Brooke Rush
CAPSTONE
Capstone Project Committee: Sonja Eubanks, MS, CGC, William Goodnight, MD, Sat Gupta, PhD (Statistical Consultant), Emily Hardisty, MS, CGC, Scott Richter, PhD (Statistical Consultant)
Background: There are an increasing number of survivors of congenital abdominal wall defects (AWDs) reaching reproductive age. Currently, there is no published information regarding pregnancy outcomes in this population. The purpose of this study is to expand the current knowledge on pregnancy outcomes in patients born with an AWD.
Methods: A survey was designed to collect information regarding demographic data, pregnancy outcomes and individual fears and concerns regarding pregnancy in a group of AWD survivors. This survey was made available to adult, female survivors of AWDs via five on-line support groups and discussion boards. Data was collected over a period of three months and compared across total populations as well as between types of AWD or repair types.
Results: A total of 34 surveys were used in data analysis. Of these, 13 women reported a total of 16 live births and 13 pregnancy losses. Rates of Cesarean delivery were comparable to the general population. Incidence of preterm birth was 31.3% in this population, but none of the neonates were less than 10th percentile body weight for gestational age. Respondents with omphalocele generally reported fewer pregnancy complications. There were no incidences of preterm labor or pregnancy complications reported in respondents with initial repair by silo. Respondents with fewer medical complications as children tend to have fewer pregnancy complications or preterm births.
Conclusion: Overall, pregnancy outcomes in survivors of AWD are favorable. This study should provide guidance for physicians and genetic counselors educating patients.
Since Graduation
Since graduation in 2010, Brooke has been working as a laboratory GC. She started at LabCorp in the cytogenetics department. When BRCA testing was launched in 2013, she moved over to the cancer department.
In March 2017, Brooke began working at Ambry Genetics on the cancer reporting team, where she assesses variants and write reports for a variety of cancer indications. Brooke and her husband live in Raleigh, NC with their two dogs. They love to travel and are trying to see all 50 states (photo from recent Wyoming/Colorado vacation)!
In Brooke’s free time, she spends time volunteering.
She am a 4H leader for a local 4H horse club and spends every weekend volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding facility that provides riding lessons for children and adults with physical, mental and emotional needs.