Latent Variable Models for Teratogenesis Using Multiple Binary Outcomes
本文开发了一个潜变量模型，用于刻画暴露对多个二元结局的影响，可比较对照组与暴露组婴儿的多种结局，并衡量每个婴儿病情的严重程度，以抗惊厥药的致畸作用研究为例进行说明。
Abstract Multiple outcomes are commonly measured in the study of birth defects. The reason is that most teratogens do not cause a single, uniquely defined defect, but rather result in a range of effects, including major malformations, minor anomalies, and deficiencies in birth weight, length and head circumference. The spectrum of effects associated with a particular teratogen is sometimes described as a “syndrome.” In this article we develop a latent variable model to characterize exposure effects on multiple binary outcomes. Not only does the method allow comparisons of control and exposed infants with respect to multiple outcomes, but it also provides a measure of the “severity” of each child's condition. Data from a study of the teratogenic effects of anticonvulsants illustrate our results.