Gestational Diabetes in the Population Served by Brazilian Public Health Care. Prevalence and Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and the main associated risk factors in the population served by the Brazilian Unified Health System in the city of Caxias do Sul, state of Rio Grande do Sul. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted. Maternal variables were collected from the medical records of all pregnant women treated at the basic health units in 2016. Hyperglycemia during pregnancy (pregestational diabetes, overt diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus) was identified by analyzing the results of a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, as recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Based on the data, the women were allocated into two groups: the gestational diabetes group and the no gestational diabetes group. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of gestational diabetes among 2,313 pregnant women was of 5.4% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 4.56-6.45). Pregnant women with 3 or more pregnancies had twice the odds of having gestational diabetes compared with primiparous women (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19; 95%CI: 1.42-3.37; p < 0.001). Pregnant women aged 35 years or older had three times the odds of having gestational diabetes when compared with younger women (OR = 3.01; 95%CI: 1.97-4.61; p < 0.001). Overweight pregnant women were 84% more likely to develop gestational diabetes than those with a body mass index lower than 25 kg/m2 (OR = 1.84; 95%CI: 1.25-2.71; p = 0.002). A multivariable regression analysis showed that being overweight and being 35 years old or older were independent variables. CONCLUSION: In this population, the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus was of 5.4%. Age and being overweight were predictive factors for gestational diabetes.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de diabetes mellitus gestacional, e dos principais fatores de risco associados, em população usuária do Sistema Único de Saúde em Caxias do Sul-RS. MéTODOS: Um estudo descritivo, transversal e retrospectivo foi feito. As variáveis maternas foram coletadas de registros de prontuários de todas gestantes atendidas nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde do município em 2016. A identificação de hiperglicemia na gestação (diabetes pré-gestacional, diabetes identificado durante a gestação e diabetes mellitus gestacional) foi feita pela avaliação dos resultados do teste oral de tolerância com 75 g glicose, conforme preconizado pelo Ministério da Saúde. Com base nesses dados, as gestantes foram separadas em dois grupos: o grupo com diabetes gestacional e o grupo sem diabetes gestacional. RESULTADOS: A prevalência estimada de diabetes gestacional em 2.313 gestantes foi de 5,4% (intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 4,56­6,45). Gestantes com 3 ou mais gestações apresentaram chance 2 vezes maior para a ocorrência de diabetes gestacional, quando comparadas às primigestas (razão de possibilidades [RP] = 2,19; IC95%: 1,42- 3,37; p < 0,001). Gestantes com idade de 35 anos ou mais apresentaram chance três vezes maior do que as mais jovens (RP = 3,01; IC95%: 1,97­4,61; p < 0,001). A chance de desenvolver diabetes gestacional em gestantes com sobrepeso foi 84% maior do que a das com índice de massa corporal inferior a 25 kg/m2 (RP = 1,84; IC95%: 1,25­2,71; p = 0,002). A análise de regressão multivariada mostrou sobrepeso e idade materna como variáveis com associação independente. CONCLUSãO: Nesta população, a prevalência de diabetes mellitus gestacional foi de 5,4%. Idade materna e sobrepeso pré-gestacional foram fatores preditivos para diabetes gestacional.

Severe lower respiratory tract infection in infants and toddlers from a non-affluent population: viral etiology and co-detection as risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is a major cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality, especially among non-affluent communities. In this study we determine the impact of respiratory viruses and how viral co-detections/infections can affect clinical LRTI severity in children in a hospital setting. METHODS: Patients younger than 3 years of age admitted to a tertiary hospital in Brazil during the months of high prevalence of respiratory viruses had samples collected from nasopharyngeal aspiration. These samples were tested for 13 different respiratory viruses through real-time PCR (rt-PCR). Patients were followed during hospitalization, and clinical data and population characteristics were collected during that period and at discharge to evaluate severity markers, especially length of hospital stay and oxygen use. Univariate regression analyses identified potential risk factors and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the impact of specific viral detections as well as viral co-detections in relation to clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We analyzed 260 episodes of LRTI with a viral detection rate of 85% (n = 222). Co-detection was observed in 65% of all virus-positive episodes. The most prevalent virus was Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (54%), followed by Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) (32%) and Human Rhinovirus (HRV) (21%). In the multivariate models, infants with co-detection of HRV + RSV stayed 4.5 extra days (p = 0.004), when compared to infants without the co-detection. The same trends were observed for the outcome of days of supplemental oxygen use. CONCLUSIONS: Although RSV remains as the main cause of LRTI in infants our study indicates an increase in the length of hospital stay and oxygen use in infants with HRV detected by RT-PCR compared to those without HRV. Moreover, one can speculate that when HRV is detected simultaneously with RSV there is an additive effect that may be reflected in more severe clinical outcome. Also, our study identified a significant number of children infected by recently identified viruses, such as hMPV and Human Bocavirus (HBov), and this is a novel finding for poor communities from developing countries.

Urban air pollutants are significant risk factors for asthma and pneumonia in children: the influence of location on the measurement of pollutants.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution is associated with a substantial burden on human health; however, the most important pollutants may vary with location. Proper monitoring is necessary to determine the effect of these pollutants on respiratory health. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the role of outdoor, indoor and personal exposure to combustion-related pollutants NO(2) and O(3) on respiratory health of children in a non-affluent urban area of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Levels of NO(2) and O(3) were continuously measured in outdoor and indoor air, as well as personal exposure, for 30 days using passive measurement monitors. Respiratory health was assessed with a Brazilian version of the ISAAC questionnaire. RESULTS: Complete data were available from 64 children, aged 6-10 years. Respiratory morbidity was high, with 43 (67.2%) reporting having had wheezing at any time, 27 (42.2%) wheezing in the last month, 17 (26.6%) asthma at any time and 21 (32.8%) pneumonia at any time. Correlations between levels of NO(2) and O(3) measured in the three locations evaluated were poor. Levels of NO(2) in indoor air and personal exposure to O(3) were independently associated with asthma (both cases P=.02), pneumonia (O(3), P=.02) and wheezing at any time (both cases P<.01). No associations were seen between outdoor NO(2) and O(3) and respiratory health. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to higher levels of NO(2) and O(3) was associated with increased risk for asthma and pneumonia in children. Nonetheless, the place where the pollutants are measured influences the results. The measurements taken in indoor and personal exposure were the most accurate.