Effectiveness of nurse-home visiting in improving child and maternal outcomes prenatally to age two years: a randomised controlled trial (British Columbia Healthy Connections Project).

BACKGROUND: We investigated the effectiveness of Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a prenatal-to-age-two-years home-visiting programme, in British Columbia (BC), Canada. METHODS: For this randomised controlled trial, we recruited participants from 26 public health settings who were: <25 years, nulliparous, <28 weeks gestation and experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. We randomly allocated participants (one-to-one; computer-generated) to intervention (NFP plus existing services) or comparison (existing services) groups. Prespecified outcomes were prenatal substance exposure (reported previously); child injuries (primary), language, cognition and mental health (problem behaviour) by age two years; and subsequent pregnancies by 24 months postpartum. Research interviewers were masked. We used intention-to-treat analyses. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01672060.) RESULTS: From 2013 to 2016 we enrolled 739 participants (368 NFP, 371 comparison) who had 737 children. Counts for child injury healthcare encounters [rate per 1,000 person-years or RPY] were similar for NFP (223 [RPY 316.17]) and comparison (223 [RPY 305.43]; rate difference 10.74, 95% CI -46.96, 68.44; rate ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.78, 1.38). Maternal-reported language scores (mean, M [SD]) were statistically significantly higher for NFP (313.46 [195.96]) than comparison (282.77 [188.15]; mean difference [MD] 31.33, 95% CI 0.96, 61.71). Maternal-reported problem-behaviour scores (M [SD]) were statistically significantly lower for NFP (52.18 [9.19]) than comparison (54.42 [9.02]; MD -2.19, 95% CI -3.62, -0.75). Subsequent pregnancy counts were similar (NFP 115 [RPY 230.69] and comparison 117 [RPY 227.29]; rate difference 3.40, 95% CI -55.54, 62.34; hazard ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.79, 1.29). We observed no unanticipated adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: NFP did not reduce child injuries or subsequent maternal pregnancies but did improve maternal-reported child language and mental health (problem behaviour) at age two years. Follow-up of long-term outcomes is warranted given that further benefits may emerge across childhood and adolescence.

Episódios de cuidado cotidiano: diálogos sobre raça, maternagem e rede de apoio / Episodes of daily care: dialogues on race, mothering and support network

Este estudo se dedica a pensar os efeitos do racismo e da racialidade enquanto elementos estruturantes do mundo em que vivemos e da saúde sexual e reprodutiva de mulheres negras, seus projetos de vida e exercício de parentalidade. Por meio de uma perspectiva sobre a impossibilidade da justiça, considerando a necessidade de destruição do Mundo como o conhecemos, e iluminando (com luz negra) a perversidade que não é uma falha mas é a característica mesma do projeto racial que está na base das formações sociais modernas, este trabalho dá centralidade à potência dos emaranhados sociais e da coletividade na produção de estratégias de continuidade da vida, dialogando com as noções de rede e sobrevivência coletiva. Seu objetivo é entender os sentidos e práticas das redes de apoio de mulheres racializadas durante o ciclo gravídico puerperal e no exercício de cuidado à prole em contexto de vulnerabilização. Este é um estudo qualitativo de caráter analítico- exploratório cujas fontes de dados foram produções da literatura científica, registros em diário de campo e discursos das mulheres participantes. Os instrumentos da pesquisa foram uma roda de conversa e duas entrevistas individuais de mulheres mães pretas e periféricas; e a análise elaborada a partir da metodologia episódica proposta por Grada Kilomba. Esta autora encontrou nas narrativas de histórias pessoais de mulheres negras, episódios de suas vidas, a possibilidade de reconstruir e recuperar percepções e definições próprias dos sujeitos que as experenciaram e as têm como própria realidade. Os resultados construídos revelam que os sentidos e práticas das redes de apoio das mulheres-mães negras periféricas envolvidas nesse estudo são múltiplos e ambíguos. Ao mesmo tempo em que possibilitam a emancipação da mulher ao papel da mãe que se dedica integralmente aos filhos em detrimento de seus desejos individuais descolados da maternagem, são também moduladores de sua maternagem e reprodutores da opressão imposta por esse modelo socialmente consolidado. O cenário é complexo, há disputas de gênero, poder institucionalizado, mecanismo de manutenção da visão do outro racial como identidade e referência, jogos de poder e conflito geracional, interesses próprios, alianças consanguíneas, relações por aliança, abandono, vida, vitórias, acolhimento, esperança, acordos, negociações, uma miríade de elementos que sustentam a existência destes sujeitos. Suas maternagens são especialmente atravessadas por eventos críticos, mortes materiais e simbólicas, que tornam seu sofrimento cotidiano e determinam que ressignifiquem sua existência diariamente, à medida em que compartilham o cuidado de seus filhos com seus pares.

This study is dedicated to thinking about the effects of racism and raciality as structuring elements of the world we live in as well as of black women's sexual and reproductive health, their life projects and parenting. Through a perspective on the impossibility of justice, considering the need to destroy the world as we know it, and by shedding (black) light on the perversity that is not a failure but the very characteristic of the racial project that underpins modern social formations, this work focuses on the power of social entanglements and collectivity in the production of strategies for the continuity of life, engaging with the notions of networks and collective survival. It aims to understand the meanings and practices of racialized women's support networks during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle and when caring for their offspring in a context of vulnerability. This is a qualitative study of an analytical-exploratory type and its data sources were scientific literature, field diary entries and the speeches of the participating women. The research instruments were a conversation circle and two individual interviews with black women who are mothers from a peripheral region, and the analysis was based on the episodic methodology proposed by Grada Kilomba. This author found in the narratives of black women's personal stories, episodes from their lives, the possibility of reconstructing and retrieving the perceptions and definitions of the subjects who experienced them and have them as their own reality. The results show that the meanings and practices of support networks of the black women who are mothers in the periphery and were involved in this study are multiple and ambiguous. At the same time as they make it possible for women to emancipate themselves from the role of mothers who dedicate themselves entirely to their children, in detriment to their individual desires detached from mothering, they are also modulators of their mothering and reproducers of the oppression imposed by this socially consolidated model. The scenario is complex, there are gender disputes, institutionalized power, a mechanism for maintaining the view of the racial other as an identity and reference, power games and generational conflict, self-interest, consanguineous alliances, alliance relations, abandonment, life, victories, acceptance, hope, agreements, negotiations, a myriad of elements that sustain the existence of these subjects. Their mothering is especially crossed by critical events, material and symbolic deaths, which make their suffering a daily occurrence and determine that they resignify their existence on a regular basis, as they share the care of their children with their peers.

Remating opportunities and low costs underlie maternal desertion.

Parental care can enhance offspring survival but may impose significant costs to parents. The costs and benefits of care are key to understanding patterns of parental care, where parents can benefit by having their partner increase investment in care, while reducing their own effort. However, investigating the costs and benefits of parental care in wild populations is challenging. Here we use highly detailed behavioral observations in families of a small shorebird, where one parent frequently deserts its offspring, to explore the potential costs and benefits of desertion in a wild population. We first show that females desert their broods more frequently than males. Second, we investigate the benefits of this frequent female desertion in terms of additional mating opportunities, and the costs of desertion to females in terms of the growth and survival of deserted offspring. Our results indicate that female desertion is favored by a combination of remating benefits and a lack of costs to brood growth and survival, as abandoned male parents continue to provide care after desertion. Our results shed light on the costs and benefits underlying natural desertion strategies and suggest that female desertion is a fine-tuned behavior that responds to seasonally changing benefits of desertion.

Relatos da pandemia: ser mulher e mãe em tempos de covid-19 / Pandemic reports: being a woman and mother in covid-19 times / Relatos de la pandemia: ser mujer y madre en tiempos del covid-19

Partindo da pergunta "Como tem sido ser mulher e mãe em tempos de pandemia?", o presente estudo convidou mulheres que são mães, em redes sociais virtuais, a partilhar um relato de suas experiências com a readaptação parental em função do distanciamento social causado pela pandemia de covid-19. O objetivo foi refletir sobre a experiência de ser mulher e mãe em tempos de covid-19 e distanciamento social, apontando algumas ressonâncias do cenário pandêmico na subjetividade dessas mulheres. O estudo teve como base o referencial psicanalítico, tanto na construção da pesquisa e análise dos relatos quanto na sua discussão. A análise dos cerca de 340 relatos coletados, os quais variaram de uma breve frase a longos parágrafos, apontou para uma série de questionamentos, pontos de análise e reflexões. A pandemia, e o decorrente distanciamento social, parece ter colocado uma lente de aumento sobre as angústias das mulheres que são mães, evidenciando sentimentos e sofrimentos sempre presentes. Destacaram-se, nos relatos, a sobrecarga das mulheres com as tarefas de cuidado dos filhos e da casa, a culpa, a solidão, a exaustão, e o sentimento de que não havia espaço nesse contexto para "ser mulher", sendo isso entendido especialmente a questões estéticas e de vaidade.(AU)

Starting from the question "How does it feel to be a woman and a mother in pandemic times?", this study invited women who are mothers, in virtual social networks, to share their experiences regarding parental adaptations due to social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to reflect on the experience of being a woman and a mother in the context of COVID-19 and of social distancing, pointing out some resonances of the pandemic scenario in the subjectivity of these women. The study was based on the psychoanalytical framework, both in the construction of the research and analysis of the reports and in their discussion. The analysis of about 340 collected reports, which ranged from a brief sentence to long paragraphs, pointed to a series of questions, analysis topics, and reflections. The pandemic, and the resulting social distancing, seems to have placed a magnifying glass over the anguish of women who are mothers, showing ever-present feelings and suffering. The reports highlighted women's overload with child and house care tasks, the guilt, loneliness, exhaustion, and the feeling that there was no space in this context to "be a woman," and it extends to aesthetic and vanity related questions especially.(AU)

A partir de la pregunta "¿cómo te sientes siendo mujer y madre en tiempos de pandemia?", este estudio invitó por las redes sociales a mujeres que son madres a compartir un relato de sus experiencias sobre la readaptación parental en función del distanciamiento social causado por la pandemia del covid-19. Su objetivo fue reflexionar sobre la experiencia de ser mujer y madre en tiempos del covid-19 y el distanciamiento social, señalando algunas resonancias del escenario pandémico en la subjetividad de estas mujeres. Este estudio se basó en el marco psicoanalítico, tanto en la construcción de la investigación y análisis de los informes como en su discusión. El análisis de los casi 340 relatos, que variaron de una pequeña frase a largos párrafos, generó en las investigadoras una serie de cuestionamientos y reflexiones. La pandemia y el consecuente distanciamiento social parece haber agrandado las angustias de las mujeres que son madres, evidenciando sentimientos y sufrimientos siempre presentes. En los relatos destacan la sobrecarga de las mujeres con las tareas de cuidado de los hijos y del hogar, la culpa, la soledad, el cansancio, así como el sentimiento de que no hay espacio em este contexto para "ser mujer", relacionado principalmente a cuestiones estéticas y de vanidad.(AU)

Parental Attributions-Mothers' Voices in Economically and Socially Disadvantaged Contexts.

In the present study, the attributions of socially and economically disadvantaged mothers for their own negative parenting behavior and for their children's undesirable behaviors as perceived by parents-understood as misbehavior-were analyzed. To this end, an exploratory study with a qualitative design was developed, in which 24 socially and economically disadvantaged mothers were individually interviewed. The data were analyzed following a thematic analysis approach, using software suited to qualitative analysis, namely NVIVO 12. The children's undesirable behaviors as perceived by parents and some characteristics associated with parental performance (particularly the appraisal of the effectiveness of their negative practices) emerged respectively as external and internal factors, explaining mothers' inadaptive behaviors-difficulties in behavior regulation, physical coercion, psychological control and paraverbal hostility. The parental subsystem and school emerged as the main external factors, and the psychological characteristics as the most relevant internal factors, explaining the children's undesirable behaviors-challenge, immaturity, hostility, emotionally-based, school behavior/absenteeism and danger. The results also indicate weak self-critical reflexivity regarding some of the inadaptive behaviors. The comprehensive analysis of the results, based on the literature review, gave rise to an explanatory hypothesis on the dysfunctional circular process regarding the maintenance of inadaptive practices and children's undesirable behaviors, considering the role played by parental attributions and by insufficient parental reflexivity.

Expectativas de mães de crianças com síndrome congênita do vírus zika: atribuições dos gestores / Expectativas de madres de niños con síndrome de zika congénito: atribuciones de los gestores / Expectations of children's mothers with Congenital Zika Syndrome: attributions of governors

Objetivo: compreender as expectativas de mães de crianças com síndrome congênita do vírus zika sobre as atribuições dos gestores direcionadas à assistência integral à criança. Materiais e métodos: estudo qualitativo realizado a partir das entrevistas em profundidade e do desenho estória-tema com 10 mães em Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, entre setembro e novembro de 2017. Resultados: as expectativas das mães residem em elevar o número de sessões de estimulação precoce e reabilitação; incluir novos métodos de tratamento, como a ecoterapia, a hidroginástica e a fisioterapia avançada; construir centros de reabilitação; qualificar os profissionais da rede de atenção à saúde; inserir, minimamente, os serviços de terapia ocupacional, fisioterapia e fonoaudiologia na rede de saúde do município de residência; assegurar o acesso a órteses, próteses, cadeira de rodas e de banho, além de outros aparelhos de reabilitação, como fraldas e medicamentos; desburocratizar o percurso para a concessão do benefício de prestação continuada; definir um modelo de ensino-aprendizagem específico para as crianças. Conclusões: desconsiderar as expectativas das mães significa sobrecarregá-las de serviços que seriam de responsabilidade legal doEstado, o que repercute no seu adoecimento, além de restringir o desenvolvimento da criança e elevar os casos de judicialização da saúde.

Objetivo: comprender las expectativas de las madres de niños con síndrome de virus del zika congénito acerca de las atribuciones de los gestores encaminadas al cuidado infantil integral. Materiales y métodos: estudio cualitativo basado en entrevistas en profundidad y dibujo historia-tema con 10 madres en Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, entre septiembre y noviembre de 2017. Resultados: las expectativas de las madres son aumentar el número de sesiones de estimulación precoz y rehabilitación; incluir nuevos métodos de tratamiento como ecoterapia, hidrogimnasia y fisioterapia avanzada; construir centros de rehabilitación; calificar los profesionales de la red de atención de salud; integrar, de forma básica, los servicios de terapia ocupacional, fisioterapia y fonoaudiología en la red de salud del municipio de residencia; garantizar el acceso a las ortesis, prótesis, sillas de ruedas y de baño, además de otros dispositivos de rehabilitación, así como pañales y medicamentos; reducir la burocracia para otorgar el beneficio de servicio continuo; definir un modelo de enseñanza-aprendizaje específico para niños. Conclusiones: ignorar las expectativas de las madres significa sobrecargarlas de servicios que serían responsabilidad legal del Estado, afectando su enfermedad, además de restringir el desarrollo del niño y aumentar los casos de judicialización de la salud.

Objective: understand the expectations of the mothers of children with Congenital Zika virus Syndrome on the attributions of the managers directed to integral care to the child. Materials and method: qualitative study based on in-depth interviews and Story-Theme Design with 10 mothers in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, between September and November 2017. Results: The expectations of the mothers reside in increasing the number of sessions of early stimulation and rehabilitation; include new treatment methods such as eco-therapy, hydrogymnastics and advanced physiotherapy; building rehabilitation centers; qualify the professionals of the health care network; insert, minimally, the services of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy in the health network of the municipality of residence; ensure access to orthosis, prosthesis, wheelchairs and bath chairs, and other rehabilitation appliances, as well as materials such as diapers and medicines; to debureaucratize the course for the granting of the continuous benefit; to define a specific teaching-learning model for children. Conclusions: Disregarding the expectations of mothers means overloading them with services that would be the legal responsibility of the State, affecting their illness, in addition to restricting the child's development and increasing cases of judicialization of health.

The Impact of Local Education and Resource Distribution on Maternal Health Behaviors.

INTRODUCTION: Community forum participants voted for an education and resource distribution program (using a baby box) to help reduce local infant mortality. Although multiple sites have implemented similar programs, there is limited peer-reviewed literature about outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective pre- and immediate post-survey design with an intervention (video and written education and resource distribution) in between was utilized with a follow-up survey. The primary research objectives were whether viewing educational videos led to change in self-reported likelihood of select maternal behaviors. Other objectives were whether demographic characteristics were associated with self-reported likelihood of behaviors, and to assess the actual self-reported postpartum behavior. RESULTS: Participants reported a change in likelihood in: asking a WIC counselor for help (p < 0.001); talking with a provider about substance use (p = 0.014), postpartum depression (p < 0.001) and birth control (p = 0.025); and using the baby box as a sleeping space (p < 0.01). After watching the educational videos, college-educated participants were significantly more likely than participants with high school education or less to report likelihood to breastfeed (p = 0.039). Over half of the participants (59.2%) in the follow-up survey reported breastfeeding most to all of the time, compared to 91.5% who reported they were more likely to breastfeed in the post-education survey. The proportion of participants at the follow-up survey who reported bed-sharing most or all of the time (5.7%) was lower than those participants who had said they were likely or very likely to bed-share in the post-education survey (11.3%). Although nearly all participants (98.6%) in the post-education survey reported that they were likely to use the baby box, at the postpartum follow-up, 39.1% reported actual use of the baby box. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: The program positively impacted self-reported likelihood of several health behaviors. A community-driven approach to maternal education and resource distribution may be beneficial in other cities.

The Time has Come for All States to Measure Racial Discrimination: A Call to Action for the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).

INTRODUCTION: Racial/ethnic inequities in preterm birth (PTB) are well documented. Most of this research has focused on maternal behavioral and socio-demographic characteristics. However, the full magnitude of the racial/ethnic gap remains inadequately understood. Studies now point to the role of racial discrimination in producing PTB inequities, but limitations exist, namely the use of a single, dichotomous item to measures discrimination and the limited generalizability of most studies which have been conducted in single cities or states. METHODS: In this commentary we briefly review extant research on explanations for racial/ethnic inequities in PTB, and the role of racial discrimination in producing the racial/ethnic gap in adverse birth outcomes such as PTB. RESULTS: The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a state-level, population-based survey, annually collects data from 51 states and cities ("states") on maternal behaviors and experiences in the perinatal period. The questionnaire consists of mandatory "Core" questions, and optional "Standard" questions. Currently 22 states include a "Standard" question on discrimination; 29 do not. PRAMS offers a unique opportunity to systematically assess discrimination among a diverse, population-based sample across the US. DISCUSSION: We urge PRAMS to at least include the current measure of discrimination as a mandatory "Core" question. Ideally, PRAMS should include a validated discrimination scale as a "Core" question. The time has come to name and assess the impact of discrimination on adverse birth outcomes. PRAMS can play a vital role in helping to close the racial/ethnic gap in PTB.

Maternal responses to pup calls in a high-cost lactation species.

Bonding between mothers and their young is fundamental to mammalian reproductive behaviour and individual fitness. In social systems where the risk of confusing filial and non-filial offspring is high, mothers should demonstrate early, strong and consistent responses to their kin throughout the period of offspring dependence, irrespective of maternal traits. We tested this hypothesis through playback experiments in the northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris, a phocid species that breeds in high-density colonies. We found that mothers recognized their offspring throughout lactation and as early as 1-2 days after parturition. Measures of experience (age) and temperament (aggressivity) did not predict their response strength to filial playback treatments, nor did pup age or sex. Some mothers showed great consistency in behavioural responses throughout the lactation period, while others were less predictable. The strength of a female's response did not influence her pup's weaning weight; however, more consistent females weaned pups of higher mass. This is a rare demonstration of individual recognition among phocid mothers and their offspring, and suggests that consistency in maternal responsiveness may be an important social factor influencing the pup's growth and survival.

Mother-child bonding, environment, and motor development of babies at risk accompanied by a follow-up / Vínculo mãe-filho, ambiente e desenvolvimento motor de bebês acompanhados em seguimento de risco

Abstract Objectives: to identify factors resulting from the correlation between mother-child bonding, environment, and infant motor development (MD). Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 mothers/guardians and their infants at risk from 3 to 12 months of age, accompanied in an outpatient clinic follow-up at a public maternity. The data were collected using a form with socioeconomic data, mother/child routine at the hospital and home environments, and three other instruments validated in Brazil: Protocolo de Avaliação do Vínculo Mãe-Filho (Mother-Child Bonding Evaluation Protocol), Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development - Infant Scale, and Escala Motora Infantil de Alberta (Alberta Infant Motor Scale). Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and a significance level of 5% was used for the correlation. Results: the data showed a predominance of preterm babies (74.5%), low-income families (86.2%), and domestic opportunities below the adequate (93.8%) for good motor development. Regarding the mother-child bonding, 60% of the mothers showed a strong bonding with their children. A total of 62.3% of the children had typical motor development. Concerning the interaction between variables, statistical significance (p˂0.05) was observed in the correlation between bonding and typical motor development. Conclusion: despite the presence of risk factors, motor development was normal in most of the babies in this study, suggesting that the mother-child bonding favored motor development even with environmental and biological adversities.

Resumo Objetivos: identificar fatores resultantes da correlação vínculo mãe-filho, ambiente e desenvolvimento motor (DM) infantil. Métodos: estudo transversal com 130 mães/responsáveis e seus lactentes de 3 a 12 meses de vida, acompanhados em ambulatório de seguimento de risco de uma maternidade pública. Os dados foram coletados através de ficha contendo dados socioeconômicos e rotina de mãe/filho no ambiente hospitalar e domiciliar, e três outros instrumentos validados no Brasil: Protocolo de Avaliação do Vínculo Mãe-Filho, Affordances in the Home Envirornent for Motor Development - Infant Scale e Escala Motora Infantil de Alberta. Para correlação utilizou-se teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson, exato de Fisher e nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: os dados mostraram predominância de bebês prematuros (74,5%), famílias de baixa renda (86,2%) e com oportunidades domésticas abaixo do adequado (93,8%) para um bom desenvolvimento motor. No que concerne a vinculação, 60% das mães apresentou forte vinculação com seu filho. O desenvolvimento motor de 62,3% das crianças apresentouse típico. Nas interações entre variáveis, observou-se significância estatística (p<0,05) na correlação entre vínculo e desenvolvimento motor típico. Conclusão: apesar dos fatores de risco, o desenvolvimento motor apresentou-se típico na maioria dos bebês desse estudo, sugerindo que a presença de vínculo favoreceu o desenvolvimento motor mesmo com a presença de adversidades ambientais e biológicas.

Associations between women's empowerment and child development, growth, and nurturing care practices in sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-sectional analysis of demographic and health survey data.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 40% of children 3 to 4 years of age in low- and middle-income countries have suboptimal development and growth. Women's empowerment may help provide inputs of nurturing care for early development and growth by building caregiver capacity and family support. We examined the associations between women's empowerment and child development, growth, early learning, and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS AND FINDINGS: We pooled data on married women (15 to 49 years) and their children (36 to 59 months) from Demographic and Health Surveys that collected data on child development (2011 to 2018) in 9 SSA countries (N = 21,434): Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, and Uganda. We constructed a women's empowerment score using factor analysis and assigned women to country-specific quintile categories. The child outcomes included cognitive, socioemotional, literacy-numeracy, and physical development (Early Childhood Development Index), linear growth (height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) and stunting (HAZ <-2). Early learning outcomes were number of parental stimulation activities (range 0 to 6) and learning resources (range 0 to 4). The nutrition outcome was child dietary diversity score (DDS, range 0 to 7). We assessed the relationship between women's empowerment and child development, growth, early learning, and nutrition using multivariate generalized linear models. On average, households in our sample were large (8.5 ± 5.7 members) and primarily living in rural areas (71%). Women were 31 ± 6.6 years on average, 54% had no education, and 31% had completed primary education. Children were 47 ± 7 months old and 49% were female. About 23% of children had suboptimal cognitive development, 31% had suboptimal socioemotional development, and 90% had suboptimal literacy-numeracy development. Only 9% of children had suboptimal physical development, but 35% were stunted. Approximately 14% of mothers and 3% of fathers provided ≥4 stimulation activities. Relative to the lowest quintile category, children of women in the highest empowerment quintile category were less likely to have suboptimal cognitive development (relative risk (RR) 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80, 0.99), had higher HAZ (mean difference (MD) 0.09; 95% CI 0.02, 0.16), lower risk of stunting (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.87, 1.00), higher DDS (MD 0.17; 95% CI 0.06, 0.29), had 0.07 (95% CI 0.01, 0.13) additional learning resources, and received 0.16 (95% CI 0.06, 0.25) additional stimulation activities from their mothers and 0.23 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.29) additional activities from their fathers. We found no evidence that women's empowerment was associated with socioemotional, literacy-numeracy, or physical development. Study limitations include the possibility of reverse causality and suboptimal assessments of the outcomes and exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Women's empowerment was positively associated with early child cognitive development, child growth, early learning, and nutrition outcomes in SSA. Efforts to improve child development and growth should consider women's empowerment as a potential strategy.

Picky Eating in School-Aged Children: Sociodemographic Determinants and the Associations with Dietary Intake.

Children exhibiting picky eating behavior often demonstrate strong food preferences and rejection of particular foods or food texture, which may lead to limited dietary variety and possibly inadequate or unhealthy diet. Yet, the relationship between picky eating and nutrient intake in school-aged children has not been established previously. This study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic determinants of picky eating and the associations between picky eating and dietary intake in children. Data of 424 healthy Saudi children aged 6-12 years were collected from their mothers. A child's picky eating habits were captured using a validated questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics of the children were assessed. Dietary data, including 24 h dietary recalls and frequency of fruit, vegetable, and milk consumption, were collected by dietetic professionals using phone-administered interviews. Compared to those of normal-weight mothers, children of mothers with obesity had higher odds of being in the highest tertile of picky eating (OR = 1.93; 95% CI 1.02, 3.63). Children exhibiting higher levels of picky eating consumed less fruits (B = -0.03; 95% CI -0.06, -0.01), vegetables (B = -0.05; 95% CI -0.07, -0.02), and protein (B = -0.21; 95% CI -0.33, -0.09), and had higher consumption of trans fatty acid intake (B = 1.10; 95% CI 0.06, 2.15). Children with higher levels of picky eating presented unhealthy dietary behaviors. Future studies are needed to examine the long-term effect of picky eating on cardiovascular health. Dietary behaviors of mothers with obesity must be taken into consideration when designing intervention programs aiming to improve eating behaviors of children.

Prevalence and factors associated with unplanned pregnancy in a Brazilian capital in the Northeast / Prevalência e fatores associados à gravidez não planejada em uma capital do Nordeste Brasileiro

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with unplanned pregnancy in a Brazilian capital in the Northeast. Methods: a cross-sectional study nested to a hospital birth cohort with a probable sample of 5,110 puerperal women. Associated factors were analyzed using a hierarchical theoretical model in three levels: distal (women's socioeconomic and demographic characteristics), intermediate (reproductive characteristics, maternal habits and BMI), and proximal level (partner's characteristics). Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was performed. Results: the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy was 68.1% (CI95%=66.8-69.4). Multivariate analysis showed association with black skin color/race (PR=1.03; CI95%=1.01- 1.07), mother's age group up to 19 years old (PR=1.09; CI95%=1.06-1.12) and 20 to 24 years old (PR=1.04; CI95%=1.01-1.07), not living with partner (PR=1.09; CI95%=1.07- 1.11), highest number of people in the household: 5 people (PR= 1.10; CI95%=1.08-1.13) and 3 to 4 (PR=1.08; CI95%=1.05-1.10), number of ≥4 children (PR=1.09; CI95%=1.06- 1.13) and 2 or 3 children (PR=1.03; CI95%=1.02-1.05), alcohol consumption (PR=1.03; CI95%=1.01-1.05), malnourished pre-pregnancy BMI (PR=1.03; CI95%=1.01-1.06) and partner's low schooling (5 to 8 years) (PR=1.03; CI95%=1.01-1.07). Prior abortion was inversely associated with planned pregnancy (PR=0.95; CI95%=0.93-0.97). Conclusions: the prevalence of unplanned pregnancy was high and was associated with socioeconomic and demographic characteristics that reflect on the combination of the complex inequalities that impact women and their partners

Resumo Objetivos: analisar a prevalência e fatores associados à gravidez não planejada em uma capital do Nordeste brasileiro. Métodos: estudo transversal aninhado à coorte de nascimento hospitalar com amostra probabilística de 5.110 puérperas. Fatores associados foram analisados utilizando-se modelo teórico hierarquizado em três níveis: distal (caracteristicas socioeconômicas e demográficas da mulher), intermediário(caracteristicas reprodutivas, hábitos maternos e IMC), e nível proximal (características do companheiro). Realizou-se análise de regressão multivariada de Poisson. Resultados: a prevalência de gravidez não planejada foi de 68,1% (IC95%= 66,8-69,4). A análise multivariada mostrou associação com cor/raça preta (RP=1,03; IC95%= 1,01-1,07), faixa etária da mãe até 19 anos (RP=1,09; IC95%= 1,06-1,12) e 20 a 24 anos (RP=1,04; IC95%= 1,01-1,07), não residir com o companheiro (RP=1,09; IC95%= 1,07-1,11), maior o número de pessoas no domicílio: 5 pessoas (RP= 1,10; IC95%= 1,08-1,13) e de 3 a 4 (RP=1,08; IC95%= 1,05-1,10), número de ≥4 filhos (RP=1,09; IC95%= 1,06-1,13) e 2 ou 3 filhos (RP=1,03; IC95%= 1,02-1,05), uso de álcool (RP=1,03; IC95%= 1,01-1,05), IMC pré-gestacional desnutrido (RP=1,03; IC95%= 1,01-1,06) e baixa escolaridade (5 a 8 anos) do companheiro (RP=1,03; IC95%= 1,01-1,07). O aborto prévio associou-se inversamente com gravidez planejada (RP=0,95; IC95%= 0,93-0,97). Conclusões: foi elevada a prevalência de gravidez não planejada, e esteve associada a características socioeconômicas e demográficas que refletem a combinação de complexas desigualdades que impactam mulheres e seus parceiros.

Two-Year Test-Retest Reliability of the Breastfeeding Duration Question Used By the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS): Implications for Research.

INTRODUCTION: A large literature exists on positive sequelae of breastfeeding, relying heavily on maternal self-reported infant feeding behaviors. Many such studies use PRAMS data, though estimates of reliability for the breastfeeding duration question on PRAMS have not been published. METHODS: We used data from Oregon PRAMS (respondents are a median 3.5 months postpartum) and PRAMS-2 (median 25 months) to assess test-retest reliability of maternal self-reported breastfeeding duration, among women who had weaned prior to completing the PRAMS survey. RESULTS: The sample-wide kappa for the paired, self-reported breastfeeding duration was 0.014, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.17, both of which indicate poor agreement. More than 80% of women reported a longer duration on PRAMS-2; the median (interquartile range) difference was +1.0 (0.31 - 2.1) months. DISCUSSION: Recent literature on this topic from high-income countries falls into two categories: entirely retrospective versus "prospective" reliability assessments. Entirely retrospective assessments (both inquiries occur well after weaning) universally report exceedingly high reliability, whereas "prospective" assessments (women report infant feeding behavior during infancy, immediately after weaning, and some years later are asked to replicate their original answer) universally report poorer reliability. Interestingly, all "prospective" reliability studies, including ours, found that women over-report past breastfeeding durations by about 1 month upon the second inquiry. Researchers need not refrain from using maternal self-reported breastfeeding durations, because participants are largely still ranked correctly, relative to each other. However, such research efforts must avoid attempting to determine any optimal threshold duration.

Association of maternal depression, family composition and poverty with maternal care and physical health of children in the first year of life / Associação da depressão materna, composição da família e pobreza com os cuidados maternos e a saúde física de crianças no primeiro ano de vida

INTRODUCTION: The child's overall health depends on several factors, including the quality of the environment in which it lives and the care it receives. Child well-being early in life has an impact on its future and future generations' health. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the association of maternal depression, family composition, and socioeconomic conditions with the indicator of maternal care and physical health of children. METHODS: Retrospective cohort that analyzed data from 120 children during their first year of life. A Health and Maternal Care Indicator (ISCM) was created, aggregating information on growth, breastfeeding, vaccination, prophylaxis of iron deficiency anemia, illnesses, and accidents. The socioeconomic and health conditions were obtained through a structured interview. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale assessed maternal depression. Quasipoisson Regression examined the association between the ICSM and the predictors. The initial model considered p<0.25 in the univariate analysis and p<0.05 in the final model. RESULTS: The mothers were adults (83.3%), studied for an average of 10 years, and 36% had depressive symptoms. About 37% of the families were single-parent female, 59% were from Class C1-C2 of ABEP, and 12% received the "Bolsa Família" benefit. ISCM was 8% lower in children whose mothers were depressed (p = 0.04) or had no partner (p = 0.03), and was 14% higher in families receiving Bolsa Família (p = 0.02) in relation to their peers. CONCLUSION: Maternal depression and female single-parent family arrangements negatively impacted child health and care, while the conditional cash transfer program represented a protective factor.

INTRODUÇÃO: A saúde integral da criança depende de vários fatores, entre eles a qualidade do ambiente em que vive e dos cuidados que recebe. O bem-estar da criança no início da vida tem impacto na sua saúde futura e das próximas gerações. OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação da depressão materna, composição da família e condições socioeconômicas com o indicador de cuidados maternos e saúde física de crianças. MÉTODO: Coorte retrospectiva que analisou dados de 120 crianças no primeiro ano de vida. Foi criado um Indicador de Saúde e Cuidados Maternos (ISCM), agregando informações sobre crescimento, aleitamento materno, vacinação, profilaxia de anemia ferropriva, adoecimentos e acidentes. A condição socioeconômica e de saúde foram obtidas por entrevista estruturada. A depressão materna foi avaliada pela Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A associação entre o ICSM e os preditores foi examinada pela Regressão de Quasipoisson. O modelo inicial foi composto por variáveis com p<0,25 na análise univariada e p<0,05 no modelo final. RESULTADOS: As mães eram adultas (83,3%), estudaram, em média, por 10 anos e 36% delas apresentaram sintomas depressivos. Cerca de 37% das famílias eram do tipo monoparental feminino, 59% eram da Classe C1-C2 da ABEP e 12% recebiam o benefício "Bolsa Família". O ISCM foi 8% menor nas crianças cujas mães eram deprimidas (p=0,04) ou não tinham companheiro (p=0,03), e foi 14% maior nas famílias que recebiam o Bolsa família (p=0,02) em relação aos seus pares. CONCLUSÃO: A depressão materna e o arranjo familiar monoparental feminino impactaram negativamente a saúde e os cuidados com a criança, enquanto o programa de transferência condicionada de renda representou um fator de proteção.

Maternal insecurity in breastfeeding women served at a human milk bank / Insegurança materna na amamentação em lactantes atendidas em um banco de leite humano

Abstract Objectives: to verify the prevalence and factors associated with maternal insecurity in breastfeeding with lactating women treated at a milk bank. Methods: cross-sectional study with secondary record data from January 2017 to December 2018 at the Human Milk Bank of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão. Results: a total of 891 lactating women were analyzed, of which 23.4% had maternal insecurity, being the second most prevalent complication. Most were young adults, married (68%), with complete higher education (64.9%) and family income above five minimum wages (32.5%). Regarding the obstetric history, the highest frequency was ofprimigravida (63.7%o), primiparous (70%), who had had seven or more prenatal appointments (91 %) in private health services (76.5%) where most births also occurred (78.6%), with cesarean section being the most prevalent mode of delivery (86.5%), 47.2% reported never having received guidance on breastfeeding and 80.7% were breastfeeding for the first time. There was a statistically significant relationship (p-value < 0.05) of maternal insecurity with the place where the prenatal care was performed and the place and mode of delivery. Conclusion: maternal insecurity was the second most prevalent breast complication among lactating women in the service. It stands out the need for adequate guidance and counseling on the subject, especially during prenatal care, contributing to avoid early weaning

Resumo Objetivos: verificar a prevalência e os fatores associados à insegurança materna na amamentação em lactantes atendidas em um banco de leite humano. Métodos: estudo transversal com dados retrospectivos de registros ocorridos de janeiro de 2017 a dezembro de 2018 no Banco de Leite Humano do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Maranhão. Resultados: analisou-se 891 atendimentos, dentre os quais 24,3% das lactantes apresentaram insegurança materna, sendo a segunda intercorrência mais prevalente. A maioria era adulta jovem, casada (68%), com nível superior completo (64,9%) e renda familiar acima de cinco salários mínimos (32,5%o). Em relação aos antecedentes obstétricos a maior frequência foi de primigestas (63, 7%), primíparas (70%), realizaram sete ou mais consultas de prénatal (91%) em serviços privados de saúde (76,5%) onde também ocorreu a maioria dos partos (78,6%), sendo a cesariana a via maisprevalente (86,5%); 47,2% relataram nunca ter recebido orientações sobre amamentação e 80, 7%o amamentavam pela primeira vez. Observou-se relação estatisticamente significativa (p-valor <0,05) com o local de realização do pré-natal, local do parto e via de parto. Conclusão: a insegurança materna foi a segunda intercorrência mamária mais prevalente entre as lactantes do serviço. Destaca-se a necessidade de orientações e aconselhamento adequados sobre o tema, especialmente durante o pré-natal, contribuindo para que se evite o desmame precoce.

The role of parity in the mode of delivery in advanced maternal age women / O papel da paridade no tipo de parto em mulheres com idade materna avançada

Abstract Objectives: to describe the profile of Brazilian Advanced Maternal Age (AMA) women (> 35 years) according to parity, as well as to analyze the role of parity in the relationship between AMA and mode of delivery. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study, based on the "Nascer no Brasil" (Born in Brazil) survey. The data were collected in 2011/2012. The chi-square test was performed to verify the association between parity and maternal, prenatal and delivery characteristics, maternal habits, pre-pregnancy diseases, maternal complications and obstetric history. Results: of the 2,510 puerperal AMA women, 20.2% were nulliparous, 54.4% had one or two previous births and 25.4% had three or more previous births. The nulliparous women had higher schooling, higher economic class and adequate BMI, were white; and had better maternal habits when compared to multiparous. However, they were also more submitted to cesarean section, although without reported complications. Conclusions: one cannot speak of AMA pregnant women as a homogeneous group in Brazil. There are inequalities that can be revealed via parity, since nulliparous women have maternal characteristics, habits and access to prenatal care and childbirth that are more advantageous than multiparous women.

Resumo Objetivos: descrever o perfil das mulheres brasileiras com IMA (> 35 anos) segundo a paridade, além de analisar o papel da paridade na relação entre IMA e tipo de parto. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo transversal, baseado no inquérito "Nascer no Brasil". Os dados foram coletados em 2011/2012. Executou-se o teste qui-quadrado para verificar a associação entre paridade e características maternas, do pré-natal, parto, hábitos maternos, doenças pré-gestacionais, complicações maternas e antecedentes obstétricos. Resultados: das 2.510puérperas com IMA, 20,2% eram primíparas, 54,4% tinham um ou dois partos anteriores e 25,4%o três ou mais partos anteriores. As primíparas apresentaram maior escolaridade, classe econômica mais elevada e IMC adequado, eram brancas; e possuíam melhores hábitos maternos quando comparadas às multíparas. Entretanto, também foram mais submetidas à cesariana, ainda que sem intercorrências relatadas. Conclusão: não se pode falar em gestantes com IMA como um grupo homogêneo no Brasil. Existem desigualdades que podem ser reveladas via paridade, uma vez que as primíparas apresentam características maternas, hábitos e acesso ao pré-natal e parto mais vantajosas que as multíparas.

A Primer on DNA Methylation and Its Potential to Impact Maternal Depression Risk and Assessment During Pregnancy and the Postpartum.

Depression onset during and after pregnancy is prevalent and associated with significant implications for maternal, child, and family health. Although environmental risk factors important to the expression of pregnancy-related depression are well known, knowledge of the genetic underpinning is limited. Given the joint contribution of environmental and genetic factors to depression risk liability, DNA methylation presents itself as an ideal biomarker to investigate basic mechanisms and opportunities for translational research to care for pregnancy-related depression health outcomes. This article is an introduction to DNA methylation and its potential to serve as a marker of depression risk during pregnancy and the postpartum. This commentary discusses current clinical uses of DNA methylation-based testing and how it may be applied to perinatal depression clinical care and management.

Parasitism is always costly to the host.

Recent studies have examined the cost of raising parasitic cuckoos and highlighted the importance of "no extra cost" in explaining the low levels of defense in hosts. To clarify the reasons for parasitization in typical hosts, we present a simple model to explore the immediate and future costs of parasitism in shaping the evolution of defense behavior in hosts. Our results suggest that any cost of parasitization is maladaptive to the host and learned egg recognition is always favored to overcome these costs. Furthermore, although facing a potential cost of mis-imprinting, learned nestling recognition may still evolve when there is a non-zero immediate cost from raising a parasitic nestling. Therefore, we contend that "no extra cost" does not provide sufficient evidence to explain the low levels of defense behavior in hosts per se.