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Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the fastest growing type of diabetes in Australia with rates trebling over the past decades partially explained by rising obesity rates and maternal age among childbearing women. Percentage of GDM attributable to obesity has been documented, mostly focusing on metropolitan populations. In parts of regional (areas outside capital cities) and rural Australia where overweight, obesity and morbid obesity are more prevalent, intertwined with socioeconomic disadvantage and higher migrant communities, trends over time in adjusted percentages of GDM attributed to obesity are unknown. Methods: In this population-based retrospective panel study, women, without pre-existing diabetes, delivering singletons between 2010 and 2017 in a tertiary regional hospital that serves 26% of Victoria’s 6.5 million Australian population were eligible for inclusion. Secular trends in GDM by body mass index (BMI) and age were evaluated. The percentage of GDM that would have been prevented each year with the elimination of overweight or obesity was estimated using risk-adjusted regression-based population attributable fractions (AFp). Trends in the AFp over time were tested using the augmented Dickey-Fuller test. Results: Overall 7348 women, contributing to 10,028 births were included. The age of expecting mothers, their BMI, proportion of women born overseas, and GDM incidence significantly rose over time with GDM rising from 3.5% in 2010 to 13.7% in 2017, p < 0.001, increasing in all BMI categories. The incidence was consistently highest among women with obesity (13.8%) and morbid obesity (21.6%). However, the highest relative increase was among women with BMI < 25 kg/m2, rising from 1.4% in 2010 to 7.0% in 2017. Adjusting for age, country of birth, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, antenatal and intrapartum factors, an estimated 8.6% (confidence interval (CI) 6.1–11.0%), 15.6% (95% CI 12.2–19.0%), and 19.5% (95% CI 15.3–23.6%) of GDM would

OBJECTIVE: Perfusion imaging identifies anterior circulation stroke patients who respond favorably to endovascular thrombectomy (ET), but its role in basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is unknown. We hypothesized that BAO patients with limited regions of severe hypoperfusion (time to reach maximum concentration in seconds [Tmax] > 10) would have a favorable response to ET compared to patients with more extensive regions involved. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of BAO patients with perfusion imaging prior to ET. We prespecified a Critical Area Perfusion Score (CAPS; 0-6 points), which quantified severe hypoperfusion (Tmax > 10) in cerebellum (1 point/hemisphere), pons (2 points), and midbrain and/or thalamus (2 points). Patients were dichotomized into favorable (CAPS ≤ 3) and unfavorable (CAPS > 3) groups. The primary outcome was a favorable functional outcome 90 days after ET (modified Rankin Scale = 0-3). RESULTS: One hundred three patients were included. CAPS ≤ 3 patients (87%) had a lower median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSS; 12.5, interquartile range [IQR] = 7-22) compared to CAPS > 3 patients (13%; 23, IQR = 19-36; p = 0.01). Reperfusion was achieved in 84% of all patients, with no difference between CAPS groups (p = 0.42). Sixty-four percent of reperfused CAPS ≤ 3 patients had a favorable outcome compared to 8% of nonreperfused CAPS ≤ 3 patients (odds ratio [OR] = 21.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6-170; p < 0.001). No CAPS > 3 patients had a favorable outcome, regardless of reperfusion. In a multivariate regression analysis, CAPS ≤ 3 was a robust independent predictor of favorable outcome after adjustment for reperfusion, age, and pre-ET NIHSS (OR = 39.25, 95% CI = 1.34->999, p = 0.04). INTERPRETATION: BAO patients with limited regions of severe hypoperfusion had a favorable response to reperfusion following ET. However, patients with more extensive regions of hypoperfusion in critical brain regions d

Objective: To evaluate demographic and clinical variables as predictors of nasal high-flow treatment success in newborn infants with respiratory distress cared for in Australian nontertiary special care nurseries. Study design: A secondary analysis of the HUNTER trial, a multicenter, randomized controlled trial evaluating nasal high-flow as primary respiratory support for newborn infants with respiratory distress who were born >=31 weeks of gestation and with birth weight >=1200 g, and cared for in Australian nontertiary special care nurseries. Treatment success within 72 hours after randomization to nasal high-flow was determined using objective criteria. Univariable screening and multivariable analysis was used to determine predictors of nasal high-flow treatment success. Result(s): Infants (n = 363) randomized to nasal high-flow in HUNTER were included in the analysis; the mean gestational age was 36.9 +/- 2.7 weeks and birth weight 2928 +/- 782 g. Of these infants, 290 (80%) experienced nasal high-flow treatment success. On multivariable analysis, nasal high-flow treatment success was predicted by higher gestational age and lower fraction of inspired oxygen immediately before randomization, but not strongly. The final model was found to have an area under the curve of 0.65, which after adjustment for optimism was found to be 0.63 (95% CI, 0.57-0.70). Conclusion(s): Gestational age and supplemental oxygen requirement may be used to guide decisions regarding the most appropriate initial respiratory support for newborn infants in nontertiary special care nurseries. Further prospective research is required to better identify which infants are most likely to be successfully treated with nasal high-flow. Trial registration: ACTRN12614001203640.Copyright © 2020

Objective: To evaluate demographic and clinical variables as predictors of nasal high-flow treatment success in newborn infants with respiratory distress cared for in Australian nontertiary special care nurseries. Study design: A secondary analysis of the HUNTER trial, a multicenter, randomized controlled trial evaluating nasal high-flow as primary respiratory support for newborn infants with respiratory distress who were born >=31 weeks of gestation and with birth weight >=1200 g, and cared for in Australian nontertiary special care nurseries. Treatment success within 72 hours after randomization to nasal high-flow was determined using objective criteria. Univariable screening and multivariable analysis was used to determine predictors of nasal high-flow treatment success. Result(s): Infants (n = 363) randomized to nasal high-flow in HUNTER were included in the analysis; the mean gestational age was 36.9 +/- 2.7 weeks and birth weight 2928 +/- 782 g. Of these infants, 290 (80%) experienced nasal high-flow treatment success. On multivariable analysis, nasal high-flow treatment success was predicted by higher gestational age and lower fraction of inspired oxygen immediately before randomization, but not strongly. The final model was found to have an area under the curve of 0.65, which after adjustment for optimism was found to be 0.63 (95% CI, 0.57-0.70). Conclusion(s): Gestational age and supplemental oxygen requirement may be used to guide decisions regarding the most appropriate initial respiratory support for newborn infants in nontertiary special care nurseries. Further prospective research is required to better identify which infants are most likely to be successfully treated with nasal high-flow. Trial registration: ACTRN12614001203640.Copyright © 2020

Aims: Obesity-related complications have been identified across the entire childbearing journey. This study investigated changes in obesity prevalence and their impact on obstetric outcomes in a regional hospital in Victoria, Australia. Method(s): All women delivering during 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016 were eligible to participate. Trends over time and outcomes were assessed on body mass indices (BMI). Incidences of complications were compared by BMI categories. The effect of obesity on hospital length of stay (LoS) was further assessed using the Generalised Estimating Equations approach. Result(s): During the study period a total of 6661 women of whom 27.5% were overweight, and 16.1, 7.7, and 5.5% were respectively obese class I, class II, and class III, contributed to 8838 births. An increased trend over time in the prevalence of obesity (BMI > 35.0) (P = 0.041) and a decreased trend for vaginal deliveries for the whole sample (P = 0.003) were found. Multiple adverse outcomes were associated with increasing maternal BMI including increased risk of gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, emergency caesarean section, shoulder dystocia, macrosomia, and admission to special care. The multivariable analysis showed no associations between LoS and BMI. Conclusion(s): Over a short period of seven years, this study provides evidence of a significant trend toward more obesity and fewer vaginal births in a non-urban childbearing population, with increasing trends of poorer health outcomes. Assessing needs and risk factors tailored to this population is crucial to ensuring a model of care that safeguards a sustainable and effective regional maternity health service.Copyright © 2019 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Introduction: Australia has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the developed world. Obesity in pregnancy presents a major public health issue for mothers and their babies. Awareness of its impact is of particular importance in non-urban populations where disparities in health outcomes already exist. Method(s): We performed a seven-year trend analysis of body mass index (BMI) in a regional population of pregnant women in Victoria, Australia. Maternal and neonatal information were retrospectively collected and the prevalence of comorbidities and obstetric complications were compared. Result(s): Of the 6 661 women who birthed between January 2010 to December 2016, 56.8% were overweight (BMI 25-30) or obese (BMI > 30). Over time there was a significant trend in the number of women with a BMI > 35, and a decreased in those with norma weight. Those who were overweight or obese were more likely to present with pre-existing comorbidities and develop pregnancy-related complications. Caesarean section rates increased incrementally with increasing BMI category, and vaginal birth rates decreased. Discussion(s): Given the far-reaching impact of maternal obesity and unique opportunity for preventative health interventions in pregnancy, our research highlights the importance of ensuring regional health services are well resourced to deliver care tailored to the population they are serving to ensure sustainable and effective maternity health services.

Aims: Obesity-related complications have been identified across the entire childbearing journey. This study investigated changes in obesity prevalence and their impact on obstetric outcomes in a regional hospital in Victoria, Australia. Method(s): All women delivering during 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016 were eligible to participate. Trends over time and outcomes were assessed on body mass indices (BMI). Incidences of complications were compared by BMI categories. The effect of obesity on hospital length of stay (LoS) was further assessed using the Generalised Estimating Equations approach. Result(s): During the study period a total of 6661 women of whom 27.5% were overweight, and 16.1, 7.7, and 5.5% were respectively obese class I, class II, and class III, contributed to 8838 births. An increased trend over time in the prevalence of obesity (BMI > 35.0) (P = 0.041) and a decreased trend for vaginal deliveries for the whole sample (P = 0.003) were found. Multiple adverse outcomes were associated with increasing maternal BMI including increased risk of gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, emergency caesarean section, shoulder dystocia, macrosomia, and admission to special care. The multivariable analysis showed no associations between LoS and BMI. Conclusion(s): Over a short period of seven years, this study provides evidence of a significant trend toward more obesity and fewer vaginal births in a non-urban childbearing population, with increasing trends of poorer health outcomes. Assessing needs and risk factors tailored to this population is crucial to ensuring a model of care that safeguards a sustainable and effective regional maternity health service.Copyright © 2019 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Introduction: Australia has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the developed world. Obesity in pregnancy presents a major public health issue for mothers and their babies. Awareness of its impact is of particular importance in non-urban populations where disparities in health outcomes already exist. Method(s): We performed a seven-year trend analysis of body mass index (BMI) in a regional population of pregnant women in Victoria, Australia. Maternal and neonatal information were retrospectively collected and the prevalence of comorbidities and obstetric complications were compared. Result(s): Of the 6 661 women who birthed between January 2010 to December 2016, 56.8% were overweight (BMI 25-30) or obese (BMI > 30). Over time there was a significant trend in the number of women with a BMI > 35, and a decreased in those with norma weight. Those who were overweight or obese were more likely to present with pre-existing comorbidities and develop pregnancy-related complications. Caesarean section rates increased incrementally with increasing BMI category, and vaginal birth rates decreased. Discussion(s): Given the far-reaching impact of maternal obesity and unique opportunity for preventative health interventions in pregnancy, our research highlights the importance of ensuring regional health services are well resourced to deliver care tailored to the population they are serving to ensure sustainable and effective maternity health services.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive lacosamide in children and adolescents with uncontrolled focal (partial-onset) seizures. METHODS: In this double-blind trial (SP0969; NCT01921205), patients (age ≥4-<17 years) with uncontrolled focal seizures were randomized (1:1) to adjunctive lacosamide/placebo. After a 6-week titration, patients who reached the target dose range for their weight (<30 kg: 8-12 mg/kg/d oral solution; ≥30-<50 kg: 6-8 mg/kg/d oral solution; ≥50 kg: 300-400 mg/d tablets) entered a 10-week maintenance period. The primary outcome was change in focal seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline to maintenance. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-three patients were randomized; 306 (lacosamide 152 of 171 [88.9%]; placebo 154 of 172 [89.5%]) completed treatment (titration and maintenance). Adverse events (AEs) were the most common reasons for discontinuation during treatment (lacosamide 4.1%; placebo 5.8%). From baseline to maintenance, percent reduction in focal seizure frequency per 28 days for lacosamide (n = 170) vs placebo (n = 168) was 31.7% (p = 0.0003). During maintenance, median percent reduction in focal seizure frequency per 28 days was 51.7% for lacosamide and 21.7% for placebo. Fifty percent responder rates (≥50% reduction) were 52.9% and 33.3% (odds ratio 2.17, p = 0.0006). During treatment, treatment-emergent AEs were reported by 67.8% lacosamide-treated patients (placebo 58.1%), most commonly (≥10%) somnolence (14.0%, placebo 5.2%) and dizziness (10.5%, placebo 3.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive lacosamide was efficacious in reducing seizure frequency and generally well tolerated in patients (age ≥4-<17 years) with focal seizures. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01921205. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This trial provides Class I evidence that for children and adolescents with uncontrolled focal seizures, adjunctive lacosamide reduces seizure frequency.