Cardiac Risk Score to Predict Small for Gestational Age Infants in Pregnant Women With Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common fetal complications in pregnant women with cardiovascular disease is a small for gestational age (SGA) neonate, which is associated with a higher risk of perinatal morbidity/mortality and poor long-term health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify cardiac determinants and derive a risk score for clinically relevant SGA < 5th percentile (SGA-5th). METHODS: A prospective cohort of 1812 pregnancies in women with heart disease were studied. SGA-5th was the outcome of interest, defined as birth weight < 5th percentile for gestational age and sex. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors for SGA-5th. Based on the regression coefficients, a weighted risk score was created. RESULTS: SGA-5th complicated 10% of pregnancies, 11 predictors of SGA-5th were identified, and each was assigned a weighted score: maternal cyanosis (8), Fontan palliation (7), smoking (3), moderate or severe valvular regurgitation (3), ß-blocker use throughout pregnancy (4) or only in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (2), high baseline ß-blocker dose (4), body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2 (3) or 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (1), Asian/other ethnicity (2), and significant outflow tract obstruction (1). In the absence of these identified risk factors, the risk of SGA-5th was approximately 4%. Pregnancies with risk scores of 1 had a rate of 5%; 2, 7%; 3, 9%; 4, 12%; 5, 14%; 6, 18%; 7, 23%; 8, 28%; and ≥ 9, 34%. CONCLUSIONS: There are a number of cardiac predictors that are associated with increased risk of SGA-5th. This is a prognostically important outcome, and consideration should be given to routinely predicting and modifying the risk whenever possible.

Magnitude e determinantes da mortalidade neonatal e pós-neonatal em Goiânia, Goiás: um estudo de coorte retrospectivo, 2012 / Magnitud y determinantes de la mortalidad neonatal y posneonatal en Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, 2012 / Magnitude and determinants of neonatal and postneonatal mortality in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil: a retrospective cohort study, 2012

Objetivo: Estimar a magnitude e determinantes da mortalidade infantil neonatal e pós-neonatal em Goiânia, Brasil, em 2012. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectiva, utilizando relacionamento entre o Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos e o Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Aplicou-se regressão logística para avaliar os fatores associados ao óbito neonatal e pós-neonatal. Resultados: A mortalidade neonatal (0-27 dias de vida) foi de 9,4; e a pós-neonatal (28-364 dias de vida), de 3,0 óbitos/1 mil nascidos vivos. Os fatores associados à mortalidade neonatal foram: 0-3 consultas de pré-natal (OR=13,10 - IC95% 7,48;22,96); gestações de 19-34 semanas (OR=6,25 - IC95% 2,26;17,29); peso ao nascer <1.500g (OR=62,42 - IC95%22,72;171,48); e parto cesáreo (OR=0,54 - IC95% 0,37;0,79). Associaram-se à mortalidade no período pós-neonatal: 0-3 consultas de pré-natal (OR=4,16 - IC95% 1,51;11,43); e peso ao nascer <1.500g (OR=18,74 - IC95% 4,04;87,00). Conclusão: Baixo número de consultas, prematuridade e baixo peso foram os principais fatores de risco da mortalidade neonatal e pós-neonatal.

Objetivo: Estimar la magnitud y determinantes de mortalidad neonatal y posneonatal en Goiânia, Brasil, en 2012. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva, utilizando enlace entre el Sistema de Información sobre Nacidos Vivos y el Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Se aplicó la regresión logística para evaluar los factores asociados al desenlace de óbito neonatal y posneonatal. Resultados: La mortalidad neonatal (0-27 días de vida) fue de 9,4; y la posneonatal (28-364 días de vida) fue de 3,0 óbitos/1000 nacidos vivos. Los factores asociados a la mortalidad neonatal fueron: 0-3 consultas prenatales (OR=13,10 - IC95% 7,48; 22,96), gestación de 19-34 semanas (OR=6,25 - IC95% 2,26;17,29), peso al nacimiento <1.500g (OR=62,42 - IC95% 22,72;171,48), parto por cesárea (OR=0,54; IC95% 0,37;0,79). En el período posneonatal se asociaron a la mortalidad: 0-3 visitas prenatales (OR=4,16 - IC95% 1,51;11,43), peso al nacer <1.500g (OR=18,74 - IC95% 4,04;87,00). Conclusión: Bajo número de consultas, prematuridad y bajo peso fueron los principales factores associados a la mortalidad neonatal y posneonatal.

Objective: To estimate magnitude and determinants of neonatal and postneonatal mortality rates in Goiânia, Brazil, 2012. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study based on data linkage of the Live Birth Information System and the Mortality Information System. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with neonatal and postneonatal death. Results: Neonatal mortality (0-27 days of life) was 9.4 deaths per 1,000 live births; while postneonatal mortality (28-364 days of life) was 3.0 deaths per 1,000 live births. Neonatal mortality associated factors were: 0-3 prenatal care visits (OR=13.10 - 95%CI 7.48;22.96), 19-34-week pregnancy (OR=6.25 - 95%CI 2.26;17.29), birth weight <1,500g (OR=62.42 - 95%CI 22.72;171.48) and cesarean delivery (OR=0.54 - 95%CI 0.37;0.79). Postneonatal mortality associated factors were: 0-3 prenatal care visits (OR=4.16 - 95%CI 1.51;11.43) and birth weight <1.500g (OR=18.74 - 95%CI 4.04;87.00). Conclusion: A low number of prenatal care visits, premature childbirth and low birth weight were the main risk factors for neonatal and postneonatal mortality.

Tendencia de edad gestacional y cambios en la práctica obstétrica en un período de 10 años / Gestational age trend and changes in obstetric practice in a period of 10 years

Introducción: La edad gestacional, definida como semanas de gestación completas, es el principal predictor de resultados perinatales. El monitoreo de las tendencias en la distribución de la edad gestacinal puede ser un indicador importante de los resultados de salud y desarrollo a largo plazo. Objetivos: Primario: Examinar la tendencia de la edad gestacional de los partos asistidos en el Servicio de Obstetricia del Hospital Nacional A. Posadas durante el período comprendido entre 2008-2017. Secundarios: Evaluar la tendencia en la edad gestacional según forma de inicio del parto. Determinar vía de finalización del embarazo según edad gestacional. Establecer complicaciones perinatales asociadas a la edad gestacional. Material y Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo y transversal. El relevamiento de datos se realizó a través del SIP. Criterio de inclusión: edad gestacional igual o mayor a 37 semanas. Criterios de exclusión: faltante de datos para la variable principal de interés. Las variables se presentan a través de medidas de frecuencia (%). Las comparaciones se realizaron con test Chi cuadrado/Fisher exact test según la conformación de la tabla de doble entrada. Se consideró un p valor<=0.05. Stata 12.0 Resultados: Durante el período de estudio se registraron 38977 nacimientos, de los cuales 28835 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. El mayor porcentaje de nacimientos se produjo a las 39 semanas, variando entre 27% (2008) y 35% (2016). Se encontró una disminución gradual de los nacimientos a las 40 semanas, siendo de 12% en 2008 y 6% en 2017. La edad gestacional más frecuente de finalización programada, hasta el 2014 la edad gestacional más frecuente fue 38 semanas (25%-33%) y a partir del 2015 se postergó a las 39 semanas (29%-37%). En cuanto a la vía de finalización, la prevalencia de partos vaginales fue mayor en todas las semanas, aumentando la frecuencia a mayor edad gestacional (p=0.001). Al analizar las complicaciones perinatales se encontró que la tasa de mortalidad perinatal fue en disminución hasta las 39 semanas, con una diferencia mayor a menor edad gestacional al comparar nacimientos programados y espontáneos (24.5%00 vs 13%00; 13%00 vs 7%00; y 4%00 vs 3%00 a las 37, 38 y 39 semanas respectivamente). El 39% de los nacimientos producidos a las 37 semanas de modo programaado requirieron ingreso a terapia intensiva neonatal, disminuyendo a 19% a las 38 y 14% a las 39 semanas. Conclusión: La distribución de la edad gestacional al término del embarazo ha cambiado en los últimos 10 años a expensas de un aumento de la finalización espntánea a las 39 semanas y a un cambio en la práctica obstétrica con respecto a la postergación de una semana en la finalización programada en aquellas mujeres con patologías materno fetales o cesáreas iterativas. Este cambio constribuye a disminuir la morbimortalidad perinatal ya que fue observado que a menos edad gestacional aumentó el ingreso a terapia intensiva neonatal luego del nacimiento programado, así como también contribuye a la disminución del gasto en salud (AU)

This article details trends of the gestational age and changes in the obstetrical practice during a 10 yr, period. We can define gestational age as weeks of complete gestation, as the main predictor of perinatal results. The monitoring of the trends in the distribution of the gestational age can be an important indicator of the results of the health and development in a long term. Objectives: Primary: to examine the tendency of the gestational age of the deliveries attended in our Hospital between 2008-2017. Secondary to evaluate the tendency of the gestational age according to the start of the delivery. To determine the route of ending of the pregnancy according to the start of the delivery. To determine the route of ending of the pregnancy according with the gestational age. To establish perinatal complications associated to the gestational age. With this study it is proposed to evaluate the tendency to the gestational age at the birth, in a 10-yr. period in our institution and if changes in the obstetric practice in that period influenced in it. In conclusion, the results obtained in this investigation, justify the change of behaviour in the programmed ending of the pregnancy, contributing to the decrease of the perinatal morbi-mortality, and in consecuence, to the diminishing of the waste in health (AU)

Perinatal Outcomes After Emergency Cervical Cerclage for Cervical Insufficiency with Prolapsed Membranes.

BACKGROUND To study the clinical effective of emergency cervical cerclage (ECC) in pregnant women who have cervical insufficiency with prolapsed membranes. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was devised as a retrospective cohort in a single medical center, in which we collected clinical data from patient records. Inclusion criteria were: physical examination indicated ECC was performed at 15 to 25 gestational weeks at the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, and singleton pregnancy. The collected clinical data included: duration of pregnancy at delivery, interval between ECC and delivery, neonatal weight, neonatal mortality, neonatal morbidity, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission. RESULTS We included 50 women with singleton pregnancies. No surgical complications occurred in any patients. The gestational age at cerclage was 21.3±2.2 weeks. No patients had membrane damage due to surgery. No surgical complications were reported. Five (10%) patients underwent chorioamnionitis. The time interval between ECC and delivery was 11.2±7.1 weeks. The mean gestational age at delivery was 34.1 weeks. The rate of vaginal delivery was 96%. Ten patients had pregnancy lasting longer than 36 weeks. The mean neonate delivery weight was 2510.7 g. Twenty neonates were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and the mean NICU stay was 21 days. CONCLUSIONS ECC has good perinatal results. Our results provide clinical evidence for the efficacy and risks of ECC.

Screening and managing a low-risk pregnant population using continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound in a low-income population: A cohort analytical study.

BACKGROUND: In South Africa (SA), the largest category of perinatal deaths is unexplained stillbirths. Two-thirds of these occur in the antenatal period and most fetuses are macerated, but at antenatal clinics the mothers were generally regarded as healthy, with low-risk pregnancies. Innovative methods are urgently required to detect fetuses at risk of stillbirth and manage the mothers appropriately. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of raised resistance indices (RIs) of the umbilical artery in a low-risk, low-income population and ascertain whether use of this information can prevent perinatal deaths. METHODS: A descriptive study was performed in Mamelodi township, east of Pretoria, SA, on pregnant women attending antenatal clinics draining to two community health centres (CHCs). These women, classified as having low-risk pregnancies, were screened for placental insufficiency using a continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound apparatus (Umbiflow) between 28 and 32 weeks' gestation. When a raised RI was detected, the mother was referred to a high-risk clinic and managed according to a standard protocol. A cohort analytical study compared women who attended antenatal care at the same clinics as the Umbiflow group but did not have an Umbiflow test with those who had an Umbiflow test. The outcomes of all the deliveries in Mamelodi were recorded. The prevalences of abnormal RIs, absent end-diastolic flow (AEDF), stillbirths and neonatal deaths were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: An Umbiflow RI was performed in 2 868 women, and pregnancy outcome was available for 2 539 fetuses (88.5%); 297 fetuses (11.7%) were regarded as at high risk. AEDF was found in 1.5% of the population screened with an outcome. There were 29 perinatal deaths in the Umbiflow group (low risk n=18, high risk n=11). The perinatal mortality rate for 12 168 women attending the CHCs and the antenatal clinics draining to the CHCs who did not have an RI was 21.3/1 000 births, significantly higher than that in the Umbiflow group (11.4/1 000 births) (risk ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.42 - 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AEDF in this low-risk population is ~10 times higher than that previously recorded. Use of the information prevented a number of perinatal deaths, most of which would have been macerated stillbirths. Screening a low-risk pregnant population using continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound may substantially reduce the prevalence of unexplained stillbirths in SA.

Multivariable evaluation of maternal hemodynamic profile in pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction: prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between fetal growth restriction (FGR) and maternal hemodynamic parameters using multivariable analysis, adjusting for major confounding factors, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2013 and April 2016. Two cohorts of patients were recruited, between 24 and 39 weeks of gestation, in a high-risk outpatient setting. These cohorts comprised 49 appropriate-for-gestational-age singleton fetuses and 93 that were FGR (abdominal circumference (AC) at recruitment in the second half of pregnancy ≤ 10th percentile with a previous normal AC at 20-22 weeks). Maternal echocardiography was performed at the time of enrolment and included hemodynamic parameters of systolic and diastolic function and cardiac remodeling indices. Data were analyzed using a multivariable generalized linear model to estimate the association of FGR with maternal hemodynamic parameters after adjusting for significant confounding factors. RESULTS: In the multivariable analysis, after adjustment for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and smoking, FGR was associated with a 14% increase in maternal total vascular resistance, 16% reduction in cardiac output, 13% reduction in left ventricular mass and 11% reduction in heart rate; similar results were observed for the corresponding indexed parameters. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the absence of FGR were associated with a 25% increase in total vascular resistance, 16% increase in left ventricular mass and 14% reduction in diastolic function; similar results were observed for the corresponding indexed parameters. CONCLUSION: FGR is significantly and independently associated with several maternal hemodynamic parameters, even after adjustment for major confounding factors, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Tendência da incompletude das estatísticas vitais no período neonatal, estado do Rio de Janeiro, 1999-2014 / Tendencia de la incompletitud de las estadísticas vitales en el período neonatal, Estado de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, 1999-2014 / Trend of incompleteness of vital statistics in the neonatal period, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1999-2014

Objetivo: analisar a incompletude das variáveis dos Sistemas de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (Sinasc) e sobre Mortalidade (SIM)no estado do Rio de Janeiro, na série temporal 1999 a 2014. Métodos: estudo de série temporal do Sinasc e do SIM; utilizou-se o escore de Romero & Cunha para incompletude e regressão Joinpoint para tendência temporal; em 2014 os óbitos foram avaliados separadamente, segundo investigação. Resultados: para o Sinasc, em 1999, situação conjugal (37,40%), número de filhos mortos (31,30%) e raça/cor da pele (24,63%) apresentavam os maiores percentuais de incompletude; em 2014, nenhuma variável ultrapassou 5%, exceto ocupação; para o SIM, em 1999, cinco variáveis ultrapassaram 20% e o número de filhos nascidos mortos ultrapassou 60%; em 2014, apenas uma variável excedeu 20% de incompletude; óbitos investigados tiveram melhor preenchimento. Conclusão: observou-se melhora dos dois sistemas; a qualidade do preenchimento no Sinasc se manteve superior à do SIM.

Objetivo: analizar la incompletitud de las variables de los Sistemas de Información sobre Nacidos Vivos (Sinasc) y sobre Mortalidad (SIM), para nacidos vivos y óbitos neonatales del estado de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, de 1999 a 2014. Métodos: estudio de serie temporal del Sinasc y del SIM; análisis de completitud de Romero & Cunha y de regresión Joinpoint para tendencia temporal; em 2014, se evaluaron los óbitos por separado según investigación. Resultados: para el Sinasc, en 1999, la situación conyugal (37,40%), el número de hijos fallecidos (31,30%) y la raza/color de piel (24,63%) presentaban mayores porcentuales de incompletitud; en 2014, la incompletitud no fue superior al 5%; para el SIM, en 1999, cinco variables superaron el 20%, y el número de hijos nacidos muertos superó el 60%; en 2014, sólo uma variable superó el 20% de incompletitud; los óbitos investigados tuvieron menor incompletitud. Conclusión: se observó mejora de ambos sistemas; la calidad del Sinasc se mantuvo superior a la del SIM.

Objective: to analyze the incompleteness of variables retrieved from the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) and the Mortality Information System (SIM), in the State of Rio de Janeiro, in the time series 1999 to 2014. Methods: this was a time series study of SINASC and SIM; the Romero & Cunha score was used to analyze incompleteness; Joinpoint regression was used to analyze temporal trend; in 2014, deaths were evaluated separately according to investigation. Results: regarding SINASC variables, in 1999 marital status (37.40%), number of stillborn children (31.30%), and race/skin color (24.63%) had the highest incompleteness percentages; in 2014, no variable exceeded 5% incompleteness, except occupation; regarding SIM variables, in 1999 five variables exceeded 20%, and missing data for previous stillborn children was over 60%; in 2014, only one variable exceeded 20% incompleteness; investigated deaths had better completeness. Conclusion: both systems were found to have improved; the quality of SINASC completeness remained superior to that of SIM.

Hipotiroidismo subclínico en mujeres en edad reproductiva y embarazadas / Subclinical hypothyroidism in women of reproductive age and in pregnancy

El hipotiroidismo subclínico suele ser identificado como un cuadro que disminuye la capacidad reproductiva de las mujeresy está asociado a un riesgo aumentado de complicaciones perinatales. A partir de un caso clínico real, revisamos laevidencia disponible y encontramos que existen pruebas que contradicen este conocimiento tradicional sobre el pronósticoy la necesidad de tratamiento de este cuadro. (AU)

Subclinical hypothyroidism is usually identified as a condition that decreases the reproductive capacity of women and isassociated with a higher risk of perinatal complications. From a real clinical case, we review the available evidence andfound that there is evidence that contradicts this traditional knowledge about the prognosis and the need for treatment ofthis condition. (AU)

Mortalidade no primeiro dia de vida: tendências, causas de óbito e evitabilidade em oito Unidades da Federação brasileira, entre 2010 e 2015 / Mortalidad en el primer día de vida: tendencias, causas de muerte y evitabilidad en ocho Unidades de la Federación brasileña, entre 2010 y 2015 / Mortality on the first day of life: trends, causes of death and avoidability in eight Brazilian Federative Units, between 2010 and 2015

Objetivo: calcular taxas de mortalidade no primeiro dia de vida entre 2010 e 2015 em oito Unidades da Federação brasileira com melhor qualidade de informação, avaliar fatores associados e classificar os óbitos segundo causa básica e evitabilidade. Métodos: estudo descritivo; as taxas foram comparadas conforme características maternas e da criança; a análise de evitabilidade usou a 'Lista brasileira de causas de mortes evitáveis'. Resultados: 21,6% (n=20.791) dos óbitos infantis ocorreram no primeiro dia de vida; a taxa de mortalidade reduziu-se de 2,7 para 2,3 óbitos/1.000 nascidos vivos; observaram-se maiores taxas em NV com baixo peso, nascidos pré-termo e filhos de mães sem escolaridade; as principais causas dos óbitos foram síndrome da angústia respiratória (8,9%) e imaturidade extrema (5,2%); 66,3% das causas de óbito foram consideradas evitáveis. Conclusão: dois terços dos óbitos no primeiro dia de vida poderiam ser evitados por atenção adequada à mulher na gestação e no parto, e ao NV.

Objetivo: calcular la mortalidad en el primer día de vida entre 2010 y 2015 en ocho Unidades de la Federación brasileña con mejor calidad de información, analizar factores asociados y clasificar las causas básicas y la evitabilidad de los óbitos. Métodos: estudio descriptivo; las tasas de mortalidad fueron comparadas según las características maternas y del recién nacido (RN); el análisis de evitabilidad utilizó la 'Lista brasileña de causas de muertes evitables'. Resultados: un 21,6% (n=20.791) de los óbitos infantiles ocurrió en el primer día de vida; la tasa de mortalidad se redujo de 2,7 a 2,3 óbitos/1.000 nacidos vivos (NV); las tasas fueron mayores en NV de bajo peso, prematuros e hijos de madres sin escolaridad; las principales causas de óbito fueron síndrome de angustia respiratoria (8,9%) e inmadurez extrema (5,2%); un 66,3% de las causas de óbito fueron consideradas evitables. Conclusión: 2/3 de los óbitos en el primer día de vida podrían haber sido evitados con una atención adecuada a la mujer embarazada, al parto y al NV.

Objective: to calculate mortality rates on the first day of life from 2010 to 2015 in eight Brazilian Federative Units providing better quality information, to assess associated factors and to classify deaths by underlying causes and avoidability. Methods: this was a descriptive study; mortality rates were compared according to maternal and child characteristics; avoidability analysis used the 'Brazilian list of avoidable causes of death'. Results: 21.6% (n=20,791) of all infant deaths occurred on the first day of life; the mortality rate reduced from 2.7 to 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births; rates were higher in live births with low birthweight and preterm births, and among babies born to mothers with no schooling; main causes of death were respiratory distress syndrome (8.9%) and extreme immaturity (5.2%); 66.3% of causes of death were avoidable. Conclusion: 2/3 of deaths on the first day of life could have been avoided with adequate care for women during pregnancy and delivery and adequate care for live births.

Perinatal deaths preventable by intervention of the Unified Health System of Brazil. / Óbitos perinatais evitáveis por intervenções do Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of perinatal deaths through the actions of the Unified Health System. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of temporal analysis with a population of perinatal deaths of mothers residing in Recife, Brazil, from 2010 to 2014. A list was used to classify the preventable diseases and the variables were analysed using Epi lnfo™ version 7. RESULTS: The perinatal deaths totalled 1,756 (1,019 foetal and 737 neonatal premature) with a reduction of neonatal deaths (-15.8%) and an increase of foetal deaths (12.1%) in the study period. The main causes of death were foetus and newborn affected by the mother´s condition and asphyxia/hypoxia at birth. CONCLUSIONS: Most deaths were avoidable, especially in the group of appropriate care to mothers during pregnancy. Faults in the care provided to women at birth explain the percentage of deaths caused by asphyxia/hypoxia. The reduction of preventable perinatal mortality is associated with the increased access and quality of care, which ensures health promotion, disease prevention, treatment and specific and timely care.

Perinatal Care of Infants with Congenital Birth Defects.

Prenatal diagnosis has changed perinatal medicine dramatically, allowing for additional fetal monitoring, referral and counseling, delivery planning, the option of fetal intervention, and targeted postnatal management. Teams participating in the delivery room care of infants with known anomalies should be knowledgeable about specific needs and expectations but also ready for unexpected complications. A small number of neonates will need rapid access to postnatal interventions, such as surgery, but most can be stabilized with appropriate neonatal care. These targeted perinatal interventions have been shown to improve outcome in selected diagnoses.

Óbitos perinatais evitáveis por intervenções do Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil / Muertes perinatales evitables por intervención del Sistema de Salud Pública / Perinatal deaths preventable by intervention of the Unified Health System of Brazil

Resumo OBJETIVO Descrever características epidemiológicas dos óbitos perinatais por ações do Sistema Público de Saúde. MÉTODOS Estudo descritivo de análise temporal, população composta por óbitos perinatais de mães residentes no Recife, 2010-2014. Utilizado Lista de causas de mortes evitáveis para classificar a evitabilidade e EpiInfo versão 7 para análise das variáveis. RESULTADOS Ocorreram 1.756 óbitos perinatais (1.019 fetais e 737 neonatais precoce), observou-se redução dos óbitos neonatais precoces (-15,8%) e aumento dos fetais (12,1%). Apresentou como principais causas: feto e recém-nascido afetado por afecção materna e asfixia/hipóxia ao nascer. CONCLUSÕES A maior parte dos óbitos foi evitável, concentrando-se no grupamento de assistência adequada dispensada à mulher na gestação. Lacunas na assistência dispensada à mulher no parto, explicam o percentual de asfixia/hipóxia. Redução da mortalidade perinatal evitável associa-se à ampliação do acesso e qualidade da assistência para garantir promoção, prevenção, tratamento, cuidados específicos e oportunos.

Resumen OBJETIVO Describir las características epidemiológicas de las muertes perinatales por acciones del Sistema de Salud Pública. MÉTODOS Estudio descriptivo del análisis temporal, población compuesta por muertes perinatales de madres residentes en Recife, 2010-2014. Lista de causas de muertes evitables para clasificar la evitación y, EpiInfo versión 7 para el análisis de variables. RESULTADOS Hubo 1.756 muertes perinatales (1.019 fetales, 737 prematuros neonatos), reducción de muertes neonatales tempranas (-15,8%) y aumento fetal (12,1%). Principales causas: feto y recién-nacido afectados por afección materna y asfixia / hipoxia al nacer. CONCLUSIONES La mayoría de las muertes fueron evitables, concentrándose en la agrupación adecuada de la atención prestada a la mujer durante el embarazo. Las fallas en el cuidado dado a la mujer al nacer explican el porcentaje de asfixia/hipoxia. La reducción de la mortalidad perinatal prevenible se asocia con un mayor acceso y calidad de atención para asegurar la promoción, prevención, tratamiento y atención específica y oportuna.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To describe the epidemiological characteristics of perinatal deaths through the actions of the Unified Health System. METHODS This is a descriptive study of temporal analysis with a population of perinatal deaths of mothers residing in Recife, Brazil, from 2010 to 2014. A list was used to classify the preventable diseases and the variables were analysed using Epi lnfo™ version 7 RESULTS The perinatal deaths totalled 1,756 (1,019 foetal and 737 neonatal premature) with a reduction of neonatal deaths (-15.8%) and an increase of foetal deaths (12.1%) in the study period. The main causes of death were foetus and newborn affected by the mother´s condition and asphyxia/hypoxia at birth. CONCLUSIONS Most deaths were avoidable, especially in the group of appropriate care to mothers during pregnancy. Faults in the care provided to women at birth explain the percentage of deaths caused by asphyxia/hypoxia. The reduction of preventable perinatal mortality is associated with the increased access and quality of care, which ensures health promotion, disease prevention, treatment and specific and timely care.

Modelo para el análisis de la mortalidad en Colombia 2000-2012 / A model for mortality analysis in Colombia. 2000-2012

RESUMEN Objetivo Proponer y evaluar un modelo para el ajuste y predicción de la mortalidad en Colombia que permita analizar tendencias por edad, sexo, Departamento y causa. Metodología Los registros de defunciones no fetales fueron utilizados como fuente primaria de análisis. Estos datos se pre-procesaron recodificando las causas y redistribuyendo los códigos basura. El modelo de predicción se formuló como una aproximación lineal de un conjunto de variables de interés, en particular la población y el producto interno bruto departamental. Resultados Como caso particular de estudio se tomó la mortalidad de menores de 5 años, se observó una disminución sostenida a partir del año 2000 tanto a nivel nacional como departamental, con excepción de tres departamentos. La evaluación del poder predictivo de la metodología propuesta se realizó ajustando el modelo con los datos de 2000 a 2011, la predicción para el 2012 fue comparada con la tasa observada, estos resultados muestran que el modelo es suficientemente confiable para la mayor parte de las combinaciones departamento-causa. Conclusiones La metodología y modelo propuesto tienen el potencial de convertirse en un instrumento que permita orientar las prioridades del gasto en salud utilizando algún tipo de evidencia.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To propose and evaluate a model for fitting and forecasting the mortality rates in Colombia that allows analyzing the trends by age, sex, region and cause of death. Methodology The national death registries were used as primary source of analysis. The data was pre-processed recodifying the cause of death and redistributing the garbage codes. The forecast model was formulated as a linear approximation with a set of variables of interest, in particular the population and gross domestic product (GDP) by region. Results As study case we took the mortality under 5 years old, it decreased steadily since 2000 at the national level and at most of the regions. The predictive power of the proposed methodology was tested by fitting the model with the data from 2000 to 2011, the forecast for 2012 was compared with the actual rate, and these results show the model is reliable enough for most of the region-cause combinations. Conclusions The proposed methodology and model have the potential to become an instrument to guide health spending priorities using some kind of evidence.(AU)

Fetal health stagnation: Have health conditions in utero improved in the United States and Western and Northern Europe over the past 150 years?

Many empirical studies have shown that health conditions in utero can have long lasting consequences for health across the life course. However, despite this evidence, there is no clear consensus about how fetal health has changed in the very long run. This paper analyses historical birth weights and perinatal mortality rates to construct a coherent picture of how health conditions in utero have changed over the past 150 years. In short, the evidence suggests that fetal health has been relatively stagnant. Limited evidence on birth weights shows that they had already reached their current levels in North America and Northern and Western Europe by the late nineteenth century, and they have changed very little in between. Perinatal mortality rates have fallen dramatically since the late 1930s, but this decline was mainly caused by improvements in intrapartum treatments after the introduction of Sulfa drugs and antibiotics. Thus, the health benefits associated with the perinatal mortality decline were concentrated among those at risk and did not influence the population at large. Finding stagnant fetal health during a period when many other indicators of health improved dramatically is provocative and suggests two conclusions: either fetal health did not improve or the indicators used to measure fetal health, indicators still widely used today, may not accurately capture all aspects of health in utero. If fetal health has been stagnant, then better conditions in utero cannot explain cohort improvements in life expectancy over the twentieth century. If the indicators of fetal health are problematic, then researchers must move beyond birth weight and perinatal mortality to understand how developmental plasticity based on the prenatal environment influences later life health.

Óbitos fetais e neonatais de filhos de pacientes classificadas com near miss / Óbitos fetales y neonatales de hijos de pacientes clasificados con near miss / Fetal and neonatal deaths of children of patients classified as near miss

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar os aspectos epidemiológicos dos óbitos fetais e neonatais precoces em filhos de pacientes classificadas com near miss e os fatores associados a este desfecho. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 79 mulheres identificadas com near miss e seus recém-nascidos. As variáveis foram analisadas utilizando-se o teste Exato de Fisher. Os fatores de risco foram estimados com base nas razões de chances não ajustadas e ajustadas, e por meio de análise de correspondência múltipla, com significância para p < 0,05. Resultados: as desordens hipertensivas totalizaram 40,5%; destas, 58,3% tiveram desfecho fetal e neonatal adverso. Mostraram-se significantes para o desfecho os recém-nascidos admitidos na Unidade Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (70,8%), idade gestacional < 32 semanas (41,6%), peso ao nascer < 2500 (66,7%), asfixia neonatal (50%) e desconforto respiratório precoce (72,2%). Conclusão: prematuridade, asfixia neonatal e desconforto respiratório precoce constituíram características significantes para o desfecho entre os recém-nascidos.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar los aspectos epidemiológicos de los óbitos fetales y neonatales precoces en hijos de pacientes clasificados con near miss y los factores asociados a este desenlace. Método: estudio transversal realizado con 79 mujeres identificadas con near miss y sus recién nacidos. Las variables fueron analizadas utilizando la prueba Exacta de Fisher. Los factores de riesgo fueron estimados con base en las razones de posibilidades no ajustadas y ajustadas, y por intermedio de análisis de correspondencia múltiple, con significación para p < 0,05. Resultados: los desórdenes hipertensivos totalizaron el 40,5%; de los cuales el 58,3% tuvieron desenlace fetal y neonatal adverso. Se han mostrado significativos para el desenlace los recién nacidos admitidos en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (70,8%), edad gestacional < 32 semanas (41,6%), peso al nacer < 2500 (66,7%), asfixia neonatal (50%) y dificultad respiratoria de inicio precoz (72,2%). Conclusión: prematuridad, asfixia neonatal y dificultad respiratoria de inicio precoz constituyeron características significativas para el desenlace entre los recién nacidos.

ABSTRACT Objective: identify the epidemiological aspects of early fetal and neonatal deaths in children of patients classified with near miss and the factors associated with this outcome. Method: a cross-sectional study of 79 women identified with near miss and their newborns. The variables were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Risk factors were estimated based on unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios, and by means of multiple correspondence analysis, with significance for p <0.05. Results: hypertensive disorders totaled 40.5%; Of these, 58.3% had adverse fetal and neonatal outcome. The newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit proved to be significant for the outcome (70.8%), gestational age <32 weeks (41.6%), birth weight <2500 (66.7%), neonatal asphyxia (50%) and early respiratory discomfort (72.2%). Conclusion: prematurity, neonatal asphyxia, and early respiratory distress were significant characteristics for the outcome among newborns.

Perinatal mortality among infants born during health user-fees (Cash & Carry) and the national health insurance scheme (NHIS) eras in Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This research determined the rates of perinatal mortality among infants delivered under Ghana's national health insurance scheme (NHIS) compared to infants delivered under the previous "Cash and Carry" system in Northern Region, especially as the country takes stock of its progress toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 and 5. METHODS: The labor and maternity wards delivery records of infants delivered before and after the implementation of the NHIS in Northern Region were examined. Records of available daily deliveries during the two health systems were extracted. Fisher's exact tests of non-random association were used to examine the bivariate association between categorical independent variables and perinatal mortality. RESULTS: On average, 8% of infants delivered during the health user-fee (Cash & Carry) died compared to about 4% infant deaths during the NHIS delivery fee exemption period in Northern Region, Ghana. There were no remarkable difference in the rate of infant deaths among mothers in almost all age categories in both the Cash and Carry and the NHIS periods except in mothers age 35 years and older. Infants born to multiparous mothers were significantly more likely to die than those born to first time mothers. There were more twin deaths during the Cash and Carry system (p = 0.001) compared to the NHIS system. Deliveries by caesarean section increased from an average of 14% in the "Cash and Carry" era to an average of 20% in the NHIS era. CONCLUSION: The overall rate of perinatal mortality declined by half (50%) in infants born during the NHIS era compared to the Cash and Carry era. However, caesarean deliveries increased during the NHIS era. These findings suggest that pregnant women in the Northern Region of Ghana were able to access the opportunity to utilize the NHIS for antenatal visits and possibly utilized skilled care at delivery at no cost or very minimal cost to them, which therefore improved Ghana's progress towards meeting the MDG 4, (reducing under-five deaths by two-thirds).

Resultados perinatales en gestantes con trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo, Hospital Regional Santa Teresa, 2015 / Perinatal Outcome in Pregnant Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Regional Hospital Santa Teresa, 2015

Antecedente. Las enfermedades hipertensivas del embarazo representan una alta incidencia de morbimortalidad materna y perinatal, por lo que es necesario conocer las características de los recién nacidos de madres con trastornos hipertensivos para intervenir de forma precoz y oportuna. Objetivo. Describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los recién nacidos de madres con trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo de la sala de labor y parto del Hospital Regional Santa Teresa, Comayagua, durante el año 2015. Métodos. Estudio observacional descriptivo. En este período ingresaron 6,090 gestantes, de las cuales 361 (5.9%) presentaron enfermedad hipertensiva del embarazo. Se estimó un tamaño de muestra de 186 (51.5%, IC95%). Las variables estudiadas fueron: datos maternos, datos clínicos y del nacimiento, complicaciones perinatales. La información recolectada fue ingresada en Epiinfo versión 7.1.5 (CDC, Atlanta). Los resultados se presentan como frecuencias y porcentajes. La información personal de los casos se manejó confidencialmente. Resultados. El 58.6%(109) eran gestantes entre 19-35 años, 73.1%(136) procedentes de área rural, 65.1%(121) con más de cinco consultas prenatales. La vía de parto más frecuente vaginal en 63.4%(118) y el trastorno hipertensivo más frecuente fue preeclampsia-eclampsia con 65.1%(121). El 53.2%(99) de los recién nacidos fueron del género masculino, 94.1%(175) presentaron puntaje de Apgar normal, 84.4(157) peso al nacer entre 2500 ­ 3999 gr. La complicación materna y perinatal más frecuente fue el síndrome de Hellp con 3.8%(7) y síndrome de distress respiratorio 10.2%(19). Discusión. El 58.1% de los recién nacidos presentó alguna complicación al momento del nacimiento...(AU)

Perinatal mortality by gestational week and size at birth in singleton pregnancies at and beyond term: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Whether gestational age per se increases perinatal mortality in post-term pregnancy is unclear. We aimed at assessing gestational week specific perinatal mortality in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and non-SGA term and post-term gestations, and specifically to evaluate whether the relation between post-term gestation and perinatal mortality differed before and after ultrasound was introduced as the standard method of gestational age estimation. METHODS: A population-based cohort study, using data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN), 1967-2006, was designed. Singleton births at 37 through 44 gestational weeks (n = 1 855 682), excluding preeclampsia, diabetes and fetal anomalies, were included. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for perinatal mortality and stillbirth in SGA and non-SGA births by gestational week were calculated. RESULTS: SGA infants judged post-term by LMP had significantly higher perinatal mortality than post-term non-SGA infants at 40 weeks, independent of time period (highest during 1999-2006 [OR 9.8, 95% CI: 5.7-17.0]). When comparing years before (1967-1986) versus after (1987-2006) ultrasound was introduced, there was no decrease in the excess mortality for post-term SGA versus non-SGA births (ORs from 6.1 [95% CI: 5.2-7.1] to 6.7 [5.2-8.5]), while mortality at 40 weeks decreased significantly (ORs from 4.6, [4.0-5.3] to 3.2 [2.5-3.9]). When assessing stillbirth risk (1999-2006), more than 40% of SGA stillbirths (11/26) judged to be ≥41 weeks by LMP were shifted to lower gestational ages using ultrasound estimation. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality risk in post-term infants was strongly associated with growth restriction. Such infants may erroneously be judged younger than they are when using ultrasound estimation, so that the routine assessment for fetal wellbeing in the prolonged gestation may be given too late.