What helps or hinders effective end-of-life care in adult intensive care units in Middle Eastern countries? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: As many patients are spending their last days in critical care units, it is essential that they receive appropriate end-of -life care. However, cultural differences, ethical dilemmas and preference practices can arise in the intensive care settings during the end of life. Limiting therapy for dying patients in intensive care is a new concept with no legal definition and therefore there may be confusion in interpreting the terms 'no resuscitation' and 'comfort care' among physicians in Middle East. Therefore, the research question is 'What helps or hinders effective end-of-life care in adult intensive care units in Middle Eastern countries?' METHODS: The authors conducted a comprehensive systematic literature review using five electronic databases. We identified primary studies from Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Psycinfo and Scopus. The team assessed the full-text papers included in the review for quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist (JBI). We completed the literature search on the first of April 2022 and was not limited to a specific period. RESULTS: We identified and included nine relevant studies in the review. We identified five main themes as end-of-life care challenges and/or facilitators: organisational structure and management, (mis)understanding of end-of-life care, spirituality and religious practices for the dying, communication about end-of-life care, and the impact of the ICU environment. CONCLUSIONS: This review has reported challenges and facilitators to providing end-of-life care in ICU and made initial recommendations for improving practice. These are certainly not unique to the Middle East but can be found throughout the international literature. However, the cultural context of Middle East and North Africa countries gives these areas of practice special challenges and opportunities. Further observational research is recommended to confirm or modify the results of this review, and with a view to developing and evaluating comprehensive interventions to promote end-of-life care in ICUs in the Middle East.

Perceived treatment of respectful maternity care among pregnant women at healthcare facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Mistreatment of women during childbirth is a global issue and a violation of fundamental human rights. Respectful maternity care has been affirmed as a universal right of childbearing women. However, little is known about the level of respect experienced by women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA); which is undergoing key reforms in the scope of its healthcare provision. We explored the occurrence of respect perceived by women giving birth in the KSA and compared results between national healthcare sectors, as well as with previous international studies. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study using an online survey. The online questionnaire included demographic questions, a translation of the internationally validated Mother on Respect index (MORi) scale, which we adapted to investigate KSA women's experiences, and questions to further investigate women's experiences (e.g. respect of privacy). Women who gave birth within five years at a Saudi healthcare facility were recruited through social media using a snowballing approach. RESULTS: Overall, 586 participants were recruited, 54% of whom had been cared for in government hospitals, 65% were aged between 25 and 34, and almost 79% had a BSc or higher qualification. Overall, women's perception about respectful maternity care was positive, however, opinions varied between governmental and private sectors. Women cared for in the government sector reported significantly lower levels of respect compared to those cared for in the private sector (ß = -.132, p = .001). The results also highlighted an issue of concern: one in five women (21.8%) reported having been physically abused. Our participants perceived their childbirth experiences to be less respectful compared to those in other high-income countries. CONCLUSION: Women birthing in the private sector reported a more respectful experience, which may be explained by the private sector being more consumer-focused. Women who gave birth in the KSA perceived their care to be less respectful than women giving birth in Canada and the USA. Beginning to understand what has provoked the occurrences of mistreatment in childbirth worldwide will inevitably contribute to the development of a solution. Respectful maternity care should be focused on providing women-centred care and quality of care which meets the WHO vision for women's and their families' needs being fulfilled and respected.

Neonatal nursing during the COVID-19 global pandemic: A thematic analysis of personal reflections.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes and restrictions to neonatal care. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of these changes on neonatal nurses globally. METHODS: We conducted a thematic analysis on written reflections by neonatal nurses worldwide, exploring their experiences of COVID-19. Twenty-two reflections were analysed from eleven countries. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed 4 main themes relating to the nurses' role: 1) protector 2) challenges to human quality of care 3) vulnerability and 4) resilience. The measures taken as protector were described as compromising the human qualities of care fundamental to their role. This tension, together with other new challenges, heightened feelings of vulnerability. Concurrently, nurses identified role resilience, including resourcefulness and peer support, which allowed them to navigate the global pandemic. CONCLUSION: By identifying global challenges and strategies to overcome these, neonatal nurses may be better equipped as the pandemic continues. The reflections underscore the importance of family integrated care and the tension created when it is compromised.

Immigrant parents' experiences of accessing child healthcare services in a host country: A qualitative thematic synthesis.

AIM: To explore voluntary immigrant parents' experiences of child healthcare services in host countries. DESIGN: Thomas and Harden's qualitative thematic synthesis method. DATA SOURCES: Five electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Psych INFO and Web of Science), were systematically searched from January 2000 - October 2018. REVIEW METHODS: Included studies focused on voluntary migrant/immigrant parents' experiences of child healthcare services. Data were abstracted independently by two authors. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools were applied, and qualitative thematic synthesis was performed. FINDINGS: Nine studies were eligible for inclusion. Five descriptive themes were identified: (a) seeking information and reassurance, (b) seeking information from "people like me", (c) comparison between child healthcare services in home and host countries, (d) effective communication, and (e) cultural isolation and perceived discrimination. Three analytical themes emerged: navigation of parenting in a health context in a new environment; trust; and balance. CONCLUSIONS: Many immigrant families reported positive experiences, others felt patronized and disrespected, leading to a lack of trust and making them less willing to access universal child health care. Trusted advocates, who are culturally competent, have a role in helping immigrant parents navigate the child healthcare system and negotiate with healthcare professionals. Health registration of children of immigrants may encourage the uptake of universal healthcare services. More research is required into the specific health needs of voluntary immigrants. IMPACT: Less is known about the experiences of voluntary immigrants than those of refugees/asylum seekers in accessing child healthcare. Navigating health systems is difficult. This can be due to language difficulties, differences in systems of healthcare, and differences in culture/health beliefs. When both parties have some understanding of the others' healthcare practices and beliefs, balance can be found; helping the families to positively compare healthcare and incentivising them to engage in universal child healthcare.

Risk factors for congenital heart disease: The Baby Hearts Study, a population-based case-control study.

We investigated the role of maternal environmental factors in the aetiology of congenital heart disease (CHD). A population-based case-control study (242 CHD cases, 966 controls) was conducted using an iPad questionnaire for mother with linkage to maternity and first trimester prescription records. Risk of CHD was associated with low maternal education (OR adjusted for confounders 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-2.49), pregestational diabetes (OR 4.04; 95% CI 1.00-16.28), self-reported maternal clotting disorders (adjOR 8.55, 95%CI 1.51-48.44), prescriptions for the anticlotting medication enoxaparin (adjOR 3.22, 95%CI 1.01-10.22) and self-reported vaginal infections (adjOR 1.69, 95%CI 1.01-2.80). There was no strong support for the hypothesis that periconceptional folic acid supplements have a protective effect, but there was a protective effect of frequent consumption of folate rich fruits (adjOR 0.64, 95%CI 0.47-0.89). Compared to the most common pre-pregnancy dietary pattern, CHD risk was associated with a poor diet low in fruit and vegetables (adjOR 1.56, 95%CI 1.05-2.34). Mothers of cases reported more pregnancy related stress (adjOR 1.69; 95% CI 1.22-2.34) and multiple stressors (adjOR 1.94, 95%CI 0.83-4.53). We found no supportive evidence for CHD risk being associated with obesity, smoking, depression or antidepressant use in this population. Our findings add to the previous evidence base to show potential for public health approaches to help prevent CHD in future by modifying environmental factors. Independent confirmation should be sought regarding elevated CHD risk associated with maternal blood clotting disorders and their treatment, since we are the first to report this.

Estimating Global Burden of Disease due to congenital anomaly: an analysis of European data.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the estimates of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) due to congenital anomaly for Europe by comparing infant mortality data collected by EUROCAT registries with the WHO Mortality Database, and by assessing the significance of stillbirths and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA) in the interpretation of infant mortality statistics. DESIGN, SETTING AND OUTCOME MEASURES: EUROCAT is a network of congenital anomaly registries collecting data on live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks' gestation and TOPFA. Data from 29 registries in 19 countries were analysed for 2005-2009, and infant mortality (deaths of live births at age <1 year) compared with the WHO Mortality Database. Eight EUROCAT countries were excluded from further analysis on the basis that this comparison showed poor ascertainment of survival status. RESULTS: According to WHO, 17%-42% of infant mortality was attributed to congenital anomaly. In 11 EUROCAT countries, average infant mortality with congenital anomaly was 1.1 per 1000 births, with higher rates where TOPFA is illegal (Malta 3.0, Ireland 2.1). The rate of stillbirths with congenital anomaly was 0.6 per 1000. The average TOPFA prevalence was 4.6 per 1000, nearly three times more prevalent than stillbirths and infant deaths combined. TOPFA also impacted on the prevalence of postneonatal survivors with non-lethal congenital anomaly. CONCLUSIONS: By excluding TOPFA and stillbirths from GBD years of life lost (YLL) estimates, GBD underestimates the burden of disease due to congenital anomaly, and thus declining YLL over time may obscure lack of progress in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.

The changing epidemiology of Ebstein's anomaly and its relationship with maternal mental health conditions: a European registry-based study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of Ebstein's anomaly in Europe and its association with maternal health and medication exposure during pregnancy. DESIGN: We carried out a descriptive epidemiological analysis of population-based data. SETTING: We included data from 15 European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies Congenital Anomaly Registries in 12 European countries, with a population of 5.6 million births during 1982-2011. Participants Cases included live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestation, and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. Main outcome measures We estimated total prevalence per 10,000 births. Odds ratios for exposure to maternal illnesses/medications in the first trimester of pregnancy were calculated by comparing Ebstein's anomaly cases with cardiac and non-cardiac malformed controls, excluding cases with genetic syndromes and adjusting for time period and country. RESULTS: In total, 264 Ebstein's anomaly cases were recorded; 81% were live births, 2% of which were diagnosed after the 1st year of life; 54% of cases with Ebstein's anomaly or a co-existing congenital anomaly were prenatally diagnosed. Total prevalence rose over time from 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.41) to 0.48 (95% CI 0.40-0.57) (p<0.01). In all, nine cases were exposed to maternal mental health conditions/medications (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 2.64, 95% CI 1.33-5.21) compared with cardiac controls. Cases were more likely to be exposed to maternal ß-thalassemia (adjOR 10.5, 95% CI 3.13-35.3, n=3) and haemorrhage in early pregnancy (adjOR 1.77, 95% CI 0.93-3.38, n=11) compared with cardiac controls. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing prevalence of Ebstein's anomaly may be related to better and earlier diagnosis. Our data suggest that Ebstein's anomaly is associated with maternal mental health problems generally rather than lithium or benzodiazepines specifically; therefore, changing or stopping medications may not be preventative. We found new associations requiring confirmation.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Antidepressants in Pregnancy and Congenital Anomalies: Analysis of Linked Databases in Wales, Norway and Funen, Denmark.

BACKGROUND: Hypothesised associations between in utero exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and congenital anomalies, particularly congenital heart defects (CHD), remain controversial. We investigated the putative teratogenicity of SSRI prescription in the 91 days either side of first day of last menstrual period (LMP). METHODS AND FINDINGS: Three population-based EUROCAT congenital anomaly registries- Norway (2004-2010), Wales (2000-2010) and Funen, Denmark (2000-2010)-were linked to the electronic healthcare databases holding prospectively collected prescription information for all pregnancies in the timeframes available. We included 519,117 deliveries, including foetuses terminated for congenital anomalies, with data covering pregnancy and the preceding quarter, including 462,641 with data covering pregnancy and one year either side. For SSRI exposures 91 days either side of LMP, separately and together, odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (ORs, 95%CI) for all major anomalies were estimated. We also explored: pausing or discontinuing SSRIs preconception, confounding, high dose regimens, and, in Wales, diagnosis of depression. Results were combined in meta-analyses. SSRI prescription 91 days either side of LMP was associated with increased prevalence of severe congenital heart defects (CHD) (as defined by EUROCAT guide 1.3, 2005) (34/12,962 [0.26%] vs. 865/506,155 [0.17%] OR 1.50, 1.06-2.11), and the composite adverse outcome of 'anomaly or stillbirth' (473/12962, 3.65% vs. 15829/506,155, 3.13%, OR 1.13, 1.03-1.24). The increased prevalence of all major anomalies combined did not reach statistical significance (3.09% [400/12,962] vs. 2.67% [13,536/506,155] OR 1.09, 0.99-1.21). Adjusting for socio-economic status left ORs largely unchanged. The prevalence of anomalies and severe CHD was reduced when SSRI prescriptions were stopped or paused preconception, and increased when >1 prescription was recorded, but differences were not statistically significant. The dose-response relationship between severe CHD and SSRI dose (meta-regression OR 1.49, 1.12-1.97) was consistent with SSRI-exposure related risk. Analyses in Wales suggested no associations between anomalies and diagnosed depression. CONCLUSION: The additional absolute risk of teratogenesis associated with SSRIs, if causal, is small. However, the high prevalence of SSRI use augments its public health importance, justifying modifications to preconception care.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant use in first trimester pregnancy and risk of specific congenital anomalies: a European register-based study.

Evidence of an association between early pregnancy exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and congenital heart defects (CHD) has contributed to recommendations to weigh benefits and risks carefully. The objective of this study was to determine the specificity of association between first trimester exposure to SSRIs and specific CHD and other congenital anomalies (CA) associated with SSRI exposure in the literature (signals). A population-based case-malformed control study was conducted in 12 EUROCAT CA registries covering 2.1 million births 1995-2009 including livebirths, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestation and terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. Babies/fetuses with specific CHD (n = 12,876) and non-CHD signal CA (n = 13,024), were compared with malformed controls whose diagnosed CA have not been associated with SSRI in the literature (n = 17,083). SSRI exposure in first trimester pregnancy was associated with CHD overall (OR adjusted for registry 1.41, 95% CI 1.07-1.86, fluoxetine adjOR 1.43 95% CI 0.85-2.40, paroxetine adjOR 1.53, 95% CI 0.91-2.58) and with severe CHD (adjOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.02-2.39), particularly Tetralogy of Fallot (adjOR 3.16, 95% CI 1.52-6.58) and Ebstein's anomaly (adjOR 8.23, 95% CI 2.92-23.16). Significant associations with SSRI exposure were also found for ano-rectal atresia/stenosis (adjOR 2.46, 95% CI 1.06-5.68), gastroschisis (adjOR 2.42, 95% CI 1.10-5.29), renal dysplasia (adjOR 3.01, 95% CI 1.61-5.61), and clubfoot (adjOR 2.41, 95% CI 1.59-3.65). These data support a teratogenic effect of SSRIs specific to certain anomalies, but cannot exclude confounding by indication or associated factors.

Oxygen targeting in preterm infants using the Masimo SET Radical pulse oximeter.

BACKGROUND: A pretrial clinical improvement project for the BOOST-II UK trial of oxygen saturation targeting revealed an artefact affecting saturation profiles obtained from the Masimo Set Radical pulse oximeter. METHODS: Saturation was recorded every 10 s for up to 2 weeks in 176 oxygen dependent preterm infants in 35 UK and Irish neonatal units between August 2006 and April 2009 using Masimo SET Radical pulse oximeters. Frequency distributions of % time at each saturation were plotted. An artefact affecting the saturation distribution was found to be attributable to the oximeter's internal calibration algorithm. Revised software was installed and saturation distributions obtained were compared with four other current oximeters in paired studies. RESULTS: There was a reduction in saturation values of 87-90%. Values above 87% were elevated by up to 2%, giving a relative excess of higher values. The software revision eliminated this, improving the distribution of saturation values. In paired comparisons with four current commercially available oximeters, Masimo oximeters with the revised software returned similar saturation distributions. CONCLUSIONS: A characteristic of the software algorithm reduces the frequency of saturations of 87-90% and increases the frequency of higher values returned by the Masimo SET Radical pulse oximeter. This effect, which remains within the recommended standards for accuracy, is removed by installing revised software (board firmware V4.8 or higher). Because this observation is likely to influence oxygen targeting, it should be considered in the analysis of the oxygen trial results to maximise their generalisability.

Compared with specialist registrars, experienced staff nurses shorten the duration of weaning neonates from mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the overall performance of specially trained neonatal nurses acting autonomously, unsupervised, and without a protocol with specialist registrars when weaning neonates from mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: A single neonatal intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Neonates requiring conventional mechanical ventilation (n = 50). INTERVENTIONS: Infants on conventional ventilation were randomly assigned to receive either nurse-led (n = 25) or registrar-led (n = 23) weaning. A total of 48 infants completed the study (two infants in the registrar group were excluded when their parents withdrew consent). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The main outcome measure, median weaning time, was 1200 mins (95% confidence interval [CI], 621-1779 mins) in the nurse group and 3015 mins (95% CI, 2650-3380 mins) in the registrar group (p = .0458). The median time from treatment assignment to the first ventilator change was 60 mins (95% CI, 52-68 mins) in the nurse group and 120 mins (95% CI, 103-137 mins) in the registrar group (p = .35). On average, the nurses made ventilator changes every 4.5 hrs (95% CI, 2.9-6 hrs) and the registrars every 7.2 hrs (95% CI, 5.4-9 hrs; p = .003). The median number (range) of backward steps taken per infant was 0 (0-5 steps) in the nurse group and 1 (0-5 steps) in the registrar group (p = .019). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that additional domains of neonatal critical care could be reviewed for their potential transfer to appropriately prepared nurses.