Statistical Methods In Human Development/clinical Studies

National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Data collection for a study of the effects of soy estrogen on neonatal development carried out at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been completed (collaboration with Walter Rogan, formerly EB, now retired). We have recently published a paper that examined growth trajectories of testis volume and anogenital distance in infant boys through 28 weeks and whether those trajectories differ in infants fed soy formula, cow-milk formula, and breast milk. We are currently undertaking comparisons of testis volume measured by ultrasound with testicular volume assessed via Prader orchidometry. We are also studying changes in AMH levels in infant girls through age 36 weeks and assessing the relationships of those levels with patterns of ovarian growth. Uterine fibroids are common, and many women experience debilitating symptoms and the associated costs. We directly measured fibroid growth and development in a community-based sample of young African-American women. In a recently published paper, we found that our data did not support a hypothesized relationship where bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis possibly increased risk of uterine fibroids. In other work, we found that recent use of medroxyprogesterone acetate (an injectable contraceptive) was associated with lower rates of fibroid growth and increased loss of fibroids. (see ES049013, Principal Investigator Donna Baird).