The international infections in pregnancy study: group B streptococcal colonization in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Heavy colonization with group B streptococcus (GBS) has been associated with increased risk of preterm birth and neonatal sepsis; the burden of neonatal GBS disease varies geographically. To determine whether variation in heavy colonization and GBS serotypes could contribute to geographic differences in disease burden, we assessed the prevalence of heavy colonization and the distribution of serotypes in asymptomatic pregnant women in multiple countries. METHODS: Cervical, lower vaginal and urine samples were collected from women attending seven prenatal clinics in six countries. Light colonization was defined as GBS isolation from Lim broth only; heavy colonization was isolation from urine or sheep blood agar plates. Isolates were serotyped using capillary precipitation. RESULTS: GBS was present in 11.3% of 1308 participants (range 7.1-21.7%); 5.0% were heavily colonized (0.4-18.8%) and 6.4% were lightly colonized (2.9-8.0%). Serotypes III and V were most common (both 17.2%). Serotypes VII and VIII were found in one study center. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of heavy colonization and GBS serotypes varied significantly among our study centers. Whether this variation could in part explain geographic differences in neonatal morbidity and mortality is a hypothesis that needs further study.

Acetic-acid guided visual inspection vs. cytology-based screening for cervical cancer in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the validity and acceptability of acetic-acid visualization (VIA), magnified acetic-acid visualization (VIAM), spatula+cotton swab-Papanicolaou (Pap) smear (SS), and cervical brush-Pap smear (CB) in the detection of precursor/early cervical cancer lesions. METHODS: A total of 12992 women aged between 25 and 65 years from 14 Philippine centers were randomly allocated to the four tests. The gold standard was colposcopy with biopsy for positive/suspicious cases. RESULTS: Sensitivity rates [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] were 37 (CI, 26.8-48.5), 34.1 (CI, 24.8-44.8), 14.3 (CI, 6.4-27.8), and 19.1 (CI, 9.2-34.6) for VIA, VIAM, SS, and CB, respectively. Specificity rates were 90.7 (CI, 89.6-91.7), 90.7 (CI, 89-91.1), 97.5 (CI, 96.8-98), and 97.9 (CI, 97.3-98.4), respectively. Kappa for the Pap smear (PS) within centers ranged from -0.154 to 0.783, and between centers from -0.028 to 0.364. Screeners preferred CB; screened-women preferred VIA. CONCLUSIONS: The acetic-acid visualization and VIAM methods are recommended for initial cervical cancer screening in the Philippines.

Birthweight-specific neonatal mortality in developing countries and obstetric practices.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate birthweight-specific neonatal mortality and perinatal interventions in major medical centers in developed and developing countries. METHODS: A survey was developed and electronically mailed to 13 medical centers participating in the Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health (GNPRH). The ability of a center to provide requested data was assessed. The mortality rates and use of specific perinatal interventions in centers in developing countries were compared with developed countries. RESULTS: Nine centers in developing countries responded to the survey, and three centers in developed countries were used for comparison. Data collection was highly variable. Most developing country centers were able to provide data by birthweight but not by gestational age. The differences in mortality rates between developing and developed countries were more pronounced at lower gestational ages and birthweights. A difference was found in perinatal interventions between developing and developed countries. In the former, viability was generally considered 28 weeks, and the gestational age at which cesarean sections were usually performed for the sake of the fetus at preterm gestations varied from 26 to 37 weeks. Most centers did not routinely induce for pPROM; only five out of nine centers used antibiotics to prolong latency. Most centers used tocolysis beginning at 26-28 weeks through 32-37 weeks, and a variety of tocolytic agents were used. Most centers routinely used corticosteroids for preterm infants, and all centers employed repeat weekly steroid dosing if undelivered. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that the GNPRH centers included in this study represent some of the best health care available in these countries, they lag far behind centers in developed countries in neonatal mortality rates and their use of various obstetric practices. Furthermore, incomplete and inconsistent data collection complicates the evaluation of the factors contributing to high neonatal mortality rates.

An international survey of practice variation in the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean section in different countries and in relation to a reference regimen. METHOD: Fifty consecutive cesarean sections performed in eight centers in five countries were surveyed. Data from each center were compared to a regimen recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration (one dose of ampicillin or cefazolin administered to all women shortly before the procedure or immediately after cord clamping) using logistic regression with adjustment for procedure type. RESULT: Prophylaxis was used widely, but only four centers administered prophylaxis to all women. Ampicillin and cefazolin were the principal antibiotics used, but broad-spectrum agents and multidrug regimens were also used commonly. Only two centers reliably administered the antibiotic at the appropriate time. The majority of women received only one dose of antibiotic in only three centers. CONCLUSION: The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean section was variable and often at odds with published recommendations.

Risk factors for hip fracture in Asian men and women: the Asian osteoporosis study.

The objectives of the Asian Osteoporosis Study (AOS) were to determine risk factors for hip fracture in men and women in four Asian countries, that is, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. A total of 451 men and 725 women (aged 50 years and over) with hip fractures were compared with an equal number of community controls. A standardized questionnaire was administered by interview. The following relative risks (RRs) were found in women and men by multiple logistic regression: dietary calcium intake < 498 mg/day, 2.0 for women (95% CI, 1.5-2.8) and 1.5 for men (95% CI, 1.0-2.2); no load bearing activity in the immediate past, 2.0 for women (95% CI, 1.4-2.7) and 3.4 for men (95% CI, 2.3-5.1); no vigorous sport activities in young adulthood, 7.2 for women (95% CI, 4.0-13.0) and 2.4 for men (95% CI, 1.6-3.6); cigarette smoking, 1.5 for men (95% CI, 1.0-2.1); alcohol consumption 7 days a week, 2.9 for women (95% CI, 1.0-8.6) and 1.9 for men (95% CI, 1.1-3.2); fell twice or more in the last 12 months, 3.0 for women (95% CI, 1.8-4.8) and 3.4 for men (95% CI, 1.8-6.6); a history of fractures after 50 years of age, 1.8 for women (95% CI, 1.1-2.9) and 3.0 for men (95% CI, 1.6-5.6); a history of stroke, 3.8 for women (95% CI, 2.0-7.1) and 3.6 for men (95% CI, 1.8-7.1); use of sedatives, 2.5 for women (95% CI, 1.0-6.3) and 3.0 for men (95% CI, 1.0-9.7); and use of thyroid drugs, 7.1 for women (95% CI, 2.0-25.9) and 11.8 for men (95% CI, 1.3-106.0). Women who were 1.56 m or taller had an RR of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.3-3.0) for hip fracture and men who were 1.69 m or taller had an RR of 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-3.1) for hip fracture. Based on these findings, primary preventive programs for hip fracture could be planned in Asia.

Causes of cervical cancer in the Philippines: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Among the numerous human papillomavirus (HPV) types, only types 16 and 18 have been formally classified as human carcinogens. To evaluate the associations of 33 HPV types and other risk factors with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix, we performed a hospital-based, case-control study in the Philippines. METHODS: The study included 356 case subjects who had histologically confirmed cervical cancer (323 incident cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 33 incident cases of adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma) and 381 control subjects. Information on risk factors was obtained by personal interview. HPV DNA was detected in exfoliated cervical cells and biopsy specimens by use of a polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 93.8% of case subjects with squamous cell carcinoma and in 90.9% of case subjects with adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma compared with 9.2% of control subjects, giving age-adjusted odds ratios of 156 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 87-280) for squamous cell carcinoma and 111 (95% CI = 31-392) for adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma. Fifteen different HPV types were detected in squamous cell carcinoma, and six different HPV types were detected in adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma. Among HPV types other than types 16 and 18, the associations of HPV with risk of squamous cell carcinoma were strongest for HPV45. In addition to HPV, high parity, low socioeconomic status, and smoking were also associated with both types of cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: As has been shown for squamous cell carcinoma, HPV is the central cause of adenocarcinoma/adenosquamous carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The observed associations of less prevalent HPV types with cervical cancer have important implications for cervical cancer prevention strategies.

Autoimmune causes of recurrent pregnancy loss.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is the loss of 3 or more spontaneous and consecutive pregnancies. There are many causes, such as genetic, anatomic, hormonal, medical and immunologic causes. Two theories, the alloimmune and the autoimmune theories, explain the immunologic cause. The Antiphospholipid Antibody (APA) Syndrome is considered as the autoimmune cause of RPL. It involves two antibodies, Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) and the anti-cardiolipin antibody (ACA). The rate of LAC is 7% and of ACA is 15%, among pregnant women. These two antibodies are believed to cause thrombosis in the maternal circulation, leading to the events that lead to the fetal losses. Women with these antibodies, along with other factors, are believed to be at high risk for RPL. The diagnostic criteria for the APA syndrome include elevated LAC or ACA serum levels and clinical findings of thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and RPL. Presently, the medical treatment of the APA syndrome includes heparin, low-dose aspirin, and immunoglobulins. There must also be an active attempt to search for other causes of RPL among patients with APA syndrome, such as anatomic, endocrinologic, anatomic and medical problems. Management of RPL should also include extensive counseling for the patient and her family.