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Tesema GA, Gezie LD, Nigatu SG. Spatial distribution of stillbirth and associated factors in Ethiopia: a spatial and multilevel analysis. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e034562. [PMID: 33115888 PMCID: PMC7594361 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although the rate of stillbirth has decreased globally, it remains unacceptably high in developing countries. Today, only 10 countries share the burden of more than 65% of the global rate of stillbirth and these include Ethiopia. Ethiopia ranks seventh in terms of high rate of stillbirths. Exploring the spatial distribution of stillbirth is critical to developing successful interventions and monitoring public health programmes. However, there is no study on the spatial distribution and the associated factors of stillbirth in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the spatial distribution and the associated factors of stillbirth. METHODS Secondary data analysis was conducted based on the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. A total weighted sample of 11 375 women were included in the analysis. The Bernoulli model was fitted using SaTScan V.9.6 to identify hotspot areas and ArcGIS V.10.6 to explore the spatial distribution of stillbirth. For associated factors, a multilevel binary logistic regression model was fitted using STATA V.14 software. Variables with a p value of less than 0.2 were considered for the multivariable multilevel analysis. In the multivariable multilevel analysis, adjusted OR (AOR) with 95% CI was reported to reveal significantly associated factors of stillbirth. RESULTS The spatial analysis showed that stillbirth has significant spatial variation across the country. The SaTScan analysis identified significant primary clusters of stillbirth in the Northeast Somali region (log likelihood ratio (LLR)=13.4, p<0.001) and secondary clusters in the border area of Oromia and Amhara regions (LLR=8.8, p<0.05). In the multilevel analysis, rural residence (AOR=4.83, 95% CI 1.44 to 16.19), primary education (AOR=0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.74), no antenatal care (ANC) visit (AOR=2.77, 95% CI 1.70 to 4.51), caesarean delivery (AOR=5.07, 95% CI 1.65 to 15.58), birth interval <24 months (AOR=1.95, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.10) and height <150 cm (AOR=2.73, 95% CI 1.45 to 4.97) were significantly associated with stillbirth. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION In Ethiopia, stillbirth had significant spatial variations across the country. Residence, maternal stature, preceding birth interval, caesarean delivery, education and ANC visit were significantly associated with stillbirth. Therefore, public health interventions that enhance maternal healthcare service utilisation and maternal education in hotspot areas of stillbirth are crucial to reducing stillbirth in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getayeneh Antehunegn Tesema
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Lemma Derseh Gezie
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Gedlu Nigatu
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia
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102
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Arach AAO, Nakasujja N, Nankabirwa V, Ndeezi G, Kiguli J, Mukunya D, Odongkara B, Achora V, Tongun JB, Musaba MW, Napyo A, Zalwango V, Tylleskar T, Tumwine JK. Perinatal death triples the prevalence of postpartum depression among women in Northern Uganda: A community-based cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240409. [PMID: 33048971 PMCID: PMC7553273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Deaths during the perinatal period remain a big challenge in Africa, with 38 deaths per 1000 pregnancies in Uganda. The consequences of these deaths can be detrimental to the women; some ending up with postpartum depression. We examined the association between perinatal death and postpartum depression among women in Lira district, Northern Uganda. METHODS We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study of 1,789 women. Trained research assistants screened women for postpartum depressive symptoms on day 50 postpartum using the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale (EPDS). Socio-demographic, economic, birth and survival status of the neonate were collected during pregnancy and within one week postpartum. We used generalized estimating equation for the Poisson family with a log link using Stata to estimate the prevalence ratio of the association between postpartum depressive symptoms (EPDS scores ≥14) and perinatal death. Mothers who lost their babies between 7-49 days postpartum were excluded. RESULTS Of the 1,789 participants symptomatically screened for postpartum depression, 377 (21.1%) [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 17.2%, 23.0%] had probable depressive symptoms. The prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms among the 77 women who had experienced perinatal death (37 stillbirths and 40 early neonatal deaths (≤7 days of life)) was 62.3% [95% CI: 50.8%, 72.6%] compared to 19.2% [95% CI: 17.4%, 21.2%], among 1,712 with live infants at day 50 postpartum. Women who had experienced a perinatal death were three times as likely to have postpartum depressive symptoms as those who had a live birth [adjusted prevalence ratio 3.45 (95% CI: 2.67, 4.48)]. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms, assessed by EPDS, was high among women who had had a perinatal death in Northern Uganda. Women experiencing a perinatal death need to be screened for postpartum depressive symptoms in order to intervene and reduce associated morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Agnes Ojok Arach
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
| | - Noeline Nakasujja
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Victoria Nankabirwa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Grace Ndeezi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Juliet Kiguli
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Beatrice Odongkara
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Vincentina Achora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Justin Bruno Tongun
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan
| | - Milton Wamboko Musaba
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda
| | - Agnes Napyo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Public Health, Busitema University, Tororo, Uganda
| | - Vivian Zalwango
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - James K. Tumwine
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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103
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Inequalities in infant mortality in Brazil at subnational levels in Brazil, 1990 to 2015. Popul Health Metr 2020; 18:4. [PMID: 32993802 PMCID: PMC7526088 DOI: 10.1186/s12963-020-00208-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In this study, infant mortality rate (IMR) inequalities are analyzed from 1990 to 2015 in different geographic scales. Methods The Ministry of Health (MoH) IMR estimates by Federative Units (FU) were compared to those obtained by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) group. In order to measure the inequalities of the IMR by FU, the ratios from highest to lowest from 1990 to 2015 were calculated. Maps were elaborated in 2000, 2010, and 2015 at the municipality level. To analyze the effect of income, IMR inequalities by GDP per capita were analyzed, comparing Brazil and the FU to other same-income level countries in 2015, and the IMR municipal estimates were analyzed by income deciles, in 2000 and 2010. Results IMR decreased from 47.1 to 13.4 per 1000 live births (LB) from 1990 to 2015, with an annual decrease rate of 4.9%. The decline was less pronounced for the early neonatal annual rate (3.5%). The Northeast region showed the most significant annual decline (6.2%). The IMR estimates carried out by the GBD were about 20% higher than those obtained by the MoH, but in terms of their inequalities, the ratio from the highest to the lowest IMR among the 27 FU decreased from 4 to 2, for both methods. The percentage of municipalities with IMR higher than 40 per 1000 LB decreased from 23% to 2%, between 2000 and 2015. Comparing the IMR distribution by income deciles, all inequality measures of the IMR decreased markedly from 2000 to 2010. Conclusion The results showed a marked decrease in the IMR inequalities in Brazil, regardless of the geographic breakdown and the calculation method. Despite clear signs of progress in curbing infant mortality, there are still challenges in reducing its level, such as the concentration of deaths in the early neonatal period, and the specific increases of post neonatal mortality in 2016, after the recent cuts in social investments.
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104
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Ahmed J, Raynes-Greenow C, Alam A. Traditional practices during pregnancy and birth, and perceptions of perinatal losses in women of rural Pakistan. Midwifery 2020; 91:102854. [PMID: 33022424 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2020.102854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Understanding the sociocultural context and local practices during pregnancy and birth is imperative to identify factors related to perinatal mortality in countries where its burden is high. This study aims to explore the pregnancy and birth related cultural practices and the perceptions of women with a recent perinatal death in Sindh province, Pakistan. DESIGN This qualitative exploratory study consisted of in-depth interviews with women who had experienced a perinatal death in the year preceding the study. Women were identified and recruited with the help of lady health workers. After consent, women were interviewed in their homes and in their own language (Sindhi) by a local female interviewer. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Interviews were conducted with women from predominantly rural district of the southern province of Sindh in Pakistan between May and August 2018. The data were coded both inductively and deductively and then analysed using themes. FINDINGS Twenty-five women were interviewed. Traditional home remedies were commonly used to alleviate pregnancy symptoms such as general aches and pains. The health providers often delayed the information about the perinatal deaths in health facilities, which saddened the women. Most women had fatalistic opinions about what caused their losses, and explained the cause based on their own interpretation, which were not necessarily consistent with known causes of perinatal death. The women also desired to use contraception and believed that it would prevent future pregnancy loss; however, many women were unable to make that decision themselves. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The high use of traditional home-based remedies may be a proxy measure for poor access to formal healthcare services. Many women described poor acknowledgement of their grief which may be harmful. Women's knowledge about the causes of perinatal mortality in general was very low, improving this knowledge may help women to seek appropriate healthcare services during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamil Ahmed
- The University of Sydney, Sydney School of Public Health, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia; Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain.
| | - Camille Raynes-Greenow
- The University of Sydney, Sydney School of Public Health, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Ashraful Alam
- The University of Sydney, Sydney School of Public Health, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
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105
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Mee JF. Investigation of bovine abortion and stillbirth/perinatal mortality - similar diagnostic challenges, different approaches. Ir Vet J 2020; 73:20. [PMID: 32944225 PMCID: PMC7487920 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-020-00172-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This pracademic paper reviews current bovine foetopathy (abortion and stillbirth) case definitions, reporting and triage, and causes and time-of-death and proposes veterinary practitioner-focused investigative standard operating procedures (SOPs). Issues of under- and over-triage and intra-institutional SOP harmonisation are also discussed. It is proposed that an ‘observable abortion’ (120–260 days of gestation) is a more practitioner-friendly definition of abortion for reporting and benchmarking purposes and that the term ‘peristillbirth’ can replace stillbirth and perinatal mortality. Diagnosis of bovine foetopathy involves an investigative triad of the farmer, veterinary practitioner and the veterinary diagnostic laboratory. However, the poor sensitivity of abortion reporting undermines the value of currently adopted scanning/passive surveillance; parallel active surveillance/sentinel herd models should also be employed. The approach to abortion investigation differs from that of peristillbirth. The former should include collecting a herd and case history, examination and sampling of dam and cohorts and sampling of the foetus and placenta. A sample selection decision tree is provided to assist test selection. In peristillbirths, non-infectious and periparturient causes-of-death are more important hence the anamnesis must focus on peristillbirth risk factors and calving management. The foetopsy, while including the sampling menu appropriate to aborted foetuses, must also include a detailed internal and external examination of the carcass for lesions indicative of periparturient causes-of-death. In addition, for aborted foetuses the time-of-death is not important as the foetus is generally not viable; however, for the peristillbirth the time-of-death is critical as it provides useful information for the farmer to address modifiable risk factors and to alter their perinatal management. Reporting of the ultimate cause-of-death is more useful to prevent future abortions and peristillbirths though the proximate cause-of-death is often reported in the absence of a complete clinical anamnesis. Finally, the common reasons for diagnosis not reached (DNR) and the limitations of current investigative approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Mee
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork Ireland
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106
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Zhu J, Zhang J, Xia H, Ge J, Ye X, Guo B, Liu M, Dai L, Zhang L, Chen L, Wang Y, Wang X, Liu H, Chen C, Wang Y, Wang G, Cai M, Yang X, Li F, Fan C, Ruan Y, Yu L, Zhang R, Xu H, Zhang J, Ma X, Yuan D, Zhu Y, Wang D, Betran AP, Qi H, Duan T, Zhang J. Stillbirths in China: a nationwide survey. BJOG 2020; 128:67-76. [PMID: 32770714 PMCID: PMC7754392 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective To estimate a stillbirth rate at 24 or more gestational weeks in 2015–2016 and to explore potentially preventable causes in China. Design A multi‐centre cross‐sectional study. Setting Ninety‐six hospitals distributed in 24 (of 34) provinces in China. Population A total of 75 132 births at 24 completed weeks of gestation or more. Methods COX Proportional Hazard Models were performed to examine risk factors for antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths. Population attributable risk percentage was calculated for major risk factors. Correspondence analysis was used to explore region‐specific risk factors for stillbirths. Main outcome measures Stillbirth rate and risk factors for stillbirth. Results A total of 75 132 births including 949 stillbirths were used for the final analysis, giving a weighted stillbirth rate of 13.2 per 1000 births (95% CI 7.9–18.5). Small for gestational age (SGA) and pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia increased antepartum stillbirths by 26.2% and 11.7%, respectively. Fetal anomalies increased antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths by 17.9% and 7.4%, respectively. Overall, 31.4% of all stillbirths were potentially preventable. Advanced maternal age, pre‐pregnant obesity, chronic hypertension and diabetes mellitus were important risk factors in East China; low education and SGA were major risk factors in Northwest, Southwest, Northeast and South China; and pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia and intrapartum complications were significant risk factors in Central China. Conclusions The prevalence of stillbirth was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016. Nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable. Strategies based on regional characteristics should be considered to reduce further the burden of stillbirths in China. Tweetable abstract The stillbirth rate was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016 and nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable. The stillbirth rate was 13.2 per 1000 births in China in 2015–2016 and nearly one‐third of all stillbirths may be preventable.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhu
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - J Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - H Xia
- Department of Obstetrics, The Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - J Ge
- Department of Obstetrics, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Hebei, China
| | - X Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu, China
| | - B Guo
- Department of Obstetrics, The Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Dongchangfu District, Shangdong, China
| | - M Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - L Dai
- Department of Obstetrics, The Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital of Xiangtan, Hunan, China
| | - L Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, Qihetai Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Heilongjiang, China
| | - L Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Fujian, China
| | - Y Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu, China
| | - X Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Hospital of Tongzhou District, Beijing, China
| | - H Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Shaanxi, China
| | - C Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Maternity and Child Care Center of Xingyang, Henan, China
| | - Y Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wenzhou People's Hospital, Wenzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, The Third Clinical Institute Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - G Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Inner Mongolia Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - M Cai
- Department of Obstetrics, Changsha Hospital for Maternal and Child Health Care, Hunan, China
| | - X Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - F Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - C Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei, China
| | - Y Ruan
- Department of Obstetrics, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - L Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinhua People's Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - R Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wenling Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - H Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, Shaoxing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - J Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fifth Hospital of Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - X Ma
- Department of Obstetrics, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - D Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gaizhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Liaoning, China
| | - Y Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangyin People's Hospital, Southeast University School of Medicine, Jiangsu, China
| | - D Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital Affiliated to Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - A P Betran
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - H Qi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - T Duan
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - J Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Deindl P, Diemert A. From structural modalities in perinatal medicine to the frequency of preterm birth. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:377-383. [PMID: 32840641 PMCID: PMC7508928 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00805-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Preterm birth is a global health problem that affects 11% of all live births: it remains a significant cause of death and an important cause of long-term loss of human potential among survivors all around the world. In the last decade, many developed countries have seen an increase in the rate of infants born preterm. Various theoretical and practical concepts have been discussed that aim to optimize the perinatal care of preterm infants and their mothers. These include the definition of hospitals with different levels of care, the regionalization of care, the creation of large care units with high case numbers, and a high level of expertise. This review article focuses on the connection between health care structures and different aspects of preterm birth. Furthermore, this review article highlights the fact that preterm birth is a heterogeneous syndrome with many underlying pathologies and that the causality for a large number of cases remains unexplained. There is still a significant knowledge gap concerning the actual drivers of spontaneous preterm birth, and future research particularly in parturition immunology as well as genetics of prematurity will be essential to identify new targets for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Deindl
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anke Diemert
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, D-20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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108
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Aughwane R, Mufti N, Flouri D, Maksym K, Spencer R, Sokolska M, Kendall G, Atkinson D, Bainbridge A, Deprest J, Vercauteren T, Ourselin S, David AL, Melbourne A. Magnetic resonance imaging measurement of placental perfusion and oxygen saturation in early-onset fetal growth restriction. BJOG 2020; 128:337-345. [PMID: 32603546 PMCID: PMC7613436 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We hypothesised that a multi-compartment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that is sensitive to fetal blood oxygenation would identify changes in placental blood volume and fetal blood oxygenation in pregnancies complicated by early-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR). DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING London, UK. POPULATION Women with uncomplicated pregnancies (estimated fetal weight [EFW] >10th centile for gestational age [GA] and normal maternal and fetal Doppler ultrasound, n = 12) or early-onset FGR (EFW <3rd centile with or without abnormal Doppler ultrasound <32 weeks GA, n = 12) were studied. METHODS All women underwent MRI examination. Using a multi-compartment MRI technique, we quantified fetal and maternal blood volume and feto-placental blood oxygenation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Disease severity was stratified according to Doppler pulsatility index and the relationship to the MRI parameters was investigated, including the influence of GA at scan. RESULTS The FGR group (mean GA 27+5 weeks, range 24+2 to 33+6 weeks) had a significantly lower EFW compared with the control group (mean GA 29+1 weeks; -705 g, 95% CI -353 to -1057 g). MRI-derived feto-placental oxygen saturation was higher in controls compared with FGR (75 ± 9.6% versus 56 ± 16.2%, P = 0.02, 95% CI 7.8-30.3%). Feto-placental oxygen saturation estimation correlated strongly with GA at scan in controls (r = -0.83). CONCLUSION Using a novel multimodal MRI protocol we demonstrated reduced feto-placental blood oxygen saturation in pregnancies complicated by early-onset FGR. The degree of abnormality correlated with disease severity defined by ultrasound Doppler findings. Gestational age-dependent changes in oxygen saturation were also present in normal pregnancies. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT MRI reveals differences in feto-placental oxygen saturation between normal and FGR pregnancy that is associated with disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Aughwane
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - N Mufti
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - D Flouri
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - K Maksym
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - R Spencer
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - M Sokolska
- Medical Physics, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - G Kendall
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - D Atkinson
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, UK
| | - A Bainbridge
- Medical Physics, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - J Deprest
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, UK.,University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - T Vercauteren
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - S Ourselin
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - A L David
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,University Hospital KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - A Melbourne
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.,School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging, Kings College London, London, UK
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109
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Schut PC, Brosens E, Van Dooren TJM, Galis F, Ten Broek CMA, Baijens IMM, Dremmen MHG, Tibboel D, Schol MP, de Klein A, Eggink AJ, Cohen-Overbeek TE. Exploring copy number variants in deceased fetuses and neonates with abnormal vertebral patterns and cervical ribs. Birth Defects Res 2020; 112:1513-1525. [PMID: 32755042 PMCID: PMC7689732 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Cervical patterning abnormalities are rare in the general population, but one variant, cervical ribs, is particularly common in deceased fetuses and neonates. The discrepancy between the incidence in the general population and early mortality is likely due to indirect selection against cervical ribs. The cause for the co‐occurrence of cervical ribs and adverse outcome remains unidentified. Copy number variations resulting in gain or loss of specific genes involved in development and patterning could play a causative role. Methods Radiographs of 374 deceased fetuses and infants, including terminations of pregnancies, stillbirths and neonatal deaths, were assessed. Copy number profiles of 265 patients were determined using single nucleotide polymorphism array. Results 274/374 patients (73.3%) had an abnormal vertebral pattern, which was associated with congenital abnormalities. Cervical ribs were present in 188/374 (50.3%) and were more common in stillbirths (69/128 [53.9%]) and terminations of pregnancies (101/188 [53.7%]), compared to live births (18/58, 31.0%). Large (likely) deleterious copy number variants and aneuploidies were prevalent in these patients. None of the rare copy number variants were recurrent or overlapped with candidate genes for vertebral patterning. Conclusions The large variety of copy number variants in deceased fetuses and neonates with similar abnormalities of the vertebral pattern probably reflects the etiological heterogeneity of vertebral patterning abnormalities. This genetic heterogeneity corresponds with the hypothesis that cervical ribs can be regarded as a sign of disruption of critical, highly interactive stages of embryogenesis. The vertebral pattern can probably provide valuable information regarding fetal and neonatal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline C Schut
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom J M Van Dooren
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,CNRS, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences iEES Paris, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Inge M M Baijens
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein H G Dremmen
- Department of Radiology, Division of Paediatric Radiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dick Tibboel
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Medical Center Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin P Schol
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alex J Eggink
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Titia E Cohen-Overbeek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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110
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Botzer T, Baumfeld Y, Davidesko S, Novack V. Risk factors for antepartum death in term pregnancies. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:2684-2689. [PMID: 32715816 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1797664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors for antepartum fetal death (APD) in term pregnancies while considering maternal, pregnancy and fetal characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study took place between the years 1988-2013. A total of 272,527 singleton births at term were recorded during this time period, including 524 cases of APD (0.2%). Cases of known chromosomal or other fetal abnormalities and cases with poor prenatal care were excluded. In order to identify independent risk factors contributing to antepartum fetal death in term we conducted a multivariate analysis using logistic regression. RESULTS The main risk factors found to be significantly associated with APD in term were suspected intrauterine growth restriction (OR = 2.70, p < .001), diabetes (OR = 1.37, p = .05), hypertensive disorders (OR = 1.59, p = .01), advanced maternal age (OR = 1.03, p < .001) and grand-multiparity (OR = 1.79, p < .001). Advanced gestational age was not significantly associated with APD (38.95 vs. 39.44, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Most of the risk factors for antepartum fetal death in term pregnancies found in this study coincide with known risk factors for APD as described in previous studies. We believe that in the presence of these risk factors, closer surveillance and careful medical management of the pregnancy are required, in order to reduce the incidence of APD, including induction of labor at advanced gestational age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Botzer
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Yael Baumfeld
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.,Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Sharon Davidesko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Victor Novack
- Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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111
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HIV-1 and HIV-2 prevalence, risk factors and birth outcomes among pregnant women in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau: a retrospective cross-sectional hospital study. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12174. [PMID: 32699381 PMCID: PMC7376101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68806-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) has proven an effective strategy to end paediatric infections and ensure HIV-infected mothers access treatment. Based on cross-sectional data collected from June 2008 to May 2013, we assessed changes in HIV prevalence, risk factors for HIV, provision of PMTCT antiretroviral treatment (ART), and the association between HIV infection, birth outcomes and maternal characteristics at the Simão Mendes National Hospital, Guinea-Bissau's largest maternity ward. Among 24,107 women, the HIV prevalence was 3.3% for HIV-1, 0.8% for HIV-2 and 0.9% for HIV-1/2. A significant decline in HIV-1, HIV-2, and HIV-1/2 prevalence was observed over time. HIV infection was associated with age and ethnicity. A total of 85% of HIV-infected women received ART as part of PMTCT, yet overall treatment coverage during labour and delivery declined significantly for both mothers and infants. Twenty-two percent of infants did not receive treatment, and 67% of HIV-2-infected mothers and 77% of their infants received ineffective non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors for PMTCT. Maternal HIV was associated with low birth weight but not stillbirth. Inadequate continuity of care and ART coverage present challenges to optimal PMTCT in Guinea-Bissau.
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112
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Urban ML, Bettiol A, Serena C, Comito C, Turrini I, Fruttuoso S, Silvestri E, Vannacci A, Ravaldi C, Petraglia F, Emmi G, Prisco D, Mecacci F. Intravenous immunoglobulin for the secondary prevention of stillbirth in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome: A case series and systematic review of literature. Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102620. [PMID: 32682986 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in secondary prevention of pregnancy complications for patients with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and history of stillbirth. METHODS We described three cases of obstetric APS patients with history of stillbirth treated with IVIg in four pregnancies. In addition, we conducted a systematic literature review on the use of IVIg in obstetric APS with history of stillbirth. RESULTS Three patients with obstetric APS and history of stillbirth were treated with prophylactic IVIg, in addition to standard treatment (hydroxychloroquine, low-dose aspirin, low molecular weight heparin, and prednisone), in four pregnancies (three singleton and one twin). All pregnancies resulted in live healthy newborns. Long-term follow-up re-evaluations (24-53 months) did not shown any sign or symptom of active systemic disease, and the children were healthy. The systematic literature review retrieved only three cases of use of IVIg in obstetric APS patients with history of stillbirth. All three cases resulted in live healthy newborns. Only in one case, mild thrombocytopenia occurred during treatment, although this event was unlikely to be related to IVIg. CONCLUSION Our experience suggests that IVIg as secondary prevention of APS-related stillbirth is associated with good pregnancy and long-term outcomes, with no relevant safety concerns. However, the literature evidence on this topic is limited to few isolated cases, and further studies are needed to clarify which obstetric APS patients may benefit the most from IVIg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Letizia Urban
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bettiol
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Caterina Serena
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences-Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Comito
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences-Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Turrini
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences-Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Fruttuoso
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Elena Silvestri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Alfredo Vannacci
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Ravaldi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences-Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Emmi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Domenico Prisco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Federico Mecacci
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences-Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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113
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Kirabira VN, Aminu M, Dewez JE, Byaruhanga R, Okong P, van den Broek N. Prospective study to explore changes in quality of care and perinatal outcomes after implementation of perinatal death audit in Uganda. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e027504. [PMID: 32641321 PMCID: PMC7348647 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of perinatal death (PND) audit on perinatal outcomes in a tertiary hospital in Kampala. DESIGN Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis. SETTING Nsambya Hospital, Uganda. PARTICIPANTS Live births and stillbirths. INTERVENTIONS PND audit. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes: perinatal mortality rate, stillbirth rate, early neonatal mortality rate. SECONDARY OUTCOMES case fatality rates (CFR) for asphyxia, complications of prematurity and neonatal sepsis. RESULTS 526 PNDs were audited: 142 (27.0%) fresh stillbirths, 125 (23.8%) macerated stillbirths and 259 (49.2%) early neonatal deaths. The ITS analysis showed a decrease in perinatal death (PND) rates without the introduction of PND audits (incidence risk ratio (IRR) (95% CI) for time=0.94, p<0.001), but an increase in PND (IRR (95% CI)=1.17 (1.0 to -1.34), p=0.0021) following the intervention. However, when overdispersion was included in the model, there were no statistically significant differences in PND with or without the intervention (p=0.06 and p=0.44, respectively). Stillbirth rates exhibited a similar pattern. By contrast, early neonatal death rates showed an overall upward trend without the intervention (IRR (95% CI)=1.09 (1.01 to 1.17), p=0.01), but a decrease following the introduction of the PND audits (IRR (95% CI)=0.35 (0.22 to 0.56), p<0.001), when overdispersion was included. The CFR for prematurity showed a downward trend over time (IRR (95% CI)=0.94 (0.88 to 0.99), p=0.04) but not for the intervention. With regards CFRs for intrapartum-related hypoxia or infection, no statistically significant effect was detected for either time or the intervention. CONCLUSION The introduction of PND audit showed no statistically significant effect on perinatal mortality or stillbirth rate, but a significant decrease in early neonatal mortality rate. No effect was detected on CFRs for prematurity, intrapartum-related hypoxia or infections. These findings should encourage more research to assess the effectiveness of PND reviews on perinatal deaths in general, but also on stillbirths and neonatal deaths in particular, in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mamuda Aminu
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Department of International Public Health (DIPH), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Juan Emmanuel Dewez
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Pius Okong
- Paediatrics Department, Nsambya Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nynke van den Broek
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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114
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Sovio U, McBride N, Wood AM, Masconi KL, Cook E, Gaccioli F, Charnock-Jones DS, Lawlor DA, Smith GCS. 4-Hydroxyglutamate is a novel predictor of pre-eclampsia. Int J Epidemiol 2020; 49:301-311. [PMID: 31098639 PMCID: PMC7124498 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyz098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pre-term pre-eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. A multi-centre randomized–controlled trial has shown that first-trimester screening followed by treatment of high-risk women with aspirin reduces the risk of pre-term pre-eclampsia. However, the biomarkers currently employed in risk prediction are only weakly associated with the outcome. Methods We conducted a case–cohort study within the Pregnancy Outcome Prediction study to analyse untargeted maternal serum metabolomics in samples from 12, 20, 28 and 36 weeks of gestational age (wkGA) in women with pre-eclampsia delivering at term (n = 165) and pre-term (n = 29), plus a random sample of the cohort (n = 325). We used longitudinal linear mixed models to identify candidate metabolites at 20/28 wkGA that differed by term pre-eclampsia status. Candidates were validated using measurements at 36 wkGA in the same women. We then tested the association between the 12-, 20- and 28-wkGA measurements and pre-term pre-eclampsia. We externally validated the association using 24- to 28-wkGA samples from the Born in Bradford study (25 cases and 953 controls). Results We identified 100 metabolites that differed most at 20/28 wkGA in term pre-eclampsia. Thirty-three of these were validated (P < 0.0005) at 36 wkGA. 4-Hydroxyglutamate and C-glycosyltryptophan were independently predictive at 36 wkGA of term pre-eclampsia. 4-Hydroxyglutamate was also predictive (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 95% confidence interval) of pre-term pre-eclampsia at 12 (0.673, 0.558–0.787), 20 (0.731, 0.657–0.806) and 28 wkGA (0.733, 0.627–0.839). The predictive ability of 4-hydroxyglutamate at 12 wkGA was stronger than two existing protein biomarkers, namely PAPP-A (0.567, 0.439–0.695) and placenta growth factor (0.589, 0.463–0.714). Finally, 4-hydroxyglutamate at 24–28 wkGA was positively associated with pre-eclampsia (term or pre-term) among women from the Born in Bradford study. Conclusions 4-hydroxyglutamate is a novel biochemical predictor of pre-eclampsia that provides better first-trimester prediction of pre-term disease than currently employed protein biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulla Sovio
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge; NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR), Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nancy McBride
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, UK.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | - Angela M Wood
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katya L Masconi
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emma Cook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge; NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesca Gaccioli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge; NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR), Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - D Stephen Charnock-Jones
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge; NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR), Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Debbie A Lawlor
- NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, UK.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | - Gordon C S Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge; NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR), Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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115
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Callander EJ, Thomas J, Fox H, Ellwood D, Flenady V. What are the costs of stillbirth? Capturing the direct health care and macroeconomic costs in Australia. Birth 2020; 47:183-190. [PMID: 31737924 DOI: 10.1111/birt.12469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reducing stillbirth rates is an international priority; however, little is known about the cost of stillbirth. This analysis sought to quantify the costs of stillbirth in Australia. METHODS Mothers and costs were identified by linking a state-based registry of all births between 2012 and 2015 to other administrative data sets. Costs from time of birth to 2 years postbirth were included. Propensity score matching was used to account for differences between women who had a stillbirth and those that did not. Macroeconomic costs were estimated using value of lost output analysis and value of lost welfare analysis. RESULTS Cost to government was on average $3774 more per mother who had a stillbirth compared with mothers who had a live birth. After accounting for gestation at birth, the cost of a stillbirth was 42% more than a live birth (P < .001). Costs for inpatient services, emergency department services, services covered under Medicare (such as primary and specialist care, diagnostic tests and imaging), and prescription pharmaceuticals were all significantly higher for mothers who had a stillbirth. Mothers who had a stillbirth paid on average $1479 out of pocket, which was 52% more than mothers who had a live birth after accounting for gestation at birth (P < .001). The value of lost output was estimated to be $73.8 million (95% CI: 44.0 million-103.9 million). The estimated value of lost social welfare was estimated to be $18 billion. DISCUSSION Stillbirth has a sustained economic impact on society and families, which demonstrates the potential resource savings that could be generated from stillbirth prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Thomas
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia
| | - Haylee Fox
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
| | - David Ellwood
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Vicki Flenady
- School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia
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116
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Eckert LO, Jones CE, Kachikis A, Bardají A, Silva FTD, Absalon J, Rouse CE, Khalil A, Cutland CL, Kochhar S, Munoz FM. Obstetrics risk Assessment: Evaluation of selection criteria for vaccine research studies in pregnant women. Vaccine 2020; 38:4542-4547. [PMID: 32448618 PMCID: PMC7211583 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Vaccines designed for use in pregnancy and vaccine trials specifically involving pregnant women are rapidly expanding. One of the key challenges in designing maternal immunization trials is that developing exclusion criteria requires understanding and quantifying the background risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes in the pregnancy being studied, which can occur independent of any intervention and be unrelated to vaccine administration. The Global Alignment of Immunization Safety Assessment in Pregnancy (GAIA) project has developed and published case definitions and guidelines for data collection, analysis, and evaluation of maternal immunization safety in trials involving pregnant women. Complementing this work, we sought to understand how to best assess obstetric risk of adverse outcomes and differentiate it from the assessment of vaccine safety. Quantification of obstetric risk is based on prior and current obstetric, and maternal medical history. We developed a step-wise approach to evaluate and quantify obstetric and maternal risk factors in pregnancy based on review of published literature and guidelines, and critically assessed these factors in the context of designing inclusion and exclusion criteria for maternal vaccine studies. We anticipate this risk assessment evaluation may assist clinical trialists with study design decisions, including selection of exclusion criteria for vaccine trials involving pregnant women, consideration of sub-group classification, such as high or low risk subjects, or schedule considerations, such as preferred trimester of gestation for an intervention during pregnancy. Additionally, this tool may be utilized in data stratification at time of study analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda O Eckert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Washington, School of Medicine Seattle, WA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA.
| | - Christine E Jones
- Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Alisa Kachikis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Washington, School of Medicine Seattle, WA
| | - Azucena Bardají
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Caroline E Rouse
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Asma Khalil
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, St. George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
| | - Clare L Cutland
- Medical Research Council, Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, African Leadership Iin Vaccinology Expertise, Faculty of Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sonali Kochhar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA; Global Healthcare Consulting, India; Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Flor M Munoz
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.
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117
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Michel-Schuldt M, McFadden A, Renfrew M, Homer C. The provision of midwife-led care in low-and middle-income countries: An integrative review. Midwifery 2020; 84:102659. [DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2020.102659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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118
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Miscarriage is associated with cervical ribs in thoracic outlet syndrome patients. Early Hum Dev 2020; 144:105027. [PMID: 32247157 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The constancy of the number of cervical vertebrae in mammals is probably the result of selection against associated variations. A survey among patients with and without cervical ribs showed an association between miscarriage and the presence of cervical ribs. This supports the hypothesized selection against variations in cervical vertebral number.
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119
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Ego A, Monier I, Skaare K, Zeitlin J. Antenatal detection of fetal growth restriction and risk of stillbirth: population-based case-control study. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2020; 55:613-620. [PMID: 31364201 DOI: 10.1002/uog.20414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Antenatal surveillance of intrauterine growth aims to detect growth-restricted fetuses (FGR), which face increased risk of stillbirth. Improving their detection could be an effective strategy for prevention of stillbirth. The French REPERE study was conducted to estimate the association between antenatal detection of FGR and risk of stillbirth. METHODS REPERE is a case-control study performed in three French districts with a combined total of approximately 30 000 births annually. Cases were singleton small-for-gestational-age (SGA) stillbirths ≥ 24 weeks' gestation and without severe congenital anomaly, between 2012 and 2014, identified using a population-based stillbirth registry; controls were live births fulfilling the same inclusion criteria over a 9-week period from 7 April to 8 June 2014. Data were extracted by trained investigators from medical records and ultrasound reports. SGA was defined as birth weight < 10th percentile of French customized standards. FGR was defined by the presence of at least one of seven predefined parameters (suspected FGR mentioned in medical records or in ultrasound report, suspected faltering growth mentioned in an ultrasound report, documented abdominal circumference or estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile, referral for additional ultrasound examination to monitor growth or abnormal umbilical artery Doppler). We used logistic regression to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the association between detection of FGR and risk of stillbirth. Included covariables were parity, maternal medical history, vascular complications during pregnancy and birth-weight percentile, which are known to be associated with risk of detection of FGR and of stillbirth. RESULTS During the study period, there were 92 182 births ≥ 22 weeks' gestation, including 669 stillbirths, of which 79 were singleton SGA stillbirths ≥ 24 weeks and without severe congenital anomaly. Of these cases, 44.3% (35/79) had FGR detected, compared with a detection rate of 36.2% in controls (154/426). The crude OR expressing the association between detection of FGR and risk of stillbirth was 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-2.3) and the OR adjusted for parity, presence of risk factors for FGR, presence of vascular disorder and birth-weight percentile was 0.6 (95% CI, 0.3-1.0). Among deliveries ≥ 28 weeks, detection rates were 38.3% vs 36.0% for cases and controls, with an adjusted OR of 0.5 (95% CI, 0.2-1.0). CONCLUSION Antenatal detection of FGR was protective against stillbirth, but over 40% of stillbirths among SGA fetuses occurred despite detection of FGR, pointing to the need to improve management following detection. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ego
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Public Health Department CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP (Grenoble Institute of Engineering), TIMC-IMAG, Grenoble, France
- INSERM CIC U1406, Grenoble, France
| | - I Monier
- INSERM UMR 1153, Obstetric, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team, Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France
- Antoine Béclère Maternity Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Université Paris Sud, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - K Skaare
- INSERM CIC U1406, Grenoble, France
| | - J Zeitlin
- INSERM UMR 1153, Obstetric, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team, Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France
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Helps A, Leitao S, Greene R, O'Donoghue K. Perinatal mortality audits and reviews: Past, present and the way forward. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 250:24-30. [PMID: 32371247 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Perinatal deaths are devastating for families and staff involved. Failure to examine perinatal deaths for substandard care prevents learning and may lead to recurrence of events, as well as prolonged morbidity in bereaved families and hospital staff. Perinatal mortality reviews can identify factors contributing to suboptimal care. An integrative literature review was carried out to study the different types of perinatal mortality reviews currently being done internationally, establishing a comparison and examining promising new developments. We start by outlining issues with the classification of perinatal deaths and the different types of perinatal mortality reviews carried out in high-income countries. We reflect on the challenges that are encountered in the current processes and we then comment on how these may be overcome. Current literature shows that differences in classifications of perinatal deaths continue to impede important international comparisons. National perinatal mortality audits can provide reliable high-quality data to facilitate national and international benchmarking. Confidential enquiries give expert assessment on anonymised information to initiate system-wide improvements, but to provide local information on perinatal deaths unit-based multi-disciplinary team reviews are required. Additionally, there is a need to shift from a blame-culture to a focus on achieving best practice by learning from mistakes. Review tools and processes have been implemented in some countries to standardize perinatal mortality reviews, but there is still more work to be done. Involving the bereaved parents in the perinatal mortality review process is important and ways to achieve this are progressing. A structured approach to the perinatal mortality review process should be developed to facilitate sharing of experiences and challenges at national (or international) level. To achieve a reduction in the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths, it is crucial to ensure that the perinatal mortality audit and review cycle is completed with implementation and re-evaluation of recommended changes in maternity services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aenne Helps
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre (NPEC), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Sara Leitao
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre (NPEC), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Richard Greene
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre (NPEC), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Keelin O'Donoghue
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Agena AG, Modiba LM. Labour admission assessment results of index pregnancy as predictors of intrapartum stillbirth in public health facilities of Addis Ababa: A case-control study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230478. [PMID: 32240197 PMCID: PMC7117700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately one-third of the global stillbirth burden occurs during intrapartum period. The ability to assess obstetric parameters including effacement, dilatation, uterine contraction, decent, rupture of the uterus, and moulding of the foetal head are among the essential competencies required by obstetric service providers admitting women for labour in health facilities. Misdiagnosis of these conditions could result in unnecessary obstetric interventions and unfavourable obstetric outcomes including intrapartum stillbirth. This study aimed to assess associations between missed diagnosis plus complication of labour on admission and intrapartum stillbirth. METHODS A case-control study using primary data from chart review of medical records of women who experienced intrapartum stillbirth in 20 public health centres and three public hospitals of Addis Ababa between 01 July 2010 and 30 June 2015 was conducted. Data were collected from charts of all cases meeting the inclusion criteria. Medical records of women with livebirths were randomly selected and reviewed from each public health facilities in two to one (2:1) control to case ratio. Accordingly, 728 cases of stillbirth out of 1,056 charts met the inclusion criteria whereas 1,551 controls out of 1,705 were also considered in the study. RESULTS Proportionally, more women in the stillbirth group (39.4%) than in the livebirth group (30.2%) experienced ruptured membrane on admission, with the difference being statistically significant (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.37-2.03). Significantly higher proportion of women in the intrapartum stillbirth group experienced FRH lower than 110/min, a result suggestive of foetal distress on admission. Proportionally, more women in the intrapartum stillbirth group (14.5%) than in the livebirth group (4.5%) had breech foetal presentation on admission for labour, the difference being statistically significant (aOR 3.26 95% CI 1.93-5.50). Intrapartum stillbirth was slightly higher among women with cervical dilatation 4cm or more on admission (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.00-1.45). This could be owing to delay in seeking obstetric care or misdiagnosis of the condition, a situation that seeks more rigorous study to determine the underlying causal links. Diagnosis of foetal member was missed among more cases than controls where the difference was statistically significant (aOR 1.51, CI 1.03-2.19). CONCLUSION Low FHR, non-vertex foetal presentations and ruptured cervical membrane were predictors of intrapartum stillbirth. Health facilities could avert unnecessary foetal loss by undertaking timely actions to manage obstetric emergencies on admission to labour.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lebitsi M. Modiba
- Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
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122
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Okeke EN, Abubakar IS. Healthcare at the Beginning of Life and Child Survival: Evidence from a Cash Transfer Experiment in Nigeria. JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS 2020; 143:102426. [PMID: 32863533 PMCID: PMC7450787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2019.102426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Households in poor countries are encouraged (and sometimes coerced) to increase investments in formal health care services during pregnancy and childbirth. Is this good policy? The answer to a large extent depends on its effects on child welfare. We study the effects of a cash transfer program in Nigeria in which households were offered a payment of $14 conditioned on uptake of health services. We show that the transfer led to a large increase in uptake and a substantial increase in child survival driven by a decrease in in-utero child deaths. We present evidence suggesting that the key driver is prenatal health investments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward N Okeke
- Department of Economics, Sociology and Statistics, RAND, 1200 South Hayes, Arlington, VA 22202
| | - Isa S Abubakar
- Department of Community Medicine, Bayero University Kano and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
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Christou A, Alam A, Sadat Hofiani SM, Rasooly MH, Mubasher A, Rashidi MK, Dibley MJ, Raynes-Greenow C. Understanding pathways leading to stillbirth: The role of care-seeking and care received during pregnancy and childbirth in Kabul province, Afghanistan. Women Birth 2020; 33:544-555. [PMID: 32094034 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The underlying pathways leading to stillbirth in low- and middle-income countries are not well understood. Context-specific understanding of how and why stillbirths occur is needed to prioritise interventions and identify barriers to their effective implementation and uptake. AIM To explore the contribution of contextual, individual, household-level and health system factors to stillbirth in Afghanistan. METHODS Using a qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with women and men that experienced stillbirth, female elders, community health workers, healthcare providers, and government officials in Kabul province, Afghanistan between October-November 2017. We used thematic analysis to identify contributing factors and developed a conceptual map describing possible pathways to stillbirth. FINDINGS We found that low utilisation and access to healthcare was a key contributing factor, as were unmanaged conditions in pregnancy that increased women's risk of complications and stillbirth. Sociocultural factors related to the treatment of women and perceptions about medical interventions deprived women of interventions that could potentially prevent stillbirth. The quality of care from public and private providers during pregnancy and childbirth was a recurring concern exacerbated by health system constraints that led to unnecessary delays; while environmental factors linked to the ongoing conflict were also perceived to contribute to stillbirth. These pathways were underscored by social, cultural, economic factors and individual perceptions that contributed to the three-delays. DISCUSSION Efforts are needed at the community-level to facilitate care-seeking and raise awareness of stillbirth risk factors and the facility-level to strengthen antenatal and childbirth care quality, ensure culturally appropriate and respectful care, and reduce treatment delays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliki Christou
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Ashraful Alam
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Mohammad Hafiz Rasooly
- Afghanistan National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | | | - Michael J Dibley
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Camille Raynes-Greenow
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Nonterah EA, Agorinya IA, Kanmiki EW, Kagura J, Tamimu M, Ayamba EY, Nonterah EW, Kaburise MB, Al-Hassan M, Ofosu W, Oduro AR, Awonoor-Williams JK. Trends and risk factors associated with stillbirths: A case study of the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital in Northern Ghana. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229013. [PMID: 32084170 PMCID: PMC7034822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal and Child health remains at the core of global health priorities transcending the Millennium Development Goals into the current era of Sustainable Development Goals. Most low and middle-income countries including Ghana are yet to achieve the required levels of reduction in child and maternal mortality. This paper analysed the trends and the associated risk factors of stillbirths in a district hospital located in an impoverished and remote region of Ghana. METHODS Retrospective hospital maternal records on all deliveries conducted in the Navrongo War Memorial hospital from 2003-2013 were retrieved and analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarise trends in stillbirths while the generalized linear estimation logistic regression is used to determine socio-demographic, maternal and neonatal factors associated with stillbirths. RESULTS A total of 16,670 deliveries were analysed over the study period. Stillbirth rate was 3.4% of all births. There was an overall decline in stillbirth rate over the study period as stillbirths declined from 4.2% in 2003 to 2.1% in 2013. Female neonates were less likely to be stillborn (Adjusted Odds ratio = 0.62 and 95%CI [0.46, 0.84]; p = 0.002) compared to male neonates; neonates with low birth weight (4.02 [2.92, 5.53]) and extreme low birth weight (18.9 [10.9, 32.4]) were at a higher risk of still birth (p<0.001). Mothers who had undergone Female Genital Mutilation had 47% (1.47 [1.04, 2.09]) increase odds of having a stillbirth compared to non FGM mothers (p = 0.031). Mothers giving birth for the first time also had a 40% increase odds of having a stillbirth compared to those who had more than one previous births (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION Despite the modest reduction in stillbirth rates over the study period, it is evident from the results that stillbirth rate is still relatively high. Primiparous women and preterm deliveries leading to low birth weight are identified factors that result in increased stillbirths. Efforts aimed at impacting on stillbirths should include the elimination of outmoded cultural practices such as FGM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Engelbert A. Nonterah
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
- Navrongo War Memorial Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
- Julius Global Health, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Isaiah A. Agorinya
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse, Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Peterplatz, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Edmund W. Kanmiki
- Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Juliana Kagura
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mariatu Tamimu
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Michael B. Kaburise
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
- Navrongo War Memorial Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
| | | | - Winfred Ofosu
- Upper East Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, PMB, Bolgatanga, Ghana
| | - Abraham R. Oduro
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
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Maor GS, Faden MS, Brown R. Prevalence, risk factors and pregnancy outcomes of women with vascular brain lesions in pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020; 301:665-670. [PMID: 32060681 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-020-05451-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular brain lesions (VBL) occur in up to 4.0% of the general population. With the increasing availability and use of sophisticated imaging techniques, there are more patients being diagnosed with asymptomatic intracranial AVMs and cavernous hemangiomas. OBJECTIVES Here we evaluate the association between VBL in pregnancy and the maternal and fetal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN The study cohort was identified by isolating all pregnancies from the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS), from the healthcare cost and utilization project (HCUP) over a five-year period. Within this cohort, cases with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or cerebral vascular malformations (CVM) were identified and their prevalence was calculated. Baseline demographic characteristics were compared and the odds ratios for various complications and outcomes were calculated. RESULTS Amongst 4,012,396 deliveries, VBL were identified in 214 cases: a prevalence of 5.33 cases per 100,000 deliveries. Majority of VBL cases were identified in women between 25 and 35 years of age, but the proportion of women aged 35 and older was greater amongst those patients with VBL. 74% of cases were of Caucasian race and more cases with VBL had a private insurance payer (62.1%). Seizure disorders were present in 63.6% of the cases with VBL. Whilst VBL are not associated with unfavorable obstetrical complications, they are more likely to be delivered by caesarean section (CS) - 79% of VBL cases were delivered by CS compared to 33% of the patients without VBL (OR 7.03 CI 95% 4.98-9.92). Instrumental delivery was performed in 10.3% of the vaginal deliveries for index cases. Index cases were less prone to fetal growth restriction. VBL accounted for 8.4% of 166 cases of intracranial bleeding occurring during the antepartum period within the entire pregnant population. CONCLUSIONS Presence of VBL does not appear to carry additional risk to mother or fetus during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gil Shechter Maor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tcharnichovsky st., Kfar Saba, Israel.
| | - Majed S Faden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Richard Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Gurung A, Bajracharya K, Gurung R, Budhathoki SS, KC NP, Shrestha PR, KC A. The Association of Women's Empowerment with Stillbirths in Nepal. Matern Child Health J 2020; 24:15-21. [PMID: 31784858 PMCID: PMC7048701 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-019-02827-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, 2.6 million stillbirths occur each year. Empowering women can improve their overall reproductive health and help reduce stillbirths. Women empowerment has been defined as women's ability to make choices in economic decision-making, household and health care decision-making. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate if women's empowerment is associated with stillbirths. METHODS Data from 2016 Nepal Demographic Health Surveys (NDHS) were analysed to evaluate the association between women's empowerment and stillbirths. Equiplots were generated to assess the distribution of stillbirths by wealth quintile, place of residence and level of maternal education using data from NHDS 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 data. For the association of women empowerment factors and stillbirths, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS A total of 88 stillbirths were reported during the survey. Univariate analysis showed age of mother, education of mother, age of husband, wealth index, head of household, decision on healthcare and decision on household purchases had significant association with stillbirths (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, only maternal age 35 years and above was significant (aOR 2.42; 1.22-4.80). Education of mother (aOR 1.48; 0.94-2.33), age of husband (aOR 1.54; 0.86-2.76), household head (aOR 1.51; 0.88-2.59), poor wealth index (aOR 1.62; 0.98-2.68), middle wealth index (aOR 1.37; 0.76-2.47), decision making for healthcare (aOR 1.36; 0.84-2.21) and household purchases (aOR 1.01; 0.61-1.66) had no any significant association with stillbirths. CONCLUSIONS There are various factors linked with stillbirths. It is important to track stillbirths to improve health outcomes of mothers and newborn. Further studies are necessary to analyse women empowerment factors to understand the linkages between empowerment and stillbirths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Shyam Sundar Budhathoki
- Golden Community, Lalitpur, Nepal
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, B.P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Naresh Pratap KC
- Golden Community, Lalitpur, Nepal
- Society of Public Health Physicians Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Ashish KC
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, International Maternal and Child Health, University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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Cnattingius S, Kramer MS, Norman M, Ludvigsson JF, Fang F, Lu D. Keep it in the family: comparing perinatal risks in small-for-gestational-age infants based on population vs within-sibling designs. Int J Epidemiol 2020; 48:297-306. [PMID: 30239740 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyy196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth is commonly used as a proxy for fetal growth restriction, but also includes constitutionally small infants. Genetic factors account for almost half of the risk of SGA birth. We estimated perinatal risks of SGA birth using both population-based and within-sibling analyses, where the latter by design controls for shared genetic factors and maternal environmental factors that are constant across pregnancies. METHODS This was a prospective nationwide cohort study of 2 616 974 singleton infants born in Sweden between January 1987 and December 2012, of whom 1 885 924 were full siblings. We estimated associations between severe or moderate SGA (<3rd percentile and 3rd to <10th percentiles, respectively) and risks of stillbirth, neonatal mortality and morbidity, using both population-based and within-sibling analyses. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in stillbirth analyses, whereas relative risks (RRs) were used for analyses of neonatal outcomes. RESULTS Compared with non-SGA births (>10th percentile), the HR (95% CI) of stillbirth was 18.5 (95% CI 17.4-19.5) among severe SGA births in the population analysis and 22.5 (95% CI 18.7-27.1) in the within-sibling analysis. In non-malformed infants, RRs for neonatal mortality in moderate and severe SGA infants were similarly increased in both population and within-sibling analyses. In term non-malformed infants (≥37 weeks), SGA-related RRs of several neonatal morbidities were higher in within-sibling than in population analyses. CONCLUSIONS Perinatal risks associated with fetal growth restriction are more accurately estimated from analyses of SGA in which genetic factors are accounted for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Cnattingius
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Sweden
| | - Michael S Kramer
- Departments of Pediatrics and of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Canada
| | - Mikael Norman
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neonatalogy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas F Ludvigsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Donghao Lu
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
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Marquès B, Benitez L, Peguero A, Madrigal I, Gómez O, Figueras F, Borrell A. Cytogenetic Investigation in 136 Consecutive Stillbirths: Does the Tissue Type Affect the Success Rate of Chromosomal Microarray Analysis and Karyotype? Fetal Diagn Ther 2020; 47:315-320. [PMID: 31955157 DOI: 10.1159/000505399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chromosomal anomalies are a recognized cause of stillbirth, accounting for 6-17% of the cases. As a diagnostic laboratory method in this setting, conventional karyotyping has two main drawbacks: the need for viable fetal cells in a dead fetus and its limited resolution as compared to alternative techniques. OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of cytogenetic analysis in stillbirths between different testing methods and different sampled tissues. METHODS From 2011 to 2017, 145 stillborn fetuses (defined as fetal losses after 22 weeks) were delivered in our center. The stillbirth protocol includes genetic testing by means of a karyotype, QF-PCR, or chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), depending on the presence of fetal structural anomalies and the study time period. The success rates were compared between tests and between different sampled tissues. RESULTS Consent was granted for cytogenetic analysis in 136 stillbirths. Test success rate was 100% (38/38) for CMA independent of the sampled tissue, 99% (65/66) for QF-PCR, and 66% (65/98) for karyotyping. The success rate for karyotyping was 48% (69/145) of the total tissues samples, showing great variation according to the tissue sampled: 83% (40/48) in amniotic fluid, 78% (21/27) in the placenta, 13% (7/54) in fetal skin, and 6.3% (1/16) in fetal blood. Four full or partial aneuploidies (trisomy 9, trisomy 22, tetrasomy 18p, and monosomy X) and 2 microdeletions (del2p16.3 and del1q13.2q13.4) were found, resulting in a 3.9% (4/103) prevalence for full or partial aneuploidy and a 5.3% prevalence (2/38) for submicroscopic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Amniotic fluid should be the preferred tissue source in the cytogenetic analysis of stillbirth due to its high success rate. Between tests, CMA is a preferable method because of its higher test success rate, independent of the sampled tissue, and higher diagnostic yield including chromosomal and submicroscopic anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Marquès
- Barcelona Center for Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leticia Benitez
- Barcelona Center for Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Peguero
- Barcelona Center for Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Madrigal
- Biomedical Diagnostic Center, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Gómez
- Barcelona Center for Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Figueras
- Barcelona Center for Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Borrell
- Barcelona Center for Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain,
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Mcnojia SZ, Saleem S, Feroz A, Khan KS, Naqvi F, Tikmani SS, McClure EM, Siddiqi S, Goldenberg RL. Exploring women and traditional birth attendants' perceptions and experiences of stillbirths in district Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan: a qualitative study. Reprod Health 2020; 17:3. [PMID: 31931824 PMCID: PMC6958748 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-0852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pakistan reports the highest stillbirth rate in the world at 43 per thousand births with more than three-quarters occurring in rural areas. The Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health maintains a Maternal and Newborn Health Registry (MNHR) in 14 study clusters of district Thatta, Sindh Pakistan. For the last 10 years, the MNHR has recorded a high stillbirths rate with a slow decline. This exploratory study was designed to understand the perspectives of women and traditional birth attendants regarding the high occurrence of stillbirth in Thatta district. Methods We used an exploratory qualitative study design by conducting in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) using semi-structured interview guide with rural women (FGDs = 4; n = 29) and traditional birth attendants (FGDs = 4; n = 14) who were permanent residents of Thatta. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with women who had experienced a stillbirth (IDIs = 4). This study presents perceptions and experiences of women and TBAs regarding high rate of stillbirth in Thatta district, Karachi. Results Women showed reluctance to receive skilled/ standard care when in need due to apprehensions towards operative delivery, poor attitude of skilled health care providers, and poor quality of care as service delivery factors. High cost of care, far distance to facility, lack of transport and need of an escort from the family or village to visit a health facility were additional important factors for not seeking care resulting in stillbirth. The easy availability of unskilled provider in the form of traditional birth attendant is then preferred over a skilled health care provider. TBAs shared their husband or family members restrict them to visit or consult a doctor during pregnancy. According to TBAs after delivering a macerated fetus, women are given herbs to remove infection from woman‘s body and uterus. Further women are advised to conceive soon so that they get rid of infections. Conclusion Women of this rural community carry lots of apprehension against skilled medical care and as a result follow traditional practices. Conscious efforts are required to increase the awareness of women to develop positive health seeking behavior during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period. Alongside, provision of respectful maternity care needs to be emphasized especially at public health facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanam Zulfiqar Mcnojia
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Sarah Saleem
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan.
| | - Anam Feroz
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Kausar S Khan
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Farnaz Naqvi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Shiyam Sunder Tikmani
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | | | - Sameen Siddiqi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
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Hailemichael HT, Debelew GT, Alema HB, Weldu MG, Misgina KH. Determinants of adverse birth outcome in Tigrai region, North Ethiopia: Hospital-based case-control study. BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:10. [PMID: 31914947 PMCID: PMC6947822 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-019-1835-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse birth outcome which attributes to most perinatal deaths is an important indicator of child health and survival. Hence, this study aims to identify determinants of adverse birth outcome among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals of Tigrai region, North Ethiopia. METHODS Hospital based case-control study was conducted in Tigrai region, Ethiopia between December 2015 and January 2016 among 405 (135 cases and 270 controls) consecutively selected mothers who gave birth in four randomly selected public Hospitals. Mothers with adverse birth outcome (preterm birth; < 37 gestational weeks at birth, low birth weight; < 2.5 kg at birth, or still birth) were the cases while mothers without adverse birth outcome (live birth, birth weight ≥ 2.5 kg and of ≥37 gestational weeks at birth) were the controls. Data were collected by interview and reviewing medical records using structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into database using EPI info version 3.5.1 then exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Finally, multivariate logistic regression was used to identify determinants of adverse birth outcomes at P value < 0.05. RESULT The mean age of cases and controls was 27.3 (SD = 6.6) and 26.14 (SD = 4.9) years, respectively. In a multivariate analysis; less than four antenatal care visits [AOR = 4.35, 95% CI: 1.15-13.50], not receiving dietary counseling [AOR = 11.24, 95% CI: 3.92-36.60], not using family planning methods [AOR = 4.06, 95% CI:1.35-17.34], less than 24 months inter pregnancy interval [AOR = 5.21, 95% CI: 1.89-13.86], and less than 11 g/dl hemoglobin level [AOR = 4.86, 95% CI: 1.83-14.01] were significantly associated with adverse birth outcomes. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The number of antenatal care visits, ever use of family planning methods, not receiving dietary counseling during antenatal care follow up visits, short inter-pregnancy interval, and low hemoglobin level were identified as independent determinants of adverse birth outcome. A concerted effort should be taken improve family planning use, and antenatal care follow-up with special emphasis to maternal nutrition to prevent adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Meresa Gebremedhin Weldu
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Aksum University, P.O.Box: 298, Axum, Ethiopia
| | - Kebede Haile Misgina
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Aksum University, P.O.Box: 298, Axum, Ethiopia
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131
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Ngongo CJ, Raassen T, Lombard L, van Roosmalen J, Weyers S, Temmerman M. Delivery mode for prolonged, obstructed labour resulting in obstetric fistula: a retrospective review of 4396 women in East and Central Africa. BJOG 2020; 127:702-707. [PMID: 31846206 PMCID: PMC7187175 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the mode of delivery and stillbirth rates over time among women with obstetric fistula. DESIGN Retrospective record review. SETTING Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Zambia and Ethiopia. POPULATION A total of 4396 women presenting with obstetric fistulas for repair who delivered previously in facilities between 1990 and 2014. METHODS Retrospective review of trends and associations between mode of delivery and stillbirth, focusing on caesarean section (CS), assisted vaginal deliveries and spontaneous vaginal deliveries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mode of delivery, stillbirth. RESULTS Out of 4396 women with fistula, 3695 (84.1%) delivered a stillborn baby. Among mothers with fistula giving birth to a stillborn baby, the CS rate (overall 54.8%, 2027/3695) rose from 45% (162/361) in 1990-94 to 64% (331/514) in 2010-14. This increase occurred at the expense of assisted vaginal delivery (overall 18.3%, 676/3695), which declined from 32% (115/361) to 6% (31/514). CONCLUSIONS In Eastern and Central Africa, CS is increasingly performed on women with obstructed labour whose babies have already died in utero. Contrary to international recommendations, alternatives such as vacuum extraction, forceps and destructive delivery are decreasingly used. Unless uterine rupture is suspected, CS should be avoided in obstructed labour with intrauterine fetal death to avoid complications related to CS scars in subsequent pregnancies. Increasingly, women with obstetric fistula add a history of unnecessary CS to their already grim experiences of prolonged, obstructed labour and stillbirth. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Caesarean section is increasingly performed in African women with stillbirth treated for obstetric fistula.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - J van Roosmalen
- Athena Institute VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - S Weyers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - M Temmerman
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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132
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Aughwane R, Ingram E, Johnstone ED, Salomon LJ, David AL, Melbourne A. Placental MRI and its application to fetal intervention. Prenat Diagn 2020; 40:38-48. [PMID: 31306507 PMCID: PMC7027916 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of placental invasion has been part of clinical practice for many years. The possibility of being better able to assess placental vascularization and function using MRI has multiple potential applications. This review summarises up-to-date research on placental function using different MRI modalities. METHOD We discuss how combinations of these MRI techniques have much to contribute to fetal conditions amenable for therapy such as singletons at high risk for fetal growth restriction (FGR) and monochorionic twin pregnancies for planning surgery and counselling for selective growth restriction and transfusion conditions. RESULTS The whole placenta can easily be visualized on MRI, with a clear boundary against the amniotic fluid, and a less clear placental-uterine boundary. Contrasts such as diffusion weighted imaging, relaxometry, blood oxygenation level dependent MRI and flow and metabolite measurement by dynamic contrast enhanced MRI, arterial spin labeling, or spectroscopic techniques are contributing to our wider understanding of placental function. CONCLUSION The future of placental MRI is exciting, with the increasing availability of multiple contrasts and new models that will boost the capability of MRI to measure oxygen saturation and placental exchange, enabling examination of placental function in complicated pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Ingram
- Division of Developmental Biology & MedicineUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Edward D. Johnstone
- Division of Developmental Biology & MedicineUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Laurent J. Salomon
- Hôpital Necker‐Enfants Malades, AP‐HP, EHU PACT and LUMIERE PlatformUniversité Paris DescartesParisFrance
| | - Anna L. David
- Institute for Women's HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Institute for Health ResearchUniversity College London Hospitals Biomedical Research CentreLondonUK
| | - Andrew Melbourne
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
- Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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Adeyinka DA, Olakunde BO, Muhajarine N. Evidence of health inequity in child survival: spatial and Bayesian network analyses of stillbirth rates in 194 countries. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19755. [PMID: 31875022 PMCID: PMC6930217 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56326-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimated at 2.6 million annually, stillbirths worldwide have stayed alarmingly high, in contrast to neonatal and under-five mortality rates. It is a neglected public health challenge globally, with less attention to its social determinants. We examined spatial patterns of country-level stillbirth rates and determined the influence of social determinants of health on spatial patterns of stillbirth rates. We also estimated probabilistic relationships between stillbirth rates and significant determinants from the spatial analysis. Using country-level aggregated data from the United Nations databases, it employed ecological spatial analysis and artificial intelligence modeling based on Bayesian network among 194 World Health Organization member countries. From the spatial analysis, thirty-seven countries formed a cluster of high values (hot-spots) for stillbirth and 13 countries formed a cluster of low values (cold-spots). In the multivariate regression, gender inequality and anaemia in pregnancy were significantly associated with spatial patterns of higher stillbirth rates, while higher antenatal care (ANC) coverage and skilled birth attendants during delivery were associated with clusters of lower stillbirth rates. The Bayesian network model suggests strong dependencies between stillbirth rate and gender inequality index, geographic regions and skilled birth attendants during delivery. The Bayesian network predicted that the probability of low stillbirth rate increased from 56% to 100% when the percentage of countries with high skilled birth attendants during delivery increased from 70% to 88%, high ANC coverage increased from 55% to 70%, high prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy decreased from 27% to 11% and high gender inequality index decreased from 43% to 21%. Recognizing the urgency in reducing stillbirths globally, multi-pronged strategies should be designed to promote gender equality and strengthen the reproductive and maternal health services in Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, South Eastern Asia, and other countries with disproportionately high stillbirth rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Adedayo Adeyinka
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
- Department of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria.
| | - Babayemi Oluwaseun Olakunde
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Nazeem Muhajarine
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
- Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit, Saskatchewan, SK, S7N 2Z4, Canada
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134
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Gurung R, Litorp H, Berkelhamer S, Zhou H, Tinkari BS, Paudel P, Malla H, Sharma S, Kc A. The burden of misclassification of antepartum stillbirth in Nepal. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001936. [PMID: 31908870 PMCID: PMC6936383 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, every year 1.1 million antepartum stillbirths occur with 98% of these deaths taking place in countries where the health system is poor. In this paper we examine the burden of misclassification of antepartum stillbirth in hospitals of Nepal and factors associated with misclassification. Method A prospective observational study was conducted in 12 hospitals of Nepal for a period of 6 months. If fetal heart sounds (FHS) were detected at admission and during the intrapartum period, the antepartum stillbirth (fetal death ≥22 weeks prior labour) recorded in patient's case note was recategorised as misclassified antepartum stillbirth. We further compared sociodemographic, obstetric and neonatal characteristics of misclassified and correctly classified antepartum stillbirths using bivariate and multivariate analysis. Result A total of 41 061 women were enrolled in the study and 39 562 of the participants' FHS were taken at admission. Of the total participants whose FHS were taken at admission, 94.8% had normal FHS, 4.7% had abnormal FHS and 0.6% had no FHS at admission. Of the total 119 recorded antepartum stillbirths, 29 (24.4%) had FHS at admission and during labour and therefore categorised as misclassified antepartum stillbirths. Multivariate analysis performed to adjust the risk of association revealed that complications during pregnancy resulted in a threefold risk of misclassification (adjusted OR-3.35, 95% CI 1.95 to 5.76). Conclusion Almost 25% of the recorded antepartum stillbirths were misclassified. Improving quality of data is crucial to improving accountability and quality of care. As the interventions to reduce antepartum stillbirth differ, accurate measurement of antepartum stillbirth is critical. Trial registration number ISRCTN30829654.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helena Litorp
- Department of Global Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Berkelhamer
- Department of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Peking University of Health Sciences, Peking, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Ashish Kc
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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135
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Vitamin D Concentration during Early Pregnancy and Adverse Outcomes among HIV-Negative Women in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania: A Case-Control Study. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11122906. [PMID: 31810155 PMCID: PMC6949980 DOI: 10.3390/nu11122906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the associations of plasma vitamin D concentration and adverse pregnancy outcomes among HIV-negative women in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. We used an unmatched case-control study design, with 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration assessed in the first trimester. Cases were individuals with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth, premature birth, or small for gestational age births (SGA). Unconditional logistic regression and weighted logistic regression models were used to describe the associations of 25(OH)D concentration with the composite of adverse pregnancy outcome and individual adverse pregnancy outcomes, respectively. We included 310 cases and 321 controls. In controls, 5(2%) were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), and 17(5%) had insufficient 25(OH)D concentration (20.0–29.9 ng/mL). Women with 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL had 1.82 times the odds of occurrence of the composite adverse pregnancy outcome (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 0.56–5.93; p = 0.32), however we noted a non-linear association between 25(OH)D concentration and adverse pregnancy outcome (p = 0.02). We found a 3-fold increased odds of stillbirth in women with low 25(OH)D concentration (OR = 3.11, 95% CI: 1.18–8.23, p = 0.02). Vitamin D concentration in early pregnancy may be an important factor in determining the course of pregnancy. Further research is needed to investigate whether the association of maternal 25(OH)D concentration in early pregnancy and stillbirth is causal.
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136
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Enweronu-Laryea CC, Onwona-Agyeman K, Ayibor PK, Annan FB, Gyakari EO, Vanotoo LA. Retrospective review of neonatal morbidity and mortality at public referral hospitals in Greater Accra Region of Ghana:2013-2014. J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2019; 13:105-113. [PMID: 31771076 DOI: 10.3233/npm-180184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reliable local data for evaluating and planning neonatal interventions in low-resource countries are scarce. To provide data for evaluating neonatal interventions in an administrative region of Ghana, the study examined baseline data for inpatient neonatal services prior to the implementation of a 5-years national action plan to reduce newborn deaths. METHODS This is a retrospective review of admissions and deaths registry for the years 2013 and 2014 at 3 referral neonatal units representing district, regional and tertiary referral centres in Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Perinatal, and neonatal hospitalisation data were extracted. Chi-squared test was used to compare outcomes. RESULTS Of the 8228 newborn infants hospitalised for special care, over 99% had antenatal care and were delivered at a health facility, 96.7% and 91.7% had birth weight and outcome data, respectively. Low birth weight infants accounted for 48.5% of total admissions and 67% of deaths. Using birth weight criteria, survival to discharge was 25.6% for infants less than 1000grams, 67.9% for 1000-1499grams, 88% for 1500-2499grams and 88.7% for infants 2500grams and higher. Among infants with birth weight of 1000grams and higher, perinatal asphyxia (70.6%) and respiratory distress (16.4%) accounted for most deaths. CONCLUSION There was significant burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality in hospitalized newborns prior to the implementation of the national action plan. The report provides a yardstick for assessing the impact of the national action plan and comparative analysis of future interventions on neonatal outcome in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K Onwona-Agyeman
- Tema General Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
| | | | - F B Annan
- Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - E O Gyakari
- Dataway Solutions, Sanshie Avenue, East Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - L A Vanotoo
- Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Promise Initiative Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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137
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Huberty J, Green J, Gold KJ, Leiferman J, Cacciatore J. An iterative design process to develop a randomized feasibility study and inform recruitment of minority women after stillbirth. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2019; 5:140. [PMID: 31798941 PMCID: PMC6882004 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-019-0526-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yearly, approximately 25,000 US women experience stillbirth and African American women have a 2.2 fold increased risk of stillbirth compared with white women. After stillbirth, women are subject to a sevenfold increased risk of post-traumatic stress compared with women after a live-birth. This paper presents findings from phase one of a National Institutes of Health funded, two-phase feasibility study to examine an online yoga intervention to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress in mothers after stillbirth. An iterative design was used to (1) inform the development of the online yoga intervention and (2) inform recruitment strategies to enroll minority women into phase two. METHODS Ten mothers (N = 5 stillbirth moms with no yoga experience, N = 5 nonstillbirth moms with yoga experience) participated in a series of online yoga videos (N = 30) and were assessed for self-compassion (SC) and emotional regulation (ER) before and after each video. An independent group of five minority women who had experienced stillbirth were interviewed about cultural barriers to recruitment and perceptions/opinions of yoga. A mean was calculated for SC and ER scores for each video at pre- and post-time points. The percent change of the mean difference between pre-post SC and ER scores were used to select videos for phase two. Videos with a negative change score or that had a 0% change on SC or ER were not used. A combination of deductive and inductive coding was used to organize the interview data, generate categories, and develop themes. RESULTS Five of the 30 tested yoga videos were not used. An additional 12 videos were developed, filmed, and used in the prescription for phase two. Topics from interview findings included perceived benefits/barriers of and interest in yoga, preferred yoga environment, suggested recruitment methods, content of recruitment material, and recommended incentives. CONCLUSIONS Online yoga may be beneficial for improving emotional regulation and self-compassion, but further testing is needed. Additionally, minority women express interest in online yoga but suggest that researchers apply culturally specific strategies regarding methods, content of material, and incentives to recruit minority women into a study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Huberty
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Jeni Green
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3rd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
| | - Katherine J. Gold
- Department of Family Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Michigan, 1018 Fuller Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1213 USA
| | - Jenn Leiferman
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, 13001 E. 17th Place, B119 Bldg 500, Room E3341, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045 USA
| | - Joanne Cacciatore
- School of Social Work, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central 8th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 USA
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138
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Although perinatal deaths are still a common pregnancy outcome in developing countries, little is known about the effect perinatal death has on fathers. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to understand and describe the meaning of perinatal death in a sample of fathers from northeastern Colombia. METHODS Using purposive and snowball sampling approaches, we identified 15 participants from northeastern Colombia who agreed to participate. We used a descriptive phenomenological design. Data were collected through in-depth, semistructured interviews. RESULTS Men suffer in solitude and hide their emotions as they feel the need to be the main supporters of their partners. Three major themes emerged: experience of loss, coming to terms with an irreparable loss, and overcoming the loss. DISCUSSION While women are receiving care, health staff may neglect or forget men. Men suffer alone while seeking ways of attunement with their partners' emotions to support them during the grieving process. Fathers can overcome and adjust to the loss when they transcend it and find new meaning. Men felt neglected and marginalized at hospitals while their partners were receiving treatment. Health professionals should recognize and acknowledge the pain of fathers who face perinatal death and include them as much as possible in the standard of care. The results identify opportunities for healthcare providers in clinical and outpatient settings to acknowledge the importance of men within the context of pregnancy and to learn about their pain and suffering when they face a perinatal death.
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139
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Nkwanyana NM, Voce AS. Are there decision support tools that might strengthen the health system for perinatal care in South African district hospitals? A review of the literature. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:731. [PMID: 31640655 PMCID: PMC6805543 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4583-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND South Africa has a high burden of perinatal deaths in spite of the availability of evidence-based interventions. The majority of preventable perinatal deaths occur in district hospitals and are mainly related to the functioning of the health system. Particularly, leadership in district hospitals needs to be strengthened in order to decrease the burden of perinatal mortality. Decision-making is a key function of leaders, however leaders in district hospitals are not supported to make evidence-based decisions. The aim of this research was to identify health system decision support tools that can be applied at district hospital level to strengthen decision-making in the health system for perinatal care in South Africa. METHODS A structured approach, the systematic quantitative literature review method, was conducted to find published articles that reported on decision support tools to strengthen decision-making in a health system for perinatal, maternal, neonatal and child health. Articles published in English between 2003 and 2017 were sought through the following search engines: Google Scholar, EBSCOhost and Science Direct. Furthermore, the electronic databases searched were: Academic Search Complete, Health Source - Consumer Edition, Health Source - Nursing/Academic Edition and MEDLINE. RESULTS The search yielded 6366 articles of which 43 met the inclusion criteria for review. Four decision support tools identified in the articles that met the inclusion criteria were the Lives Saved Tool, Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology model, OneHealth Tool, and Discrete Event Simulation. The analysis reflected that none of the identified decision support tools could be adopted at district hospital level to strengthen decision-making in the health system for perinatal care in South Africa. CONCLUSION There is a need to either adapt an existing decision support tool or to develop a tool that will support decision-making at district hospital level towards strengthening the health system for perinatal care in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ntombifikile Maureen Nkwanyana
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, George Campbell Building Room 215, Howard Campus, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa
| | - Anna Silvia Voce
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, George Campbell Building Room 215, Howard Campus, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa
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140
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Roth C. Birthing life and death: women's reproductive health in early twentieth-century Rio de Janeiro. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 25:921-941. [PMID: 30624473 DOI: 10.1590/s0104-59702018000500003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This article explores women's reproductive health in early twentieth-century Rio de Janeiro, showing that elevated and sustained stillbirth and maternal mortality rates marked women's reproductive years. Syphilis and obstetric complications during childbirth were the main causes of stillbirths, while puerperal fever led maternal death rates. Utilizing traditional sources such as medical dissertations and lesser-used sources including criminal investigations, this article argues that despite official efforts to medicalize childbirth and increase access to clinical healthcare, no real improvements were made to women's reproductive health in the first half of the twentieth century. This, of course, did not make pregnancy and childbirth any easier for the women who embodied these statistics in their reproductive lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassia Roth
- Professor, Department of History / University of Georgia . Athens - GA - USA
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141
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Rosário EVN, Gomes MC, Brito M, Costa D. Determinants of maternal health care and birth outcome in the Dande Health and Demographic Surveillance System area, Angola. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221280. [PMID: 31437180 PMCID: PMC6706050 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Maternal health care improvement and reduction of maternal and child mortality are priorities of the global health agenda. In Angola, maternal mortality remains high and the risk of pregnancy-related death was 1 in 32 during 2015. This study aims to identify demographic and social factors influencing antenatal care and health facility delivery among women in Dande and to understand their impact on birth outcomes. METHODS This study is based on community-based longitudinal data collected by the Dande Health and Demographic Surveillance System between 2009 and 2015. Data on pregnancy outcomes (10,289 outcomes of 8,066 women) were collected for all reported pregnancies, including sociodemographic information, health services utilisation and women's reproductive history. Logistic regression was used to investigate the determinants of birth outcomes, antenatal care attendance and institutionalised delivery. FINDINGS Of the 10,289 pregnancy outcomes, 98.5% resulted in live births, 96.8% attended antenatal care, and 82.5% had four or more visits. Yet, 50.7% of the women delivered outside a health facility. Antenatal care attendance was a determinant of birth outcomes (stillbirth: unadjusted OR = 0.34 95% CI = 0.16-0.70; abortion: OR = 0.07 95% CI = 0.04-0.12). Older women, with lower education, living at a greater distance of a health facility and in rural areas, were less likely to use maternal health care. Having had previous pregnancies, namely resulting in live births, also decreased the likelihood of health care utilization by pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS The study identifies relevant social determinants for the utilisation of antenatal care, place of delivery and their impact on birth outcome, thereby providing insight on how best to address inequities in health care utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edite Vila Nova Rosário
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Angola (CISA), Bengo, Angola
- Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (ISPUP), Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Miguel Brito
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Angola (CISA), Bengo, Angola
- Health and Technology Research Center (H&TRC), Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diogo Costa
- Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (ISPUP), Porto, Portugal
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Leite DFB, Cecatti JG. Fetal Growth Restriction Prediction: How to Move beyond. ScientificWorldJournal 2019; 2019:1519048. [PMID: 31530999 PMCID: PMC6721475 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1519048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The actual burden and future burden of the small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies turn their screening in pregnancy a question of major concern for clinicians and policymakers. Half of stillbirths are due to growth restriction in utero, and possibly, a quarter of livebirths of low- and middle-income countries are SGA. Growing body of evidence shows their higher risk of adverse outcomes at any period of life, including increased rates of neurologic delay, noncommunicable chronic diseases (central obesity and metabolic syndrome), and mortality. Although there is no consensus regarding its definition, birthweight centile threshold, or follow-up, we believe birthweight <10th centile is the most suitable cutoff for clinical and epidemiological purposes. Maternal clinical factors have modest predictive accuracy; being born SGA appears to be of transgenerational heredity. Addition of ultrasound parameters improves prediction models, especially using estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Placental growth factor levels are decreased in SGA pregnancies, and it is the most promising biomarker in differentiating angiogenesis-related SGA from other causes. Unfortunately, however, only few societies recommend universal screening. SGA evaluation is the first step of a multidimensional approach, which includes adequate management and long-term follow-up of these newborns. Apart from only meliorating perinatal outcomes, we hypothesize SGA screening is a key for socioeconomic progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora F. B. Leite
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, School of Medical Sciences, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Federal University of Pernambuco, Caruaru, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Jose G. Cecatti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, School of Medical Sciences, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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143
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The Pre-Pregnancy Risk Factors of Stillbirth in Pregnant Iranian Women: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. HEALTH SCOPE 2019. [DOI: 10.5812/jhealthscope.64034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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144
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Sharma B, Prasad G, Aggarwal N, Siwatch S, Suri V, Kakkar N. Aetiology and trends of rates of stillbirth in a tertiary care hospital in the north of India over 10 years: a retrospective study. BJOG 2019; 126 Suppl 4:14-20. [PMID: 31257693 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the aetiology of stillbirth and its changing trends in a single tertiary care referral institute of northern India over a 10-year period (2007-2016). DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Tertiary care hospital in the north of India. SAMPLE Medical records of all mothers who delivered a stillborn at the institute. METHODS Data was collected from monthly and annual perinatal audits and causes of stillbirths were classified using Simplified CODAC classification. Annual reduction rate was calculated by linear regression analysis and Cusick test for the changing trends over 9 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Of 54 160 births, 3678 babies were stillborn. Over 9 years, the annual stillbirth rate has reduced significantly from 73.6 to 62.0 per 1000 total births with an average annual reduction rate of 1%. The most common causes of stillbirths were hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (27.6%), antepartum haemorrhage (19.5%), and congenital anomalies (9.3%). CONCLUSION The annual reduction rate (1%) of stillbirth remains low. The aetiology of stillbirths remains unchanged over a 10-year period and hypertensive disorder of pregnancy remains the single most preventable cause of stillbirth. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Analysis of stillbirths over a 10-year period in an Indian institute showed a high but declining trend with annual reduction rate of 1%.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Sharma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Grv Prasad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - N Aggarwal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - S Siwatch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - V Suri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - N Kakkar
- Department of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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145
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Varela AR, Schneider BC, Bubach S, Silveira MF, Bertoldi AD, Duarte LSM, Menezes AMB, Domingues MR, Bassani DG. Fetal, neonatal, and post-neonatal mortality in the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort and associated factors. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2019; 35:e00072918. [PMID: 31411283 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00072918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to describe fetal, neonatal, and post-neonatal mortality and associated factors in participants of the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort. The child mortality sub-study followed up all deaths in the first year of life. Data were collected on intrauterine fetal deaths (weight ≥ 500g and/or gestational age ≥ 20 weeks), neonatal deaths (< 28 days of life), and post-neonatal deaths (from 28 days to the end of the first year of life). Descriptive analyses using the Pearson chi-square test and a multinomial logistic regression to estimate the risk of fetal, neonatal, and post-neonatal deaths compared to live infants in the cohort (reference group) were performed. Data from 4,329 eligible births were collected, of which 54 died during the fetal period. Of the 4,275 eligible live births, 59 died in the first year of life. An association between fetal, neonatal, and post-neonatal deaths (OR = 15.60, 7.63, and 5.51 respectively) was found, as well as less than six prenatal consultations. Compared to live infants, fetal deaths were more likely to occur in non-white mothers, and neonatal deaths were 14.09 times more likely to occur in a preterm gestational age (< 37 weeks). Compared to live infants, infants that were born in a C-section delivery had 3.71 increased odds of post-neonatal death. Additionally, neonatal deaths were 102.37 times more likely to have a low Apgar score on the fifth minute after birth. These findings show the need for early interventions during pregnancy, ensuring access to adequate prenatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ramirez Varela
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil
| | | | - Susana Bubach
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil.,Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, São Matheus, Brasil
| | | | - Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil
| | - Lina Sofia Moron Duarte
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil
| | - Ana Maria B Menezes
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil
| | - Marlos R Domingues
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil
| | - Diego G Bassani
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brasil
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146
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PATTERSON JK, AZIZ A, BAUSERMAN MS, MCCLURE EM, GOLDENBERG RL, BOSE CL. Challenges in classification and assignment of causes of stillbirths in low- and lower middle-income countries. Semin Perinatol 2019; 43:308-314. [PMID: 30981473 PMCID: PMC7894980 DOI: 10.1053/j.semperi.2019.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Stillbirths account for 2.6 million deaths annually. 98% occur in low- and lower middle-income countries. Accurate classification of stillbirths in low-resource settings is challenged by poor pregnancy dating and infrequent access to electronic heart rate monitoring for both the newborn and fetus. In these settings, liveborn infants may be misclassified as stillbirths, and stillbirths may be misclassified as miscarriages. Causation is available for only 3% of stillbirths globally due to the absence of registration systems. In low-resource settings where culture and autopsy are infrequently available, clinical course is used to assign cause of stillbirth. This method may miss rare or subtle causes, as well as those with non-specific clinical presentations. Verbal autopsy is another technique for assigning cause of stillbirth when objective medical data are limited. This method requires family engagement and physician attribution of cause. As interventions to reduce stillbirths in LMICs are increasingly implemented, attention to accurate classification and assignment of causes of stillbirth are critical to charting progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn K PATTERSON
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Aleha AZIZ
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Melissa S BAUSERMAN
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Elizabeth M MCCLURE
- Center for Clinical Research Network Coordination, RTI International, Durham, NC
| | - Robert L GOLDENBERG
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Carl L BOSE
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
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147
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Bettiol A, Lombardi N, Crescioli G, Avagliano L, Mugelli A, Ravaldi C, Vannacci A. Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of fetal growth restriction: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e029467. [PMID: 31350249 PMCID: PMC6661573 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal growth restriction (FGR) includes different conditions in which a fetus fails to reach the own full growth, and accounts for 28%-45% of non-anomalous stillbirths. The management of FGR is based on the prolongation of pregnancy long enough for fetal organs to mature while preventing starvation. As for pharmacological management, most guidelines recommend treatment with low-dose aspirin and/or with heparin, although this approach is still controversial and innovative promising therapies are under investigation. As no firm evidence exists to guide clinicians towards the most effective therapeutic intervention, this protocol describes methods for a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NetMA) of pharmacological treatments for FGR prevention. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will search MEDLINE and Embase for clinical trials and observational studies performed on gestating women with clinically diagnosed risk of FGR. Experimental interventions will include heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin, acetylsalicylic acid, antiplatelet agents, phosphodiesterase type 3 and 5 inhibitors, maternal vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy, nanoparticles, microRNA, statins, nitric oxide donors, hydrogen sulphide, proton pump inhibitors, melatonin, creatine and N-acetylcysteine, and insulin-like growth factors, compared between each other or to placebo or no treatment. Primary efficacy outcome is FGR. Secondary efficacy outcomes will be preterm birth, fetal or neonatal death and neonatal complications. For the safety outcome, all adverse events reported in included studies and experienced by either mothers, fetuses or newborns will be considered. Two review authors will independently screen title, abstract and full paper text, and will independently extract data from included studies. Where possible and appropriate, for primary and secondary efficacy outcomes, a NetMA will be performed using a random-effects model within a frequentist framework. Adverse events will be narratively described. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and by scientific congresses and meetings. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42019122831.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bettiol
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Niccolò Lombardi
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giada Crescioli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Avagliano
- Department of Health Sciences, San Paolo Hospital Medical School, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mugelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Ravaldi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- CiaoLapo - Charity for Healthy Pregnancy, Stillbirth and Perinatal Loss Support, Prato, Italy
| | - Alfredo Vannacci
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- CiaoLapo - Charity for Healthy Pregnancy, Stillbirth and Perinatal Loss Support, Prato, Italy
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148
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Kant C. Stillbirths: how should its rate be reported, its disability-adjusted-life-years (DALY), and stillbirths adjusted life expectancy. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2019; 19:133. [PMID: 31307445 PMCID: PMC6631739 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-019-0850-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A 2016 study standardized the definition of stillbirths. It estimated the rate as a proportion of total births. A 2015 paper addressed the problem of disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) for stillbirths. There has been no adjustment of life expectancy at birth to account for stillbirths. METHODS AND RESULTS We follow mathematical and computational methods, use algebra to derive relationships, and large databases. We express the rate as a proportion of live births and use this rate to adjust life expectancy at birth for stillbirths. We then use the difference between the traditional life expectancy and stillbirths adjusted life expectancy (SALE) to obtain DALY for stillbirths for 194 countries, the Millennium Development Goal regions, and income groups. We show defining stillbirths' rate as a proportion of live births enhances stillbirths' importance, especially in poorer countries; negates some of its under-statement vis-a-vis neonatal mortality rate, accentuates its decrease; and permits inference about relative magnitudes of stillbirths and neonatal mortality from the two rates. Using it, we derive stillbirths adjusted life expectancy, and suggest it reflects a more complete and accurate measure of comparative life expectancies of different countries. Its difference from the traditional life expectancy is used to measure DALY for stillbirths that totals 165.3 million years worldwide. CONCLUSION Stillbirths almost equals neonatal mortality yet have not received almost equal attention. We hope highlighting them and adjusting life expectancy for it will spur health interventions so that grand convergence of health outcomes in different countries can be more rapidly achieved. We also believe SALE is a more complete and accurate measure of comparative life expectancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chander Kant
- Department of Economics, Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ, 07078, USA.
- Principal, Kant Research, 1 Fielding Road, Short Hills, NJ, 07078, USA.
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149
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Christou A, Alam A, Hofiani SMS, Rasooly MH, Mubasher A, Rashidi MK, Dibley MJ, Raynes-Greenow C. How community and healthcare provider perceptions, practices and experiences influence reporting, disclosure and data collection on stillbirth: Findings of a qualitative study in Afghanistan. Soc Sci Med 2019; 236:112413. [PMID: 31326779 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Quality concerns exist with stillbirth data from low- and middle-income countries including under-reporting and misclassification which affect the reliability of burden estimates. This is particularly problematic for household survey data. Disclosure and reporting of stillbirths are affected by the socio-cultural context in which they occur and societal perceptions around pregnancy loss. In this qualitative study, we aimed to understand how community and healthcare providers' perceptions and practices around stillbirth influence stillbirth data quality in Afghanistan. We collected data through 55 in-depth interviews with women and men that recently experienced a stillbirth, female elders, community health workers, healthcare providers, and government officials in Kabul province, Afghanistan between October-November 2017. The results showed that at the community-level, there was variation in local terminology and interpretation of stillbirth which did not align with the biomedical categories of stillbirth and miscarriage and could lead to misclassification. Specific birth attendant practices such as avoiding showing mothers their stillborn baby had implications for women's ability to recall skin appearance and determine stillbirth timing; however, parents who did see their baby, had a detailed recollection of these characteristics. Birth attendants also unintentionally misclassified birth outcomes. We found several practices that could potentially reduce under-reporting and misclassification of stillbirth; these included the cultural significance of ascertaining signs of life after birth (which meant families distinguished between stillbirths and early neonatal deaths); the perceived value and social recognition of a stillborn; and openness of families to disclose and discuss stillbirths. At the facility-level, we identified that healthcare provider's practices driven by institutional culture and demands, family pressure, and socio-cultural influences, could contribute to under-reporting or misclassification of stillbirths. Data collection methodologies need to take into consideration the socio-cultural context and investigate thoroughly how perceptions and practices might facilitate or impede stillbirth reporting in order to make progress on data quality improvements for stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliki Christou
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia.
| | - Ashraful Alam
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | | | - Mohammad Hafiz Rasooly
- Afghanistan National Public Health Institute, Ministry of Public Health, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | | | - Michael J Dibley
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Camille Raynes-Greenow
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
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150
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Dankwah E, Zeng W, Feng C, Kirychuk S, Farag M. The social determinants of health facility delivery in Ghana. Reprod Health 2019; 16:101. [PMID: 31291958 PMCID: PMC6617857 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-019-0753-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many women still deliver outside a health facility in Ghana, often under unhygienic conditions and without skilled birth attendants. This study aims to examine the social determinants influencing the use of health facility delivery among reproductive-aged women in Ghana. METHODS Nationally representative data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey was used to fit univariable and multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the influence of the social determinants on health facility delivery. Andresen's health care utilization model was used as the conceptual framework guiding this study.. RESULTS Only 72% of deliveries take place at a health facility in Ghana. The results of the adjusted model indicate that place of residence, financial status, education, religion, parity and perceived need were significantly associated with health facility delivery. First, urban women had a higher likelihood of health facility delivery than rural women (Adjusted Odds ratio [AOR] =2.21; 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 1.53-3.19). Second, middle-class and rich women were 1.57 (95%CI = 1.18-2.08) times and 6.91 (95%CI = 4.12-11.59) times, respectively more likely to deliver at health facility compared to the poor. Third, women with either at least secondary education (AOR = 2.04; 95%CI = 1.57-2.64) or primary education (AOR = 1.39, 95%CI = 1.02-1.92) were more likely to deliver at health facility than women with no education. In terms of parity, first time mothers were 1.58 (95% CI = 1.18-2.12) times more likely to deliver at health facility than those who had given birth three or more times before. Finally, regarding perceived need, women who were aware of pregnancy complications were 1.32 (95%CI = 1.02-1.70) times more likely to use health facility delivery than those who were not informed about pregnancy complications. CONCLUSIONS First, in spite of Ghana's free maternal health services policy, poorer women were much less likely to have a health facility delivery, which points to the need to understand the indirect costs and other financial barriers preventing women from delivering at a health facility. Second, many of the identified variables influence the demand and not just the supply for health care services, and highlight the importance of the social determinants of health and investments in interventions that extend beyond improving physical access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Dankwah
- School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4 Canada
| | - Wu Zeng
- The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, 415 South St, Waltham, MA 02453 USA
| | - Cindy Feng
- School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4 Canada
| | - Shelley Kirychuk
- College of Medicine, Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA), University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4 Canada
| | - Marwa Farag
- School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4 Canada
- School of Public Administration and Development Economics, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Al Tarfa street, Zone 70, Doha, Qatar
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