Reproductive And Perinatal Epidemiology

Population growth and global health disparities for many reproductive and perinatal outcomes are but a few of the pressing issues facing public health today. Despite growing interest in the field, formal training in reproductive and perinatal epidemiology remains limited, with few available textbooks aimed at providing an overview of the field. In response to this need, faculty from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) and CIHR's Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) developed an intensive, competitive, Summer Institute in Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology. The curriculum of this Summer Institute has been developed into a textbook to provide students and researchers with a working knowledge of the substantive and methodologic issues underlying reproductive and perinatal epidemiology. Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology offers a core curriculum that addresses the epidemiology of major reproductive and perinatal outcomes. From human fecundity to birth and neonatal outcomes, the subject is approached from as international a perspective as possible, and the unique methodologic issues underlying each outcome are discussed. Developed by leading researchers in collaboration with their students in response to their needs and concerns, this is the definitive textbook on the subject.

First Published in 1990, Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiology reviews topics that are central to reproductive and perinatal epidemiology, as well as the methodological issues surrounding research in maternal and child health. Important topics covered include prenatal care, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), epidemiology of neonatal brain hemorrhage, early pregnancy, methodological issues in drug epidemiology, environmental exposures and reproduction, and occupational exposures and reproduction. This book is essential reading for clinicians, researchers, obstetricians, pediatricians, and graduate students in public health.

A conceptual paradigm for reproductive and perinatal epidemiology is presented to define the field and its spectrum of possible study outcomes, followed by an overview of the relevant sensitive windows for study and substantive and methodologic issues underlying key study outcomes ranging from human fecundity to adverse birth outcomes.

Perinatal Epidemiology synthesizes perinatal knowledge through the lens of public health practice. This comprehensive text uses a consistent, logical format to offer readers: (1) A spectrum of topics affecting maternal and infant health: reproductive health concerns, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and gestation and fetal growth. (2) Information on timely issues, including infertility, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, postpartum depression, and SIDS. (3) Detailed discussions of current epidemiological trends, measures and measurement issues, data sources, and risk and protective factors for each condition covered. (4) In-depth consideration of public health interventions and their availability, strengths and limitations. (5) Emerging areas of interest and directions for research. (6) Text boxes, definitions of key terms, discussion questions, appendices, and other helpful features. Perinatal Epidemiology is a valuable, ready resource for public health professionals in maternal and child care, reproduction and fertility. Its accessibility and easy-use format make it an equally strong textbook for courses in these fields as well as for advanced medical and nursing students in OB/GYN and pediatrics.

Reproductive Epidemiology introduces epidemiology students and health practitioners to a range of methodologies used to collect data and conduct analysis on reproductive epidemiology. The focus is to provide guidance on the use of methods appropriate for challenging and sensitive research topics, including sexual behavior, abortion, illicit drug use, and sexual abuse.

Fertility and Pregnancy: An Epidemiologic Perspective, is a lively overview of human reproduction: how it works, and what causes it to go wrong. Weaving together history, biology, obstetrics, pediatrics, demography, infectious diseases, molecular genetics, and evolutionary biology, Allen Wilcox brings a fresh coherence to the epidemiologic study of reproduction and pregnancy. Along the way, he provides entertaining anecdotes, superb graphs, odd tidbits and occasional humor that bring the topic to life. The book is divided into two sections. The first lays the foundations - the basic principles of reproductive physiology, demography, infectious diseases, and genetics as they apply to human reproduction. The second part deals with the endpoints of reproductive epidemiology - a spectrum ranging from infertility and fetal loss to birth defects and the delayed effects of fetal exposures. The book closes with a discussion of unsolved problems, suggesting possible research projects for a new generation of epidemiologists. An extensive glossary makes this a valuable reference as well as an enjoyable read.

The only in-depth survey of perinatal epidemiology, this book reviews a number of currently active fields of research and areas of public health interest in the epidemiology of perinatal disorders and covers recent advances in research methodology. A thorough and timely look at a burgeoningfield, this volume is an ideal textbook and a valuable reference for practitioners.

The evaluation of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) by the Disease Control Priorities, Third Edition (DCP3) focuses on maternal conditions, childhood illness, and malnutrition. Specifically, the chapters address acute illness and undernutrition in children, principally under age 5. It also covers maternal mortality, morbidity, stillbirth, and influences to pregnancy and pre-pregnancy. Volume 3 focuses on developments since the publication of DCP2 and will also include the transition to older childhood, in particular, the overlap and commonality with the child development volume. The DCP3 evaluation of these conditions produced three key findings: 1. There is significant difficulty in measuring the burden of key conditions such as unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortion, nonsexually transmitted infections, infertility, and violence against women. 2. Investments in the continuum of care can have significant returns for improved and equitable access, health, poverty, and health systems. 3. There is a large difference in how RMNCH conditions affect different income groups; investments in RMNCH can lessen the disparity in terms of both health and financial risk.