Extreme heat, pregnancy and women's well-being in Burkina Faso: an ethnographical study.

Climate change is an increasing threat to the health of populations in Africa, with a shift in seasonal temperatures towards more extreme heat exposures. In Burkina Faso, like other countries in the Sahel, many women have little protection against exposure to high temperatures, either outside or inside the home or place of work. This paper investigates how women perceive the impacts of heat on their physical and mental health, in addition to their social relationships and economic activities. Qualitative methods (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions) were conducted with women, community representatives and healthcare professionals in two regions in Burkina Faso. A thematic analysis was used to explore the realities of participants' experiences and contextual perspectives in relation to heat. Our research shows extreme temperatures have a multifaceted impact on pregnant women, mothers and newborns. Extreme heat affects women's functionality and well-being. Heat undermines a woman's ability to care for themselves and their child and interferes negatively with breast feeding. Heat negatively affects their ability to work and to maintain harmonious relationships with their partners and families. Cultural practices such as a taboo on taking the baby outside before the 40th day may exacerbate some of the negative consequences of heat. Most women do not recognise heat stress symptoms and lack awareness of heat risks to health. There is a need to develop public health messages to reduce the impacts of heat on health in Burkina Faso. Programmes and policies are needed to strengthen the ability of health professionals to communicate with women about best practices in heat risk management.

Too hot to thrive: a qualitative inquiry of community perspectives on the effect of high ambient temperature on postpartum women and neonates in Kilifi, Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: To understand community perspectives on the effects of high ambient temperature on the health and wellbeing of neonates, and impacts on post-partum women and infant care in Kilifi. DESIGN: Qualitative study using key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with pregnant and postpartum women (n = 22), mothers-in-law (n = 19), male spouses (n = 20), community health volunteers (CHVs) (n = 22) and stakeholders from health and government ministries (n = 16). SETTINGS: We conducted our research in Kilifi County in Kenya's Coast Province. The area is largely rural and during summer, air temperatures can reach 37˚C and rarely go below 23˚C. DATA ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed in NVivo 12, using both inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS: High ambient temperature is perceived by community members to have direct and indirect health pathways in pregnancy and postpartum periods, including on the neonates. The direct impacts include injuries on the neonate's skin and in the mouth, leading to discomfort and affecting breastfeeding and sleeping. Participants described babies as "having no peace". Heat effects were perceived to be amplified by indoor air pollution and heat from indoor cooking fires. Community members believed that exclusive breastfeeding was not practical in conditions of extreme heat because it lowered breast milk production, which was, in turn, linked to a low scarcity of food and time spend by mothers away from their neonates performing household chores. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) was also negatively affected. Participants reported that postpartum women took longer to heal in the heat, were exhausted most of the time and tended not to attend postnatal care. CONCLUSIONS: High ambient temperatures affect postpartum women and their neonates through direct and indirect pathways. Discomfort makes it difficult for the mother to care for the baby. Multi-sectoral policies and programs are required to mitigate the negative impacts of high ambient temperatures on maternal and neonatal health in rural Kilifi and similar settings.

Epidemiology and clinical features of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in hospitalized children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Gorgan, Iran.

Background and Aims: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection in infants and young children. Given the altered circulation patterns of respiratory viruses during the coronavirus disease pandemic-2019 (COVID-19), the study aimed to evaluate epidemiology and clinical features of RSV infections in hospitalized children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Gorgan, northeastern Iran. Molecular epidemiology studies on respiratory viral infections are necessary to monitor circulating viruses, disease severity, and clinical symptoms, in addition to early warning of new outbreaks. Methods: Overall, 411 respiratory swab samples from hospitalized children from October 2021 to March 2022 were collected at Taleghani Children's Hospital, Gorgan, Iran. The incidence of RSV, as well as the circulating subgroups and genotypes, were investigated and confirmed using PCR methods. Additionally, all samples tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza, and demographic and clinical data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The share of RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza among hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) were 27%, 16.5%, and 4.1%, respectively. The RSV subgroup A (genotype ON1) was dominant over subgroup B (genotype BA9), with more severe clinical symptoms. Compared with the prepandemic era there were high numbers of hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive children and low numbers of other respiratory viruses. Despite this, the prevalence of ALRI-related RSV-disease among hospitalized children in our specialized pediatric center was higher than COVID-19 disease in the same cohort. Conclusions: Studying the epidemiology of respiratory viruses and determining the circulating strains can contribute to effective infection control and treatment strategies.

Thermoregulation for very preterm infants in the delivery room: a narrative review.

Abnormal temperature in preterm infants is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Infants born prematurely are at risk of abnormal temperature immediately after birth in the delivery room (DR). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the temperature of newly born infants is maintained between 36.5-37.5oC after birth. When caring for very preterm infants, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) recommends using a combination of interventions to prevent heat loss. While hypothermia remains prevalent, efforts to prevent it have increased the incidence of hyperthermia, which may also be harmful. Delayed cord clamping (DCC) for preterm infants has been recommended by ILCOR since 2015. Little is known about the effect of timing of DCC on temperature, nor have there been specific recommendations for thermal care before DCC. This review article focuses on the current evidence and recommendations for thermal care in the DR, and considers thermoregulation in the context of emerging interventions and future research directions. IMPACT: Abnormal temperature is common amongst very preterm infants after birth, and is an independent risk factor for mortality. The current guidelines recommend a combination of interventions to prevent heat loss after birth. Despite this, abnormal temperature is still a problem, across all climates and economies. New and emerging delivery room practice (i.e., delayed cord clamping, mobile resuscitation trolleys, early skin to skin care) may have an effect on infant temperature. This article reviews the current evidence and recommendations, and considers future research directions.

Hematological and Biochemical Laboratory Parameters in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Modeling Study of Severity and Mortality Predictors.

Background: It is well known that laboratory markers could help in identifying risk factors of severe illness and predicting outcomes of diseases. Here, we performed a retrospective modeling study of severity and mortality predictors of hematological and biochemical laboratory parameters in Iranian COVID-19 patients. Methods: Data were obtained retrospectively from medical records of 564 confirmed Iranian COVID-19 cases. According to the disease severity, the patients were categorized into two groups (severe or nonsevere), and based on the outcome of the disease, patients were divided into two groups (recovered or deceased). Demographic and laboratory data were compared between groups, and statistical analyses were performed to define predictors of disease severity and mortality in the patients. Results: The study identified a panel of hematological and biochemical markers associated with the severe outcome of COVID-19 and constructed different predictive models for severity and mortality. The disease severity and mortality rate were significantly higher in elderly inpatients, whereas gender was not a determining factor of the clinical outcome. Age-adjusted white blood cells (WBC), platelet cells (PLT), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCHC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr) also showed high accuracy in predicting severe cases at the time of hospitalization, and logistic regression analysis suggested grouped hematological parameters (age, WBC, NLR, PLT, HGB, and international normalized ratio (INR)) and biochemical markers (age, BUN, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) as the best models of combined laboratory predictors for severity and mortality. Conclusion: The findings suggest that a panel of several routine laboratory parameters recorded on admission could be helpful for clinicians to predict and evaluate the risk of disease severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Antibiotic Use for Sepsis in Hospitalized Neonates in Botswana: Factors Associated with Guideline-Divergent Prescribing.

In low- and middle-income countries, where antimicrobial access may be erratic and neonatal sepsis pathogens are frequently multidrug-resistant, empiric antibiotic prescribing practices may diverge from the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. This study examined antibiotic prescribing for neonatal sepsis at a tertiary referral hospital neonatal unit in Gaborone, Botswana, using data from a prospective cohort of 467 neonates. We reviewed antibiotic prescriptions for the first episode of suspected sepsis, categorized as early-onset (EOS, days 0-3) or late-onset (LOS, >3 days). The WHO prescribing guidelines were used to determine whether antibiotics were "guideline-synchronous" or "guideline-divergent". Logistic regression models examined independent associations between the time of neonatal sepsis onset and estimated gestational age (EGA) with guideline-divergent antibiotic use. The majority (325/470, 69%) were prescribed one or more antibiotics, and 31 (10%) received guideline-divergent antibiotics. Risk factors for guideline-divergent prescribing included neonates with LOS, compared to EOS (aOR [95% CI]: 4.89 (1.81, 12.57)). Prematurity was a risk factor for guideline-divergent prescribing. Every 1-week decrease in EGA resulted in 11% increased odds of guideline-divergent antibiotics (OR [95% CI]: 0.89 (0.81, 0.97)). Premature infants with LOS had higher odds of guideline-divergent prescribing. Studies are needed to define the causes of this differential rate of guideline-divergent prescribing to guide future interventions.

Process and outputs from a community codesign workshop on reducing impact of heat exposure on pregnant and postpartum women and newborns in Kilifi, Kenya.

Background: Ambient heat exposure is increasing due to climate change and is known to affect the health of pregnant and postpartum women, and their newborns. Evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent heat health outcomes in east Africa is limited. Codesigning and integrating local-indigenous and conventional knowledge is essential to develop effective adaptation to climate change. Methods: Following qualitative research on heat impacts in a community in Kilifi, Kenya, we conducted a two-day codesign workshop to inform a set of interventions to reduce the impact of heat exposure on maternal and neonatal health. Participants were drawn from a diverse group of purposively selected influencers, implementers, policy makers, service providers and community members. The key domains of focus for the discussion were: behavioral practices, health facilities and health system factors, home environment, water scarcity, and education and awareness. Following the discussions and group reflections, data was transcribed, coded and emerging intervention priorities ranked based on the likelihood of success, cost effectiveness, implementation feasibility, and sustainability. Results: Twenty one participants participated in the codesign discussions. Accessibility to water supplies, social behavior-change campaigns, and education were ranked as the top three most sustainable and effective interventions with the highest likelihood of success. Prior planning and contextualizing local set-up, cross-cultural and religious practices and budget considerations are important in increasing the chances of a successful outcome in codesign. Conclusion: Codesign of interventions on heat exposure with diverse groups of participants is feasible to identify and prioritize adaptation interventions. The codesign workshop was used as an opportunity to build capacity among facilitators and participants as well as to explore interventions to address the impact of heat exposure on pregnant and postpartum women, and newborns. We successfully used the codesign model in co-creating contextualized socio-culturally acceptable interventions to reduce the risk of heat on maternal and neonatal health in the context of climate change. Our interventions can be replicated in other similar areas of Africa and serve as a model for co-designing heat-health adaptation.

Awareness and interventions to reduce dehydration in pregnant, postpartum women, and newborns in rural Kenya.

Extreme heat exposure is associated with adverse outcomes in pregnancy and has the potential to impact maternal, neonatal and child health for a lifetime. In an extremely hot climate, pregnant women face an increased risk of premature birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, congenital anomalies and pre-eclampsia. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), socio-demographic and behavioural practices may negatively affect body hydration during high temperatures. The possible causes and consequences of dehydration in the heat are poorly understood and have been little discussed in the literature.Living in a hot climate poses various challenges, including dehydration, where biological mechanisms and insufficient access to water can lead to dehydration in women and children, with consequences for the health of both mothers and children, particularly in relation to breastfeeding habits. During pregnancy, increased metabolic and cardiovascular demands interact with heat exhaustion and reduced availability of fresh water, which can affect the child's growth and development. In this opinion piece, we emphasise the possible causes and impacts of dehydration in extreme heat on the health and well-being of mothers and children. We encourage more research, focused on biology and epidemiology, related to raising awareness and implementing adaptations to reduce the risk of dehydration in pregnant, postpartum women and newborns in the context of climate change-related heat exposure.

Pulmonary hemorrhage and associated risk factors among newborns admitted to a tertiary level neonatal unit in Botswana.

Introduction: Pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) is a life-threatening complication seen in very sick newborns with high morbidity and mortality. There is little data on the incidence, risk factors, and ultimate survival of newborns with pulmonary hemorrhage in sub-Saharan countries, where the healthcare provision and facility differ in many ways compared to high-income countries. Hence, this study aimed to determine the incidence, identify the risk factors, and describe the outcome of pulmonary hemorrhage in newborns in a low middle income country setting. Methods and materials: A cohort study with prospective data collection was conducted in a public, tertiary-level hospital in Botswana, the Princess Marina Hospital (PMH). All newborns admitted to the neonatal unit from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021 were included in the study. Data were collected using a checklist developed on the RedCap database (https//:ehealth.ub.ac.bw/redcap). The incidence rate of pulmonary hemorrhage was calculated as the number of newborns who had pulmonary hemorrhage per 1,000 newborns in the 2-year period. Group comparisons were made using X2 and Student's t-tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors independently associated with pulmonary hemorrhage. Result: There were 1,350 newborns enrolled during the study period, of which 729 were male newborns (54%). The mean (SD) birth weight was 2,154(±997.5) g, and the gestational age was 34.3 (±4.7) weeks. In addition, 80% of the newborns were delivered in the same facility. The incidence of pulmonary hemorrhage was 54/1,350 {4% [95% CI (3%-5.2%)]} among the newborns admitted to the unit. The mortality rate in those diagnosed with pulmonary hemorrhage was 29/54 (53.7%). Multivariate logistic regression identified birth weight, anemia, sepsis, shock, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), apnea of prematurity, neonatal encephalopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage, mechanical ventilation, and blood transfusion as risk factors independently associated with pulmonary hemorrhage. Conclusion: This cohort study identified a high incidence and mortality rate of pulmonary hemorrhage in newborns in PMH. Multiple risk factors, such as low birth weight, anemia, blood transfusion, apnea of prematurity, neonatal encephalopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, shock, DIC, and mechanical ventilation, were identified as independently associated risk factors for PH.

Retrospectively Assessed Muscle Tone and Skin Colour following Airway Suctioning in Video-Recorded Infants Receiving Delivery Room Positive Pressure Ventilation.

Background: Recently, the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation published a systematic review that concluded that routine suctioning of clear amniotic fluid in the delivery room might be associated with lower oxygen saturation (SpO2) and 10 min Apgar score. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of delivery room airway suctioning on the clinical appearance, including muscle tone and skin colour, of video-recorded term and preterm infants born through mainly clear amniotic fluid. Methods: This was a single-centre observational study using transcribed video recordings of neonatal stabilizations. All infants who received delivery room positive pressure ventilation (PPV) from August 2014 to November 2016 were included. The primary outcome was the effect of airway suctioning on muscle tone and skin colour (rated 0−2 according to the Apgar score), while the secondary outcome was the fraction of infants for whom airway suction preceded the initiation of PPV as a surrogate for "routine" airway suctioning. Results: Airway suctioning was performed in 159 out of 302 video recordings and stimulated a vigorous cry in 47 (29.6%) infants, resulting in improvements in muscle tone (p = 0.09) and skin colour (p < 0.001). In 43 (27.0%) infants, airway suctioning preceded the initiation of PPV. Conclusions: In this single-centre observational study, airway suctioning stimulated a vigorous cry with resulting improvements in muscle tone and skin colour. Airway suctioning was often performed prior to the initiation of PPV, indicating a practice of routine suctioning and guideline non-compliance.

A Piglet Perinatal Asphyxia Model to Study Cardiac Injury and Hemodynamics after Cardiac Arrest, Resuscitation, and the Return of Spontaneous Circulation.

Neonatal piglets have been extensively used as translational models for perinatal asphyxia. In 2007, we adapted a well-established piglet asphyxia model by introducing cardiac arrest. This enabled us to study the impact of severe asphyxia on key outcomes, including the time taken for the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), as well as the effect of chest compressions according to alternative protocols for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Due to the anatomical and physiological similarities between piglets and human neonates, piglets serve as good models in studies of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and hemodynamic monitoring. In fact, this cardiac arrest model has provided evidence for guideline development through research on resuscitation protocols, pathophysiology, biomarkers, and novel methods for hemodynamic monitoring. Notably, the incidental finding that a substantial fraction of piglets have pulseless electrical activity (PEA) during cardiac arrest may increase the applicability of the model (i.e., it may be used to study pathophysiology extending beyond the perinatal period). However, the model generation is technically challenging and requires various skill sets, dedicated personnel, and a fine balance of the measures, including the surgical protocols and the use of sedatives/analgesics, to ensure a reasonable rate of survival. In this paper, the protocol is described in detail, as well as experiences with adaptations to the protocol over the years.

Video-Recorded Airway Suctioning of Clear and Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid and Associated Short-Term Outcomes in Moderately and Severely Depressed Preterm and Term Infants.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate delivery room airway suctioning and associated short-term outcomes in depressed infants. METHODS: This is a single-centre prospective observational study of transcribed video recordings of preterm (gestational age, GA < 37 weeks) and term (GA ≥ 37 weeks) infants with a 5 min Apgar score ≤ 7. We analysed the association between airway suctioning, breathing, bradycardia and prolonged resuscitation (≥10 min). For comparison, non-suctioned infants with a 5 min Apgar score ≤ 7 were included. RESULTS: Two hundred suction episodes were performed in 19 premature and 56 term infants. Breathing improved in 1.9% of premature and 72.1% of term infants, and remained unchanged in 84.9% of premature and 27.9% of term infants after suctioning. In our study, 61 (81.3%) preterm and term infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit experienced bradycardia after airway suctioning. However, the majority of the preterm and more than half of the term infants were bradycardic before the suction procedure was attempted. Among the non-airway suctioned infants (n = 26), 73.1% experienced bradycardia, with 17 non-airway suctioned infants being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. There was a need for resuscitation ≥ 10 min in 8 (42.1%) preterm and 32 (57.1%) term infants who underwent airway suctioning, compared to 2 (33.3%) preterm and 19 (95.0%) term infants who did not receive airway suctioning. CONCLUSIONS: In the infants that underwent suctioning, breathing improved in most term, but not preterm infants. More non-suctioned term infants needed prolonged resuscitation. Airway suctioning was not directly associated with worsening of breathing, bradycardia, or extended resuscitation needs.

How do high ambient temperatures affect infant feeding practices? A prospective cohort study of postpartum women in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of high ambient temperature on infant feeding practices and childcare. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of quantitative data from a prospective cohort study. SETTING: Community-based interviews in the commune of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Exclusive breastfeeding is not widely practised in Burkina Faso. PARTICIPANTS: 866 women (1:1 urban:rural) were interviewed over 12 months. Participants were interviewed at three time points: cohort entry (when between 20 weeks' gestation and 22 weeks' postpartum), three and nine months thereafter. Retention at nine-month follow-up was 90%. Our secondary analysis focused on postpartum women (n=857). EXPOSURE: Daily mean temperature (°C) measured at one weather station in Bobo-Dioulasso. Meteorological data were obtained from publicly available archives (TuTiempo.net). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported time spent breastfeeding (minutes/day), exclusive breastfeeding of infants under 6 months (no fluids other than breast milk provided in past 24 hours), supplementary feeding of infants aged 6-12 months (any fluid other than breast milk provided in past 24 hours), time spent caring for children (minutes/day). RESULTS: The population experienced year-round high temperatures (daily mean temperature range=22.6°C-33.7°C). Breastfeeding decreased by 2.3 minutes/day (95% CI -4.6 to 0.04, p=0.05), and childcare increased by 0.6 minutes/day (0.06 to 1.2, p=0.03), per 1°C increase in same-day mean temperature. Temperature interacted with infant age to affect breastfeeding duration (p=0.02), with a stronger (negative) association between temperature and breastfeeding as infants aged (0-57 weeks). Odds of exclusive breastfeeding very young infants (0-3 months) tended to decrease as temperature increased (OR=0.88, 0.75 to 1.02, p=0.09). There was no association between temperature and exclusive breastfeeding at 3-6 months or supplementary feeding (6-12 months). CONCLUSIONS: Women spent considerably less time breastfeeding (~25 minutes/day) during the hottest, compared with coolest, times of the year. Climate change adaptation plans for health should include advice to breastfeeding mothers during periods of high temperature.