJECTIVE: This analysis was undertaken to better understand the costs and health consequences of a trial of labor after cesarean when compared with a policy of routine elective repeat cesarean delivery. METHODS: A decision-tree model incorporating a Markov analysis was used to examine the reproductive life of a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 pregnant women whose only prior pregnancy was delivered through a low transverse cesarean incision. Using this model, the policy of performing routine elective cesarean delivery was compared with a policy of allowing a trial of labor. Main outcome measures were maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, total costs to the health care system, and cost per major neonatal complication avoided (death or permanent neurologic sequelae). RESULTS: The consequences of routine elective cesarean delivery for a second birth are significant, with an additional 117,748 cesarean deliveries, 5500 maternal morbid events, and $179 million incurred during the reproductive life of 100,000 women. The prevention of one major adverse neonatal outcome requires 1591 cesarean deliveries and $2.4 million. Sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of the analysis. CONCLUSION: Routine elective cesarean for a second delivery for women with a prior low transverse cesarean incision results in an excess of maternal morbidity and mortality and a high cost to the medical system.

Cesarean Section, Repeat↗

Vaginal birth after cesarean: an appraisal of fetal risk.

OBJECTIVE: To expand on prior investigations and further evaluate the fetal risk associated with vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) by examining the incidence not only of a depressed Apgar score at 5 minutes but also of fetal acidemia. METHODS: Between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1996, the following groups of patients who delivered a singleton fetus with birth weight greater than 750 g were identified: 2082 patients with one or more prior cesarean deliveries who were allowed a trial of labor, 1677 of whom delivered vaginally and 405 of whom delivered by repeat cesarean; 920 patients delivered by elective repeat cesarean; 22,863 patients without a prior cesarean who delivered vaginally; and 2432 patients delivered by primary cesarean after laboring. Umbilical cord arterial blood gases were obtained in 88.3% of these deliveries. Comparisons of Apgar scores at 5 minutes and umbilical cord arterial pH measurements were made between groups with chi2 or Fisher exact test, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. RESULTS: The only significant differences were noted between those patients who delivered vaginally after a prior cesarean and those patients who delivered vaginally without a prior cesarean. Neonates in the successful VBAC group were more likely to have an Apgar score at 5 minutes less than 7 (OR 1.52) or an umbilical arterial pH less than 7.1 (OR 1.69). Those neonates, however, were not at greater risk for an Apgar score less than 4 or a pH less than 7.0. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that VBAC poses a low level of fetal risk, although a much larger sample size would be required to exclude a two-fold increase in potentially damaging fetal acidemia.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Risk of cesarean delivery with elective induction of labor at term in nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the risk of cesarean delivery associated with elective induction of labor in nulliparous women at term. METHODS: We performed a cohort study on a major urban obstetric service that serves predominantly private obstetric practices. All term, nulliparous women with vertex, singleton gestations who labored during an 8-month period (n = 1561) were divided into three groups: spontaneous labor, elective induction, and medical induction. The risk of cesarean delivery in the induction groups was determined using stepwise logistic regression to control for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Women experiencing spontaneous labor had a 7.8% cesarean delivery rate, whereas women undergoing elective labor induction had a 17.5% cesarean delivery rate (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12, 3.18) and women undergoing medically indicated labor induction had a 17.7% cesarean delivery rate (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.13, 2.54). Other variables that remained significant risk factors for cesarean delivery in the model included: epidural placement at less than 4 cm dilatation (OR 4.66; 95% CI 2.25, 9.66), epidural placement after 4 cm dilatation (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.06, 4.48), chorioamnionitis (OR 4.61; 95% CI 2.89, 7.35), birth weight greater than 4000 g (OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.69, 3.97), maternal body mass index greater than 26 kg/m2 (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.61, 3.47), Asian race (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.04, 5.34), and magnesium sulfate use (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.04, 4.55). CONCLUSION: Elective induction of labor is associated with a significantly increased risk of cesarean delivery in nulliparous women. Avoiding labor induction in settings of unproved benefit may aid efforts to reduce the primary cesarean delivery rate.

Adolescent↗

Active management of labor.

The active management of labor may be one approach to achieving lower rates of intervention. Numerous institutions have reported lower CS rates since initiating this labor management scheme, and concurrent decreases in the length of labor and infectious morbidity have been demonstrated. Sufficient data now exist to conclude that such programs can be instituted without deleterious effects on neonatal outcomes. Nevertheless, success in decreasing CS rates has not been uniform and may be confined to certain settings. Other approaches to labor management may be as good or better at achieving low rates of intervention with minimum morbidity. Any approach that emphasizes advocacy for vaginal birth is likely to produce some success and should receive support.

Cesarean Section↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is decreased in the umbilical cord plasma of patients with severe preeclampsia.

We investigated the role of the fetal immune system in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia by assessing umbilical cord plasma levels of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). Nineteen nulliparous patients with severe preeclampsia composed the study group (group A). A comparison group was comprised of 19 healthy nulliparous patients with uneventful pregnancies (group B). Mixed umbilical cord blood was collected immediately after delivery. Plasma was prepared and all samples were assayed for TNF-alpha and IL-1beta by specific enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs). Data are presented as the median with range of values. The length of labor was similar in both groups. TNF-alpha was detected less frequently in the umbilical cord plasma of preeclamptic patients than in the umbilical cord plasma of control patients (57.9 vs. 89.5%, p < 0.05), and the concentrations of TNF-alpha were significantly lower in the umbilical cord plasma of the preeclamptic patients [20 pg/ml (0-80 pg/mL) vs. 50 pg/mL (0-310 pg/mL), p < 0.05]. Umbilical cord plasma IL-1beta detection rates and concentrations from the preeclamptic and control patients were similar, [15.8 vs. 5.3%, 0 pg/mL (0-40 pg/mL) vs 0 pg/mL (0-10 pg/mL)]. The lower concentrations of TNF-alpha in umbilical cord plasma of patients with severe preeclampsia suggest that release of TNF-alpha by the fetus and mother are independent and may reflect adaptation of the fetus to reduced placental perfusion in preeclampsia.

Adult↗

Human immunodeficiency virus infection and women: a survey of missed opportunities for testing and diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe factors that prompted testing of women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and health encounters in which missed opportunities for diagnosis occurred. STUDY DESIGN: An observational investigation of 81 human immunodeficiency virus-infected women in the Chicago area was performed by means of an interviewer-administered survey. Patient demographic data, health history, and health care contacts were elicited. RESULTS: Sixty-five women (80%) had at least one documented missed opportunity during the 12 months before their diagnosis. Seventy-eight percent of those women with missed opportunities had them occur at reproductive health encounters. Of 25 pregnant women pregnant in the year before their eventual diagnosis, 12 failed to be diagnosed during that pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Despite visits to reproductive health care providers, the presence of symptoms suspicious for human immunodeficiency virus disease, high-risk behaviors, and even specific requests for testing by many of the women, numerous opportunities for the earlier diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection were missed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Fetal heart rate characteristics at 25 to 28 weeks' gestation.

The objective of this article is to define normative fetal heart rate (FHR) tracing characteristics between 25-28 weeks' gestation in a low-risk population with normal pregnancy outcomes and to determine which criteria best determine FHR reactivity. Continuous FHR tracings were reviewed from 188 low-risk women participating in a trial of the Mammary Stimulation Test (MST) at 25-28 weeks' gestation. A reactive tracing required the presence of > or =two accelerations in 20 min. Different acceleration criteria were evaluated based upon the width of the acceleration (short vs. long) and the amplitude of the acceleration (10 vs. 15 bpm). Seventy-one percent of the FHR tracings were reactive using the higher amplitude (15 bpm), short criteria. This number increased significantly to 92% when the lower amplitude (10 bpm), short criteria were used (p <0.01). As gestational age advanced, there was a trend toward increased reactivity irrespective of which criteria were used, but these differences were not significant. Reducing the acceleration amplitude criteria to 10 bpm in preterm pregnancies will maximize the number of reactive nonstress tests. This is advantageous because it would improve test specificity and decrease the false-positive rate. Our findings need to be prospectively validated in a high-risk population.

Adult↗

Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors and interleukin-6 levels in patients with severe preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether serum and amniotic fluid (AF) levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors and interleukin-6, markers of immune activation and endothelial dysfunction, are altered in patients with severe preeclampsia. METHODS: Plasma was collected before induction of labor, at delivery, and postpartum from 19 patients with severe preeclampsia. Amniotic fluid was also obtained in early labor from these patients. Similar samples were obtained from an antepartum control group matched for gestational age and a term control group without preeclampsia. All plasma and AF samples were assayed for p55 and p75 soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors and for interleukin-6 by specific enzyme-linked immunoassays. Levels in preeclamptic patients and the control groups were compared. RESULTS: Levels of both receptors were significantly elevated in AF and all maternal plasma samples except those collected 24 hours postpartum for patients with preeclampsia relative to levels in controls. Interleukin-6 was detected more frequently and in higher concentrations in the plasma collected before labor for preeclamptic patients compared with controls, but no difference was noted in interleukin-6 detection rates or plasma concentrations at delivery. Conversely, AF concentrations of interleukin-6 were significantly reduced in patients with preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: The increased levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors found in patients with severe preeclampsia may represent a protective response to increased tumor necrosis factor activity and be a marker for immune activation. Increased interleukin-6 concentrations in maternal plasma before labor suggest the involvement of this cytokine as well in the altered immune response and its contribution to endothelial cell dysfunction.

Adult↗

Active management of labor.

Active management of labor was first instituted as a program to shorten the length of nulliparous labor. Numerous institutions have found that implementation of this program decreased rates of cesarean section. Two randomized trials have evaluated this program, with both showing that labor was shortened by approximately 2 hours and maternal infectious morbidity was decreased by approximately 50%. Although one trial demonstrated a significant reduction in the rate of cesarean birth, the other did not. No users have reported any increase in neonatal morbidity. For some institutions implementation of active management of labor principles may be one approach to decrease operative deliveries for dystocia.

Cesarean Section↗

Group B Streptococcus and preterm premature rupture of membranes: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of antepartum ampicillin.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether ampicillin prolongs the latency period after preterm premature rupture of membranes in patients colonized with group B Streptococcus. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty patients presenting at < or = 35 weeks' gestation with preterm premature rupture of membranes were included in the study. Cervical, vaginal, and perianal cultures for group B premature rupture were obtained. The participants then were randomized to receive either ampicillin or placebo intravenously for 24 hours and then orally until hospital discharge or delivery. All patients were treated without the use of tocolytic drugs. The chi(2) test, Fisher exact test, Student t test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical analysis when appropriate. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had cultures positive for group B Streptococcus. Patients with cultures positive for group B Streptococcus who received ampicillin (n = 8) were more likely not to have been delivered of their infants 48 hours after preterm premature rupture of membranes than patients who received placebo (n = 7), a statistically significant difference (100% vs 43%; p = 0.01; relative risk 2.3; 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 4.5). Seven days after preterm premature rupture of membranes, however, there was no significant difference in percentage of patients with cultures positive for group B Streptococcus who remained undelivered (63% vs 29%; p = 0.19; relative risk, 2.2; 95% confidence interval 0.7 to 7.1). Among patients with cultures negative for group B Streptococcus, there was a trend for patients who received ampicillin to remain undelivered 48 hours after preterm premature rupture of membranes compared with those who received placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant (87% vs 64%; p = 0.07; relative risk, 1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 1.9). There also was no difference in percentage of patients with cultures negative for group B Streptococcus who remained undelivered 7 days after preterm premature rupture of membranes 39% vs 27%; p = 0.40; relative risk, 1.4; 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 3.3). There were no differences between the treatment and placebo arms of the group B Streptococcus positive and negative cohorts in incidence of cesarean section, chorioamnionitis, postpartum endometritis, or neonatal infectious morbidity. CONCLUSION: Use of antibiotics increases the percentage of patients with cultures positive for group B Streptococcus who remain undelivered 48 hours after preterm premature rupture of membranes. Antibiotic therapy may provide a window of opportunity for maternal treatment with corticosteroids to decrease the risk for neonatal morbidity among these preterm gestations.

Adult↗

Fetal supraventricular tachycardia complicated by hydrops fetalis: a role for direct fetal intramuscular therapy.

Maternally administered digoxin for the treatment of fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) complicated by hydrops fetalis may be ineffective secondary to poor transplacental drug transfer. We present our experience with eight pregnancies treated with transplacental therapy or combined maternal and direct fetal intramuscular therapy. Response to treatment following maternal intravenous administration (MIV) of digoxin or a combination of fetal intramuscular (FIM) digoxin and MIV is described for eight hydropic fetuses during nine successful pharmacologic conversions. The MIV digoxin was administered using standard loading and maintenance protocols. FIM was administered at a dose of 88 micrograms/kg q 12-24 hours, to a maximum of three injections in the fetal buttock. Time to onset of the first two hours of sinus rhythm (TO2 degrees), time to onset > 90% sinus rhythm (TO > 90%), and time to resolution of hydrops fetalis (HF) were noted. The mean heart rate was 257 +/- 36 beats/minute and the mean gestational age was 29 +/- 4.8 weeks. Fetal SVT was due to a reentrant mechanism in all cases. For the three fetuses that underwent successful cardioversion following MIV digoxin (all required additional maternal antiarrhythmic drugs), TO2 degrees was 145 +/- 114 hours, TO > 90% was 176 +/- 55 hours, and HF resolved in 41 +/- 37 days. Initial combined FIM and MIV therapy in four fetuses resulted in a TO2 degrees of 5.5 +/- 4 hours, TO > 90% of 22 +/- 14 hours, and resolution of HF in 25 +/- 21 days. For the two failed cardioversions with transplacental treatment alone (one fetus had recurrent SVT with hydrops after initial successful cardioversion with MIV), TO2 degrees was 203 +/- 180 hours and TO > 90% was 313 +/- 270 hours. Once FIM was begun in these fetuses, TO2 degrees was 17 +/- 7 hours and TO > 90% was 60 +/- 13 hours; HF resolved in 45 days in one fetus, whereas the other fetus never had resolution of hydrops despite 100 days of antiarrhythmic therapy. Direct fetal intramuscular injection of digoxin combined with transplacental therapy appears to shorten the time to initial conversion of SVT and to sustain sinus rhythm in the fetus with SVT complicated by hydrops fetalis.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗

Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors in maternal plasma and second-trimester amniotic fluid.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed maternal plasma and second-trimester amniotic fluid for levels of the p55 and p75 soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors. STUDY DESIGN: Blood was drawn from 61 healthy pregnant women (group A) before second-trimester genetic amniocentesis, and an aliquot of amniotic fluid was also obtained for this study. An additional blood sample was obtained from 13 of these patients at 36 to 40 weeks' gestation. Twenty-three healthy, nonpregnant women of reproductive age donated blood as a control group (group B). All plasma and amniotic fluid specimens were collectively assayed for the p55 and p75 soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors by specific enzyme-linked immunoassays. Additionally, tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were measured in second-trimester plasma and amniotic fluid of 22 patients in group A and in all 23 of the nonpregnant women. RESULTS: The p55 and p75 soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors were detectable in all plasma samples from both groups of patients. The concentrations of both soluble receptors were significantly higher in second-trimester plasma compared with nonpregnant measurements (p < 0.01), and the plasma concentrations of both soluble receptors increased significantly from the second to third trimester (p < 0.01). The p55 and p75 soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors were also detectable in all amniotic fluid samples. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was detected in the plasma of 15 of 22 patients in the second trimester but in none of the amniotic fluid samples and in none of the plasma samples from the nonpregnant cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Both the p55 and p75 soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors are physiologic constituents of second-trimester maternal plasma and amniotic fluid. Concentrations are elevated in pregnancy and further increase from the second to third trimester.

Adult↗

Fetal fibronectin levels are elevated in maternal plasma and amniotic fluid of patients with severe preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate levels of fetal fibronectin in maternal plasma, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord plasma from patients with severe preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: The study group comprised 20 patients with severe preeclampsia (group A). An antepartum comparison group was composed of 20 healthy patients matched for gestational age (group B). An intrapartum control group consisted of 20 term normotensive patients (group C). Maternal plasma samples were collected before labor (groups A and B), then immediately after delivery, and again at 20 to 24 hours post partum (groups A and C). Amniotic fluid was also collected in early labor, and umbilical cord blood was collected at delivery (groups A and C). Samples were assayed for fetal fibronectin by a specific enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: Before labor maternal plasma levels of fetal fibronectin were significantly elevated in preeclamptic patients compared with patients in group B (p < 0.0001). Plasma levels of fetal fibronectin were also increased in preeclamptic patients compared with patients in group C at delivery (p < 0.0001) and post partum (p < 0.05). Additionally, amniotic fluid levels of fetal fibronectin in the preeclamptic patients were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In contrast, umbilical cord plasma fetal fibronectin concentrations from the preeclamptic and control patients were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal fibronectin is elevated in the maternal plasma and amniotic fluid, but not umbilical cord plasma, of patients with severe preeclampsia. These findings suggest an increase in production of fetal fibronectin from chorionic trophoblast in patients with preeclampsia or an abnormal interaction between chorionic trophoblast and decidua with resultant increased leakage into the maternal circulation and amniotic fluid.

Adult↗

Immunoreactive tumor necrosis factor-alpha is elevated in maternal plasma but undetected in amniotic fluid in the second trimester.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the participation of the cellular arm of the immune system in adaptation to pregnancy by assessing plasma and amniotic fluid levels of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-five healthy pregnant women who underwent second-trimester genetic amniocentesis at a mean gestational age of 17.0 +/- 1.4 weeks composed study group A. Blood was drawn from each patient before amniocentesis, and an aliquot of amniotic fluid was obtained for this study. Twenty-one healthy patients at a mean gestational age of 35.5 +/- 4.8 weeks composed study group B, and blood was obtained from each patient at an outpatient prenatal visit. Twenty-two healthy, nonpregnant women of reproductive age composed the control group (C). All specimens were stored at -70 degrees C and collectively assayed for tumor necrosis factor-alpha by a specific enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: All patients in group A had a normal karyotype and all patients in groups A and B had uneventful pregnancies. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was detected in the plasma of 43 of 55 (78.2%) patients in group A compared with 7 of 21 (33.3%) patients in group B (p < 0.001); tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not detected in any of the 22 women in group C. The median plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha level for group A was 135 pg/ml (range 0 to 625 pg/ml) compared with 0 pg/ml (range 0 to 110 pg/ml) in group B (p < 0.001). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not detected in any of the amniotic fluid specimens studied. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were elevated in the plasma but not detected in the amniotic fluid of normal pregnant patients in the second trimester. These findings suggest involvement of the cellular branch of the immune system and its products, the cytokines, in the normal adaptation of the mother to the fetal allograft, with a possible role in regulating trophoblast growth and invasion.

Adult↗

Prediction of preterm birth in nulliparous patients.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine whether the mammary stimulation test combined with a risk scoring system and cervical examination at 26 to 28 weeks' gestation could effectively identify private nulliparous patients at risk for spontaneous preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: The mammary stimulation test was performed by 267 nulliparous patients with singleton gestations at 26 to 28 weeks. Risk scores were determined by the method of Creasy et al. and cervical examinations were performed at the first prenatal visit and at 26 to 28 weeks. Summary predictive values were calculated for each test, and a stepwise discriminate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Spontaneous preterm birth occurred at < 37 weeks in 26 of 265 (9.8%) patients. The following variables were independently associated with spontaneous preterm birth: positive result of mammary stimulation test, risk score > or = 10, soft cervix at 26 to 28 weeks, bacteriuria, and current smoking. The best discriminate model included positive result of mammary stimulation test, soft cervix, bacteriuria, current smoking, and prior spontaneous abortion(s). This model identified 19 patients as being at risk for spontaneous preterm birth with sensitivity of 35%, specificity of 96%, and positive predictive value of 47%. CONCLUSION: Combining the mammary stimulation test with a cervical examination at 26 to 28 weeks' gestation and routinely obtained prenatal data correctly identified 35% of spontaneous preterm births in nulliparous patients with a positive predictive value of 47%. Prospective validation of this model is warranted.

Adult↗

Depressed Apgar scores, acid-base status, and neurologic outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the acid-base status of neonates with an Apgar score < or = 3 at 5 minutes and to ascertain whether accompanying acidemia is an important predictor of immediate newborn morbidity and long-term neurologic development. STUDY DESIGN: From January 1984 through December 1991 there were 28 newborns with gestational age > or = 34 weeks or birth weight > or = 2000 gm in whom the Apgar score at 5 minutes was < or = 3 and for whom umbilical cord arterial blood gas measurements were retrievable from the perinatal database. The neonates were grouped according to whether the immediate newborn course was complicated (n = 16) or uncomplicated (n = 12). Analysis of variables between these two groups and between those neonates in the complicated group who were later assessed to be developmentally normal (n = 6) or to have cerebral palsy (n = 6) was performed by Fisher's exact test, unpaired Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance, or multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Seventeen of 28 (60.7%) neonates with an Apgar score of < or = 3 at 5 minutes had an umbilical cord arterial pH > 7.00, and in 15 (53.6%) cases the pH was > 7.10. Neonates with a complicated newborn course had a significantly lower mean pH (6.94 +/- 0.19 vs 7.14 +/- 0.11, p < 0.01) and a significantly greater mean base deficit (14.8 +/- 6.3 mmol/L vs 6.4 +/- 4.0 mmol/L, p < 0.001). However, within this group there were no differences in umbilical cord arterial blood gas measurements between those children who were subsequently normal versus those with cerebral palsy. Multiple logistic regression analysis could not identify any newborn morbidity predictive of long-term neurologic development in those neonates with a complicated newborn course. CONCLUSIONS: Neonates with an Apgar score < or = 3 at 5 minutes and a complicated newborn course were more likely to be delivered by cesarean section for fetal heart rate abnormalities and to have lower umbilical cord arterial pH measurements and higher base deficit values than did their counterparts with an uncomplicated newborn course. No neonatal variable, however, was predictive of chronic neurologic disability within the group of neonates with a complicated newborn course.

Adult↗