Restriction of follow-up of premature infants in the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed approach / Restrição do acompanhamento de lactentes prematuros na pandemia da COVID-19: abordagem mista / Restricción del seguimiento de lactantes prematuros en la pandemia de COVID-19: enfoque mixto

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os fatores associados à restrição do acompanhamento de lactentes que nasceram prematuros e/ou baixo peso durante a pandemia da COVID-19 e a percepção de mães e profissionais de saúde quanto a essa realidade. Métodos Pesquisa de método misto com delineamento paralelo convergente, realizada com 14 mães de lactentes que nasceram prematuros e/ou baixo peso acompanhados no ambulatório de follow-up de uma maternidade em um município da Paraíba, e quatro profissionais de saúde desse serviço. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de junho a julho de 2020, concomitantemente, em fonte de dados secundários, constituída de todos os 140 prontuários dos respectivos lactentes para abordagem quantitativa, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, para abordagem qualitativa. A análise quantitativa ocorreu por estatística descritiva e inferencial, e a qualitativa, conforme análise temática indutiva. Resultados Houve associação significativa entre a idade dos lactentes e a restrição do seu acompanhamento no follow-up durante a pandemia, com priorização do atendimento presencial dos menores de seis meses, contatos pontuais com os familiares, via ligação telefônica ou aplicativo digital, e lacunas na atualização do calendário vacinal dos que tiveram o acompanhamento interrompido. Isso gerou insatisfação das mães e receio de prejuízos ao desenvolvimento dos lactentes. Também não houve continuidade do cuidado desses na unidade básica de saúde. Conclusão Houveram restrições no acompanhamento dos lactentes nascidos prematuros no serviço de follow-up durante a pandemia, gerando insatisfação materna e receio de prejuízos ao desenvolvimento de seus filhos.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar los factores asociados a la restricción del seguimiento de lactantes que nacieron prematuros o de bajo peso durante la pandemia de COVID-19 y la percepción de madres y profesionales de la salud respecto a esta realidad. Métodos Estudio de método mixto con diseño paralelo convergente, realizado con 14 madres de lactantes que nacieron prematuros o de bajo peso atendidos en consultorios externos de follow-up de una maternidad en un municipio del estado de Paraíba, y cuatro profesionales de la salud de este servicio. La recopilación de datos fue realizada en el período de junio a julio de 2020, simultáneamente en fuente de datos secundarios, compuesta por las 140 historias clínicas de los respectivos lactantes para el enfoque cuantitativo, por medio de entrevista semiestructurada, para el enfoque cualitativo. El análisis cuantitativo se llevó a cabo por estadística descriptiva e inferencial, y el cualitativo mediante análisis temático inductivo. Resultados Hubo relación significativa entre la edad de los lactantes y la restricción de su seguimiento en el follow-up durante la pandemia, con priorización de atención presencial a los menores de seis meses, contactos puntuales con los familiares, vía llamada telefónica o aplicación digital, y vacíos en la actualización del calendario de vacunación de los que tuvieron el seguimiento interrumpido. Esto generó insatisfacción de las madres y temor de perjudicar el desarrollo de los lactantes. Tampoco hubo continuidad del cuidado de estos en la unidad básica de salud. Conclusión Hubo restricciones en el seguimiento de los lactantes nacidos prematuros en el servicio de follow-up durante la pandemia, lo que generó insatisfacción materna y temor de perjudicar el desarrollo de sus hijos.

Abstract Objective To analyze the factors associated with restricting the follow-up of infants who were born premature and/or low birth weight during the COVID-19 pandemic and mothers' and health professionals' perception regarding this reality. Methods This is mixed methods research with a parallel convergent design, carried out with 14 mothers of infants who were born premature and/or low birth weight, followed up at a follow-up outpatient clinic of a maternity hospital in a municipality in Paraíba, and four health professionals from this service. Data collection was carried out from June to July 2020, concomitantly, in a secondary data source, consisting of all 140 medical records of the respective infants for a quantitative approach, through a semi-structured interview, for a qualitative approach. Quantitative analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative analysis, according to inductive thematic analysis. Results There was a significant association between infant age and the restriction of their follow-up during the pandemic, with prioritization of one-to-one care for children under six months of age, occasional contacts with family members, via phone call or digital application, and gaps in updating the vaccination schedule of those whose follow-up was interrupted. This generated dissatisfaction on the part of mothers and fear of harm to the development of infants. There was also no continuity of care for these in the Basic Health Unit. Conclusion There were restrictions on follow-up of premature infants in the follow-up service during the pandemic, generating maternal dissatisfaction and fear of damage to the development of their children.

[Analysis of the treatment of a premature infant with critical coronavirus disease caused by the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2].

The patient is a female infant who was born at a gestational age of 30+4 weeks in the breech position and was delivered by assisted vaginal delivery. She was admitted to the neonatal department of Tianjin First Central Hospital for 44 days, during which she had stable respiration, oxygen saturation, and regular weight gain. The patient was discharged home by her family. The infant was readmitted to the hospital due to poor appetite for 15 hours and irregular breathing with weak response for 4 hours at the corrected gestational age of 37+2 weeks at 47 days after birth. The day before admission, the patient's mother experienced throat discomfort, and on the day of admission, the mother had a fever, with the highest temperature of 37.9 centigrade (she later tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antigen). About 15 hours before admission, the family noticed that the patient had poor milk intake and weakened suction. About 4 hours before admission, the patient developed irregular breathing and weakened responses. After admission, the patient presented frequent apnea, and it was not relieved by adjusting the respiratory mode and parameters of non-invasive assisted ventilation, as well as caffeine citrate to stimulate the respiratory center. The patient was eventually given mechanical ventilation and other symptomatic support treatments. The pharyngeal swab was positive for COVID nucleic acid testing with a Ct value of 20.1 for the N gene. And the chest X-ray showed multiple patchy shadows in both lungs. The patient was diagnosed with critical coronavirus disease (COVID) caused by the Omicron variant in premature infants. After treatment, the child was clinically cured and discharged 8 days after hospitalization. Symptoms of COVID in premature infants may be atypical, and the condition can deteriorate rapidly. During the Omicron variant epidemic, we should pay more attention to premature infants so as to detect severe and critical cases as early as possible, and treat them actively to improve the prognosis.

SARS-CoV-2 infection among preterm deliveries: frequency, determinants, effects. A retrospective cohort study in 2022.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are more likely to have obstetric complications, particularly preterm births, increasing the likelihood of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. We tested the hypothesis by using a multivariable logistic regression analysis to take into account the effects of known confounding variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study targeted a random sample of 89 preterm deliveries at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Zagazig University Hospital, from January 2022 to April 2022, who fulfilled the selection criteria using a pretested, well-structured questionnaire that was composed of three main parts. The collected data were coded and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study included 89 participants with a mean age of 26.6 years, 44.9% were middle-educated, 73% were not working, and the majority were not smoking or abusing substances. Regarding the frequency of COVID-19, dividing the studied participants into two groups, 22.5% had been infected, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards the demographic characteristics, but smoking statistically increased the smoking (p-value = 0.034). Regarding the relationship between the history of COVID-19 and the past and present obstetric histories, there was no statistically significant difference between them. Even though the SARS-CoV-2 infection is significant (p-value = 0.037), pregnant women who are COVID-19 positive are more likely to have a cesarean section (16/80) than pregnant women who test positive. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant and preterm women were more likely to get SARS-CoV-2 if they smoked, had comorbidities, or were overweight or obese. Among COVID-19 preterm pregnancies, substance misuse and comorbidity were risk factors for a poor neonatal outcome, while women who had a previous history of PPH, were smokers, or had comorbid illnesses had a significantly increased risk of having a poor maternal outcome.

[Clinical features of 23 neonates infected with Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]. / æ–°ç”Ÿå„¿æ–°åž‹å† çŠ¶ç— æ¯’Omicronå˜å¼‚æ ªæ„ŸæŸ“23例临床分析.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the clinical features of neonates infected with Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: The medical data of 23 neonates with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the City North Campus of Urumqi First People's Hospital from October to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All 23 infants had a history of exposure to confirmed caregivers with SARS-CoV-2 infection after birth, and none of them was vertically transmitted. Clinical classification: 5 cases of asymptomatic infection, 18 cases of mild infection, and no cases of moderate, severe, or critically ill. The first symptoms were fever in 13 cases, cough in 3 cases, nasal congestion in 1 case, and diarrhea in 1 case. Blood white blood cell counts decreased in 2 cases, and C-reactive protein increased in 1 case. Seven infants underwent chest X-ray examination due to cough or shortness of breath, and one of which showed focal exudative changes, while the rest showed no abnormal changes. All infants were discharged after symptomatic treatment and the median hospital stay was 6 days. The duration of nucleic acid positivity of SARS-CoV-2 was negatively correlated with N gene Ct values and ORF1ab gene Ct values (rs=-0.719 and -0.699, respectively; P<0.05). One month after discharge, all infants had no symptoms or signs of nucleic acid re-positivity. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations are usually mild or asymptomatic in neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. The lower the Ct values of the N and ORF1ab genes of SARS-CoV-2, the longer the duration of nucleic acid positivity. Neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant can have a good prognosis after symptomatic treatment.

Update on nonpolio enterovirus and parechovirus infections in neonates and young infants.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment strategies of nonpolio enterovirus and parechovirus (PeV) infections, and identify research gaps. RECENT FINDINGS: There is currently no approved antiviral agent for enterovirus or PeV infections, although pocapavir may be provided on a compassionate basis. Elucidation of the structure and functional features of enterovirus and PeV may lead to novel therapeutic strategies, including vaccine development. SUMMARY: Nonpolio human enterovirus and PeV are common childhood infections that are most severe among neonates and young infants. Although most infections are asymptomatic, severe disease resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality occurs worldwide and has been associated with local outbreaks. Long-term sequelae are not well understood but have been reported following neonatal infection of the central nervous system. The lack of antiviral treatment and effective vaccines highlight important knowledge gaps. Active surveillance ultimately may inform preventive strategies.

Impact of pregnancy on polyfunctional IgG and memory B cell responses to Tdap immunization.

BACKGROUND: Maternal pertussis immunization using Tdap vaccine is recommended in many countries to protect newborns from severe post-natal infection. Immunological changes during pregnancy may influence the response to vaccines. The quality of IgG and memory B cell responses to Tdap immunization in pregnant women has not yet been described. METHODS: The impact of pregnancy on the response to Tdap vaccination was assessed by comparing humoral immune responses in 42 pregnant and 39 non-pregnant women. The levels of serum pertussis antigens and tetanus toxoid-specific IgG, IgG subclasses, IgG Fc-mediated effector functions, as well as memory B cell frequencies were assessed before and at several time points after vaccination. RESULTS: Tdap immunization induced similar levels of pertussis and tetanus-specific IgG and IgG subclasses in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Pregnant women produced IgG promoting complement deposition, and neutrophils and macrophages phagocytosis at levels comparable to non-pregnant women. They were also able to expand pertussis and tetanus-specific memory B cells at similar frequencies as non-pregnant women, suggesting equivalent "boostability". Higher levels of vaccine-specific IgG, IgG subclasses, and IgG Fc-mediated effector functions were detected in cord blood as compared to maternal blood, indicating efficient transport across the placenta. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that pregnancy does not affect the quality of effector IgG and memory B cell responses to Tdap immunization and that polyfunctional IgG are efficiently transferred across the placenta. REGISTRY'S URL AND THE TRIAL'S REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.Gov (NCT03519373).

Parent Experiences in the NICU and Transition to Home.

Families (n = 12) with infants born at <29 weeks gestation shared their experiences while in the NICU and transitioning home. Parents were interviewed 6-8 weeks after NICU discharge, including some during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings regarding the parent experience in the NICU were focused around challenges navigating parent-infant separation, social isolation, communication difficulties, limited knowledge of preterm infants, mental health challenges. Parents also discussed supports that were present and supports they wished were present, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on their experiences. In the transition to home, primary experiences included the sudden nature of the transition, anxiety around discharge preparation, and the loss of the support from nursing staff. During the first few weeks at home, parents expressed joy and anxiety, particularly around feeding. The COVID-19 pandemic limited emotional, informational, and physical support to parents and resulted in limited mutual support from other parents of infants in the NICU. Parents of preterm infants in the NICU present with multiple stressors, rendering attending to parental mental health crucial. NICU staff need to address logistical barriers and familial priorities impacting communication and parent-infant bonding. Providing multiple opportunities for communication, participating in caretaking activities, and meeting other families can be important sources of support and knowledge for parents of very preterm infants.

A multi-country study of the associations between HIV vulnerability status, perception of COVID-19 related stigma and post-traumatic stress symptoms during the first wave of the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the associations between COVID-19 related stigma and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS); and the associations between PTSS and COVID-19 related stigma, HIV status, COVID-19 status and key HIV population status. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data of 12,355 study participants generated through an online survey that recruited adults from 152 countries between July and December 2020. The dependent variables were COVID-19-related stigma and PTSS. The independent variables were HIV status (positive/negative), transaction sex (yes/no), use of psychoactive drugs (yes/no), and vulnerability status (transaction sex workers, people who use psychoactive drugs, living with HIV, and COVID-19 status). The confounding variables were age, sex at birth (male/female), level of education, sexual minority individuals (yes/no) and country income level. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between the dependent and independent variables after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: There were 835 (6.8%) participants who experienced COVID-19 related stigma during the pandemic and 3,824 (31.0%) participants reported PTSS. Respondents who were living with HIV (AOR: 1.979; 95%CI: 1.522-2.573), tested positive for COVID-19 (AOR: 3.369; 95%CI: 2.692-4.217), engaged in transactional sex (AOR: 1.428; 95%CI: 1.060-1.922) and used psychoactive drugs (AOR: 1.364; 95%CI: 1.053-1.767) had significantly higher odds of experiencing COVID-19 related stigma. Individuals with vulnerability status (AOR:4.610; 95%CI: 1.590-13.368) and who experienced COVID-19 related stigma (AOR: 2.218; 95%CI: 1.920-2.561) had significantly higher odds of PTSS. CONCLUSION: Individuals with vulnerability status may be at increased risk for COVID-19 related stigma. Key and vulnerable populations who were living with HIV and who experienced stigma may be at a higher risk of experiencing PTSS. Populations at risk for PTSS should be routinely screened and provided adequate support when they contract COVID-19 to reduce the risk for poor mental health during COVID-19 outbreaks and during future health crisis with similar magnitude as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results of the 2021 French National Perinatal Survey and trends in perinatal health in metropolitan France since 1995.

OBJECTIVE: To report results of the 2021 French National Perinatal Survey (ENP) in metropolitan France and assess trends in the main indicators of perinatal health, medical practices, and risk factors in France since 1995. POPULATION AND METHOD: All the samples included all women giving birth at a gestational age of at least 22 weeks of gestation and/or to an infant weighing at least 500 grams in all maternity units in metropolitan France during one week in 1995 (N=13 048), 2003 (N=14 324), 2010 (N=14 546), 2016 (N=12 553), and 2021 (N=12 088). The data came from postpartum interviews of the women at the hospital and their medical records. Comparisons between surveys showed trends over time. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2021, maternal characteristics changed. Maternal age and the frequency of women with obesity rose: in 2021, 24.6% of women were 35 years or older (21.1% in 2016, 19.2% in 2010, 15.9% in 2003 and 12.4% in 1995) and 14.4% were obese (11.8% in 2016, 9.9% in 2010 and 7.4% in 2003). Some antenatal prevention behaviors that improved in 2021 were not smoking during the third trimester, acid folic administration before pregnancy, and vaccination against influenza. The percentage of women with an early prenatal appointment ("4th month appointment"), implemented to facilitate screening of maternal vulnerability during pregnancy, has continued to rise. The percentage of women receiving prenatal care by midwives has risen markedly (39.0% in 2021 versus 11.7% in 2016). Serum screening for Down syndrome continues to increase (91.8% of women in 2021). The rate of induction of labor has risen significantly (20.2% in 1995 and 25.8% in 2021). The mode of delivery has not varied significantly since 2003; in 2021, the cesarean rate was 21.4% and the instrumental vaginal delivery rate 12.4%. Episiotomy was increasingly rare, among both primiparous and multiparous women (16.5% and 2.9% in 2021, respectively). The prevalence of coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) infection during pregnancy was 5.7%. Preterm live births increased regularly, slightly but significantly over the 1995-2016 period and then remained stable between 2016 and 2021 (7.0%). In 2021, 56.3% of women exclusively breastfed during their hospital stay, a modest increase in comparison with 2016 (54.6%). CONCLUSION: Routine national perinatal surveys highlight positive trends over time in some preventive practices, decreases in some medical interventions consistent with national guidelines, and the increasing role of midwives in prenatal care. Nonetheless, some indicators remain less than optimal and require more detailed analyses.

[Social Interaction: The experiences of COVID-19 positive women with perinatal risk]. / Interacción social: Experiencias de mujeres positivas a COVID-19 con riesgo perinatal.

The COVID-19 pandemic induced changes in the dynamics of the life of women in the perinatal phase who, due to the health crisis, restructured social care and coexistence practices. The scope of this paper was to assess the experiences of high-risk perinatal pregnancy risk among COVID-19 positive women through social interaction. The work was conducted in a hospital of tertiary perinatal care. Qualitative methodology was used, whereby questionnaires and interviews were conducted via zoom with 14 COVID-19 positive women in the perinatal phase. Critical-interpretative discourse analysis was applied based on the concept of social interaction and complex thinking. Three types of social interaction were developed to assess the results: a) Initial social interaction: experiences when becoming aware of being COVID-19 positive; b) Acquired social interaction: experiences of care prior to COVID-19; c) Enduring social interaction: experience required in the face of COVID-19. The result of experience leads to new forms of social interaction after notification ranging from care to resilience. The conclusion drawn is that the experience of COVID-19 of women in the perinatal period remodeled their ways of coexistence and care within the institutional, family, and personal spheres.

La pandemia COVID-19 provocó cambios en la dinámica de la vida de las mujeres en etapa perinatal quienes, ante la crisis sanitaria reconfiguraron prácticas de cuidado y convivencia social. El objetivo fue conocer a través de la interacción social algunas experiencias de mujeres con embarazo de alto riesgo positivas a COVID-19. El trabajo se realizó en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención perinatal. Se empleó metodología cualitativa, se aplicaron cuestionarios y entrevistas a 14 mujeres positivas a COVID-19 en etapa perinatal vía zoom. Se realizó análisis crítico-interpretativo del discurso con base al concepto interacción social y el pensamiento complejo. Para los resultados se desarrollaron tres tipos de interacción social: a) Interacción social primaria: Experiencias ante la notificación de la positividad al COVID-19; b) Interacción social aprendida: Experiencias del cuidado ante el COVID-19; y c) Interacción social resiliente: Experiencias necesarias ante el COVID-19. El vínculo de las experiencias desemboca en nuevas formas de interacciones sociales que van desde la notificación pasando por el cuidado y la resiliencia. Concluimos que las experiencias por el COVID-19 vividas por mujeres en etapa perinatal reinventaron sus modos de convivencia y cuidado dentro de lo institucional, familiar y personal.

Depression, anxiety and stress among HIV-positive pregnant women in Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the maternal mental health status during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is necessary to prevent the occurrence of severe mental disorders. Prenatal depression, anxiety and stress disorders are prominent in pregnant women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and highly associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Therefore this study aimed to assess the level of depression, anxiety, and stress among HIV-positive pregnant women in Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Amhara region referral hospitals from 17 October 2020 to 1 March 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 423 eligible women. A structured, pretested and interviewer-administered questionnaire was employed to collect the data. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was implemented to identify factors associated with women's depression, anxiety and stress. Statistical association was certain based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-values ≤0.05. RESULTS: Prenatal depression, anxiety and stress among HIV-positive pregnant women were 37.6% (95% CI 33 to 42.3), 42.1 (95% CI 37.7 to 46.7) and 34.8% (95% CI 30.3 to 39.2), respectively. Having an HIV-negative sexual partner (AOR 1.91 [95% CI 1.16 to 3.15]) and being on antiretroviral therapy >1 year (AOR 2.18 [95% CI 1.41 to 3.36]) were found to be statistically significant with women's antenatal depression, while unplanned pregnancy (AOR 1.09 [95% CI 1.02 to 2.33]) and did not discuss with the sexual partner about HIV (AOR 3.21 [95% CI 2.12 to 7.07]) were the factors associated with prenatal anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, more than one in three HIV-positive pregnant women had depression and anxiety. Thus, implementing strategies to prevent unplanned pregnancy and advocating open discussion with sexual partners about HIV will play a large role in reducing pregnancy-related depression and anxiety.

Vaccination in pregnancy.

The evidence indicates that pregnancy is associated with increased severity of some infectious diseases. Given the high maternal morbidity associated with influenza in pregnancy and the high neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with pertussis, the traditionally two recommended vaccines during pregnancy were those against influenza and Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis) vaccines. The recent COVID-19 pandemic introduced a third vaccine that after much debate is now recommended for all pregnant women. Other vaccines can be offered based for high-risk pregnant women, and only when the benefits of receiving them outweigh the risks. The soon expected vaccines against group B streptococcus infection and respiratory syncytial virus infection will be a breakthrough in reducing perinatal mortality. In this paper, the recommendations for administration of each vaccine during pregnancy are discussed.

Mother-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies.

Mother-to-child transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a study to summarize evidence on the risk of mother-to-child transmission in the first 30 days after birth in high-income countries and to evaluate the association between preventive measures and the risk of infection for the neonate. A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken following PRISMA guidelines. The National Library of Medicine, Web of Science, and Excerpta Medica databases were screened on February 26, 2022. All prospective observational studies addressing the frequency of infection in infants born to mothers SARS-CoV-2 positive were included. Twenty-six studies were included, reporting data of 2653 mothers with SARS-CoV-2 and 2677 neonates. The proportion meta-analysis pointed out an overall estimate of SARS-CoV-2 infection among infants of 2.3% (95% CI: 1.4-3.2%). Data from studies with (1.4%, 95% CI: 0.8-2) and without (1.3%, 95% CI: 0.0-2.7%) rooming-in provided similar risk of infection. Adopting at least two prevention measures during rooming-in resulted in a rate of mother-to-child infection of 1.0% (95%CI: 0.3-1.7%). The results of this study show a low rate of perinatal infection, support the rooming-in and confirm the effectiveness of preventive measures in reducing the risk of mother-to-child viral transmission.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among women planning for pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Women planning to become pregnant, who are pregnant, and who are breastfeeding are more hesitant to take COVID-19 vaccines compared to other women globally. AIM: This study investigates COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among women, who are planning for pregnancy, currently pregnant, and breastfeeding women in Jordan. METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in the biggest three cities in Jordan, including 874 women. RESULTS: Women who were planning for pregnancy, pregnant, or breastfeeding reported statistically significant lower levels of perception of the seriousness of COVID-19 (7.12 ± 0.72, 7.53 ± 1.80, 7.2439 ± 7296, respectively), significant lower levels of perceived benefits of the vaccine (8.92 ± 2.15, 8.73 ± 1.93, 9.09 ± 2.10, respectively), significant lower levels of motivation and causes of action (7.15 ± 1.71, 6.7524 ± 1.40, 7.27 ± 1.68, respectively), and significantly higher levels of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy (31.32 ± 6.40, 30.11 ± 4.49, 30.27 ± 6.29, respectively) than other women. Married women, those whoe were previously infected with COVID-19, and those who had chronic diseases reported statistically significant lower levels of perception of COVID-19 seriousness, perceived benefits of COVID-19 vaccine, motivation to take COVID-19 vaccine, and causes of action, and significantly higher levels of hesitancy to take COVID-19 vaccine than unmarried women, those who have not been infected with COVID-19, and those who were medically healthy (p<0.001). There were statistically significant positive correlations between perception, perceived benefits, motivation, and cause of action with years of education; and statistically significant negative correlations between perception, perceived benefits, motivation, and cause of action with age (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women who were planning for pregnancy, pregnant, or breastfeeding in Jordan showed miderate scores in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy despite the current international recommendations for its safety for women and their foetuses or neonates.

Clinical influence of multiplex polymerase chain reaction routine uses in urgent pediatric admissions.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has prompted some hospitals to implement screening tests upon admission since 2020. FilmArray® Respiratory 2.1 Panel (FilmArray) is a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting respiratory pathogens. We aimed to assess the clinical influence of the routine use of FilmArray for pediatric patients, including those without symptoms suggestive of an infection. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective observational study, which investigated patients aged ≤15 years who underwent FilmArray on admission in 2021. We collected the patients' epidemiological information, symptoms, and FilmArray results from their electronic health records. RESULTS: A positive result was observed in 58.6% of patients admitted to the general ward or intensive care unit (ICU) but only in 1.5% of patients in the neonatal ward. Among the patients admitted to the general ward or ICU who tested positive, 93.3% had symptoms suggestive of infections, 44.6% had a sick contact before admission, and 70.5% had siblings. However, 62 (28.2%) out of 220 patients without the four (fever, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and dermal) symptoms also had positive results. Among them, 18 patients with adenovirus and three with respiratory syncytial virus were isolated to private rooms. However, 12 (57.1%) patients were discharged without symptoms suggestive of viral infection. CONCLUSION: Multiplex PCR routine use for all inpatients may lead to excessive management of positive cases because FilmArray cannot quantify microorganisms. Thus, targets for testing should be considered carefully based on patients' symptoms and histories of sick contacts.

The challenges of classical galactosemia: HRQoL in pediatric and adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Classical galactosemia (CG), an inborn error of galactose metabolism, results in long-term complications including cognitive impairment and movement disorders, despite early diagnosis and dietary treatment. Two decades ago, lower motor-, cognitive- and social health related quality of life (HRQoL) was demonstrated in pediatric and adult patients. Since then, the diet has been relaxed, newborn screening was implemented and new international guidelines resulted in major changes in follow-up. The aim of this study was to assess HRQoL of CG by means of online self- and/or proxy-HRQoL-questionnaires focusing on the main areas of concern of CG (i.e. anxiety, depression, cognition, fatigue, social- and upper extremity function) within the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS®) and generic HRQoL-questionnaires (TAPQOL, TACQOL, TAAQOL). RESULTS: Data of 61 Dutch patients (aged 1-52 years) were collected and compared to available Dutch or US reference populations. On the PROMIS-questionnaires, children reported more fatigue (P = 0.044), lower function in upper extremities (P = 0.021), more cognitive difficulties (P = 0.055, d = 0.56) and higher anxiety (P = 0.063, d = 0.52) than reference children although the latter findings remained non-significant. Parents of CG patients reported lower quality of peer relationships of their children (P < 0.001). Both children and parents reported lower cognitive functioning (P = 0.005, P = 0.010) on the TACQOL. Adults reported on PROMIS domains lower cognitive functioning (P = 0.030), higher anxiety (P = 0.004) and more fatigue (P = 0.026). Cognitive difficulties were reported on the TAAQOL by adults (P < 0.001), as well as physical-, sleeping and social difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: CG remains to impact the HRQoL of pediatric and adult patients negatively on several domains including cognition, anxiety, motor function and fatigue. A lower social health was mainly reported by parents, and not by patients themselves. The Covid-19 pandemic might have amplified the results on anxiety although higher levels of anxiety fit pre-pandemic findings. The reported fatigue is a new finding in CG. Because the effect of lockdown fatigue could not be eliminated and fatigue is a frequent finding in patients with chronic disorders, future studies are warranted. Clinicians and researchers should be attentive to both pediatric and adult patients, and the age-dependent difficulties they might encounter.

An increase in cesarean section rate during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on healthcare services is likely to affect birth outcomes including the delivery mode. However, recent evidence has been conflicting in this regard. The study aimed to assess changes to C-section rate during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records of women delivered in the maternity department of hospitals in all provinces of Iran before the COVID-19 pandemic (February-August 30, 2019) and during the pandemic (February-August 30, 2020). Data were collected through the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network (IMAN), a country-wide electronic health record database management system for maternal and neonatal information. A total of 1,208,671 medical records were analyzed using the SPSS software version 22. The differences in C-section rates according to the studied variables were tested using the χ2 test. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors associated with C-section. RESULTS: A significant rise was observed in the rates of C-section during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic (52.9% vs 50.8%; p = .001). The rates for preeclampsia (3.0% vs 1.3%), gestational diabetes (6.1% vs 3.0%), preterm birth (11.6% vs 6.9%), IUGR (1.2% vs 0.4%), LBW (11.2% vs 7.8%), and low Apgar score at first minute (4.2% vs 3.2%) were higher in women who delivered by C-section compared to those with normal delivery (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The overall C-section rate during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic was significantly higher than the pre-pandemic period. C-section was associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Thus, preventing the overuse of C-section especially during pandemic becomes an urgent need for maternal and neonatal health in Iran.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adverse fetal outcomes: A cross-sectional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been one of the most damaging pandemics in all of human history. Some of the most vulnerable groups within society such as pregnant women and children have also been affected. This observational research, cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate if there was any difference in the incidence of unfavorable outcomes in pregnancy such as miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise, and early neonatal death during the year prior to the pandemic and the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This retrospective study was conducted at the University Hospital of Split at the Department of Pathology, Forensic and Cytology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the same hospital. All data was collected in the time period from March 1st, 2019, to March 1st, 2021. The study included all pregnant women who had an unfavorable pregnancy outcome such as miscarriage and intrauterine fetal demise, as well as early neonatal death at the University Hospital of Split within the time frame mentioned previously. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the year prior to the pandemic and during the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study showed that the pandemic did not have a negative effect on pregnant women and their fetuses; there was no increase in miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise, or perinatal death during the year of the pandemic.