Women's caesarean section preferences: A multicountry cross-sectional survey in low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the proportion of women's preferences for CS in hospitals with high caesarean section rates and to identify related factors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional hospital-based postpartum survey was conducted. We used multilevel multivariate logistic regression and probit models to analyse the association between women's caesarean section preferences and maternal characteristics. Probit models take into account selection bias while excluding women who had no preference. SETTING: Thirty-two hospitals in Argentina, Thailand, Vietnam and Burkina Faso were selected. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,979 post-partum women with no potential medical need for caesarean section were included among a representative sample of women who delivered at each of the participating facilities during the data collection period. FINDINGS: The overall caesarean section rate was 23.3 %. Among women who declared a preference in late pregnancy, 9 % preferred caesarean section, ranging from 1.8 % in Burkina Faso to 17.8 % in Thailand. Primiparous women were more likely to prefer a caesarean section than multiparous women (ß=+0.16 [+0.01; +0.31]; p = 0.04). Among women who preferred caesarean section, doctors were frequently cited as the main influencers, and "avoid pain in labour" was the most common perceived benefit of caesarean section. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a high proportion of women prefer vaginal birth and highlight that the preference for caesarean section is linked to women's fear of pain and the influence of doctors. These results can inform the development of interventions aimed at supporting women and their preferences, providing them with evidence-based information and changing doctors' behaviour in order to reduce the number of unnecessary caesarean sections. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: The QUALI-DEC trial is registered on the Current Controlled Trials website (https://www.isrctn.com/) under the number ISRCTN67214403.

Third stage of labor: evidence-based practice for prevention of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

The third stage of labor is defined as the time period between delivery of the fetus through delivery of the placenta. During a normal third stage, uterine contractions lead to separation and expulsion of the placenta from the uterus. Postpartum hemorrhage is a relatively common complication of the third stage of labor. Strategies have been studied to mitigate the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, leading to the widespread implementation of active management of the third stage of labor. Initially, active management of the third stage of labor consisted of a bundle of interventions including administration of a uterotonic agent, early cord clamping, controlled cord traction, and external uterine massage. However, the effectiveness of these interventions as a bundle has been questioned, leading to abandonment of some components in recent years. Despite this, upon review of selected international guidelines, we found that the term "active management of the third stage of labor" was still used, but recommendations for and against individual interventions were variable and not necessarily supported by current evidence. In this review, we: (1) examine the physiology of the third stage of labor, (2) present evidence related to interventions that prevent postpartum hemorrhage and promote maternal and neonatal health, (3) review current global guidelines and recommendations for practice, and (4) propose future areas of investigation. The interventions in this review include pharmacologic agents to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, cord clamping, cord milking, cord traction, cord drainage, early skin-to-skin contact, and nipple stimulation. Treatment of complications of the third stage of labor is outside of the scope of this review. We conclude that current evidence supports the use of effective pharmacologic postpartum hemorrhage prophylaxis, delayed cord clamping, early skin-to-skin contact, and controlled cord traction at delivery when feasible. The most effective uterotonic regimens for preventing postpartum hemorrhage after vaginal delivery include oxytocin plus ergometrine; oxytocin plus misoprostol; or carbetocin. After cesarean delivery, carbetocin or oxytocin as a bolus are the most effective regimens. There is inconsistent evidence regarding the use of tranexamic acid in addition to a uterotonic compared with a uterotonic alone for postpartum hemorrhage prevention after all deliveries. Because of differences in patient comorbidities, costs, and availability of resources and staff, decisions to use specific prevention strategies are dependent on patient- and system-level factors. We recommend that the term "active management of the third stage of labor" as a combined intervention no longer be used. Instead, we recommend that "third stage care" be adopted, which promotes the implementation of evidence-based interventions that incorporate practices that are safe and beneficial for both the woman and neonate.

How does hospital organisation influence the use of caesarean sections in low- and middle-income countries? A cross-sectional survey in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand and Vietnam for the QUALI-DEC project.

BACKGROUND: Improving the understanding of non-clinical factors that lead to the increasing caesarean section (CS) rates in many low- and middle-income countries is currently necessary to meet the challenge of implementing effective interventions in hospitals to reverse the trend. The objective of this study was to study the influence of organizational factors on the CS use in Argentina, Vietnam, Thailand and Burkina Faso. METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital-based postpartum survey was conducted in 32 hospitals (8 per country). We selected women with no potential medical need for CS among a random sample of women who delivered at each of the participating facilities during the data collection period. We used multilevel multivariable logistic regression to analyse the association between CS use and organizational factors, adjusted on women's characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 2,092 low-risk women who had given birth in the participating hospitals were included. The overall CS rate was 24.1%, including 4.9% of pre-labour CS and 19.3% of intra-partum CS. Pre-labour CS was significantly associated with a 24-hour anaesthetist dedicated to the delivery ward (ORa = 3.70 [1.41; 9.72]) and with the possibility to have an individual room during labour and delivery (ORa = 0.28 [0.09; 0.87]). Intra-partum CS was significantly associated with a higher bed occupancy level (ORa = 1.45 [1.09; 1.93]): intrapartum CS rate would increase of 6.3% points if the average number of births per delivery bed per day increased by 10%. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that organisational norms and convenience associated with inadequate use of favourable resources, as well as the lack of privacy favouring women's preference for CS, and the excessive workload of healthcare providers drive the CS overuse in these hospitals. It is also crucial to enhance human and physical resources in delivery rooms and the organisation of intrapartum care to improve the birth experience and the working environment for those providing care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The QUALI-DEC trial is registered on the Current Controlled Trials website ( https://www.isrctn.com/ ) under the number ISRCTN67214403.

Multicountry research on comprehensive abortion policy implementation in Latin America: a mixed-methods study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Access to comprehensive abortion care could prevent the death of between 13 865 and 38 940 women and the associated morbidity of 5 million women worldwide. There have been some important improvements in Latin America in terms of laws and policies on abortion. However, the predominant environment is still restrictive, and many women, adolescents and girls still face multiple barriers to exercise their reproductive rights. This research will systematically assess comprehensive abortion policies in five Latin American countries (Argentina, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico and Uruguay). The aim is to identify barriers, facilitators and strategies to the implementation of abortion policies, looking at four key dimensions-regulatory framework, abortion policy dynamics, abortion service delivery and health system and health outcomes indicators-to draw cross-cutting lessons learnt to improve current implementation and inform future safe abortion policy development. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A mixed-method design will be used in the five countries to address the four dimensions through the Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability and Quality of Care model. The data collection tools include desk reviews and semi-structured interviews with key actors. Analysis will be performed using thematic analysis and stakeholder analysis. A regional synthesis exercise will be conducted to draw lessons on barriers, facilitators and the strategies. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The project has been approved by the WHO Research Ethics Review Committee (ID: A66023) and by the local research ethics committees. Informed consent will be obtained from participants. Data will be treated with careful attention to protecting privacy and confidentiality. Findings from the study will be disseminated through a multipurpose strategy to target diverse audiences to foster the use of the study findings to inform the public debate agenda and policy implementation at national level. The strategy will include academic, advocacy and policy arenas and actors, including peer-reviewed publication and national and regional dissemination workshops.

Factors affecting the implementation of calcium supplementation strategies during pregnancy to prevent pre-eclampsia: a mixed-methods systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Daily calcium supplements are recommended for pregnant women from 20 weeks' gestation to prevent pre-eclampsia in populations with low dietary calcium intake. We aimed to improve understanding of barriers and facilitators for calcium supplement intake during pregnancy to prevent pre-eclampsia. DESIGN: Mixed-method systematic review, with confidence assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research approach. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and EMBASE (via Ovid), CINAHL and Global Health (via EBSCO) and grey literature databases were searched up to 17 September 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included primary qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies reporting implementation or use of calcium supplements during pregnancy, excluding calcium fortification and non-primary studies. No restrictions were imposed on settings, language or publication date. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We analysed the qualitative data using thematic synthesis, and quantitative findings were thematically mapped to qualitative findings. We then mapped the results to behavioural change frameworks to identify barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Eighteen reports from nine studies were included in this review. Women reported barriers to consuming calcium supplements included limited knowledge about calcium supplements and pre-eclampsia, fears and experiences of side effects, varying preferences for tablets, dosing, working schedules, being away from home and taking other supplements. Receiving information regarding pre-eclampsia and safety of calcium supplement use from reliable sources, alternative dosing options, supplement reminders, early antenatal care, free supplements and support from families and communities were reported as facilitators. Healthcare providers felt that consistent messaging about benefits and risks of calcium, training, and ensuring adequate staffing and calcium supply is available would be able to help them in promoting calcium. CONCLUSION: Relevant stakeholders should consider the identified barriers and facilitators when formulating interventions and policies on calcium supplement use. These review findings can inform implementation to ensure effective and equitable provision and scale-up of calcium interventions. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021239143.

Implementing the QUALI-DEC project in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand and Viet Nam: a process delineation and theory-driven process evaluation protocol.

The project 'Quality Decision-making by women and providers' (QUALI-DEC) combines four non-clinical interventions to promote informed decision-making surrounding mode of birth, improve women's birth experiences, and reduce caesarean sections among low-risk women. QUALI-DEC is currently being implemented in 32 healthcare facilities across Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand, and Viet Nam. In this paper, we detail implementation processes and the planned process evaluation, which aims to assess how and for whom QUALI-DEC worked, the mechanisms of change and their interactions with context and setting; adaptations to intervention and implementation strategies, feasibility of scaling-up, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. We developed a project theory of change illustrating how QUALI-DEC might lead to impact. The theory of change, together with on the ground observations of implementation processes, guided the process evaluation strategy including what research questions and perspectives to prioritise. Main data sources will include: 1) regular monitoring visits in healthcare facilities, 2) quantitative process and output indicators, 3) a before and after cross-sectional survey among post-partum women, 4) qualitative interviews with all opinion leaders, and 5) qualitative interviews with postpartum women and health workers in two healthcare facilities per country, as part of a case study approach. We foresee that the QUALI-DEC process evaluation will generate valuable information that will improve interpretation of the effectiveness evaluation. At the policy level, we anticipate that important lessons and methodological insights will be drawn, with application to other settings and stakeholders looking to implement complex interventions aiming to improve maternal and newborn health and wellbeing.Trial registration: ISRCTN67214403.

Obstetric transition in the World Health Organization Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health: exploring pathways for maternal mortality reduction / Transición obstétrica en la Encuesta Global de la Organización Mundial de la Salud sobre Salud Materna y Neonatal: exploración de las vías de reducción de la mortalidad materna

OBJECTIVE: To test whether the proposed features of the Obstetric Transition Model-a theoretical framework that may explain gradual changes that countries experience as they eliminate avoidable maternal mortality-are observed in a large, multicountry, maternal and perinatal health database; and to discuss the dynamic process of maternal mortality reduction using this model as a theoretical framework. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study by the World Health Organization that collected information on more than 300 000 women who delivered in 359 health facilities in 29 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, during a 2-4-month period in 2010-2011. The ratios of Potentially Life-Threatening Conditions, Severe Maternal Outcomes, Maternal Near Miss, and Maternal Death were estimated and stratified by stages of obstetric transition. The characteristics of each stage are defined. RESULTS: Data from 314 623 women showed that female fertility, indirectly estimated by parity, was higher in countries at a lower obstetric transition stage, ranging from a mean of 3 children in Stage II to 1.8 children in Stage IV. Medicalization increased with obstetric transition stage. In Stage IV, women had 2.4 times the cesarean deliveries (15.3% in Stage II and 36.7% in Stage IV) and 2.6 times the labor inductions (7.1% in Stage II and 18.8% in Stage IV) as women in Stage II. The mean age of primiparous women also increased with stage. The occurrence of uterine rupture had a decreasing trend, dropping by 5.2 times, from 178 to 34 cases per 100 000 live births, as a country transitioned from Stage II to IV. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis supports the concept of obstetric transition using multicountry data. The Obstetric Transition Model could provide justification for customizing strategies for reducing maternal mortality according to a country's stage in the obstetric transition.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO: Evaluar si las características propuestas del Modelo de Transición Obstétrica, un marco teórico que puede explicar los cambios graduales que experimentan los países a medida que eliminan la mortalidad materna evitable, se pueden observar en una amplia base de datos de salud materna y perinatal de varios países; y tratar sobre el proceso dinámico de reducción de la mortalidad materna utilizando este modelo como marco teórico. MÉTODOS: Este estudio consistió en un análisis secundario de un estudio transversal realizado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud que recopiló información sobre más de 300 000 mujeres que dieron a luz en 359 establecimientos de salud de 29 países de África, Asia, América Latina y Oriente Medio, durante un período de 2 a 4 meses en el 2010 y el 2011. Se calcularon los índices de afecciones potencialmente mortales, resultados maternos graves, morbilidad materna extremadamente grave, y muerte materna, y se estratificaron según las etapas de transición obstétrica. Se definen las características de cada etapa. RESULTADOS: Los datos de 314 623 mujeres indicaron que la fecundidad femenina, calculada indirectamente por el número de partos, fue mayor en los países que se hallaban en las primeras etapas de la transición obstétrica, desde un promedio de 3 hijos en el estadio II a 1,8 en el estadio IV. El nivel de medicalización de los establecimientos de salud de los países participantes, definido por el número de partos por cesárea y el número de partos inducidos, tuvo tendencia a aumentar según avanzaba la etapa de transición obstétrica. En el estadio IV, las mujeres tuvieron 2,4 veces más partos por cesárea (15,3% en el estadio II y 36,7% en el estadio IV) y 2,6 veces más inducciones de parto (7,1% en el estadio II y 18,8% en el estadio IV) que las mujeres en el estadio II. A medida que avanzaban las etapas de transición obstétrica, también se incrementaba la media de edad de las mujeres primíparas. La ocurrencia de rotura uterina mostraba una tendencia descendente, y se reducía 5,2 veces, de 178 a 34 casos por 100 000 nacidos vivos, a medida que un país efectuaba la transición del estadio II al IV. CONCLUSIONES: Este análisis apoya el concepto de transición obstétrica utilizando datos de varios países. El Modelo de Transición Obstétrica podría justificar la adaptación de las estrategias para reducir la mortalidad materna según la etapa de transición obstétrica en que se halla un país.

Estado actual de la medicina basada en la evidencia / Evidence-based medicine: current status

Los objetivos del Editorial son la definición del significado de Medicina Basada en la Evidencia (MBE), la utilidad de la misma y los desarrollos acontecidos para mejorar su utilidad en la práctica clínica, la investigación y en la implementación de politicas de salud.

Módulo de capacitación en hipertensión y embarazo / Training module hypertension and pregnancy

Las causas de mortalidad materna en Latino América y el Caribe estan lideradas por los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo, en donde una de cada 4 muertes maternas es por esta patología. En términos generales podemos discutir 5 grandes razones para explicar nuestras altas tasas de muerte materna...

Efecto del clampeo demorado del cordón umbilical en la ferritina sérica a los seis meses de vida. Estudio clínico controlado aleatorizado / The effect ofearly and delayed umbilical cord clamping onferritin levels in term infants at six months oflife. A randomized, controlled trial

Introducción. El clampeo demorado del cordón umbilical aumentaría el depósito de hierro en lactantes. Para comprobar esta hipótesis medimos la ferritina sérica a los seis meses de vida en niños nacidos a término, participantes en un estudio controlado aleatorizado que evaluó el efecto del tiempo de clampeo del cordón en el hematócrito venoso y la evolución neonatal. Métodos. De 276 neonatos incluidos en el estudio original, 255 (92,4%) fueron seguidos seis meses, 86 tuvieron clampeo temprano, 83 al minuto y 83 al tercer minuto. La variable principal de resultado fue la concentración de ferritina sérica a los seis meses. Resultados. Las características de los grupos de madres y niños fueron similares. La ferritina fue significativamente más alta en los niños con clampeo al tercer minuto (33,2 μg/L) que en los de clampeo temprano (20,9 μg/L) (diferencia de medias geométrica: 1,6; IC 95%: 1,2-2,1). No hubo diferencia significativa entre clampeo al minuto (25,5 μg/L) y clampeo temprano. Tampoco hubo diferencia en los valores medios de hemoglobina, entre los grupos temprano [10,6 g/dl (DE 1,11)], al minuto [10,8 g/dl (DE 0,86)] y tres minutos [10,7 g/dl (DE 0,97)], respectivamente. La prevalencia de anemia ferropénica fue tres veces mayor en niños con clampeo temprano (7%) en comparación con los del tercer minuto (2,4%) (diferencias no significativas; RR: 0,30; IC 95%: 0,10-1,60). Conclusión. En niños nacidos a término, el clampeo del cordón umbilical a los tres minutos del nacimiento aumentó significativamente las concentraciones de ferritina a los seis meses de edad. No hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles de hemoglobina.

Background. Delayed umbilical cord clamping could increase iron stores and prevent iron deficieney in infants. To test this hypothesis we measured serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels at six months of age in term infants who had participated in a randomized controlled trial, assessing the effect of cord clamping timing on neonatal hematocrit values and clinical outcome. Main outcome measure. Serum ferritin level at six months of age. Methods. Out of the 276 mothers and their infants that participated in the initial study, 255 (92.4%) were followed up to six months and included in this study. Of these, 86 had their cords clamped within the first 15 seconds (early clamping), 83 at one minute, and 83 at three minutes. The pediatricians in charge of the evaluations during the follow-up period and personnel in charge of the biochemical tests were blinded to the assignment group. In all but 3 infants the ferritin levels and hemoglobin levels were measured at six months of age. Results. Mothers and infants in the three groups had similar baseline characteristics. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in the infants of the three minutes group than in the infants of the early group: 33.2 μg/L vs. 20.9 ug/L(geometric mean ratio: 1.6;95%CI: 1.2 to 2.11) but no difference was observed in one minute group (25.5 μg/L) vs. early group. There were no significant differences inmeanhemoglobin values, 10.6 g/dl (SD 1,1); 10.8 g/dl (SD 0.9) and 10.7 g/dl (SD 1.0) between groups early, one minute, and three minutes, respectively. Although there were no significant differences between groups, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin < 10.5 g/dl and ferritin < 9 μg/L) was 3 times more frequent in early clampling group (7.2%) than in three minutes group (2.4%) (RR: 0.30; IC 95%: 0.10-1.60). Conclusions. Delayed umbilical cord clamping at three minutes significantly increases serum ferritin levels in infants at 6 months of age. No significant differences were found between groups in mean hemoglobin levels.

Efecto del clampeo demorado del cordón umbilical en la ferritina sérica a los seis meses de vida. Estudio clínico controlado aleatorizado / The effect of early and delayed umbilical cord clamping on ferritin levels in term infants at six months of life. A randomized, controlled trial

Introducción. El clampeo demorado del cordón umbilical aumentaría el depósito de hierro en lactantes.Para comprobar esta hipótesis medimos la ferritina sérica a los seis meses de vida en niños nacidos a término, participantes en un estudio controlado aleatorizado que evaluó el efecto del tiempo de clampeo del cordón en el hematócrito venoso y la evolución neonatal.Métodos. De 276 neonatos incluidos en el estudio original, 255 (92,4 por ciento) fueron seguidos seis meses, 86 tuvieron clampeo temprano, 83 al minuto y 83 al tercer minuto. La variable principal de resultado fue la concentración de ferritina sérica a los seis meses. Resultados. Las características de los grupos de madres y niños fueron similares. La ferritina fue significativamente más alta en los niños con clampeo al tercer minuto (33,2 μg/L) que en los de clampeo temprano (20,9 μg/L) (diferencia de medias geométrica: 1,6; IC 95 por ciento: 1,2-2,1). No hubo diferencia significativa entre clampeo al minuto(25,5 μg/L) y clampeo temprano. Tampoco hubo diferencia en los valores medios de hemoglobina,entre los grupos temprano [10,6 g/dl (DE 1,11)], al minuto [10,8 g/dl (DE 0,86)] y tres minutos [10,7 g/dl (DE 0,97)], respectivamente.La prevalencia de anemia ferropénica fue tres veces mayor en niños con clampeo temprano(7 por ciento) en comparación con los del tercer minuto (2,4 por ciento) (diferencias no significativas; RR: 0,30;IC 95 por ciento: 0,10-1,60).Conclusión. En niños nacidos a término, el clampeo del cordón umbilical a los tres minutos del nacimiento aumentó significativamente las concentracionesde ferritina a los seis meses de edad.No hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles de hemoglobina.

Efectividad de la alimentación suplementaria en países en vías de desarrollo: revisión sistemática / Effectiveness of supplementary feeding in developing countries: systematic review

La alimentación suplementaria es una intervención nutricional ampliamente utilizada en países en vías de desarrollo. Sin embargo, existe controversia acerca de la magnitud de su efecto sobre el crecimiento físico de los niños de edad preescolar.Objetivo. Realizar una revisión sistemática de estudios clínicos aleatorizados sobre alimentación suplementaria contra “no intervención” o placebo, que evalúen resultados antropométricos.Población. Niños de 0 menos 5 años de países en vías de desarrollo.Materiales y métodos. Se hicieron búsquedas en MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS y otras bases de datos. Dos de los autores de la revisión seleccionaron y evaluaron separadamente los estudios.Se utilizó el programa informático RevMan 4.2.7. Los datos se presentan como diferencia ponderada de la media con intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95 por ciento.Resultados. Se incluyeron 4 estudios. El estudio de Jamaica mostró un efecto positivo sobre la talla de los niños del grupo que recibió alimentación suplementaria comparado con el grupo control luego de 12 meses de intervención [Diferencia Ponderada de laMedia 1,3 centímetros (IC del 95 por ciento : 0,03 menos 2,57)]. Los estudios de Indonesia no mostraron beneficios en el grupo que recibió la intervención. El enfoque analítico del estudio guatemalteco no permite estimar la magnitud de los efectos durante la intervención.Conclusiones. La insuficiencia de datos de alta calidad no permite a los autores extraer conclusiones firmes acerca de los efectos de la alimentación suplementaria sobre el crecimiento infantil. Aspectos metodológicos, como el cálculo del tamaño muestral y el adecuado enmascaramiento, deben ser considerados en estudios futuros.

Costs of publicly provided maternity services in Rosario, Argentina

OBJECTIVE: This study estimates the costs of maternal health services in Rosario, Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The provider costs (US$ 1999) of antenatal care, a normal vaginal delivery and a caesarean section, were evaluated retrospectively in two municipal hospitals. The cost of an antenatal visit was evaluated in two health centres and the patient costs associated with the visit were evaluated in a hospital and a health centre. RESULTS: The average cost per hospital day is $114.62. The average cost of a caesarean section ($525.57) is five times greater than that of a normal vaginal delivery ($105.61). A normal delivery costs less at the general hospital and a c-section less at the maternity hospital. The average cost of an antenatal visit is $31.10. The provider cost is lower at the health centre than at the hospital. Personnel accounted for 72-94 percent of the total cost and drugs and medical supplies between 4-26 percent. On average, an antenatal visit costs women $4.70. Direct costs are minimal compared to indirect costs of travel and waiting time. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the potential for increasing the efficiency of resource use by promoting antenatal care visits at the primary level. Women could also benefit from reduced travel and waiting time. Similar benefits could accrue to the provider by encouraging normal delivery at general hospitals, and complicated deliveries at specialised maternity hospitals

El parto pretérmino: detección de riesgos y tratamientos preventivos / Preterm delivery: prevention through risk detection and treatment

Todos los años nacen en el mundo alrededor de 13 millones de niños prematuros. La mayor parte de esos niños nacen en países en desarrollo y constituyen el componente principal de la morbilidad y la mortalidad perinatales. En el presente estudio de revisión se analizaron los datos científicamente validados sobre las intervenciones que se emplean con la intención de evitar al menos una parte de los partos pretérmino y disminuir su impacto en la salud neonatal. Se consultaron las bases de datos Biblioteca Cochrane y Medline y se estudiaron 50 trabajos de revisión y artículos de investigación relacionados con el tema del parto pretérmino en sus siguientes aspectos: factores de riesgo y detección precoz del riesgo de parto pretérmino; prevención de la amenaza de parto pretérmino; tratamiento del parto pretérmino iniciado, y prevención del síndrome de dificultad respiratoria neonatal. Se encontraron pocos medios ensayados con éxito para predecir, prevenir o detectar precozmente la amenaza de parto pretérmino. Solo el tamizaje y tratamiento de la bacteriuria asintomática pueden recomendarse para todas las embarazadas como parte del control prenatal. El tamizaje de la vaginosis bacteriana y su tratamiento ulterior y el cerclaje profiláctico reducen, respectivamente, la incidencia de nacimientos adelantados en embarazadas con antecedentes de parto prematuro y en las que tienen antecedentes de más de tres partos pretérmino. Como tratamiento del parto iniciado antes de tiempo, con o sin rotura prematura de membranas, las intervenciones que han mostrado eficacia son la administración de betamiméticos a la parturienta para prolongar por 48 horas el período de latencia del parto y de indometacina con el mismo objetivo como medicamento de segunda elección. La administración prenatal de corticoides a la embarazada puede inducir la maduración pulmonar del feto y reducir el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria y la hemorragia ventricular, reduciendo así la mortalidad neonatal. Se recomienda continuar y apoyar las investigaciones básicas y epidemiológicas sobre la prevención para adquirir más conocimientos sobre las causas y mecanismos del parto pretérmino y cómo prevenir la morbilidad y mortalidad que produce

Every year around the world some 13 million premature children are born. Most of these children are born in developing countries, and they account for the largest share of perinatal morbidity and mortality. This review study analyzed scientifically validated data on interventions to prevent at least some portion of these preterm deliveries and to lessen their impact on neonatal health. The Cochrane and MEDLINE bibliographic databases were consulted. Fifty review pieces and research articles were studied, relating to the following aspects of preterm delivery: risk factors and early detection of the risk of preterm delivery; preventing the risk of preterm delivery; treating preterm delivery once it has begun; and preventing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. There were few successful approaches to the prediction, prevention, or early detection of the threat of preterm delivery. The only measures that can be recommended for all pregnant women are screening for and treating asymptomatic bacteriuria as a part of prenatal check-ups. Screening for bacterial vaginosis and treating it reduce the incidence of preterm births in pregnant women with a history of premature delivery. In addition, prophylactic cerclage decreases the incidence of premature births in pregnant women who have had more than three preterm births. To treat a delivery that starts early, with or without premature membrane rupture, the interventions that have proved to be effective are administering betamimetics to the parturient woman in order to delay delivery for 48 hours, and using indomethacin for the same purpose, as the second-choice drug. The prenatal administration of corticosteroids to the pregnant woman can induce lung maturation in the fetus and reduce respiratory distress syndrome and ventricular hemorrhage, thus decreasing neonatal mortality. There is a need to continue and support basic and epidemiological research in order to develop new knowledge on the causes and mechanisms of preterm delivery and on preventing the morbidity and mortality that preterm delivery produces

Capacidad predictiva de los meta-análisis de investigaciones clínicas aleatorizadas / Predictive ability of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials

Aunque existe un incremento constante en el uso del meta-análisis (MA) de investigaciones clínicas aleatorizadas (ICA), no ha sido evaluada su capacidad en la predicción de los resultados de investigaciones clínicas aleatorizadas con gran número de pacientes. Hemos calculado el riesgo relativo (y los correspondientes intervalos de confianza del 95 por ciento) para 30 meta-análisis de diferentes intervenciones en medicina perinatal, abarcando 185 investigaciones clínicas aleatorizadas, pero excluyendo el estudio con mayor número de pacientes. Luego procedimos a comparar los resultados de los meta-análisis con los resultados del estudio grande (tamaño muestral mayor de 1.000 pacientes) realizados con la misma intervención y el mismo punto final de resultado. Veinticuatro meta-análisis predijeron correctamente la dirección del efecto de la intervención, pero sólo dieciocho de los treinta acordaron con el estudio grande en la dirección del efecto de la intervención y en la significación estadística. Se observó una moderada coincidencia más allá del azar, entre los resultados del meta-análisis y el estudio más grande (estadística Kappa 0,46-0,53). Un meta-análisis que muestra un efecto protector de la intervención mayor de 40 por ciento posee un 60 por ciento de probabilidad de predecir correctamente resultados de la misma magnitud que el estudio grande. Investigadores y agencias que apoyan las investigaciones pueden usar el meta-análisis para recomendar una práctica clínica o para resumir los resultados de investigaciones clínicas aleatorizadas antes de decidir sobre la realización de nuevos estudios de intervenciones promisorias. Sin embargo, son necesarias evaluaciones adicionales del método meta-analítico para una mejor interpretación de los resultados cualitativos y cuantitativos que brinda tal metodología

Factores de riesgo de bajo peso al nacer en un grupo de embarazadas de Rosario, Argentina / Selection of mothers with increased risk of delivery low birthweight newborns at a public maternity hospital in Rosario, Argentina

A study aimed at determining the means of reducing the prevalence of low birthweight was conducted from August 1984 to January 1985. Fifteen risk factors were selected that can be identified in the first prenatal consultation. The prevalence of these factors was calculated on the basis of 1 209 clinical histories of mothers who had given birth at the Martin Maternity Hospital in Rosario, Argentina. Also calculated were the relative risk and the attributable percentage of risk for low birthweight, retarded intrauterine growth, and preterm birth. A previous history of the mother having delivered low-weight newborns coupled with her having worked more than four hours a day was associated with a significant relative risk of low birthweigh (3.48 and 2.15). Also, those with a history of having delivered low-weight newborns whose weight at the same time was below the 10th percentile were at significant relative risk for retarded intrauterine growth (3.75 and 2.17). The relative risk factors of: previous delivery of low-weight newborns, husband without schooling, mother under 18 years of age, husband unemployed, and mother without any schooling or only incomplete primary education (1.81, 2.04, 1.46, 1.56, and 1.53, respectively). None of the other factors traditionally regarded as risk were significant in this study

La longitud craneo-caudal en la estimacion de la edad gestacional / Gestational age estimation by crown-rump length measurement

El conocimiento de la edad getacional es un factor fundamental en el seguimiento de los embarazos, particularmente en aquellos de alto riesgo. Se correlaciono la edad gestacional con la longitud creneo-caudal (LCC) en setenta y cuantro embarzadas con fecha de ultima menstruacion conocida, con ciclos menstruales regulares de 28 a 30 dias y cuyos neonatos no difirieron entre la amenorrea y la estimacion clinica de la edad gestacional en mas de 14 dias. Al comparar esta estimacion con lo reportado por otros autores en paises desarrollasdos se observan escasa diferencia siendo la mayor diferencia de 3 dias. Se concluye que existe coincidencia entre las distintas estimaciones y que pueden utilizarse patrones provenientes de otras regiones o poblaciones