Seasonal Variation by Race in the Male-to-Female Ratio at Birth in the United States

ABSTRACT Objective: In humans, males' births exceed females' births. This ratio is conventionally referred to as M/F and is used to denote male births divided by total births. This ratio is influenced by a large number of factors and has been shown to exhibit seasonality. This study was carried out in order to ascertain whether seasonal variation in M/F exists in the United States of America and whether such variations are influenced by race. Materials and Methods: Data on births by gender and race from 2003 to 2013 were obtained from Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Wonder section as four races: White, Black/African American, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native. ANOVA and ARIMA tests were carried out. Results: This study analysed 45 103 146 live births (M/F 0.51182) over 2003 to 2013. M/F was highest in Asian/Pacific Islander (p < < 0.0001), followed by White (p = 0.002), American Indian/Alaska Native (p = 0.04) and Black/African American. Significant seasonality was present overall, with a peak in June, for Whites more than Black/African American. Conclusion: Parental stress lowers M/F, and lower M/F found in Black/African and American Indian/Alaskan births may be stress related. The dampened seasonality noted in Black/African American births may also be due to this phenomenon. More males were born in spring, as in other species, with interesting inter-racial differences.

An overview and update regarding medical problems in Down syndrome.

Down syndrome is the commonest occurring syndrome, and because of the high risk of congenital heart disease, these children are frequently seen at cardiology clinics and wards. However, these individuals are also likely to have a variety of other-problems, both congenital and acquired, which may impinge on the medical and surgical management of cardiac problems. It is therefore important for the paediatric cardiology community to maintain a minimum level of expertise in other noncardiac aspects of the syndrome. This paper reviews Down syndrome, lists congenital and acquire disorders that may occur, and briefly addresses recent advances in the understanding of this condition.