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Okwaraji YB, Suárez-Idueta L, Ohuma EO, Bradley E, Yargawa J, Pingray V, Cormick G, Gordon A, Flenady V, Horváth-Puhó E, Sørensen HT, Sakkeus L, Abuladze L, Heidarzadeh M, Khalili N, Yunis KA, Al Bizri A, Karalasingam SD, Jeganathan R, Barranco A, van Dijk AE, Broeders L, Alyafei F, AlQubaisi M, Razaz N, Söderling J, Smith LK, Matthews RJ, Wood R, Monteath K, Pereyra I, Pravia G, Lisonkova S, Wen Q, Lawn JE, Blencowe H. Stillbirths: Contribution of preterm birth and size-for-gestational age for 125.4 million total births from nationwide records in 13 countries, 2000-2020. BJOG 2023. [PMID: 38018284 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the contribution of preterm birth and size-for-gestational age in stillbirths using six 'newborn types'. DESIGN Population-based multi-country analyses. SETTING Births collected through routine data systems in 13 countries. SAMPLE 125 419 255 total births from 22+0 to 44+6 weeks' gestation identified from 2000 to 2020. METHODS We included 635 107 stillbirths from 22+0 weeks' gestation from 13 countries. We classified all births, including stillbirths, into six 'newborn types' based on gestational age information (preterm, PT, <37+0 weeks versus term, T, ≥37+0 weeks) and size-for-gestational age defined as small (SGA, <10th centile), appropriate (AGA, 10th-90th centiles) or large (LGA, >90th centile) for gestational age, according to the international newborn size for gestational age and sex INTERGROWTH-21st standards. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Distribution of stillbirths, stillbirth rates and rate ratios according to six newborn types. RESULTS 635 107 (0.5%) of the 125 419 255 total births resulted in stillbirth after 22+0 weeks. Most stillbirths (74.3%) were preterm. Around 21.2% were SGA types (PT + SGA [16.2%], PT + AGA [48.3%], T + SGA [5.0%]) and 14.1% were LGA types (PT + LGA [9.9%], T + LGA [4.2%]). The median rate ratio (RR) for stillbirth was highest in PT + SGA babies (RR 81.1, interquartile range [IQR], 68.8-118.8) followed by PT + AGA (RR 25.0, IQR, 20.0-34.3), PT + LGA (RR 25.9, IQR, 13.8-28.7) and T + SGA (RR 5.6, IQR, 5.1-6.0) compared with T + AGA. Stillbirth rate ratios were similar for T + LGA versus T + AGA (RR 0.7, IQR, 0.7-1.1). At the population level, 25% of stillbirths were attributable to small-for-gestational-age. CONCLUSIONS In these high-quality data from high/middle income countries, almost three-quarters of stillbirths were born preterm and a fifth small-for-gestational age, with the highest stillbirth rates associated with the coexistence of preterm and SGA. Further analyses are needed to better understand patterns of gestation-specific risk in these populations, as well as patterns in lower-income contexts, especially those with higher rates of intrapartum stillbirth and SGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yemisrach B Okwaraji
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Eric O Ohuma
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ellen Bradley
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Judith Yargawa
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Veronica Pingray
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Cormick
- Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adrienne Gordon
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vicki Flenady
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erzsébet Horváth-Puhó
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Henrik Toft Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Luule Sakkeus
- School of Governance, Law and Society, Estonian Institute for Population Studies, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Liili Abuladze
- School of Governance, Law and Society, Estonian Institute for Population Studies, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
- Population Research Unit, Väestöliitto, Finland
| | | | - Narjes Khalili
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Centre, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khalid A Yunis
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ayah Al Bizri
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Shamala D Karalasingam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cyberjaya, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
| | - Ravichandran Jeganathan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Malaysia Monash Medical School, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
| | - Arturo Barranco
- Directorate of Health Information, Ministry of Health, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Fawzya Alyafei
- Department of Paediatrics, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mai AlQubaisi
- NICU, Women Wellness and Research Centre, Doha, Qatar
| | - Neda Razaz
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Söderling
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lucy K Smith
- Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Ruth J Matthews
- Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Rachael Wood
- Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kirsten Monteath
- Pregnancy, Birth and Child Health Team, Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Isabel Pereyra
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Maule, Curicó, Chile
| | - Gabriella Pravia
- Department of Wellness and Health, Catholic University of Uruguay, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sarka Lisonkova
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Qi Wen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joy E Lawn
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hannah Blencowe
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Nel S, Pattinson RC, Vannevel V, Feucht UD, Mulol H, Wenhold FAM. Integrated growth assessment in the first 1000 d of life: an interdisciplinary conceptual framework. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:1523-1538. [PMID: 37170908 PMCID: PMC10410405 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023000940] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prenatal growth affects short- and long-term morbidity, mortality and growth, yet communication between prenatal and postnatal healthcare teams is often minimal. This paper aims to develop an integrated, interdisciplinary framework for foetal/infant growth assessment, contributing to the continuity of care across the first 1000 d of life. DESIGN A multidisciplinary think-tank met regularly over many months to share and debate their practice and research experience related to foetal/infant growth assessment. Participants’ personal practice and knowledge were verified against and supplemented by published research. SETTING Online and in-person brainstorming sessions of growth assessment practices that are feasible and valuable in resource-limited, low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. PARTICIPANTS A group of obstetricians, paediatricians, dietitians/nutritionists and a statistician. RESULTS Numerous measurements, indices and indicators were identified for growth assessment in the first 1000 d. Relationships between foetal, neonatal and infant measurements were elucidated and integrated into an interdisciplinary framework. Practices relevant to LMIC were then highlighted: antenatal Doppler screening, comprehensive and accurate birth anthropometry (including proportionality of weight, length and head circumference), placenta weighing and incorporation of length-for-age, weight-for-length and mid-upper arm circumference in routine growth monitoring. The need for appropriate, standardised clinical records and corresponding policies to guide clinical practice and facilitate interdisciplinary communication over time became apparent. CONCLUSIONS Clearer communication between prenatal, perinatal and postnatal health care providers, within the framework of a common understanding of growth assessment and a supportive policy environment, is a prerequisite to continuity of care and optimal health and development outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Nel
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Pretoria, Pretoria0002, South Africa
- Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Robert C Pattinson
- Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Valerie Vannevel
- Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ute D Feucht
- Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Tshwane District Health Services, Gauteng Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Helen Mulol
- Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Friede AM Wenhold
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Pretoria, Pretoria0002, South Africa
- Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Pretoria, South Africa
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Hofmeyr GJ, Black RE, Rogozińska E, Heuer A, Walker N, Ashorn P, Ashorn U, Bhandari N, Bhutta ZA, Koivu A, Kumar S, Lawn JE, Munjanja S, Näsänen-Gilmore P, Ramogola-Masire D, Temmerman M. Evidence-based antenatal interventions to reduce the incidence of small vulnerable newborns and their associated poor outcomes. Lancet 2023; 401:1733-1744. [PMID: 37167988 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00355-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
A package of care for all pregnant women within eight scheduled antenatal care contacts is recommended by WHO. Some interventions for reducing and managing the outcomes for small vulnerable newborns (SVNs) exist within the WHO package and need to be more fully implemented, but additional effective measures are needed. We summarise evidence-based antenatal and intrapartum interventions (up to and including clamping the umbilical cord) to prevent vulnerable births or improve outcomes, informed by systematic reviews. We estimate, using the Lives Saved Tool, that eight proven preventive interventions (multiple micronutrient supplementation, balanced protein and energy supplementation, low-dose aspirin, progesterone provided vaginally, education for smoking cessation, malaria prevention, treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria, and treatment of syphilis), if fully implemented in 81 low-income and middle-income countries, could prevent 5·202 million SVN births (sensitivity bounds 2·398-7·903) and 0·566 million stillbirths (0·208-0·754) per year. These interventions, along with two that can reduce the complications of preterm (<37 weeks' gestation) births (antenatal corticosteroids and delayed cord clamping), could avert 0·476 million neonatal deaths (0·181-0·676) per year. If further research substantiates the preventive effect of three additional interventions (supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and zinc) on SVN births, about 8·369 million SVN births (2·398-13·857) and 0·652 million neonatal deaths (0·181-0·917) could be avoided per year. Scaling up the eight proven interventions and two intrapartum interventions would cost about US$1·1 billion in 2030 and the potential interventions would cost an additional $3·0 billion. Implementation of antenatal care recommendations is urgent and should include all interventions that have proven effects on SVN babies, within the context of access to family planning services and addressing social determinants of health. Attaining high effective coverage with these interventions will be necessary to achieve global targets for the reduction of low birthweight births and neonatal mortality, and long-term benefits on growth and human capital.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Justus Hofmeyr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana; Effective Care Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Walter Sisulu University, East London, South Africa
| | - Robert E Black
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Austin Heuer
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Neff Walker
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Per Ashorn
- Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland; Department of Paediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ulla Ashorn
- Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Nita Bhandari
- Centre for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies, New Delhi, India
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health & Institute for Global Health & Development, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan; Centre for Child Global Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Annariina Koivu
- Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Joy E Lawn
- MARCH Center, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stephen Munjanja
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Pieta Näsänen-Gilmore
- Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Marleen Temmerman
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health-East Africa, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Nel S, Feucht UD, Mulol H, Wenhold FA. Association of Prenatal Placental Function with Anthropometry and Body Composition through 2 years of Age in South African Infants: The UmbiBaby Study. J Nutr 2023; 153:958-969. [PMID: 36775243 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.02.007] [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: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placental insufficiency negatively impacts fetal growth and body composition (BC), potentially affecting lifelong health. Placental insufficiency, detectable as an abnormal umbilical artery resistance index (UmA-RI) on Doppler ultrasonography, is highly prevalent in otherwise healthy South African pregnant women. Appropriate intervention reduces stillbirth and perinatal death, but research on long-term outcomes of surviving infants is lacking. OBJECTIVES To describe and compare anthropometry and BC during the first 2 y of life in a cohort of term-born infants with normal and abnormal prenatal UmA-RI. METHODS Term-born infants (n = 81; n = 55 normal, n = 26 abnormal UmA-RI on third trimester Doppler screening) were followed up at 8-time points until age 2 y. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and FFM and FM were assessed by deuterium dilution. Age- and sex-specific z-scores were calculated for anthropometric indices, FM, FFM, FM index (FMI), and FFM index (FFMI) using appropriate reference data. Anthropometry and BC of infants with normal and abnormal UmA-RI were compared using an independent t-test or Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS At most ages, group mean z-scores were <0 for length-for-age and FM and >0 for weight-for-length and FFM. Compared with infants with normal UmA-RI, infants with abnormal UmA-RI had significantly lower weight-for-age z-scores at birth (-0.77 ± 0.75 compared with -0.30 ± 1.10, P = 0.026), ages 10 wk to 9 mo (-0.4 ± 0.87 to -0.2 ± 1.12 compared with 0.3 ± 0.85 to 0.6 ± 1.09; P = 0.007-0.017) and 18 mo (-0.6 ± 0.82 compared with 0.1 ± 1.18; P = 0.037); length-for-age z-scores at ages ≤14 wk (-1.3 ± 1.25 to -0.9 ± 0.87 compared with -0.2 ± 1.04 to -0.1 ± 1.00; P = 0.004-0.021); and FFM-for-age z-scores at ages ≤9 mo (-0.1 ± 0.82 to 0.7 ± 0.71 compared with 0.7 ± 1.00 to 1.3 ± 0.85; P = 0.002-0.028). FFMI, percentage FFM, FM, percentage FM, and FMI showed no consistent significant differences. CONCLUSIONS Infants with abnormal UmA-RI had lower weight-for-age and length-for-age z-scores, particularly at younger ages, with proportionally lower FFM but no consistent differences in percentage FFM and FFMI. These findings merit further investigation in larger cohorts. J Nutr 2023;xx:xx-xx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Nel
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Ute D Feucht
- Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Gauteng Department of Health, Tshwane District Health Services, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Helen Mulol
- Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Friede Am Wenhold
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Research Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn & Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, Pretoria, South Africa
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Nyofane M, Hoffman M, Mulol H, Botha T, Vannevel V, Pattinson R, Feucht U. Early Childhood Growth Parameters in South African Children with Exposure to Maternal HIV Infection and Placental Insufficiency. Viruses 2022; 14:v14122745. [PMID: 36560749 PMCID: PMC9782627 DOI: 10.3390/v14122745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal HIV exposure and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) due to placental insufficiency both carry major risks to early child growth. We compared the growth outcomes of children aged 18 months who had abnormal umbilical artery resistance indices (UmA-RI), as a marker of placental insufficiency, with a comparator group of children with normal UmA-RI during pregnancy, as mediated by maternal HIV infection. The cross-sectional study included 271 children, grouped into four subgroups based on HIV exposure and history of normal/abnormal UmA-RI, using available pregnancy and birth information. Standard procedures were followed to collect anthropometric data, and z-scores computed as per World Health Organization growth standards. Lower length-for-age z-scores (LAZ) were observed in children who were HIV-exposed-uninfected (CHEU) (-0.71 ± 1.23; p = 0.004) and who had abnormal UmA-RI findings (-0.68 ± 1.53; p < 0.001). CHEU with abnormal UmA-RI had lower LAZ (-1.3 ± 1.3; p < 0.001) and weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) (-0.64 ± 0.92; p = 0.014) compared to the control group. The prevalence of stunting was 40.0% in CHEU with abnormal UmA-RI and 16.0% in CHEU with normal UmA-RI (p < 0.001; p = 0.016, respectively). In conclusion, maternal HIV exposure and placental insufficiency are independent risk factors for childhood stunting, with this risk potentiated when these two risk factors overlap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mothusi Nyofane
- Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- Department of Nutrition, National University of Lesotho, Maseru 100, Lesotho
- Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Research Unit for Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +266-5775-1718
| | - Marinel Hoffman
- Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Research Unit for Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Helen Mulol
- Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Research Unit for Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Tanita Botha
- Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Valerie Vannevel
- Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Research Unit for Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Robert Pattinson
- Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Research Unit for Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Ute Feucht
- Centre for Maternal, Fetal, Newborn and Child Health Care Strategies, University of Pretoria, Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Research Unit for Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
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Feucht U, Hlongwane T, Vannevel V, Mulol H, Botha T, Pattinson R. Identifying the High-Risk Fetus in the Low-Risk Mother Using Fetal Doppler Screening. GLOBAL HEALTH: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2022; 10:GHSP-D-21-00692. [PMID: 36332066 PMCID: PMC9242613 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-21-00692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound of the umbilical artery offers an inexpensive and scalable method of detecting undiagnosed fetal growth restriction. Using Doppler to screen low-risk pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries identifies fetuses at risk of stillbirth and, when managed appropriately, results in a step change reduction in the stillbirth rate. Identifying the high-risk fetus in the low-risk pregnant mother (LRM) is a neglected area of research. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major cause of stillbirths, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). FGR is very poorly detected particularly in healthy pregnant women classified as low risk. Umbiflow is an inexpensive continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound (CWDU) apparatus that is suitable for use by low-level health care providers for screening low-risk pregnant populations. It can easily detect umbilical artery blood flow in the cord, which correlates well with placental function, and poor placental function correlates well with FGR. Use of CWDU to screen an LMIC population of more than 7,000 LRMs has demonstrated a high prevalence of abnormal umbilical artery flow of 13%, and absent end-diastolic flow, which is associated with end-stage placental disease, was found in 1.2%. This is 10 times higher than previously reported in high-income countries. Screening with CWDU together with a standard protocol managing those pregnancies with abnormal placental blood flow resulted in a 43% reduction in stillbirths (risk ratio: 0.57; 95% confidence interval=0.29, 0.85) in this LRM population. Further, follow-up of infants who had abnormal umbilical artery blood flow showed that these infants had significantly less fat-free mass at ages 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, and 6 months, than those with normal umbilical artery blood flow (P<.015), confirming that CWDU was able to detect true FGR. Thus, screening with CWDU can detect the fetus at risk of stillbirth, and infants likely to have suboptimal growth and development postnatally. Screening with CWDU in LRMs opens the door to a step change in preventing stillbirths in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Feucht
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
- South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tsakane Hlongwane
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Valerie Vannevel
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Helen Mulol
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tanita Botha
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Robert Pattinson
- University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
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