Factors and a model to predict three-month mortality in patients with acute fatty liver of pregnancy from two medical centers.

BACKGROUND: Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication. Lacking of prognostic factors and models renders prediction of outcomes difficult. This study aims to explore factors and develop a prognostic model to predict three-month mortality of AFLP. METHODS: This retrospective study included 78 consecutive patients fulfilling both clinical and laboratory criteria and Swansea criteria for diagnosis of AFLP. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses were used to identify predictive factors of mortality. Predictive efficacy of prognostic index for AFLP (PI-AFLP) was compared with the other four liver disease models using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: AFLP-related three-month mortality of two medical centers was 14.10% (11/78). International normalised ratio (INR, hazard ratio [HR] = 3.446; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.324-8.970), total bilirubin (TBIL, HR = 1.005; 95% CI, 1.000-1.010), creatine (Scr, HR = 1.007; 95% CI, 1.001-1.013), low platelet (PLT, HR = 0.964; 95% CI, 0.931-0.997) at 72 h postpartum were confirmed as significant predictors of mortality. Artificial liver support (ALS, HR = 0.123; 95% CI, 0.012-1.254) was confirmed as an effective measure to improve severe patients' prognosis. Predictive accuracy of PI-AFLP was 0.874. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of liver disease models for end-stage liver disease (MELD), MELD-Na, integrated MELD (iMELD) and pregnancy-specific liver disease (PSLD) were 0.781, 0.774, 0.744 and 0.643, respectively. CONCLUSION: TBIL, INR, Scr and PLT at 72 h postpartum are significant predictors of three-month mortality in AFLP patients. ALS is an effective measure to improve severe patients' prognosis. PI-AFLP calculated by TBIL, INR, Scr, PLT and ALS was a sensitive and specific model to predict mortality of AFLP.

Mortalidad Materna en Venezuela: aspectos médicos y Políticas (1940 - 2016) / Materna Mortality in Venezuela: medical issues and Public Policy (1940 - 2016)

En la actualidad Venezuela se encuentra en una crisis social y económica sin precedentes. La mortalidad materna(MM) es un indicador en salud importante, debido a que permite tener idea de la atención médica de un país; se mide a través de dos indicadores: Razón de Mortalidad Materna (RMM) y Tasa de Mortalidad Materna (TMM). Objetivo: Revisar y compararla evolución de ambos indicadores de MM desde la década de 1930 hasta la década 2000. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura y de informes técnicos de organismos gubernamentales y no gubernamentales para el análisis de la situación previa y reciente de esta situación en Venezuela. Los resultados señalan que existe una notable disminución de las cifras de MM como ha de esperarse con el mejoramiento de la tecnología desde la década de 1930 hasta el año 2000; posteriormente ocurre un retroceso de la sanidad pública con cifras comparables a la década de 1960. Concluimos que la MM ha sido desde tiempos pasados un problema constante en la salud pública; al pasar los años y gobiernos, se han implementado numerosas políticas públicas para mejorar esta situación, muchas de estas estrategias han sido fallidas debido a la falta de su continuidad y de su cumplimiento pleno.

Venezuela is currently in an unprecedented socialand economic crisis. Maternal mortality is an important health indicator because it provides an idea of a country's medical care. Maternal mortality is usually measured through two indicators: Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate. Objective: Review and compare the evolution of both healthindicators from the 1930s to 2016. Methods: A review of the literature and technical reports from governmental andnon-governmental organizations was carried out to analyze theprevious and recent situation. of this situation in Venezuela. Theresults indicate that there is a notable decrease in the figures ofmaternal mortality, as should be expected with the improvementof technology from the 1930s to the year 2000. Subsequently, there is a decline in public health with figures comparable to the1960s. We conclude that maternal mortality has been a constant problem in public health since ancient times. Over the years and governments, numerous public policies have been implementedto improve this situation. Many of these strategies have beenfailed due to lack of continuity and in the absence of its full compliance.

Perfil dos sobreviventes de violência sexual e factores associados ao abandono de seguimento de cuidados pós violência, nos centros integrados de atendimento do hospital geral josé macamo e hospital geral de mavalane entre 2019 e 2020 / Profile of survivors of sexual violence and factors associated with abandonment of follow-up of post-violence care, in the Integrated care centers of the José macamo general hospital and mavalane general hospital between 2019 and 2020

Introdução: A violência sexual afecta vários segmentos da sociedade e é um problema de saúde pública, que prejudica a saúde e o bem-estar de milhões de indivíduos no mundo. O seguimento pós violência sexual tem sido um dos maiores desafios enfrentados pelos profissionais de saúde, pois requer um cuidado, que não depende só do profissional, mas também dos sobreviventes. O estudo visa analisar o perfil dos sobreviventes de violência sexual e os factores associados ao abandono de cuidados pós violência sexual, no Hospital Geral José Macamo (HGJM) e Hospital Geral de Mavalane (HGM) entre 2019 e 2020. Métodos: Foi conduzido um estudo retrospectivo transversal, com uma abordagem quantitativa, no período entre Janeiro de 2019 à Dezembro 2020. Foram utilizados dados secundários colectados nas fichas de notificação e processos dos sobreviventes de violência sexual, atendidos nos Centros de Atendimento Integrado dos HGM e HGJM. Foram avaliados os casos de abandono e não abandono aos cuidados pós violência sexual com idade compreendida dos 2-56 anos. Para análise foi usado o pacote estatístico Stata 16.1, tendo se realizado análises de regressão logística e teste qui-quadrado. Resultados: No total foram revistas 318 fichas de notificação de sobreviventes de violência sexual, onde a maioria eram do sexo feminino 98% (313/318), com idades entre 2 a 56 anos, e mediana de idade de 15 anos (DP±8.3). Maior parte deles eram solteiros 97% (308/318) e residentes no distrito municipal Kamubukuane em 36% (114/318). Cerca de 55% (174/318) deles conheciam o seu agressor e a maior parte das agressões em 46% (147/318), ocorreram na casa do agressor…

Introduction: Sexual violence affects various segments of the society and it is a public health problem, which harms the health and well-being of millions of people in the world. Post sexual violence follow-up has been one of the biggest challenges faced by health professionals, as it requires care, which does not depend only on the professional, but also on the survivors. The study aims to analazy the profile of sexual violence survivors and factors associated with abandonment of post sexual violence care, at Jose Macamo General Hospital (JMGH) and Mavalane General Hospital (MGH) between 2019 and 2020. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted in the period from January 2019 to December 2020. Secondary data collected from the notification forms and files of survivors of sexual violence, assisted at the Integrated Care Centres of HGM and HGJM, were used. Abandonment and non-abandonment cases to post sexual violence care aged 2-56 years were assessed. The statistical package Stata 16.1 was used for analysis, and logistic regression analysis and chi square test were performed. Results: A total of 318 notification forms of sexual violence survivors were reviewed, where majority were female 98% (313/318), aged between 2-56 years, and average age of 17 years (SD±8.3). Most of them were single 97% (308/318) and residing in Kamubukuane municipal district 36% (114/318). About 55% (174/318) of them knew their abuser and most of the assaults 46% (147/318) occurred at the abuser's home…

US Trends in Drug Overdose Mortality Among Pregnant and Postpartum Persons, 2017-2020.

This study evaluates changes in overall and drug-specific overdose mortality among pregnant and postpartum persons before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Detailed Maternal Mortality Data Suggest More Than 4 in 5 Pregnancy-Related Deaths in US Are Preventable.

This Medical News article discusses a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on maternal deaths during and up to a year after pregnancy, racial disparities, and new models of care aimed at reducing maternal mortality.

Desenlace fatal en embarazadas contagiadas con la COVID-19 / Fatal outcome wiht pregnant and COVID-19

Introducción: Múltiples han sido las muertes y contagios por el nuevo coronavirus. En medio de este contexto el contagio de la enfermedad en pacientes embarazadas ha sido bien documentado. Objetivo: Presentar los eventos ocurridos en embarazadas para transmitir la experiencia a quienes tratan estas pacientes. Presentación del caso: Se expone el caso de una gestante de 24 años, obesa, con embarazo de 25 semanas. Fue ingresada con neumonía por COVID-19 y evolución hacia la insuficiencia respiratoria grave que fallece durante la cesárea. Se recibió en el quirófano con hipoxemia e hipercapnia, taquicardia, cianosis, oliguria y ventilada a presión positiva con oxígeno al 100 %. Se conduce con ketamina, fentanilo y rocuronio. A los 35 min, y posterior a la histerotomía, presentó bradicardia progresiva, por lo que se inicia compresiones torácicas externas y tratamiento farmacológico. Se recuperó el ritmo sinusal a los 12 min, pero recidiva la parada en asistolia a los 20 min, con cianosis en esclavina. Se implementó compresiones y administración de epinefrina hasta fallecer 30 min después por no recuperación de ritmo y signos ciertos de la muerte. Conclusiones: La atención multidisciplinaria mejora las condiciones de tratamiento en todas las etapas. El manejo anestésico individualizado ofrece una estrategia invaluable en casos como estos, independientemente del resultado. El tromboembolismo pulmonar en la gestante es un riesgo latente y asociado a la COVID-19, incrementa, exponencialmente, su letalidad.

Introduction: Multiple deaths and infections due to the new coronavirus have occurred. In the midst of this context, the spread of the disease in pregnant patients has been well documented. Objective: Present the events that occurred in pregnant women, in order to share the experience with those who treat these patients. Presentation of the case: The case of a 24-year-old pregnant woman, obese, with a pregnancy of 25 weeks is presented. She was admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia and evolution towards severe respiratory failure led to her death during cesarean section. She was received in the operating room with hypoxemia and hypercapnia, tachycardia, cyanosis, oliguria and ventilated at positive pressure with 100% oxygen. She was treated with ketamine, fentanyl and rocuronium. At 35 min, and after hysterotomy, she presented progressive bradycardia, so external chest compressions and pharmacological treatment were initiated. The sinus rhythm was recovered at 12 min, but the asystole stop relapsed at 20 min, with cyanosis. Compressions and administration of epinephrine were implemented until death 30 minutes later due to non-recovery of rhythm and certain signs of death. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary care improves treatment conditions at all stages. Individualized anesthetic management offers an invaluable strategy in cases like these, regardless of the outcome. Pulmonary thromboembolism in pregnant women is a latent risk associated with COVID-19, exponentially increasing its lethality.

Pregnancy-Associated Deaths Due to Drugs, Suicide, and Homicide in the United States, 2010-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of pregnancy-associated deaths due to drugs, suicide, and homicide nationwide from 2010 to 2019. METHODS: Using U.S. death certificate records from 2010 to 2019 for 33 states plus the District of Columbia, we identified pregnancy-associated deaths using the pregnancy checkbox and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes, calculated pregnancy-associated death ratios, and categorized deaths by cause, timing relative to pregnancy, race or ethnicity, and age. RESULTS: Of 11,782 pregnancy-associated deaths identified between 2010 and 2019, 11.4% were due to drugs, 5.4% were due to suicide, and 5.4% were due to homicide, whereas 59.3% were due to obstetric causes and the remaining 18.5% were due to other causes. Drug-related deaths, suicide, and homicide accounted for 22.2% of pregnancy-associated deaths. All three causes of death increased over the study period, with drug-related pregnancy-associated deaths increasing 190%. Homicide during pregnancy and drug-related deaths, suicides, and homicide in the late postpartum period (43-365 days) accounted for a larger proportion of all deaths in these time periods than the contribution of these causes to all deaths among females of reproductive age. Pregnant and postpartum people identified as non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native were at highest risk of drug-related and suicide death, and people identified as non-Hispanic Black were at highest risk of homicide. CONCLUSION: Deaths due to drug use, suicide, and homicide constitute more than one fifth of all deaths during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Drug-related deaths and homicides have increased over the past decade. Substantial racial and ethnic inequities in these deaths exist.

Prognostic Value of an Estimate-of-Risk Model in Critically Ill Obstetric Patients in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To externally validate the CIPHER (Collaborative Integrated Pregnancy High-Dependency Estimate of Risk) prognostic model for pregnant and postpartum women admitted to the intensive care unit. METHODS: A retrospective and a prospective validation study were conducted at two reference centers in Brazil. A composite outcome was defined as maternal death or need for prolonged organ support (more than 7 days) or acute lifesaving intervention. To evaluate the performance of the CIPHER model, a receiver operating characteristic curve was used and score calibration was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. We conducted a descriptive analysis comparing the results of the current study with the results of the model development study. RESULTS: A total of 590 women were included. The composite outcome was observed in 90 (15.2%) women. Of these, 13 (2.2%) were maternal deaths and 77 (13%) required one or more component of organ support or lifesaving intervention. The CIPHER model's area under the curve (AOC) did not show significant predictive ability (AOC 0.53, 95% CI 0.46-0.60), and consequently its calibration was poor (Hosmer-Lemeshow test P<.05). CONCLUSION: The CIPHER model for prediction of mortality and need for interventions in critically ill obstetric patients did not perform well in our Brazilian population. Different predictors of morbidity and mortality may need to be used for patients receiving care in public hospitals in low- and middle-income countries.

Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment: Modifications for Identifying Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Obstetrical Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Screening tools, including the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) criteria and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) criteria, have not been validated in the pregnant population. We aimed to determine if pregnancy-specific modifications to the quick SOFA (qSOFA) can improve prediction of severe maternal morbidity in pregnant women with serious infections. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients with severe infections admitted to a single institution from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2017. The primary outcome was severe maternal morbidity, defined as a composite of adverse maternal outcomes: intensive care unit (ICU) admission for >48 hours, need for invasive monitoring (central line or arterial line), intubation, pharmacologic hemodynamic support (intravenous vasopressors or inotropes), and/or maternal death. A logistic regression was then applied and the resulting predictors were analyzed individually and in combination with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to modify qSOFA for pregnancy, that is, qSOFA-P. RESULTS: Analysis of 104 pregnant patients with severe infections found that the standard qSOFA did not accurately predict severe maternal morbidity (ROC area under the curve [AUC] = 0.54, p = 0.49, sensitivity = 0.38, and specificity = 0.70). Pregnancy-specific modifications or "qSOFA-P" (respiratory rate [RR] ≥ 35 breaths/minute and systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≤ 85 mm Hg) significantly improved prediction of severe maternal morbidity (AUC = 0.77, p < 0.001, sensitivity = 0.79, and specificity = 0.74). CONCLUSION: The standard qSOFA is a poor screening tool in the prediction of severe maternal morbidity in pregnant patients with infections. A pregnancy-specific screening system, qSOFA-P, improved prediction of severe maternal morbidity in pregnant women with severe infections. Further prospective and large multicenter studies are needed to validate this scoring system in pregnant women. KEY POINTS: · Validated scoring systems for evaluating pregnant patients with sepsis are needed.. · Modifications to existing systems may improve the evaluation of pregnant patients with sepsis.. · The qSOFA-P (RR ≥ 35 breaths/minute and SBP ≤ 85 mm Hg) includes modifications to qSOFA, and improves the detection of patients who would develop severe maternal morbidity...

Diagnosis-Related Group Weight and Derived Case Mix Index to Assess the Complexity among Twins.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) are used to summarize hospital morbidity and mortality. Each DRG has a weight which is important in calculating the case mix index (CMI), a numeric summary of disease complexity in a population of patients. We utilized DRG weight and resultant CMI to compare postnatal outcomes among singletons versus monochorionic and monoamniotic, monochorionic diamniotic, and dichorionic diamniotic twins. STUDY DESIGN: This single-center and retrospective cohort study evaluated DRGs assigned by the investigators, birth weight, gestational age, length of stay (LOS), NICU admission rate, and mortality in twin births between 2014 and 2016. Twins were analyzed depending on chorionicity and amnionicity. Overall, 3 months of singleton births served as the control. The CMI derived from DRG weights were compared across groups. RESULTS: Twins (n = 288) had lower gestational ages and birth weights and higher mortality, LOS, NICU admission rates and DRG weights/CMI compared with singletons (n = 327; p < 0.001 for each). The LOS was no different between twin subtypes; monochorionic monoamniotic twins had the highest mortality and DRG weight (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: DRG weight and CMI values summarize in-hospital complexity and can be a useful tool to evaluate differences in care complexity among groups of patients. KEY POINTS: · Using diagnosis-related group and case mix index to assess morbidities.. · Morbidities of twins are monochorionic-monoamniotic versus monochorionic-diamniotic versus dichorionic-diamniotic twins.. · Only seven diagnosis-related group in neonatology make it a valuable tool for clinicians..

Maternal morbidity and mortality: an iceberg phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE: To apply the iceberg model, quantifying absolute and relative incidence, to the four main causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in Ireland: haemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis and thrombosis. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of national data on maternal morbidity and mortality. SETTING: Republic of Ireland. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: Approximately 715 000 maternities, 1 200 000 maternal hospitalisations, 2138 cases of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and 54 maternal deaths. METHODS: Incidence rates and case-fatality ratios were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal death, SMM and hospitalisation. RESULTS: At the 'tip of the iceberg', the incidence of maternal death per 10 000 maternities was 0.09 (95% CI 0.03-0.20) due to thrombosis and 0.03 (95% CI 0-0.11) due to haemorrhage, hypertension disorders or sepsis. For one death due to thrombosis there were 35 cases of pulmonary embolism and 257 thrombosis hospitalisations. For one death due to eclampsia, there were 58 eclampsia cases, 13 040 hospitalisations with pre-existing hypertension and 40 781 hospitalisations with gestational hypertension. For one death due to pregnancy-related sepsis, there were 92 cases of septicaemic shock and 9005 hospitalisations with obstetric sepsis. For one maternal death due to haemorrhage, there were 1029 cases of major obstetric haemorrhage and 53 715 maternal hospitalisations with haemorrhage. For every 100 maternities, there were approximately 16 hospitalisations associated with haemorrhage, 12 associated with hypertension disorders, three with sepsis and 0.2 with thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Haemorrhage and hypertension disorders are leading causes of maternal morbidity in Ireland but they have very low case fatality. This indicates that these morbidities are managed effectively but their prevention requires more focus. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Study shows that haemorrhage and hypertension are main causes of #maternalmorbidity in Ireland. Timely interventions for #maternalhealth and focus on prevention of severe and non-severe morbidities are needed. @NPEC #maternityservices #clinicalaudit #qualityimprovement.

Perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Acute pancreatitis is a rare condition that can be associated with significant complications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the maternal and newborn outcomes associated with acute pancreatitis in pregnancy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the United States was performed. All pregnant patients with acute pancreatitis were identified using International Classification of Disease-9 coding from 1999 to 2015. The effect of acute pancreatitis on maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancy was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression, while adjusting for baseline maternal characteristics. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2015, there were a total of 13,815,919 women who gave birth. There were a total of 14,258 admissions of women diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, including 1,756 who delivered during their admission and 12,502 women who were admitted in the antepartum period and did not deliver during the same admission. Acute pancreatitis was associated with increased risk of prematurity, OR 3.78 (95% CI 3.38-4.22), preeclampsia, 3.81(3.33-4.36), postpartum hemorrhage, 1.90(1.55-2.33), maternal death, 9.15(6.05-13.85), and fetal demise, 2.60(1.86-3.62) among women diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Among women with acute pancreatitis, delivery was associated with increased risk of requiring transfusions, 6.06(4.87-7.54), developing venous thromboembolisms, 2.77(1.83-4.18), acute respiratory failure, 3.66(2.73-4.91), and disseminated intravascular coagulation, 8.12(4.12-16.03). CONCLUSIONS: Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy is associated with severe complications, such as maternal and fetal death. Understanding the risk factors that may lead to these complications can help prevent or minimize them through close fetal and maternal monitoring.

Condições potencialmente ameaçadoras à vida no ciclo gravídico-puerperal / Condiciones potencialmente amenazantes para la vida en el ciclo gravídico puerperal / Potentially life-threatening conditions determinants in pregnancy-puerperal cycle

ABSTRACT Objetivo: Descrever as principais condições potencialmente ameaçadoras à vida de mulheres durante o ciclo gravídico e puerperal e variáveis relacionadas a esses agravos. Método: Estudo do tipo documental, descritivo e quantitativo, realizado com prontuários de gestantes, parturientes e puérperas internadas em hospital de média complexidade, que apresentaram Condições Potencialmente Ameaçadoras à Vida (CPAV). Foram excluídos os de acesso impossibilitado por estarem sob judice. A amostra foi temporal e a análise univariada. Resultados: Inclui-se 181 prontuários. A maioria das condições ocorreu em mulheres de 16 a 34 anos de idade (61,3%), união estável (60,8%), pardas (31,5%), sem renda ocupacional (29,2%), multíparas (28,87%), com complicações no primeiro trimestre gestacional (32,6%). Verificaram-se a realização de um número insuficiente de consultas (13,8%), dados referentes ao pré-natal ignorados (68%). As principais CPAV foram as síndromes hemorrágicas (28,2%), hipertensivas (25,4%) e infecção (13,3%). Como desfecho, foram observados prevalência de aborto não especificado (22,1%), morte perinatal por doença infecciosa e parasitária da mãe (2,2%). Conclusão: As principais CPAV foram as síndromes hemorrágicas, hipertensivas e infecções. Como desfecho, foram observados alta hospitalar, aborto, referenciamento à UTI, morte perinatal e morte materna.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir las principales condiciones potencialmente amenazantes para la vida de las mujeres durante el ciclo gravídico y puerperal, además de las variables relacionadas con estos agravios. Método: estudio del tipo documental, descriptivo y cuantitativo, realizado con registros médicos de gestantes, parturientes y puérperas internadas en hospital de mediana complejidad, que presentaron Condiciones Potencialmente Amenazantes a la Vida (CPAV). Se excluyeron los de acceso imposibilitado por estar bajo juicio. La muestra fue temporal y el análisis univariado. Resultados: se incluyen 181 registros médicos. La mayoría de las condiciones ocurrió en mujeres de 16 a 34 años de edad (61,3%), unión estable (60,8%), pardas (31,5%), sin ingreso ocupacional (29,2%), multíparas (28,87%), con complicaciones en el primer trimestre gestacional (32,6%). Se constató un número insuficiente de consultas (13,8 %), datos relativos al prenatal ignorados (68 %). Las principales CPAV fueron los trastornos hemorrágicos (28,2%), hipertensivos (25,4%) e infecciosos (13,3%). Como resultado, se observaron: prevalencia de aborto no especificado (22,1%), muerte perinatal por enfermedad infecciosa y parasitaria de la madre (2,2%). Conclusión: las principales CPAV fueron los trastornos hemorrágicos, hipertensivos e infecciones. Como resultado, se observó alta hospitalaria, aborto, referencia a la UCI, muerte perinatal y muerte materna.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the main conditions potentially threatening the lives of women during the pregnancy and puerperal cycle and variables related to these diseases. Method: Documentary, descriptive and quantitative study, conducted with medical records of pregnant women, women giving birth and puerperal women hospitalized in a hospital of medium complexity, who presented Potentially Life Threatening Conditions (PLTC). Those with access unable to be sob judice were excluded. The sample was temporal and the analysis was univariate. Results: This includes 181 medical records. Most conditions occurred in women aged 16 to 34 years (61.3%), stable union (60.8%), brown (31.5%), without occupational income (29.2%), multiparous (28.87%), with complications in the first gestational trimester (32.6%). There was an insufficient number of consultations (13.8%), data regarding prenatal care ignored (68%). The main CPAV were hemorrhagic syndromes (28.2%), hypertensive (25.4%) and infection (13.3%). As an outcome, we observed a prevalence of unspecified miscarriage (22.1%), perinatal death from infectious and parasitic disease of the mother (2.2%). Conclusion: The main CPAV were hemorrhagic, hypertensive and infections syndromes. As an outcome, hospital discharge, miscarriage, ICU referral, perinatal death and maternal death were observed.

Risk of Adverse Maternal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Disabilities.

Importance: Women with disabilities have a higher risk of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery; however, their risk of other obstetric interventions, adverse maternal outcomes, and clinical indications for increased cesarean delivery is unclear. Objective: To evaluate risk of a range of obstetric interventions and adverse maternal outcomes, including severe maternal morbidities (SMM) and mortality, among women with and without disabilities. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Consortium on Safe Labor was a retrospective cohort that included comprehensive medical chart review for deliveries between January 2002 and January 2008. Data were collected from 12 clinical sites, which included 19 hospitals across the United States. This secondary analysis was conducted in February to July 2021. Exposures: Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes and a validated algorithm to define disability, participants were classified as having physical, intellectual, sensory, or any disability, and compared with women with no documented disability. Main Outcomes and Measures: The relative risk (RR) of 23 obstetric interventions and adverse maternal outcomes, including SMM and mortality, was evaluated. Results: Of the 223 385 women in the study, 9206 (4.1%) were Asian or Pacific Islander, 50 235 (22.5%) were Black, 39 039 (17.5%) were Hispanic, and 110 443 (49.4%) were White, with a mean (SD) age of 27.6 (6.2) years. There were 2074 (0.9%) women with disability and 221 311 (99.1%) without. Among women with disabilities, 1733 (83.5%) were physical, 91 (4.4%) were intellectual, and 250 (12.1%) were sensory. Compared with women with no disability, women with disabilities had higher risk of gestational diabetes, placenta previa, premature rupture of membranes, preterm premature rupture of membranes, and postpartum fever as well as maternal death (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 11.19; 95% CI, 2.40-52.19) and individual SMMs: severe preeclampsia/eclampsia (aRR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.80-2.56), hemorrhage (aRR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.09-1.49), and fever (aRR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.03-1.67), with the highest risk observed for thromboembolism (aRR, 6.08; 95% CI, 4.03-9.16), cardiovascular events (aRR, 4.02; 95% CI, 2.87-5.63), and infection (aRR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.97-3.67). Women with any disability also had higher risk of interventions, including oxytocin augmentation, operative vaginal delivery, and cesarean delivery (aRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.25-1.42), with the cesarean indication less likely to be medically indicated (aRR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.89). Risk of adverse outcomes and interventions remained consistent across disability categories. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, women with physical, intellectual, and sensory disability during pregnancy were at higher risk of adverse outcomes, including a broad range of SMM and maternal mortality.

Municipality-Level Variation in Severe Maternal Morbidity and Association With Municipal Expenditures in New Jersey.

Importance: Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is a major risk factor for maternal mortality, yet little is known about geographic variation in SMM or factors associated with geographical variation at the local level. Municipal governments incur substantial expenditures providing services that are an essential part of residents' lives, but associations between municipal expenditures and SMM have not been previously examined. Objective: To investigate variation in rates of SMM across municipalities in New Jersey, the contributions of individual-level characteristics and municipal expenditures to that variation, and associations between municipal expenditures and SMM. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed 2008 to 2018 New Jersey birth files linked to maternal hospital discharge records and US Census municipal expenditures data. The birth files contain all birth records for New Jersey, and hospital discharge records contain information from all in-patient hospitalizations in New Jersey over the study period. Birth records were matched to maternal discharge records and expenditures data. Data were analyzed from August 2020 to August 2021. Exposures: Individual-level characteristics and per capita municipal expenditures on education; public health; fire and ambulance; parks, recreation, and natural resources; housing and community development; public welfare; police; transportation; and libraries. Main Outcomes and Measures: SMM was identified using diagnosis and procedure codes developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to measure SMM. Results: Of 1 001 410 individuals (mean [SD] age, 29.8 [5.9] years; 108 665 Asian individuals [10.9%]; 147 910 Black individuals [14.8%]; 280 697 Hispanic individuals [28.0%]; 447 442 White individuals [44.7%]) who gave birth in New Jersey hospitals from 2008 to 2018, 19 962 individuals (2.0%) had SMM. There was substantial municipality-level variation in SMM that was not fully explained by demographic characteristics. Municipal expenditures on fire and ambulance, transportation, health, housing, and libraries were negatively associated with SMM; $1000 higher annual expenditures per capita in these categories were associated with 35.4% to 67.3% lower odds of SMM (odds ratios, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.15-0.72] to 0.65 [95% CI, 0.46-0.91]). Expenditures on police were positively associated with SMM (odds ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.04-1.28]). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings in this study regarding associations between spending on various types of services at the municipal level and SMM, holding constant overall spending, population size, and socioeconomic status at the municipal level, indicate that municipal budget allocation decisions were associated with SMM rates and point to the importance of future research investigating potential causal connections.

Association of Epilepsy and Severe Maternal Morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate severe maternal morbidity (SMM) among patients with epilepsy and patients without epilepsy. METHODS: We retrospectively examined SMM using linked birth certificate and maternal hospital discharge records in California between 2007 and 2012. Epilepsy present at delivery admission was the exposure and was subtyped into generalized, focal and other less specified, or unspecified. The outcomes were SMM and nontransfusion SMM from delivery up to 42 days' postpartum, identified using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicators. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders, which were selected a priori. We also estimated the association between epilepsy and SMM independent of comorbidities by using a validated obstetric comorbidity score. Severe maternal morbidity indicators were then compared using the same multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 2,668,442 births, 8,145 (0.3%) were to patients with epilepsy; 637 (7.8%) had generalized, 6,250 (76.7%) had focal or other less specified, and 1,258 (15.4%) had unspecified subtypes. Compared with patients without epilepsy, patients with epilepsy had greater odds of SMM (4.3% vs 1.4%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.91, 95% CI 2.61-3.24) and nontransfusion SMM (2.9% vs 0.7%, aOR 4.16, 95% CI 3.65-4.75). Epilepsy remained significantly associated with increased SMM and nontransfusion SMM after additional adjustment for the obstetric comorbidity score, though the effects were attenuated. When grouped by organ system, all SMM indicators were significantly more common among patients with epilepsy-most notably those related to hemorrhage and transfusion. CONCLUSION: Severe maternal morbidity was significantly increased in patients with epilepsy, and SMM indicators across all organ systems contributed to this.

Homicide During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period in the United States, 2018-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the national pregnancy-associated homicide mortality ratio, characterize pregnancy-associated homicide victims, and compare the risk of homicide in the perinatal period (pregnancy and up to 1 year postpartum) with risk among nonpregnant, nonpostpartum females aged 10-44 years. METHODS: Data from the National Center for Health Statistics 2018 and 2019 mortality files were used to identify all female decedents aged 10-44 in the United States. These data were used to estimate 2-year pregnancy-associated homicide mortality ratios (deaths/100,000 live births) for comparison with homicide mortality among nonpregnant, nonpostpartum females (deaths/100,000 population) and to mortality ratios for direct maternal causes of death. We compared characteristics and estimated homicide mortality rate ratios and 95% CIs between pregnant or postpartum and nonpregnant, nonpostpartum victims for the total population and with stratification by race and ethnicity and age. RESULTS: There were 3.62 homicides per 100,000 live births among females who were pregnant or within 1 year postpartum, 16% higher than homicide prevalence among nonpregnant and nonpostpartum females of reproductive age (3.12 deaths/100,000 population, P<.05). Homicide during pregnancy or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy exceeded all the leading causes of maternal mortality by more than twofold. Pregnancy was associated with a significantly elevated homicide risk in the Black population and among girls and younger women (age 10-24 years) across racial and ethnic subgroups. CONCLUSION: Homicide is a leading cause of death during pregnancy and the postpartum period in the United States. Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of elevated risk for homicide among all females of reproductive age.

Development and internal validation of a model predicting severe maternal morbidity using pre-conception and early pregnancy variables: a population-based study in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND: Improvement in the prediction and prevention of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) - a range of life-threatening conditions during pregnancy, at delivery or within 42 days postpartum - is a public health priority. Reduction of SMM at a population level would be facilitated by early identification and prediction. We sought to develop and internally validate a model to predict maternal end-organ injury or death using variables routinely collected during pre-pregnancy and the early pregnancy period. METHODS: We performed a population-based cohort study using linked administrative health data in Ontario, Canada, from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2014. We included women aged 18-60 years with a livebirth or stillbirth, of which one birth was randomly selected per woman. We constructed a clinical prediction model for the primary composite outcome of any maternal end-organ injury or death, arising between 20 weeks' gestation and 42 days after the birth hospital discharge date. Our model included variables collected from 12 months before estimated conception until 19 weeks' gestation. We developed a separate model for parous women to allow for the inclusion of factors from previous pregnancy(ies). RESULTS: Of 634,290 women, 1969 experienced the primary composite outcome (3.1 per 1000). Predictive factors in the main model included maternal world region of origin, chronic medical conditions, parity, and obstetrical/perinatal issues - with moderate model discrimination (C-statistic 0.68, 95% CI 0.66-0.69). Among 333,435 parous women, the C-statistic was 0.71 (0.69-0.73) in the model using variables from the current (index) pregnancy as well as pre-pregnancy predictors and variables from any previous pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of factors ascertained early in pregnancy through a basic medical history help to identify women at risk for severe morbidity, who may benefit from targeted preventive and surveillance strategies including appropriate specialty-based antenatal care pathways. Further refinement and external validation of this model are warranted and can support evidence-based improvements in clinical practice.

Epidemiology of Pregnancy Complications Through the Lens of Immunological Memory.

In the fifteen minutes it takes to read this short commentary, more than 400 babies will have been born too early, another 300 expecting mothers will develop preeclampsia, and 75 unborn third trimester fetuses will have died in utero (stillbirth). Given the lack of meaningful progress in understanding the physiological changes that occur to allow a healthy, full term pregnancy, it is perhaps not surprising that effective therapies against these great obstetrical syndromes that include prematurity, preeclampsia, and stillbirth remain elusive. Meanwhile, pregnancy complications remain the leading cause of infant and childhood mortality under age five. Does it have to be this way? What more can we collectively, as a biomedical community, or individually, as clinicians who care for women and newborn babies at high risk for pregnancy complications, do to protect individuals in these extremely vulnerable developmental windows? The problem of pregnancy complications and neonatal mortality is extraordinarily complex, with multiple unique, but complementary perspectives from scientific, epidemiological and public health viewpoints. Herein, we discuss the epidemiology of pregnancy complications, focusing on how the outcome of prior pregnancy impacts the risk of complication in the next pregnancy - and how the fundamental immunological principle of memory may promote this adaptive response.