Neonatal Outcome of Babies Born to Women 40 Years and Older in a Jamaican Birth Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the outcome of babies born to women ≥40 years in a Jamaican birth cohort. STUDY DESIGN: Maternal demographic data and neonatal data for women ≥40 years who delivered live singleton babies and their younger counterparts aged 20 30 years were extracted from the JA KIDS birth cohort dataset. Outcome measures were preterm birth, low birth weight, very low birth weight, extremely low birth weight, macrosomia, a low 5-minute Apgar score <7, admission to the neonatal unit, and neonatal death. Descriptive analyses were performed; statistical significance was taken at the level p <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 5,424 women and their babies were entered into the study, 5,099 (94%) women were aged 20 to 30 years (mean age ± standard deviation [SD]: 24.5 ± 3.2 years) and 325 (6%) were aged ≥40 years (mean age ± SD: 41.5 ± 1.6 years). A greater percentage of preterm babies (18%) were born to women ≥40 years than to their younger counterparts (14%; p = 0.04). There was no difference in the proportion of low birth weight infants, very low birth weight infants, or extremely low birth weight infants born between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in the proportion of babies who were macrosomic and in those who had a low 5-minute Apgar score <7. There were 866 (16%) neonatal admissions, 67/325 (21%) of these babies were born to women aged ≥40 years and 799/5,099 (16%) were born to their younger counterparts (p = 0.01). The commonest reason for admission was prematurity. While 60 babies died, there was no significant difference between both groups with 56 (1%) born to women 20 to 30 years and 4 (1%) born to women ≥40 years (p = 0.48). CONCLUSION: Adverse outcomes noted for babies born to women ≥40 years were prematurity and the need for neonatal admission. However, no excess mortality was recorded. KEY POINTS: · Women 40 years and older are more likely to have a chronic illness such as hypertension and diabetes and to have an operative delivery.. · Babies born to women 40 years and older are more likely to be late premature infants and require neonatal admission.. · However, there is no increased risk of neonatal mortality..

Neonatal morbidity in the 2011 JAKIDS Jamaican birth cohort.

This study reports the spectrum of discharge diagnoses in a national cohort of newborns admitted during a 3-month period to hospitals across Jamaica. The data were analyzed using measures of central tendency and risk assessed using odds ratio. Data on 1607 admissions were used to describe the spectrum of morbidity in hospitalized infants. Eight hundred and seven (50%) male and 754 (48%) female neonates were admitted. There was a 15% (240) readmission rate during the neonatal period. Infants of diabetic mothers were almost three times as likely to be admitted as infants whose mothers were not diabetic OR 2.89 (CI 1.96 - 4.13). Infants of women who were hypertensive were 1.5 times more likely to be admitted than infants of non-hypertensive women OR 1.56 (CI 1.56-1.9). The odds ratio for admission of an infant born to a woman delivered by caesarean section was 2.1 (CI: 1.67-2.38). Premature infants constituted 50% of admissions. The most prevalent discharge diagnosis included presumed sepsis, respiratory distress and neonatal jaundice in both preterm and term neonates. In the extreme preterm infant respiratory distress syndrome was the most predominant discharge diagnosis. Multiple gestation was a significant risk for admission OR 2.7 (CI 1.8 to 3.9). Prematurity, multiple gestation, macrosomia, maternal diabetes, maternal hypertension and low 5 minute Apgar score < 7 were all found to be independent predictors of neonatal admission in a logistic regression model (p < 0.001). The recognition of the discharge morbidity is useful for future health planning for the most vulnerable in our population.

Neonatal mortality in the 2011 JAKIDS birth cohort.

This study aimed to determine the mortality in a Jamaican birth cohort over a 3-month period. Data on the outcome of 87.5% of all births in Jamaica between July and September 2011 were used to determine trends in and determinants of neonatal mortality. There were 9650 live births and 144 neonatal deaths yielding a Neonatal Mortality Rate of 14.9/1000 (95% CI: 12.6-17.52/1000) livebirths. One hundred and twenty-one (84%) deaths occurred within the first seven days of life giving an Early Neonatal Mortality Rate of 12.5/1000 (95%CI: 10.4-15.0/1000) livebirths and a Late Neonatal Mortality Rate of 2.38/1000 (95%CI: 1.51-3.57/1000) live births. Sixty-nine (48%) deaths occurred within the first 24 hours. Thirty-eight neonates (26%) died prior to being admitted to a neonatal unit, approximately within 2 hours of life.Maternal age <15 years, decreasing birthweight, prematurity, male gender, multiple gestation and birth by caesarean section were associated with an increased risk of mortality p < 0.05. In order for Jamaica to experience further decline in its Neonatal Mortality Rate to meet the Sustainable Developmental Goal of at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030 the focus must be on decreasing mortality in the very low birth weight infants who disproportionally contribute to mortality as well as continuing to implement measures to further decrease mortality in the larger infants.

ECD - Pregnancy outcomes of a birth cohort. Are adolescent mothers really at more risk?

This sub-study within the JAKIDS longitudinal cohort study compares medical and psychosocial outcomes of pregnancy in younger adolescent mothers (<16 years), older adolescent mothers (16-19 years) and adult mothers (>19 years) in Jamaica. Participants were recruited from July to September 2011 and included 9521 mother-infant dyads; mean maternal age 26.0 years (SD 6.8). Adolescent mothers represented 19.1% (n = 1822) of the sample - 1704 older adolescent mothers (17.9%) and 118 younger adolescent mothers (1.2%). Participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires regarding their sexual and reproductive health history, feelings about the current pregnancy, and presence of anxious and depressive symptoms. Data on delivery and perinatal and neonatal outcomes were extracted from hospital charts. Younger adolescent mothers were more likely to deliver preterm (p < 0.001) and low birth weight infants (p < 0.001) than older adolescent and adult mothers. Younger adolescent mothers had lower levels of antenatal anxiety regarding the pregnancy and its outcome (p < 0.001) while prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms antenatally (EPDS ≥11) was similar across age groups. Older adolescent mothers with significant depressive symptoms had increased odds of preterm delivery. These findings call for close antenatal monitoring of younger adolescent mothers and highlight the need for psychological services for all mothers.

A Retrospective Study of Neonatal Outcome in Preeclampsia at the University Hospital of the West Indies: A Resource-limited Setting.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the outcome of neonates born to women with preeclampsia at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI). Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study looking at the outcome of all babies born to women with preeclampsia and control babies born to normotensive women at the UHWI over a 20-month period. Maternal and neonatal demographic data and course of admission for admitted neonates were recorded. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results: Neonates born to women with preeclampsia were more likely to be low birth weight [odds ratio (OR = 2.8; confidence interval (CI): 2.2-3.5], small for gestational age (OR = 2.3; CI: 1.9-2.9) or premature (OR = 2.5; CI: 2.0-3.0). They had a lower mean 5 min Apgar score than babies born to normotensive women p<0.05. They were also more likely to be admitted to the neonatal unit 67 (59%) compared with neonates of normotensive women 13 (13%) p<0.001. The main reason for admission was prematurity. Eighteen neonates, all born to women with preeclampsia, died, and the main cause of death was prematurity. Conclusion: Adverse neonatal outcome was noted in neonates born to women with preeclampsia, and this was predominantly related to prematurity and its complications.

Adherence to health management guidelines for children with Down's syndrome at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, Jamaica.

Health surveillance of children with Down's syndrome may be inadequate. We aimed to assess adherence to health management guidelines at the main paediatric hospital in Jamaica. Ours was a retrospective descriptive study over a five-year period. Data on demographics, co-morbidities, investigations, referrals and interventions were recorded. Of 41 children included in the study, 85% were diagnosed in the neonatal period. Congenital heart disease in 29 (76%) and ophthalmological disorders in 13/24 (54%) were the most common co-morbidities. Evaluations in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines were carried out in only 46% of the children for echocardiography, 48% for ophthalmology, 30% for hearing evaluation and 10% for neonatal thyroid screening. Thus, the recommended guidelines were not carried out in a timely manner in the majority of the children. Education of healthcare providers and caregivers along with the provision of adequate resources may help to resolve this inadequacy.

Neonatal Outcome of Babies Born to Women 40 Years and over at the University Hospital of the West Indies 2012-2013.

AIM: This article aims to determine neonatal outcome of babies born to women ≥40 years at the University Hospital of the West Indies. METHODS: This was a matched retrospective cohort study looking at the outcome of all babies born to women ≥40 years and control babies born to women aged 20-30 years at the University Hospital of the West Indies over a 2-year period. Maternal and neonatal demographic data and course of admission for admitted neonates were recorded. Descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-eight neonates were born to women ≥40 years and 208 to their younger counterparts, M:F 1:1.2. There was no difference in the number of preterm or low birth weight infants, the number of neonates with a low 5 min Apgar score <7, the number of neonates admitted or the number of neonates who died between women ≥40 years and their younger counterparts (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: No difference in adverse neonatal outcome was noted between women ≥40 years and their younger counterparts.

Challenges Faced in Translating the Benefits of Surfactant Replacement Therapy to a Resource-Limited Setting.

Aim To determine the challenges, if any, in translating the benefits of surfactant replacement therapy (SRT) to a resource-limited setting. Method This was a retrospective descriptive study comparing the outcome of 75 cases who received surfactant and 69 controls who did not at the University Hospital of the West Indies during the period 2001 to 2011. Descriptive analyses were performed. Statistical significance was taken at the level p < 0.05. Results Only 13% of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome received surfactant therapy. The median time of surfactant administration was 16.5 hours (interquartile range: 6-37 hours). The mean ± standard deviation time between repeat doses was 19.1 ± 14 hours. There was no difference in mortality between cases (67%) and controls (59%) (p = 0.32). However, the cases who survived were less mature (28.3 ± 2 weeks) and less clinically stable (CRIB II [Clinical Risk Index for Babies] score: 8.2 ± 3) than their controls who survived (30.0 ± 2 weeks; CRIB II score: 6.0 ± 3) (p = 0.01). There was no difference in mean gestational age or CRIB II scores between nonsurviving cases and controls. A high incidence of sepsis, pneumothoraces, and pulmonary hemorrhage was noted in both cases and controls. Conclusion SRT did not improve the overall outcome in preterm neonates treated with RDS. Challenges encountered in optimizing SRT included affordability and accessibility of surfactant, supportive equipment, and supportive therapies, as well as a high incidence of complications related to prematurity.

Challenges in neonatal transport in Jamaica: A resource-limited setting.

Aim: This study aimed to determine challenges associated with neonatal transport in Jamaica, a resource-limited setting. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study of neonates transported to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) over a 15 month period. Data on the clinical status of the neonates before, during and at the end of transport, as well as on accompanying staff and equipment, were collected. Neonatal demographics, reason for transfer and outcome at 48 h and at discharge were also collected. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results: Fifty neonates were transferred to the UHWI; the most common reason for transfer was for respiratory support [30 (60%)]. The most common mode of transport was by road ambulance [42 (84%)]. Seventeen (34%) neonates experienced at least one adverse event during transport. On arrival, 27 (54%) neonates required warming, 42 (84%) fluid resuscitation and 14 (28%) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Eighteen (36%) neonates died. The need for CPR on arrival predicted mortality (odds ratio: 2.3, confidence interval: 0.01-0.75, p = 0.02). A lack of appropriate equipment and adequately trained personnel was also noted. Conclusion: Ensuring pre-transport stabilization of neonates, the availability of adequately trained staff and the provision of appropriate equipment must be urgently addressed to improve the outcome of neonatal transport in resource-limited settings like Jamaica.

Fetal growth and birth size is associated with maternal anthropometry and body composition.

The objective was to investigate the association of maternal weight, height and body composition with fetal growth. We recruited 425 women at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica, who had singleton pregnancies, were less than 15 weeks gestation and had no systemic illness. Maternal weight, height and skinfold thicknesses were measured at the first antenatal visit and lean mass was calculated. Sonographic measurements of the fetus were made at 15, 25 and 35 weeks gestation. Weight, crown-heel length and head circumference were measured at birth. Analyses were confined to 360 (85%) women; 65 women did not complete the study. Maternal height was positively associated with femoral length at 25 and 35 weeks gestation and with head circumference at 35 weeks (all P < 0.02). Maternal weight was positively associated with abdominal circumference and femoral length at 25 weeks, and with larger head and abdominal circumference and longer femur at 35 weeks (all P < 0.02). Maternal lean mass had similar associations to maternal weight and they were both positively associated with estimated fetal weight (all P < 0.02). All three maternal measurements were positively associated with birthweight, length and head circumference. Maternal size was associated with fetal size as early as 25 weeks gestation, with height strongly associated with femoral length, and with weight and lean mass strongly associated with abdominal circumference.

Predictors of outcome of neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy admitted to the neonatal unit of the University Hospital of the West Indies.

This was a retrospective review to determine predictors of outcome in term infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Ninety-five neonates fulfilled criteria for entry into the study of these 34 (36%) had a poor outcome. The stage of encephalopathy, seizures on admission, the need for more than one antiepileptic for seizure control and an abnormal neurological examination at hospital discharge were found to be associated with poor outcome. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that an abnormal neurological examination at discharge was the only independent predictor of poor outcome. Babies who had an abnormal neurological examination at hospital discharge were more likely to have a poor outcome (odds ratio 2.6, confidence interval 0.03-0.4). An abnormal neurological examination at discharge had a positive predictive value of 88% and a negative predictive value of 84% for poor outcome, with a sensitivity and specificity of 60 and 96%, respectively. We recommend that if post-HIE, an infant has an abnormal neurological examination at the time of discharge from hospital, that infant should be followed up and monitored in a specialist neurology clinic and parents counselled about the guarded prognosis for normal neurodevelopmental outcome.

Congenital cardiovascular lesions in children with trisomy 21 at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the cardiac lesions seen in children with trisomy 21, the outcome of these children and rates of access to corrective surgery at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective review of the records of trisomy 21 patients with cardiac lesions referred to the Bustamante Hospital for Children was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were enrolled in the study, 30 (40%) males and 46 (60%) females; among these 110 cardiac lesions were detected. A total of 20 (26%) patients died, 48 (63%) survived, and for 8 (11%) the status was unknown. The most common lesion was the atrioventricular septal defect, which accounted for 41 (37%) of all the lesions and occurred as a single defect in 24 (53%) patients. At presentation, 33 (46%) patients had one or more medical complication; 30 (91%) had cardiac failure, 10 (30%) had pneumonia and 5 (15%) had evidence of systemic pulmonary arterial pressures. Cardiac catheterisation was recommended for 43 (56%) patients but only 10 (23%) had the procedure done. Surgery was recommended for 60 (79%) patients; of these 6 (10%) patients had the procedure done. The median time of survival was 88 months (7.3 years). The age of presentation was not found to significantly affect outcome. CONCLUSION: Trisomy 21 patients with cardiac lesions have high morbidity and mortality. This morbidity and mortality could be reduced if surgical intervention was offered routinely.

The mechanisms of low birth weight in infants of mothers with homozygous sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVE: A low mean birth weight is a constant finding in pregnancies of women with homozygous sickle cell disease. The factors responsible are largely unknown and have now been investigated in an 11-year retrospective analysis. METHODS: Records for 126 pregnancies of mothers with homozygous sickle cell disease and 126 pregnancies of control women with an AA phenotype, matched according to age and date of delivery, were examined. Events during pregnancy and outcomes of pregnancy were recorded. RESULTS: Pregnancy outcomes for mothers with homozygous sickle cell disease confirmed the lower birth weight, gestational age, and placental weight. A low birth weight in infants of mothers with homozygous sickle cell disease was strongly related to gestational age and placental weight and weakly related to reticulocyte counts and a history of preeclampsia in univariate analyses, but only gestational age and placental weight remained significant in multivariate analyses. No relationships were seen with maternal age, parity, anthropometric features, other hematologic features (hemoglobin levels, fetal hemoglobin levels, mean cell volume, and alpha-thalassemia), pregnancy-induced hypertension, or prepartum hospital admissions (expressed as number or total days). Compared with Jamaican standards, birth weight was affected more than head circumference or length in infants of mothers with homozygous sickle cell disease, indicating asymmetric growth retardation, which occurred for 27% of boys and 38% of girls (compared with 4% and 9%, respectively, among infants of control mothers). CONCLUSIONS: A chronic condition such as homozygous sickle cell disease might have been expected to cause symmetric growth retardation throughout pregnancy. The finding of asymmetric retardation might indicate adverse factors emerging late in pregnancy and might have relevance for the poor pregnancy outcomes in such mothers.