Derivation and Internal Validation of a Novel Risk Assessment Tool to Identify Infants and Young Children at Risk for Post-Discharge Mortality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Monrovia, Liberia.

OBJECTIVE: To derive and validate internally a novel risk assessment tool to identify young children at risk for all-cause mortality ≤60 days of discharge from hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a prospective observational cohort study of children aged 1-59 months discharged from Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia, Liberia (2019-2022). Caregivers received telephone calls up to 60 days after discharge to ascertain participant vital status. We collected socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, and anthropometric data during hospitalization. Candidate variables with P < .20 in bivariate analyses were included in a multivariable logistic regression model with best subset selection to identify risk factors for the outcome. We internally validated our tool using bootstrapping with 500 repetitions. RESULTS: There were 1933 young children enrolled in the study. The median (IQR) age was 11 (4, 23) months and 58.7% were males. In total, 67 (3.5%) died during follow-up. Ten variables contributed to our tool (total possible score 82). Cancer (aOR 10.6, 95% CI 2.58, 34.6), pedal edema (aOR 6.94, 95% CI 1.69, 22.6), and leaving against medical advice (aOR 6.46, 95% CI 2.46, 15.3) were most predictive of post-discharge mortality. Our risk assessment tool demonstrated good discriminatory value (optimism corrected area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.77), high precision, and sufficient calibration. CONCLUSIONS: After validation, this tool may be used to identify young children at risk for post-discharge mortality to direct resources for follow-up of high-risk children.

High-risk space-time clusters of mortality in children 5 to 14 years of age in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. / Clusters Espaço-Temporais de Alto Risco da Mortalidade Infantojuvenil em Mato Grosso, Brasil.

The study aimed to detect high-risk areas for deaths of children and adolescents 5 to 14 years of age in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, from 2009 to 2020. This was an exploratory ecological study with municipalities as the units of analysis. Considering mortality data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and demographic data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the study used multivariate statistics to identify space-time clusters of excess mortality risk in this age group. From 5 to 9 years of age, two clusters with high mortality risk were detected; the most likely located in the state's southern mesoregion (RR: 1.6; LRT: 8,53). Among the 5 clusters detected in the 10-14-year age group, the main cluster was in the state's northern mesoregion (RR: 2,26; LRT: 7,84). A reduction in mortality rates was observed in the younger age group and an increase in these rates in the older group. The identification of these clusters, whose analysis merits replication in other parts of Brazil, is the initial stage in the investigation of possible factors associated with morbidity and mortality in this group, still insufficiently explored, and for planning adequate interventions.

O objetivo deste estudo é detectar as áreas de maior risco para óbitos de crianças e adolescentes de 5 a 14 anos no estado de Mato Grosso entre os anos de 2009 e 2020. Estudo ecológico, tipo exploratório, cuja unidade de análise foram os municípios. Considerando dados de mortalidade do SIM e os demográficos do IBGE, o estudo utilizou a estatística multivariada para a identificação dos clusters espaço-temporais de sobrerrisco de mortalidade nesta faixa etária. Dos 5 aos 9 anos, dois clusters de alto risco de mortalidade foram detectados; o mais provável localizado na mesorregião sul (RR: 1,6; LRV: 8,53). Dentre os 5 clusters detectados na faixa etária dos 10 aos 14 anos, o principal foi localizado na mesorregião norte (RR: 2,26; LRV: 7,84). Foi identificada redução das taxas de mortalidade na faixa etária mais jovem e aumento destas taxas na faixa etária mais velha. A identificação destes clusters, cuja análise merece ser replicada a outras partes do território nacional, é a etapa inicial para a investigação de possíveis fatores associados à morbi-mortalidade deste grupo ainda pouco explorado e para o planejamento de intervenções adequadas.

Biocultural and social determinants of ill health and early mortality in a New Mexican paediatric autopsy sample.

RESULTS: Hispanic children have higher odds of growth stunting than non-Hispanic White children. Native American children die younger and have higher odds of respiratory diseases and porous lesions than Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites. Rural/urban location does not significantly impact age at death, but housing type does. Individuals who lived in trailers/mobile homes had earlier ages at death. When intersections between housing type and housing location are considered, children who were poor and from impoverished areas lived longer than those who were poor from relatively well-off areas. CONCLUSIONS: Children's health is shaped by factors outside their control. The children included in this study embodied experiences of social and ELS and did not survive to adulthood. They provide the most sobering example of the harm that social factors (structural racism/discrimination, socioeconomic, and political structures) can inflict.

Excess Child Mortality Associated With Colombia's Armed Conflict, 1998-2019.

Importance: Armed conflicts are directly and indirectly associated with morbidity and mortality due to destruction of health infrastructure and diversion of resources, forced displacement, environmental damage, and erosion of social and economic security. Colombia's conflict began in the 1940s and has been uniquely long-lasting and geographically dynamic. Objective: To estimate the proportion of infant and child mortality associated with armed conflict exposure from 1998 to 2019 in Colombia. Design, Setting, and Participants: This ecological cohort study includes data from all 1122 municipalities in Colombia from 1998 to 2019. Statistical analysis was conducted from February 2022 to June 2023. Exposure: Armed conflict exposure was measured dichotomously by the occurrence of conflict-related events in each municipality-year, enumerated and reported by the Colombian National Center for Historic Memory. Main Outcomes and Measures: Deaths among children younger than 5 years and deaths among infants younger than 1 year, offset by the number of births in that municipality-year, enumerated by Colombia's national vital statistics. Results: The analytical sample included 24 157 municipality-years and 223 101 conflict events covering the period from 1998 to 2019. Overall, the presence of armed conflict in a municipality was associated with a 52% increased risk of death for children younger than 5 years of age (relative risk, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.34-1.72]), with similar results for 1- and 5-year lagged analyses. Armed conflict was associated with a 61% increased risk in infant (aged <1 year) death (relative risk, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.43-1.82]). On the absolute scale, this translates to a risk difference of 3.7 excess child deaths per 1000 births (95% CI, 2.7-4.7 per 1000 births) and 3.0 excess infant deaths per 1000 births (95% CI, 2.3-3.6 per 1000 births) per year, beyond what would be expected in the absence of armed conflict. Across the 22-year study period, the population attributable risk was 31.7% (95% CI, 23.5%-39.1%) for child deaths and 35.3% (95% CI, 27.8%-42.0%) for infant deaths. Conclusions and Relevance: This ecological cohort study of Colombia's spatiotemporally dynamic armed conflict suggests that municipal exposure to armed conflict was associated with excess child and infant deaths. With a record number of children living near active conflict zones in 2020, policy makers and health professionals should understand the magnitude of and manner in which armed conflicts directly and indirectly undermine child health.

Use of Latent Class Analysis to Predict Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality in Children with a Major Congenital Anomaly.

OBJECTIVE: To define major congenital anomaly (CA) subgroups and assess outcome variability based on defined subgroups. STUDY DESIGN: This population-based cohort study used registries in Denmark for children born with a major CA between January 1997 and December 2016, with follow-up until December 2018. We performed a latent class analysis (LCA) using child and family clinical and sociodemographic characteristics present at birth, incorporating additional variables occurring until age of 24 months. Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) of pediatric mortality and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions for identified LCA classes. RESULTS: The study included 27 192 children born with a major CA. Twelve variables led to a 4-class solution (entropy = 0.74): (1) children born with higher income and fewer comorbidities (55.4%), (2) children born to young mothers with lower income (24.8%), (3) children born prematurely (10.0%), and (4) children with multiorgan involvement and developmental disability (9.8%). Compared with those in Class 1, mortality and ICU admissions were highest in Class 4 (HR = 8.9, 95% CI = 6.4-12.6 and HR = 4.1, 95% CI = 3.6-4.7, respectively). More modest increases were observed among the other classes for mortality and ICU admissions (Class 2: HR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5 and HR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1-1.4, respectively; Class 3: HR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.5-4.2 and HR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3-1.9, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Children with a major CA can be categorized into meaningful subgroups with good discriminative ability. These groupings may be useful for risk-stratification in outcome studies.

How do remittances impact child mortality and are there preconditions?

While recent research suggests that remittances affect child mortality, little is known about how remittances influence this outcome and what conditions may moderate its effectiveness. This article investigates whether and how remittances affect child mortality in developing countries. We examine the impact of remittances on the three leading causes of child mortality, explore potential channels through which this may occur and examine whether socioeconomic or political factors affect the remittances-mortality relationship. Using data for 122 developing countries over the period 2003-2018 and a dynamic panel estimator, with both internal instruments and a shift-share external instrument, we find that remittances reduce child mortality from diarrheal diseases. Our findings suggest that sanitation usage is a possible channel through which remittances affect diarrheal mortality. We also find that the mortality-reducing effect of remittances does not appear to be contingent on the level of governance or health infrastructure. However, it remains unclear whether the effect is influenced by other forms of health funding. These findings suggest that remittances serve an important role in improving child health, and the effectiveness of these inflows is not reliant on onerous preconditions being met. Thus, remittances may be important to public health dialogue, especially in developing countries where diarrheal diseases are prevalent.

Morbilidad y mortalidad del cáncer infantil en un departamento del surde Colombia / Morbidity and mortality rates of childhood cancer in a southern department of Colombia / Morbidade e mortalidade por câncer infantil em um Estado do sul da Colômbia

Introducción:El cáncer infantil tiene repercusiones en la calidad de vida a corto y largo plazo de los niños afectados. En Colombia representa la tercera causa de muerte entre 1 y 14 años de edad. Objetivo:Describir la morbimortalidad por cáncer infantil en el departamento del Huila durante el periodo 2012 ­2016. Materiales y métodos:Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de tipo exploratorio en menores de 18 años con diagnóstico de cáncer durante el 2012 a 2016 en el Huila, a partir de la información obtenida del Sistema Integral de Información de la Protección Social y Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística de Colombia. Resultados:Se detectaron 568 casos de cáncer infantil durante el periodo de estudio. El 54,3% correspondía a pediátricos del sexo masculino, 39,8% con edades comprendidas entre 10 a 14 años de edad, 60,4% residentes de la zona norte del departamento. Se registraron 117 casos de mortalidad por cáncer, con mayor frecuencia entre 5-9 años de edad, del sexo masculino. Conclusiones:Se evidenció altas tasas de morbimortalidad por cáncer infantil en la zona norte del departamento, se resalta la necesidad de futuras investigaciones que puedan explicar el comportamiento de tumores infantiles y definir programas de intervención en salud.

Introduction: Childhood cancer affects the short-term and long-term quality of life of the sick children. In Colombia, this disease represents the third cause of death in children between 1 and 14 years of age. Objective: To describe morbidity and mortality rates caused by childhood cancer in the department of Huila during the 2012-2016 period. Materials and methods: A descriptive exploratory study was conducted in children under 18 years of age diagnosed with cancer from 2012 to 2016 in Huila. The information was obtained from the Integral Information System of the Social Protection Ministry and the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia. Results: 568 cases of childhood cancer were identified during the study period. 54.3% corresponded to pediatric male patients, of which 39.8% were aged between 10 to 14 years and 60.4% lived in the northern area of the department. 117 deaths due to cancer were reported, the most frequent cases being male children with ages between 5 to9 years. Conclusions: High morbidity and mortality rates because of childhood cancer were identified in the northernpart of the department. This highlights the need for future research to understand the behavior of childhood tumors and define health intervention programs.

Introdução:Introdução: O câncer infantil repercute na qualidade de vida a curto e longo prazo das crianças acometidas. Na Colômbia representa a terceira causa de morte entre 1 e 14 anos de idade. Objetivo:Descrever a morbimortalidade por câncer infantil no estado de Huila durante o período 2012 -2016. Materiais e métodos:Estudo exploratório descritivo realizado em crianças menores de 18 anos diagnosticadas com câncer durante 2012 a 2016 em Huila, com base nas informações obtidas do Sistema de Informação Integral deProteção Social e do Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estatística da Colômbia. Resultados:Foram detectados 568 casos de câncer infantil no período do estudo. 54,3% correspondiam a médicos pediatras do sexo masculino, 39,8% com idade entre 10 e 14 anos, 60,4% residentes na zona norte do departamento. Foram registrados 117 casos de mortalidade por câncer, com maior frequência entre 5-9 anos de idade, do sexo masculino. Conclusões:Altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade por câncer infantil foram evidenciadas no norte do estado, destacando a necessidade de pesquisas futuras que possam explicar o comportamento dos tumores infantis e definir programas de intervenção em saúde.

Evaluation and Forecasting Analysis of the Association of Conditional Cash Transfer With Child Mortality in Latin America, 2000-2030.

Importance: Latin America has implemented the world's largest and most consolidated conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs during the last 2 decades. As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty rates have markedly increased, and a large number of newly low-income individuals, especially children, have been left unprotected. Objective: To evaluate the association of CCT programs with child health in Latin American countries during the last 2 decades and forecast child mortality trends up to 2030 according to CCT alternative implementation options. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used a multicountry, longitudinal, ecological design with multivariable negative binomial regression models, which were adjusted for all relevant demographic, socioeconomic, and health care variables, integrating the retrospective impact evaluations from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2019, with dynamic microsimulation models to forecast potential child mortality scenarios up to 2030. The study cohort included 4882 municipalities from Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico with adequate quality of civil registration and vital statistics according to a validated multidimensional criterion. Data analysis was performed from September 2022 to February 2023. Exposure: Conditional cash transfer coverage of the target (lowest-income) population categorized into 4 levels: low (0%-29.9%), intermediate (30.0%-69.9%), high (70.0%-99.9%), and consolidated (≥100%). Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were mortality rates for those younger than 5 years and hospitalization rates (per 1000 live births), overall and by poverty-related causes (diarrheal, malnutrition, tuberculosis, malaria, lower respiratory tract infections, and HIV/AIDS), and the mortality rates for those younger than 5 years by age groups, namely, neonatal (0-28 days), postneonatal (28 days to 1 year), infant (<1 year), and toddler (1-4 years). Results: The retrospective analysis included 4882 municipalities. During the study period of January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2019, mortality in Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico decreased by 7.8% in children and 6.5% in infants, and an increase in coverage of CCT programs of 76.8% was observed in these Latin American countries. Conditional cash transfer programs were associated with significant reductions of mortality rates in those younger than 5 years (rate ratio [RR], 0.76; 95% CI, 0.75-0.76), having prevented 738 919 (95% CI, 695 641-782 104) child deaths during this period. The association of highest coverage of CCT programs was stronger with poverty-related diseases, such as malnutrition (RR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.31-0.35), diarrhea (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.40-0.43), lower respiratory tract infections (RR, 0.66, 95% CI, 0.65-0.68), malaria (RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63-0.93), tuberculosis (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.48-0.79), and HIV/AIDS (RR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.28-0.37). Several sensitivity and triangulation analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. Considering a scenario of moderate economic crisis, a mitigation strategy that will increase the coverage of CCTs to protect those newly in poverty could reduce the mortality rate for those younger than 5 years by up to 17% (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.80-0.85) and prevent 153 601 (95% CI, 127 441-180 600) child deaths by 2030 in Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico. Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this cohort study suggest that the expansion of CCT programs could strongly reduce childhood hospitalization and mortality in Latin America and should be considered an effective strategy to mitigate the health impact of the current global economic crisis in low- and middle-income countries.

Compulsory education reform and child mortality in Peru.

The government of Peru amended its constitution to increase compulsory education from six to 11 years in 1993. This constitutional amendment provides a natural experiment to investigate the impact of maternal education on child mortality. Exploiting differences in the reform exposure by age, I find that mothers who were exposed to the reform were less likely to experience the death of a child. There is also evidence that the reform caused a decline in infant mortality. These results are not driven by the age difference between mothers who were treated by the reform and those who were not treated. Additional analyses reveal that the reform increased age at first birth, decreased desired fertility, reduced smoking, and improved economic opportunities for women. The results demonstrate that compulsory schooling may be a useful policy tool to improve women's education, which can, in turn, enhance the survival of their children.

What is the impact of national public expenditure and its allocation on neonatal and child mortality? A machine learning analysis.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the impact of national public expenditure and its allocation on child mortality may help governments move towards target 3.2 proposed in the 2030 Agenda. The objective of this study was to estimate the impacts of governmental expenditures, total, on health, and on other sectors, on neonatal mortality and mortality of children aged between 28 days and five years. METHODS: This study has an ecological design with a population of 147 countries, with data between 2012 and 2019. Two steps were used: first, the Generalized Propensity Score of public spending was calculated; afterward, the Generalized Propensity Score was used to estimate the expenditures' association with mortality rates. The primary outcomes were neonatal mortality rates (NeoRt) and mortality rates in children between 28 days and 5 years (NeoU5Rt). RESULTS: The 1% variation in Int$ Purchasing Power Parity (Int$ PPP) per capita in total public expenditures, expenditure in health, and in other sectors were associated with a variation of -0.635 (95% CI -1.176, -0.095), -2.17 (95% CI -3.051, -1.289) -0.632 (95% CI -1.169, -0.095) in NeoRt, respectively The same variation in public expenditures in sectors other than health, was associates with a variation of -1.772 (95% CI -6.219, -1.459) on NeoU5Rt. The results regarding the impact of total and health public spending on NeoU5Rt were not consistent. CONCLUSION: Public investments impact mortality in children under 5 years of age. Likely, the allocation of expenditures between the health sector and the other social sectors will have different impacts on mortality between the NeoRt and the NeoU5Rt.

Intervenções psicológicas necessárias: a prática como residente no serviço de medicina fetal / Necessary psychological interventions: the practice as a resident in the fetal medicine service / Intervenciones psicológicas necesarias: la práctica como residente en el servicio de medicina fetal

Com os avanços tecnológicos e o aprimoramento da prática médica via ultrassonografia, já é possível detectar possíveis problemas no feto desde a gestação. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a prática do psicólogo no contexto de gestações que envolvem riscos fetais. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo sob formato de relato de experiência como psicólogo residente no Serviço de Medicina Fetal da Maternidade Escola da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Os registros, feitos por observação participante e diário de campo, foram analisados em dois eixos temáticos: 1) intervenções psicológicas no trabalho em equipe em consulta de pré-natal, exame de ultrassonografia e procedimento de amniocentese; e 2) intervenções psicológicas em casos de bebês incompatíveis com a vida. Os resultados indicaram que o psicólogo nesse serviço é essencial para atuar de forma multiprofissional na assistência pré-natal para gravidezes de alto risco fetal. Ademais, a preceptoria do residente é relevante para sua formação e treinamento para atuação profissional no campo da psicologia perinatal.(AU)

Face to the technological advances and the improvement of medical practice via ultrasound, it is already possible to detect possible problems in the fetus since pregnancy. The objective of this study was to analyze the psychologist's practice in the context of pregnancies which involve fetal risks. It is a qualitative study based on an experience report as a psychologist trainee at the Fetal Medicine Service of the Maternity School of UFRJ. The records, based on the participant observation and field diary, were analyzed in two thematic axes: 1) psychological interventions in the teamwork in the prenatal attendance, ultrasound examination and amniocentesis procedure; and 2) psychological interventions in cases of babies incompatible to the life. The results indicated that the psychologist in this service is essential to work in a multidisciplinary way at the prenatal care for high fetal risk pregnancies. Furthermore, the resident's preceptorship is relevant to their education and training for professional performance in the field of Perinatal Psychology.(AU)

Con los avances tecnológicos y la mejora de la práctica médica a través de la ecografía, ya se puede detectar posibles problemas en el feto desde el embarazo. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la práctica del psicólogo en el contexto de embarazos de riesgos fetal. Es un estudio cualitativo basado en un relato de experiencia como residente de psicología en el Servicio de Medicina Fetal de la Escuela de Maternidad de la Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Los registros, realizados en la observación participante y el diario de campo, se analizaron en dos ejes temáticos: 1) intervenciones psicológicas en el trabajo en equipo, en la consulta prenatal, ecografía y los procedimientos de amniocentesis; y 2) intervenciones psicológicas en casos de bebés incompatibles con la vida. Los resultados señalaron como fundamental la presencia del psicólogo en este servicio trabajando de forma multidisciplinar en la atención prenatal en el contexto de embarazos de alto riesgo fetal. Además, la tutela del residente es relevante para su educación y formación para el desempeño profesional en el campo de la Psicología Perinatal.(AU)

Antenatal care services in decreasing under-five mortality / Serviços de cuidados pré-natais na redução da mortalidade de menores de cinco anos

Abstract Objectives: the first five years of life are critical for children's physical and intellectual development. However, the under-five mortality rate in South Asia and ASEAN is relatively high, caused by complex etiologies. This paper identifies maternal high-risk fertility behaviors and healthcare services utilization and examines predictors of under-five mortality (U5M) in 7 Asian (South Asia - ASEAN) developing countries (Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan). Methods: a multivariate logistic regression model with a complex survey was used to examine predictors of U5M on the frequency of U5M adjusted for comorbidities. Results: according to multivariate models (model 2), U5M was 2.99 times higher in mothers with low weight at birth infants than in mothers without low weight at birth infants (aOR= 2.99; CI95%=2.49-3.58); Mothers without antenatal care contacts were 3.37 times more likely (aOR= 3.37; CI95%=2.83-4.00) to have a U5M than mothers with eight or more antenatal care contacts; U5M in Indonesia was 2.34 times higher (aOR= 2.34; CI95%= 1.89-2.89). It is investigated that antenatal care serves as a predictor in decreasing U5MR. Conclusions: in order to achieve significant U5MR reduction, intervention programs that encourage antenatal care consultations should be implemented.

Resumo Objetivos: os primeiros cinco anos de vida são críticos para o desenvolvimento físico e intelectual da criança. No entanto, a taxa de mortalidade de menores de cinco anos no sul da Ásia e na ASEAN é relativamente alta, causada por etiologias complexas. Este artigo identifica comportamentos maternos de fertilidade de alto risco e utilização de serviços de saúde e examina preditores de mortalidade abaixo de 5 anos (MM5) em 7 países em desenvolvimento da Ásia (Sul da Ásia - ASEAN) (Indonésia, Mianmar, Camboja, Filipinas, Bangladesh, Nepal e Paquistão). Métodos: um modelo de regressão logística multivariada foi usado para examinar preditores de MM5 na frequência de MM5 ajustado para comorbidades. Resultados: na análise multivariada (modelo 2), U5M foi 2,99 vezes maior em mães com bebês com baixo peso ao nascer do que em mães sem bebês com baixo peso ao nascer (aOR= 2,99; IC95%=2,49-3,58); as mães sem contatos de cuidados pré-natais tiveram 3,37 vezes mais probabilidade (aOR=3,37; IC95%=2,83-4,00) para ter MM5 do que mães com oito ou mais contatos de cuidados pré-natais; MM5 na Indonésia foi 2,34 vezes maior (aOR= 2,34; IC95%= 1,89-2,89). Investiga-se que os cuidados pré-natais funcionam como um preditor na diminuição da MM5. Conclusões: para uma redução significativa da MM5, devem ser implementados programas de intervenção que estimulem as consultas pré-natais.

Facteurs associés à la surmortalité infanto-juvénile des jumeaux à Haïti.

Introduction : In Haiti, excess mortality among twins is an additional health burden, given that child mortality levels are already very high there. Haiti is the country in the Latin America and Caribbean region with the highest rate of twin births (about 17 ‰). However, there, the excess mortality among twins has been little studied. PURPOSE OF RESEARCH: To identify factors associated with excess mortality among twins. METHODS: With data from the Demographic and Health Surveys, calculation of under-five mortality rates (U5MR) and using a Cox regression to analyze factors associated with excess mortality among twins. RESULTS: Twins have U5MRs that are three times higher than those of singletons. However, these U5MRs fell sharply, but more sharply among twins than singletons. Indeed, between 1994 and 2016, the U5MR for twins decreased by about 53% (from 432 ‰ to 204‰), while for singletons, it was only 36% (from 121‰ to 77‰). The multivariate results show that all else being equal, twins have a 3.3 (2.86-3.87) times higher Hazard Ratio of death than singletons. They also show low birth weight, lack of prenatal visits, and lack of breastfeeding are independently associated with excess mortality among twins in Haiti.Conclusions : The health of twin children remains a major challenge for Haiti. To further reduce their excess mortality, the government has to develop accessible obstetric and pediatric services essential for the care of twin pregnancies.

Análise espacial da mortalidade em crianças menores de cinco anos no brasil: indicadores sociais e assistenciais de saúde / Spatial analysis of mortality in children under five years ofage in Brazil: social and health care indicators / Análisis espacial de la mortalidad en menores de cinco años en Brasil: indicadores sociales y de salud

Introdução:As taxas de mortalidade de crianças, em todo o mundo, configuram-se como indicadores da qualidade de vida e saúde em um país. Diante disso, é de extrema importância a análise da mortalidade na infância, no Brasil e regiões.Objetivo:Avaliar a espacialização do coeficiente de mortalidade em crianças entre um e cinco anos no Brasil e seus indicadores sociais e assistenciais de saúde.Metodologia:Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, de tendência temporal e correlação espacial realizado no Brasil, com a população de crianças de 1 a 5 anos, sendo utilizadas informações do Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade. Para a análise, foram usados os softwaresMicrosoft Excel eStatistical Package for the Social Sciences. O TerraViewfoi empregado para realização da distribuição da taxa de mortalidade e a dependência espacial foi medida pelo coeficiente de autocorrelação global de Moran. Resultados:A média do coeficiente de mortalidade na infância, de crianças entre um e menores de cinco anos, apresentou um perfil decrescente no período de 2008 a 2015. Em 2016, no entanto, foi observada uma elevação substancial dos óbitos em crianças na faixa etária estudada. A região Norte e Nordeste do Brasil apresentaram os maiores índices de mortalidade, enquanto que os estados do Sul e Sudeste apresentaram menos óbitos para crianças entre um e menores de cinco anos.Conclusões:Apesar dos pactos criados pelo governo e da ampliação nos serviços de saúde, em específico da atenção básica, os números altos de óbitos, nesta faixa etária,podem ser relacionados com a diminuição da coberturavacinação, assim como pelo alto número de fatores externos (AU).

Introduction:Infant mortality rates all over the world are configured as indicators of life and healthqualityin a country, as this public has special vulnerabilities and needs, associated with the social and economic conditions available to the population. Therefore, it is extremely important to analyze infant mortality in Brazil anditsregions.Objective:Evaluate the spatialization of the mortality coefficient in children agedone to five years oldin Brazil and its social and health indicators.Methodology:This is an ecological, temporal trend and spatial correlation study carried out in Brazil with the population of children aged 1 to 5 years, using information from the Mortality Information System (SIM/DATASUS). For the analysis, Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software were used. TerraView was used to perform the mortality rate distribution and the spatial dependence was measured by Moran's global autocorrelation coefficient.Results:The average infant mortality rate for children aged between one and under five showed a decreasing profile in the period from 2008 to 2015. In 2016, however, a substantial increase in deaths ofchildren in the age group studied was observed. The North and Northeast regions of Brazil had the highest mortality rates, while the states inthe South and Southeast had the lowest deathrates for children between one and under five years of age.Conclusions:Despite the pacts created by the government and the expansion of health services, specifically primary care, the high numberof deaths in this age group can be related to the decrease in vaccination coverage, as well as to the high number of external factors (AU).

Introducción: Las tasas de mortalidad infantil, en todo el mundo, se configuran como indicadores de la calidad de vida y salud de unpaís. Por lo tanto, es de suma importancia analizar la mortalidad infantil en Brasil y regiones.Objetivo: Evaluar la espacialización del coeficiente de mortalidad en niños de uno a cinco años en Brasil y sus indicadores sociales y de salud.Metodología: Se trata de un estudio ecológico, de tendencia temporal y de correlación espacial realizado en Brasil con la población de niños de 1 a 5 años, utilizando información del Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Para el análisis se utilizó Microsoft Excel y elsoftware Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Se utilizó TerraViewpara realizar la distribución de la tasa de mortalidad y la dependencia espacial se midió mediante el coeficiente de autocorrelación global de Moran.Resultados: La tasa de mortalidad infantil promedio de los niños de uno a cinco años mostró un perfil decreciente en el período de 2008 a 2015. En 2016, sin embargo, se observó un aumento sustancial de las muertes de niños en el grupo de edad estudiado. Las regiones norte y noreste de Brasil tuvieron las tasas de mortalidad más altas, mientras que los estados del sur y sureste tuvieron menos muertes de niños entre uno y cinco años de edad.Conclusiones: A pesar de los pactos creados por el gobierno y la expansión de los serviciosde salud, específicamente la atención primaria, el alto número de muertes en este grupo de edad puede estar relacionado con la disminución de las coberturas de vacunación, así como con el elevado número de factores externos (AU).

Ethnoracial inequalities and child mortality in Brazil: a nationwide longitudinal study of 19 million newborn babies.

BACKGROUND: Racism is a social determinant of health inequities. In Brazil, racial injustices lead to poor outcomes in maternal and child health for Black and Indigenous populations, including greater risks of pregnancy-related complications; decreased access to antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care; and higher childhood mortality rates. In this study, we aimed to estimate inequalities in childhood mortality rates by maternal race and skin colour in a cohort of more than 19 million newborns in Brazil. METHODS: We did a nationwide population-based, retrospective cohort study using linked data on all births and deaths in Brazil between Jan 1, 2012, and Dec 31, 2018. The data consisted of livebirths followed up to age 5 years, death, or Dec 31, 2018. Data for livebirths were extracted from the National Information System for livebirths, SINASC, and for deaths from the Mortality Information System, SIM. The final sample consisted of complete data for all cases regarding maternal race and skin colour, and no inconsistencies were present between date of birth and death after linkage. We fitted Cox proportional hazard regression models to calculate the crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the association between maternal race and skin colour and all-cause and cause-specific younger than age 5 mortality rates, by age subgroups. We calculated the trend of HRs (and 95% CI) by time of observation (calendar year) to indicate trends in inequalities. FINDINGS: From the 20 526 714 livebirths registered in SINASC between Jan 1, 2012, and Dec 31, 2018, 238 436 were linked to death records identified from SIM. After linkage, 1 010 871 records were excluded due to missing data on maternal race or skin colour or inconsistent date of death. 19 515 843 livebirths were classified by mother's race, of which 224 213 died. Compared with children of White mothers, mortality risk for children younger than age 5 years was higher among children of Indigenous (HR 1·98 [95% CI 1·92-2·06]), Black (HR 1·39 [1·36-1·41]), and Brown or Mixed race (HR 1·19 [1·18-1·20]) mothers. The highest hazard ratios were observed during the post-neonatal period (Indigenous, HR 2·78 [95% CI 2·64-2·95], Black, HR 1·54 [1·48-1·59]), and Brown or Mixed race, HR 1·25 [1·23-1·27]) and between the ages of 1 year and 4 years (Indigenous, HR 3·82 [95% CI 3·52-4·15]), Black, HR 1·51 [1·42-1·60], and Brown or Mixed race, HR 1·30 [1·26-1·35]). Children of Indigenous (HR 16·39 [95% CI 12·88-20·85]), Black (HR 2·34 [1·78-3·06]), and Brown or Mixed race mothers (HR 2·05 [1·71-2·45]) had a higher risk of death from malnutrition than did children of White mothers. Similar patterns were observed for death from diarrhoea (Indigenous, HR 14·28 [95% CI 12·25-16·65]; Black, HR 1·72 [1·44-2·05]; and Brown or Mixed race mothers, HR 1·78 [1·61-1·98]) and influenza and pneumonia (Indigenous, HR 6·49 [95% CI 5·78-7·27]; Black, HR 1·78 [1·62-1·96]; and Brown or Mixed race mothers, HR 1·60 [1·51-1·69]). INTERPRETATION: Substantial ethnoracial inequalities were observed in child mortality in Brazil, especially among the Indigenous and Black populations. These findings demonstrate the importance of regular racial inequality assessments and monitoring. We suggest implementing policies to promote ethnoracial equity to reduce the impact of racism on child health. FUNDING: MCTI/CNPq/MS/SCTIE/Decit/Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Grandes Desafios Brasil, Desenvolvimento Saudável para Todas as Crianças, and Wellcome Trust core support grant awarded to CIDACS-Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health.

An analysis of factors associated with neonatal, post-neonatal and child mortality in Haiti, including breastfeeding as a time-dependent variable.

AIM: The main objective of the study was to identify factors associated with neonatal, post-neonatal and child mortality. The study also investigated breastfeeding status as a time-dependent variable. METHODS: The 2016-2017 Haitian Demographic and Health Survey was analysed. The analysis was done on 6530 live births. Time-constant and time-dependent multivariable Royston-Parmar spline models were used to identify associated factors for all three age groups. Restricted mean survival times were calculated for the different levels of the breastfeeding variable for each age group. RESULTS: Neonates and post-neonates who were not breastfed were associated with increased mortality, hazard ratio (HR) 22.13 (95% confidence interval (CI), 16.40-29.87) and HR 4.99 (95% CI, 3.29-7.56), respectively. Males in the child age group were associated with increased mortality, HR 2.04 (95% CI, 1.29-3.23) and HR 2.03 (95% CI, 1.28-3.21) under the time-constant and time-dependent models, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early initiation of breastfeeding and breastfeeding throughout the post-neonatal period is recommended. Outreach programmes that provide support and education for vulnerable families are also recommended.

Prognostic nutritional index and mortality in children and adolescents underwent cardiac surgery / Índice nutricional prognóstico e mortalidade entre crianças e adolescentes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the prognostic nutritional index and factors associated with mortality in children and adolescents with heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery. Methods: this is a longitudinal, retrospective study that included 98 children and adolescents with heart disease from 0 to 14 years old, and assessed the prognostic nutritional index and nutritional status, through the body mass index for age, weight for height, weight for age and height for age. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: malnutrition was present in 27 patients, 68 were categorized as having a low prognostic nutritional index and 16 died. In the adjusted analysis, malnutrition (OR=4.11; CI95%=1.26-13.40; p=0.019), the low body mass index for age (OR=4.14; CI95%=1.26-13.61; p=0.019), low weight for height (OR=4.15; CI95%=1.29-13.35; p=0.017) and low weight for age (OR=5.20; CI95%=1.39-19.43; p=0.014) were associated with mortality. Conclusions: malnutrition, low body mass index for age, weight for height and weight for age had shown a significant association with mortality. Despite being an easily applicable indicator of nutritional status, the findings suggest no association between the prognostic nutritional index and mortality in patients with congenital heart disease after cardiac surgery.

Resumo Objetivos: analisar o índice nutricional prognóstico e os fatores associados a mortalidade em crianças e adolescentescardiopatas submetidas à cirurgia cardíaca. Métodos: estudo longitudinal, retrospectivo, que incluiu 98 crianças e adolescentes cardiopatas entre zero a 14 anos e avaliou o índice nutricional prognóstico e o estado nutricional, através dos indicadores índice de massa corporal para idade, peso para estatura, peso para idade e estatura para idade. Foi realizada análise de regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: a desnutrição esteve presente em 27 pacientes, 68 foram categorizados como baixo índice nutricional prognóstico e 16 foram a óbito. Na análise ajustada, a desnutrição (OR=4,11; IC95%=1,26-13,40; p=0,019), o baixo índice de massa corporal para idade (OR=4,14; IC95%=1,26-13,61; p=0,019), o baixo peso para estatura (OR=4,15; IC95%=1,29-13,35; p=0,017) e baixo peso para idade (OR=5,20; IC95%=1,39-19,43; p=0,014) apresentaram associação com a mortalidade. Conclusão: desnutrição, baixo índice de massa corporal para idade, peso para estatura e peso para idade mostraram associação significativa com a mortalidade. Apesar de ser um indicador do estado nutricional de fácil aplicação não foi observada associação do índice nutricional prognóstico com a mortalidade em pacientes com cardiopatias congênitas após cirurgia cardíaca.

Estrategias del equipo de salud para afrontar la muerte de niños y adolescentes con cáncer / Strategies by the Health Team for Coping with the Death of Children and Adolescents with Cancer

Introducción: La muerte en niños y adolescentes por cáncer suele ser difícil de afrontar por los profesionales de salud. Si no cuentan con modos adecuados para transitar estos duelos, pueden generarse problemas psicológicos, emocionales y físicos, exponiéndose a Burnout. Objetivo: Develar las estrategias utilizadas por profesionales y técnicos de salud de hospitales públicos chilenos para afrontar la muerte de infantes con cáncer. Métodos: Investigación cualitativa fenomenológica, realizada en cinco hospitales públicos en Santiago de Chile, entre mayo-septiembre del 2017. Población de 37 profesionales y técnicos de salud que vivenciaron morir niños y adolescentes con cáncer. Se efectuaron entrevistas en profundidad, guiadas por la pregunta "¿Cómo ha afrontado usted la muerte de los pacientes en su unidad?" Las narrativas se transcribieron y analizaron según las etapas de Streubert, se triangularon los datos hasta alcanzar la saturación. Resultados: Las principales estrategias fueron participar de ritos de despedida ante la muerte, realizar actividades recreativas con miembros del equipo fuera de la jornada laboral, hacer cambios en la rutina de trabajo, separar aspectos personales y profesionales. Al percibir un bajo apoyo de la institución, propusieron facilitar la asistencia al funeral, desarrollar intervenciones formales de apoyo en duelo, realizar intervenciones de autocuidado e incorporar el tema de la muerte en las inducciones laborales. Conclusión: Los profesionales y técnicos cuentan con estrategias para afrontar sus duelos. Sin embargo, requieren de apoyo formal de la institución, junto con capacitación continua en la temática. Es fundamental que la institución se implique en esta problemática(AU)

Introduction: Cancer deaths among children and adolescents are often difficult for health professionals to cope with. If they do not have adequate ways to deal with this grief, psychological, emotional and physical problems may arise, exposing them to burnout or the so called burned-out worker syndrome. Objective: To reveal the strategies used by health professionals and technicians in Chilean public hospitals to cope with the death of children with cancer. Methods: Qualitative and phenomenological research carried out in five public hospitals in Santiago, Chile, between May and September 2017. The population was made up of 37 health professionals and technicians who experienced the death of children and adolescents with cancer. In-depth interviews were conducted, guided by the following question: How have you coped with the death of patients in your unit? The narratives were transcribed and analyzed according to the stages described by Streubert. In addition, the data were triangulated until saturation was reached. Results: The main strategies were to participate in farewell rites in the face of death, to carry out recreational activities with team members outside the workday, to make changes in the work routine, as well as to separate personal and professional aspects. When perceiving low support from the institution, they proposed facilitating attendance at the funeral, developing formal bereavement support interventions, carrying out self-care, and incorporating the matter of death into work inductions. Conclusion: Professionals and technicians have strategies to cope with their bereavement. However, they need formal support from the institution, together with continuous training on the matter. It is essential for the institution to become involved in this issue(AU)

Determinants of neonatal, post-neonatal and child mortality in Afghanistan using frailty models.

BACKGROUND: Afghanistan has one of the highest under-five mortality rates in South Asia, 70.4 per 1000 live births. Determinants need to be identified to reduce this rate. Knowledge of the existence of familial and community frailty will also assist in the reduction of under-five mortality. METHODS: The 2015 Afghanistan Demographic Health Survey, including 32,712 live births, was analysed. Under-five mortality was disaggregated into neonatal, post-neonatal and child mortality and piecewise traditional Cox proportional hazard, variance-corrected and frailty models were developed. All the models identified determinants and the two frailty models examined the existence of familial and community frailty for each age group. RESULTS: There was statistically significant evidence of community frailty. Breastfeeding status was a highly significant determinant under univariable and multivariable analysis for neonatal and post-neonatal mortality. Post-neonates of employed mothers also experienced increased mortality, particularly those whose mother worked in agriculture where the hazard ratio was 2.77 (95% CI 2.10, 3.65). Birth order 5+ was associated with increased mortality for all three age groups. CONCLUSION: The Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health should identify frail communities. Support, such as daycare facilities, should be provided and early initiation of breastfeeding and breastfeeding throughout the post-neonatal period should also be encouraged. IMPACT: The study identified determinants of neonatal, post-neonatal and child mortality. The study also established the presence of community frailty with respect to under-five mortality in Afghanistan. The study shows that the association of not breastfeeding and mortality is more acute in the early neonatal age group and it extends into the post-neonatal age group. The study identified the association of high birth order and mortality in the neonatal, post-neonatal and child age groups in Afghanistan. Policies should be implemented that encourage early initiation of breastfeeding to continue throughout the post-neonatal period and support for vulnerable families should be provided.

Características e tendência temporal das taxas de mortalidade de crianças e adolescentes em Mato Grosso e no Brasil, 2009 a 2020 / Características y tendencia temporal de la mortalidad en niños y adolescentes en Mato Grosso y Brasil, 2009 a 2020 / Characteristics and temporal trends of mortality rates in children and adolescents in Mato Grosso and Brazil, 2009-2020

Objetivo: analisar as características e a tendência temporal das taxas de mortalidade na população de 5 a 14 anos em Mato Grosso e no Brasil, no período de 2009 a 2020. Métodos: estudo ecológico de série temporal, sobre dados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade. As análises foram descritivas e de tendência, utilizando-se o modelo de regressão por pontos de inflexão (joinpoint) com cálculo da variação média no período (VMP). Resultados: no Brasil e em Mato Grosso, os óbitos foram predominantemente masculinos, evitáveis e por causas externas. Foi identificada tendência decrescente no Brasil (5 a 9 anos VMP: -2,9; IC95% -4,3;-1,6 e 10 a 14 anos VMP: -2,5; IC95% -3,3;-1,8) e estacionária em Mato Grosso (5 a 9 anos VMP: -2,0; IC95% -5,6;1,7 e 10 a 14 anos VMP: -0,1; IC95% -5,9;6,1). Conclusão: a tendência estável da mortalidade em patamares elevados demanda intervenções urgentes, visando a sua redução.

Objetivo: analizar las características y la tendencia temporal de las tasas de mortalidad en la población de 5 a 14 años en Mato Grosso y Brasil, desde 2009 hasta 2020. Métodos: estudio ecológico de serie temporal, sobre datos del Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y de tendencia, utilizando el modelo de regresión por puntos de inflexión (joinpoint) y el cálculo de la variación media del periodo (VMP). Resultados: en Brasil y Mato Grosso, las muertes fueron predominantemente masculinas, evitables y por causas externas. Se identificó una tendencia decreciente en Brasil (5 a 9 años VPP: -2,9; IC95% -4,3;-1,6 y 10 a 14 años VMP: -2,5; IC95% -3,3;-1,8) y una tendencia estacionaria en Mato Grosso (5 a 9 años VMP: -2,0; IC95% -5,6;1,7 y 10 a 14 años VMP: -0,1; IC95% -5,9;6,1). Conclusión: la tendencia estacionaria de la mortalidad en niveles altos exige intervenciones urgentes orientadas a reducirla.

Objective: to analyze the characteristics and temporal trend of mortality rates in the population aged 5 to 14 years in Mato Grosso state and in Brazil, from 2009 to 2020. Methods: this was an ecological time-series study, based on data taken from the Mortality Information System. Descriptive and trend analyses were performed, using the joinpoint regression model and calculating the average annual percentage change (AAPC). Results: in Brazil and in Mato Grosso state, deaths were predominantly male, preventable and due to external causes. A falling trend was identified for Brazil (5-9 years AAPC: -2.9; 95%CI -4.3;-1.6 and 10-14 years AAPC: -2.5; 95%CI -3.3;-1.8), while a stationary trend was found in Mato Grosso (5-9 years AAPC: -2.0; 95%CI -5.6;1.7 and 10-14 years AAPC: -0.1; 95%CI -5.9;6.1). Conclusion: the stable trend of mortality at high levels demands urgent interventions to reduce it.