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Lenze SN, McKay-Gist K, Paul R, Tepe M, Mathews K, Kornfield S, Phillips C, Smith R, Stoermer A, Carter EB. Elevating Voices, Addressing Depression, Toxic Stress, and Equity Through Group Prenatal Care: A Pilot Study. Health Equity 2024; 8:87-95. [PMID: 38287981 PMCID: PMC10823176 DOI: 10.1089/heq.2023.0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Elevating Voices, Addressing Depression, Toxic Stress and Equity (EleVATE) is a group prenatal care (GC) model designed to improve pregnancy outcomes and promote health equity for Black birthing people. This article outlines the foundational community-engaged process to develop EleVATE GC and pilot study results. Methods We used community-based participatory research principles and the Ferguson Commission Report to guide creation of EleVATE GC. The intervention, designed by and for Black birthing people, centers trauma-informed care, antiracism, and integrates behavioral health strategies into group prenatal care to address unmet mental health needs. Using a convenience sample of patients seeking care at one of three safety-net health care sites, we compared preterm birth, small for gestational age, depression scores, and other pregnancy outcomes between patients in individual care (IC), CenteringPregnancy™ (CP), and EleVATE GC. Results Forty-eight patients enrolled in the study (n=11 IC; n=14 CP; n=23 EleVATE GC) and 86% self-identified as Black. Patients participating in group prenatal care (EleVATE GC or CP) were significantly less likely to experience a preterm birth <34 weeks. Rates of small for gestational age, preterm birth <37 weeks, depression scores, and other pregnancy outcomes were similar across groups. Participants in CP and EleVATE GC were more likely to attend their postpartum visit and breastfeed at hospital discharge than those in IC. Discussion Our findings model a systematic approach to design a feasible, patient-centered, community-based, trauma-informed, antiracist intervention. Further study is needed to determine whether EleVATE GC improves perinatal outcomes and promotes health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon N. Lenze
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Rachel Paul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Katherine Mathews
- SSM Health St. Mary's and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sara Kornfield
- Center for Women's Behavioral Wellness, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Cheron Phillips
- St. Louis Integrated Health Network, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Richelle Smith
- St. Louis Integrated Health Network, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Amanda Stoermer
- St. Louis Integrated Health Network, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ebony B. Carter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Pineda R, Kati Knudsen, Breault CC, Rogers EE, Mack WJ, Fernandez-Fernandez A. NICUs in the US: levels of acuity, number of beds, and relationships to population factors. J Perinatol 2023; 43:796-805. [PMID: 37208426 PMCID: PMC10197033 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-023-01693-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To 1) define the number and characteristics of NICUs in the United States (US) and 2) identify hospital and population characteristics related to US NICUs. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study of US NICUs. RESULTS There were 1424 NICUs identified in the US. Higher number of NICU beds was positively associated with higher NICU level (p < 0.0001). Higher acuity level and number of NICU beds related to being in a children's hospital (p < 0.0001;p < 0.0001), part of an academic center (p = 0.006;p = 0.001), and in a state with Certificate of Need legislation (p = 0.023;p = 0.046). Higher acuity level related to higher population density (p < 0.0001), and higher number of beds related to increasing proportions of minorities in the population up until 50% minorities. There was also significant variation in NICU level by region. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes new knowledge by describing an updated registry of NICUs in the US in 2021 that can be used for comparisons and benchmarking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pineda
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Kati Knudsen
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Courtney C Breault
- California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative (CPQCC), Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Rogers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wendy J Mack
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez
- Physical Therapy Department, Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, South Miami Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
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Indrakanti S, Chavez W, Castro-Aragon I. Normal variant residual germinal matrix in extremely premature infants: radiographic features and imaging pitfalls. J Ultrasound 2022; 25:493-505. [PMID: 35092600 PMCID: PMC9402871 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-021-00612-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As radiology volume from premature patients increases, previously undescribed imaging findings may be identified, posing diagnostic dilemma to the pediatric radiologist. OBJECTIVE The primary goal of our study is to characterize the previously undescribed imaging finding of subependymal echogenicity at the floor of the frontal horns, which we postulate represents normal variant embryologic remnant residual germinal matrix. Furthermore, we hope to equip the pediatric radiologist with diagnostic criteria to distinguish this normal variant from pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective review of neonates at our institution over a 10 year period was performed to identify extremely premature infants who received head ultrasounds during their hospital stay. Clinical data from EPIC was collected on these patients in addition to retrospective review of their head ultrasound images. RESULTS Literature review of neuroembryology and observed involution of the frontal horn subependymal echogenicity on sequential imaging inform our hypothesis that this imaging finding represents normal variant residual germinal matrix. Two-thirds of the 210 included extremely premature infants demonstrated this finding, which was frequently misinterpreted as grade 1 germinal matrix, intra-choroidal or intra-ventricular hemorrhage. Residual matrix was concomitantly present with additional pathology in 29.4% of the patients. CONCLUSION Previously undescribed subependymal echogenicity at the floor of the frontal horns is favored to represent normal variant embryologic remnant residual germinal matrix. Since this finding may be misinterpreted as germinal matrix, intra-choroidal or intra-ventricular hemorrhage, it is essential for the interpreting radiologist to be aware of this normal variant and not confuse it for pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santoshi Indrakanti
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, 55 Fruit Street, White 427, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Wilson Chavez
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, 55 Fruit Street, White 427, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Ilse Castro-Aragon
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, 55 Fruit Street, White 427, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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Trichomonas vaginalis triggers neutrophil extracellular traps reducing parasite integrity and growth. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1355-1367. [PMID: 35258690 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07475-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Trichomoniasis-caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis-is associated with a high inflammatory process that may contribute to the risk of suffering from other medical complications. Our study focused on the in vitro interaction of T. vaginalis with human neutrophils because these are the most abundant cells implicated in the characteristic inflammatory process of trichomoniasis. This study showed that T. vaginalis and its surface glycoconjugates (lipophosphoglycan and/or lipoglycan) induced the formation of human neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). After the trichomonad-neutrophil interaction, parasite integrity was at 32.9%, and the subsequent parasite growth was at 35.2% compared to those of control trophozoites (100%) incubated under the same conditions without neutrophils. In the presence of an antibody against the TLR-4 receptor, DNase I or micrococcal nuclease (MNase), neutrophils reduced the DNA fibres of the NETs and the amount of extracellular DNA, allowing a higher subsequent growth of T. vaginalis, at 52% with the anti-TLR-4 antibody and 62.6% with the enzymes. These results indicated that T. vaginalis induced the formation of extracellular traps by human neutrophils and, because of the interaction with neutrophils and NETs, parasite integrity and growth decreased.
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Yang Z, Slone J, Wang X, Zhan J, Huang Y, Namjou B, Kaufman KM, Pauciulo M, Harley JB, Muglia LJ, Chepelev I, Huang T. Validation of low-coverage whole-genome sequencing for mitochondrial DNA variants suggests mitochondrial DNA as a genetic cause of preterm birth. Hum Mutat 2021; 42:1602-1614. [PMID: 34467602 PMCID: PMC9290920 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB), or birth that occurs earlier than 37 weeks of gestational age, is a major contributor to infant mortality and neonatal hospitalization. Mutations in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) have been linked to various rare mitochondrial disorders and may be a contributing factor in PTB given that maternal genetic factors have been strongly linked to PTB. However, to date, no study has found a conclusive connection between a particular mtDNA variant and PTB. Given the high mtDNA copy number per cell, an automated pipeline was developed for detecting mtDNA variants using low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing (lcWGS) data. The pipeline was first validated against samples of known heteroplasmy, and then applied to 929 samples from a PTB cohort from diverse ethnic backgrounds with an average gestational age of 27.18 weeks (range: 21–30). Our new pipeline successfully identified haplogroups and a large number of mtDNA variants in this large PTB cohort, including 8 samples carrying known pathogenic variants and 47 samples carrying rare mtDNA variants. These results confirm that lcWGS can be utilized to reliably identify mtDNA variants. These mtDNA variants may make a contribution toward preterm birth in a small proportion of live births.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Yang
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jesse Slone
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Xinjian Wang
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jack Zhan
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Yongbo Huang
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bahram Namjou
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Kenneth M Kaufman
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Michael Pauciulo
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - John B Harley
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Louis J Muglia
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Iouri Chepelev
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Taosheng Huang
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Carter EB, Mazzoni SE, Mazzoni SE. A paradigm shift to address racial inequities in perinatal healthcare. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 224:359-361. [PMID: 33306974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Health inequities are not caused by personal failings or shortcomings within disadvantaged groups, which can be erased with behavioral interventions. The scope of the problem is much greater and will only fully be addressed with the examination of the systems, structures, and policies that perpetuate racism, classism, and an economic, class, race, or gender divide between patients and the people who care for them. Solution-oriented strategies to achieve health equity will remain elusive if researchers continue to focus on behavior modification in patients while failing to do harder work that includes focusing on the institutions, community, and societal contexts in which pregnant women are living; addressing social determinants of health; considering racism in study design, analysis, and reporting; valuing the voices of patients, practitioners, and researchers from historically disadvantaged groups; disseminating research findings back to the community; and developing policy and reimbursement structures to support care delivery change that advances equitable outcomes. A case study shows us how group prenatal care may be one viable vehicle through which to affect this change. Group prenatal care is one of the few interventions shown to improve pregnancy outcomes for black women. Studies of group prenatal care have predominantly focused on the patient, but here we propose that the intervention may exert its greatest impact on clinicians and the systems in which they work. The underlying mechanism through which group prenatal care works may be through increased quantity and quality of patient and practitioner time together and communication. We hypothesize that this, in turn, fosters greater opportunity for cross-cultural exposure and decreases clinician implicit bias, explicit bias, and racism, thus increasing the likelihood that practitioners advocate for systems-level changes that directly benefit patients and improve perinatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara E Mazzoni
- Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
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Dombrowski SC, Gischlar KL, Green L, Noonan K, Martin RP. Low Birth Weight and Psychoeducational Outcomes: Investigation of an African American Birth Cohort. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/0734282920965962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
African Americans experience more than double the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW)/premature birth compared to their Caucasian counterparts, reflecting a public health crisis and a significant social justice concern. However, there is a paucity of LBW outcome studies in African American samples. There are even fewer that investigate developmental outcomes within the moderately LBW range (i.e., 1500–2500 g), the most prevalent category of LBW births. This study investigates the relationship between LBW and various psychoeducational outcomes in a prospectively designed African American birth cohort. Multivariate logit analyses of the Johns Hopkins University Pathways to Adulthood study compared LBW children with normal birth weight children on a number of outcome measures at seven and 8 years of age. Results revealed that children born within the lowest birth weight category produced the most adverse findings, from both a statistical and clinical standpoint, on measures of cognitive ability, academic achievement, speech, language, auditory processing, and visual–motor integration.
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Green ES, Arck PC. Pathogenesis of preterm birth: bidirectional inflammation in mother and fetus. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:413-429. [PMID: 32894326 PMCID: PMC7508962 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00807-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) complicates 5–18% of pregnancies globally and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Most PTB is spontaneous and idiopathic, with largely undefined causes. To increase understanding of PTB, much research in recent years has focused on using animal models to recapitulate the pathophysiology of PTB. Dysfunctions of maternal immune adaptations have been implicated in a range of pregnancy pathologies, including PTB. A wealth of evidence arising from mouse models as well as human studies is now available to support that PTB results from a breakdown in fetal-maternal tolerance, along with excessive, premature inflammation. In this review, we examine the current knowledge of the bidirectional communication between fetal and maternal systems and its role in the immunopathogenesis of PTB. These recent insights significantly advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of PTB, which is essential to ultimately designing more effective strategies for early prediction and subsequent prevention of PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Shana Green
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Petra Clara Arck
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Laboratory for Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.
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17-α Hydroxyprogesterone Nanoemulsifying Preconcentrate-Loaded Vaginal Tablet: A Novel Non-Invasive Approach for the Prevention of Preterm Birth. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:pharmaceutics11070335. [PMID: 31337153 PMCID: PMC6680947 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11070335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of infant mortality in the United States and around the globe. Makena®—once-a-week intramuscular injection of 17-α Hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P)—is the only FDA approved treatment for the prevention of PTB. Invasive delivery of 17P requires hospitalization and expert personnel for injection. Vaginal delivery of 17P would be preferable, because of high patient compliance, reduced systemic exposure, fewer side effects, and no need for hospitalization. The objective of the present study was to prepare and evaluate a self-nanoemulsifying vaginal tablet of 17P. A solid self-nanoemulsifying preconcentrate (S-SNEDDS) of 17P and dimethylacetamide (DMA) was developed using medium chain triglycerides, a non- immunogenic surfactant, and co-processed excipient (PVA-F100). The tablet prepared was characterized for emulsification time, particle size, solid state properties, and drug release. The formulation showed >50% inhibition of TNF-α release from LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Importantly, there were significant differences in rates of PTB and average time to delivery between control and vaginal 17P-treated groups in LPS-stimulated timed pregnant E15.5 mice. Considering the lacuna of therapeutic approaches in this area, vaginal delivery of 17P for the prevention of preterm birth has significant clinical relevance.
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