Elizabeth Nathan

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition associated with pelvic pain, subfertility, and reduced quality of life. Advances in enhanced transvaginal ultrasound (eTVUS), including systematic compartment‐based scanning protocols and improved operator training, have increased diagnostic accuracy, particularly for deep endometriosis. Aims: To evaluate and critically reflect on the diagnostic performance of eTVUS during its implementation prior to the adoption of standardised scanning protocols. Using the #ENZIAN classification system, the diagnostic performance of eTVUS was assessed by comparing ultrasound findings with laparoscopic visualisation as the reference standard. Methods: A retrospective observational study of patients with suspected endometriosis who underwent preoperative eTVUS and subsequent laparoscopy between January 2015 and January 2024 at a single tertiary hospital. Ultrasound and surgical findings were mapped to #ENZIAN compartments and grades. Agreement and diagnostic metrics were calculated using laparoscopy as the reference standard. Results: Among 221 patients with paired ultrasound and laparoscopy, adnexal endometriomas were detected with a sensitivity of 81.4% and specificity of 84.1%. Tubo‐ovarian complex disease demonstrated a sensitivity of 72.9% and specificity of 68.8%. Sensitivity for deep endometriosis was lower, with specificity for detection depending on anatomical location varying from 83%–95%. Bladder involvement had a PPV of 83.3% and NPV of 94.8%; ureteric disease had a PPV of 0% and NPV of ~100%. Peritoneal disease was rarely identified. Conclusion: eTVUS demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for ovarian endometriomas, moderate performance for bowel involvement, and low sensitivity for peritoneal disease.

Introduction: Preterm infants are commonly treated with antibiotics on admission to the neonatal unit as part of routine care. We aimed to identify infants <32 weeks’ gestation at low risk of early-onset sepsis (EOS) in whom antibiotics could be safely withheld. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included infants <32 weeks’ gestation admitted between January 2012 and June 2022. Data were extracted from electronic databases. Low risk for EOS (LR) was defined as caesarean section delivery, rupture of membranes <1 h prior to birth, no preterm labour and no features of maternal chorioamnionitis. Maternal and neonatal characteristics and neonatal outcomes were compared between LR and not low risk (NLR) infants. IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 29) was used for data analysis. Results: There were 3,285 infants included in the analysis of which 1,035 (31.5%) were LR and 2,250 (68.5%) NLR. No LR infants had culture-confirmed EOS compared with 35 (1.6%) NLR infants. Antibiotics were commenced in the first 48 h of life in 794 (76.7%) LR and 2,159 (96.0%) NLR infants (p < 0.001) and continued for ≥5 days in 226/782 (28.8%) LR and 603/2,107 (28.6%) NLR infants, despite negative blood cultures. There was no difference in mortality or late-onset sepsis between LR and NLR infants. Conclusion: Simple clinical parameters available at birth can be used to identify very preterm infants at lower risk of EOS in whom withholding empiric antibiotics could be considered.

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Low-middle-income countries are disproportionately affected, but late-onset sepsis (LOS) still occurs in up to 20% of infants <28 weeks in high-income countries. Understanding site-specific data is vital to guide management. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), Perth. Infants admitted between January 2012 and June 2022 were included. Data were extracted from routine electronic databases. Incidence and aetiology of sepsis were determined and the association of sepsis with neonatal outcomes analysed. Results: During the study period, 23,395 newborns were admitted with a median gestation of 37 weeks and birth weight of 2,800 g. There were 370 sepsis episodes in 350 infants; 102 were early-onset sepsis (EOS) (1.6 per 1,000 live births), predominantly Streptococcus agalactiae (35, 34.3%) and Escherichia coli (27, 26.5%); 268 were LOS (0.9 per 1,000 inpatient days), predominantly coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) (156, 57.6%) and E. coli (30, 11.1%). The incidence of LOS declined from 2012 to 2022 (p = 0.002). Infants with EOS had increased brain injury (25.7% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.002) and mortality (18.8% vs. 1.6%; p < 0.001). Those with LOS had increased hospital stay (median 95 vs. 15 days; p < 0.001), mortality (15.3% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.018), necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) (7.4% vs. 0.5%; p < 0.001), and chronic lung disease (CLD) (58.1% vs. 5.9%; p = 0.005). Infants <28 weeks with sepsis were at increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment compared to those without infection (43.2% vs. 30.9%, p = 0.027). Conclusions: While we observed a reduction in LOS incidence, sepsis remains associated with higher mortality, and in survivors with longer hospital stay and increased risk of brain injury, NEC, CLD, and neurodevelopmental impairment.

We examined whether medical students' opinions on the acceptability of a behaviour were influenced by previously encountering a similar professionally challenging situation, assessed the magnitude of effect of 'experience' compared to other demographic factors which influence medical students' opinions, and evaluated whether opinions regarding some situations/behaviours were more susceptible to 'experience' bias? Confidential, on-line survey for medical students distributed to Australian and New Zealand (AUS/NZ) medical schools. Students submitted de-identified demographic information, provided opinions on the acceptability of a wide range of student behaviours in professionally challenging situations, and whether they had encountered similar situations. 3171 students participated from all 21 Aus/NZ medical schools (16% of registered students). Medical students reported encountering many of the professionally challenging situations, with varying opinions on what was acceptable behaviour. The most significant factor influencing acceptability towards a behaviour was whether the student reported encountering a similar situation. The professional dilemmas most significantly influenced by previous experience typically related to behaviours that students could witness in clinical environments, and often involved breaches of trust. Our results demonstrate the relationship between experience and medical students' opinions on professional behaviour- the 'Schweitzer effect'. When students encounter poor examples of professional behaviour, especially concerning trust breaches, it significantly influences their perception of the behaviour. These results highlight the importance of placing students in healthcare settings with positive professional role modelling/work cultures.

This study examines demographic factors which may influence opinions concerning medical students’ self-care and substance use behaviors as a means of providing insights into how future doctors view these issues compared to Australian doctors and members of the public. We conducted national, multicenter, prospective, on-line cross-sectional surveys using hypothetical scenarios to three cohorts- Australian medical students, medical doctors, and the public. Participants’ responses were compared for the different contextual variables within the scenarios and the participants’ demographic characteristics. In total 2602 medical students, 809 doctors and 503 members of the public participated. Compared with doctors and the public, medical students were least tolerant of alcohol intoxication, and most tolerant of using stimulants to assist with study, and cannabis for anxiety. Doctor respondents more often aligned with the public’s opinions on the acceptability of the medical students’ behaviors. Although opinions are not equivalent to behaviour, Australian students’ views on the acceptability for cannabis to help manage anxiety, and inappropriate use of prescription-only drugs are concerning; these future doctors will be responsible for prescribing drugs and managing patients with substance abuse problems. However, if current Australian medical student’s opinions on alcohol misuse persist, one of the commonest substance addictions amongst doctors may decrease in future.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterise neonatal Staphylococcus aureus (SA) sepsis in Western Australia (WA) between 2001 and 2020 at the sole tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), examine risk factors for sepsis in the cohort, and compare short- and long-term outcomes to control infants without any sepsis. Methods: Retrospective cohort study at the Neonatal Directorate at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and Perth Children’s Hospital, using electronic databases and patient medical records. Results: The overall incidence of SA sepsis was 0.10 per 1000 live births (62/614207). From 2001 to 2010 the incidence was 0.13/1000 live births, reducing to 0.07/1000 live births from 2011 to 2020. SA was most frequently isolated from endotracheal aspirates, and infants with SA sepsis had longer median duration of ventilatory support than those without any sepsis (31 days vs 18 days respectively, p < 0.001). In our cohort, SA sepsis was associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to infants without any sepsis. Conclusions: The incidence of neonatal SA sepsis has reduced over the last 20 years, suggesting potential effectiveness of the preventative interventions implemented. Endotracheal tube (ETT) colonisation and prolonged ventilation may be under-recognised as potential sources of SA infection. Our study suggests SA sepsis may negatively impact neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose: The Western Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative recommends a transabdominal cervical length (TACL) measurement at the mid‐pregnancy ultrasound to screen low‐risk women for preterm birth risk. In view of this recommendation, we assessed the inter‐observer consistency of TACL screening in mid‐pregnancy.Methods: Routinely collected mid‐pregnancy TACL ultrasound images were graded from 0 to 4 according to the anatomical landmarks identified by a single expert. A random selection of 10 images of each grade were disseminated in an electronic survey to determine inter‐ and intra‐observer variations in the classification of the cervical image.Results: A total of 244 participants graded 50 TACL images. Six participants repeated the grading. Overall agreement to the exact initial grade for all images was 49.6%, highest for images at both ends of the spectrum (83% Grade 0 and 70.4% for Grade 4). Overall agreement to the initial diagnostic Grades 3 and 4 was 75.3% (95% CI 74.5–76.0%) and was higher when the maternal bladder was empty. There was moderate inter‐rater agreement (κ = 0.42) for Grades 3 and 4 (diagnostic) or Grades 1 and 2 (non‐diagnostic). The intra‐rater agreement was fair to good (κ = 0.59, 95% CI 0.49–0.70) for those who repeated the assessment (including the expert grader).Conclusions: Sonographic CL screening is considered an important tool for the identification of women at high risk of preterm birth. Image classification of TACL performed poorly compared with previous studies assessing transvaginal cervical length. Improved reliability and measurement consistency may be achieved through high levels of quality assurance, ongoing training and image audit.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The traditional Papile classification system for severe germinal matrix hemorrhage–intraventricular hemorrhage is limited in objectivity and interrater variability for accurate prediction of neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely preterm infants. Many extremely preterm infants with severe germinal matrix hemorrhage–intraventricular hemorrhage are still offered “redirection of care” in spite of the recent evidence suggesting that many of these infants can have normal outcomes. Therefore, it is important to consider the laterality and extent of brain hemisphere involvement while classifying severe germinal matrix hemorrhage–intraventricular hemorrhage to predict neurodevelopmental impairment. The aim of the present study was to compare the Al-Abdi system with the Papile system for their accuracy in predicting neurodevelopmental impairment in extremely preterm infants with severe germinal matrix hemorrhage–intraventricular hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of extremely preterm infants with severe germinal matrix hemorrhage–intraventricular hemorrhage admitted to a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (2006–2016). Cranial sonograms were independently re-reviewed by 2 radiologists as per the Al-Abdi system. The prognostic statistical indices for both systems to predict neurodevelopmental impairment were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 91 infants with severe germinal matrix hemorrhage–intraventricular hemorrhage survived, and 83 (median gestational age, 26.3 weeks; and median birth weight, 890 g) completed developmental assessment. The receiver operating characteristic areas under the curve to predict neurodevelopmental impairment by the Papile versus Al-Abdi systems were 0.702 versus 0.723, respectively (P = .474). Corresponding Al-Abdi cutoff scores of 19, 20, 21, and 22 demonstrated increased specificity (76.36%–85.45%) and correct classification (69.88%–72.29%) to predict moderate-to-severe neurodevelopmental impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The Al-Abdi system is comparable with the Papile system for predicting neurodevelopmental impairment for extremely preterm infants with severe germinal matrix hemorrhage–intraventricular hemorrhage, with higher Al-Abdi scores being more specific. This finding may prove useful for neonatal health care providers and parents in their decision regarding “continuation of care.” Future multicentric studies are warranted to ascertain the validity of individual Al-Abdi scores.

Background: Vitamin A has anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. We aimed to assess whether enteral water-soluble vitamin A supplementation in extremely preterm infants decreases fecal calprotectin, a marker of intestinal inflammation. Methods: This was a prospective observational study nested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating enteral vitamin A (5,000 IU/day) for reducing the severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely preterm infants. Fecal calprotectin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after 28 days of Vitamin A or placebo supplementation. Results: Fecal calprotectin was measured in 66 infants (Vitamin A: 33, Placebo: 33). The mean (standard deviation) gestational age (25.5 [1.55] vs. 25.8 [1.48]; p = 0.341) (week), birth weight (810 [200] vs. 877 [251]; p = 0.240) (gram), and factors influencing fecal calprotectin levels were comparable between the vitamin A versus placebo group infants. All infants were exclusively fed with mother’s or donor’s human breast milk if mother’s milk was unavailable using a standardized feeding regimen and received prophylactic probiotic supplementation. Fecal calprotectin levels (median; 25th–75th centiles) (micrograms/gram of feces) were not significantly different between vitamin A (152; 97–212) and placebo groups (179; 91–313) (p = 0.195). Two infants in the vitamin A group developed definite necrotizing enterocolitis compared to none in the placebo group. Incidence of BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age was similar between the groups (vitamin A: 18/33, placebo: 13/33, p = 0.218). Conclusion: Enteral supplementation with water-soluble vitamin A did not affect fecal calprotectin levels in extremely preterm infants. Studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm the findings.