Birth defects in medically assisted reproduction pregnancies in the city of Barcelona.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between the use of medically assisted reproduction (MAR) and birth defects (BD) in newborns and terminations of pregnancy in pregnant women registered in Barcelona in the period 1992 to 2007. METHODS: We studied 1905 cases and 2722 controls in a retrospective population-based case-control study. Cases comprised any newborn presenting at least one major BD, as well as any pregnancy terminated because of BD. Controls were newborns without BD. Exposure was MAR. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by means of logistic regression to assess the association. RESULTS: The MAR was demonstrated to be associated with BD, after adjusting for probable confounders (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.4 to 2.5). Regarding MAR modalities, this association was statistically significant only for assisted reproduction techniques (ART) (aOR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.8 to 4.1). In the stratified analysis by structural BD categories, frequencies for all categories were increased after ART with the exception of head-face-neck-eye defects, none after artificial insemination, and digestive-abdominal wall defects in ovulation induction. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a strong association between ART and BD, with an almost threefold increased risk for overall BD after ART, as compared with natural conception. Increased associations were also observed for almost all structural BD categories.

Recent decrease in the prevalence of congenital heart defects in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in Europe and to compare these trends with the recent decrease in the prevalence of CHDs in Canada (Quebec) that was attributed to the policy of mandatory folic acid fortification. STUDY DESIGN: We used data for the period 1990-2007 for 47 508 cases of CHD not associated with a chromosomal anomaly from 29 population-based European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies registries in 16 countries covering 7.3 million births. We estimated trends for all CHDs combined and separately for 3 severity groups using random-effects Poisson regression models with splines. RESULTS: We found that the total prevalence of CHDs increased during the 1990s and the early 2000s until 2004 and decreased thereafter. We found essentially no trend in total prevalence of the most severe group (group I), whereas the prevalence of severity group II increased until about 2000 and decreased thereafter. Trends for severity group III (the most prevalent group) paralleled those for all CHDs combined. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CHDs decreased in recent years in Europe in the absence of a policy for mandatory folic acid fortification. One possible explanation for this decrease may be an as-yet-undocumented increase in folic acid intake of women in Europe following recommendations for folic acid supplementation and/or voluntary fortification. However, alternative hypotheses, including reductions in risk factors of CHDs (eg, maternal smoking) and improved management of maternal chronic health conditions (eg, diabetes), must also be considered for explaining the observed decrease in the prevalence of CHDs in Europe or elsewhere.

Neighborhood inequalities in adverse pregnancy outcomes in an urban setting in Spain: a multilevel approach.

The aim of the present study was to describe socioeconomic inequalities in low birth weight (LBW), premature birth (PM) and small size for gestational age at birth (SGA) between 2000 and 2005 in Barcelona, Spain, jointly evaluating the effect of mother's country of origin, and neighborhood of residence socioeconomic level measured using unemployment and educational level. We performed a cross-sectional study of births to mothers aged 12-49 years who were residents in the city of Barcelona in 2000-2005, analyzing adverse pregnancy outcomes (n = 61,676). Weighted multilevel logistic regression models were fitted with individual data on level 1 and neighborhood data on level 2, to obtain adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals and residual variance. Individually, pregnancy outcomes are more favorable in births to older mothers and to mothers from Maghrib and Central and South America than from developed countries (including Spain) or from other developing countries. After adjusting for individual variables, poor pregnancy outcomes were associated with poor neighborhoods (more unemployment was associated to LBW: aOR = 1.56; PM aOR = 1.51; SGA aOR = 1.66). The same trend was observed for associations with illiteracy rate. The present study shows that there are socioeconomic inequalities in adverse pregnancy outcomes in the city of Barcelona. One of the main challenges in perinatal health continues to be the reduction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the city.

Paper 6: EUROCAT member registries: organization and activities.

BACKGROUND: EUROCAT is a network of population-based congenital anomaly registries providing standardized epidemiologic information on congenital anomalies in Europe. There are three types of EUROCAT membership: full, associate, or affiliate. Full member registries send individual records of all congenital anomalies covered by their region. Associate members transmit aggregate case counts for each EUROCAT anomaly subgroup by year and by type of birth. This article describes the organization and activities of each of the current 29 full member and 6 associate member registries of EUROCAT. METHODS: Each registry description provides information on the history and funding of the registry, population coverage including any changes in coverage over time, sources for ascertaining cases of congenital anomalies, and upper age limit for registering cases of congenital anomalies. It also details the legal requirements relating to termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies, the definition of stillbirths and fetal deaths, and the prenatal screening policy within the registry. Information on availability of exposure information and denominators is provided. The registry description describes how each registry conforms to the laws and guidelines regarding ethics, consent, and confidentiality issues within their own jurisdiction. Finally, information on electronic and web-based data capture, recent registry activities, and publications relating to congenital anomalies, along with the contact details of the registry leader, are provided. CONCLUSIONS: The registry description gives a detailed account of the organizational and operational aspects of each registry and is an invaluable resource that aids interpretation and evaluation of registry prevalence data.

Evolution of prenatal detection of neural tube defects in the pregnant population of the city of Barcelona from 1992 to 2006.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prenatal ultrasound detection rates (DR) of neural tube defects (NTDs) and its evolution over the 1992 to 2006 period in the pregnant population of the city of Barcelona. METHODS: Data on the population-based register of birth defects were used to assess the evolution of the prenatal DR for isolated NTD, including anencephaly, spina bifida and encephalocele by trimester of gestation. RESULTS: In the register, 127 isolated NTD cases, including 71 anencephalic fetuses, 49 spina bifidas and 7 encephaloceles were noted. Overall, prenatal ultrasound DR for isolated NTD was 94%. All fetuses with anencephaly or encephalocele were prenatally detected (100% DR), whereas DR for spina bifida was 84%, with no apparent variation over the observation period. An important increase in first trimester DRs was observed for anencephaly, rising from 16% in the first years of the study (1992-1996) to 71% in the last years (2002-2006). CONCLUSION: A high DR (94%) for isolated NTD was observed in the city of Barcelona. The single significant change across the study period was an increase in the first trimester DR for anencephaly (from 16% to 71%).

Recent immigration and adverse pregnancy outcomes in an urban setting in Spain.

To describe social and economic inequalities in non-fatal pregnancy outcomes (low birth weight, preterm birth and small for gestational age births) in the neighbourhoods of the city of Barcelona (Spain), according to maternal age and maternal country of origin, between 1991 and 2005. A cross-sectional ecological study was carried out using the 38 neighbourhoods of Barcelona as the unit of analysis. The study population comprises the 192,921 live births to resident women aged 12-49 residing from 1991 to 2005. Information was gathered from births registry. Prevalence of low birth-weight, preterm birth and small for gestational age, was calculated for each of the 38 neighbourhoods of mothers' residence, stratifying results by maternal age and country of origin. The indicator of neighbourhood socio-economic level was the unemployment rate. Quartile maps along with Spearman correlation coefficients and linear regression were performed between indicators. The present study reports socio-economic inequalities in pregnancy outcomes among neighbourhoods in Barcelona (Spain): the more disadvantaged neighbourhoods have worse pregnancy outcomes (low birth weight, preterm birth and small for gestational age births) in all women age groups. These inequalities do not exist among immigrant women, and some groups of foreign mothers even have lower rates of low birth weight, preterm birth, and small for gestational age births than autochthonous women. The existing inequalities suggest that policy efforts to reduce these inequalities are not entirely successful and should focus on improving pregnancy and delivery care in less privileged women in a country with universal access to health care.

Dataset on the RETRO-BMC cruise onboard the R/V Hespérides, April 2017, Brazil-Malvinas Confluence.

This dataset, gathered during the RETRO-BMC cruise, reports multiple-scale measurements at the Confluence of the Brazil and Malvinas Currents. The cruise was carried out between 8 and 28 April 2017 onboard R/V Hespérides, departing from Ushuaia and arriving to Santos. Along its track, the vessel recorded near-surface temperature and salinity, as well as the horizontal flow from 20 m down to about 800 m. A total of 33 hydrographic stations were completed in a region off the Patagonian Shelf, within 41.2°S-35.9°S and out to 53.0°W. At each station, a multiparametric probe and velocity sensors were deployed inside the frame of a rosette used to collect water samples at selected depths; these samples were later used for several water analyses, including inorganic nutrient concentrations. Microstructure measurements were carried out in 11 of these hydrographic stations. In addition, two high-resolution three-dimensional surveys were conducted with an instrumented undulating vehicle between 40.6°S-39.0°S and 55.6°W-53.8°W. Lastly, eight high-frequency vertical profilers were deployed in the region and five position-transmitting drifters were launched. These data allow the description of the Confluence from the regional scale to the microscale, and provide a view of the variability of the frontal region on time scales from days to weeks.

[Determinants of induced abortion delay]. / Determinantes del retraso de la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo.

BACKGROUND: In induced abortion, the method, the risk of complications and the economic cost of the abortion are determined by gestational age. The aim of this study was to describe the determinants of induced abortion delay until the second trimester of pregnancy in Barcelona. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of induced abortions due to the physical or mental health of the woman (Barcelona, 2004-2005; N=9,175). The city's induced abortion register provided data on gestational age at abortion (dependent variable), educational level, age, cohabitation with the partner, number of children previous abortions, and type of center. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated with log-binomial regression models. RESULTS: A total of 7.7% of induced abortions were second-trimester abortions and 99.3% were performed in private centers. Compared with women with a university education, those with primary education or less had an aPR of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.4-2.2) of delaying the abortion until the second trimester. A higher proportion of second-trimester abortions were also recorded in women aged less than 18 years old (aPR=2.6; 95%CI: 2.0-3.4), women not cohabiting with their partners (aRP=1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.6) and in public centers (aPR=2.8; 95% CI: 2.2-3.7). No differences were found in induced abortion delay among women with previous abortions and those without. CONCLUSION: Induced abortion delay until the second trimester of pregnancy was associated with low educational level, young ages, not cohabiting with a partner, and public centers. This study demonstrates the existence of socioeconomic inequalities in access conditions to abortion services.

Dataset on the TIC-MOC cruise onboard the R/V Hespérides, March 2015, Brazil-Malvinas Confluence.

This oceanographic dataset was gathered during the TIC-MOC cruise, which was designed to characterize the dynamics of the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence. The cruise was carried on board the R/V Hespérides, with departure from Ushuaia and arrival to Salvador de Bahía. A total of 66 conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) stations were completed between 8 and 22 March 2015, offshore from the continental platform and within 45°S-35°S and 61°W-50°W. At each station, water samples were collected, which were used to calibrate the CTD salinity-oxygen sensors and to determine inorganic nutrient concentrations, and the horizontal current was measured. Along its track, the vessel recorded surface temperature and salinity, as well as the horizontal flow down to about 700 m. Lastly, eight position-transmitting drifters were launched and two profiling floats were deployed and later recovered.

[Trends in social inequalities in pregnancy care in Barcelona (Spain), 1994-97 versus 2000-03]. / Evolución de las desigualdades según la clase social en el control del embarazo en Barcelona (1994-97 frente a 2000-03).

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare social inequalities in pregnancy care among pregnant women living in Barcelona (Spain) in 2 periods. METHODS: Two 4-year periods were compared: 1994-1997 and 2000-2003. The study population consisted of pregnant women living in Barcelona and the control sample was drawn from the Barcelona Birth Defects Registry (n = 905 in 1994-1997; n = 927 in 2000-2003). Medical records and personal interviews with the mothers were used as information sources. The dependent variables were pregnancy planning, prenatal use of folic acid, smoking, the number of obstetric visits, trimester of the first visit, the number of obstetric ultrasound scans, fifth-month diagnostic ultrasound scan, invasive procedures, and smoking cessation. The independent variables were maternal age and social class. Maternal age-adjusted logistic regression models for each dependent variable according to social class were calculated and the results for both 4-year periods were compared. RESULTS: Pregnant women in both manual and non-manual occupational classes showed better results in the second period in 7 out of 10 variables (although the results were not identical in the 2 occupational classes). However, when interclass variations between the 2 periods were compared, differences in 8 out of 10 variables were found: 7 indicators were more favorable in the more privileged classes and only one was more favorable in the less privileged classes. CONCLUSIONS: Except for one of the variables analyzed (more than 3 ultrasound scans), the less privileged classes showed poorer results than the more privileged classes when the tendencies in indicators were compared between the two periods. The gap between social classes in pregnancy care is increasing over time.

[Socioeconomic inequalities in the provision and uptake of prenatal care]. / Desigualdades socioeconómicas relacionadas con el cuidado y el control del embarazo.

OBJECTIVE: To describe socioeconomic inequalities in the provision and uptake of prenatal care among women in Barcelona (Spain) between 1994 and 2003. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of women in Barcelona who delivered a child without birth defects. Information was obtained from hospital medical records and a personal interview with women included in the Barcelona Birth Defects Registry, containing a random sample of 2% of all pregnant women in the city (n = 2299). DEPENDENT VARIABLES: number of obstetric visits, the trimester of the first visit, the number of obstetric ultrasound scans, the fifth-month diagnostic ultrasound scan, invasive procedures, prenatal folic acid intake, pregnancy planning, smoking and smoking cessation. The independent variables were maternal age and social class. Logistic regression models were filted for each dependent variable. RESULTS: In social classes with manual occupations, there was a higher proportion of pregnant women who attended less than six obstetric visits and who attended the first obstetric visit after the first trimester. Moreover, these women were less likely to have undergone an invasive procedure, to have taken folic acid supplements, to have planned the pregnancy, to be non-smokers and to stop smoking. In the more privileged classes, there was a higher proportion of women who attended more than 12 obstetric visits and who underwent more than three ultrasound scans. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic inequalities were found in the provision and uptake of prenatal care in Barcelona. Uptake was greater in the more advantaged social classes but excessive medicalization was found in all classes. Rationalizing the use of healthcare resources and reducing excessive medicalization would reduce inequalities in prenatal care in Barcelona.

Traffic-related air pollution and congenital anomalies in Barcelona.

BACKGROUND: A recent meta-analysis suggested evidence for an effect of exposure to ambient air pollutants on risk of certain congenital heart defects. However, few studies have investigated the effects of traffic-related air pollutants with sufficient spatial accuracy. OBJECTIVES: We estimated associations between congenital anomalies and exposure to traffic-related air pollution in Barcelona, Spain. METHOD: Cases with nonchromosomal anomalies (n = 2,247) and controls (n = 2,991) were selected from the Barcelona congenital anomaly register during 1994-2006. Land use regression models from the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE), were applied to residential addresses at birth to estimate spatial exposure to nitrogen oxides and dioxide (NOx, NO2), particulate matter with diameter ≤ 10 µm (PM10), 10-2.5 µm (PMcoarse), ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5), and PM2.5 absorbance. Spatial estimates were adjusted for temporal trends using data from routine monitoring stations for weeks 3-8 of each pregnancy. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for 18 congenital anomaly groups associated with an interquartile-range (IQR) increase in exposure estimates. RESULTS: In spatial and spatiotemporal exposure models, we estimated statistically significant associations between an IQR increase in NO2 (12.2 µg/m3) and coarctation of the aorta (ORspatiotemporal = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.31) and digestive system defects (ORspatiotemporal = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.23), and between an IQR increase in PMcoarse (3.6 µg/m3) and abdominal wall defects (ORspatiotemporal = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.37, 2.73). Other statistically significant increased and decreased ORs were estimated based on the spatial model only or the spatiotemporal model only, but not both. CONCLUSIONS: Our results overall do not indicate an association between traffic-related air pollution and most groups of congenital anomalies. Findings for coarctation of the aorta are consistent with those of the previous meta-analysis. CITATION: Schembari A, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ, Salvador J, de Nazelle A, Cirach M, Dadvand P, Beelen R, Hoek G, Basagaña X, Vrijheid M. 2014. Traffic-related air pollution and congenital anomalies in Barcelona. Environ Health Perspect 122:317-323; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1306802.

Twenty-year trends in the prevalence of Down syndrome and other trisomies in Europe: impact of maternal age and prenatal screening.

This study examines trends and geographical differences in total and live birth prevalence of trisomies 21, 18 and 13 with regard to increasing maternal age and prenatal diagnosis in Europe. Twenty-one population-based EUROCAT registries covering 6.1 million births between 1990 and 2009 participated. Trisomy cases included live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestational age and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. We present correction to 20 weeks gestational age (ie, correcting early terminations for the probability of fetal survival to 20 weeks) to allow for artefactual screening-related differences in total prevalence. Poisson regression was used. The proportion of births in the population to mothers aged 35+ years in the participating registries increased from 13% in 1990 to 19% in 2009. Total prevalence per 10000 births was 22.0 (95% CI 21.7-22.4) for trisomy 21, 5.0 (95% CI 4.8-5.1) for trisomy 18 and 2.0 (95% CI 1.9-2.2) for trisomy 13; live birth prevalence was 11.2 (95% CI 10.9-11.5) for trisomy 21, 1.04 (95% CI 0.96-1.12) for trisomy 18 and 0.48 (95% CI 0.43-0.54) for trisomy 13. There was an increase in total and total corrected prevalence of all three trisomies over time, mainly explained by increasing maternal age. Live birth prevalence remained stable over time. For trisomy 21, there was a three-fold variation in live birth prevalence between countries. The rise in maternal age has led to an increase in the number of trisomy-affected pregnancies in Europe. Live birth prevalence has remained stable overall. Differences in prenatal screening and termination between countries lead to wide variation in live birth prevalence.

Rare chromosome abnormalities, prevalence and prenatal diagnosis rates from population-based congenital anomaly registers in Europe.

The aim of this study is to quantify the prevalence and types of rare chromosome abnormalities (RCAs) in Europe for 2000-2006 inclusive, and to describe prenatal diagnosis rates and pregnancy outcome. Data held by the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies database were analysed on all the cases from 16 population-based registries in 11 European countries diagnosed prenatally or before 1 year of age, and delivered between 2000 and 2006. Cases were all unbalanced chromosome abnormalities and included live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestation and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. There were 10,323 cases with a chromosome abnormality, giving a total birth prevalence rate of 43.8/10,000 births. Of these, 7335 cases had trisomy 21,18 or 13, giving individual prevalence rates of 23.0, 5.9 and 2.3/10,000 births, respectively (53, 13 and 5% of all reported chromosome errors, respectively). In all, 473 cases (5%) had a sex chromosome trisomy, and 778 (8%) had 45,X, giving prevalence rates of 2.0 and 3.3/10,000 births, respectively. There were 1,737 RCA cases (17%), giving a prevalence of 7.4/10,000 births. These included triploidy, other trisomies, marker chromosomes, unbalanced translocations, deletions and duplications. There was a wide variation between the registers in both the overall prenatal diagnosis rate of RCA, an average of 65% (range 5-92%) and the prevalence of RCA (range 2.4-12.9/10,000 births). In all, 49% were liveborn. The data provide the prevalence of families currently requiring specialised genetic counselling services in the perinatal period for these conditions and, for some, long-term care.

Epidemiology of small intestinal atresia in Europe: a register-based study.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of congenital small intestinal atresia (SIA) has not been well studied. This study describes the presence of additional anomalies, pregnancy outcomes, total prevalence and association with maternal age in SIA cases in Europe. METHODS: Cases of SIA delivered during January 1990 to December 2006 notified to 20 EUROCAT registers formed the population-based case series. Prevalence over time was estimated using multilevel Poisson regression, and heterogeneity between registers was evaluated from the random component of the intercept. RESULTS: In total 1133 SIA cases were reported among 5126, 164 registered births. Of 1044 singleton cases, 215 (20.6%) cases were associated with a chromosomal anomaly. Of 829 singleton SIA cases with normal karyotype, 221 (26.7%) were associated with other structural anomalies. Considering cases with normal karyotype, the total prevalence per 10 000 births was 1.6 (95% CI 1.5 to 1.7) for SIA, 0.9 (95% CI 0.8 to 1.0) for duodenal atresia and 0.7 (95% CI 0.7 to 0.8) for jejunoileal atresia (JIA). There was no significant trend in SIA, duodenal atresia or JIA prevalence over time (RR=1.0, 95% credible interval (CrI): 1.0 to 1.0 for each), but SIA and duodenal atresia prevalence varied by geographical location (p=0.03 and p=0.04, respectively). There was weak evidence of an increased risk of SIA in mothers aged less than 20 years compared with mothers aged 20 to 29 years (RR=1.3, 95% CrI: 1.0 to 1.8). CONCLUSION: This study found no evidence of a temporal trend in the prevalence of SIA, duodenal atresia or JIA, although SIA and duodenal atresia prevalence varied significantly between registers.

Socioeconomic inequalities in unintended pregnancy and abortion decision.

Pregnancy planning allows women to better control their life trajectory and contributes to the future child's health and development. Many studies that have analyzed socioeconomic inequalities in unintended pregnancy only took into account those pregnancies ending in births. Few of them that analyzed unintended pregnancy, including both induced abortion and births, and its socioeconomic determinants, concluded that unintended pregnancy is more frequent in young, poor, or unmarried women. These inequalities have been poorly studied in Europe, especially in the southern European context. The aim of the present study is to describe socioeconomic inequalities in unintended pregnancy and in abortion decision in Barcelona, Spain. The major findings are that unintended pregnancies accounted for 41% of total pregnancy and of these, 60% ended in abortion. From all pregnancies, the proportion of induced abortion reached 25.6%. Compared to women with university studies, those with primary education incomplete had more unintended pregnancies (OR=7.22). When facing an unintended pregnancy, women of lower socioeconomic position are more likely to choose induced abortion, although this is not the case among young or single women. This study reveals deep socioeconomic inequalities in unintended pregnancies and abortion decision in Barcelona, Spain, where the birth rate is very low and the abortion rate is rising. Women in low socioeconomic positions have many more unintended pregnancies than better educated women. Except for young or single women, the lower the socioeconomic position, the higher the proportion of women who choose an induced abortion when facing an unintended pregnancy.

Maternal smoking, social class and outcomes of pregnancy.

Exposure to tobacco during pregnancy is an important risk factor for infant health. Recently the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy has declined in our area. The objective of this study was to analyse the association between several social variables and the fetal exposure to smoking, as well as the association between maternal smoking and some adverse gestational outcomes. Data collection was cross-sectional. The study population were women in the city of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) delivering a child without birth defects. The sample corresponded to the controls of the Birth Defects Registry of Barcelona, 2% of all pregnancy deliveries in the city from 1994 to 2003 (n = 2297). Information sources were hospital records and a personal interview of mothers. The analysis measured first the association between independent variables (instruction level, social class, occupation, nationality, planned pregnancy, parity, hospital funding and smoking status of the mother's partner) with two dependent variables: smoking at the initiation of pregnancy and quitting during pregnancy. Second, the persistence of smoking over pregnancy and all independent variables were studied with three variables indicating adverse outcomes of pregnancy: low gestation, low birthweight and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Finally, the joint association between the persistence of smoking over pregnancy and social class taken as independent variables was determined with the three variables indicating adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Logistic regression models were fitted, adjusting for maternal age. Results are presented as odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of smoking at the onset of gestation was 41%, and 40% of these women quit during pregnancy, so that 25% delivered as active smokers. Fewer women with higher educational levels and from families with non-manual jobs smoked, as did immigrants, those planning pregnancy and women whose partner did not smoke. Smoking immigrants quit more frequently than nationals, as did those planning pregnancy, primiparae, and women whose partner did not smoke. Low gestation, low birthweight and IUGR were more frequent among smokers and women with a manual occupation, but manual occupation lost its significance when adjusting for smoking. The association between smoking and adverse results was higher for IUGR. In conclusion, the prevalence of smoking and quitting during pregnancy varied according to social factors. The influence of social factors on the outcome of pregnancy was mediated strongly by smoking in a country that provides access to health care free of cost. A priority in reducing inequalities in health is to help women from manual work backgrounds quit smoking.

Increasing detection rates of birth defects by prenatal ultrasound leading to apparent increasing prevalence. Lessons learned from the population-based registry of birth defects of Barcelona.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the evolving trends in prenatal ultrasound detection of birth defects and to suggest a method to avoid the bias generated by an increasing detection rate, when comparing different time periods. METHODS: In the population-based registry of birth defects of Barcelona (REDCB), 1976 cases with birth defects (1462 newborns and 514 terminations of pregnancy) were observed among 99 753 pregnancies, from 1992 to 1999. Detection rates for isolated birth defects by anatomical systems were evaluated. Since an increasing prevalence was observed in some birth defects systems, adjustment for detection rates was suggested. RESULTS: A rise in prevalence was observed in isolated birth defects involving internal organs (central nervous, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems). Ultrasound detection rates increased in all system groups of isolated birth defects during the study period, except for cardiovascular defects. Early detection rates (before 23 weeks of pregnancy) increased in all but three systems (cardiovascular, genital and tegument). CONCLUSIONS: The apparent rise in the observed prevalence of certain birth defects may be largely due to improvements in prenatal detection methods. Population-based registries are able to measure the impact of evolving prenatal diagnosis in order to avoid biases and establish the prevalence of birth defects more accurately.

Determinantes del retraso de la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo / Determinants of induced abortion delay

AntecedentesEl momento de la gestaci¨®n en que se induce una interrupci¨®n voluntaria del embarazo (IVE) determina el m¨¦todo, el riesgo de complicaciones y el coste econ¨®mico de la intervenci¨®n. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue describir los determinantes del retraso de la IVE hasta el segundo trimestre de gestaci¨®n en Barcelona.M¨¦todosEstudio transversal de las IVE por motivos de salud f¨ªsica o mental de la mujer (Barcelona, 2004¨C2005; N=9.175). El registro de IVE de la ciudad proporcion¨® el tiempo de gestaci¨®n (variable dependiente), el nivel de estudios, la edad, la convivencia en pareja, el n¨²mero de hijos, IVE anteriores y tipo de centro. Se calcularon razones de prevalencia ajustadas (RPa) mediante modelos de regresi¨®n log-binomial.ResultadosEl 7,7% de las IVE fueron de segundo trimestre y el 99,3% se realizaron en centros privados. En comparaci¨®n con las mujeres con estudios universitarios, las que tienen educaci¨®n primaria o menos tienen una RPa de 1,8 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 1,4¨C2,2) de IVE de segundo trimestre. Tambi¨¦n se registran m¨¢s IVE de segundo trimestre en las menores de 18 años (RPa=2,6; IC95%: 2,0¨C3,4), las que no conviven en pareja (RPa=1,4; IC95%: 1,2¨C1,6) y en los centros p¨²blicos (RPa=2,8; IC95%: 2,2¨C3,7). No hay diferencias en el retraso de la IVE entre las mujeres que han tenido IVE anteriores y las que no.Conclusi¨®nEl retraso de la IVE hasta el segundo trimestre se asoci¨® a niveles educativos m¨¢s bajos, edades j¨®venes, no convivencia en pareja y centros p¨²blicos, y se demuestra la existencia de desigualdades socioecon¨®micas en las condiciones de acceso a la IVE(AU)

BackgroundIn induced abortion, the method, the risk of complications and the economic cost of the abortion are determined by gestational age. The aim of this study was to describe the determinants of induced abortion delay until the second trimester of pregnancy in Barcelona.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study of induced abortions due to the physical or mental health of the woman (Barcelona, 2004¨C2005; N=9,175). The city¡äs induced abortion register provided data on gestational age at abortion (dependent variable), educational level, age, cohabitation with the partner, number of children previous abortions, and type of center. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated with log-binomial regression models.ResultsA total of 7.7% of induced abortions were second-trimester abortions and 99.3% were performed in private centers. Compared with women with a university education, those with primary education or less had an aPR of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.4¨C2.2) of delaying the abortion until the second trimester. A higher proportion of second-trimester abortions were also recorded in women aged less than 18 years old (aPR=2.6; 95%CI: 2.0¨C3.4), women not cohabiting with their partners (aRP=1.4; 95% CI: 1.2¨C1.6) and in public centers (aPR=2.8; 95% CI: 2.2¨C3.7). No differences were found in induced abortion delay among women with previous abortions and those without.ConclusionInduced abortion delay until the second trimester of pregnancy was associated with low educational level, young ages, not cohabiting with a partner, and public centers. This study demonstrates the existence of socioeconomic inequalities in access conditions to abortion services(AU)

Evolución de las desigualdades según la clase social en el control del embarazo en Barcelona (1994-97 frente a 2000-03) / Trends in social inequalities in pregnancy care in Barcelona (Spain), 1994-97 versus 2000-03

Objetivo: Describir y comparar las desigualdades según la clase social en el control del embarazo en Barcelona durante 2 períodos. Métodos: Se comparan 2 cuatrienios: 1994-1997 y 2000-2003. La población de estudio son las gestantes de Barcelona y la muestra los controles del Registro de Defectos Congénitos de Barcelona (n = 905 en 1994-1997; n = 927 en 2000-2003). Las fuentes de información son las historias hospitalarias y una encuesta realizada a las madres. Las variables dependientes son: planificación del embarazo, ingesta de ácido fólico antes del embarazo, consumo de tabaco, número de visitas al obstetra, trimestre de primera visita, número de ecografías, ecografía del quinto mes, prueba invasiva y abandono del tabaco. Las variables independientes son la edad y la clase social. Se ajustaron modelos de regresión logística para cada variable dependiente según la clase social y se compararon los resultados entre cuatrienios. Resultados: Tanto las gestantes de clases de ocupación manual como las de no manual presentan mejorías en el segundo cuatrienio en 7 de los 10 indicadores (no son exactamente los mismos en ambas clases). Sin embargo, cuando comparamos las variaciones interclase entre los 2 cuatrienios se registran diferencias en 8 de los 10 indicadores, 7 a favor de las clases más favorecidas y uno a favor de las menos favorecidas. Conclusiones: Excepto para una de las situaciones analizadas (hacer más de 3 ecografías), las clases menos favorecidas presentan peores resultados que las más favorecidas al comparar la tendencia de los indicadores entre los 2 períodos. La distancia entre clases en el ámbito del control de la gestación se acentúa con el tiempo

Objective: To describe and compare social inequalities in pregnancy care among pregnant women living in Barcelona (Spain) in 2 periods. Methods: Two 4-year periods were compared: 1994-1997 and 2000-2003. The study population consisted of pregnant women living in Barcelona and the control sample was drawn from the Barcelona Birth Defects Registry (n = 905 in 1994-1997; n = 927 in 2000-2003). Medical records and personal interviews with the mothers were used as information sources. The dependent variables were pregnancy planning, prenatal use of folic acid, smoking, the number of obstetric visits, trimester of the first visit, the number of obstetric ultrasound scans, fifth-month diagnostic ultrasound scan, invasive procedures, and smoking cessation. The independent variables were maternal age and social class. Maternal age-adjusted logistic regression models for each dependent variable according to social class were calculated and the results for both 4-year periods were compared. Results: Pregnant women in both manual and non-manual occupational classes showed better results in the second period in 7 out of 10 variables (although the results were not identical in the 2 occupational classes). However, when interclass variations between the 2 periods were compared, differences in 8 out of 10 variables were found: 7 indicators were more favorable in the more privileged classes and only one was more favorable in the less privileged classes. Conclusions: Except for one of the variables analyzed (more than 3 ultrasound scans), the less privileged classes showed poorer results than the more privileged classes when the tendencies in indicators were compared between the two periods. The gap between social classes in pregnancy care is increasing over time