Urological outcomes in children with congenital Zika syndrome: The experience of a cohort in Campina Grande, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the urological outcomes in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and investigate the relationship between clinical and urological findings in this population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved children with CZS followed up by a referral centre for children with microcephaly in the state of Paraiba in northeast Brazil. The urological evaluation included clinical history, urine culture results, ultrasonography of the urinary tract, and urodynamic evaluation, following the protocol proposed by Costa Monteiro et al. (2017). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed in addition to association and correlation tests, considering clinical and urodynamic variables. RESULTS: Among the 88 children with CZS (35.5 ± 5.5 months), 97.7% had microcephaly, and 51% presented urinary tract infection (UTI) confirmed with clinical history and lab tests. The number of confirmed UTI episodes varied from one to 14 per child. The urodynamic evaluation confirmed the presence of an overactive bladder in 78 children and incomplete voiding in 50. Urodynamic findings were associated with the number of confirmed UTI episodes, child's sex, and actual weight, in addition to the use of anticonvulsant and myorelaxant drugs. CONCLUSIONS: UTIs were confirmed in most children. Other urological outcomes observed were overactive bladder and low bladder capacity, which were associated with the number of confirmed UTI episodes, use of anticonvulsants and myorelaxants, and the child's sex and weight. These are treatable conditions, and it is paramount that paediatricians, neonatologists, and infectious disease specialists are aware of them to make clinical decisions and help reduce the risk of renal damage and other morbidities.

Misoprostol administered sublingually at a dose of 12.5 µg versus vaginally at a dose of 25 µg for the induction of full-term labor: a randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Various methods are currently used for the induction of labor. Nevertheless, the most effective method with the fewest side effects remains to be established. Misoprostol, administered vaginally, has been routinely used for this purpose; however, other forms of administration are being proposed, including the use of sublingual tablets. No studies have yet compared the effectiveness and safety of 12.5-µg misoprostol administered sublingually compared to a 25-µg vaginal dose of the drug for the induction of labor. METHODS: A triple-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial will be conducted in Brazil at the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira and at the Assis Chateaubriand Maternity Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Ceará. A total of 140 patients with full-term pregnancies, a live fetus, a Bishop score ≤ 6 and a recommendation of induction of labor will be randomized to one of two groups. One group will receive 12.5-µg sublingual tablets of misoprostol and placebo vaginal tablets, while the other group will receive placebo sublingual tablets and vaginal tablets containing 25 µg of misoprostol. The principal endpoint is the rate of tachysystole. The secondary endpoints are vaginal delivery within 24 h of induction, uterine hyperstimulation, Cesarean section, severe neonatal morbidity or perinatal death, severe maternal morbidity or maternal death, and maternal preference regarding the route of administration of the drug. Student's t-test, and the chi-square test of association or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, will be used in the data analysis. Risk ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals will be calculated. DISCUSSION: Misoprostol has been identified as a safe, inexpensive, easily administered option for the induction of labor, with satisfactory results. An experimental study has shown that misoprostol administered sublingually at a dose of 25 µg appears to be effective and is associated with greater maternal satisfaction when labor is induced in women with an unfavorable cervix. Nevertheless, the rate of tachysystole remains high; therefore, further studies are required to determine the ideal dose and the ideal interval of time between doses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT01406392 .

Congenital Brain Abnormalities and Zika Virus: What the Radiologist Can Expect to See Prenatally and Postnatally.

Purpose To document the imaging findings associated with congenital Zika virus infection as found in the Instituto de Pesquisa in Campina Grande State Paraiba (IPESQ) in northeastern Brazil, where the congenital infection has been particularly severe. Materials and Methods From June 2015 to May 2016, 438 patients were referred to the IPESQ for rash occurring during pregnancy or for suspected fetal central nervous system abnormality. Patients who underwent imaging at IPESQ were included, as well as those with documented Zika virus infection in fluid or tissue (n = 17, confirmed infection cohort) or those with brain findings suspicious for Zika virus infection, with intracranial calcifications (n = 28, presumed infection cohort). Imaging examinations included 12 fetal magnetic resonance (MR) examinations, 42 postnatal brain computed tomographic examinations, and 11 postnatal brain MR examinations. Images were reviewed by four radiologists, with final opinion achieved by means of consensus. Results Brain abnormalities seen in confirmed (n = 17) and presumed (n = 28) congenital Zika virus infections were similar, with ventriculomegaly in 16 of 17 (94%) and 27 of 28 (96%) infections, respectively; abnormalities of the corpus callosum in 16 of 17 (94%) and 22 of 28 (78%) infections, respectively; and cortical migrational abnormalities in 16 of 17 (94%) and 28 of 28 (100%) infections, respectively. Although most fetuses underwent at least one examination that showed head circumference below the 5th percentile, head circumference could be normal in the presence of severe ventriculomegaly (seen in three fetuses). Intracranial calcifications were most commonly seen at the gray matter-white matter junction, in 15 of 17 (88%) and 28 of 28 (100%) confirmed and presumed infections, respectively. The basal ganglia and/or thalamus were also commonly involved with calcifications in 11 of 17 (65%) and 18 of 28 (64%) infections, respectively. The skull frequently had a collapsed appearance with overlapping sutures and redundant skin folds and, occasionally, intracranial herniation of orbital fat and clot in the confluence of sinuses. Conclusion The spectrum of findings associated with congenital Zika virus infection in the IPESQ in northeastern Brazil is illustrated to aid the radiologist in identifying Zika virus infection at imaging. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection and human papillomavirus in women with cervical neoplasia in Pernambuco-Brazil.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common bacterial cause of sexually transmitted disease. High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is considered the main etiological agent for cervical neoplasia. Evidences showed that the presence of co-infection of CT and HR-HPV plays a central role in the etiology of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. The goals of this study were: evaluate the human papillomavirus (HPV) and CT prevalence among Brazilian women with abnormal cytology and provide the effect of this association on the severity of cervical neoplasia. The population of this study was composed by 142 women with incident histological incidence of CIN grades I, II, III or cervical cancer from Recife, Northeast of Brazil. The polymerase chain reaction method on a cervical brush specimen was used to detect both agents and the automatic sequencing method was used for HPV genotyping assay. The prevalence of HPV and CT was 100 and 24.65 %, respectively. Thirteen types of HPV were detected; HPV 16, 18, 31 and 33 were the most common. The most prevalent HPV types were HPV 16 and 18. A significant association between CT positive and HPV 16 infection was found (p < 0.0106; OR = 5.31; 95 % IC 1.59-17.67). In the study population, there was diversity of HPV infections, with high-risk types being the most common. Also, the data collected suggest that CT infection may play an important role in the natural history of HPV infection.

Factors associated with severe maternal morbidity and near miss in the São Francisco Valley, Brazil: a retrospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality remains a major public health issue worldwide, with persistent high rates prevailing principally in underdeveloped countries. The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors for severe maternal morbidity and near miss (SMM/NM) in pregnant and postpartum women at the maternity ward of the Dom Malan Hospital, Petrolina, in northeastern Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective, cohort study was conducted to evaluate the sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of the women. Patients who remained hospitalized at the end of the study period were excluded. Risk ratios (RR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated as a measure of relative risk. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression was also performed. Two-tailed p-values were used for all the tests and the significance level adopted was 5%. RESULTS: A total of 2,291 pregnant or postpartum women receiving care between May and August, 2011 were included. The frequencies of severe maternal morbidity and near miss were 17.5% and 1.0%, respectively. Following multivariate analysis, the factors that remained significantly associated with an increased risk of SMM/NM were a Cesarean section in the current pregnancy (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 2.0 - 3.3), clinical comorbidities (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 2.5 - 4.4), having attended fewer than six prenatal visits (OR: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.69) and the presence of the third delay (i.e. delay in receiving care at the health facility) (OR: 13.3; 95% CI: 6.7 - 26.4). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of SMM/NM was greater in women who had been submitted to a Cesarean section in the current pregnancy, in the presence of clinical comorbidities, fewer prenatal visits and when the third delay was present. All these factors could be minimized by initiating a broad debate on healthcare policies, introducing preventive measures and improving the training of the professionals and services providing obstetric care.

The profile of patients with postpartum hemorrhage admitted to the obstetric intensive care: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: In Brazil, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Data on the profile of women and risk factors associated with PPH are sparse. This study aimed to describe the profile and management of patients with PPH, and the association of risk factors for PPH with severe maternal outcomes (SMO). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP) obstetric intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2012 and March 2020, including patients who gave birth at the hospital and that were admitted with PPH to the ICU. Results: The study included 358 patients, of whom 245 (68.4%) delivered in the IMIP maternity, and 113 (31.6%) in other maternity. The mean age of the patients was 26.7 years, with up to eight years of education (46.1%) and a mean of six prenatal care. Uterine atony (72.9%) was the most common cause, 1.6% estimated blood loss, 2% calculated shock index (SI), 63.9% of patients received hemotransfusion, and 27% underwent hysterectomy. 136 cases of SMO were identified, 35.5% were classified as maternal near miss and 3.0% maternal deaths. Multiparity was associated with SMO as an antepartum risk factor (RR=1.83, 95% CI1.42-2.36). Regarding intrapartum risk factors, abruptio placentae abruption was associated with SMO (RR=2.2 95% CI1.75-2.81). Among those who had hypertension (49.6%) there was a lower risk of developing SMO. Conclusion: The principal factors associated with poor maternal outcome were being multiparous and placental abruption.

[Overview of long COVID in Brazil: a preliminary analysis of a survey to think about health policies]. / Panorama da COVID longa no Brasil: análise preliminar de um inquérito para pensar políticas de saúde.

Characterized by symptoms that remain or appear for the first time within three months of SARS-CoV-2 infection, long COVID can manifest itself in different ways, including in non-hospitalized or asymptomatic cases. Thus, this study offers an overview of long COVID in Brazil, especially of its diagnosis, symptoms, and challenges for new health management. Data from a study that investigated long COVID in people affected by COVID-19 were used. These original data stem from a survey with adult Brazilians (aged 18 years or older) who had COVID-19 that collected information from March 14 to April 14, 2022, by a questionnaire on social media. The questionnaire addressed sociodemographic characteristics, history of COVID-19 infections, vaccination against the disease, investigation of health status and quality of life before and after COVID-19, and search and access to treatment. Of the 1,728 respondents, 720 were considered eligible for analysis, of which 496 (69%) had long COVID. Individuals with long COVID reported clinical manifestations such as anxiety (80%), memory loss (78%), generalized pain (77%), lack of attention (75%), fatigue (73%), hair loss (71%), sleep changes (70%), mood swings (62%), malaise (60%), and joint pain (59%). Most sought health services during and after the acute phase of COVID-19 (94 and 80%, respectively), representing the need to structure the healthcare system for these patients.

Caracterizada por sintomas que permanecem ou aparecem pela primeira vez em até três meses após a infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2, a COVID longa pode se manifestar de diferentes formas, inclusive entre casos não hospitalizados ou assintomáticos. Nesse sentido, este artigo apresenta um panorama da COVID longa no Brasil, com ênfase no diagnóstico, nos sintomas e nos desafios para a nova gestão da saúde. Foram utilizados dados de um estudo realizado com objetivo de investigar a COVID longa em pessoas acometidas pela COVID-19, com dados originais de um inquérito com indivíduos brasileiros adultos (18 anos ou mais) que tiveram COVID-19, coletados entre 14 de março e 14 de abril de 2022, por meio de questionário divulgado em redes sociais. O questionário abordou características sociodemográficas, histórico de infecções por COVID-19, vacinação contra a doença, investigação da situação de saúde e da qualidade de vida antes e após a COVID-19, além da busca e acesso a tratamento. Dos 1.728 respondentes, 720 foram considerados elegíveis para a análise. Desses, 496 (69%) tiveram COVID longa. Os indivíduos com COVID longa reportaram manifestações clínicas como ansiedade (80%), perda de memória (78%), dor generalizada (77%), falta de atenção (75%), fadiga (73%), queda de cabelo (71%), alterações de sono (70%), alterações de humor (62%), indisposição (60%) e dor nas articulações (59%). A maioria procurou os serviços de saúde durante e após a fase aguda de COVID-19 (94% e 80%, respectivamente), o que representa a necessidade de estruturar o sistema de saúde para atender esses pacientes.

Caracterizado por síntomas que permanecen o aparecen por primera vez dentro de los tres meses posteriores a la infección por SARS-CoV-2, la COVID larga puede manifestarse de diferentes formas, incluso entre casos no hospitalizados o asintomáticos. En este sentido, este artículo presenta un panorama la COVID larga en Brasil, con énfasis en el diagnóstico, los síntomas y los desafíos para la nueva gestión de la salud. Se utilizaron datos de una encuesta realizada para investigar la COVID larga en personas afectadas por COVID-19. Se trata de datos originales de una encuesta con individuos brasileños adultos (18 años o más), que tuvieron COVID-19, con datos recolectados entre el 14 de marzo y el 14 de abril de 2022, por medio de un cuestionario divulgado en las redes sociales. El cuestionario abordó características sociodemográficas, historial de infecciones por COVID-19, vacunación contra la enfermedad, investigación de la situación de salud y de la calidad de vida antes y después de COVID-19, además de la búsqueda y acceso a tratamiento. De los 1.728 encuestados, 720 fueron considerados elegibles para el análisis. De ellos, 496 (69%) tenían COVID larga. Las personas con COVID larga informaron manifestaciones clínicas como ansiedad (80%), pérdida de memoria (78%), dolor generalizado (77%), falta de atención (75%), fatiga (73%), pérdida de cabello (71%), cambios en el sueño (70%), cambios de humor (62%), malestar (60%) y dolor en las articulaciones (59%). La mayoría recurrió a los servicios de salud durante y después de la fase aguda de COVID-19 (94% y 80%, respectivamente), lo que representa la necesidad de estructurar el sistema de salud para atender a estos pacientes.

Clonidine versus captopril for treatment of postpartum very high blood pressure: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (CLONCAP).

BACKGROUND: The behavior of arterial blood pressure in postpartum of women with hypertension and pregnancy and the best treatment for very high blood pressure in this period still need evidence. The Cochrane systematic review assessing prevention and treatment of postpartum hypertension found only two trials (120 patients) comparing hydralazine with nifedipine and labetalol for the treatment of severe hypertension and did not find enough evidence to know how best to treat women with hypertension after birth. Although studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of treatment with captopril, side effects were reported. Because of these findings, new classes of antihypertensive drugs began to be administered as an alternative therapy. Data on the role of clonidine in this particular group of patients, its effects in the short and long term are still scarce in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of clonidine, compared to captopril, for the treatment of postpartum very high blood pressure in women with hypertension in pregnancy. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is a triple blind randomized controlled trial including postpartum women with diagnosis of hypertension in pregnancy presenting very high blood pressure, and exclusion criteria will be presence of heart disease, smoking, use of illicit drugs, any contraindication to the use of captopril or clonidine and inability to receive oral medications.Eligible patients will be invited to participate and those who agree will be included in the study and receive captopril or clonidine according to a random list of numbers. The subjects will receive the study medication every 20 minutes until blood pressure is over 170 mmHg of systolic blood pressure and 110 mmHg diastolic blood pressure. A maximum of six pills a day for very high blood pressure will be administered. In case of persistent high blood pressure levels, other antihypertensive agents will be used.During the study the women will be subject to strict control of blood pressure and urine output. This proposal has already obtained approval of the local Institutional Review Board of the coordinating center (IMIP, Recife, Brazil) and of the National Council for Ethics in Research (CONEP) of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Register under the number NCT01761916.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in women with gestational trophoblastic disease compared to women who had a miscarriage: a cross-sectional study.

This study was conducted between March 2020 and February 2021 to analyze anxiety and depression symptoms in 64 women with gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) and 99 women who had miscarried. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was applied by telephone three months after pregnancy loss. Multivariate analysis was performed using hierarchical logistic regression to evaluate associations between variables. Probable anxiety (HADS-A ≥ 8) and depression (HADS-D ≥ 8) were found in 53.1% and 43.8% of the GTD group and 49.5% and 39.4% of the miscarriage group, with no difference between the groups. Severe symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A 15-21) and depression (HADS-D 15-21) were found, respectively, in 12.5% and 4.7% of the GTD group and in 9.1% and 4.0% of the miscarriage group, also with no difference between the groups. Lack of partner support proved a risk factor for anxiety and depression, while poor education increased the risk of depression symptoms 3.43-fold following pregnancy loss. In conclusion, three months after pregnancy loss the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms was similarly high in both groups, with poor education and lack of partner support being significant risk factors for the subsequent development of psychiatric morbidity.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Distancing on Motor Function and Growth of Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study.

This article describes the impact of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on the motor function and growth of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Children's motor function, weight, height and joint range of movement (ROM) were evaluated before the onset of the pandemic and soon after their return to face-to-face activities at a rehabilitation center. Fifty-two children (Mean 46.07 months, SD 3.76 months) were assessed. Results showed a reduction in proportion of children with adequate body mass index (p = .04), an increase in proportion with adequate height (p < 0.001), deterioration in gross motor function in children with severe motor impairment (p < .01), and a reduction in the maximum ROM for shoulder (p < .01) and wrist flexion (p = .046), elbow (p = .01), knee (p = .03) and ankle extension (p < .01), and an increase in hip flexion (p = .04). The social distancing period appears to have contributed to important losses in motor function and joint mobility of children with CZS; however, this period of time appeared to have less impact on their growth.

Agreement between methods for diagnosing HPV-induced anal lesions in women with cervical neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate agreement between 3 methods for screening anal intraepithelial lesions: anal cytology, anoscopy and human papillomavirus (HPV) detection by PCR. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective, cross-sectional study screened 324 women with cervical neoplasia for anal neoplasia. Agreement between methods was calculated using the κ coefficient. RESULTS: Of 324 anal cytologies performed, 31.5% (n = 102) were found to be abnormal: low-grade anal lesions were detected in 19.1% (n = 62) of cases, high-grade lesions in 3.1% (n = 10) and atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance in 9.3% (n = 30). With respect to the biopsies, 25.7% (n = 20) were positive, consisting of 7 cases of HPV infection, 5 anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) grade 1, 6 AIN grade 2, and 2 AIN grade 3. Twenty-one samples (6.5%) were inadequate for HPV analysis. Of the 303 adequate samples, 84.2% (n = 255) tested positive for HPV. Agreement between cytology and anoscopy was fair (κ = 0.31). Agreement between PCR for HPV and cytology was slight (κ = 0.08) and no agreement was found between PCR for HPV and anoscopy (κ = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Agreement between the different methods of diagnosing HPV-induced anal lesions is slight to fair; however, anal cytology permits identification of cases in which lesions are present, allowing them to be referred for anoscopy and biopsy.

[Prenatal care for normal-risk pregnant women by obstetric nurses and midwives: cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the Supplementary Health System in Brazil]. / Pré-natal de gestantes de risco habitual por enfermeira obstetra e obstetriz: custo-efetividade sob a perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar.

In several countries, primary care for pregnant women is performed by obstetric nurses and/or midwives. In Brazil's Supplementary Health System (private health insurance and out-of-pocket care), coverage of prenatal care is mandatory and is performed by medical obstetricians. The objective of this study is to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis, comparing clinical outcomes and costs associated with the incorporation of prenatal care by obstetric nurses and midwives in the Supplementary Health System, from the perspective of the operator of health plans as the payment source. A decision tree was built, based on data from a Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis that showed a reduction in the risk of premature birth in the group of normal-risk pregnant women accompanied by obstetric nurses and midwives. The analysis only considered the direct medical costs covered by health plan operators for essential appointments and tests, according to the prevailing Ministry of Health protocol. The study assumed equal unit costs of consultations by medical professionals and applied an increase in the overall cost of prenatal tests associated with medical follow-up, based on data from the literature. Incremental cost-effective ratio was estimated at -BRL 10,038.43 (savings of BRL 10,038.43) per premature birth avoided. This result was consistent with the sensitivity analyses, with savings associated with the substitution ranging from -BRL 2,544.60 to -BRL 31,807.46 per premature death avoided. In conclusion, prenatal care provided by obstetric nurses and midwives was superior to that provided by medical obstetricians for the prevention of premature birth, besides resulting in cost savings.

Em diversos países, a atenção primária às gestantes é conduzida por enfermeiras obstetras e/ou obstetrizes. No Sistema Suplementar de Saúde no Brasil, a cobertura da assistência pré-natal é obrigatória e realizada por médicos obstetras. O objetivo deste estudo é conduzir análise de custo-efetividade, comparando desfechos clínicos e custos associados à incorporação do pré-natal por enfermeiras obstetras e obstetrizes no âmbito do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar, sob a perspectiva da operadora de planos de saúde como fonte pagadora. Foi construída uma árvore de decisão, baseada nos dados de metanálise da Colaboração Cochrane que mostrou redução do risco de parto prematuro no grupo de gestantes de risco habitual acompanhado por enfermeiras obstetras e obstetrizes. Foram considerados apenas os custos médicos diretos cobertos pelas operadoras de planos de saúde para a realização de consultas e exames essenciais, conforme protocolo do Ministério da Saúde vigente. Assumiu-se custo unitário de consulta com cada profissional como iguais e aplicou-se um aumento do custo global com exames pré-natais associado ao acompanhamento médico, conforme dado obtido na literatura. Estimou-se a razão de custo-efetividade incremental de -R$ 10.038,43 (economia de R$ 10.038,43) por parto prematuro evitado. Esse resultado mostrou-se consistente nas análises de sensibilidade, com economias associadas à substituição variando de -R$ 2.544,60 até -R$ 31.807,46 por parto prematuro evitado. Como conclusão, observou-se que o cuidado pré-natal por enfermeiras obstetras e obstetrizes é superior ao prestado por médicos obstetras para o desfecho prevenção de parto prematuro, resultando ainda em economia de recursos.

En diversos países, la atención primaria a las gestantes se realiza con enfermeras obstetras y/o parteras. En el Sistema Suplementario de Salud en Brasil, la cobertura de la asistencia prenatal es obligatoria y la realizan médicos obstetras. El objetivo de este estudio es realizar un análisis de costo-efectividad, comparando resultados clínicos y costes asociados a la incorporación en el período prenatal de enfermeras obstetras y parteras, en el ámbito del Sistema de Salud Suplementaria, desde la perspectiva de una operadora de planes de salud como fuente pagadora. Se construyó un árbol de decisión, basado en datos de metaanálisis de la Colaboración Cochrane, que mostró una reducción del riesgo de parto prematuro en el grupo de gestantes de riesgo habitual, con un seguimiento de enfermeras obstetras y parteras. Se consideraron solo los costes médicos directos, cubiertos por las operadoras de planes de salud para la realización de consultas y exámenes esenciales, conforme el protocolo vigente del Ministerio de Salud. Se asumió el coste unitario de consulta con cada profesional como iguales, y se aplicó un aumento del coste global con exámenes prenatales asociado al seguimiento médico, conforme los datos obtenidos en la literatura. Se estimó la razón de costo-efectividad incremental de -BRL 10.038,43 (economía de BRL 10.038,43) por parto prematuro evitado. Este resultado se mostró consistente en los análisis de sensibilidad, con ahorros asociados a la sustitución, variando de -BRL 2.544,60 hasta -BRL 31.807,46 por parto prematuro evitado. Como conclusión, se observó que el cuidado prenatal por parte de enfermeras obstetras y parteras es superior al prestado por médicos obstetras para el desenlace de prevención de parto prematuro, resultando incluso en un ahorro de recursos.

Classification of Congenital Zika Syndrome: Muscle Tone, Motor Type, Body Segments Affected, and Gross Motor Function.

Aim: To identify abnormalities in muscle tone and motor function associated with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).Method: A cross-sectional observational study involving 96 children (55 males) with CZS at a mean (SD) age 35.2 ± 2.9 months. Children's muscle tone was investigated using the pull to sit, scarf sign, shoulder suspension and ventral suspension tests and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS). Motor impairment was determined using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and body segments most affected with motor impairment.Results: 58 (60,5%) children tested positive for ≥1 maneuver used to evaluate muscle tone, while 38 (39.5%) tested negative in all the tests. MAS score was >0 for at least one of the appendicular muscles in 91 children (94.8%). In 88 children (91.7%), all four limbs were affected.Conclusion: Findings suggestive of axial hypotonia and appendicular hypertonia associated with severe motor impairment were prevalent in children with CZS.

Zika Brazilian Cohorts (ZBC) Consortium: Protocol for an Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis of Congenital Zika Syndrome after Maternal Exposure during Pregnancy.

Despite great advances in our knowledge of the consequences of Zika virus to human health, many questions remain unanswered, and results are often inconsistent. The small sample size of individual studies has limited inference about the spectrum of congenital Zika manifestations and the prognosis of affected children. The Brazilian Zika Cohorts Consortium addresses these limitations by bringing together and harmonizing epidemiological data from a series of prospective cohort studies of pregnant women with rash and of children with microcephaly and/or other manifestations of congenital Zika. The objective is to estimate the absolute risk of congenital Zika manifestations and to characterize the full spectrum and natural history of the manifestations of congenital Zika in children with and without microcephaly. This protocol describes the assembly of the Consortium and protocol for the Individual Participant Data Meta-analyses (IPD Meta-analyses). The findings will address knowledge gaps and inform public policies related to Zika virus. The large harmonized dataset and joint analyses will facilitate more precise estimates of the absolute risk of congenital Zika manifestations among Zika virus-infected pregnancies and more complete descriptions of its full spectrum, including rare manifestations. It will enable sensitivity analyses using different definitions of exposure and outcomes, and the investigation of the sources of heterogeneity between studies and regions.

Risk factors for death in patients with sepsis admitted to an obstetric intensive care unit: A cohort study.

Improving understanding of the prognostic factors associated with death resulting from sepsis in obstetric patients is essential to allow management to be optimized. This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the risk factors for death in patients with sepsis admitted to the obstetric intensive care unit of a tertiary teaching hospital in northeastern Brazil between April 2012 and April 2016.The clinical, obstetric, and laboratory data of the sepsis patients, as well as data on their final outcome, were collected. A significance level of 5% was adopted. Risk factors for death in patients with sepsis were evaluated in a multivariate analysis.During the period analyzed, 155 patients with sepsis were identified and included in the study, representing 5.2% of all obstetric intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Of these, 14.2% (n = 22) died. The risk factors for death were septic shock at the time of hospitalization (relative risk [RR] = 3.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64-7.25), need for vasopressors during hospitalization (RR = 17.32; 95% CI: 4.20-71.36), lactate levels >2 mmol/L at the time of diagnosis (RR = 4.60; 95% CI: 1.05-20.07), and sequential organ failure assessment score >2 at the time of diagnosis (RR = 5.97; 95% CI: 1.82-19.94). Following multiple logistic regression analysis, only the need for vasopressors during hospitalization remained as a risk factor associated with death (odds ratio [OR] = 26.38; 95% CI: 5.87-118.51).The need for vasopressors during hospitalization is associated with death in obstetric patients with sepsis.

Prenatal factors associated with fetal visceral adiposity.

OBJECTIVE: To assess fetal visceral adiposity and associated factors during pregnancy. METHODS: Secondary analysis of prospective cohort data with 172 pairs (pregnant woman/fetus) treated at public health units. Anthropometric data, metabolic (glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides) measures, fetal biometry, and visceral and subcutaneous adiposity in the binomial (pregnant woman/fetus) were evaluated at the 16th, 28th and 36th gestational weeks by ultrasonography. Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were used, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: At the 16th week, the mean age of the pregnant women was 26.6±5.8 years and mean weight was 62.7±11.5kg; 47.0% had normal weight, 28.3% were overweight, 13.3% were underweight, and 11.2% were obese. At 36 weeks, 44.1% had inadequate gestational weight gain, 32.5% had adequate gestational weight gain, and 23.3% had excessive gestational weight gain. Fetal visceral adiposity at week 36 showed a positive correlation with maternal variables: weight (r=0.15) and body mass index (r=0.21) at the 16th; with weight (r=0.19), body mass index (r=0.24), and gestational weight gain (r=0.21) at the 28th; and with weight (r=0.22), body mass index (r=0.26), and gestational weight gain (r=0.21) at the 36th week. After multiple linear regression, adiposity at the 28th week remained associated with fetal variables: abdominal circumference (p<0.0001), head circumference (p=0.01), area (p<0.0001), and thigh circumference (p<0.001). At the 36th week, adiposity remained associated with the abdominal circumference of the 28th (p=0.02) and 36th weeks (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Adiposity was positively correlated with the measurements of the pregnant woman. After the multivariate analysis, the persistence of the association occurred with the abdominal circumference, a central adiposity measurement with a higher metabolic risk.

Neurological outcomes of congenital Zika syndrome in toddlers and preschoolers: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Congenital Zika syndrome causes a spectrum of neurological symptoms with varying effects on function that require different therapeutic strategies. To date, this spectrum of effects and its clinical implications have not been completely described. We describe the neurological examination findings in toddlers and preschoolers, including predominant symptom complexes and comorbidities. METHODS: This study is a case-series neurological evaluation of 75 children with congenital Zika syndrome in Campina Grande, Brazil. The study is part of a cohort of children with congenital Zika syndrome that started in 2015 and is still ongoing. Children with Zika virus infection detected during pregnancy (mothers exhibited rash and were followed and diagnosed by fetal ultrasound abnormalities or RT-PCR) or through microcephaly screening after birth, using Intergrowth 21 guidelines, were selected by laboratory and radiological criteria. Children were examined during a 10-day period in September, 2018, and underwent neurological interview, examination, and assessment of functional outcomes and comorbidities. Children were divided in groups of predominant corticospinal or neuromuscular clinical signs and the associations between these groups and clinical comorbidities were assessed. FINDINGS: All of the children recruited to the study from Nov 29, 2015 to Nov 30, 2017 had imaging correlates of congenital Zika syndrome. Children were assigned to groups depending on the signs exhibited, either corticospinal or neuromuscular, with or without dyskinetic signs. 75 children completed the evaluation, 38 (51%) girls and 37 (49%) boys. Median age was 33 months (range 26-40 months; IQR 29-34). Microcephaly was present at birth in 56 (75%) children, and 19 (25%) children were born with normal head circumference, 15 of whom later developed microcephaly. Neurological examination grouped four children as having isolated dyskinetic signs, 48 children were assigned to the corticospinal group and 23 into the neuromuscular group. Dyskinetic findings were present in 30 (40%) children, either alone (four [5%]) or combined with corticospinal (19 [40%] of 48) or neuromuscular (seven [30%] of 23) findings. Comorbidities were highly prevalent, and the neuromuscular group had worse functional outcomes, evaluated by gross motor function (p=0·026), manual abilities (p=0·0013), and communication function (p<0·0005) classification scales, than the corticospinal group, whereas pneumonia (p<0·0005) and urinary tract infections (p<0·0005) were more frequent in the corticospinal group. Cortical hyperexcitability was supported by several clinical correlates, such as early onset epilepsy, persistence of primitive reflexes, and dystonia. INTERPRETATION: We describe distinct neurological profiles in the congenital Zika syndrome spectrum, with functional outcomes tending to correlate with these groups. The clinical division of children based on the disease signs proposed here is supported by the literature on central and peripheral nervous system pathology in congenital Zika syndrome. The high prevalence of dyskinetic symptoms merits special attention. FUNDING: Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development and by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel.

[Epidemiological profile and postpartum outcome in severe preeclampsia]. / Perfil epidemiológico e evolução clínica pós-parto na pré-eclâmpsia grave.

BACKGROUND: To describe maternal characteristics and blood pressure behavior in the puerperium of women admitted, during pregnancy, with diagnosis of severe preeclampsia. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted including pregnant women with gestational age of 28 weeks or more, with diagnosis of preeclampsia, not in labor, at the Instituto Materno Infantil Professor Fernando Figueira (IMIP) from November 2006 to September 2007. Patients with chronic hypertension, autoimmune diseases, gestational diabetes, multiple pregnancy and signs of clinical instability were excluded. Biological, demographic and obstetrical characteristics were analyzed, as well as the behavior of systolic and diastolic blood pressure post partum. RESULTS: 154 patients with severe preeclampsia were included. The mean maternal age was 25.1 + 6.5 years. Regarding education only 45.5% had completed 11 years of schooling. Only 20.1% of deliveries were vaginal and preterm newborns occurred in 59.8% of cases. Two cases of eclampsia, eighteen cases of HELLP syndrome and 43 cases of oliguria were registered. Length of post partum hospital stay varied from one to 30 days, and 45% of patients were in hospital until the seventh day after delivery. Hypertensive emergencies were registered in 53.9% of the patients during puerperium and use of antihypertensive drugs was maintained in 76.5% of the women. CONCLUSIONS: Preeclamptic women tend to have controlled blood pressures after the third day of puerperium and are likely to be discharged from hospital still using anti-hypertensive drugs. Key-words: Severe preeclampsia, post partum period complications.