Targeting Galectin 3 illuminates its contributions to the pathology of uterine serous carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Uterine serous cancer (USC) comprises around 10% of all uterine cancers. However, USC accounts for approximately 40% of uterine cancer deaths, which is attributed to tumor aggressiveness and limited effective treatment. Galectin 3 (Gal3) has been implicated in promoting aggressive features in some malignancies. However, Gal3's role in promoting USC pathology is lacking. METHODS: We explored the relationship between LGALS3 levels and prognosis in USC patients using TCGA database, and examined the association between Gal3 levels in primary USC tumors and clinical-pathological features. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Gal3-knockout (KO) and GB1107, inhibitor of Gal3, were employed to evaluate Gal3's impact on cell function. RESULTS: TCGA analysis revealed a worse prognosis for USC patients with high LGALS3. Patients with no-to-low Gal3 expression in primary tumors exhibited reduced clinical-pathological tumor progression. Gal3-KO and GB1107 reduced cell proliferation, stemness, adhesion, migration, and or invasion properties of USC lines. Furthermore, Gal3-positive conditioned media (CM) stimulated vascular tubal formation and branching and transition of fibroblast to cancer-associated fibroblast compared to Gal3-negative CM. Xenograft models emphasized the significance of Gal3 loss with fewer and smaller tumors compared to controls. Moreover, GB1107 impeded the growth of USC patient-derived organoids. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest inhibiting Gal3 may benefit USC patients.

Differential Clubbing and a Triad of Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Ventricular Septal Defect and Supravalvular Ring Mitral Stenosis: A Case Report.

It is not uncommon for congenital heart defects to occur in clusters. Those involving a right to left heart shunt commonly cause cyanosis and finger clubbing. Differential clubbing involving only the lower limb digits is a strong pointer to the presence of patent ductus arteriosus with reversal of shunt. We report a case of 25-year-old man with effort intolerance and differential clubbing. He was found to have the uncommon triad of patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect and supravalvular ring mitral stenosis. The presence of differential clubbing on a background of patent ductus arteriosus usually indicates a reversal of shunt and negates surgical intervention. This general rule may however not apply with co-existing mitral stenosis as the elevated pulmonary pressure may be predominantly post-capillary. The finding of mitral stenosis in a patient with patent ductus arteriosus and differential limb clubbing may signify a good prognostic surgical outcome.

Il n'est pas rare que des malformations cardiaques congénitales surviennent en clusters. Celles impliquant un shunt cardiaque droitegauche provoquent souvent une cyanose et un hippocratisme digital. L'hippocratisme digital différentiel touchant uniquement les orteils des membres inférieurs est un indicateur fort de la présence d'un canal artériel persistant avec inversion du shunt. Nous rapportons le cas d'un homme de 25 ans présentant une intolérance à l'effort et un hippocratisme digital différentiel. Il a été diagnostiqué avec la triade peu commune de canal artériel persistant, de communication interventriculaire et de sténose mitrale à anneau supravalvulaire. La présence d'un hippocratisme digital différentiel sur un fond de canal artériel persistant indique généralement une inversion du shunt et exclut une intervention chirurgicale. Cependant, cette règle générale peut ne pas s'appliquer en présence d'une sténose mitrale concomitante, car la pression pulmonaire élevée peut être principalement post-capillaire. La découverte d'une sténose mitrale chez un patient atteint de canal artériel persistant et d'un hippocratisme digital différentiel peut indiquer un bon pronostic pour l'intervention chirurgicale.

Protein-protein interaction and interference of carcinogenesis by supramolecular modifications.

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are essential in normal biological processes, but they can become disrupted or imbalanced in cancer. Various technological advancements have led to an increase in the number of PPI inhibitors, which target hubs in cancer cell's protein networks. However, it remains difficult to develop PPI inhibitors with desired potency and specificity. Supramolecular chemistry has only lately become recognized as a promising method to modify protein activities. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the use of supramolecular modification approaches in cancer therapy. We make special note of efforts to apply supramolecular modifications, such as molecular tweezers, to targeting the nuclear export signal (NES), which can be used to attenuate signaling processes in carcinogenesis. Finally, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of using supramolecular approaches to targeting PPIs.

Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Six-Month Outcomes after Discharge of Patients Admitted for Acute Heart Failure in Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The burden of acute heart failure (AHF) is on the increase globally however, there are few studies on AHF in Nigeria and among black populations. OBJECTIVE: This study described the clinical profile, conventional management and six-months outcome after discharge of patients admitted for acute heart failure at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a prospective study of 160 consecutive AHF patients. Socio-demographic details, clinical history, basic laboratory parameters electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters were assessed. They were followed-up for six-months after discharge to ascertain death or readmission. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of all the patients was 58.0 ±15.1 years. Those aged 60 years and above constituted about half of the participants. Males comprised 59.3% and hypertension was the most common risk factor (77.5%). One hundred and thirty-four subjects (83.8%) were in New York Heart Association functional classes III or IV. The most common AHF type was heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and mostly presented de novo. The mean duration of admission was 11 days while intrahospital mortality and mortality at 6 months after discharge were 6.3% and 25.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provided a real-world data of AHF at UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria. It showed AHF was predominantly associated with hypertension. There was high mortality among these AHF subjects. There is a need for more strategy in our environment for preventing AHF and its adverse outcomes.

CONTEXTE: Le fardeau de l'insuffisance cardiaque aiguë (ICA) est en augmentation dans le monde entier ; cependant, il existe peu d'études sur l'ICA au Nigeria et parmi les populations noires. OBJECTIF: Cette étude décrit le profil clinique, la prise en charge conventionnelle et le résultat six mois après la sortie des patients admis pour une insuffisance cardiaque aiguë à l'University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. MÉTHODES: L'étude était une étude prospective de 160 patients consécutifs souffrant d'insuffisance cardiaque aiguë. Les détails sociodémographiques, l'histoire clinique, les paramètres de laboratoire de base, les paramètres électrocardiographiques et échocardiographiques ont été évalués. Ils ont été suivis pendant six mois après leur sortie de l'hôpital pour vérifier le décès ou la réadmission. RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen ± écart-type (ET) de tous les patients était de 58,0 ±15,1 ans. Les personnes âgées de 60 ans et plus constituaient environ la moitié des participants. Les hommes représentaient 59,3 % et l'hypertension était le facteur de risque le plus fréquent (77,5 %). Cent trente-quatre sujets (83,8 %) appartenaient aux classes fonctionnelles III ou IV de la New York Heart Association. Le type d'AHF le plus fréquent était l'insuffisance cardiaque avec fraction d'éjection réduite et se présentait le plus souvent de novo. La durée moyenne d'admission était de 11 jours tandis que la mortalité intrahospitalière et la mortalité à 6 mois après la sortie étaient respectivement de 6,3% et 25,6%. CONCLUSION: Cette étude a fourni des données réelles de l'AHF à l'UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria. Elle a montré que l'AHF était principalement associée à l'hypertension. Il y avait une mortalité élevée parmi ces sujets AHF. Il y a un besoin de plus de stratégie dans notre environnement pour prévenir l'AHF et ses résultats défavorables. Mots-clés: Insuffisance cardiaque. Insuffisance cardiaque aiguë, Nigeria, Hypertension, Maladie cardiovasculaire.

Clinical algorithms for management of fetal heart rate abnormalities during labour.

OBJECTIVE: To construct algorithms with a sequential decision analysis pathway for monitoring of the fetal heart rate and managing fetal heart rate bradycardia, late decelerations and tachycardia during labour. POPULATION: Low-risk pregnant women in labour with singleton cephalic term pregnancies. SETTING: Institutional births in low- and middle-income countries. SEARCH STRATEGY: We sought relevant published clinical algorithms, guidelines and randomised trials/reviews by searching the Cochrane Library, PubMed and Google on the terms: "fetal AND heart AND rate AND algorithm AND (labour OR intrapartum)", up to March 2020. CASE SCENARIOS: The two scenarios included were fetal heart rate bradycardia or late decelerations (potentially related to uterine rupture, placental abruption, cord prolapse, maternal hypotension, uterine hyperstimulation or unexplained) and fetal heart rate tachycardia (potentially related to maternal hyperthermia, infection, dehydration or unexplained). The algorithms provide pathways for definition, assessment, diagnosis, interventions to correct the abnormalities and ongoing monitoring leading to mode of birth, and linking to other algorithms in the series. CONCLUSIONS: The algorithms provide a framework for monitoring and managing fetal heart rate bradycardia, late decelerations and tachycardia during labour. We emphasise the inherent diagnostic inaccuracy of fetal heart rate monitoring, the tendency to over-diagnose fetal compromise, the need to consider fetal heart rate information in the context of other clinical features and the need to engage in informed, shared, family-centred decision-making. We note the need for further research on methods of fetal assessment during labour including clinical fetal arousal testing and the rapid biophysical profile test. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Decision analysis algorithms for fetal bradycardia, late decelerations and tachycardia highlight diagnostic limitations.

Constructing evidence-based clinical intrapartum care algorithms for decision-support tools.

AIM: To describe standardised iterative methods used by a multidisciplinary group to develop evidence-based clinical intrapartum care algorithms for the management of uneventful and complicated labours. POPULATION: Singleton, term pregnancies considered to be at low risk of developing complications at admission to the birthing facility. SETTING: Health facilities in low- and middle-income countries. SEARCH STRATEGY: Literature reviews were conducted to identify standardised methods for algorithm development and examples from other fields, and evidence and guidelines for intrapartum care. Searches for different algorithm topics were last updated between January and October 2020 and included a combination of terms such as 'labour', 'intrapartum', 'algorithms' and specific topic terms, using Cochrane Library and MEDLINE/PubMED, CINAHL, National Guidelines Clearinghouse and Google. CASE SCENARIOS: Nine algorithm topics were identified for monitoring and management of uncomplicated labour and childbirth, identification and management of abnormalities of fetal heart rate, liquor, uterine contractions, labour progress, maternal pulse and blood pressure, temperature, urine and complicated third stage of labour. Each topic included between two and four case scenarios covering most common deviations, severity of related complications or critical clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Intrapartum care algorithms provide a framework for monitoring women, and identifying and managing complications during labour and childbirth. These algorithms will support implementation of WHO recommendations and facilitate the development by stakeholders of evidence-based, up to date, paper-based or digital reminders and decision-support tools. The algorithms need to be field tested and may need to be adapted to specific contexts. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Evidence-based intrapartum care clinical algorithms for a safe and positive childbirth experience.

Effectiveness of uterine tamponade devices for refractory postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate uterine tamponade devices' effectiveness for atonic refractory postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) after vaginal birth and the effect of including them in institutional protocols. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, POPLINE, from inception to January 2021. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised and non-randomised comparative studies. OUTCOMES: Composite outcome including surgical interventions (artery ligations, compressive sutures or hysterectomy) or maternal death, and hysterectomy. RESULTS: All included studies were at high risk of bias. The certainty of the evidence was rated as very low to low. One randomised study measured the effect of the condom-catheter balloon compared with standard care and found unclear results for the composite outcome (relative risk [RR] 2.33, 95% CI 0.76-7.14) and hysterectomy (RR 4.14, 95% CI 0.48-35.93). Three comparative studies assessed the effect of including uterine balloon tamponade in institutional protocols. A stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial suggested an increase in the composite outcome (RR 4.08, 95% CI 1.07-15.58) and unclear results for hysterectomy (RR 4.38, 95% CI 0.47-41.09) with the use of the condom-catheter or surgical glove balloon. One non-randomised study showed unclear effects on the composite outcome (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.11-1.03) and hysterectomy (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.04-5.38) after the inclusion of the Bakri balloon. The second non-randomised study found unclear effects on the composite outcome (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.32-2.81) and hysterectomy (RR 1.84, 95% CI 0.44-7.69) after the inclusion of Ebb or Bakri balloon. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of uterine tamponade devices for the management of atonic refractory PPH after vaginal delivery is unclear, as is the role of the type of device and the setting. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Unclear effects of uterine tamponade devices and their inclusion in institutional protocols for atonic refractory PPH after vaginal delivery.

Effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on risk of adverse maternal outcomes: a prospective cohort study in Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus is a leading medical condition woman encounter during pregnancy with serious short- and long-term consequences for maternal morbidity. However, limited evidence was available on potential impacts of gestational diabetes mellitus using updated international diagnostic criteria on adverse maternal outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on the risk of adverse maternal outcomes in Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among pregnant women followed from pregnancy to delivery. Gestational diabetes mellitus status was determined by using a two-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and based on updated international diagnostic criteria. Multivariable log-binomial model was used to examine the effects of gestational diabetes mellitus on the risk of adverse maternal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 694 women completed the follow-up and included in the analysis. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus had a higher risk of composite adverse maternal outcome (ARR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.22, 2.04), caesarean delivery (ARR=1.67; 95%: 1.15, 2.44), pregnancy induced hypertension (ARR= 3.32; 95%: 1.55, 7.11), premature rupture of membranes (ARR= 1.83; 95%: 1.02, 3.27), antepartum hemorrhage (ARR= 2.10; 95%: 1.11, 3.98) and postpartum hemorrhage (ARR= 4.85; 95%:2.28, 10.30) compared to women without gestational diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: Gestational diabetes mellitus increased the risk of adverse maternal outcomes. This implies that maternal care and intervention strategies relating to women with gestational diabetes mellitus should be strengthened.

Diagnostic accuracy of the partograph alert and action lines to predict adverse birth outcomes: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There are questions about the use of the 'one-centimetre per hour rule' as a valid benchmark for assessing the adequacy of labour progress. OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of the alert (1-cm/hour) and action lines of the cervicograph in the partograph to predict adverse birth outcomes among women in first stage of labour. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, POPLINE, Global Health Library, and reference lists of eligible studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Observational studies and other study designs reporting data on the correlation between the alert line status of women in labour and the occurrence of adverse birth outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers at a time independently identified eligible studies and independently abstracted data including population characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: Thirteen studies in which 20 471 women participated were included in the review. The percentage of women crossing the alert line varied from 8 to 76% for all maternal or perinatal outcomes. No study showed a robust diagnostic test accuracy profile for any of the selected outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review does not support the use of the cervical dilatation over time (at a threshold of 1 cm/h during active first stage) to identify women at risk of adverse birth outcomes. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Alert line of partograph does not identify women at risk of adverse birth outcomes.

The burden of severe maternal outcomes and indicators of quality of maternal care in Nigerian hospitals: a secondary analysis comparing two large facility-based surveys.

OBJECTIVE: To compare severe maternal outcomes (SMOs) from two multi-centre surveys in Nigerian hospitals, and to evaluate how the SMO burden affects quality of secondary and tertiary hospital care. DESIGN: Two facility-based surveys of women experiencing SMO (maternal near-miss or maternal deaths). SETTING: Sixteen secondary and five tertiary facilities in Nigeria [WHO Multi-Country Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health (WHOMCS)] and 42 public tertiary facilities in Nigeria (Nigeria Near-Miss and Maternal Death Survey). POPULATION: 371 women in WHOMCS-Nigeria and 2449 women in Nigeria Near-Miss and Maternal Death Survey who experienced SMO. METHODS: Secondary analysis and comparison of SMO data from two surveys, stratified by facility level. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) per 100 000 livebirths (LB), maternal near-miss (MNM) ratio per 1000 LB, SMO ratio per 1000 LB and mortality index (deaths/SMO). RESULTS: Maternal mortality ratio and mortality indices were highest in tertiary facilities of the WHOMCS-Nigeria (706 per 100 000; 26.7%) and the Nigeria Near-Miss and Maternal Death Survey (1088 per 100 000; 40.8%), and lower in secondary facilities of the WHOMCS-Nigeria (593 per 100 000; 17.9%). The MNM ratio and SMO ratio were highest in secondary WHOMCS-Nigeria facilities (27.2 per 1000 LB; 33.1 per 1000 LB). CONCLUSIONS: Tertiary-level facilities in Nigeria experience unacceptably high maternal mortality rates, but secondary-level facilities had a proportionately higher burden of severe maternal outcomes. Common conditions with a high mortality index (postpartum haemorrhage, eclampsia, and infectious morbidities) should be prioritised for action. Surveillance using SMO indicators can guide quality improvement efforts and assess changes over time. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: 2820 Nigerian women with severe maternal outcomes: high mortality in tertiary level hospitals, higher burden in secondary level.

Maternal near-miss and death among women with rupture of the gravid uterus: a secondary analysis of the Nigeria Near-miss and Maternal Death Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the burden of maternal near-miss and death due to rupture of the gravid uterus, the indicators of quality of care, and avoidable factors associated with care deficiencies for ruptured uterus in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-two tertiary hospitals. POPULATION: Women admitted for pregnancy, childbirth or puerperal complications. METHODS: Cases of severe maternal outcome [SMO: maternal near-miss (MNM) or maternal death (MD)] following uterine rupture were prospectively identified over 1 year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of SMO, indicators of quality of care, and avoidable factors associated with deficiencies in care. RESULTS: There were 91 724 live births and 3285 women with SMO during the study period. SMO due to uterine rupture occurred in 392 women: 305 MNM and 87 MD. Uterine rupture accounted for 11.9, 13.3, and 8.7% of all SMO, MNM, and MD, respectively. SMO, MNM, and intra-hospital maternal mortality ratios due to uterine rupture were 4.3/1000 live births, 3.3/1000 live births, and 94.8/100 000 live births, respectively. Mortality index (% of MD/SMO) was 22.2%, and MNM:MD ratio was 3.5. Avoidable factors contributing to deaths were related to patient-orientated problems, especially late hospital presentation and lack of insurance to cover life-saving interventions. Medical personnel problems contributed to care deficiencies in one-third of women who died. CONCLUSION: Uterine rupture significantly contributes to SMO in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. Strategies to improve maternal survival should address avoidable institutional factors and include community-based interventions to encourage skilled attendance at birth and early referral of complications. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Uterine rupture remains an important cause of maternal death in Nigerian tertiary hospitals.

Maternal near-miss and death associated with abortive pregnancy outcome: a secondary analysis of the Nigeria Near-miss and Maternal Death Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of life-threatening complications related to pregnancies with abortive outcome and the associated health service events and performance in Nigerian public tertiary hospitals. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-two tertiary hospitals. POPULATION: Women admitted for pregnancy-related complications. METHODS: All cases of severe maternal outcomes (SMO: maternal near-miss or death) due to abortive pregnancy complications (defined as spontaneous or induced abortion, and ectopic pregnancy) were prospectively identified over 1 year using uniform identification criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of SMO, mortality index (% maternal death/SMO), case fatality rate, time until death after admission, and health service performance. RESULTS: Of 5779 women admitted with abortive pregnancy complications, 444 (7.9%) experienced an SMO: 366 maternal near-misses and 78 maternal deaths. Intra-hospital maternal mortality ratio from complicated abortive pregnancy outcome was 85/100 000 live births. Case fatality rate was worst for abortion-related infections (19.1%). A quarter of maternal deaths occurred on the same day of admission; however, the peak time of occurrence of death was 3-7 days of admission. Women experiencing cardiovascular, renal or coagulation organ dysfunction were less likely to survive. Higher level of maternal education and closer residence to a health facility improved chance of maternal survival. CONCLUSIONS: Abortive outcome remains a major contributor to SMO in Nigeria. Although early hospital presentation by women is critical to surviving abortive pregnancy complications, improved, appropriate, and timely management is essential to enhance maternal survival. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: 78 maternal deaths and 366 near-misses occurred from abortions and ectopic pregnancies in 42 Nigerian referral hospitals in 1 year.

Maternal near-miss and death among women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy: a secondary analysis of the Nigeria Near-miss and Maternal Death Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate life-threatening maternal complications related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in Nigerian public tertiary hospitals. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-two tertiary hospitals. POPULATION: Women admitted for pregnancy, childbirth or puerperal complications. METHOD: All cases of severe maternal outcome (SMO: maternal near-miss or maternal death) due to HDP were prospectively identified using the WHO criteria over a 1-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of SMO, health service events, case fatality rate, and mortality index (% of maternal death/SMO). RESULTS: Out of 100 107 admissions for maternal complications, 6753 (6.8%) women had HDP. Pre-eclampsia (PE) (54.5%) and eclampsia (E) (30.4%) were the most common HDP recorded. SMO occurred in 587 women with HDP: 298 maternal near-misses and 289 maternal deaths. The majority (93%) of the women with SMO due to HDP were admitted in a critical condition. The median diagnosis-definitive intervention interval was over 4 hours in a quarter of women who died from HDP. For PE and E, case fatality rates were 1.9 and 10.4%, respectively, although both conditions had a similar mortality index of 49.3%. Lack of antenatal care and place of residence further than 5 km from the hospital were associated with maternal death. CONCLUSIONS: Severe maternal outcomes from HDP were due to late presentations and health system challenges. To reduce maternal deaths from HDP, health system strengthening that would engender early hospital presentation and prompt treatment is recommended. FUNDING: The original research that generated the data for this secondary analysis was funded by the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a co-sponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO). We have no other funding issue to declare for our study. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Eclampsia is the leading cause of maternal death in Nigerian hospitals.

Non-obstetric causes of severe maternal complications: a secondary analysis of the Nigeria Near-miss and Maternal Death Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the burden, causes and outcomes of severe non-obstetric maternal complications in Nigerian public tertiary hospitals. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-two tertiary health facilities. POPULATION: Women admitted with complications during pregnancy, childbirth or puerperium. METHODS: All cases of severe maternal outcome (SMO: maternal near-miss or maternal death) due to non-obstetric causes were prospectively identified over a 1-year period. Maternal near-miss was defined using organ-system dysfunction (WHO), clinical, or management-based criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Causes and contributions of non-obstetric complications to SMO; fetal and neonatal outcomes; health service events associated with non-obstetric complications; and mortality index (% of maternal death/SMO). RESULTS: Of 100 107 women admitted with complications, 9401 (9.4%) were for non-obstetric causes; and 4.0% (375/9401) suffered severe non-obstetric complications. Of the 375 cases of severe non-obstetric complications, 48.8% (183/375) were near-misses and 51.2% (192/375) were maternal deaths. Severe anaemia unrelated to haemorrhage contributed 61.2% of near-misses and 32.8% of maternal deaths. The highest mortality indices were observed for cancer (91.7%), hepatic diseases (81.8%) and HIV/AIDS/HIV wasting syndrome (80.4%). Fatality was significantly high with extremes of age and no formal education. Regarding organ dysfunctions, neurological (77.1%) and cardiovascular (75.0%) dysfunctions had the highest mortality indices. Perinatal mortality was 65.9%. Time from diagnosis of severe non-obstetric complications to review by senior medical personnel, and to definitive intervention was <30 minutes in 30.2% and 29.8% of women with SMO, respectively. However, over 240 minutes elapsed between diagnosis and definitive intervention in more than one-third of women with SMO. CONCLUSION: Non-obstetric complications are associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes and deserve attention similar to that accorded obstetric complications. FUNDING: The original research that generated the data for this secondary analysis and the publication of this secondary analysis were funded by the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a co-sponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO). TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Non-obstetric causes are important contributors to maternal deaths and life-threatening morbidities in Nigerian hospitals.

Maternal near-miss and death among women with postpartum haemorrhage: a secondary analysis of the Nigeria Near-miss and Maternal Death Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the burden and health service events surrounding severe maternal outcomes (SMO) related to life-threatening postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in Nigerian public tertiary hospitals. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-two tertiary hospitals. POPULATION: Women admitted for pregnancy, childbirth or puerperal complications. METHODS: All cases of SMO [maternal near miss (MNM) or maternal death (MD)] due to PPH were prospectively identified using WHO criteria over a 1-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of SMO, health service events, case fatality rate (CFR) and mortality index (MI: % of death/SMO). RESULTS: Postpartum haemorrhage occurred in 2087 (2.2%) of the 94 835 deliveries recorded during the study period. A total of 354 (0.3%) women had an SMO (103 MD; 251 MNM). It was the most frequent obstetric haemorrhagic complication across hospitals. PPH had the highest maternal mortality ratio (112/100 000 live births) and the recorded MI (29.1%) and CFR (4.9%) were second only to that of ruptured uterus. About 83% of women with SMO were admitted in a critical condition with over 50% being referred. MD was more likely when PPH led to neurological (80.8%), renal (73.5%) or respiratory (58.7%) organ dysfunction. Although the timing of life-saving interventions was not statistically different between the cases of MD and MNM, close to one-quarter of women who died received critical intervention at least 4 hours after diagnosis of life-threatening PPH. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum haemorrhage was a significant contributor to obstetric haemorrhage and SMO in Nigerian hospitals. Emergency obstetric services should be enhanced at the lower levels of healthcare delivery to reduce avoidable deaths from PPH. FUNDING: The original research that generated the data for this secondary analysis, and the publication of this secondary analysis, was funded by the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization. We have no other funding issue to declare for our study. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: One hundred and three maternal deaths and 251 near-misses resulted from PPH in 42 Nigerian tertiary facilities in 1 year.