Maternal health surveillance panel: a tool for expanding epidemiological surveillance of women's health and its determinants.

OBJECTIVE: To present the methodology used in the development of two products for maternal health surveillance and its determinants and discuss their possible uses. METHODS: Based on a theoretical model of the determinants of maternal death and databases of Brazilian health information systems, two free products were developed: an interactive panel "surveillance of maternal health" and an educational material "Aparecida: a story about the vulnerability of Brazilian women to maternal death", both available on the website of the Brazilian Obstetric Observatory. RESULTS: More than 30 indicators were calculated for the period 2012-2020, containing information on socioeconomic conditions and access to health services, reproductive planning, prenatal care, delivery care, conditions of birth and maternal mortality and morbidity. The indicators related to severe maternal morbidity in public hospitalizations stand out, calculated for the first time for the country. The panel allows analysis by municipality or aggregated by health region, state, macro-region and country; historical series analysis; and comparisons across locations and with benchmarks. Information quality data are presented and discussed in an integrated manner with the indicators. In the educational material, visualizations with national and international data are presented, aiming to help in the understanding of the determinants of maternal death and facilitate the interpretation of the indicators. CONCLUSION: It is expected that the two products have the potential to expand epidemiological surveillance of maternal health and its determinants, contributing to the formulation of health policies and actions that promote women's health and reduce maternal mortality.

Maternal health surveillance panel: a tool for expanding epidemiological surveillance of women's health and its determinants / Painel de vigilância da saúde materna: uma ferramenta para ampliação da vigilância epidemiológica da saúde das mulheres e seus determinantes

ABSTRACT Objective: To present the methodology used in the development of two products for maternal health surveillance and its determinants and discuss their possible uses. Methods: Based on a theoretical model of the determinants of maternal death and databases of Brazilian health information systems, two free products were developed: an interactive panel "surveillance of maternal health" and an educational material "Aparecida: a story about the vulnerability of Brazilian women to maternal death", both available on the website of the Brazilian Obstetric Observatory. Results: More than 30 indicators were calculated for the period 2012-2020, containing information on socioeconomic conditions and access to health services, reproductive planning, prenatal care, delivery care, conditions of birth and maternal mortality and morbidity. The indicators related to severe maternal morbidity in public hospitalizations stand out, calculated for the first time for the country. The panel allows analysis by municipality or aggregated by health region, state, macro-region and country; historical series analysis; and comparisons across locations and with benchmarks. Information quality data are presented and discussed in an integrated manner with the indicators. In the educational material, visualizations with national and international data are presented, aiming to help in the understanding of the determinants of maternal death and facilitate the interpretation of the indicators. Conclusion: It is expected that the two products have the potential to expand epidemiological surveillance of maternal health and its determinants, contributing to the formulation of health policies and actions that promote women's health and reduce maternal mortality.

RESUME Objetivo: Apresentar a metodologia utilizada no desenvolvimento de dois produtos para a vigilância da saúde materna e seus determinantes e discutir as suas possíveis utilizações. Métodos: A partir de modelo teórico dos determinantes do óbito materno e bases de dados dos sistemas de informação em saúde brasileiros, foram desenvolvidos dois produtos gratuitos: um painel interativo denominado "Vigilância da saúde materna" e um material educativo chamado "Aparecida: uma história sobre a vulnerabilidade da mulher brasileira à morte materna", ambos disponíveis no site do Observatório Obstétrico Brasileiro. Resultados: Foram calculados mais de 30 indicadores para o período 2012-2020, contendo informações sobre condições socioeconômicas e de acesso a serviços de saúde, planejamento reprodutivo, assistência pré-natal, assistência ao parto, condições de nascimento e mortalidade e morbidade materna. Destacam-se os indicadores relacionados à morbidade materna grave em internações públicas, calculados pela primeira vez para o país. O painel permite análises por município ou agregadas por região de saúde, unidade da federação, macrorregião e país; análises de série histórica; e comparações entre localidades e com padrões de referência. Dados de qualidade da informação são apresentados e discutidos de forma integrada aos indicadores. No material educativo, visualizações com dados nacionais e internacionais são apresentadas, visando auxiliar na compreensão dos determinantes do óbito materno e facilitar a interpretação dos indicadores. Conclusão: Espera-se que os produtos tenham o potencial de ampliar a vigilância epidemiológica da saúde materna e seus determinantes, contribuindo para a formulação de políticas e ações de saúde que promovam a saúde das mulheres e reduzam a mortalidade materna.

Cardiovascular diseases worsen the maternal prognosis of COVID-19.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a risk factor for severe cases of COVID-19. There are no studies evaluating whether the presence of CVD in pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19 is associated with a worse prognosis. In an anonymized open database of the Ministry of Health, we selected cases of pregnant and postpartum women who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection and with data regarding their CVD status. In the SIVEP GRIPE data dictionary, CVD is defined as "presence of cardiovascular disease", excluding those of neurological and nephrological causes that are pointed out in another field. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of CVD (CVD and non-CVD groups). Among the 1,876,953 reported cases, 3,562 confirmed cases of pregnant and postpartum women were included, of which 602 had CVD. Patients with CVD had an older age (p<0,001), a higher incidence of diabetes (p<0,001) and obesity (p<0,001), a higher frequency of systemic (p<0,001) and respiratory symptoms (p<0,001). CVD was a risk factor for ICU admission (p<0,001), ventilatory support (p = 0.004) and orotracheal intubation in the third trimester (OR 1.30 CI95%1.04-1.62). The group CVD had a higher mortality (18.9% vs. 13.5%, p<0,001), with a 32% higher risk of death (OR 1.32 CI95%1.16-1.50). Moreover, the risk was increased in the second (OR 1.94 CI95%1.43-2.63) and third (OR 1.29 CI95%1.04-1.60) trimesters, as well as puerperium (OR 1.27 CI95%1.03-1.56). Hospitalized obstetric patients with CVD and COVID-19 are more symptomatic. Their management demand more ICU admission and ventilatory support and the mortality is higher.

COVID-19: Impact of Original, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Pregnant and Postpartum Women.

This study compares the clinical characteristics and disease progression among vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant and postpartum women who tested positive for different variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using the Brazilian epidemiological data. Data of pregnant or postpartum patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and presenting with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from February 2020 to July 2022 were extracted from Brazilian national database. The patients were grouped based on vaccination status and viral variant (original, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants), and their demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, symptoms, and outcomes were compared retrospectively. Data of 10,003 pregnant and 2361 postpartum women were extracted from the database. For unvaccinated postpartum women, intensive care unit (ICU) admission was more likely; invasive ventilation need was more probable if they tested positive for the original, Gamma, and Omicron variants; and chances of death were higher when infected with the original and Gamma variants than when infected with other variants. Vaccinated patients had reduced adverse outcome probability, including ICU admission, invasive ventilation requirement, and death. Postpartum women showed worse outcomes, particularly when unvaccinated, than pregnant women. Hence, vaccination of pregnant and postpartum women should be given top priority.

Association between preterm births and socioeconomic development: analysis of national data.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of preterm birth, which is a global phenomenon, is attributable to the increased medical indications, artificial gestations, and some socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted to identify whether development and equality indices are associated with the incidence of preterm birth, specifically, spontaneous and elective preterm births. METHODS: This retrospective observational study comprised an analysis of data on live births from 2019 in Brazil and on socioeconomic indices that were derived from census information in 2017. Data were summarised using absolute and relative frequencies. Spearman's correlation was used to determine the correlation between socioeconomic factors and the preterm birth rate. Multiple beta regression analysis was performed to determine the best model of socioeconomic covariates and preterm birth rate. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: In 2019 in Brazil, the preterm birth rate was 11.03%, of which 58% and 42% were spontaneous and elective deliveries, respectively. For all preterm births, Spearman's correlation varied from ρ = 0.4 for the Gini Index and ρ = - 0.24 for illiteracy. The best fit modelled the spontaneous preterm birth fraction as a negative function of the Human Development Index (HDI). The best-fit model considered the expected elective preterm birth fraction as a positive function of the HDI and as a negative function of the Gini Index, which was used as a precision parameter. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a reduction in the fraction of spontaneous preterm births; however, the distribution was not uniform in the territory: higher rates of spontaneous preterm birth were noticed in the north, northeast, and mid-west regions. Thus, areas with lower education levels and inequal income distribution have a higher proportion of spontaneous preterm birth. The fraction of elective preterm birth was positively associated with more advantaged indices of socioeconomic status.

Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of pregnant and postpartum women who died from severe acute respiratory syndrome in Brazil: A retrospective cohort study comparing COVID-19 and nonspecific etiologic causes.

The objective of this study is to compare the demographic characteristics and symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women who died from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) caused by COVID-19 or by nonspecific cause in different states of Brazil. This is a retrospective cohort study and the analysis was conducted on SARS death records between 02/16/2020 and 04/17/2021, obtained from the Information System for the Epidemiological Surveillance of Influenza (Sistema de Informação da Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe, SIVEP-Gripe). Pregnant and postpartum women, aged between 10 and 55 years, who died from SARS, were included and classified into two groups: SARS due to confirmed COVID-19 or SARS due to nonspecific cause. The cases were analyzed according to the women's demographic and epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms, risk factors and disease evolution. As results, 19,333 pregnant and postpartum women were identified. From these, 1,279 died (1,026 deaths from COVID-19 and 253 deaths from SARS with nonspecific cause). The groups showed significant differences in age, education, race, and occurrence of obesity and chronic lung disease. The group of women who died from confirmed COVID-19 presented a significantly higher frequency of symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste, and loss of smell, as well as a higher rate of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Data analysis draws attention to the high number of cases of SARS without a causal diagnosis, the low access to ICU and orotracheal intubation (OTI), which might be explained by the demographic and regional inequalities in the access to healthcare.

The Effect of Being Pregnant during Respiratory Pandemics: A Comparison between 2009/10 Flu and 2020/21 COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil.

Pregnant women undergo physiological changes that make them a challenging group of patients during pandemic respiratory diseases, as previously found during H1N1 2009 pandemic and recently ratified in COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis on 5888 hospitalized women for H1N1 flu pandemic (2190 pregnant and 3698 non-pregnant) and 64,515 hospitalized women for COVID-19 pandemic (5151 pregnant and 59,364 non-pregnant), from the Brazilian national database, to compare demographic profile, clinical aspects, and mortality in childbearing aged women during both pandemics. Additionally, the effect of being pregnant was compared between both pandemics. In both pandemics, pregnant women were younger than non-pregnant women. Overall, pregnant women had lower frequencies of comorbidities and were less symptomatic. Among hospitalized women, pregnant women presented lower mortality rates than non-pregnant women (9.7% vs. 12.6%, p = 0.002 in the H1N1 pandemic and 9.7% vs. 17.4%, p < 0.001 in the COVID-19 pandemic) and this difference was statistically more pronounced in the COVID-19 pandemic, even after balancing pregnant and non-pregnant groups regarding age and chronic diseases.

The Influenza Vaccine May Protect Pregnant and Postpartum Women against Severe COVID-19.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has imposed a huge challenge on the antenatal care of pregnant women worldwide, with the maternal mortality rate being raised to alarming levels. While COVID-19 vaccines were developed, some studies highlighted a possible relationship between influenza vaccination and lower odds of COVID-19 infection. As obstetric patients belong to a high-risk group for respiratory diseases, this study evaluated whether influenza vaccination reduces the severity of COVID-19 infection and mortality among pregnant and postpartum women. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 3370 pregnant and postpartum women from the Brazilian national database, where they were grouped according to their influenza vaccination status before the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. The intensive care unit admission and intubation rates were significantly higher among subjects in the unvaccinated group (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The odds of mortality risk among those who received the vaccine was 0.33, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.23-0.47. The numbers of patients who needed to be vaccinated to avoid a case of intensive care unit admission, intubation, or death due to COVID-19 were 11, 15, and 11, respectively. Influenza vaccines could confer protection against severe COVID-19 infection in pregnant and postpartum women.

COVID-19 outcomes in hospitalized puerperal, pregnant, and neither pregnant nor puerperal women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare hospitalized reproductive age women with COVID-19 who were pregnant, puerperal, or neither one nor the other in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics and disease progression using Brazilian epidemiological data. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the records of the Information System of the Epidemiological Surveillance of Influenza of the Health Ministry of Brazil was performed. It included the data of female patients aged 10 to 49 years hospitalized because of severe COVID-19 disease (RT-PCR+ for SARS-CoV-2), from February 17, 2020 to January 02, 2021. They were separated into 3 groups: pregnant, puerperal, and neither pregnant nor puerperal. General comparisons and then adjustments for confounding variables (propensity score matching [PSM]) were made, using demographic and clinical characteristics, disease progression (admission to the intensive care unit [ICU] and invasive or noninvasive ventilatory support), and outcome (cure or death). Deaths were analyzed in each group according to comorbidities, invasive or noninvasive ventilatory support, and admission to the ICU. RESULTS: As many as 40,640 reproductive age women hospitalized for COVID-19 were identified: 3,372 were pregnant, 794 were puerperal, and 36,474 were neither pregnant nor puerperal. Groups were significantly different in terms of demographic data and comorbidities (p<0.0001). Pregnant and puerperal women were less likely to be symptomatic than the women who were neither one nor the other (72.1%, 69.7% and 88.8%, respectively). Pregnant women, however, had a higher frequency of anosmia, and ageusia than the others. After PSM, puerperal women had a worse prognosis than pregnant women with respect to admission to the ICU, invasive ventilatory support, and death, with OR (95% CI) 1.97 (1.55 - 2.50), 2.71 (1.78 - 4.13), and 2.51 (1.79 - 3.52), respectively. CONCLUSION: Puerperal women were at a higher risk for serious outcomes (need for the ICU, need for invasive and noninvasive ventilatory support, and death) than pregnant women.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors at the implantation site in ampullary ectopic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the qualitative and semi-quantitative expression of metalloproteinases (MMP) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP) in trophoblastic tissue during ampullary ectopic pregnancies and correlated that expression with the degree of tubal invasion. STUDY DESIGN: It is a prospective study that included 34 patients diagnosed with ampullary tubal pregnancy who underwent salpingectomy. A histological evaluation of the depth of trophoblastic invasion in the tubes obtained was performed. Subsequently, the expression of the MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 markers was qualitatively and semi-quantitatively evaluated by indirect immunohistochemistry. In addition, the degree of trophoblastic invasion was correlated with the expression of each marker and with the metalloproteinase/inhibitor ratios. RESULTS: MMP-2 (11.2 %; 3.6-17.9) was the marker with greater expression at the implantation site, both in the qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment, while MMP-9 (2.23 %; 0.2-5.4) and TIMP-3 (2.53 %; 0.1-15.3) were only weakly expressed. CONCLUSION: There was wide variation in expression among the markers and metalloproteinase/inhibitor ratios studied compared to the degrees of invasion.

Women's obstetric history and midtrimester cervical length measurements by 2d/3d and doppler ultrasound / História obstétrica e medida do comprimento do colo uterino de mulheres no segundo trimestre gestacional por ultrassonografia bi/tridimensional e Doppler

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to compare the obstetric history and both two- and tri-dimensional ultrasound parameters according to different cervical lengths. Methods The present cross-sectional study analyzed 248 midtrimester pregnant women according to cervical length and compared the data with the obstetric history and 2D/3D ultrasound parameters. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to cervical length: The Short Cervix group for cervical lengths ≥ 15mm and< 25mm(n= 68), the Very Short Cervix group for cervical lengths< 15mm (n = 18) and the Control group, composed of 162 pregnant women with uterine cervical lengths ≥ 25mm. Results When analyzing the obstetric history of only non-nulliparous patients, a significant association between the presence of a short cervix in the current pregnancy and at least one previous preterm birth was reported (p = 0.021). Cervical length and volume were positively correlated (Pearson coefficient = 0.587, p < 0.0001). The flow index (FI) parameter of cervical vascularization was significantly different between the Control and Very Short Cervix groups. However, after linear regression, in the presence of volume information, we found no association between the groups and FI. Uterine artery Doppler was also not related to cervical shortening. Conclusion The present study showed a significant association between the presence of a short cervix in the current pregnancy and at least one previous preterm birth. None of the vascularization indexes correlate with cervical length as an independent parameter. Uterine artery Doppler findings do not correlate with cervical length.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a história obstétrica e os parâmetros bi- e tridimensionais ultrassonográficos de acordo com os diferentes comprimentos cervicais. Métodos O presente estudo transversal analisou 248 gestantes no segundo trimestre de acordo com o comprimento cervical e comparou os dados com a história obstétrica e os parâmetros ultrassonográficos 2D/3D. As pacientes foram divididas em 3 grupos de acordo com o comprimento do colo uterino: grupo Colo Curto para comprimentos cervicais ≥ 15mm e < 25mm (n = 68), grupo Colo Muito Curto para comprimentos cervicais < 15mm (n = 18) e grupo Controle, composto por 162 gestantes com comprimento cervical uterino ≥ 25 mm. Resultados Ao analisar a história obstétrica apenas de pacientes não nulíparas, foi relatadauma associação significativa entre a presença de colo uterino curto na gravidez atual e pelo menos um episódio de parto prematuro anterior (p = 0,021). Comprimento e volume do colo uterino foram correlacionados positivamente (coeficiente de Pearson = 0,587, p < 0,0001). O parâmetro índice de fluxo (IF) da vascularização cervical foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos Controle e Colo Muito Curto. Entretanto, após regressão linear, na presença de informações de volume, não encontramos associação entre os grupos e o parâmetro IF. Também não foi encontrada relação entre o Doppler da artéria uterina e o encurtamento cervical. Conclusão O presente estudo mostrou uma associação significativa entre a presença de colo uterino curto na gravidez atual e pelo menos um episódio de parto prematuro anterior. Nenhum dos índices de vascularização se correlaciona com o comprimento cervical como parâmetro independente, assim como o Doppler da artéria uterina também não está relacionado ao comprimento do colo uterino.

Women's Obstetric History and Midtrimester Cervical Length Measurements by 2D/3D and Doppler Ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the obstetric history and both two- and tri-dimensional ultrasound parameters according to different cervical lengths. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study analyzed 248 midtrimester pregnant women according to cervical length and compared the data with the obstetric history and 2D/3D ultrasound parameters. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to cervical length: The Short Cervix group for cervical lengths ≥ 15 mm and < 25 mm (n = 68), the Very Short Cervix group for cervical lengths < 15 mm (n = 18) and the Control group, composed of 162 pregnant women with uterine cervical lengths ≥ 25 mm. RESULTS: When analyzing the obstetric history of only non-nulliparous patients, a significant association between the presence of a short cervix in the current pregnancy and at least one previous preterm birth was reported (p = 0.021). Cervical length and volume were positively correlated (Pearson coefficient = 0.587, p < 0.0001). The flow index (FI) parameter of cervical vascularization was significantly different between the Control and Very Short Cervix groups. However, after linear regression, in the presence of volume information, we found no association between the groups and FI. Uterine artery Doppler was also not related to cervical shortening. CONCLUSION: The present study showed a significant association between the presence of a short cervix in the current pregnancy and at least one previous preterm birth. None of the vascularization indexes correlate with cervical length as an independent parameter. Uterine artery Doppler findings do not correlate with cervical length.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a história obstétrica e os parâmetros bi- e tridimensionais ultrassonográficos de acordo com os diferentes comprimentos cervicais. MéTODOS: O presente estudo transversal analisou 248 gestantes no segundo trimestre de acordo com o comprimento cervical e comparou os dados com a história obstétrica e os parâmetros ultrassonográficos 2D/3D. As pacientes foram divididas em 3 grupos de acordo com o comprimento do colo uterino: grupo Colo Curto para comprimentos cervicais ≥ 15 mm e < 25 mm (n = 68), grupo Colo Muito Curto para comprimentos cervicais < 15 mm (n = 18) e grupo Controle, composto por 162 gestantes com comprimento cervical uterino ≥ 25 mm. RESULTADOS: Ao analisar a história obstétrica apenas de pacientes não nulíparas, foi relatada uma associação significativa entre a presença de colo uterino curto na gravidez atual e pelo menos um episódio de parto prematuro anterior (p = 0,021). Comprimento e volume do colo uterino foram correlacionados positivamente (coeficiente de Pearson = 0,587, p < 0,0001). O parâmetro índice de fluxo (IF) da vascularização cervical foi significativamente diferente entre os grupos Controle e Colo Muito Curto. Entretanto, após regressão linear, na presença de informações de volume, não encontramos associação entre os grupos e o parâmetro IF. Também não foi encontrada relação entre o Doppler da artéria uterina e o encurtamento cervical. CONCLUSãO: O presente estudo mostrou uma associação significativa entre a presença de colo uterino curto na gravidez atual e pelo menos um episódio de parto prematuro anterior. Nenhum dos índices de vascularização se correlaciona com o comprimento cervical como parâmetro independente, assim como o Doppler da artéria uterina também não está relacionado ao comprimento do colo uterino.

Kidney impairment in fetal growth restriction: three-dimensional evaluation of volume and vascularization.

OBJECTIVES: Renal development is impaired in fetal growth restriction (FGR). Renal size can be considered a surrogate of renal function in childhood, and could be impaired in that condition. Our aim was to evaluate the ratio of total renal volume, measured by three-dimensional ultrasound, to estimated fetal weight (TRV/EFW) among fetuses with and without growth restriction. Furthermore, we correlated TRV/EFW with fetal Doppler velocimetry and renal vascularization indexes and evaluated the association of renal volume and vascular parameters with adverse neonatal events in growth-restricted fetuses. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort, TRV and renal vascularization of growth-restricted and normal fetuses were evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasonography and VOCAL technique. Independent samples t-tests and Mann-Whitney test were used for comparisons between groups. Logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the association between renal characteristics and adverse neonatal events. RESULTS: Seventy-one growth-restricted fetuses were compared to 194 controls. The TRV/EFW was lower in the growth-restricted group (P < .001). In our sample, this ratio did not correlate with Doppler velocimetry parameters, renal vascular indexes or any adverse neonatal events. CONCLUSION: The TRV/EFW ratio is decreased in FGR. Further studies are needed to investigate the association of this ratio with long-term renal outcomes.

Data Science: Measuring Uncertainties.

With the increase in data processing and storage capacity, a large amount of data is available [...].

Longitudinal study of individually adjusted fetal growth.

OBJECTIVE: To construct individualized fetal growth curves estimated by ultrasound parameters adjusted for maternal and fetal characteristics. METHODS: Data were retrospectively assessed from serial ultrasonographic examinations of singleton pregnancies at 12-42 gestational weeks among women without maternal or fetal conditions and full-term delivery at the University Hospital of University of São Paulo between July 1, 2014, and December 31, 2017. Measurements included biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length. Mixed linear regression was used to model the ultrasound biometric parameters as a function of gestational age, parity, maternal height, pre-pregnancy weight, and fetal sex. RESULTS: In total, data were assessed from 1445 examinations of 434 pregnancies meeting the inclusion criteria. The estimated fetal weight model included gestational age, fetal sex, maternal height, and pre-pregnancy body mass index as covariates. The model enabled the construction of individual estimated fetal weight curves with respective percentiles covering 12-42 gestational weeks using maternal and fetal characteristics. CONCLUSION: The growth curves, which are based on a sample of the Brazilian population with low risk of maternal or fetal morbidity and mortality, will make it possible to determine whether a fetus is achieving ideal growth potential according to maternal and fetal characteristics.

Emergency cerclage: gestational and neonatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The gestational and neonatal outcomes of women with early cervical dilatation undergoing emergency cerclage were evaluated and compared with women treated with expectant management and bed rest. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of pregnant women admitted between 2001 and 2017 with a diagnosis of early cervical dilatation and/or bulging membranes. Patients with a singleton pregnancy of a fetus without malformations, between 16 and 25 weeks and 6 days, with cervical dilatation of 1 to 3 cm were included; patients who delivered or miscarried within 2 days after admission were excluded. RESULTS: The study enrolled 30 patients: 19 in the cerclage group and 11 in the rest group. There was a significant difference, with the cerclage group showing better results concerning gestational age at delivery (28.7 vs. 23.3 weeks; p=0.031) and latency between hospital admission and delivery (48.6 vs. 16 days; p=0.016). The fetal death rate was lower in the cerclage group (5.3% vs. 54.5%, p=0.004). Considering gestational age at delivery of live newborns, no difference was observed between the cerclage and rest groups (29.13 vs. 27.4 weeks; p=0.857). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency cerclage was associated with longer latency, a significant impact on gestational age at delivery and reduction in the fetal death rate.

Emergency cerclage: gestational and neonatal outcomes

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The gestational and neonatal outcomes of women with early cervical dilatation undergoing emergency cerclage were evaluated and compared with women treated with expectant management and bed rest. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of pregnant women admitted between 2001 and 2017 with a diagnosis of early cervical dilatation and/or bulging membranes. Patients with a singleton pregnancy of a fetus without malformations, between 16 and 25 weeks and 6 days, with cervical dilatation of 1 to 3 cm were included; patients who delivered or miscarried within 2 days after admission were excluded. RESULTS: The study enrolled 30 patients: 19 in the cerclage group and 11 in the rest group. There was a significant difference, with the cerclage group showing better results concerning gestational age at delivery (28.7 vs. 23.3 weeks; p=0.031) and latency between hospital admission and delivery (48.6 vs. 16 days; p=0.016). The fetal death rate was lower in the cerclage group (5.3% vs. 54.5%, p=0.004). Considering gestational age at delivery of live newborns, no difference was observed between the cerclage and rest groups (29.13 vs. 27.4 weeks; p=0.857). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency cerclage was associated with longer latency, a significant impact on gestational age at delivery and reduction in the fetal death rate.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Os resultados gestacionais e neonatais de mulheres com cervicodilatação precoce submetidas à cerclagem de emergência foram avaliados e comparados com mulheres tratadas com manejo expectante com repouso no leito. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de gestantes admitidas entre 2001 e 2017 com diagnóstico de cervicodilatação precoce e/ou membranas protrusas. Foram incluídas pacientes com gestação única de feto sem malformações, entre 16 semanas e 25 semanas e 6 dias, com dilatação cervical de 1 a 3 cm; as pacientes que tiveram parto ou aborto dentro de 2 dias após admissão foram excluídas. RESULTADOS: O estudo envolveu 30 pacientes: 19 no grupo cerclagem e 11 no grupo repouso. Houve diferença significativa, com o grupo cerclagem apresentando melhores resultados em relação à idade gestacional no parto (28,7 vs. 23,3 semanas; p=0,031) e à latência entre a admissão hospitalar e o parto (48,6 vs. 16 dias; p=0,016). A taxa de mortalidade fetal foi menor no grupo cerclagem (5,3% vs. 54,5%, p=0,004). Considerando a idade gestacional no nascimento dos recém-nascidos vivos, não houve diferença entre os grupos cerclagem e expectante (29,13 vs. 27,4 semanas; p=0,857). CONCLUSÕES: A cerclagem de emergência foi associada a maior período de latência com impacto significativo na idade gestacional do parto e à redução da taxa de mortalidade fetal.

An unfavorable intrauterine environment may determine renal functional capacity in adulthood: a meta-analysis.

Since studies show that an unfavorable environment during intrauterine development predisposes individuals to several diseases in adulthood, our objective is to assess the relation between fetal growth restriction and chronic renal disease in adults. We searched four different electronic databases through November 2017: CENTRAL, EMBASE, LILACS and MEDLINE. We selected studies with longitudinal or transversal designs associating kidney function in adulthood with low birth weight. Two reviewers evaluated the inclusion criteria and the risk of bias and extracted data from the included papers. Thirteen studies were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. We observed increased risks of presenting end-stage renal disease (risk ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.17, 1.47), a lower glomerular filtration rate (ml/min) (mean difference 7.14; 95% confidence interval: -12.12, -2.16), microalbuminuria (risk ratio 1.40; 95% confidence interval: 1.28, 1.52) and a small increase in the albumin/creatinine ratio (mean difference 0.46; 95% confidence interval: 0.03, 0.90) in the low birth weight patients, compared with control group. These findings suggest that low birth weight is associated with renal dysfunction in adults.