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Wei SQ, Luu TM, Ayoub A, Lewin A, Auger N. Assisted Reproductive Technology During COVID-19: A Population-Based Study Of Pregnancy Outcomes. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01649-x. [PMID: 39030447 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01649-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pregnancy outcomes of patients who used assisted reproductive technology. We conducted a population-based cohort study of 443,101 patients who conceived naturally or with assisted reproductive technology between December 2015 and July 2021 and had a delivery in hospitals of Quebec, Canada. The main exposure measure was use of assisted reproductive technology before or during the pandemic. Outcomes included preeclampsia, preterm birth, and other pregnancy complications. We used adjusted log-binomial regression models to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of assisted reproductive technology with adverse pregnancy outcomes compared with natural conception before vs. during the pandemic. In secondary analyses, we examined the association of COVID-19 infection with pregnancy outcomes among women who used assisted reproductive technology. Compared with natural conception, assisted reproductive technology was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (RR 1.43; 95% CI 1.21-1.68), preterm birth (RR 2.07; 95% CI 1.84-2.33), and low birth weight (RR 1.94; 95% CI 1.72-2.20) during the pandemic. However, the same risks were also present before the pandemic. Compared with no infection, COVID-19 infection was not associated with adverse outcomes among women who conceived with assisted reproductive technology. This study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly impact the pregnancy outcomes of women who underwent assisted reproductive procedures in Quebec. The findings are reassuring for patients concerned about the potential reproductive effects of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Qin Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Thuy Mai Luu
- Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aimina Ayoub
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Antoine Lewin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Auger
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Zhang M, Wen T, Wang D. The association between COVID-19 and infertility: Mendelian randomization analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37346. [PMID: 38457599 PMCID: PMC10919494 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019, COVID-19 has triggered a global pandemic. The association of COVID-19 with the long-term reproductive situation of women and males is not clear. Thus, our aim was to assess the causal association between COVID-19 and infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on the OpenGWAS database. Two-sample MR analysis was conducted using one genome-wide association study (GWAS) on COVID-19 and infertility in individuals of European ancestry. The summary data of genetic variation come from the GWAS in European populations. We applied several MR methods, including MR Egger, weighted median, inverse variance weighted, simple mode, weighted mode, to test causal relationships. After observing the statistical analysis results of MR, we conducted sensitivity analysis to test robustness. After gene prediction, it was found that there was no clear causal relationship between COVID-19 and male infertility in MR analysis [OR 0.4702 (95% CI, 0.1569-1.4093), P = .178]. Moreover, COVID-19 was not associated with female infertility [OR 0.9981 (95% CI, 0.763-1.544), P = .646]. Sensitivity analysis showed that the MR results were robust [level pleiotropy, male: (MR-Egger, intercept = 0.1967434; se = 0.1186876; P = .2392406); female: (MR-Egger, intercept = -0.05902506; se = 0.05362049; P = .3211367)]. To further validate the impact of COVID-19 on infertility, we added a covariate (sex hormone binding global levels, abortion) to the MR analysis, which is a multivariate MR analysis. According to univariate and multivariate MR analyses, the evidence does not support that COVID-19 is a causal risk factor for infertility in European population. This information can provide information for doctors in reproductive centers when managing infertility patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhang
- Department of Reproduction Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Tingyuan Wen
- Department of Reproduction Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Dejing Wang
- Department of Reproduction Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, China
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Eckstein V, Glaß K, Leßmann ME, Schaar J, Klimova A, Wimberger P, Goeckenjan M. Assisted reproduction after SARS-CoV-2-infection: results of a single-center cohort-study. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:305-313. [PMID: 37815640 PMCID: PMC10769908 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07228-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infections on the outcome of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) were studied in a retrospective cohort study. METHODS The outcome of 1581 treatment cycles with embryo transfer at a university fertility center in Germany was compared in years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. For 335 treatment cycles in 2022 a detailed analysis was carried out depending on infection and immunization status of both partners. RESULTS ART cycles did not differ in most of the parameters examined between 2018-2022. In spite of comparable clinical pregnancy rates, there was a significantly higher miscarriage rate at 34.6% (27/78) in 2022, compared to 19.7% (29/147) in the pre-pandemic years of 2018-2019 (p = 0.014). In 37.0% of the treatment cycles (124/335) 2022 at least one partner reported a SARS-CoV-2-Infection 6 months before ART, mostly with the virus variant Omicron. Clinical pregnancy rates were lower in cycles without infection. Comparing women with confirmed infection to no infection, a significantly higher risk of miscarriage was seen (62.5% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.009). In treatment cycles of partners with basic immunization against SARS-CoV-2 a statistically significant increase of pregnancy rates was seen comparing to cycles with both unvaccinated partners (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION The results indicate a negative impact of SARS-CoV-2-infections up to 6 months on ART treatment, in particular an increased risk of miscarriage. Vaccination was associated with a better outcome of ART treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violet Eckstein
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Glaß
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marie-Elisabeth Leßmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jessica Schaar
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Klimova
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maren Goeckenjan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl-Gustav-Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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Banjar S, Kadour E, Khoudja R, Ton-Leclerc S, Beauchamp C, Beltempo M, Dahan MH, Gold P, Jacques Kadoch I, Jamal W, Laskin C, Mahutte N, Reinblatt SL, Sylvestre C, Buckett W, Genest G. Intravenous immunoglobulin use in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 90:e13737. [PMID: 37491929 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) affects up to 4% of couples attempting to conceive. RPL is unexplained in over 50% of cases and no effective treatments exist. Due to the immune system's pivotal role during implantation and pregnancy, immune-mediated RPL may be suspected and immunomodulatory treatments like intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) have been administered but remain controversial. The goal of our study was to evaluate our center's 6 year-outcomes and to develop a framework for IVIg use in RPL. METHOD OF THE STUDY Retrospective, single-center cohort study. All patients having received IVIg for unexplained RPL at the McGill Reproductive Immunology Clinic (MRIC) from January 2014 to December 2020 were included if maternal age was <42 years, body mass index (BMI) < 35 kg/m2 , non-smoker and having had ≥3 consecutive RPL despite previous treatment with aspirin and progesterone. IVIg 0.6-0.8 g/kg was given prior to conception and monthly during pregnancy until 16-20 weeks' gestation. We compared IVIg treated patient's outcomes to a separate "natural history cohort". This cohort was composed of patients consulting at the McGill recurrent pregnancy loss clinic and the MRIC over a 2-year period (January 2020 to December 2021) with similar inclusion criteria as the treatment cohort but did not receive IVIg or other immunomodulatory treatments. The association of IVIg with outcomes (compared to no IVIg) was evaluated among the groups of patients with primary RPL and secondary RPL. The primary outcome was live birth rate (LBR), secondary outcomes included IVIg safety, obstetrical, and neonatal complications. RESULTS Among 169 patients with unexplained RPL that were included in the study, 111 had primary RPL (38 exposed to IVIg and 83 controls) and 58 had secondary RPL (nine exposed to IVIG and 49 controls). Among patients with primary RPL (n = 111), the LBR was 64.3% (18/28) among patient exposed to IVIg compared to 43.4% (36/83) in controls (p = 0.079); regression analysis adjusting for BMI and number of previous miscarriages showed benefit favoring the use of IVIg (OR = 3.27, CI 95% (1.15-10.2), p = 0.03) when evaluating for live birth. In the subgroup of patients with ≥5 previous RPL and primary RPL (n = 31), IVIg was associated with higher LBR compared to control (10/15 (66.7%) vs. 3/16 (18.8%); p = 0.0113) but not the in the sub-group of patients with <5 miscarriages and primary RPL (8/13 (61.5%) vs. 33/67 (49.3%); p = 0.548). IVIG treatment did not improve LBR in patients with secondary RPL in our study (3/9 (33.3%) vs. 23/49 (47%); p = 0.495). There were no serious adverse events in the IVIg treatment group, obstetrical/neonatal complications were similar between groups. CONCLUSION IVIg may be an effective treatment for patients with RPL if appropriately used in specific groups of patients. IVIg is a blood product and subject to shortages especially with unrestricted off-label use. We propose considering IVIg in well-selected patients with high order RPL who have failed standard medical therapy. Further mechanistic studies are needed to understand immune-mediated RPL and IVIg's mode of action. This will enable further refinement of treatment criteria and the development of standardized protocol for its use in RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shorooq Banjar
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Einav Kadour
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Rishon-Le-Zion, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Rabea Khoudja
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Coralie Beauchamp
- Ovo Clinic, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
| | - Marc Beltempo
- Division of Neonatology, Montreal Children's Hospital - McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michael H Dahan
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Phil Gold
- Department of Allergy and Immunology, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Isaac Jacques Kadoch
- Ovo Clinic, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
| | - Wael Jamal
- Clinique OVO, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Carl Laskin
- TRIO Fertility, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Deptartments of Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Neal Mahutte
- The Montreal Fertility Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shauna Leigh Reinblatt
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Camille Sylvestre
- Ovo Clinic, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - William Buckett
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- McGill University Health Care Reproductive Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Genevieve Genest
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Kern J, Schippert C, Fard D, Bielfeld AP, von Versen-Höynck F. Fear of fertility side effects is a major cause for COVID-19 vaccine hesitance in infertile patients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1178872. [PMID: 37324157 PMCID: PMC10267368 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1178872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study aims to investigate the acceptance, hesitance and attitudes of infertile female patients toward the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 28th of January to 10th of August 2022. The questionnaire consisted of 35 questions on demographics, COVID-19 vaccination status, prior concerns of the vaccinated participants and reasons for not vaccinating among unvaccinated participants, and factors influencing the decision not to vaccinate. Results Of 406 participants who answered all questions, 92.1% reported having received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 7.9% were unvaccinated. Factors associated with the decision for vaccination were full time or part time employment (p = 0.05), high trust in the principle of vaccination (p < 0.001), high willingness for other vaccination during fertility treatment (p < 0.001) and risk factors for severe COVID-19 (p = 0.007). Concerns about directly occurring adverse effects after vaccination (42.0%), about impact on own fertility (21.9%) or on the fertility treatment (27.5%) were the main concerns beforehand of vaccinated participants. Correlations between fertility concerns and mistrust in the general principle of vaccination were found. Beside general health concerns, unvaccinated participants reported fears about fertility impairment as the most important arguments against a COVID-19 vaccination (median of 5.0 on a five-point-Likert scale). Conclusion Both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants stated having concerns and fears about side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination on their fertility. To increase patients' trust in medical recommendations, such as vaccination, to avoid mistrust in the medical system and to maintain patient's compliance, there should be additional educational services that address infertile patients and their needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Kern
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cordula Schippert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Delnaz Fard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Petra Bielfeld
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, UniKiD/UniCareD, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frauke von Versen-Höynck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Lisonkova S, Bone JN, Muraca GM, Razaz N, Boutin A, Brandt JS, Bedaiwy MA, Ananth CV, Joseph KS. Early coronavirus disease 2019 restrictive measures and changes in maternal characteristics, use of assisted reproductive technology, and stillbirth. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2023; 37:117-127. [PMID: 36038519 PMCID: PMC9539106 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The initial COVID-19 pandemic response-related effects on conceptions following the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), and on changes in the maternal characteristics of women who conceived during the early vs. pre-pandemic period, have been understudied. OBJECTIVES To examine the effects of ART clinic closures in the United States (US) in March 2020 on the frequency of ART-conceived live births, multiple births and stillbirths; and to describe changes in the characteristics of women who conceived in the early pandemic period. METHODS Population-based cohort study including all births in the US from January 2015 to December 2020 (22,907,688 live births; 134,537 stillbirths). Interrupted time series (ITS) methodology was used to estimate rate ratios (RR) of expected versus observed rates in December 2020 (i.e., among births conceived mainly in March 2020). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between mothers who conceived in March 2020 versus March 2015-2019. RESULTS Overall, 1.1% of live births and 1.7% of stillbirths were conceived by ART. ART-conceived live births decreased by 57.0% in December 2020 (observed vs. expected RR 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40, 0.45), and these declines occurred in all subgroups of women. Multiple births also declined in December 2020. Stillbirth rates increased in December 2020 in ART-conceived births (RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.63, 3.92) but remained unchanged in the non-ART group. Maternal characteristics of women who conceived in the early pandemic versus pre-pandemic period differed and included an increased prevalence of pre-pregnancy obesity class 3 and chronic hypertension. CONCLUSIONS The early pandemic closure of ART clinics resulted in a substantial decline in ART-conceived live births and multiple births in December 2020 and an increase in the proportion of stillbirths among ART-conceived births. Women who conceived in the early pandemic period also had an increased prevalence of obesity and chronic hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarka Lisonkova
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity of British Columbia and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- School of Population and Public HealthUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Jeffrey N. Bone
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity of British Columbia and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Giulia M. Muraca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Evidence and ImpactMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and ImpactMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of MedicineSolna, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Neda Razaz
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of MedicineSolna, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Amelie Boutin
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of MedicineUniversité LavalQuebec CityQuebecCanada
- Reproduction, Mother and Youth Health and Population Health and Optimal Health Practices UnitsCHU de Québec‐Université Laval Research CenterQuebec CityQuebecCanada
| | - Justin S. Brandt
- Division of Maternal‐Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Mohamed A. Bedaiwy
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity of British Columbia and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Cande V. Ananth
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Cardiovascular Institute of New Jersey and Department of MedicineRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Biostatistics and EpidemiologyRutgers School of Public HealthPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - K. S. Joseph
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity of British Columbia and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
- School of Population and Public HealthUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
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