Factors Associated with Anemia and Iron Deficiency during Pregnancy: A Prospective Observational Study in Japan.

Gestational anemia (GA) is a global health concern with a remarkably high prevalence in Japan, which is associated with various maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to explore whether GA and non-anemic iron deficiency (NAID) during the third trimester is associated with maternal characteristics, nutrient intake, low birth weight (LBW), and preterm birth. Participants were categorized into GA, NAID, and normal groups, based on serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. Nutrient intake was assessed using the Brief Diet History Questionnaire. Data from 317 pregnant women were analyzed, including 110 (34.7%), 151 (47.6%), and 56 (17.6%) women in the GA, NAID, and normal groups, respectively. Factors associated with GA included being multipara (p < 0.001) and not taking any type of iron supplements in the third trimester (p = 0.043). The normal group had a significantly higher proportion of preterm birth and LBW than the GA and NAID groups. The GA group had a significantly higher energy intake than the normal group (p = 0.044). Overall, energy and micronutrient intake were significantly below the estimated average requirement in the dietary reference intakes for Japanese. Health care professionals need to consider nutritional advice that can prevent GA by focusing on overall micronutrients, not just energy intake.

A global survey on national standard care for newborn bathing.

AIM: To describe national standard care for newborn bathing and its influential factors. METHODS: A global survey was conducted using a web-based questionnaire. The targeted countries were 166 member countries of either the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) or the International Council of Nurses (ICN). An eligible person included someone well informed of midwifery education/training or neonatal care, including newborn bathing, in their country. To examine the factors associated with the standard care for newborn bathing, information on mean annual temperature, precipitation, gross domestic product per capita, and basic water coverage was collected as external factors. Student's t tests and Chi-square tests were used for analysis. RESULTS: Care standards were identified in 46 countries: seven from Africa, eight from the Americas, 15 from Asia, 14 from Europe, and two from Oceania. In most countries, newborns were bathed with warm water in a tub within 10 min. Bathing frequency, moisturization, and use of soap or cleanser varied by country. There were significant associations between bathing frequency and temperature and between moisturization and precipitation. CONCLUSION: The national standard care for newborn bathing in each country was unique. Standard bathing care was associated with the climate. More consideration should be given to the differences in standard care for newborn bathing between countries when interpreting existing studies and conducting future studies on neonatal skin care.

Association of serum docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid levels with dietary intakes and supplement use during pregnancy: a prospective observational study.

This study aimed to determine the association of serum docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels with dietary intakes and supplement use during pregnancy. This prospective observational study was conducted at a university hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Participants in their second and third trimesters were given a self-administered questionnaire assessing the frequency of DHA and EPA supplement use in the past month and a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Non-fasting serum DHA and EPA levels were analysed using gas chromatography. Differences in biomarkers by frequency of supplement use were determined using multiple comparison analyses, and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine biomarkers and DHA and EPA intakes by food group. Of the 116 participants, 11 (9⋅5 %) in the second trimester and 18 (15⋅5 %) in the third trimester regularly used supplements (≥5 times per week). Regular users had higher serum DHA and EPA levels than never users in the second and third trimesters. Dietary DHA and EPA intake from fish and shellfish was positively correlated with serum DHA and EPA in the second and third trimesters. Supplement use ≥5 times per week and fish and shellfish intake were associated with high serum DHA and EPA levels.

Effects of 1-day e-learning education on perinatal psychological support skills among midwives and perinatal healthcare workers in Japan: a randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Although midwives are expected to play a key role for psychological support throughout perinatal periods, their educational chances are limited. Versatile teaching strategies such as e-learning may be promising in expanding education. The objective of our study was to clarify the effects of an e-learning educational programme on midwives' empathic communication skills. METHODS: From April 2019 to September 2019, a randomised controlled trial of a 1-day e-learning educational programme on perinatal psychological issues (both perinatal mental health assessment and empathic communication) was conducted to improve empathic communication skills of midwives and perinatal healthcare workers. Two types of measurements (paper-and-pencil multiple-choice test and video-viewing tests of simulated patient) were used to measure the competency of empathic communication skills. RESULTS: Participants (N = 115) were randomly allocated to two groups (Intervention: n = 58, Control: n = 57). The intervention group was at a significantly higher level for both post-tests of empathic communication skills compared with the control group. Both intervention and control groups showed improvements in acquiring knowledge about perinatal mental health assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that a 1-day e-learning programme helped improve the midwives' empathic communications skills. Therefore, an effective 1-day e-learning educational programme of perinatal mental health will expand opportunity to learn about empathic communication skills for midwives and perinatal healthcare workers. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: UMIN000036052.