The associations of parity and maternal age with small-for-gestational-age, preterm, and neonatal and infant mortality: a meta-analysis

Analysis of the causes of neonatal death and genetic variations in congenital anomalies: a multi-center study

Background

Neonatal deaths often result from preventable conditions that can be addressed with appropriate interventions. This study aims to analyze the distribution of the causes of neonatal death and explore genetic variations that lead to congenital anomalies in Northwest China.

Methods

This multi-center observational study was conducted across six medical centers in Shaanxi province, Northwest China. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from neonates admitted between 2016 and 2020. Kaplan-Meier analysis was utilized to estimate survival rates, while high-throughput sequencing platforms were employed to detect mutations causing congenital anomalies.

Results

Among 73,967 neonates requiring hospital care, 424 neonatal deaths were recorded, leading to a neonatal mortality rate of 0.57%. The primary causes of death included neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (23.8%), birth asphyxia (19.8%), neonatal septicemia (19.3%), and congenital anomalies (13.6%). The leading causes of neonatal deaths due to congenital anomalies were congenital heart defects (38.6%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (14.0%), and inherited metabolic disorders (10.5%). Genetic analysis identified 83 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 23 genes among the neonates with congenital anomalies, including four novel mutations (c.4198+1G>T, c.1075delG, c.610-1G>A, c.7769C>T) in the ABCC8, CDKL5, PLA2G6, and NIPBL genes.

Conclusion

Congenital anomalies represent a significant and preventable cause of neonatal deaths in Northwest China. Early detection of congenital anomalies through genetic testing and comprehensive prenatal care are crucial for reducing neonatal mortality rates and improving pregnancy outcomes.

Maternal Characteristics and Prevalence of Infants Born Small for Gestational Age

Importance

Being born small for gestational age (SGA) is a risk factor for neonatal mortality and adverse outcomes in the short and long term. The maternal profile in China has substantially changed over the past decade, which may affect the risk of infants born SGA.

Objectives

To analyze the prevalence of infants born SGA from 2012 through 2020 and explore the association of maternal sociodemographic characteristics and other factors with that prevalence.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study examined data from the National Maternal Near Miss Surveillance System on women who delivered singleton live births at gestational ages of 28 to 42 weeks from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2020, in China. Statistical analysis was performed from December 2022 to September 2023.

Exposures

Characteristics of delivery (year, region of country, and hospital level), mother (age, educational level, marital status, prenatal visits, parity, preexisting diseases, or prenatal complications), and newborn (birth weight, sex, and gestational age).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Prevalence of infants born SGA stratified by severity and by region of the country, changes in prevalence based on log-linear Poisson regression with robust variance, and association of maternal characteristics with changes in prevalence of infants born SGA between 2012 and 2020 based on the Fairlie nonlinear mean decomposition.

Results

Among 12 643 962 births (6 572 548 [52.0%] male; median gestational age, 39 weeks [IQR, 38-40 weeks]), the overall weighted prevalence of infants born SGA was 6.4%, which decreased from 7.3% in 2012 to 5.3% in 2020, translating to a mean annual decrease rate of 3.9% (95% CI, 3.3%-4.5%). The prevalence of infants born SGA decreased from 2.0% to 1.2% for infants with severe SGA birth weight and from 5.3% to 4.1% for those with mild to moderate SGA birth weight. The mean annual rate of decrease was faster for infants with severe SGA birth weight than for those with mild to moderate SGA birth weight (5.9% [95% CI, 4.6%-7.1%] vs 3.2% [95% CI, 2.6%-3.8%]) and was faster for the less developed western (5.3% [95% CI, 4.4%-6.1%]) and central (3.9% [95% CI, 2.9%-4.8%]) regions compared with the eastern region (2.3% [95% CI, 1.1%-3.4%]). Two-thirds of the observed decrease in the prevalence of infants born SGA could be accounted for by changes in maternal characteristics, such as educational level (relative association, 19.7%), age (relative association, 18.8%), prenatal visits (relative association, 20.4%), and parity (relative association, 19.4%). Conversely, maternal preexisting diseases or prenatal complications counteracted the decrease in the prevalence of infants born SGA (-6.7%).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of births in China from 2012 to 2020, maternal characteristics changed and the prevalence of infants born SGA decreased. Future interventions to reduce the risk of infants born SGA should focus on primary prevention.

Association of cord plasma metabolites with birth weight: results from metabolomic and lipidomic studies of discovery and validation cohorts

OBJECTIVE

Birth weight is a good predictor of fetal intrauterine growth and long-term health, and several studies have evaluated the relationship between metabolites and birth weight. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of cord blood metabolomics and lipidomics with birth weight, using a two-stage discovery and validation approach.

METHODS

Firstly, a pseudotargeted metabolomics approach was applied to detect metabolites in 504 cord blood samples in the discovery set enrolled from the Wuhan Healthy Baby Cohort, China. Metabolome-wide association scan analysis and pathway enrichment were applied to identify metabolites and metabolic pathways that were significantly associated with birth weight adjusted for gestational age Z-score (BW Z-score). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of metabolites in the most significantly associated pathways with small-for-gestational age (SGA) at delivery and low birth weight (LBW). Subsequently, 350 cord blood samples in a validation cohort were subjected to targeted analysis to validate the metabolites identified by screening in the discovery cohort.

RESULTS

In the discovery set, of 2566 metabolites detected, 2418 metabolites were retained for subsequent analysis after data preprocessing. Of these, 513 metabolites were significantly associated with BW Z-score (P-value adjusted for false discovery rate (PFDR) < 0.05), of which 298 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)-annotated metabolites were included in the pathway analysis. The primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway was the most relevant metabolic pathway associated with BW Z-score. Elevated cord plasma primary bile acids were associated with lower BW Z-score and higher risk of SGA or LBW in the discovery and validation cohorts. In the validation set, a 2-fold increase in taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) and in taurocholic acid (TCA) was associated with a decrease in BW Z-score (estimated β coefficient, -0.10 (95% CI, -0.20 to 0.00) and -0.18 (95% CI, -0.31 to -0.04), respectively), after adjusting for covariates. In addition, a 2-fold increase in cord plasma TCDCA and of cord plasma TCA was associated with an increased risk of SGA (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.52 (95% CI, 1.00-2.30) and 1.77 (95% CI, 1.05-2.98), respectively). The adjusted OR for LBW, for a 2-fold increase in TCDCA and TCA concentration, were 2.39 (95% CI, 1.00-5.71) and 3.21 (95% CI, 0.96-10.74), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate a significant association of elevated primary bile acids, particularly TCDCA and TCA, in cord blood with lower BW Z-score, as well as increased risk of SGA and LBW. Abnormalities of primary bile acid metabolism may play an important role in restricted fetal development. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Exploring preconception health in adolescents and young adults: Identifying risk factors and interventions to prevent adverse maternal, perinatal, and child health outcomes-A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Preconception health provides an opportunity to examine a woman's health status and address modifiable risk factors that can impact both a woman's and her child's health once pregnant. In this review, we aimed to investigate the preconception risk factors and interventions of early pregnancy and its impact on adverse maternal, perinatal and child health outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines to include relevant literature identified from electronic databases. We included reviews that studied preconception risk factors and interventions among adolescents and young adults, and their impact on maternal, perinatal, and child health outcomes. All identified studies were screened for eligibility, followed by data extraction, and descriptive and thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

We identified a total of 10 reviews. The findings suggest an increase in odds of maternal anaemia and maternal deaths among young mothers (up to 17 years) and low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, stillbirths, and neonatal and perinatal mortality among babies born to mothers up to 17 years compared to those aged 19-25 years in high-income countries. It also suggested an increase in the odds of congenital anomalies among children born to mothers aged 20-24 years. Furthermore, cancer treatment during childhood or young adulthood was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, LBW, and stillbirths. Interventions such as youth-friendly family planning services showed a significant decrease in abortion rates. Micronutrient supplementation contributed to reducing anaemia among adolescent mothers; however, human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccination had little to no impact on stillbirths, ectopic pregnancies, and congenital anomalies. However, one review reported an increased risk of miscarriages among young adults associated with these vaccinations.

CONCLUSION

The scoping review identified a scarcity of evidence on preconception risk factors and interventions among adolescents and young adults. This underscores the crucial need for additional research on the subject.

The influence of birthweight on mortality and severe neonatal morbidity in late preterm and term infants: an Australian cohort study

Background

The aim of this study was to detail incidence rates and relative risks for severe adverse perinatal outcomes by birthweight centile categories in a large Australian cohort of late preterm and term infants.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton infants (≥34+0 weeks gestation) between 2000 and 2018 in Queensland, Australia. Study outcomes were perinatal mortality, severe neurological morbidity, and other severe morbidity. Categorical outcomes were compared using Chi-squared tests. Continuous outcomes were compared using t-tests. Multinomial logistic regression investigated the effect of birthweight centile on study outcomes.

Findings

The final cohort comprised 991,042 infants. Perinatal mortality occurred in 1944 infants (0.19%). The incidence and risk of perinatal mortality increased as birthweight decreased, peaking for infants <1st centile (perinatal mortality rate 13.2/1000 births, adjusted Relative Risk Ratio (aRRR) of 12.96 (95% CI 10.14, 16.57) for stillbirth and aRRR 7.55 (95% CI 3.78, 15.08) for neonatal death). Severe neurological morbidity occurred in 7311 infants (0.74%), with the highest rate (19.6/1000 live births) in <1st centile cohort. There were 75,243 cases of severe morbidity (7.59% livebirths), with the peak incidence occurring in the <1st centile category (12.3% livebirths). The majority of adverse outcomes occurred in infants with birthweights between 10 and 90th centile. Almost 2 in 3 stillbirths, and approximately 3 in 4 cases of neonatal death, severe neurological morbidity or other severe morbidity occurred within this birthweight range.

Interpretation

Although the incidence and risk of perinatal mortality, severe neurological morbidity and severe morbidity increased at the extremes of birthweight centiles, the majority of these outcomes occurred in infants that were apparently "appropriately grown" (i.e., birthweight 10th-90th centile).

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council, Mater Foundation, Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Women's Health Foundation - Norman Beischer Clinical Research Scholarship, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, University of Queensland Research Scholarship.

Are innate lymphoid cells friend or foe in human pregnancy?

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are involved in the innate immune system because they lack specific antigen receptors and lineage markers. ILCs also display phenotypic and characteristic features of adaptive immune cells. Therefore, ILCs are functional in essential interactions between adaptive and innate immunity. ILCs are found in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues and migrate to the area of inflammation during the inflammatory process. ILCs respond to pathogens by producing a variety of cytokines and are involved in the barrier defense of antigens and in many immunological processes such as allergic events. Recent research has shown that ILCs are functional during human pregnancy and have been suggested to be essential for the healthy progression of pregnancy. In this review, we focus on the role of ILCs in human pregnancy by discussing the relationship between ILCs and the pregnancy microenvironment, specifically summarizing the role of ILCs in physiological and pathological pregnancies.

Associations between maternal urinary rare earth elements during pregnancy and birth weight-for-gestational age: Roles of cord blood vitamin D levels

Prenatal exposure to rare earth elements (REEs) may contribute to adverse birth outcomes in previous studies. Cord blood vitamin D has been suggested to modify or mediate the effects of environmental exposures. However, none has investigated these roles of cord blood vitamin D in the associations of prenatal exposure to REEs with fetal growth. Maternal trimester-specific urinary concentrations of 13 REEs, cord blood total 25-hydroxyvitamin D at delivery, and birth weight (BW)-for-gestational age (GA) were determined in 710 mother-newborn pairs from Wuhan, China. Higher maternal average urinary concentrations of europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), and ytterbium (Yb) across three trimesters, either individually or jointly, were significantly associated with lower BW-for-GA Z-scores and higher odds of small for gestational age (SGA) [β = -0.092; 95 % confidence interval (CI): -0.149, -0.035 for BW-for-GA Z-scores, and odds ratio = 1.60; 95 % CI: 1.14, 2.24 for SGA involved in each unit increase in weighted quantile sum index of REEs mixture]. When stratified by cord blood vitamin D levels, the associations mentioned above persisted in participants with relatively low vitamin D levels (<13.94 μg/L, the first tertile of distribution), but not among those with relatively high levels (≥13.94 μg/L) (all p-values for interaction < 0.05). The mediation analyses taking account of exposure-mediator interaction showed that the relationships between REEs (as individual and mixture) exposure and lower BW-for-GA were partly mediated through decreasing cord blood vitamin D levels. The proportions mediated by cord blood vitamin D levels were 24.48 % for BW-for-GA Z-scores and 29.05 % for SGA corresponding to the REEs mixture exposure. Conclusively, our study revealed that prenatal exposures to Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb were related to fetal growth restriction. Cord blood vitamin D might alleviate toxic effects of these REEs and its reduction might partly mediate REE-induced fetal growth restriction.

Prevalence and Correlates of Stunting among a High-Risk Population of Kenyan Children Recently Hospitalized for Acute Illnesses

Stunting (length/height-for-age z-score < -2) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. Children who are stunted and recently hospitalized for acute illness may be at particularly elevated risk for post-discharge mortality. In this cross-sectional analysis, we measured the prevalence of stunting at hospital discharge and identified host, caregiver, and environmental correlates of stunting among children aged 1-59 months in Western Kenya enrolled in the Toto Bora Trial. Child age- and site-adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson regression. Of the 1,394 children included in this analysis, 23% were stunted at hospital discharge. Older children (12-23 months and 24-59 months versus 0-5 months) had a higher prevalence of stunting (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.04-2.36 and aPR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.08-2.34, respectively). HIV-exposed, uninfected children (aPR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.39-2.70), children with HIV infection (aPR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.45-5.15), and those who were never exclusively breastfed in early life (aPR 2.51; 95% CI: 1.35-4.67) were more likely to be stunted. Caregiver education (primary school or less) and unimproved sanitation (pit latrine without slab floor or open defecation) were associated with increased risk of stunting (aPR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.54-2.44; aPR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.20-3.31; aPR: 3.57; 95% CI: 1.77-7.21, respectively). Hospital discharge represents an important opportunity for both identifying and delivering targeted interventions for nutrition-associated poor outcomes among a high-risk population of children.

Family planning saves maternal and newborn lives: Why universal access to contraception must be prioritized in national maternal and newborn health policies, financing, and programs

We highlight why integrating contraceptive services within maternal and newborn health programs is essential for improving outcomes. We offer effective, actionable recommendations that can be implemented easily.

The Risk of Perinatal Mortality in Nulliparous Women Compared to Primiparous Women at Term

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the rate of perinatal mortality among nulliparous women compared with primiparous women at term and further characterize the risk of stillbirth by each week of gestation.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study of all term, singleton, nonanomalous births comparing perinatal mortality (stillbirth and neonatal death [NND]) between primiparous (parity = 1, with no history of abortion) and nulliparous (parity = 0) women who delivered in California between 2007 and 2011. Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the frequencies and strength of association of perinatal mortality with parity, adjusting for maternal age, race, body mass index, pregestational diabetes, chronic hypertension, fetal sex, smoking status, and socioeconomic status. The risk of stillbirth at each gestational age at term was calculated using a pregnancies-at-risk life table method. A p-value less than 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance.

RESULTS

Of 1,317,761 total deliveries, 765,995 (58.1%) were to nulliparous women and 551,766 (41.9%) were to primiparous women with one prior birth. Nulliparous women had increased odds of stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.93-3.72) and NND (aOR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.19-1.98) compared with primiparous women. The risk of stillbirth in nulliparous women was greater at every gestational age between 370/7 and 410/7 weeks compared with primiparous women. Nulliparous women also had increased odds of small for gestational age infants at less than 10% birth weight (aOR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.72-1.79), less than 5% birth weight (aOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.86-1.98), and less than 3% birth weight (aOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.93-2.11).

CONCLUSION

Perinatal mortality is significantly greater in nulliparous women compared with primiparous women with term deliveries. These findings suggest that low-risk nulliparous women may require increased surveillance. There may be a role in improving maternal health by maximizing physiologic adaptation in nulliparous women.

KEY POINTS

· Parity is associated with perinatal mortality.. · Perinatal mortality is significantly greater in nulliparous women compared with primiparous women.. · The risk of stillbirth in nulliparous women is greater at every gestational age compared with primiparous women..

Risk Factors for Neonatal Mortality in Rural Iganga District, Eastern Uganda: A Case Control Study

Background

Reducing Neonatal Mortality (NM) is vital in decreasing mortality in children below 5 years. Uganda has reported a significant reduction in under 5 and infant mortality over the past decade while NM has stagnated at 27 deaths per 1,000 live births. The NMR of 34 deaths per 1,000 live births in Eastern Uganda is higher than the national rate.

Objective

To determine risk factors for neonatal mortality in rural Iganga district, Eastern Uganda.

Methods

A matched case-control study was conducted between February and July 2019 in Nakigo and Nakalama sub-counties of Iganga district. Cases (n=91) were neonates that died and the controls (n=182) were live neonates at 1 month. Data on maternal, social demographic and neonatal variables were collected from mothers of neonates at household level. Descriptive analysis was performed to determine the profile of study participants. Data was presented as mean (and standard deviation) for continuous variables, and frequencies with percentages for categorical variables. A conditional logistic regression was performed to calculate Odds Ratios and to establish factors that were independently associated with risk of neonatal Mortality.

Results

Giving birth to 5 or more children (AOR=2.88, 95% CI =1.25-6.63), attending less than 4 antenatal care visits (AOR= 2.27, 95% CI= 1.14-5.54), and giving birth to twins (AOR= 6.30, 95% CI=1.24-32.0) were the risk factors for neonatal mortality while delivering from health facilities was protective (AOR= 0.26, 95% CI= 0.12-0.56).

Conclusion

The risk factors for NM are: - giving birth to 5 or more children, attendance of less than 4 antenatal care visits and giving birth to twins. To reduce the risk of NM, the study re-emphasises the need to put more focus on neonatal care during pregnancy and child birth. The study findings can be utilised to determine priorities for reducing the risk of NM in rural settings.

Factors associated with infant mortality in Nigeria: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Infant mortality persists as a global public health concern, particularly in lower-middle-income countries (LIMCs) such as Nigeria. The risk of an infant dying before one year of age is estimated to be six times higher in Africa than in Europe. Nigeria recorded an infant mortality rate of 72.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020, in contrast to the global estimate of 27.4 per 1,000 live births. Several studies have been undertaken to determine the factors influencing infant mortality.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review sought to identify and summarise the breadth of evidence available on factors associated with infant mortality in Nigeria.

METHODS

This review followed the five-stage principles of Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Four electronic databases were searched with no limit to publication date or study type: Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and Web of Science. Selected studies were imported into Endnote software and then exported to Rayyan software where duplicates were removed. Included articles were thematically analysed and synthesised using the socioecological model.

RESULTS

A total of 8,139 references were compiled and screened. Forty-eight articles were included in the final review. At the individual level, maternal- and child-related factors were revealed to influence infant mortality; socioeconomic and sociocultural factors at the interpersonal level; provision and utilisation of health services, health workforce, hospital resources and access to health services at the organisational level; housing/neighbourhood and environmental factors at the community level; and lastly, governmental factors were found to affect infant mortality at the public policy level.

CONCLUSION

Factors related to the individual, interpersonal, organisational, community and public policy levels were associated with infant mortality in Nigeria.

Predictive factors of catch-up growth in term, small for gestational age infants: a two-year prospective observational study in Algeria

OBJECTIVES

Most small for gestational age (SGA) infants show catch-up growth but the minority who do not may benefit from growth-promoting treatment. We determined the prevalence of, and risk factors for, failure to show catch-up growth in term SGA infants.

METHODS

Prospective observational study of infants born at 37-42 weeks gestation between December 2012 and March 2014 with birth weight <10th percentile. Length, weight and head circumference were measured from birth to 2 years.

RESULTS

Of 457 (3.9 %) term infants with SGA, 446 (97.6 %) were followed up until 2 years. At 24 months, supine length, weight and head circumference were ≥-2 standard deviation score (SDS) in 87.9 , 96.4 and 97.1 % subjects, with persistent short stature in 12.1 %. In a multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of failure to show catch-up growth at 24 months were: maternal height <150 cm, difference between mid-parental height and birth length of ≥2.2 SDS, height at 24 months <-2 SDS below mid-parental height SDS, history of SGA, ponderal index <3rd centile and duration of breast feeding <3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides data concerning the epidemiology of SGA in Algeria and the factors associated with post-natal growth. Establishing which children remain short at 2 years has identified a cohort of patients requiring continuing follow up, with a view to instituting growth hormone therapy in selected cases. These results favour the setting up of an integrated national program to register SGA infants at birth, with re-evaluation at 2 years. (250 words).

Association of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D with Preterm Birth and Premature Rupture of Membranes: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Low vitamin D (VitD) level is a risk factor for preterm birth (PTB), but the results of previous studies remained inconsistent, which may be influenced by the confounding factors and different types of PTB. We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) to uncover the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) with PTB, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). This study was conducted in Zhoushan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zhejiang, from August 2011 to March 2022. Plasma 25(OH)D levels in three trimesters of pregnancy were measured. We conducted an MR analysis utilizing a genetic risk score (GRS) approach, which was based on VitD-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The prospective cohort study included 3923 pregnant women. The prevalence of PTB, PROM, and PPROM were 6.09%, 13.18%, and 1.33%, respectively. Compared to those without vitamin D deficiency (VDD), only vaginally delivering pregnant women with VDD had a 2.69 (1.08-6.68) times risk of PTB. However, MR analysis did not support the association. One-unit higher GRS was not associated with an increased risk of PTB, regardless of the trimesters (OR [95% CI]: 1.01 [0.93-1.10], 1.06 [0.96-1.18], and 0.95 [0.82-1.10], respectively). When further taking PROM and PPROM as the outcomes, the MR analysis also showed no consistent evidence of a causal effect of VitD levels on the risk of them. Our MR analyses did not support a causal effect of 25(OH)D concentrations in the three trimesters on PTB, PROM, and PPROM.

Investigating the pathways from preconception care to preventing maternal, perinatal and child mortality: A scoping review and causal loop diagram

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition that developing preconception care provides an opportunity to significantly reduce maternal and child mortality and morbidity. This involves targeting multiple risk factors through a large array of medical, behavioural and social interventions. In this study, we created a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) to describe several pathways by which a set of preconception interventions may lead to women's improved health and better pregnancy outcomes. The CLD was informed by a scoping review of meta-analyses. It summarises evidence on the outcomes and interventions related to eight preconception risk factors. The authors reviewed literature from two databases (PubMed and Embase) and used the framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. The CLD includes 29 constructs categorised into five different levels (mortality, causes of death, preconception risk factors, intermediate factors, interventions or policies). The model indicates interconnections between five sub-systems and highlights the role of preventing early and rapidly repeated pregnancies, as well as optimising women's nutritional status in the preconception period. It also shows the prevention of preterm birth as a privileged route for lowering child mortality and morbidity. The CLD demonstrates the potential benefits of strategies that address multiple preconception risk factors simultaneously and can be used as a tool to promote the integration of preconception care into efforts to prevent maternal and child mortality. With further improvements, this model could serve as a basis for future research on the costs and benefits of preconception care.

Exploring the accuracy of self-reported maternal and newborn care in select studies from low and middle-income country settings: do respondent and facility characteristics affect measurement?

BACKGROUND

Accurate data on the receipt of essential maternal and newborn health interventions is necessary to interpret and address gaps in effective coverage. Validation results of commonly used content and quality of care indicators routinely implemented in international survey programs vary across settings. We assessed how respondent and facility characteristics influenced the accuracy of women's recall of interventions received in the antenatal and postnatal periods.

METHODS

We synthesized reporting accuracy using data from a known sample of validation studies conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, which assessed the validity of women's self-report of received antenatal care (ANC) (N = 3 studies, 3,169 participants) and postnatal care (PNC) (N = 5 studies, 2,462 participants) compared to direct observation. For each study, indicator sensitivity and specificity are presented with 95% confidence intervals. Univariate fixed effects and bivariate random effects models were used to examine whether respondent characteristics (e.g., age group, parity, education level), facility quality, or intervention coverage level influenced the accuracy of women's recall of whether interventions were received.

RESULTS

Intervention coverage was associated with reporting accuracy across studies for the majority (9 of 12) of PNC indicators. Increasing intervention coverage was associated with poorer specificity for 8 indicators and improved sensitivity for 6 indicators. Reporting accuracy for ANC or PNC indicators did not consistently differ by any other respondent or facility characteristic.

CONCLUSIONS

High intervention coverage may contribute to higher false positive reporting (poorer specificity) among women who receive facility-based maternal and newborn care while low intervention coverage may contribute to false negative reporting (lower sensitivity). While replication in other country and facility settings is warranted, results suggest that monitoring efforts should consider the context of care when interpreting national estimates of intervention coverage.

Biological and pathological mechanisms leading to the birth of a small vulnerable newborn

The pathway to a thriving newborn begins before conception and continues in utero with a healthy placenta and the right balance of nutrients and growth factors that are timed and sequenced alongside hormonal suppression of labour until a mature infant is ready for birth. Optimal nutrition that includes adequate quantities of quality protein, energy, essential fats, and an extensive range of vitamins and minerals not only supports fetal growth but could also prevent preterm birth by supporting the immune system and alleviating oxidative stress. Infection, illness, undernourishment, and harmful environmental exposures can alter this trajectory leading to an infant who is too small due to either poor growth during pregnancy or preterm birth. Systemic inflammation suppresses fetal growth by interfering with growth hormone and its regulation of insulin-like growth factors. Evidence supports the prevention and treatment of several maternal infections during pregnancy to improve newborn health. However, microbes, such as Ureaplasma species, which are able to ascend the cervix and cause membrane rupture and chorioamnionitis, require new strategies for detection and treatment. The surge in fetal cortisol late in pregnancy is essential to parturition at the right time, but acute or chronically high maternal cortisol levels caused by psychological or physical stress could also trigger labour onset prematurely. In every pathway to the small vulnerable newborn, there is a possibility to modify the course of pregnancy by supporting improved nutrition, protection against infection, holistic maternal wellness, and healthy environments.

Dose-response association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and the risk of infant death: a nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Association of timing and intensity of maternal smoking during pregnancy with all-cause and cause-specific infant death remains inconclusive. We aimed to examine the dose-response association of maternal smoking during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy with all-cause and cause-specific infant death.

METHODS

In this nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study, data were extracted from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System, 2015-2019. We included mother-infant pairs after excluding twin or multiple births, newborns with gestation age <37 weeks and those with low birthweight, mothers aged <18 years or ≥50 years, mothers with pre-existing hypertension or diabetes, and those with missing values for variables of interest. Poisson regression models were used to examine the association of different intensities and doses of maternal smoking during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy with all-cause and cause-specific infant death attributed to congenital anomalies, preterm birth, other perinatal conditions, sudden unexpected infant death, and infection.

FINDINGS

A total of 13,524,204 mother-infant pairs were included in our analyses. Maternal smoking during the entire pregnancy was associated with infant all-cause death (relative risk [RR] 1.88, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.79-1.97), cause-specific death due to preterm birth (1.57, 1.25-1.98), perinatal conditions excluding preterm birth (1.35, 1.10-1.65), sudden unexpected infant death (2.56, 2.40-2.73), and infection (1.51, 1.20-1.88). The risk of infant all-cause death (RR values from 1.80 to 2.15) and cause-specific infant death by preterm birth (RR values from 1.42 to 1.74), perinatal conditions excluding preterm birth (RR values from 1.46 to 1.53), sudden unexpected infant death (RR values from 2.37 to 3.04), and infection (RR values from 1.48 to 2.69) increased with the intensity of maternal cigarette use during the entire pregnancy from 1-5 to ≥11 cigarettes. Compared with mothers who smoked during their entire pregnancy, those who smoked in the first trimester and then quit smoking in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy had a reduced risk of infant all-cause death (0.71, 0.65-0.78) and sudden unexpected infant death (0.64, 0.57-0.72).

INTERPRETATION

There was a dose-response association of maternal cigarette use during each of the three trimesters of pregnancy with all-cause and cause-specific infant death. In addition, mothers who are smokers in the first trimester and then quit smoking in the subsequent two trimesters are at decreased risk of infant all-cause mortality and sudden unexpected infant death compared with those who smoked during the entire pregnancy. These findings suggest that there is no safe level of maternal smoking in any trimester of pregnancy and maternal smokers should stop smoking during pregnancy to improve the survival of infants.

FUNDING

Youth Team of Humanistic and Social Science and the Innovation Team of the "Climbing" Program of Shandong University (20820IFYT1902).

Effect of Package of Interventions on the Use and Quality of Postpartum Family Planning Services at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College (Y12HMC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background

Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP), which aims to prevent high risk unintended and closely spaced pregnancies during the first year following childbirth, is one of the highest impact interventions to avoid increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, fetal and neonatal death, and adverse maternal health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the combined effect of a package of interventions on the use and quality of PPFP services at Y12HMC, Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

Method

Cross-sectional study design was conducted to evaluate the effect of the package of chosen interventions: creating a private counseling space near the postpartum ward and providing training for health care providers on the WHO decision tool kit and Long Acting Contraceptive Methods (LACM). Interviews were conducted with 470 women (235 before and 235 after the intervention). Frequency tables and graphs were used to describe the study variables and statistical significance between pre and post intervention indicators was declared at P value <.05.

Results

From 470 participants, 421 respondents participated which makes response rate of 90%. The majority of the participants were in the age category 20 to 29 years, married/lived together, completed at least primary education and had more than one child both at baseline and post intervention. The proportion of women who chose PPFP increased from 55.8% at baseline to 69% after the intervention. The most preferred contraceptive method was implant. The overall service satisfaction level of the study participants was 95.4% post intervention, significantly higher than at baseline (78%, P < .05). Providers indicated that clients are satisfied with the service and that the institutional structure is appropriate for delivering integrated services following the intervention.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that quality improvement interventions like creating a private counseling space and providing training using WHO decision tool kit can achieve significant improvement on satisfaction of clients and PPFP uptake.

Unacceptable persistence of territorial inequalities in avoidable under-five mortality in Colombia between 2000 and 2019: a multilevel approach

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed at evaluating territorial inequalities in avoidable mortality in children under 5 years of age in Colombia between 2000 and 2019.

STUDY DESIGN

This was an ecological study.

METHODS

An ecological, longitudinal, multigroup study was conducted using secondary sources. Because of the hierarchical structure of the data, the effect of territorial characteristics on the count of avoidable under-five deaths was estimated using a three-level negative binomial regression model with random intercepts for municipality and fixed intercepts for time and departments.

RESULTS

Between 2000 and 2019, there were 216,809 avoidable under-five deaths in Colombia (91.3% of all registered deaths of children under 5 years of age). A total of 1117 municipalities located in 33 departments were analyzed over five 4-year periods. Ecological relationships were found between avoidable under-five mortality and the percentage of adolescent births, female illiteracy, and multidimensional poverty at the municipal level (standardized mortality ratio: 1.43 95% confidence interval: 1.33-1.54 for the group with the highest level vs the group with the lowest level of poverty). Furthermore, multidimensional poverty was a confounding factor for the association between the percentage of the population living in rural areas and avoidable child mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic and avoidable gaps were observed in mortality in children aged under 5 years in Colombia, where the territory constitutes an axis of inequality. Implementing strategies and programs that contribute to improving the conditions of women and socio-economic conditions in the territories should be a priority.

Contraceptive uptake and associated factors among women in the immediate postpartum period at Kawempe Hospital

Introduction

Within Africa, contraceptive use is low although about 214 million women who are not using contraception want to avoid pregnancy. In Uganda, modern contraceptive uptake is at 35% resulting in unwanted or unplanned pregnancies which may increase morbidity and mortality among children and mothers. Contraceptive uptake at 6 weeks postpartum is encouraged but it is not very effective since there is low attendance during this visit. Additionally, some women may have become sexually active by the visit at 6 weeks postpartum leading to early conception.

Objectives

This study sought to determine contraceptive uptake in the immediate postpartum period and the associated factors among women delivering at Kawempe Hospital.

Methods

This study employed a cross-sectional study design where 397 women aged 18–49 years were recruited using systematic random sampling. The women who were discharged within 72 h after delivery were considered. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered data collection tool. Data was double entered into EpiData version 4.2 and analyzed using STATA version 13 at univariate using descriptive statistics then at bivariate and multivariate levels using logistic regression with contraceptive uptake as the outcome.

Results

We enrolled 397 participants. Their mean age range was 18–45 years and a median of 25 years (IQR 22, 30). The majority of the participants, 333 (83.88%), were married and 177 (44.58%) were housewives or unemployed. Contraceptive uptake in the immediate postpartum period among these participants was 15.4% (61/397). The factors independently associated with immediate postpartum contraceptive uptake were grand multiparity (aOR = 2.57; 95% CI 1.11–5.95; p = 0.028), cesarean delivery (aOR = 2.63; 95% CI 1.24–5.57; p = 0.011), and prior contraceptive counseling during Antenatal (aOR = 9.05; 95% CI 2.65–30.93; p =  < 0.001).

Conclusion

There was a 15.4% contraceptive uptake among immediate postpartum women which is very low. The factors independently associated with immediate postpartum contraceptive uptake were grand multiparity, cesarean section, and prior contraceptive counseling during antenatal care. Efforts need to be made to improve contraceptive uptake among immediate postpartum mothers such that the high unmet need for contraception is reduced and short inter-pregnancy intervals are controlled.

Geographic heterogeneity in Black-white infant mortality disparities

Despite recent decreases in Black infant mortality, racial disparities persist, motivating continued research into factors related to these inequalities. While the inverse association between education and infant mortality has been documented across races, less is known about its geographic heterogeneity. Using vital statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics, this study considers Black-white disparities in infant mortality for births occurring between 2011 and 2015 across regions and metropolitan status of maternal residence. With logistic regressions, we investigate heterogeneity in maternal educational gradients of infant mortality by geographic residence both within and between races. Beyond confirming the well-known relationship between education and infant mortality, our findings document a slight metropolitan advantage for infants born to white mothers as well as lower returns to education for infants born to Black mothers residing in nonmetropolitan counties. We observe a metropolitan advantage for infants born to Black mothers with at least a bachelor's degree, but a metropolitan disadvantage for infants born to Black mothers with less than a high school degree. The South is driving this divergence, pointing to particular mechanisms limiting returns to education for Southern Black mothers in nonmetropolitan areas. This paper's geographic perspective emphasizes that racial infant health disparities are not uniform across the country and cannot be fully understood through individual and household characteristics.

Infant mortality and risk factors in Nigeria in 2013-2017: A population-level study

BACKGROUND

Globally, over the past two decades, many countries have significantly reduced the rate of infant mortality. Yet, in Africa, Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest infant mortality rate (IMR).

METHODS

We conducted a population-level study using the 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS). A total of 41,668 household data were analyzed retrospectively. The association between each exposure and infant mortality was analyzed in logistic regression models (independently adjusted by demographic and socioeconomic status variables) and confirmed by the multiple comparisons analysis.

FINDINGS

The overall IMR of 2013-2017 was 61.5 (95% CI 58.0, 65.3) per 1000 live births. In general, the North-West and North-East regions had the highest IMR, whereas the South-West, South-East and South-South regions had the lowest IMR. The regression analysis found women who delivered their babies at the age <=18 years old (odds ratio (OR): 1.37 [1.17, 1.62]), had religion of Islam (OR: 1.35 [1.10, 1.65]), no ANC visit (OR: 1.69 [1.21, 2.35]), >4 ANC visits (OR: 1.70 [1.23, 2.34]), ANC not at home or skilled provider (0.40 [0.35, 0.46]) and the babies as the first child (OR: 1.23 [1.07, 1.42]) to be associated with higher IMR.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings imply that Nigeria is not on track to achieving the SDG target of reducing child mortality by 2030. Sustainable interventions are urgently needed to address the challenges for women of reproductive age, particularly those that are living in the rural areas and Northern regions, having limited/no access to health care/skilled providers, and delivered their first child.

FUNDING

None.

Risk of recurrent stillbirth and neonatal mortality: mother-specific random effects analysis using longitudinal panel data from Indonesia (2000 - 2014)

Background

Despite significant government investments to improve birth outcomes in low and middle-income countries over the past several decades, stillbirth and neonatal mortality continue to be persistent public health problems. While they are different outcomes, there is little evidence regarding their shared and unique population-level risk factors over a mother’s reproductive lifespan. Data gaps and measurement challenges have left several areas in this field unexplored, especially assessing the risk of stillbirth or neonatal mortality over successive pregnancies to the same woman. This study aimed to assess the risk of stillbirth and neonatal mortality in Indonesia during 2000–2014, using maternal birth histories from the Indonesia Family Life Survey panel data.

Methods

Data from three panels were combined to create right-censored birth histories. There were 5,002 unique multiparous mothers with at least two singleton births in the sample. They reported 12,761 total births and 12,507 live births. Random effects (RE) models, which address the dependency of variance in births to the same mother, were fitted assuming births to the same mother shared unobserved risk factors unique to the mother.

Results

The main finding was that there having had a stillbirth increased the odds of another stillbirth nearly seven-fold and that of subsequent neonatal mortality by over two-fold. Having had a neonatal death was not associated with a future neonatal death. Mothers who were not educated and nullipara were much more likely to experience a neonatal death while mothers who had a prior neonatal death had no risk of another neonatal death due to unmeasured factors unique to the mother.

Conclusions

The results suggest that for stillbirths, maternal heterogeneity, as explained by a prior stillbirth, could capture underlying pathology while the relationship between observed risk factors and neonatal mortality could be much more dependent on context. Establishing previous adverse outcomes such as neonatal deaths and stillbirth could help identify high-risk pregnancies during prenatal care, inform interventions, and improve health policy.

Determinants of obstructed labour and its adverse outcomes among women who gave birth in Hawassa University referral Hospital: A case-control study

Background

Globally, obstructed labour accounted for 22% of maternal morbidities and up to 70% of perinatal deaths. It is one of the most common preventable causes of maternal and perinatal mortality in low-income countries. However, there are limited studies on the determinants of obstructed labor in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess determinants and outcomes of obstructed labor among women who gave birth in Hawassa University Hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based case-control study design was conducted in Hawassa University Hospital among 468 women. All women who were diagnosed with obstructed labour and two consecutive controls giving birth on the same day were enrolled in this study. A pretested data extraction tool was used for data collection from the patient charts. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify determinants of obstructed labor.

Results

A total of 156 cases and 312 controls were included with an overall response rate of 96.3%. Women who were primipara [AOR 0.19; 95% CI 0.07, 0.52] and multigravida [AOR 0.17; 95% CI 0.07, 0.41] had lower odds of obstructed labour. While contracted pelvis [AOR 3.98; 95% CI 1.68, 9.42], no partograph utilization [AOR 5.19; 95% CI 1.98, 13.6], duration of labour above 24 hours [AOR 7.61; 95% CI 2.98, 19.8] and estimated distance of 10 to 50 kilometers from the hospital [AOR 3.89; 95% CI 1.14, 13.3] had higher odds. Higher percentage of maternal (65.2%) and perinatal (60%) complications occurred among cases (p-value < 0.05). Obstructed labour accounted for 8.3% of maternal deaths and 39.7% of stillbirth. Uterine rupture, post-partum haemorrhage and sepsis were the common adverse outcomes among cases.

Conclusion

Parity, contracted pelvis, non-partograph utilization, longer duration of labour and longer distance from health facilities were determinants of obstructed labour. Maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality due to obstructed labour are higher. Therefore, improvement of partograph utilization to identify complications early, birth preparedness, complication readiness and provision of timely interventions are recommended to prevent such complications.

A systematic review on estimating population attributable fraction for risk factors for small-for-gestational-age births in 81 low- and middle-income countries

Background

Small for gestational age (SGA) is a public health concern since it is associated with mortality in neonatal and post-neonatal period. Despite the large magnitude of the problem, little is known about the population-attributable risk (PAR) of various risk factors for SGA. This study estimated the relative contribution of risk factors for SGA, as a basis for identifying priority areas for developing and/or implementing interventions to reduce the incidence of SGA births and related mortality and morbidity.

Methods

We conducted a literature review on 63 potential risk factors for SGA to quantify the risk relationship and estimate the prevalence of risk factors (RFs). We calculated the population-attributable fraction for each of the identified RF for 81 Countdown countries and calculated regional estimates. Twenty-five RFs were included in the final model while extended model included all the 25 RFs from the final model and two additional RFs.

Results

In the final and extended models, the RFs included in each model have a total PAF equal to 63.97% and 69.66%, respectively of SGA across the 81 LMICs. In the extended model, maternal nutritional status has the greatest PAF (28.15%), followed by environmental and other exposures during pregnancy (15.82%), pregnancy history (11.01%), and general health issues or morbidity (10.34%). The RFs included in the final and extended model for Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region have a total PAF of 63.28% and 65.72% of SGA, respectively. In SSA, the top three RF categories in the extended model are nutrition (25.05%), environment and other exposure (13.01%), and general health issues or morbidity (10.72%), while in South-Asia's it was nutrition (30.56%), environment and other exposure (15.27%) and pregnancy history (11.68%).

Conclusions

The various types of RFs that play a role in SGA births highlight the importance of a multifaceted approach to tackle SGA. Depending on the types of RFs, intervention should be strategically targeted at either individual or household and/or community or policy level. There is also a need to research the mechanisms by which some of the RFs might hinder fetal growth.

Population attributable fractions for risk factors for spontaneous preterm births in 81 low- and middle-income countries: A systematic analysis

Background

Complications associated with preterm birth (PTB) are the largest contributor to under-five mortality globally. Success in reaching the Sustainable Development Goal target requires identifying potentially modifiable risk factors for PTB, estimating the relative importance of these risk factors, and identifying/implementing effective prevention strategies to address them.

Methods

We conducted a literature review to define risk relationships and estimate prevalence for established risk factors for spontaneous PTB (sPTB). We then estimated population attributable fractions (PAF) for the sPTB risk factors identified in the review as statistically significant for the 81 low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries included in the Countdown 2030 initiative. We summed country-level findings to produce PAFs for each risk factor and regional estimates for sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Results

Forty-four potential sPTB risk factors were identified. and the final analysis included twenty-four risk factors with evidence of significant associations with sPTB. A second model with three additional risk factors with borderline insignificant associations was also run. Taken together, the twenty-four risk factors had a total PAF of 73% for all 81 countries and 77% and 72% of sPTB in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, respectively. For all countries, maternal undernutrition had the highest PAF (17.5%), followed by maternal infections (16.6%), environmental exposures (16%) and pregnancy history (8.7%).

Conclusions

While multiple risk factors contribute to sPTB, no single risk factor addresses a predominant fraction, and 27% of spontaneous preterm births are not associated with risk factors that we identified. Despite the significant role of preterm birth in child survival, there are major data gaps in LMIC settings. Furthermore, there is a paucity of evidence for effective interventions to prevent preterm birth. Preventing sPTB requires understanding underlying mechanisms leading to sPTB in different populations, and the identification/implementation of effective interventions.

Placental Iron Content Is Lower than Previously Estimated and Is Associated with Maternal Iron Status in Women at Greater Risk of Gestational Iron Deficiency and Anemia

BACKGROUND

Based on limited data, it is estimated that the placenta retains 90 mg of iron. Little is known about determinants of placental iron content. Animal data indicate that the placenta prioritizes iron for its own needs, but this hypothesis has not been evaluated in humans.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize placental iron content and placental iron concentration (p[Fe]) in pregnant women at risk of iron insufficiency and identify determinants of p[Fe].

METHODS

Placentas were collected from 132 neonates born to teens carrying singletons (≤18 y) and 101 neonates born to 48 women carrying multiples (20-46 y). Maternal and neonatal iron status indicators [hemoglobin, serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), serum iron, total body iron (TBI)] and hormones (erythropoietin, hepcidin) were measured. p[Fe] was measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Correlation analyses and mixed-effects models were constructed to identify determinants of p[Fe].

RESULTS

Mean placental iron content was 23 mg per placenta (95% CI: 15, 33 mg) in the multiples and 40 mg (95% CI: 31, 51 mg) in the teens (P = 0.03). Mean p[Fe] did not differ between the cohorts. p[Fe] was higher in anemic (175 μg/g; 95% CI: 120, 254 μg/g) compared with nonanemic (46 μg/g; 95% CI: 26, 82 μg/g) women carrying multiples (P = 0.009), but did not differ between anemic (62 μg/g; 95% CI: 40, 102 μg/g) and nonanemic (73 μg/g; 95% CI: 56, 97 μg/g) teens. In women carrying multiples, low maternal iron status [lower SF (P = 0.002) and lower TBI (P = 0.01)] was associated with higher p[Fe], whereas in teens, improved iron status [lower sTfR (P = 0.03) and higher TBI (P = 0.03)] was associated with higher p[Fe].

CONCLUSIONS

Placental iron content was ∼50% lower than previously estimated. p[Fe] is significantly associated with maternal iron status. In women carrying multiples, poor maternal iron status was associated with higher p[Fe], whereas in teens, improved iron status was associated with higher p[Fe]. More data are needed to understand determinants of p[Fe] and the variable iron partitioning in teens compared with mature women.

Characteristics and birth outcomes of pregnant adolescents compared to older women: An analysis of individual level data from 140,000 mothers from 20 RCTs

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a critical period of maturation when nutrient needs are high, especially among adolescents entering pregnancy. Using individual-level data from 140,000 participants, we examined socioeconomic, nutrition, and pregnancy and birth outcomes for adolescent mothers (10-19 years) compared to older mothers in low and middle-income countries.

METHODS

This study was conducted between March 16, 2018 and May 25, 2021. Data were obtained from 20 randomised controlled trials of micronutrient supplementation in pregnancy. Stratified analyses were conducted by age (10-14 years, 15-17 years, 18-19 years, 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40+ years) and geographical region (Africa, Asia). Crude and confounder-adjusted means, prevalence and relative risks of pregnancy, nutrition and birth outcomes were estimated using multivariable linear and log-binomial regression models with 95% confidence intervals.

FINDINGS

Adolescent mothers comprised 31.6% of our data. Preterm birth, small-for-gestational age (SGA), low birthweight (LBW) and newborn mortality followed a U-shaped trend in which prevalence was highest among the youngest mothers (10-14 years) and then reduced gradually, but increased again for older mothers (40+ years). When compared to mothers aged 20-29 years, there was a 23% increased risk of preterm birth, a 60% increased risk of perinatal mortality, a 63% increased risk of neonatal mortality, a 28% increased risk of LBW, and a 22% increased risk of SGA among mothers 10-14 years. Mothers 40+ years experienced a 22% increased risk of preterm birth and a 103% increased risk of stillbirth when compared to the 20-29 year group.

INTERPRETATION

The youngest and oldest mothers suffer most from adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Policy and programming agendas should consider both biological and socioeconomic/environmental factors when targeting these populations.

FUNDING

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Grant No: OP1137750).

Survival analysis of neonatal mortality in Ghana using three population-based surveys

Background

Neonatal mortality in many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains high despite global efforts at addressing this challenge. Tackling neonatal death in LMICs is further complicated by lack of reliable data from individual countries in the region to inform effective context specific interventions. This study investigates the probability of neonatal survival and socio-demographic risk factors of neonatal mortality in Ghana.

Methods

Pooled data from three population-based surveys (N = 12,148) were analysed using multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards regression models.

Results

The risk of dying within the first 28 days of life was highest in the first week of life (early neonatal period), it then decreases sharply around the middle of the second week of life and remains low over the late neonatal period. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) showed that: rural residency (HR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.15-2.75); birth order 2-3 (HR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.10-2.42); birth order ≥7 (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.07-3.33) increased the risk of neonatal death. Additionally, children born to women who were obese had higher risk of neonatal death (HR = 1.69, CI: 1.12-2.56) compared with those of women with optimal weight. Disparities in the risk of neonatal death by geographical regions were also found.

Conclusion

The risk of neonatal mortality is highest during the first week of life and it is socio-demographically patterned. The findings emphasise the need to tackle socio-demographic risk factors of neonatal mortality in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3, which is aimed at reducing neonatal mortality to 12 per 1000 live births by the year 2030.

Tackling Persistent and Large Disparities in Birth Outcomes in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

OBJECTIVES

Based in Allegheny County, a coalition of local stakeholders took note of the region's infant mortality rates, particularly the stark disparities observed by race, and established a vision to reduce infant mortality in the region. The group undertook a multi-faceted effort to (1) develop predictive models of infant mortality risk; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of available interventions; and (3) combine these tools in order to tailor intervention referrals based on maternal risk profiles. With this effort, the coalition sought to address the apparent disconnect between the region's robust maternal and child health care system and relatively poor birth and infant outcomes and racial disparities.

METHODS

The effort started with the integration of data from a variety of sources into an integrated database built specifically for this research effort covering the period 2003 to 2013. With the database, researchers linked each individual's data across multiple data sources, including the Allegheny County Health Department, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Data Warehouse, and individual programs. With these data, we used a standard method for comparing outcomes and measuring the racial disparity between Black and white infants that involved calculating a ratio by dividing the rate or percentage for Black infants by the rate or percentage for white infants.

RESULTS

Overall, the results showed that between 2003 and 2013 in Allegheny County disparities were more pronounced for infant mortality (3.25) than low birthweight (1.88) or preterm birth (1.49). Among the different potential causes of infant mortality, the most pronounced disparity was for SIDS (1.78). Among maternal health factors, pre-pregnancy obesity and gestational diabetes had the highest infant mortality disparity. The low birthweight disparity was similar and lower than the infant mortality disparity across all of the maternal health factors, while the preterm birth disparity was even lower. For the maternal behavioral and contextual factors, the infant mortality disparity ranged from 1.5 to 2.3.

CONCLUSION

The 11-year span of data reported in the IMPreSIv database and the breadth of intervention data included allowed us to report granular information on birth outcomes within Allegheny County over this time period. The database also allowed us to summarize the various factors associated with the range of birth outcomes and describe the participation rates in the medical and community setting interventions. Against this backdrop of pronounced disparities in birth outcomes across a range of factors, we examined the effectiveness of interventions for women with different risk factors (e.g. substance use disorders) in order to develop a tool to facilitate individualized referrals to the interventions that will help the most for a specific risk profile.

The Risk Factors of Neonatal Mortality in Pekanbaru City, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Neonatal mortality is death during the first 28 days of life, expressed per 1000 live births. In 2020, there was an increase in the number of neonatal mortality from 50 infant to 115 infant in Pekanbaru City, Indonesia. AIM: The study objective was to analyze factors associated with neonatal mortality in the Pekanbaru City, Indonesia. METHODS: The sample was 220, consisting of 110 case and 110 control samples. The total sampling technique was used for case and systematic sampling for control samples. The variables analyzed were mother’s age, mother’s education, parity, birth spacing, gestational age, birth weight, and antenatal care. Data were analyzed by multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: The results showed that the risk factors for neonatal mortality were antenatal care < 4 times (OR = 8.2; 95% CI = 4.0−17.1), gestational age < 35 weeks (OR = 5.5; 95% CI = 2.2–14.0), mother’s < 20 years or > 35 years (OR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.3−7.1), and birth spacing < 2 years (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.2−5.7). CONCLUSION: The antenatal care, gestational age, mother’s age, and birth spacing are preventable or possibly preventable risk factors. As a recommendation, the Health Office of Pekanbaru and Community Health Service should increase promotion of antenatal care for pregnant women and family planning to preserve birth spacing for women of childbearing age.

Gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcomes: Findings from North Indian pregnancy cohort

Despite the high prevalence of inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) and adverse pregnancy outcomes, very few studies have addressed the association between GWG and pregnancy outcomes in South Asia. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of GWG during the second and third trimesters within, below and above the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines, and to estimate the effect of the rate and adequacy of GWG on gestational age at the time of delivery, weight, length, length‐for‐age z‐score (LAZ), weight‐for‐length z‐score (WLZ) and adverse pregnancy outcomes, namely prematurity, small‐for‐gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), stunting and wasting at birth. We analysed data from the intervention group of the Women and Infants Integrated Interventions for Growth Study (WINGS), which is an ongoing individually randomized factorial design study. Of the 1332 women analysed, 40.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 37.5 to 42.8] had GWG below the IOM guidelines. For every 100‐g/week increase in GWG, birth weight increased by 61 g, birth length by 0.16 cm, LAZ score by 0.08 SD, WLZ score by 0.14 SD, and gestational age at birth by 0.48 days. Women with GWG below the IOM guidelines had a higher relative risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (44% for LBW, 27% for SGA, 32% for stunting and 42% for wasting at birth) than women who had GWG within the IOM guidelines, except for prematurity. The association between GWG and LAZ scores at birth was modified by early pregnancy body mass index (BMI). GWG is a strong predictor of newborn anthropometric outcomes and duration of gestation but not prematurity.

Morbidity and mortality in small for gestational age very preterm infants in a middle-income country

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of small for gestational age (SGA) on outcomes of very preterm infants at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town, South Africa.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were obtained from the Vermont Oxford Network (VON) GSH database from 2012 to 2018. The study is a secondary analysis of prospectively collected observational data. Fenton growth charts were used to define SGA as birth weight < 10th centile for gestational age.

RESULTS

Mortality [28.9% vs. 18.5%, adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.7], bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; 14% vs. 4.5%, aRR 3.7, 95% CI 2.3-6.1), and late-onset sepsis (LOS; 16.7% vs. 9.6%, aRR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.3) were higher in the SGA than in the non-SGA group.

CONCLUSION

Small for gestational age infants have a higher risk of mortality and morbidity among very preterm infants at GSH. This may be useful for counseling and perinatal management.

Preterm birth and the risk of chronic disease multimorbidity in adolescence and early adulthood: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

People who were born prematurely have high risks of many individual diseases and conditions in the early part of the life course. However, our knowledge of the burden of multiple diseases (multimorbidity) among prematurely born individuals is limited. We aimed to investigate the risk and patterns of chronic disease multimorbidity in adolescence and early adulthood among individuals born across the spectrum of gestational ages, comparing preterm and full-term born individuals.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We used individual-level data from linked nationwide registers to examine the associations of gestational age at birth with specialised healthcare records of ≥2 chronic diseases (multimorbidity) in adolescence (age 10-17 years) and early adulthood (age 18-30 years). Our study population comprised 951,116 individuals (50.2% females) born alive in Finland between 1st January 1987 and 31st December 2006, inclusive. All individuals were followed from age 10 years to the onset of multimorbidity, emigration, death, or 31 December 2016 (up to age 30 years). We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for multimorbidity using flexible parametric survival models. During 6,417,903 person-years at risk (median follow-up: 7.9 years), 11,919 individuals (1.3%) had multimorbidity in adolescence (18.6 per 10,000 person-years). During 3,967,419 person-years at risk (median follow-up: 6.2 years), 15,664 individuals (1.7%) had multimorbidity in early adulthood (39.5 per 10,000 person-years). Adjusted HRs for adolescent multimorbidity, comparing preterm to full-term born individuals, were 1.29 (95% CI: 1.22 to 1.36) and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.18 to 1.35) in females and males, respectively. The associations of preterm birth with early adult multimorbidity were less marked, with the adjusted HRs indicating 1.18-fold risk in females (95% CI: 1.12 to 1.24) and 1.10-fold risk in males (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.17). We observed a consistent dose-response relationship between earlier gestational age at birth and increasing risks of both multimorbidity outcomes. Compared to full-term born males, those born at 37-38 weeks (early term) had a 1.06-fold risk of multimorbidity in adolescence (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.14) and this risk increased in a graded manner up to 6.85-fold (95% CI: 5.39 to 8.71) in those born at 23-27 weeks (extremely premature), independently of covariates. Among females, the same risks ranged from 1.16-fold (95% CI: 1.09 to 1.23) among those born at 37-38 weeks to 5.65-fold (95% CI: 4.45 to 7.18) among those born at 23-27 weeks. The corresponding risks of early adult multimorbidity were similar in direction but less marked in magnitude, with little difference in risks between males and females born at 36-37 weeks but up to 3-fold risks observed among those born at 23-27 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that an earlier gestational age at birth is associated with increased risks of chronic disease multimorbidity in the early part of the life course. There are currently no clinical guidelines for follow-up of prematurely born individuals beyond childhood, but these observations suggest that information on gestational age would be a useful characteristic to include in a medical history when assessing the risk of multiple chronic diseases in adolescent and young adult patients.

Individual and facility-level factors associated with women's receipt of immediate postpartum family planning counseling in Ethiopia: results from national surveys of women and health facilities

BACKGROUND

Immediate postpartum family planning (IPPFP) helps prevent unintended and closely spaced pregnancies. Despite Ethiopia's rising facility-based delivery rate and supportive IPPFP policies, the prevalence of postpartum contraceptive use remains low, with little known about disparities in access to IPPFP counseling. We sought to understand if women's receipt of IPPFP counseling varied by individual and facility characteristics.

METHODS

We used weighted linked household and facility data from the national Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia (PMA-Ethiopia) study. Altogether, 936 women 5-9 weeks postpartum who delivered at a government facility were matched to the nearest facility offering labor and delivery care, corresponding to the facility type in which each woman reported delivering (n = 224 facilities). We explored women's receipt of IPPFP counseling and individual and facility-level characteristics utilizing descriptive statistics. The relationship between women's receipt of IPPFP counseling and individual and facility factors were assessed through multivariate, multilevel models.

RESULTS

Approximately one-quarter of postpartum women received IPPFP counseling (27%) and most women delivered government health centers (59%). Nearly all facilities provided IPPFP services (94%); most had short- and long-acting methods available (71 and 87%, respectively) and no recent stockouts (60%). Multivariate analyses revealed significant disparities in IPPFP counseling with lower odds of counseling among primiparous women, those who delivered vaginally, and women who did not receive delivery care from a doctor or health officer (all p < 0.05). Having never used contraception was marginally associated with lower odds of receiving IPPFP counseling (p < 0.10). IPPFP counseling did not differ by age, residence, method availability, or facility type, after adjusting for other individual and facility factors.

CONCLUSION

Despite relatively widespread availability of IPPFP services in Ethiopia, receipt of IPPFP counseling remains low. Our results highlight important gaps in IPPFP care, particularly among first-time mothers, women who have never used contraception, women who delivered vaginally, and those who did not receive delivery care from a doctor or health officer. As facility births continue to rise in Ethiopia, health systems and providers must ensure that equitable, high-quality IPPFP services are offered to all women.

Comparative profiling of prenatal cortisol and DHEA-S among pregnant women with poor birth outcome and pregnant women with normal birth outcome

CONTEXT

Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) are indispensable hormones for normal pregnancy. It is unclear if these hormones, specifically DHEA-S can offer value for predicting poor birth outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To compare prenatal cortisol and DHEA-S levels among pregnant women with normal or poor birth outcome.

METHODS

Plasma and saliva were collected prospectively from women in second-third trimester of pregnancy. Women with normal birth outcome (NBO) (n = 501) included live birth, no pregnancy complications and ≥2.5 kg infant birth weight. Women with poor birth outcome included adverse birth outcome (ABO) (n = 50) or low birth weight outcome (LBW) (n = 147). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure hormone concentrations in plasma and saliva.

RESULTS

Circulatory-DHEA-S levels in pregnant women with ABO were higher than women with NBO (p = .043). Among ABO, only stillbirth cases demonstrated significant increase in circulatory-DHEA-S levels (p = .006). Circulatory and salivary cortisol/DHEA-S ratio was lower among women with stillbirth (p = .004) and ABO outcome (p = .043) respectively compared with women with NBO. Consistently, increased odds of ABO were observed in pregnant women with highest circulatory-DHEA-S levels (odds ratio quartile score 1 vs. 4, 2.79, p = .027) and lowest salivary cortisol/DHEA-S ratio (score 4 vs. 2, 2.83, p = .025). Increased odds of stillbirth outcome were observed in pregnant women with highest circulatory-DHEA-S levels (odds ratio quartile score 1 vs. 4, 8.47, p = .046) and lowest circulatory cortisol/DHEA-S ratio (score 4 vs. 1, 4.803, p = .048). Associations remained significant after adjusting for confounders. Women with LBW did not demonstrate significant changes in cortisol or DHEA-S levels.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal measurement of DHEA-S or cortisol/DHEA-S ratio may offer significant value for predicting adverse birth, specifically stillbirth outcome.

Longitudinal profile of sHLA-G during pregnancy and its association with small for gestational age births in North Indian pregnant females: A nested case-control study

PROBLEM

Small for gestational age (SGA) neonates are vulnerable to various long and short-term adverse health consequences. The expression of HLA-G in the placenta is crucial for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Its aberrant expression could lead to perturbed immunological interactions in the placenta which could be associated with SGA births. The objective of this study was to assess the difference in the trajectories of soluble HLA-G in maternal sera during pregnancy between women delivering SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates.

METHOD OF STUDY

Soluble HLA-G was estimated in the maternal sera collected at different time points in pregnancy of North-Indian pregnant females delivering SGA (N = 23) or AGA (N = 17) neonates using sandwich ELISA. Linear mixed models were built and compared to study the association between sHLA-G levels during pregnancy and SGA births.

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed in the sHLA-G trajectories during pregnancy in mothers delivering SGA as compared to those delivering AGA (P-value = .5677). A trend towards higher sHLA-G levels at the first trimester of pregnancy (< 14 weeks of gestation) was observed in mothers delivering SGA neonates (Median = 41.71, IQR = 21.31-71.38) as compared to those delivering AGA neonates (Median = 37.58, IQR = 19.05-73.57).

CONCLUSION

During pregnancy, sHLA-G trajectories do not differ significantly between mothers delivering SGA and those delivering AGA neonates. However, sHLA-G trends towards higher levels during early pregnancy in mothers delivering SGA neonates.

Primipaternities and human birthweights

OBJECTIVES

To investigate in singleton multiparous pregnancies the effect of having a new father for an index pregnancy on new-borns' birthweights and intrauterine growth restriction.

DESIGN

20 year-observational cohort study (2001-2020).

SETTINGS

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Hospitalier Sud Reunion's maternity (French overseas department, Indian Ocean).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Comparing the 811 multiparas (cases) who had a new partner with the 49,712 who did not (controls), there were no differences concerning maternal age, education, ovulation induction/IVF, previous miscarriages, exams during pregnancies, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational diabetes, and chronic hypertension. Cases had more previous pregnancies than controls (gravidity 4.2 vs 2.8, p < 0.001), volunteer abortions (OR1.93, p < 0.001), in vitro fecundations (OR 4.34, p < 0.001), were more likely to be unmarried (OR 2.94, p < 0.001) smoker (OR 2.2, p < 0.0001) and consuming alcohol during pregnancy (OR 2.35, p = 0.001). Cases had a much higher risk of preeclampsia than controls (OR 3.94, p < 0.001), especially early-onset preeclampsia (< 34 weeks) with an OR 4.1 (p < 0.001). Controlling for confounding factors (preeclampsia, smoking, alcohol use, early prematurity < 33 weeks, maternal ethnicity), primipaternity was an independent factor for small for gestational age newborns (OR 1.48, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

It has been known for decades that primiparas have lighter babies than multiparas. Primipaternity represents also a risk for lower birth weights. Human birthweight seems to be linked with a "couple habituation" (to paternal genes) which may be not fully established in the first pregnancy of the couple.

The Experience of Healthy Pregnancy in High Parity Women: A Phenomenological Study in North Jordan

Background and Objectives: High parity women are more likely to have poor quality of life during pregnancy than low parity women. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of healthy pregnancy among high parity women in North Jordan. Materials and Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was employed in this study to complement previously published quantitative results. Fourteen pregnant women, who had four children or more, were recruited purposely according to inclusion criteria from Irbid city in North Jordan. Data were collected using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Colaizzi's method was employed to analyze the verbatim data. Results: There were three main themes which emerged from participants significant statements: they had new discomforts, antenatal care and follow-up, and social issues. Each extracted theme was linked to some factors (subthemes), which had a positive or negative impact on the quality of life of high parity women during pregnancy. High parity women who experienced multiple stressors had a poor quality of life. Conclusions: Experiencing new discomforts, less or no antenatal care, and a lack of social support negatively affected the quality of life among high parity women. Antenatal interventions should be designed based on high parity women's perceptions of their health and wellbeing in order to improve their quality of life and ultimately prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. Further quantitative studies are needed to explore the impact of previous mentioned factors on maternal quality of life and outcomes.

Management of Pregnancy in Women of Advanced Maternal Age: Improving Outcomes for Mother and Baby

Pregnancy at advanced maternal age (age >35 years old) is considered a risk factor for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Yet, pregnancies of advanced maternal age have become more prevalent over the last few decades. Possible maternal complications of pregnancy at age 35 or older include increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage, preterm labor, gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, chromosomal abnormalities, and cesarean delivery. Possible adverse fetal outcomes include infants small for gestational age and intrauterine growth restrictions, low Apgar score, admission to neonatal intensive care units, and an autism spectrum disorder. This paper aims to present an up-to-date review of the literature, summarizing the most current studies and implications for the management of pregnancy of advanced maternal age.

Neonatal mortality rates, characteristics, and risk factors for neonatal deaths in Ghana: analyses of data from two health and demographic surveillance systems

Background

Reducing neonatal mortality rates (NMR) in developing countries is a key global health goal, but weak registration systems in the region stifle public health efforts.

Objective

To calculate NMRs, investigate modifiable risk factors, and explore neonatal deaths by place of birth and death, and cause of death in two administrative areas in Ghana.

Methods

Data on livebirths were extracted from the health and demographic surveillance systems in Navrongo (2004–2012) and Kintampo (2005–2010). Cause of death was determined from neonatal verbal autopsy forms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyse factors associated with neonatal death. Multiple imputations were used to address missing data.

Results

The overall NMR was 18.8 in Navrongo (17,016 live births, 320 deaths) and 12.5 in Kintampo (11,207 live births, 140 deaths). The annual NMR declined in both areas. 54.7% of the births occurred in health facilities. 70.9% of deaths occurred in the first week. The main causes of death were infection (NMR 4.3), asphyxia (NMR 3.7) and prematurity (NMR 2.2). The risk of death was higher among hospital births than home births: Navrongo (adjusted OR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.25, p = 0.01); Kintampo (adjusted OR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.55–2.00, p < 0.01). However, a majority of deaths occurred at home (Navrongo 61.3%; Kintampo 50.7%). Among hospital births dying in hospital, the leading cause of death was asphyxia; among hospital and home births dying at home, it was infection.

Conclusion

The NMR in these two areas of Ghana reduced over time. Preventing deaths by asphyxia and infection should be prioritised, centred respectively on improving post-delivery care in health facilities and subsequent post-natal care at home.

Targeting Microglial Disturbances to Protect the Brain From Neurodevelopmental Disorders Associated With Prematurity

Microglial activation during critical phases of brain development can result in short- and long-term consequences for neurological and psychiatric health. Several studies in humans and rodents have shown that microglial activation, leading to a transition from the homeostatic state toward a proinflammatory phenotype, has adverse effects on the developing brain and neurodevelopmental disorders. Targeting proinflammatory microglia may be an effective strategy for protecting the brain and attenuating neurodevelopmental disorders induced by inflammation. In this review we focus on the role of inflammation and the activation of immature microglia (pre-microglia) soon after birth in prematurity-associated neurodevelopmental disorders, and the specific features of pre-microglia during development. We also highlight the relevance of immunomodulatory strategies for regulating activated microglia in a rodent model of perinatal brain injury. An original neuroprotective approach involving a nanoparticle-based therapy and targeting microglia, with the aim of improving myelination and protecting the developing brain, is also addressed.

Differences in Placental Histology Between Zika Virus-infected Teenagers and Older Women

In pregnant women, Zika virus (ZIKV) is associated with a congenital syndrome, most frequently involving damage to embryo brain formation and the development of microcephaly. The mechanism(s) by which ZIKV enters the maternal-fetal interface and is transmitted to the fetus remains incompletely determined. We sought to evaluate histologic changes in the placenta of ZIKV-infected pregnant women and to determine if this varied by maternal age. Placental samples were obtained from 66 women, 33 of whom were positive for ZIKV. Histologic evaluations were performed on 4 areas of the placenta: fetal surface, maternal surface, umbilical cord, and membranes. Samples were analyzed by the tissue microarray technique and tested for CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, FOXP3, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Data were evaluated using Fisher exact test. ZIKV infection was more frequent in women less than 18 yr of age (9/11, 81.8%) than in women above 18 yr old (24/55, 43.6%) (P=0.0440). ZIKV detection was associated with neutrophilic chorioamnionitis (P=0.0332) and with septal (P=0.0244) and villous (P=0.0534) calcification. Hofbauer cell hyperplasia (P=0.0260) and cyclooxygenase-2 expression (P=0.0346) were more prevalent in ZIKV-positive women aged 18 yr and below than in the older ZIKV-positive women. ZIKV infection during pregnancy occurs more frequently in adolescents and induces higher rates of damage at the maternal-fetal interface than in older women.

Remodeling of the maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy is shaped by parity

BACKGROUND

The maternal microbiome has emerged as an important factor in gestational health and outcome and is associated with risk of preterm birth and offspring morbidity. Epidemiological evidence also points to successive pregnancies-referred to as maternal parity-as a risk factor for preterm birth, infant mortality, and impaired neonatal growth. Despite the fact that both the maternal microbiome and parity are linked to maternal-infant health, the impact of parity on the microbiome remains largely unexplored, in part due to the challenges of studying parity in humans.

RESULTS

Using synchronized pregnancies and dense longitudinal monitoring of the microbiome in pigs, we describe a microbiome trajectory during pregnancy and determine the extent to which parity modulates this trajectory. We show that the microbiome changes reproducibly during gestation and that this remodeling occurs more rapidly as parity increases. At the time of parturition, parity was linked to the relative abundance of several bacterial species, including Treponema bryantii, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Lactobacillus reuteri. Strain tracking carried out in 18 maternal-offspring "quadrads"-each consisting of one mother sow and three piglets-linked maternal parity to altered levels of Akkermansia muciniphila, Prevotella stercorea, and Campylobacter coli in the infant gut 10 days after birth.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these results identify parity as an important environmental factor that modulates the gut microbiome during pregnancy and highlight the utility of a swine model for investigating the microbiome in maternal-infant health. In addition, our data show that the impact of parity extends beyond the mother and is associated with alterations in the community of bacteria that colonize the offspring gut early in life. The bacterial species we identified as parity-associated in the mother and offspring have been shown to influence host metabolism in other systems, raising the possibility that such changes may influence host nutrient acquisition or utilization. These findings, taken together with our observation that even subtle differences in parity are associated with microbiome changes, underscore the importance of considering parity in the design and analysis of human microbiome studies during pregnancy and in infants. Video abstract.

How Do Uterine Natural Killer and Innate Lymphoid Cells Contribute to Successful Pregnancy?

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the most abundant immune cells in the uterine mucosa both before and during pregnancy. Circumstantial evidence suggests they play important roles in regulating placental development but exactly how they contribute to the successful outcome of pregnancy is still unclear. Uterine ILCs (uILCs) include subsets of tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells and ILCs, and until recently the phenotype and functions of uILCs were poorly defined. Determining the specific roles of each subset is intrinsically challenging because of the rapidly changing nature of the tissue both during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and high dimensional flow and mass cytometry approaches have recently been used to analyse uILC populations in the uterus in both humans and mice. This detailed characterisation has significantly changed our understanding of the heterogeneity within the uILC compartment. It will also enable key clinical questions to be addressed including whether specific uILC subsets are altered in infertility, miscarriage and pregnancy disorders such as foetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of the phenotypic and functional diversity of uILCs in non-pregnant endometrium and first trimester decidua, and review how these cells may contribute to successful placental development.

Does maternal grandmother's support improve maternal and child nutritional health outcomes? Evidence from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

In humans, high levels of investment are required to raise offspring, because of the prolonged developmental period and short interbirth intervals. The costs borne by individual mothers may be mitigated by obtaining social support from others. This strategy could be particularly valuable for first-time mothers, who lack first-hand experience and whose offspring have higher mortality risk than later-born siblings. As raising children is potentially stressful, mothers may gain from others sharing their experience, providing knowledge/information and emotional support. Being genetically related to both mother and grandchild, maternal grandmothers may be especially well placed to provide such support, while also gaining fitness benefits. We tested the over-arching hypothesis that first-time mothers and their young children supported by the maternal grandmother would have lower levels of stress and better health outcomes, compared to mother-infant dyads lacking such grandmaternal support. A cohort of 90 mother-infant dyads (52 with grandmaternal support, 38 without) was recruited in Merida, Mexico. We assessed anthropometry and body composition in both mother and child, along with maternally perceived stress and child temperament, and documented maternal social relationships. No differences were found in perceived stress/temperament or anthropometry of either mothers or children, according to the presence/absence of grandmaternal support. However, a composite score of whether grandmothers provided advice on infant feeding was positively associated with child nutritional status. Mothers without grandmaternal support reported seeking more informational and emotional support from other female relatives for childcare, potentially compensating for limited/absent grandmaternal support. Our findings may help develop interventions to improve maternal and child health by targeting the dynamics of maternal social networks. This article is part of the theme issue 'Multidisciplinary perspectives on social support and maternal-child health'.

Maternal region of origin and Small for gestational age: a cross-sectional analysis of Victorian perinatal data

Background

Being born small for gestational age is a strong predictor of the short- and long-term health of the neonate, child, and adult. Variation in the rates of small for gestational age have been identified across population groups in high income countries, including Australia. Understanding the factors contributing to this variation may assist clinicians to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with being born small. Victoria, in addition to New South Wales, accounts for the largest proportion of net overseas migration and births in Australia. The aim of this research was to analyse how migration was associated with small for gestational age in Victoria.

Methods

This was a cross sectional population health study of singleton births in Victoria from 2009 to 2018 (n = 708,475). The prevalence of being born small for gestational age (SGA; <10th centile) was determined for maternal region of origin groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the association between maternal region of origin and SGA.

Results

Maternal region of origin was an independent risk factor for SGA in Victoria (p < .001), with a prevalence of SGA for migrant women of 11.3% (n = 27,815) and 7.3% for Australian born women (n = 33,749). Women from the Americas (aOR1.24, 95%CI:1.14 to 1.36), North Africa, North East Africa, and the Middle East (aOR1.57, 95%CI:1.52 to 1.63); Southern Central Asia (aOR2.58, 95%CI:2.50 to 2.66); South East Asia (aOR2.02, 95%CI: 1.95 to 2.01); and sub-Saharan Africa (aOR1.80, 95%CI:1.69 to 1.92) were more likely to birth an SGA child in comparison to women born in Australia.

Conclusions

Victorian woman’s region of origin was an independent risk factor for SGA. Variation in the rates of SGA between maternal regions of origin suggests additional factors such as a woman’s pre-migration exposures, the context of the migration journey, settlement conditions and social environment post migration might impact the potential for SGA. These findings highlight the importance of intergenerational improvements to the wellbeing of migrant women and their children. Further research to identify modifiable elements that contribute to birthweight differences across population groups would help enable appropriate healthcare responses aimed at reducing the rate of being SGA.

Parity, exposure to cigarette smoke and the presence of bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are related to preterm labor incidence

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the relationship of parity, exposure to cigarette smoke, and the presence of bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia with the incidence of preterm labor.

METHOD

It was a cross-sectional study, the sampling was carried out using a purposive sampling technique for maternity women at the Siti Fatimah Makassar Mother and Child Hospital, Siti Khadija I Makassar Mother and Child Hospital, and Makassar City Regional General Hospital in June until August 2019. The study sample consisted of 50 post-partum mothers and their placenta, consisting of 25 preterm mothers and 25 term mothers. Criteria for respondents in this study were maternal pregnancies at gestational age>22-36 weeks for the case group, and ≥37 weeks for the control group while the exclusion criteria were mothers with hypertension, preeclampsia, placenta previa, placental abruption, and HIV. Respondent characteristics were collected using a checklist sheet. Bacteria on the placenta were detected using 16S rRNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

Characteristics of age, Body Mass Index (BMI), premature rupture of membrane History, abortion history, and preterm birth history did not have significant relationship with the incidence of preterm labor, while parity (OR=3.03, 95% CI: 1.2-12.0), cigarette smoke exposure (OR=4.03, 95% CI: 1.2-13.5), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteria (OR=5.90, 95% CI: 1.11-31.20) significantly increases the risk of preterm labor.

CONCLUSION

Parity, exposure to cigarette smoke, and the bacteria Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are considered as predisposing factors that are closely related to the incidence of preterm labor.

Trends of infant mortality and its determinants in Ethiopia: mixed-effect binary logistic regression and multivariate decomposition analysis

BACKGROUND

Infant mortality remains a serious global public health problem. The global infant mortality rate has decreased significantly over time, but the rate of decline in most African countries, including Ethiopia, is far below the rate expected to meet the SDG targets. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the trends of infant mortality and its determinants in Ethiopia based on the four consecutive Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHSs).

METHODS

This analysis was based on the data from four EDHSs (EDHS 2000, 2005, 2011, and 2016). A total weighted sample of 46,317 live births was included for the final analysis. The logit-based multivariate decomposition analysis was used to identify significantly contributing factors for the decrease in infant mortality in Ethiopia over the last 16 years. To identify determinants, a mixed-effect logistic regression model was fitted. The Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Likelihood Ratio (LR) test were used to assess the presence of a significant clustering effect. Deviance, Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), and Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) were used for model comparison. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.2 in the bi-variable analysis were considered for the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were reported to identify the statistically significant determinants of infant mortality.

RESULTS

Infant mortality rate has decreased from 96.9 per 1000 births in 2000 to 48 per 1000 births in 2016, with an annual rate of reduction of 4.2%. According to the logit based multivariate decomposition analysis, about 18.1% of the overall decrease in infant mortality was due to the difference in composition of the respondents with respect to residence, maternal age, type of birth, and parity across the surveys, while the remaining 81.9% was due to the difference in the effect of residence, parity, type of birth and parity across the surveys. In the mixed-effect binary logistic regression analysis; preceding interval <  24 months (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI; 1.46, 2.19), small size at birth (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI; 1.25, 1.92), large size at birth (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI; 1.01, 1.57), BMI <  18.5 kg/m² (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI; 1.05, 1.50), and twins (AOR = 4.25, 95% CI; 3.01, 6.01), parity> 6 (1.51, 95% CI; 1.01, 2.26), maternal age and male sex (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.25, 1.79) were significantly associated with increased odds of infant mortality.

CONCLUSION

This study found that the infant mortality rate has declined over time in Ethiopia since 2000. Preceding birth interval, child-size at birth, BMI, type of birth, parity, maternal age, and sex of child were significant predictors of infant mortality. Public health programs aimed at rural communities, and multiparous mothers through enhancing health facility delivery would help maintain Ethiopia's declining infant mortality rate. Furthermore, improving the use of ANC services and maternal nutrition is crucial to reducing infant mortality and achieving the SDG targets in Ethiopia.