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Braddock M. Do Not Risk Homicide: Abortion After 10 Weeks Gestation. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND PHILOSOPHY 2024; 49:414-432. [PMID: 38728420 DOI: 10.1093/jmp/jhae018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
When an abortion is performed, someone dies. Are we killing a human person? Widespread disagreement exists. However, it is not necessary to establish personhood in order to establish the wrongness of abortion: a substantial chance of personhood is enough. We defend The Do Not Risk Homicide Argument: abortions are wrong after 10 weeks gestation because they substantially and unjustifiably risk homicide, the unjust killing of a human person. Why 10 weeks? Because the cumulative evidence establishes a substantial chance (a more than one in five chance) that preborn human beings are persons after 10 weeks (if not before then). We submit evidence from our bad track record, widespread disagreement about personhood (after 10 weeks gestation), problems with theories of personhood, the similarity between preborn human beings and premature newborns, miscalculations of gestational age, and the common intuitive responses of women to their pregnancies and miscarriages. Our argument is cogent because it bypasses the stalemate over preborn personhood and rests on common ground rather than contentious metaphysics. It also strongly suggests that society must do more to protect preborn human beings. We briefly discuss its practical implications for fetal pain relief, social policy, and abortion law.
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AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2024; 43:E20-E32. [PMID: 38224490 DOI: 10.1002/jum.16406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
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Avcı F, Serin S, Bakacak M, Ercan O, Kostu B, Arıkan DC, Kulhan M, Bilgi A, Celik C, Duymus AC, Kulhan NG. An analytical cross-sectional study: determining gestational age using fetal clavicle length during the second trimester. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:2663-2668. [PMID: 37653252 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07196-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the correlation between fetal clavicle length and gestational age in pregnant patients from 14 and 27 weeks of gestation. METHODS This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients from 14 and 27 weeks of gestation. Ultrasonographic measurements such as abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL), humerus length (HL), clavicle length (CL), head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter (BPD), estimated fetal weight (EFW), and transverse cerebellum diameter (TCD) were made and compared. RESULTS A total of 552 patients were evaluated in our clinic and CL was measured properly and successfully in all fetuses. Fetal AC, FL, HL, CL, BPD, HC, EFW and TCD measurements were significantly and strongly correlated with gestational week, and Pearson's correlation values were 0.964, 0.965, 0.959, 0.965, 0.951, 0.917, 0.925, and 0.954, respectively (p < 0.001). In the regression analysis equation, gestational week = 0.894 + CL × 0.961. CONCLUSION There was a significant positive correlation between fetal CL (mm) and gestational week. We suggest that the 1 mm = 1 week rule can be used for patients with anomalies of the cerebellum and vermis, as well as for patients with unknown last menstrual period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazıl Avcı
- Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Salih Serin
- Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konya, Turkey
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Private, Bitlis, Turkey
| | - Murat Bakacak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Onder Ercan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Bulent Kostu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Deniz Cemgil Arıkan
- Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konya, Turkey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Kulhan
- Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Bilgi
- Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konya, Turkey
| | - Cetin Celik
- Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ayse Ceren Duymus
- Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Deparment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konya, Turkey
| | - Nur Gozde Kulhan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences, Konya City Hospital, Konya, Turkey
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Hetherington E, Darling E, Harper S, Nguyen F, Schummers L, Norman WV. Inequalities in access to prenatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Analysis of a population-based cohort. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2024; 38:291-301. [PMID: 38339962 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.13050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Before the COVID-19 pandemic, access to prenatal care was lower among some socio-demographic groups. This pandemic caused disruptions to routine preventative care, which could have increased inequalities. OBJECTIVES To investigate if the COVID-19 pandemic increased inequalities in access to prenatal care among those who are younger, live in rural areas, have a lower socio-economic situation (SES) and are recent immigrants. METHODS We used linked administrative datasets from ICES to identify a population-based cohort of 455,245 deliveries in Ontario from January 2018 to December 2021. Our outcomes were first-trimester prenatal visits, first-trimester ultrasound and adequacy of prenatal care. We used joinpoint analysis to examine outcome time trends and identify trend change points. We stratified analyses by age, rural residence, SES and recent immigration, and examined risk differences (RD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between groups at the beginning and end of the study period. RESULTS For all outcomes, we noted disruptions to care beginning in March or April 2020 and returning to previous trends by November 2020. Inequalities were stable across groups, except recent immigrants. In July 2017, 65.0% and 69.8% of recent immigrants and non-immigrants, respectively, received ultrasounds in the first trimester (RD -4.8%, 95% CI -8.0, -1.5). By October 2020, this had increased to 75.4%, with no difference with non-immigrants (RD 0.4%, 95% CI -2.4, 3.2). Adequacy of prenatal care showed more intensive care as of November 2020, reflecting a higher number of visits. CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence that inequalities between socio-economic groups that existed prior to the pandemic worsened after March 2020. The pandemic may be associated with increased access to care for recent immigrants. The introduction of virtual visits may have resulted in a higher number of prenatal care visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Hetherington
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- ICES McMaster, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Darling
- ICES McMaster, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster Midwifery Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sam Harper
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Laura Schummers
- Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Wendy V Norman
- Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Palumbo AM, Kirkwood D, Borkhoff CM, Keown-Stoneman CDG, Muraca GM, Fuller A, Birken CS, Maguire JL, Brown HK, Anderson LN. Validation of Parent-reported Gestational Age Categories for Children Less Than 6 Years of Age. Epidemiology 2023; 34:767-773. [PMID: 37757868 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth is an important outcome or exposure in epidemiologic research. When administrative data on measured gestational age is not available, parent-reported gestational age can be obtained from questionnaires, which is subject to potential bias. To our knowledge, few studies have assessed the validity of parent-reported gestational age categories, including commonly defined categories of preterm birth. METHODS We used linked data from primarily healthy children <6 years of age in TARGet Kids! in Toronto, Canada, and ICES administrative healthcare data from April 2011 to March 2020. We assessed the criterion validity of questionnaire-based parent-reported gestational age by calculating sensitivity and specificity for term (≥37 weeks), late preterm (34-36 weeks), and moderately preterm (32-33 weeks) gestational age categories, using administrative healthcare records of gestational age as the criterion standard. We conducted subgroup analyses for various parent and socioeconomic factors that may influence recall. RESULTS Of the 4684 participants, 97.3% correctly classified the gestational age category according to administrative healthcare data. Parent-reported gestational age sensitivity ranged from 83.7% to 98.5% and specificity ranged from 88.3% to 99.8%, depending on category. For each subgroup characteristic, sensitivity and specificity were all ≥70%. Lower educational attainment, lower family income, father reporting, ≥1 year since birth, ≥2 children, lower parent age, and reported gestational diabetes and/or hypertension were associated with slightly lower sensitivity and/or specificity. CONCLUSIONS In this linked cohort, parent-reported gestational age categories had high accuracy. Criterion validity varied minimally among some parent and socioeconomic factors. Our findings can inform future quantitative bias analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Palumbo
- From the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Cornelia M Borkhoff
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles D G Keown-Stoneman
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Applied Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
| | - Giulia M Muraca
- From the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anne Fuller
- From the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine S Birken
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathon L Maguire
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Applied Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hilary K Brown
- ICES, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health & Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura N Anderson
- From the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bengtson AM, Madlala H, Matjila MJ, Levitt N, Goedecke JH, Cu-Uvin S, McGarvey ST, Werner EF, Myer L. Associations of HIV and antiretroviral therapy with gestational diabetes in South Africa. AIDS 2023; 37:2069-2079. [PMID: 37534696 PMCID: PMC10538400 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate associations of HIV status and antiretroviral (ART) regimen with gestational diabetes (GDM) and postpartum glucose metabolism. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS We enrolled pregnant persons with HIV (PWH) and without HIV in Cape Town, South Africa who were at least 18 years of age at 24-28 weeks' gestation and followed up to 26 months postpartum. Participants were tested for GDM in pregnancy and for diabetes postpartum using a 75 g 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and diagnosed via WHO criteria. We estimated associations of HIV status and ART regime [efavirenz (EFV) versus dolutegravir (DTG)] with GDM and postpartum impaired glucose metabolism using multivariable log binomial or linear regression models. RESULTS Among 397 participants [median age 30 (interquartile range (IQR) 25-34; n = 198 without HIV, n = 199 PWH], the prevalence of GDM was 6% (9 PWH versus 3% without HIV). In multivariable analyses, PWH were at higher risk of GDM [risk ratio (RR) 3.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-10.7] after adjustment for prepregnancy BMI and other confounders. GDM risk did not differ by ART regimen (unadjusted prevalence 8.1% DTG versus 5.6% EFV, adjusted RR 1.1, 95% CI 0.2-6.6). Few participants had diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or impaired fasting glucose postpartum ( n = 13, 6%) with no differences by HIV or ART status. CONCLUSION In a setting of universal GDM testing, PWH had an increased risk of impaired glucose metabolism during pregnancy but not postpartum. Among PWH, GDM risk was similar regardless of EFV or DTG use. Given concerns about DTG and weight gain, diabetes risk should continue to be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology and International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Hlengiwe Madlala
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town
| | - Mushi J Matjila
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Cape Town and New Somerset Hospital
| | - Naomi Levitt
- Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa, Department of Medicine
| | - Julia H Goedecke
- Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre, Division of Physiological Sciences, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Susan Cu-Uvin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medicine, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Stephen T McGarvey
- Department of Epidemiology and International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Erika F Werner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town
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Cai M, Que Y, Chen M, Zhang M, Huang H, Xu L, Lin N. Pathogenic copy number variations are associated with foetal short femur length in a tertiary referral centre study. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:2354-2361. [PMID: 37401003 PMCID: PMC10424293 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Shortened foetal femur length (FL) is a common abnormal phenotype that often causes anxiety in pregnant women, and standard clinical treatments remain unavailable. We investigated the clinical characteristics, genetic aetiology and obstetric pregnancy outcomes of foetuses with short FL and provided a reference for perinatal management of such cases. Chromosomal microarray analysis was used to analyse the copy number variations (CNV) in short FL foetuses. Of the 218 foetuses with short FL, 33 foetuses exhibited abnormal CNVs, including 19 with pathogenic CNVs and 14 with variations of uncertain clinical significance. Of the 19 foetuses with pathogenic CNVs, four had aneuploidy, 14 had deletions/duplications, and one had pathogenic uniparental diploidy. The 7q11.23 microdeletion was detected in three foetuses. The severity of short FL was not associated with the rate of pathogenic CNVs. The duration of short FL for the intrauterine ultrasound phenotype in foetuses carrying a pathogenic CNV was independent of the gestational age. Further, maternal age was not associated with the incidence of foetal pathogenic CNVs. Adverse pregnancy outcomes occurred in 77 cases, including termination of pregnancy in 63 cases, postnatal dwarfed foetuses with intellectual disability in 11 cases, and three deaths within 3 months of birth. Pathogenic CNVs closely related to foetal short FL were identified, among which the 7q11.23 microdeletion was highly associated with short FL development. This study provides a reference for the perinatal management of foetuses with short FL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiying Cai
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth DefectFuzhouChina
| | - Yanting Que
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and PediatricsFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Meihuan Chen
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth DefectFuzhouChina
| | - Min Zhang
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth DefectFuzhouChina
| | - Hailong Huang
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth DefectFuzhouChina
| | - Liangpu Xu
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth DefectFuzhouChina
| | - Na Lin
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fujian Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth DefectFuzhouChina
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Hassan MG. Humeral Length versus Femur Length for Estimating Fetal Age in the Third Trimester Using Ultrasound among Saudi Fetuses. J Med Ultrasound 2023; 31:133-136. [PMID: 37576412 PMCID: PMC10413399 DOI: 10.4103/jmu.jmu_26_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ethnicity can influence organ measurements, so each ethnicity should provide normal references. The study was conducted to measure the normal ranges of humeral and femoral diaphysis lengths, to compare them during the third trimester of pregnancy in the Saudi population, and to identify their role in estimating fetal age. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 normal singleton pregnant females in the third trimester. The fetal humeral length (HL) and femur length (FL) were taken during ultrasound scanning for follow-up. The IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 23 was used to summarize the data and to compare both the lengths with the last menstrual period (LMP) using Pearson's correlation. The comparison was considered statistically significant if P < 0.05. Results The mean humeral and femoral diaphysis lengths ± standard deviations were 4.84 ± 1 cm and 5.54 ± 1.2 cm, respectively. A positive linear correlation was present between the length and LMP. The correlation of HL with LMP (r = 0.828) was higher than that of FL with LMP (r = 0.770). HL and FL were correlated. They showed a Pearson's coefficient of 0.941. The study revealed that gender does not affect fetal HL and FL. Conclusion Normal reference ranges for femur and humeral diaphysis lengths during the third trimester were provided. The humerus can be used to assess fetal age. Humerus and femur were correlated to each other among Saudi fetuses. Another study with a larger sample size is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahasin G. Hassan
- Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Li G, Xing Y, Wang G, Wu Q, Ni W, Jiao N, Chen W, Liu Q, Gao L, Chao C, Li M, Wang H, Xing Q. Does recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus increase the risk of preterm birth? A population-based cohort study. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2023; 199:110628. [PMID: 36965710 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate whether recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. METHODS We conducted a prospective population-based cohort study covering all live singleton births born to nulliparous and multiparous mothers aged 20 years and older in Qingdao, from 2018 to 2020 (n = 105,528). Preterm birth (<37 gestational weeks) was classified into moderate preterm birth (32-36 weeks of gestation) and very preterm birth (<32 weeks). Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the risk and severity of prematurity in relation to parity among mothers with previous GDM, current GDM, and recurrent GDM (previous and current GDM), using mothers without GDM as the reference group. Z-test and ratio of odds ratios (ROR) were used to determine subgroup differences. RESULTS Maternal GDM increased the risk of preterm birth in both nullipara (ORadj = 1.28, 95 %CI: 1.14-1.45) and multipara (ORadj = 1.26, 95 %CI: 1.14-1.40). However, the risk of premature delivery in multiparous mothers with recurrent GDM and those with current GDM did not differ significantly, with a ROR of 0.89 (95 %CI: 0.71-1.12). The risk of recurrent GDM on preterm birth was most pronounced among multiparous mothers with pre-pregnancy BMI above 30 kg/m2 (ORadj = 2.18, 95 %CI: 1.25-3.82) as compared with those with current GDM alone (ROR = 2.20, 95 %CI: 1.07-4.52). The risk of GDM for moderate preterm birth was similar to that of overall preterm birth. In contrast, GDM was not associated with very preterm birth irrespective of parity (all P values > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Maternal GDM increased the risk of preterm birth in nullipara and multipara, whereas recurrent GDM was not associated with a further increase in the risk of prematurity in multiparous mothers. Maternal GDM did not contribute to very preterm birth irrespective of parity. Our findings can be useful for facilitating more targeted preventive strategies for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoju Li
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yuhan Xing
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guolan Wang
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qin Wu
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wei Ni
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Na Jiao
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenjing Chen
- Qingdao Women and Children's Health Care and Family Planning Service Center, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Qingdao Women and Children's Health Care and Family Planning Service Center, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li Gao
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Cong Chao
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Minyu Li
- Medical College of Qingdao University, Gate 2, Haoyuan, Ningde Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Medical College of Qingdao University, Gate 2, Haoyuan, Ningde Road, Qingdao, China
| | - Quansheng Xing
- Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China.
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Fetal Growth and Osteogenesis Dynamics during Early Development in the Ovine Species. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13050773. [PMID: 36899630 PMCID: PMC10000038 DOI: 10.3390/ani13050773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased knowledge of the developmental processes during gestation could provide valuable information on potential alterations in embryonic/fetal development. We examined the development of ovine conceptus between the 20th and 70th day of gestation with three convergent analyses: (1) uterus ultrasound examination and measurement (eco) of crown-rump length (CRL) and biparietal diameter (BPD) of the conceptus; (2) direct measurement (vivo) of CRL and BPD of the conceptus outside the uterus (3) osteo-cartilage dynamics during development by differential staining. No significant differences were observed between eco and vivo measurements for CRL and BPD in all examined concepti. CRL and BPD, instead, showed a significant positive linear correlation with gestational age. The study of osteogenesis dynamics has demonstrated a completely cartilaginous ovine fetus at up to 35 days of gestation. The ossification begins in the skull (40th day) and is almost complete between the 65th and the 70th of pregnancy. Our study highlighted that CRL and BPD are accurate parameters for gestational age estimation in the first part of sheep pregnancy and provides an overview of osteochondral temporal dynamics. Furthermore, tibia ossification is a valid parameter to estimate fetal age by ultrasound.
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11
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Viner AC, Malata MP, Mtende M, Membe-Gadama G, Masamba M, Makwakwa E, Bamuya C, Lissauer D, Stock SJ, Norman JE, Reynolds RM, Magowan B, Freyne B, Gadama L, Cunningham-Burley S, Nyondo-Mipando L, Chipeta E. Implementation of a novel ultrasound training programme for midwives in Malawi: A mixed methods evaluation using the RE-AIM framework. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2023; 2:953677. [PMID: 36925815 PMCID: PMC10012721 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2022.953677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Despite recommendation that all women receive an ultrasound in pregnancy prior to 24 weeks', this remains unavailable to many women in low-income countries where trained practitioners are scarce. Although many programmes have demonstrated efficacy, few have achieved longterm sustainability, with a lack of information about how best to implement such programmes. This mixed-methods study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a novel education package to teach ultrasound-naive midwives in Malawi basic obstetric ultrasound, assessing its impact in the context of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Methods The study ran across six sites in Malawi between October 2020 and June 2021, encompassing three phases; pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation. Twenty nine midwives underwent a bespoke education package with matched pre and post course surveys assessed their knowledge, attitudes and confidence and "hands on" assessments evaluating practical skills. Training evaluation forms and in-depth interviews explored their satisfaction with the package, with repeat assessment and remote image review evaluating maintenance of skills. Results 28/29 midwives completed the training, with significant increases in knowledge, confidence and practical skills. Adherence to the education package varied, however many changes to the proposed methodology were adaptive and appeared to facilitate the efficacy of the programme. Unfortunately, despite reporting approval regarding the training itself, satisfaction regarding supervision and follow up was mixed, reflecting the difficulties encountered with providing ongoing in-person and remote support. Conclusion This programme was successful in improving trainees' knowledge, confidence and skill in performing basic obstetric ultrasound, largely on account of an adaptive approach to implementation. The maintenance of ongoing support was challenging, reflected by trainee dissatisfaction. By evaluating the success of this education package based on its implementation and not just its efficacy, we have generated new insights into the barriers to sustainable upscale, specifically those surrounding maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Viner
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Monica P. Malata
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Medrina Mtende
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Gladys Membe-Gadama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Martha Masamba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Enita Makwakwa
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Catherine Bamuya
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - David Lissauer
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J. Stock
- Centre for Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jane E. Norman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca M. Reynolds
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Magowan
- Borders General Hospital, NHS Borders, Melrose, United Kingdom
| | - Bridget Freyne
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Luis Gadama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Sarah Cunningham-Burley
- Centre for Medical Informatics, Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Linda Nyondo-Mipando
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Effie Chipeta
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
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12
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Hokken-Koelega ACS, van der Steen M, Boguszewski MCS, Cianfarani S, Dahlgren J, Horikawa R, Mericq V, Rapaport R, Alherbish A, Braslavsky D, Charmandari E, Chernausek SD, Cutfield WS, Dauber A, Deeb A, Goedegebuure WJ, Hofman PL, Isganatis E, Jorge AA, Kanaka-Gantenbein C, Kashimada K, Khadilkar V, Luo XP, Mathai S, Nakano Y, Yau M. International Consensus Guideline on Small for Gestational Age (SGA): Etiology and Management from Infancy to Early Adulthood. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:539-565. [PMID: 36635911 PMCID: PMC10166266 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
This International Consensus Guideline was developed by experts in the field of SGA of 10 pediatric endocrine societies worldwide. A consensus meeting was held and 1300 articles formed the basis for discussions. All experts voted about the strengths of the recommendations. The guideline gives new and clinically relevant insights into the etiology of short stature after SGA birth, including novel knowledge about (epi)genetic causes. Besides, it presents long-term consequences of SGA birth and new treatment options, including treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in addition to growth hormone (GH) treatment, and the metabolic and cardiovascular health of young adults born SGA after cessation of childhood-GH-treatment in comparison with appropriate control groups. To diagnose SGA, accurate anthropometry and use of national growth charts are recommended. Follow-up in early life is warranted and neurodevelopment evaluation in those at risk. Excessive postnatal weight gain should be avoided, as this is associated with an unfavorable cardio-metabolic health profile in adulthood. Children born SGA with persistent short stature < -2.5 SDS at age 2 years or < -2 SDS at age of 3-4 years, should be referred for diagnostic work-up. In case of dysmorphic features, major malformations, microcephaly, developmental delay, intellectual disability and/or signs of skeletal dysplasia, genetic testing should be considered. Treatment with 0.033-0.067 mg GH/kg/day is recommended in case of persistent short stature at age of 3-4 years. Adding GnRHa treatment could be considered when short adult height is expected at pubertal onset. All young adults born SGA require counseling to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita C S Hokken-Koelega
- Department of Pediatrics, subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Manouk van der Steen
- Department of Pediatrics, subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Stefano Cianfarani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Diabetology and Growth Disorders Unit, IRCCS "Bambino Gesù" Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.,Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jovanna Dahlgren
- Department of Pediatrics, the Sahlgrenska Academy, the University of Gothenburg and Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Reiko Horikawa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Veronica Mericq
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research, faculty of Medicine, University of Chile
| | - Robert Rapaport
- Icahn School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Debora Braslavsky
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. Cesar Bergadá" (CEDIE), División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Evangelia Charmandari
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, 11527, Athens, Greece.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Steven D Chernausek
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Wayne S Cutfield
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Dauber
- Division of Endocrinology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC 20012, USA
| | - Asma Deeb
- Paediatric Endocrine Division, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wesley J Goedegebuure
- Department of Pediatrics, subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L Hofman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Alexander A Jorge
- Unidade de Endocrinologia Genética (LIM25) do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Kenichi Kashimada
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Xiao-Ping Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sarah Mathai
- Department of Pediatrics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Yuya Nakano
- Department of Pediatrics, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mabel Yau
- Icahn School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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13
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Dan T, Chen X, He M, Guo H, He X, Chen J, Xian J, Hu Y, Zhang B, Wang N, Xie H, Cai H. DeepGA for automatically estimating fetal gestational age through ultrasound imaging. Artif Intell Med 2023; 135:102453. [PMID: 36628790 DOI: 10.1016/j.artmed.2022.102453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Accurate estimation of gestational age (GA) is vital for identifying fetal abnormalities. Conventionally, GA is estimated by measuring the morphology of the cranium, abdomen, and femur manually and inputting them into the classic Hadlock formula to assess fetal growth. However, this procedure incurs considerable overhead and suffers from bias caused by the operators, yielding suboptimal estimations. To address this challenge, we develop an automatic DeepGA model to achieve fully automatic GA prediction in an end-to-end manner. Our model uses a deep segmentation model (DeepSeg) to accurately identify and segment three critical tissues, including the cranium, abdomen, and femur, in which their morphology is automatically extracted. After that, we are able to directly estimate the GA via a deep regression model (DeepReg). We evaluate DeepGA on a large dataset, including 10,413 ultrasound images from 7113 subjects. It achieves superior performance over the traditional measurement approach, with a mean absolute estimation error (MAE) of 5 days. Our DeepGA model is a novel automatic solution on the basis of artificial intelligence learning that can help radiologists improve the performance of GA estimation in various clinical scenarios, thereby enhancing the efficiency of prenatal examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Dan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xijie Chen
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miao He
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongmei Guo
- Dongguan City Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Dongguan, China
| | - Xiaoqin He
- Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, China
| | - Jiazhou Chen
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianbo Xian
- Guangzhou Aiyunji Information Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Hu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Guangzhou Aiyunji Information Technology Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongning Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hongmin Cai
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
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14
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The Association between Intertwin Difference in First Trimester Crown-Rump Length, Nuchal Translucency, and Birth Weight Discordance in Twin Pregnancies: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Pregnancy 2022; 2022:6539038. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/6539038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Discordant birth weight in twins is linked to poor outcomes and predicting this discrepancy may lead to enhanced screening and surveillance. Our purpose was to quantify the relationship between intertwin nuchal translucency (NT) and crown-rump length (CRL) discordance with birth weight discrepancies ≥ 20%. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 887 live twin births delivering at a Canadian tertiary care center over a 7-year period who opted for integrated prenatal screening. Categorical data are presented as numbers and percentages, and continuous data are expressed as means and standard deviations. Chi-square tests, Fisher’s Exact tests, or
-test were performed as appropriate. We then used published data and receiver operating curves to determine the optimal thresholds for predicting birth weight discordance based on first trimester intertwin NT differences. These values were used in multivariate logistic regression models accounting for known confounders. Results. Roughly 16% of twin pairs exhibited ≥ 20% difference in birth weight. Twin pairs with a CRL discordance greater than 10% have nearly a 4 times greater likelihood of having a birth weight discordance greater than 20% (OR 3.71, CI 2.24-6.14) while controlling for chorionicity, maternal age, gestational age at delivery, maternal body mass index (BMI), and parity. In these models, intertwin NT discordance ≥ 20% (OR 1.16, CI 0.77-1.77) and NT discordance ≥ 14% (OR 1.08, CI 0.73-1.60) were not statistically significant predictors of twin birth weight differences. However, when evaluating the effect of the larger intertwin NT value corresponding to the 95th percentile, an NT difference ≥ 0.9 mm was predictive of birth weight discordance ≥ 20% (OR 2.53, CI 1.21-5.29). Conclusion. Although intertwin CRL and NT discordance measured via ultrasound between 11-14 weeks gestation are related to birth weight discordance, there is uncertainty as to whether twin birth weight differences are related to adverse pregnancy outcomes in this population.
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15
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Clinical implications of first-trimester ultrasound dating in singleton pregnancies obtained through in vitro fertilization. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272447. [PMID: 36001604 PMCID: PMC9401168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In pregnancies obtained by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) the exact day of conception is known. For that reason, IVF pregnancies are currently dated according to the day of oocytes retrieval and consequent embryo transfer. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the knowledge of the exact day of conception in IVF pregnancies is a sufficient argument against dating these pregnancies by first trimester ultrasound measurement of the crown-rump length (CRL), as it is recommended in natural conceptions. Methods A retrospective study was performed, including all women with singleton pregnancies conceived by IVF who underwent the first-trimester ultrasound scan for the screening of aneuploidies between January 2014 and June 2019. For each pregnancy GA was determined using two alternative methods: one based on the date of embryo transfer (GAIVF), and one based on ultrasound measurement of CRL (GAUS). GA were compared to search for any discrepancy. The impact of pregnancy dating on obstetric outcome was evaluated. Results Overall, 249 women were included. Comparing GAUS and GAIVF, a median difference of 1 [0 – 2] days emerged (p<0.001), with GAUS being in advance compared to GAIVF. This discrepancy persisted when subgroups were analyzed comparing different IVF procedures (conventional IVF versus ICSI, cleavage versus blastocyst transfer, frozen versus fresh transfer). No impact of the dating method on obstetric outcomes was observed, being no differences in the rate of preterm birth or abnormal fetal growth. Conclusions In IVF pregnancies GAUS and GAIVF are not overlapping, since GAUS is mildly greater than GAIVF. This could be due to an anticipated ovulation and fertilization in IVF pregnancy, rather than an accelerated embryo development. For that reason, it would be appropriate to date IVF pregnancies according to GAUS, despite a known date of conception, to re-align IVF pregnancies to natural ones.
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16
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Bota B, Ward V, Lamoureux M, Santander E, Ducharme R, Hawken S, Potter BK, Atito R, Nyamanda B, Munga S, Otieno N, Chakraborty S, Saha S, Stringer JS, Mwape H, Price JT, Mujuru HA, Chimhini G, Magwali T, Chakraborty P, Darmstadt GL, Wilson K. Unlocking the global health potential of dried blood spot cards. J Glob Health 2022; 12:03027. [PMID: 35841606 PMCID: PMC9288235 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.12.03027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brianne Bota
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Victoria Ward
- Prematurity Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Monica Lamoureux
- Newborn Screening Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Emeril Santander
- Newborn Screening Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Robin Ducharme
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Steven Hawken
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Beth K Potter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Raphael Atito
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Bryan Nyamanda
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Stephen Munga
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Nancy Otieno
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Samir Saha
- Child Health Research Foundation, Mirzapur, Bangladesh
| | - Jeffrey Sa Stringer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,UNC Global Projects Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Joan T Price
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,UNC Global Projects Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Hilda Angela Mujuru
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Gwendoline Chimhini
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Thulani Magwali
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Pranesh Chakraborty
- Newborn Screening Ontario, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Gary L Darmstadt
- Prematurity Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kumanan Wilson
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Bruyere Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario
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17
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Pereira THDS, Monteiro FOB, Pereira da Silva G, Rodrigues de Matos SE, El Bizri HR, Valsecchi J, Bodmer RE, Pérez Peña P, Coutinho LN, López Plana C, Mayor P. Ultrasound evaluation of fetal bone development in the collared (Pecari tajacu) and white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari). J Anat 2022; 241:741-755. [PMID: 35796070 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of fetal development allows for evaluating the different strategies adopted by mammal species to maximize neonatal survival. Autonomous locomotion is fundamental for newborns to perform foraging activities and increases newborn survival from predation. In this study, we assess the gestational bone development of 53 collared (CP, Pecari tajacu) and 61 white-lipped (WLP, Tayassu pecari) peccaries, collected through the collaboration of subsistence hunters in the Amazon. The bone mineralization and biometry of the axial and appendicular skeleton were assessed by ultrasound examinations, and the timing of the main bone developmental events was calculated in relation to the total dorsal length (TDL) and the percentage of the total gestational period (GP). The first US signs of mineralization of the axial skeleton in CP and WLP were observed in fetuses with 3.4 cm (42 gestation days, 30% GPCP ) and 5.1 cm (51 gestation days, 32% GPWLP ). The early development of the appendicular skeleton was observed by the synchronic appearance of the mineralized scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, ilium, ischium, femur, tibia, and fibula at 36% GPCP (50 gestation days), and 35% GPWLP (56 gestation days). The pubis was mineralized in fetuses at 55% GPCP (75 gestation days) and 59% GPWLP (94 gestation days). The mineralization was observed in all autopod bones at 79% GPCP (109 gestation days) and 67% GPWLP (106 gestation days). All primary ossification centers in long bones of thoracic and pelvic limbs were mineralized in advanced fetuses (GPCP and GPWLP ≥75%). The mineralized patella was not observed in advanced fetuses in either species. Secondary ossification centers first appeared at the distal epiphysis of the femur in the CP (99 gestation days, 72% GPCP ) and the distal epiphysis of the radius, femur, and tibia in the WLP (106 gestation days, 67% GPWLP ). Advanced fetuses of CP and WLP presented 60% (15/25) and 68% (17/25) of the total secondary ossification centers observed present in the adult domestic pig, while newborns from the domestic pig presented 52% (13/25). The early intrauterine development of the skeletal system in both peccary species suggests a precocial development strategy, which likely correlates with neonatal ability to escape predators and reduces the dependence on parental care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thyago Habner de Souza Pereira
- Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Postgraduate Program in Animal Health and Production in Amazonia (PPGSPAA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Frederico Ozanan Barros Monteiro
- Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Postgraduate Program in Animal Health and Production in Amazonia (PPGSPAA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Gessiane Pereira da Silva
- Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Postgraduate Program in Animal Health and Production in Amazonia (PPGSPAA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Sandy Estefany Rodrigues de Matos
- Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Postgraduate Program in Animal Health and Production in Amazonia (PPGSPAA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Hani Rocha El Bizri
- Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute (IDSM), Tefé, Brazil.,ComFauna, Comunidad de Manejo de Fauna Silvestre en la Amazonía y en Latinoamérica, Iquitos, Peru.,Rede de Pesquisa sobre Diversidade, Conservação e Uso da Fauna na Amazônia (REDEFAUNA), Manaus, Brazil.,Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - João Valsecchi
- Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute (IDSM), Tefé, Brazil.,ComFauna, Comunidad de Manejo de Fauna Silvestre en la Amazonía y en Latinoamérica, Iquitos, Peru.,Rede de Pesquisa sobre Diversidade, Conservação e Uso da Fauna na Amazônia (REDEFAUNA), Manaus, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Pérez Peña
- Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP), Iquitos, Peru
| | - Leandro Nassar Coutinho
- Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Postgraduate Program in Animal Health and Production in Amazonia (PPGSPAA), Belém, Brazil
| | - Carlos López Plana
- Facultat de Veterinària, Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Mayor
- Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Postgraduate Program in Animal Health and Production in Amazonia (PPGSPAA), Belém, Brazil.,ComFauna, Comunidad de Manejo de Fauna Silvestre en la Amazonía y en Latinoamérica, Iquitos, Peru.,Museo de Culturas Indígenas Amazónicas, Iquitos, Peru.,Facultat de Veterinària, Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
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18
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Estimation of gestational age in neonates using clavicular-pubis length on routine chest-abdomen radiographs. Pediatr Radiol 2022; 52:1456-1461. [PMID: 35389064 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-022-05350-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal diseases differ depending on gestational age and weight. In the setting of an emergency in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), relevant clinical information is often not available when the first neonatal radiograph is obtained. When reading an initial chest-abdomen radiograph, the paediatric radiologist needs gestational age data for best radiologic practice. A transverse diameter of the chest has been previously described to estimate gestational age (GA). OBJECTIVES To determine the strength of the correlation between GA/weight and clavicular-pubis length (CPL) on admission radiographs; to obtain a quadratic formula based on the correlation of CPL with GA and to demonstrate if a more simplified formula used by our group works as efficiently as the formula provided by the regression analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was waived. The length from the medial aspect of the clavicle to the pubic bone was measured on the initial portable chest-abdomen radiographs of 260 patients admitted to the NICU in 2016. Regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between CPL and GA/birth weight. RESULTS One hundred eleven females and 149 males with GA between 23 and 42 weeks were evaluated. CPL was statistically associated with both GA (P<0,01) and birth weight. The estimation can be expressed with an equation of the model: GA (weeks) = (CPL in cm - 1.98)/0.42. A simplified formula: GA (weeks) = (CPL in cm) ×2+2, strongly correlates with the equation model. CONCLUSION In patients in whom it is not known, GA can be estimated by measuring the length between medial clavicle and symphysis pubis using the formulae we propose.
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19
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Auger N, Carrier FM, Arbour L, Ayoub A, Healy-Profitós J, Potter BJ. Association of first trimester anaesthesia with risk of congenital heart defects in offspring. Int J Epidemiol 2022; 51:737-746. [PMID: 33655302 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyab019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial number of pregnant women require anaesthesia for non-obstetric surgery, but the risk to fetal heart development is unknown. We assessed the relationship between first trimester anaesthesia and risk of congenital heart defects in offspring. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of 2 095 300 pregnancies resulting in live births in hospitals of Quebec, Canada, between 1990 and 2016. We identified women who received general or local/regional anaesthesia in the first trimester, including anaesthesia between 3 and 8 weeks post-conception, the critical weeks of fetal cardiogenesis. The main outcome measures were critical and non-critical heart defects in offspring. We estimated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of first trimester anaesthesia with congenital heart defects, using log-binomial regression models adjusted for maternal characteristics. RESULTS There were 107.3 congenital heart defects per 10 000 infants exposed to anaesthesia, compared with 87.2 per 10 000 unexposed infants. Anaesthesia between 3 and 8 weeks post-conception was associated with 1.50 times the risk of congenital heart defects (95% CI 1.11-2.03), compared with no anaesthesia. Anaesthesia between 5 and 6 weeks post-conception was associated with 1.84 times the risk (95% CI 1.10-3.08). Associations were driven mostly by general anaesthesia, which was associated with 2.49 times the risk between weeks 5 and 6 post-conception (95% CI 1.40-4.44). CONCLUSIONS General anaesthesia during critical periods of fetal heart development may increase the risk of congenital heart defects. Further research is needed to confirm that anaesthetic agents are cardiac teratogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Auger
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - François M Carrier
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Departments of Anaesthesiology and Medicine, Critical Care Division, University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Laura Arbour
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aimina Ayoub
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada., Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jessica Healy-Profitós
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Bureau d'information et d'études en santé des populations, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Brian J Potter
- Health Innovation and Evaluation Hub, University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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20
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Apanga PA, Kumbeni MT, Sakeah JK, Olagoke AA, Ajumobi O. The moderating role of partners' education on early antenatal care in northern Ghana. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:391. [PMID: 35513775 PMCID: PMC9070613 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04709-9] [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: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early antenatal care (ANC) is essential for improving maternal and child health outcomes. The primary aims of this study were to 1) estimate the association between partners' education attainment and early ANC, and 2) determine whether partners' level of education modified the relationship between mothers' education, mothers' age, planned pregnancy, employment status and early ANC. METHODS Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted from April to May 2021 among 519 mothers with a live birth in the past year in the Nabdam district in the Upper East Region in northern Ghana. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess whether partners' level of education modified the relationship between mothers' education, mothers' age, planned pregnancy, employment status and early ANC. Effect modification was assessed on the additive and multiplicative scales using adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Mothers whose partners had secondary or higher education had a 26% higher prevalence of early ANC compared to mothers whose partners had less than a secondary level of education (aPR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05,1.51). There was evidence of effect modification by partners' education on the relationship between planned pregnancy and early ANC on both the additive (Relative excess risk due to interaction [RERI]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.07,0.99), and multiplicative (ratio of PRs: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01,2.70) scales. Among mothers whose partners had less than secondary education, mothers who had teenage pregnancy (i.e., aged 18-19 years old during pregnancy) were less likely to have early ANC compared to those who did not have teenage pregnancy (aPR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53,0.97). Among mothers whose partners had a secondary or higher education, early ANC was more prevalent among employed mothers compared to those who were unemployed (aPR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02,1.57). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that whilst mothers whose partners had a secondary or higher education were more likely to initiate early ANC, supporting such women to plan their pregnancies can further increase the coverage of early ANC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maxwell Tii Kumbeni
- Oregon State University, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Corvallis, USA
| | - James Kotuah Sakeah
- University of Ottawa, School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Ayokunle A Olagoke
- University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Chicago, USA
| | - Olufemi Ajumobi
- University of Nevada, Reno, School of Public Health, Reno, USA
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21
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Yoshida-Montezuma Y, Sivapathasundaram B, Brown HK, Keown-Stoneman C, de Souza RJ, To T, Borkhoff CM, Birken CS, Maguire JL, Anderson LN. Association of Late Preterm Birth and Size for Gestational Age With Cardiometabolic Risk in Childhood. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2214379. [PMID: 35622362 PMCID: PMC9142868 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The long-term cardiometabolic consequences of late preterm birth (34-36 weeks' gestation) are not well understood. OBJECTIVE To assess whether late preterm birth and size for gestational age are associated with cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in childhood. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study included 1742 children born in Ontario, Canada, between April 1, 2006, and September 30, 2014, and followed up until September 30, 2019. Data from children enrolled in The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!) primary care practice-based research network were linked to administrative health care data at ICES (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences). Participants were excluded if they had conditions affecting growth (eg, failure to thrive or cystic fibrosis), any acute or chronic conditions (other than asthma and high-functioning autism), severe developmental delay, or families who were unable to communicate in English. EXPOSURES Late preterm birth, gestational age as a continuous measure, and size for gestational age. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was composite CMR score (overall age- and sex-standardized z score of CMR components, including waist circumference, log triglyceride level, glucose level, systolic blood pressure, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level). Secondary outcomes were the individual CMR components. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to separately evaluate the associations of late preterm birth, continuous gestational age, and size for gestational age with CMR at ages 3 to 12 years. RESULTS Among 2440 eligible children, 1742 (mean [SD] age, 5.6 [2.2] years; 951 boys [54.6%]) were included in the final cohort. Overall, 87 children (5.0%) were born moderately preterm (<34 weeks' gestation), 145 (8.3%) were born late preterm (34-36 weeks' gestation), 455 (26.1%) were born early term (37-38 weeks' gestation), and 1055 (60.6%) were born full term (≥39 weeks' gestation). Compared with children born full term, those born moderately preterm (adjusted β = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.24-0.75) and late preterm (adjusted β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.06-0.47) had higher CMR scores. Each additional gestational week was associated with a 0.06 U (adjusted β; 95% CI, -0.08 to -0.03 U) decrease in CMR. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, children born late preterm and moderately preterm had higher CMR. These results suggest that screening and early-life interventions for these children may prevent cardiometabolic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulika Yoshida-Montezuma
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Branavan Sivapathasundaram
- ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hilary K. Brown
- ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Health and Society, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women’s College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles Keown-Stoneman
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Russell J. de Souza
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Teresa To
- ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cornelia M. Borkhoff
- Women’s College Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Catherine S. Birken
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pediatric Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathon L. Maguire
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Laura N. Anderson
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Sylvester KG, Hao S, Li Z, Han Z, Tian L, Ladella S, Wong RJ, Shaw GM, Stevenson DK, Cohen HJ, Whitin JC, McElhinney DB, Ling XB. Gestational Dating by Urine Metabolic Profile at High Resolution Weekly Sampling Timepoints: Discovery and Validation. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2022; 2:844280. [PMID: 39086969 PMCID: PMC11285704 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2022.844280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy triggers longitudinal metabolic alterations in women to allow precisely-programmed fetal growth. Comprehensive characterization of such a "metabolic clock" of pregnancy may provide a molecular reference in relation to studies of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, a high-resolution temporal profile of metabolites along a healthy pregnancy remains to be defined. Methods: Two independent, normal pregnancy cohorts with high-density weekly urine sampling (discovery: 478 samples from 19 subjects at California; validation: 171 samples from 10 subjects at Alabama) were studied. Urine samples were profiled by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for untargeted metabolomics, which was applied for gestational age dating and prediction of time to delivery. Results: 5,473 urinary metabolic features were identified. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis on features with robust signals (n = 1,716) revealed that the samples were distributed on the basis of the first two principal components according to their gestational age. Pathways of bile secretion, steroid hormone biosynthesis, pantohenate, and CoA biosynthesis, benzoate degradation, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were significantly regulated, which was collectively applied to discover and validate a predictive model that accurately captures the chronology of pregnancy. With six urine metabolites (acetylcholine, estriol-3-glucuronide, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, α-lactose, hydroxyexanoy-carnitine, and l-carnitine), models were constructed based on gradient-boosting decision trees to date gestational age in high accordance with ultrasound results, and to accurately predict time to delivery. Conclusion: Our study characterizes the weekly baseline profile of the human pregnancy metabolome, which provides a high-resolution molecular reference for future studies of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl G. Sylvester
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Shiying Hao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Clinical and Translational Research Program, Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Zhi Han
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Lu Tian
- Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Subhashini Ladella
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, Fresno, CA, United States
| | - Ronald J. Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Gary M. Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - David K. Stevenson
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Harvey J. Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - John C. Whitin
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Doff B. McElhinney
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Clinical and Translational Research Program, Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Xuefeng B. Ling
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Clinical and Translational Research Program, Betty Irene Moore Children’s Heart Center, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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23
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Viner AC, Membe-Gadama G, Whyte S, Kayambo D, Masamba M, Makwakwa E, Lissauer D, Stock SJ, Norman JE, Reynolds RM, Magowan B, Freyne B, Gadama L. Training in Ultrasound to Determine Gestational Age (TUDA): Evaluation of a Novel Education Package to Teach Ultrasound-Naive Midwives Basic Obstetric Ultrasound in Malawi. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:880615. [PMID: 35449708 PMCID: PMC9017789 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.880615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although ultrasound to determine gestational age is fundamental to the optimum management of pregnancy and is recommended for all women by the World Health Organisation, it remains unavailable to many women in low-income countries where trained practitioners are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate a novel, context-specific education package to teach midwives basic obstetric ultrasound, including the determination of gestational age by measurement of fetal femur length. Methods The study was conducted across six sites in Malawi in January 2021. Following a virtual "training of the trainers", local teams delivered a 10-day programme encompassing both didactic and "hands on" components. Matched pre and post course tests assessed participants' knowledge of key concepts, with Objective Structured Clinical Examinations used to evaluate practical skills. To achieve a pass, trainees were required to establish the gestational age to within ±7 days of an experienced practitioner and achieve an overall score of >65% on five consecutive occasions. A matched pre and post course survey explored participants' attitudes and confidence in performing ultrasound examinations. Results Of the 29 midwives who participated, 28 finished the programme and met the criteria specified to pass. 22 midwives completed the matched knowledge tests, with the mean (SD) score increasing from 10.2 (3.3) to 18 (2.5) after training (P <0.0001). Mean difference 7.9, 95% CI 6.5-9.2. Midwives passed 87% of the Observed Structured Clinical Examinations, establishing the gestational age to within ±7 days of an experienced practitioner in 89% of assessments. Beliefs regarding the importance of antenatal ultrasound increased post course (p = 0.02), as did confidence in performing ultrasound examinations (p <0.0001). Conclusion This study demonstrates not only that ultrasound-naive practitioners can be taught to perform basic obstetric ultrasound dating scans, confidently and competently, after 10 days of training, but also that local teams can be orientated to successfully deliver the programme virtually. Previous ultrasound training initiatives, while often more comprehensive in their syllabus, have been of considerably longer duration and this is likely to be a barrier to upscaling opportunities. We propose that this focused training increases the potential for widescale and sustainable implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Viner
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gladys Membe-Gadama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Sonia Whyte
- Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martha Masamba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Enita Makwakwa
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - David Lissauer
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J. Stock
- Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jane E. Norman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca M. Reynolds
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Magowan
- Borders General Hospital, National Health Service (NHS) Borders, Melrose, United Kingdom
| | - Bridget Freyne
- Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Luis Gadama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
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24
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Viner AC, Okolo ID, Norman JE, Stock SJ, Reynolds RM. Training in Ultrasound to Determine Gestational Age in Low- and Middle- Income Countries: A Systematic Review. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:854198. [PMID: 35368997 PMCID: PMC8971706 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.854198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionEstablishing an accurate gestational age is essential for the optimum management of pregnancy, delivery and neonatal care, with improved estimates of gestational age considered a public health priority by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although ultrasound is considered the most precise method to achieve this, it is unavailable to many women in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), where the lack of trained practitioners is considered a major barrier. This systematic review explores what initiatives have previously been undertaken to train staff to date pregnancies using ultrasound, which were successful and what barriers and facilitators influenced training.MethodsThe systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and the protocol registered (PROSPERO CRD42019154619). Searches were last performed in July 2021. Studies were screened independently by two assessors, with data extracted by one and verified by the other. Both reviewers graded the methodological quality using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool. Results were collated within prespecified domains, generating a narrative synthesis.Results25/1,262 studies were eligible for inclusion, all of which were programme evaluations. Eighteen were undertaken in Africa, three in South-East Asia, one in South America, and three across multiple sites, including those in Africa, Asia, and South America. Five programs specified criteria to pass, and within these 96% of trainees did so. Trainee follow up was undertaken in 18 studies. Ten met recommendations for training outlined by the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) but only 1 met the current standards set by the WHO.DiscussionThis systematic review is the first to evaluate this topic and has uncovered major inconsistencies in the delivery and reporting of basic obstetric ultrasound training in LMICs, with the majority of programs not meeting minimum recommendations. By identifying these issues, we have highlighted key areas for improvement and made recommendations for reporting according to the RE-AIM framework. With an increasing focus on the importance of improving estimates of gestational age in LMICs, we believe these findings will be of significance to those seeking to develop and expand the provision of sustainable obstetric ultrasound in LMICs.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42019154619, PROSPERO CRD42019154619.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Viner
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Alexandra C. Viner
| | - Isioma D. Okolo
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jane E. Norman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J. Stock
- Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca M. Reynolds
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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25
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Torres HR, Morais P, Oliveira B, Birdir C, Rüdiger M, Fonseca JC, Vilaça JL. A review of image processing methods for fetal head and brain analysis in ultrasound images. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 215:106629. [PMID: 35065326 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2022.106629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Examination of head shape and brain during the fetal period is paramount to evaluate head growth, predict neurodevelopment, and to diagnose fetal abnormalities. Prenatal ultrasound is the most used imaging modality to perform this evaluation. However, manual interpretation of these images is challenging and thus, image processing methods to aid this task have been proposed in the literature. This article aims to present a review of these state-of-the-art methods. METHODS In this work, it is intended to analyze and categorize the different image processing methods to evaluate fetal head and brain in ultrasound imaging. For that, a total of 109 articles published since 2010 were analyzed. Different applications are covered in this review, namely analysis of head shape and inner structures of the brain, standard clinical planes identification, fetal development analysis, and methods for image processing enhancement. RESULTS For each application, the reviewed techniques are categorized according to their theoretical approach, and the more suitable image processing methods to accurately analyze the head and brain are identified. Furthermore, future research needs are discussed. Finally, topics whose research is lacking in the literature are outlined, along with new fields of applications. CONCLUSIONS A multitude of image processing methods has been proposed for fetal head and brain analysis. Summarily, techniques from different categories showed their potential to improve clinical practice. Nevertheless, further research must be conducted to potentiate the current methods, especially for 3D imaging analysis and acquisition and for abnormality detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena R Torres
- Algoritmi Center, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; 2Ai - School of Technology, IPCA, Barcelos, Portugal.
| | - Pedro Morais
- 2Ai - School of Technology, IPCA, Barcelos, Portugal
| | - Bruno Oliveira
- Algoritmi Center, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; 2Ai - School of Technology, IPCA, Barcelos, Portugal
| | - Cahit Birdir
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany; Saxony Center for Feto-Neonatal Health, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Mario Rüdiger
- Department for Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Jaime C Fonseca
- Algoritmi Center, School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João L Vilaça
- 2Ai - School of Technology, IPCA, Barcelos, Portugal
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Which chart and which cut-point: deciding on the INTERGROWTH, World Health Organization, or Hadlock fetal growth chart. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:25. [PMID: 35012473 PMCID: PMC8751336 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-04324-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine how various centile cut points on the INTERGROWTH-21st (INTERGROWTH), World Health Organization (WHO), and Hadlock fetal growth charts predict perinatal morbidity/mortality, and how this relates to choosing a fetal growth chart for clinical use. METHODS We linked antenatal ultrasound measurements for fetuses > 28 weeks' gestation from the British Columbia Women's hospital ultrasound unit with the provincial perinatal database. We estimated the risk of perinatal morbidity/mortality (decreased cord pH, neonatal seizures, hypoglycemia, and perinatal death) associated with select centiles on each fetal growth chart (the 3rd, 10th, the centile identifying 10% of the population, and the optimal cut-point by Youden's Index), and determined how well each centile predicted perinatal morbidity/mortality. RESULTS Among 10,366 pregnancies, the 10th centile cut-point had a sensitivity of 11% (95% CI 8, 14), 13% (95% CI 10, 16), and 12% (95% CI 10, 16), to detect fetuses with perinatal morbidity/mortality on the INTERGROWTH, WHO, and Hadlock charts, respectively. All charts performed similarly in predicting perinatal morbidity/mortality (area under the curve [AUC] =0.54 for all three charts). The statistically optimal cut-points were the 39th, 31st, and 32nd centiles on the INTERGROWTH, WHO, and Hadlock charts respectively. CONCLUSION The INTERGROWTH, WHO, and Hadlock fetal growth charts performed similarly in predicting perinatal morbidity/mortality, even when evaluating multiple cut points. Deciding which cut-point and chart to use may be guided by other considerations such as impact on workflow and how the chart was derived.
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27
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Akintomide A, Efanga S. Fetal kidney length: A likely sole index for gestational age determination in late pregnancy and certain abnormalities. NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/njm.njm_199_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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28
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Zakiulla M, Mishra P, Sahoo T. Safety and efficacy of antenatal glucocorticoids in women at risk of preterm birth in low resource settings. J Perinatol 2022; 42:149-152. [PMID: 34663903 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-021-01244-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Zakiulla
- From Department of Neonatology, All India Institute of Medical science, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751019, India
| | - P Mishra
- From Department of Neonatology, All India Institute of Medical science, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751019, India
| | - T Sahoo
- From Department of Neonatology, All India Institute of Medical science, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751019, India.
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Srugo SA, Fell DB, Corsi DJ, Fakhraei R, Guo Y, Gaudet LM. Examining the role of pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain in allergic disease development among offspring: A population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2022; 36:144-155. [PMID: 34396579 PMCID: PMC9275258 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies suggest maternal weight and weight gain during pregnancy may influence foetal immunological development. However, their role in the aetiology of allergic disease is unclear. OBJECTIVES We sought to examine the impact of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on the incidence of four common paediatric allergic diseases. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study of all singleton live births in Ontario, Canada between 2012 and 2014, using maternal-newborn records from the provincial birth registry linked with health administrative databases. Neonates were followed up to 7 years for anaphylaxis, asthma, dermatitis and rhinitis, identified through validated algorithms based on healthcare encounters. We multiply imputed missing data and employed Cox proportional-hazards models to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). To test the robustness of our findings, we also conducted several sensitivity analyses, including probabilistic bias analyses for exposure and outcome misclassification. All methods were prespecified in a published protocol. RESULTS Of the 248,017 infants followed, 52% were born to mothers with a pre-pregnancy BMI in the normal range and only 19% were born to mothers with adequate weight gain during pregnancy. Incidence rates (per 100,000 person-days) for anaphylaxis, asthma, dermatitis and rhinitis were 0.22, 6.80, 12.41 and 1.54, respectively. Compared with normal BMI, maternal obesity was associated with increased hazards of asthma in offspring (aHR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05, 1.11), but decreased hazards of anaphylaxis (aHR 0.83, 95% CI 0.69, 0.99) and dermatitis (aHR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94, 0.99). In contrast, maternal underweight was associated with increased hazards of dermatitis (aHR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02, 1.10). We found no associations between pre-pregnancy BMI and rhinitis or GWG and any allergic outcome, and no evidence of effect measures modification by infant sex. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide support for the involvement of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI in paediatric allergic disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian A. Srugo
- School of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Deshayne B. Fell
- School of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada,Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research InstituteOttawaONCanada,ICESOttawaONCanada
| | - Daniel J. Corsi
- School of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada,Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research InstituteOttawaONCanada,OMNI Research GroupOttawa Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada,Better Outcomes Registry & Network OntarioOttawaONCanada
| | - Romina Fakhraei
- OMNI Research GroupOttawa Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada
| | - Yanfang Guo
- School of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada,Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research InstituteOttawaONCanada,OMNI Research GroupOttawa Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada,Better Outcomes Registry & Network OntarioOttawaONCanada
| | - Laura M. Gaudet
- School of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada,OMNI Research GroupOttawa Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of OttawaOttawaONCanada,Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyQueen’s UniversityKingstonONCanada,Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyKingston Health Sciences CentreKingstonONCanada
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Salerno A, Flanagan K, Ghaffarian K, Al Hazmi A, Witting MD, Euerle BD. Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Emergency Physician Performed Biparietal Diameter Estimate for Gestational Age. J Emerg Med 2021; 62:342-347. [PMID: 34654585 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An accurate estimation of fetal gestational age is essential for the management of pregnant patients who present to the emergency department (ED). Point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) is an integral part of emergency medicine training and includes measurement of fetal gestational age by the biparietal diameter (BPD) method. OBJECTIVES In this study we performed a quantitative assessment of emergency physician (EP)-performed BPD estimate of gestational age to identify the percentage of studies performed in our department that had an estimated gestational age within 14 days of an adjusted radiological or obstetrical estimation. METHODS We performed a chart review of our ED ultrasound database and electronic medical records for cases where a BPD measurement was performed by an EP. We recorded the ED gestational age estimate in days and the radiological or obstetrical estimate of gestational age in days. We then calculated the difference in days between the two examinations. We used a normal binomial approximation to calculate 95% confidence intervals. A secondary analysis looked at the quality of the images based on measurement placement and the view obtained. RESULTS Seventy-four cases met eligibility criteria; of those, 67 (91%) had a gestational age estimation within 14 days of the adjusted radiological or obstetrical estimate (95% confidence interval 81-96%). CONCLUSION This study shows that EP-performed BPD measurements for gestational age are quantitatively accurate, with 91% of estimates within 14 days of a standard radiological or obstetrical estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Salerno
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Kevin Flanagan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kenn Ghaffarian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | - Ahmed Al Hazmi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael D Witting
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brian D Euerle
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
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Daloee HR, Zarifian A, Aminzadeh B. Two-Dash Line: A New Approach for Prenatal Ultrasound Measurement of Iliac and Ischial Bones to Estimate Gestational Age. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2021; 40:2133-2140. [PMID: 33332601 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There has been a dearth of an accurate and reliable method for the measurement of fetal pelvic bones. In this study, we describe a novel, easy-to-use method for ischial and iliac bone measurement in fetal ultrasound scanning. METHODS This prospective cross-sectional study was performed on 1179 pregnant women at 12 to 40 weeks of an uneventful gestation. Pelvic biometric indices, including the length of the ilium and ischium, were measured by a novel and easy method. Then data were analyzed by regression models to develop a formula for gestational age (GA) estimation based on pelvic bones. RESULTS The approximate ossification time of the ischium was determined to range between the 13th and 20th gestational weeks. We calculated 3 formulas using linear regression models: formula 1, GA (days) = 92.563 + (11.604 × ischial length); formula 2, GA (days) = 57.006 + (7.819 × iliac length); and formula 3, GA (days) = 65.809 + (5.610 × iliac length) + (3.431 × ischial length). CONCLUSIONS The 2-dash line method can contribute to efficient and precise ultrasound measurement of the ilium and ischium in pelvic biometry of the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Rezaei Daloee
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ahmadreza Zarifian
- Clinical Research Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Behzad Aminzadeh
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Tagliaferri S, Travaglino A, Raffone A, Saccone G, Campanino MR, Zara G, Ammendola A, Pini N, Maruotti GM, Magenes G, Signorini MG, Guida M, Zullo F, D'Armiento M, Campanile M. Placental dysfunction in uncomplicated and complicated intrauterine growth restriction by preeclampsia and neonatal outcome. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 35:8169-8175. [PMID: 34470111 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1965980] [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: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the use of computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) parameters in Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) pregnancies for the prediction of 1) complication with preeclampsia; 2) placental histological abnormalities, and 3) neonatal outcomes. . STUDY DESIGN A single-center observational retrospective case-control study was performed by reviewing medical records, cCTG databases and pathological reports of women with singleton pregnancy and IUGR uncomplicated (controls) and complicated by preeclampsia (cases). Primary endpoint was the association between cCTG parameters and preeclampsia in IUGR. Secondary endpoints were the association between cCTG parameters and 1) placental abnormalities, and 2) neonatal outcomes. The one-way ANOVA test was used to compare cCTG parameters in cases and controls. t-test was applied to compare neonatal outcomes and placental abnormalities in both groups. The Spearman Test value Correlation coefficients between the cCTG parameters and neonatal outcome in the two groups. A p value < .05 was considered significant for all analyses. RESULTS Among all cCTG parameters, a significant association with preeclampsia in IUGR was found for Fetal Heart Rate (FHR, p = .008), Delta (p = .018), Short Term Variability (STV, p = .021), Long Term Variability (LTV, p = .028), Acceleration Phase Rectified Slope (APRS, p = .018) and Deceleration Phase Rectified Slope (DPRS, p = .038). Of all placental histologic abnormalities, only vascular alterations at least moderate were significantly associated with increased FHR (p = .02). About neonatal outcomes, all cCTG parameters were significantly associated with birth weight, Apgar index at 1 and 5 min, pH and pCO2. FHR, LTI, Delta, Approximate Entropy (ApEn) and LF were significantly associated with pO2; LTI, Interval Index (II) and ApEn with base excess. Among controls, Delta, ApEn, Low Frequency (LF) and High Frequency (HF) were significantly associated with pCO2, while among cases, STV and Delta were significantly associated with pH; STV, LTI, Delta, ApEn, LF and HF with pCO2; STV, LTI, Delta and ApEn with pO2; HF with base excess; FHR and LF with lactates. CONCLUSIONS cCTG parameters may be useful to detect complication with preeclampsia in IUGR pregnancies. Regarding placental status, cCTG parameters may detect overall circulation alterations, but not specific histological abnormalities. Lastly, all cCTG parameters may predict neonatal outcomes, helping to tailor the patients' management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Tagliaferri
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Travaglino
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Raffone
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriele Saccone
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaela Campanino
- Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zara
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ammendola
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicolò Pini
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Maruotti
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Magenes
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Signorini
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Guida
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fulvio Zullo
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria D'Armiento
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marta Campanile
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Gadsbøll K, Wright A, Kristensen SE, Verfaille V, Nicolaides KH, Wright D, Petersen OB. Crown-rump length measurement error: impact on assessment of growth. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2021; 58:354-359. [PMID: 33998101 DOI: 10.1002/uog.23690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of first-trimester crown-rump length (CRL) measurement error on the interpretation of estimated fetal weight (EFW) and classification of fetuses as small-, large- or appropriate-for-gestational age on subsequent growth scans. METHODS We examined the effects of errors of ± 2, ± 3 and ± 4 mm in the measurement of fetal CRL on percentiles of EFW at 20, 32 and 36 weeks' gestation and classification as small-, large- or appropriate-for-gestational age. Published data on CRL measurement error were used to determine variation present in practice. RESULTS A measurement error of -2 mm in first-trimester CRL shifts an EFW on the 10th percentile at the 20-week scan to around the 20th percentile, and the effect of a CRL measurement error of + 2 mm would shift an EFW on the 10th percentile to around the 5th percentile. At 32 weeks, a first-trimester CRL measurement error would shift an EFW on the 10th percentile to the 7th (+ 2 mm) or 14th (-2 mm) percentile; at 36 weeks, the EFW would shift from the 10th percentile to the 8th (+ 2 mm) or 12th (-2 mm) percentile. Published data suggest that measurement errors of 2 mm or more are common in practice. CONCLUSION Because of the widespread and potentially severe consequences of CRL measurement errors as small as 2 mm on clinical assessment, patient management and research results, there is a need to increase awareness of the impact of CRL measurement error and to reduce measurement error variation through standardization and quality control. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Gadsbøll
- Center for Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy and Ultrasound, Department of Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Wright
- Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - S E Kristensen
- Center for Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy and Ultrasound, Department of Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - V Verfaille
- Ultrasound Clinic BovenMaas, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K H Nicolaides
- Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - D Wright
- Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - O B Petersen
- Center for Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy and Ultrasound, Department of Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Burgos-Artizzu XP, Coronado-Gutiérrez D, Valenzuela-Alcaraz B, Vellvé K, Eixarch E, Crispi F, Bonet-Carne E, Bennasar M, Gratacos E. Analysis of maturation features in fetal brain ultrasound via artificial intelligence for the estimation of gestational age. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2021; 3:100462. [PMID: 34403820 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimal prenatal care relies on accurate gestational age dating. After the first trimester, the accuracy of current gestational age estimation methods diminishes with increasing gestational age. Considering that, in many countries, access to first trimester crown rump length is still difficult owing to late booking, infrequent access to prenatal care, and unavailability of early ultrasound examination, the development of accurate methods for gestational age estimation in the second and third trimester of pregnancy remains an unsolved challenge in fetal medicine. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an artificial intelligence method based on automated analysis of fetal brain morphology on standard cranial ultrasound sections to estimate the gestational age in second and third trimester fetuses compared with the current formulas using standard fetal biometry. STUDY DESIGN Standard transthalamic axial plane images from a total of 1394 patients undergoing routine fetal ultrasound were used to develop an artificial intelligence method to automatically estimate gestational age from the analysis of fetal brain information. We compared its performance-as stand alone or in combination with fetal biometric parameters-against 4 currently used fetal biometry formulas on a series of 3065 scans from 1992 patients undergoing second (n=1761) or third trimester (n=1298) routine ultrasound, with known gestational age estimated from crown rump length in the first trimester. RESULTS Overall, 95% confidence interval of the error in gestational age estimation was 14.2 days for the artificial intelligence method alone and 11.0 when used in combination with fetal biometric parameters, compared with 12.9 days of the best method using standard biometrics alone. In the third trimester, the lower 95% confidence interval errors were 14.3 days for artificial intelligence in combination with biometric parameters and 17 days for fetal biometrics, whereas in the second trimester, the 95% confidence interval error was 6.7 and 7, respectively. The performance differences were even larger in the small-for-gestational-age fetuses group (14.8 and 18.5, respectively). CONCLUSION An automated artificial intelligence method using standard sonographic fetal planes yielded similar or lower error in gestational age estimation compared with fetal biometric parameters, especially in the third trimester. These results support further research to improve the performance of these methods in larger studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier P Burgos-Artizzu
- Transmural Biotech S.L., Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu and Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez); BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos).
| | - David Coronado-Gutiérrez
- Transmural Biotech S.L., Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu and Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez); BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos)
| | - Brenda Valenzuela-Alcaraz
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos)
| | - Kilian Vellvé
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos)
| | - Elisenda Eixarch
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, and Gratacos)
| | - Fatima Crispi
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, and Gratacos)
| | - Elisenda Bonet-Carne
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, and Gratacos); Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Bonet-Carne)
| | - Mar Bennasar
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos)
| | - Eduard Gratacos
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Center (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu), Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Dr Burgos-Artizzu, Mr Coronado-Gutiérrez, and Drs Valenzuela-Alcaraz, Vellvé, Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, Bennasar, and Gratacos); Center for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (Drs Eixarch, Crispi, Bonet-Carne, and Gratacos)
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Bailey HD, Kotecha SJ, Watkins WJ, Adane AA, Shepherd CCJ, Kotecha S. Comparison of stillbirth trends over two decades in Wales, United Kingdom and Western Australia: An international retrospective cohort study. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2021; 35:302-314. [PMID: 33666946 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stillbirth is a critical public health issue worldwide. While the rates in high-income countries are relatively low, there are persistent between-country disparities. OBJECTIVES To compare stillbirth rates and trends in Wales and the State of Western Australia (WA), Australia, and provide insights into any differences. METHODS In this international retrospective cohort study, we pooled population-based data collections of all births ≥24 weeks' gestation (excluding terminations for congenital anomalies) between 1993 and 2015, divided into six time periods. The stillbirth rate per 1000 births was estimated for each cohort in each time period. Multivariable Poisson regression analyses, adjusted for appropriateness of growth, socio-economic status, maternal age, and multiple birth, were performed to evaluate the interaction between cohort and time period. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each time period and cohort were calculated. RESULTS There were 767 731 births (3725 stillbirths) in Wales and 648 373 (2431 stillbirths) in WA. The overall stillbirth rate declined by 15.9% over the study period in Wales (from 5.3 in 1993-96 to 4.5 per 1000 births in 2013-15; Ptrend < .01) but by 40.4% in WA (from 4.9 to 2.9 per 1000 births in WA; Ptrend < .01). Using 1993-96 in WA as the reference group, the adjusted RRs for stillbirths at 37-38 weeks' gestation in the most recent study period (2013-15) were 0.85 (95% CI 0.64, 1.13) in Wales and 0.51 (95% CI 0.36, 0.73) in WA. CONCLUSIONS The stillbirth rates between Wales and WA have widened in the last two decades (especially among late-term births), although the absolute rates for both are distinctly higher than the best-performing nations. While the differences may be partly explained by timing of birth and maternal life style behaviours such as smoking, it is important to identify and ameliorate the associated risk factors to support a reduction in preventable stillbirths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen D Bailey
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Sarah J Kotecha
- Department of Child Health, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - William J Watkins
- Department of Child Health, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Akilew A Adane
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Carrington C J Shepherd
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Ngangk Yira Research Centre for Aboriginal Health and Social Equity, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Sailesh Kotecha
- Department of Child Health, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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Jara-Rosales S, Fuentealba-Rivas N, Jofré-Muñoz M, Espinosa-Santos V, Godoy-Guzmán C. A new interpretation of the human embryo drawings in Icones Embryonum Humanorum by Samuel Thomas Soemmerring. Anat Sci Int 2021; 96:461-470. [PMID: 33687656 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-021-00613-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In 1799, Samuel Thomas Soemmerring published the book Icones Embryonum Humanorum, which was one of the first attempts in history to sort out prenatal human development chronologically. Despite its importance for the anatomical sciences, there is little information about Icones. In this context, our objective was to identify and estimate the developmental age of the seven human embryos present in Icones Embryonum Humanorum by external morphological analysis and morphometry of the drawings using Image-J® software. First, the book was translated from Latin. Then, the developmental age was estimated by external morphological analysis and morphometry (greatest length) of the drawings using Image-J® software. The book is composed of 20 drawings of human embryos and fetuses from two life-size tables. According to the external features and morphometric analysis, there are seven embryos (drawings I-VII). The embryonic age (pf: post-fertilization age) of drawing I corresponds to day 29-31 pf; drawing II, to day 33-35 pf; drawing III, to day 37-40 pf; drawing IV, to day 42-45 pf; drawing V, to day 45-47 pf; drawing VI, today 47-50 pf; and drawing VII, to day 52-55 pf. There are differences between the development age estimated by Soemmerring and our analysis. These differences are probably due to the methodological and technical limitations of the eighteenth century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Jara-Rosales
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Escuela de Obstetricia, Universidad San Sebastián (USS), Santiago, Chile
| | - Nora Fuentealba-Rivas
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Escuela de Medicina, Unidad de Histología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Santiago, Chile
| | - Maria Jofré-Muñoz
- Centro de Estudios Clásicos "Giuseppina Grammatico", Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de La Educación (UMCE), Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Carlos Godoy-Guzmán
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Escuela de Medicina, Unidad de Histología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Santiago, Chile.
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Ultrasonographic measurement of the transcerebellar diameter for gestational age estimation in the third trimester. J Ultrasound 2021; 25:281-287. [PMID: 33687690 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-021-00564-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultrasonographic estimation of gestational age is done routinely by using fetal biometric parameters, such as the biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), abdominal circumference (AC), and head circumference (HC). Gestational dating by ultrasound is reliable in the 1st trimester, but discrepancies increase to more than 3 weeks in the 3rd trimester. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To study the accuracy of gestational age estimation by the transcerebellar diameter (TCD) in the 3rd trimester of singleton pregnancies whose gestational age is known. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NDMC Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India, from October 2017 to May 2019 after obtaining clearance from the ethical committee. The study included 100 women aged 18-35 years with singleton pregnancies in the 3rd trimester with a gestational age ≥ 28 weeks; the women provided informed consent and filled in an F-form to rule out any sex determination of the baby. Only those women who had regular menstrual cycles 6 months before conception, who were sure of their last menstrual period (LMP), who had a gestational dating scan done up to 14 weeks, and for whom congenital malformation of the fetus had been ruled out by mid-trimester ultrasound were included. Gestational age was obtained for the measured BPD, HC, AC, FL, and TCD. A paired t-test was used for the comparison between the period of gestation (POG) by the 1st ultrasonography (USG) and that by the AC, BPD, FL, HC, and TCD. RESULTS The estimation of gestational age by the BPD becomes gradually less reliable after 32 weeks of pregnancy, that by the HC and FL after 36 weeks, and that by the AC after 28 weeks. Regression analysis was used to find a correlation of the various parameters, such as the POG by the 1st USG, BPD, HC, AC, FL, and TCD, with the POG by LMP. The correlation coefficient (r), coefficient of determination (R2), and p values were calculated. Of all the sonographic parameters for the estimation of gestational age, the TCD showed the highest correlation (r = 0.979; p < 0.0001) and the AC the lowest correlation. CONCLUSION The mean difference between the estimate of gestational age by the TCD and that by the 1st trimester USG increased from ± 1 day at weeks 28-32 to ± 1-2 days at weeks 32-36 and further increased to ± 6 days after 36 weeks of pregnancy, which was statistically significant. This indicated that the TCD could estimate gestational age within 6 days of near-term pregnancy. Thus, the TCD was a reliable parameter for the estimation of gestational age within 6 days of near-term pregnancy along with routine biometry and an alternative parameter for the evaluation of gestational age when the LMP is not known.
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Haider MM, Mahmud K, Blencowe H, Ahmed T, Akuze J, Cousens S, Delwar N, Fisker AB, Ponce Hardy V, Hasan SMT, Imam MA, Kajungu D, Khan MA, Martins JSD, Nahar Q, Nettey OEA, Tesega AK, Yargawa J, Alam N, Lawn JE. Gestational age data completeness, quality and validity in population-based surveys: EN-INDEPTH study. Popul Health Metr 2021; 19:16. [PMID: 33557866 PMCID: PMC7869446 DOI: 10.1186/s12963-020-00230-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth (gestational age (GA) <37 weeks) is the leading cause of child mortality worldwide. However, GA is rarely assessed in population-based surveys, the major data source in low/middle-income countries. We examined the performance of new questions to measure GA in household surveys, a subset of which had linked early pregnancy ultrasound GA data. METHODS The EN-INDEPTH population-based survey of 69,176 women was undertaken (2017-2018) in five Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Uganda. We included questions regarding GA in months (GAm) for all women and GA in weeks (GAw) for a subset; we also asked if the baby was 'born before expected' to estimate preterm birth rates. Survey data were linked to surveillance data in two sites, and to ultrasound pregnancy dating at <24 weeks in one site. We assessed completeness and quality of reported GA. We examined the validity of estimated preterm birth rates by sensitivity and specificity, over/under-reporting of GAw in survey compared to ultrasound by multinomial logistic regression, and explored perceptions about GA and barriers and enablers to its reporting using focus group discussions (n = 29). RESULTS GAm questions were almost universally answered, but heaping on 9 months resulted in underestimation of preterm birth rates. Preference for reporting GAw in even numbers was evident, resulting in heaping at 36 weeks; hence, over-estimating preterm birth rates, except in Matlab where the peak was at 38 weeks. Questions regarding 'born before expected' were answered but gave implausibly low preterm birth rates in most sites. Applying ultrasound as the gold standard in Matlab site, sensitivity of survey-GAw for detecting preterm birth (GAw <37) was 60% and specificity was 93%. Focus group findings suggest that women perceive GA to be important, but usually counted in months. Antenatal care attendance, women's education and health cards may improve reporting. CONCLUSIONS This is the first published study assessing GA reporting in surveys, compared with the gold standard of ultrasound. Reporting GAw within 5 years' recall is feasible with high completeness, but accuracy is affected by heaping. Compared to ultrasound-GAw, results are reasonably specific, but sensitivity needs to be improved. We propose revised questions based on the study findings for further testing and validation in settings where pregnancy ultrasound data and/or last menstrual period dates/GA recorded in pregnancy are available. Specific training of interviewers is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kaiser Mahmud
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Hannah Blencowe
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Joseph Akuze
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Simon Cousens
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Centre for Statistical Methodology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nafisa Delwar
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ane B. Fisker
- Bandim Health Project, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
- Research Centre for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Open Patient Data Explorative Network (OPEN), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Victoria Ponce Hardy
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Md. Ali Imam
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Dan Kajungu
- IgangaMayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Makerere University Centre for Health and Population Research, Makerere, Uganda
| | | | | | - Quamrun Nahar
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Adane Kebede Tesega
- Dabat Research Centre Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Dabat, Ethiopia
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, University of Gondar Institute of Public Health, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Judith Yargawa
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nurul Alam
- Health Systems and Population Studies Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Joy E. Lawn
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Blencowe H, Bottecchia M, Kwesiga D, Akuze J, Haider MM, Galiwango E, Dzabeng F, Fisker AB, Enuameh YAK, Geremew BM, Nareeba T, Woodd S, Beedle A, Peven K, Cousens S, Waiswa P, Lawn JE. Stillbirth outcome capture and classification in population-based surveys: EN-INDEPTH study. Popul Health Metr 2021; 19:13. [PMID: 33557841 PMCID: PMC7869203 DOI: 10.1186/s12963-020-00239-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Household surveys remain important sources of stillbirth data, but omission and misclassification are common. Classifying adverse pregnancy outcomes as stillbirths requires accurate reporting of vital status at birth and gestational age or birthweight for every pregnancy. Further categorisation, e.g. by sex, or timing (intrapartum/antepartum) improves data to understand and prevent stillbirth. METHODS We undertook a cross-sectional population-based survey of women of reproductive age in five health and demographic surveillance system sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau and Uganda (2017-2018). All women answered a full birth history with pregnancy loss questions (FBH+) or a full pregnancy history (FPH). A sub-sample across both groups were asked additional stillbirth questions. Questions were evaluated using descriptive measures. Using an interpretative paradigm and phenomenology methodology, focus group discussions with women exploring barriers to reporting birthweight for stillbirths were conducted. Thematic analysis was guided by an a priori codebook. RESULTS Overall 69,176 women reported 98,483 livebirths (FBH+) and 102,873 pregnancies (FPH). Additional questions were asked for 1453 stillbirths, 1528 neonatal deaths and 12,620 surviving children born in the 5 years prior to the survey. Completeness was high (> 99%) for existing FBH+/FPH questions on signs of life at birth and gestational age (months). Discordant responses in signs of life at birth between different questions were common; nearly one-quarter classified as stillbirths on FBH+/FPH were reported born alive on additional questions. Availability of information on gestational age (weeks) (58.1%) and birthweight (13.2%) was low amongst stillbirths, and heaping was common. Most women (93.9%) were able to report the sex of their stillborn baby. Response completeness for stillbirth timing (18.3-95.1%) and estimated proportion intrapartum (15.6-90.0%) varied by question and site. Congenital malformations were reported in 3.1% stillbirths. Perceived value in weighing a stillborn baby varied and barriers to weighing at birth a nd knowing birthweight were common. CONCLUSIONS Improving stillbirth data in surveys will require investment in improving the measurement of vital status, gestational age and birthweight by healthcare providers, communication of these with women, and overcoming reporting barriers. Given the large burden and effect on families, improved data must be made available to end preventable stillbirths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Blencowe
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matteo Bottecchia
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Doris Kwesiga
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- International Maternal & Child Health, Dept. of Women and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Joseph Akuze
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Edward Galiwango
- IgangaMayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Makerere University Centre for Health and Population Research, Makerere, Uganda
| | | | - Ane B. Fisker
- Bandim Health Project, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
- Research Centre for Vitamins and Vaccines, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Open Patient data Explorative Network (OPEN), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Yeetey Akpe Kwesi Enuameh
- Kintampo Health Research Centre, Kintampo, Ghana
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Bisrat Misganaw Geremew
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tryphena Nareeba
- IgangaMayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Makerere University Centre for Health and Population Research, Makerere, Uganda
| | - Susannah Woodd
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Beedle
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kimberly Peven
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Simon Cousens
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Peter Waiswa
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joy E. Lawn
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Tagliaferri S, Cepparulo P, Vinciguerra A, Campanile M, Esposito G, Maruotti GM, Zullo F, Annunziato L, Pignataro G. miR-16-5p, miR-103-3p, and miR-27b-3p as Early Peripheral Biomarkers of Fetal Growth Restriction. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:611112. [PMID: 33777862 PMCID: PMC7991078 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.611112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Current tests available to diagnose fetal hypoxia in-utero lack sensitivity thus failing to identify many fetuses at risk. Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs derived from the placenta circulate in the maternal blood during pregnancy and may be used as non-invasive biomarkers for pregnancy complications. With the intent to identify putative markers of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and new therapeutic druggable targets, we examined, in maternal blood samples, the expression of a group of microRNAs, known to be regulated by hypoxia. The expression of microRNAs was evaluated in maternal plasma samples collected from (1) women carrying a preterm FGR fetus (FGR group) or (2) women with an appropriately grown fetus matched at the same gestational age (Control group). To discriminate between early- and late-onset FGR, the study population was divided into two subgroups according to the gestational age at delivery. Four microRNAs were identified as possible candidates for the diagnosis of FGR: miR-16-5p, miR-103-3p, miR-107-3p, and miR-27b-3p. All four selected miRNAs, measured by RT-PCR, resulted upregulated in FGR blood samples before the 32nd week of gestation. By contrast, miRNA103-3p and miRNA107-3p, analyzed between the 32nd and 37th week of gestation, showed lower expression in the FGR group compared to aged matched controls. Our results showed that measurement of miRNAs in maternal blood may form the basis for a future diagnostic test to determine the degree of fetal hypoxia in FGR, thus allowing the start of appropriate therapeutic interventions to alleviate the burden of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Tagliaferri
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Cepparulo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Vinciguerra
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Marta Campanile
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Esposito
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maria Maruotti
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Fulvio Zullo
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Pignataro
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Campbell KSJ, Collier AC, Irvine MA, Brain U, Rurak DW, Oberlander TF, Lim KI. Maternal Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants Have Acute Effects on Fetal Heart Rate Variability in Late Gestation. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:680177. [PMID: 34483982 PMCID: PMC8415315 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.680177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Prenatal exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) antidepressants increases risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, yet little is known about whether effects are present before birth. In relation to maternal SRI pharmacokinetics, this study investigated chronic and acute effects of prenatal SRI exposure on third-trimester fetal heart rate variability (HRV), while evaluating confounding effects of maternal depressed mood. Methods: At 36-weeks' gestation, cardiotocograph measures of fetal HR and HRV were obtained from 148 pregnant women [four groups: SRI-Depressed (n = 31), SRI-Non-Depressed (n = 18), Depressed (unmedicated; n = 42), and Control (n = 57)] before, and ~5-h after, typical SRI dose. Maternal plasma drug concentrations were quantified at baseline (pre-dose) and four time-points post-dose. Mixed effects modeling investigated group differences between baseline/pre-dose and post-dose fetal HR outcomes. Post hoc analyses investigated sex differences and dose-dependent SRI effects. Results: Maternal SRI plasma concentrations were lowest during the baseline/pre-dose fetal assessment (trough) and increased to a peak at the post-dose assessment; concentration-time curves varied widely between individuals. No group differences in fetal HR or HRV were observed at baseline/pre-dose; however, following maternal SRI dose, short-term HRV decreased in both SRI-exposed fetal groups. In the SRI-Depressed group, these post-dose decreases were displayed by male fetuses, but not females. Further, episodes of high HRV decreased post-dose relative to baseline, but only among SRI-Non-Depressed group fetuses. Higher maternal SRI doses also predicted a greater number of fetal HR decelerations. Fetuses exposed to unmedicated maternal depressed mood did not differ from Controls. Conclusions: Prenatal SRI exposure had acute post-dose effects on fetal HRV in late gestation, which differed depending on maternal mood response to SRI pharmacotherapy. Importantly, fetal SRI effects were sex-specific among mothers with persistent depressive symptoms, as only male fetuses displayed acute HRV decreases. At trough (pre-dose), chronic fetal SRI effects were not identified; however, concurrent changes in maternal SRI plasma levels suggest that fetal drug exposure is inconsistent. Acute SRI-related changes in fetal HRV may reflect a pharmacologic mechanism, a transient impairment in autonomic functioning, or an early adaption to altered serotonergic signaling, which may differ between males and females. Replication is needed to determine significance with postnatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh S J Campbell
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Abby C Collier
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael A Irvine
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ursula Brain
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dan W Rurak
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tim F Oberlander
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kenneth I Lim
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Hutcheon JA, Harper S, Liauw J, Skoll MA, Srour M, Strumpf EC. Antenatal corticosteroid administration and early school age child development: A regression discontinuity study in British Columbia, Canada. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003435. [PMID: 33284805 PMCID: PMC7721186 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are growing concerns that antenatal corticosteroid administration may harm children's neurodevelopment. We investigated the safety of antenatal corticosteroid administration practices for children's overall developmental health (skills and behaviors) at early school age. METHODS AND FINDINGS We linked population health and education databases from British Columbia (BC), Canada to identify a cohort of births admitted to hospital between 31 weeks, 0 days gestation (31+0 weeks), and 36+6 weeks, 2000 to 2013, with routine early school age child development testing. We used a regression discontinuity design to compare outcomes of infants admitted just before and just after the clinical threshold for corticosteroid administration of 34+0 weeks. We estimated the median difference in the overall Early Development Instrument (EDI) score and EDI subdomain scores, as well as risk differences (RDs) for special needs designation and developmental vulnerability (<10th percentile on 2 or more subdomains). The cohort included 5,562 births admitted between 31+0 and 36+6 weeks, with a median EDI score of 40/50. We found no evidence that antenatal corticosteroid administration practices were linked with altered child development at early school age: median EDI score difference of -0.5 [95% CI: -2.2 to 1.7] (p = 0.65), RD per 100 births for special needs designation -0.5 [-4.2 to 3.1] (p = 0.96) and for developmental vulnerability of 3.9 [95% CI:-2.2 to 10.0] (p = 0.24). A limitation of our study is that the regression discontinuity design estimates the effect of antenatal corticosteroid administration at the gestational age of the discontinuity, 34 + 0 weeks, so our results may become less generalisable as gestational age moves further away from this point. CONCLUSIONS Our study did not find that that antenatal corticosteroid administration practices were associated with child development at early school age. Our findings may be useful for supporting clinical counseling about antenatal corticosteroids administration at late preterm gestation, when the balance of harms and benefits is less clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Hutcheon
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Sam Harper
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jessica Liauw
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M. Amanda Skoll
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Myriam Srour
- Departments of Pediatrics and of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Erin C. Strumpf
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Economics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Chen Y, Sun L, Hua X, Li M, Yu S, Zhang J. Defining intertwin birth weight discordance and optimal delivery time in dichorionic twins: a retrospective cohort study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:3915-3922. [PMID: 33249949 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1843627] [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: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A high birth weight discordance (BWD) places twins at high risks of adverse perinatal outcomes; however, there is no commonly accepted definition of intertwin BWD. Given that gestational age (GA) is closely associated with both BWD and adverse neonatal outcomes, the aim of our study is to develop a measure that takes both BWD and GA into account to define BWD and explore the potentially optimal delivery time in dichorionic twins, with the balance against the risk of intrauterine demise and adverse neonatal outcomes. METHODS About 99,000 mixed gender twin pairs from the US matched multiple birth file from 1995 to 2000 were enrolled in our study. We set up a two-dimensional matrix model to select the BWD cutoff point related to outcomes. The optimal delivery time was identified based on the risks of adverse neonatal outcomes and fetal death by GA. RESULTS The combination of BWD and GA had a higher predictive performance for adverse neonatal outcomes than BWD alone (area under ROC curve (AUC): 0.816 vs. 0.523, p < .001). When GA was controlled for, the growth discordant cutoff point was BWD at the 40% level. The optimal delivery time suggested in dichorionic twins with BWD higher than 40% was identified at 33-34 gestational weeks. CONCLUSIONS The combination of BWD and GA was a better predictor for adverse neonatal outcomes than BWD alone. In dichorionic twins with BWD >40%, pregnancy may be continued till 33-34 gestation weeks if there is no indication for immediate delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Neonatology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Luming Sun
- Department of Fetal Medicine, First Maternity and Infant Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolin Hua
- Department of Obstetrics, First Maternity and Infant Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Li
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Stella Yu
- Center for Global Health and Health Policy, Global Health and Education Projects, Inc, Riverdale, MD, USA
| | - Jun Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Bengtson AM, Phillips TK, le Roux SM, Brittain K, Zerbe A, Madlala HP, Malaba TR, Petro G, Abrams EJ, Myer L. High blood pressure at entry into antenatal care and birth outcomes among a cohort of HIV-uninfected women and women living with HIV initiating antiretroviral therapy in South Africa. Pregnancy Hypertens 2020; 23:79-86. [PMID: 33285444 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2020.11.005] [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: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine associations between high blood pressure (BP) when entering antenatal care (ANC) and birth outcomes in a cohort of pregnant HIV- and women living with HIV (WLHIV) initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART). STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cesarean delivery, preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation), low birthweight (LBW, <2500 g), small-for-gestational age (SGA, <10th percentile), and large-for-gestational age (LGA, >10th percentile for GA). RESULTS Of 1116 women (median GA 20 weeks; WLHIV 53%), 48% (53% WLHIV; 43% HIV-) entered ANC with high BP, defined as elevated (120-129 or < 80 mmHg), stage 1 (>130-139 or 80-89) or stage 2 hypertension (≥140 / or ≥ 90). WLHIV were more likely to have high BP (RR 1.32; 95%CI 1.12-1.57), controlling for pre-pregnancy body mass index and additional confounders. In multivariable analysis, there was no evidence that high BP increased the risk of cesarean delivery (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.92-1.30), preterm birth (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.81-1.62), LBW (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.84-1.60) or SGA (RR 1.02, 0.72-1.44), overall or when stratified by HIV-status. High BP was associated with an increased risk of LGA (RR 1.43; 95% CI 1.00-2.03). CONCLUSION In this setting, half of women had high BP at entry into ANC, with WLHIV at increased risk of high BP. There was no strong evidence that high BP increased the risk of adverse birth outcomes overall, or by HIV-status, with the exception of LGA. WLHIV may be at high risk of high BP during pregnancy and should be monitored closely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Tamsin K Phillips
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stanzi M le Roux
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsty Brittain
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Allison Zerbe
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hlengiwe P Madlala
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thokozile R Malaba
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gregory Petro
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Cape Town and New Somerset Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elaine J Abrams
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Association of gestational age with MRI-based biometrics of brain development in fetuses. BMC Med Imaging 2020; 20:125. [PMID: 33238909 PMCID: PMC7689975 DOI: 10.1186/s12880-020-00525-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reported date of last menstrual period and ultrasonography measurements are the most commonly used methods for determining gestational age in antenatal life. However, the mother cannot always determine the last menstrual period with certainty, and ultrasonography measurements are accurate only in the first trimester. We aimed to assess the ability of various biometric measurements on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the accurate gestational age of an individual fetus in the second half of gestation. Methods We used MRI to scan a total of 637 fetuses ranging in age from 22 to 40 gestational weeks. We evaluated 9 standard fetal 2D biometric parameters, and regression models were fitted to assess normal fetal brain development. A stepwise linear regression model was constructed to predict gestational age, and measurement accuracy was determined in a held-out, unseen test sample (n = 49). Results A second-order polynomial regression model was found to be the best descriptor of biometric measures including brain bi-parietal diameter, head circumference, and fronto-occipital diameter in relation to normal fetal growth. Normal fetuses showed divergent growth patterns for the cerebrum and cerebellum, where the cerebrum undergoes rapid growth in the second trimester, while the cerebellum undergoes rapid growth in the third trimester. Moreover, a linear model based on biometrics of brain bi-parietal diameter, length of the corpus callosum, vermis area, transverse cerebellar diameter, and cerebellar area accurately predicted gestational age in the second and third trimesters (cross-validation R2 = 0.822, p < 0.001). Conclusions These results support the use of MRI biometry charts to improve MRI evaluation of fetal growth and suggest that MRI biometry measurements offer a potential estimation model of fetal gestational age in the second half of gestation, which is vital to any assessment of pregnancy, fetal development, and neonatal care.
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Bengtson AM, Phillips TK, le Roux SM, Brittain K, Zerbe A, Madlala H, Malaba T, Petro G, Abrams EJ, Myer L. Does HIV infection modify the relationship between pre-pregnancy body mass index and adverse birth outcomes? Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2020; 34:713-723. [PMID: 32490582 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND South Africa faces dual epidemics of HIV and obesity; however, little research has explored whether HIV status influences associations between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and adverse birth outcomes. OBJECTIVES To examine associations between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and adverse birth outcomes, and if they differ by HIV status. METHODS We followed HIV-uninfected and -infected pregnant women initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) from first antenatal visit through delivery. HIV-infected women initiated ART (tenofovir-emtricitabine/lamivudine-efavirenz) in pregnancy. Estimated pre-pregnancy BMI (kg/m2 ) was categorised as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25.0-29.9), and obese (≥30.0). We used modified Poisson regression to estimate risk ratios (RR) for associations between pre-pregnancy BMI and adverse birth outcomes and explored modification by HIV status. RESULTS Among 1116 women (53% HIV-infected), 44% of HIV-uninfected women and 36% of HIV-infected women were classified as obese; 4% of women were underweight. Overall, 12% of infants were delivered preterm (<37 weeks), 10% small for gestational age (SGA, <10th percentile), and 9% large for gestational age (LGA, >90th percentile). Compared to HIV-uninfected women, HIV-infected women on ART had less LGA (5% vs 13%) but more SGA (12% vs 8%), and a similar proportion of preterm (13% vs 11%) infants. Pre-pregnancy BMI was not associated with preterm birth. Among HIV-uninfected women, obesity modestly increased the risk of LGA (RR 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82, 2.19), and underweight modestly elevated the risk of SGA (RR 1.66, 95% CI 0.79, 3.46). These associations were attenuated among HIV-infected women (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.44, 2.64 for LGA, and RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.49, 3.64 for SGA). CONCLUSIONS In this urban African setting of high HIV prevalence, pre-pregnancy obesity was common and did not vary by HIV status. In HIV-uninfected women, obesity increased the risk of LGA and being underweight the risk of SGA, compared with among HIV-uninfected women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Tamsin K Phillips
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stanzi M le Roux
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsty Brittain
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Allison Zerbe
- Mailman School of Public Health, ICAP at Columbia University, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hlengiwe Madlala
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thokozile Malaba
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gregory Petro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town and New Somerset Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elaine J Abrams
- Mailman School of Public Health, ICAP at Columbia University, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Lawford HLS, Nuamah MA, Liley HG, Lee AC, Kumar S, Adjei AA, Bora S. Neonatal neurological examination in a resource-limited setting: What defines normal? Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2020; 29:71-80. [PMID: 33036879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the results of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) in a low-risk, term-born, contemporary sample in Ghana. Of particular interest was to compare these findings with the original British study that validated the HNNE, and published data from other low- and middle-income countries. STUDY DESIGN In a nested substudy of a larger prospective study (IMPRINT: Impact of Malaria in Pregnancy on Infant Neurodevelopment), 140 low-risk, term-born neonates (39.3 ± 1.4 weeks gestation) at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana were administered the 34-item HNNE from birth to 48 h of age by trained physicians. Neonates' performance was compared with previously published normative data from the United Kingdom (1998), and published data from Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Uganda. RESULTS Ghanaian neonates demonstrated lower scores on 29/34 HNNE items relative to normative data from the United Kingdom (P < .05), with only 5% of Ghanaian neonates in our sample classified as neurologically optimal. There were significant differences in the proportion of neonates scoring optimally per HNNE item between our Ghanaian sample, compared with published data from other settings (Thai [13/16 items], Burmese [14/16 items], Vietnamese [7/9 items], and Ugandan [22/34 items] neonates). Raw scores were markedly different between Ghanaian and British neonates, with Ghanaian neonates demonstrating lower median and wider range of scores. These differences were less prominent between Ghanaian and Ugandan neonates. CONCLUSION Our findings raise questions as to whether or not the thresholds for optimality for the HNNE based on data from the United Kingdom are applicable to Ghanaian newborns. Our study could not fully resolve whether the differences in scores were due to genetic differences in developmental pathways, the implementation of the assessment, or the characteristics of our sample. Low proportions of neonates scoring optimally from other low- and middle-income countries suggest the need for further research to determine the clinical utility of the HNNE in resource-limited settings, including the predictive value for neurodevelopment later in infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet L S Lawford
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mercy A Nuamah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Helen G Liley
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anne Cc Lee
- Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sailesh Kumar
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Andrew A Adjei
- Department of Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samudragupta Bora
- Mothers, Babies and Women's Health Program, Mater Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Musa A, Chojenta C, Loxton D. The association between intimate partner violence and low birth weight and preterm delivery in eastern Ethiopia: Findings from a facility-based study. Midwifery 2020; 92:102869. [PMID: 33152597 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2020.102869] [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: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the associations between intimate partner violence during pregnancy and low birth weight and preterm birth among women who gave birth in public hospitals in Harari region, eastern Ethiopia. DESIGN A cross-sectional study was conducted among women who gave birth in public hospitals in Harari region. PARTICIPANTS Women aged 16-45 years who gave birth in hospitals from November 2018 to April 2019. SETTING Two public hospitals in Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia MEASUREMENT: Intimate partner violence was measured using a questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization Multi-Country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women. Binary and multiple logistic regression was performed to establish the association between intimate partner violence and low birth weight and preterm birth. Both crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The level of significance was set at a p-value of <0.05. RESULTS In this study, 39% of women reported experiencing partner violence during their most recent pregnancy. The prevalence of preterm birth and low birth weight were found to be 18.9% and 12.01%, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, women who experienced any intimate partner violence during pregnancy were 1.62 times (AOR = 1.62, 95%CI= 1.22, 2.78) more likely to give birth prematurely and 1.37 times (AOR= 1.37, 95%CI=1.73, 2.57) more likely to have a low birth weight infant relative to women who did not experience intimate partner violence during pregnancy. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The results underscore the need for including intimate partner violence prevention as an important strategy to reduce child mortality and morbidity. Screening pregnant women for intimate partner violence and providing support for women who have experienced violence might be helpful in tackling prematurity and low birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulbasit Musa
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
| | - Catherine Chojenta
- Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
| | - Deborah Loxton
- Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
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Wilson RD. Antenatal Fetal Assessment: 75 Years Later (1945-2019). JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2020; 41 Suppl 2:S276-S280. [PMID: 31785673 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Douglas Wilson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
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Scott K, Gupta S, Williams E, Arthur M, Somayajulu UV, Noguchi L. "I can guess the month … but beyond that, I can't tell" an exploratory qualitative study of health care provider perspectives on gestational age estimation in Rajasthan, India. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:529. [PMID: 32917163 PMCID: PMC7488485 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03201-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurately estimating gestational age is essential to the provision of time-sensitive maternal and neonatal interventions, including lifesaving measures for imminent preterm birth and trimester-specific health messaging. METHODS We explored healthcare provider perspectives on gestational age estimation in the state of Rajasthan, India, including the methods they use (last menstrual period [LMP] dating, ultrasound, or fundal height measurement); barriers to making accurate estimates; how gestational age estimates are documented and used for clinical decision-making; and what could help improve the accuracy and use of these estimates. We interviewed 20 frontline healthcare providers and 10 key informants. Thematic network analysis guided our coding and synthesis of findings. RESULTS Health care providers reported that they determined gestational age using some combination of LMP, fundal height, and ultrasound. Their description of their practices showed a lack of standard protocol, varying levels of confidence in their capacity to make accurate estimates, and differing strategies for managing inconsistencies between estimates derived from different methods. Many frontline healthcare providers valued gestational age estimation more to help women prepare for childbirth than as a tool for clinical decision making. Feedback on accuracy was rare. The providers sampled could not offer ultrasound directly, and instead could only refer women to ultrasound at higher level facilities, and usually only in the second or third trimesters because of late antenatal care-seeking. Low recall among pregnant women limited the accuracy of LMP. Fundal height was heavily relied upon, despite its lack of precision. CONCLUSION The accuracy of gestational age estimates is influenced by factors at four levels: 1. health system (protocols to guide frontline workers, interventions that make use of gestational age, work environment, and equipment); 2. healthcare provider (technical understanding of and capacity to apply the gestational age estimation methods, communication and rapport with clients, and value assessment of gestational age); 3. client (time of first antenatal care, migration status, language, education, cognitive approach to recalling dates, and experience with biomedical services); and, 4. the inherent limitations and ease of application of the methods themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Scott
- USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
| | - S Gupta
- USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - E Williams
- USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/Jhpiego, Baltimore, USA
| | - M Arthur
- USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/USAID, Washington, D.C., USA
| | | | - L Noguchi
- USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program/Jhpiego, Baltimore, USA
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