Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cesarean Morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal race and ethnicity have been identified as significant independent predictors of obstetric morbidity and mortality in the United States. An appreciation of the clinical contexts in which maternal racial and ethnic disparities are most pronounced can better target efforts to alleviate these disparities and improve outcomes. It remains unknown whether cesarean delivery precipitates these divergent outcomes. This study assessed the association between maternal race and ethnicity and cesarean complications. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from a multicenter observational cohort of women undergoing cesarean delivery. Nulliparous women with non-anomalous singleton gestations who underwent primary cesarean section were included. Race/ethnicity was categorized as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or unknown. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal cesarean complications including hysterectomy, uterine atony, blood transfusion, surgical injury, arterial ligation, infection, wound complication, and ileus. A composite of neonatal morbidity was evaluated as a secondary outcome. We created a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for selected demographic and obstetric variables that may influence the likelihood of the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 14,570 women in the parent trial met inclusion criteria with an 18.8% incidence of the primary outcome (2,742 women). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, maternal surgical morbidity was found to be significantly higher for non-Hispanic Black (adjusted odds ratios [aORs] 1.96, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.63-2.35) and Hispanic (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.37-2.01) women as compared with non-Hispanic white women. Neonatal morbidity was similarly found to be significantly associated with the Black race and Hispanic ethnicity. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, the odds of cesarean-related maternal and neonatal morbidity were significantly higher for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women. These findings suggest race as a distinct risk factor for cesarean complications, and efforts to alleviate disparities should highlight cesarean section as an opportunity for improvement in outcomes. KEY POINTS: · Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women experienced more cesarean complications than non-Hispanic White women.. · These findings suggest that disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes exist specifically following cesarean section.. · Efforts to alleviate disparities in obstetrics should highlight cesarean section as an opportunity for improvement..

Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in extremely low gestational age neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment (WWLST) for extremely low gestational age neonates. DESIGN: Observational study of prospectively collected registry data from 19 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network centres on neonates born at 22-28 weeks gestation who died >12 hours through 120 days of age during 2011-2016. Sociodemographic and clinical factors were compared between infants who died following WWLST and without WWLST. RESULTS: Of 1168 deaths, 67.1% occurred following WWLST. Withdrawal of assisted ventilation (97.4%) was the primary modality. WWLST rates were inversely proportional to gestational age. Life-sustaining treatment was withheld or withdrawn more often for non-Hispanic white infants than for non-Hispanic black infants (72.7% vs 60.4%; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.92) or Hispanic infants (72.7% vs 67.2%; 95% CI 1.32 to 3.72). WWLST rates varied across centres (38.6-92.6%; p<0.001). The centre with the highest rate had adjusted odds 4.89 times greater than the average (95% CI 1.18 to 20.18). The adjusted odds of WWLST were higher for infants with necrotiing enterocolitis (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.59) and severe brain injury (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.74). CONCLUSIONS: Among infants who died, WWLST rates varied widely across centres and were associated with gestational age, race, ethnicity, necrotiing enterocolitis, and severe brain injury. Further exploration is needed into how race, centre, and approaches to care of infants with necrotiing enterocolitis and severe brain injury influence WWLST.

Biliary atresia: East versus west.

Biliary atresia (BA) is a common cause of surgical jaundice during the neonatal period. It is currently considered as a spectrum of diseases with a common final pathology characterized by obliteration of the extrahepatic biliary tract and the absence of normally branching intrahepatic ducts. Though it is a global disease that can be found in all ethnicities there are some clear differences between BA arising in the East and the West. This is likely to be related to different genetic, environmental and cultural factors. BA is more frequently found in Far Eastern infants (both Chinese and Japanese) though the syndromic associations are much less common. Many Eastern countries have national screening programmes not seen in the West possibly due to debate over its cost effectiveness in countries where incidence is low. Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) is considered as the primary treatment of BA but its outcome still remains unsatisfactory across the region. Given the complexity of BA, it is unlikely that strategic advances could be made by the sole effort of individual countries and we believe that collaboration between the East and West is the way forward.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maternal and Neonatal Adverse Outcomes in College-Educated Women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare composite maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes among women with at least a bachelor's degree by racial and ethnic groups. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using the U.S. vital statistics data sets. We included women with at least a bachelor's degree who delivered a nonanomalous live singleton neonate at 24-40 weeks. The primary outcome, composite maternal adverse outcome, included admission to intensive care unit, maternal transfusion, ruptured uterus, unplanned hysterectomy, or unplanned operating room procedure after delivery. The secondary outcome, composite neonatal adverse outcome, included 5-minute Apgar score less than 5, assisted ventilation for more than 6 hours, neonatal seizure, birth injury, or neonatal death. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the association between maternal race and adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Of 11.8 million live births, 2.2 million (19%) met the inclusion criteria; 81.5% were to non-Hispanic white women, 8.5% to non-Hispanic black women, and 10% Hispanic women. The overall rate of composite maternal adverse outcome was 5.3 per 1,000 live births. Compared with non-Hispanic white women, the risk of the composite maternal adverse outcome was significantly higher among non-Hispanic black women (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.20; 95% CI 1.13-1.27), but lower among Hispanic women (aRR 0.69; 95% CI 0.64-0.74), a pattern which varied among different gestational age groups. The overall rate of composite neonatal adverse outcome was 11.6 per 1,000 live births. The risk of composite neonatal adverse outcome was significantly higher among neonates with non-Hispanic black mothers (aRR 1.25; 95% CI 1.20-1.30), but lower among neonates with Hispanic mothers (aRR 0.71; 95% CI 0.68-0.75), compared with neonates delivered by non-Hispanic white mothers and varied across gestational age. CONCLUSION: Among women with at least a bachelor's degree, small but measurable racial and ethnic disparities in composite maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes.

Center, Gestational Age, and Race Impact End-of-Life Care Practices at Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of intercenter variation and patient factors on end-of-life care practices for infants who die in regional neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using the Children's Hospital Neonatal Database during 2010-2016. A total of 6299 nonsurviving infants cared for in 32 participating regional NICUs were included to examine intercenter variation and the effects of gestational age, race, and cause of death on 3 end-of-life care practices: do not attempt resuscitation orders (DNR), cardiopulmonary resuscitation within 6 hours of death (CPR), and withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (WLST). Factors associated with these practices were used to develop a multivariable equation. RESULTS: Dying infants in the cohort underwent DNR (55%), CPR (21%), and WLST (73%). Gestational age, cause of death, and race were significantly and differently associated with each practice: younger gestational age (<28 weeks) was associated with CPR (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-2.1) but not with DNR or WLST, and central nervous system injury was associated with DNR (1.6, 1.3-1.9) and WLST (4.8, 3.7-6.2). Black race was associated with decreased odds of WLST (0.7, 0.6-0.8). Between centers, practices varied widely at different gestational ages, race, and causes of death. CONCLUSIONS: From the available data on end-of-life care practices for regional NICU patients, variability appears to be either individualized or without consistency.

Factors related to quilombola attendance to child follow-up appointments.

OBJECTIVE: To understand factors interfering with the attendance of quilombola children to growth and development follow-up appointments. METHOD: It is a qualitative research based on Symbolic interactionism, during which 14 mothers of children bellow 1 year-old were interviewed, who attended to the Family Health Unit at Ilha de Maré, Bahia, Brazil. RESULTS: Appointment attendance is affected by factors intrinsic to mothers (meaning of child health follow-up; association between appointments and children falling ill; personal issues) and extrinsic factors, related to the service (availability, long waiting time for appointments and its quality). FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: An administration prioritizing the service's organization is required, which can prioritize attendances and the reduction of waiting time, specially given the personal issues that compromise going to the unit.

Functional characterization of activating mutations in the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (ABCC8) causing neonatal diabetes mellitus in Asian Indian children.

BACKGROUND: Gain-of-function of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP ) channels because of mutations in the genes encoding SUR1 (ABCC8) or Kir6.2 (KCNJ11) is a major cause of neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM). Our aim is to determine molecular defects in KATP channels caused by ABCC8 mutations in Asian Indian children with NDM by in vitro functional studies. METHODS: Wild-type (WT; NM_000352.4) or mutant sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) and Kir6.2 were co-expressed in COSm6 cells. Biogenesis efficiency and surface expression of mutant channels were assessed by immunoblotting and immunostaining. The response of mutant channels to cytoplasmic ATP and ADP was assessed by inside-out patch-clamp recordings. The response of mutant channels to known KATP inhibitors in intact cells were determined by 86 Rb efflux assays. RESULTS: Five SUR1 missense mutations, D212Y, P254S, R653Q, R992C, and Q1224H, were studied and showed increased activity in MgATP/MgADP. Two of the mutants, D212Y and P254S, also showed reduced response to ATP4- inhibition, as well as markedly reduced surface expression. Moreover, all five mutants were inhibited by the KATP channel inhibitors glibenclamide and carbamazepine. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows the mechanisms by which five SUR1 mutations identified in Asian Indian NDM patients affect KATP channel function to cause the disease. The reduced ATP4- sensitivity caused by the D212Y and P254S mutations in the L0 of SUR1 provides novel insight into the role of L0 in channel inhibition by ATP. The results also explain why sulfonylurea therapy is effective in two patients and inform how it should be effective for the other three patients.

Factors related to quilombola attendance to child follow-up appointments / Los factores asociados a la asiduidad de quilombolas en consultas de seguimiento infantil / Fatores relacionados à assiduidade de quilombolas às consultas de acompanhamento infantil

ABSTRACT Objective: To understand factors interfering with the attendance of quilombola children to growth and development follow-up appointments. Method: It is a qualitative research based on Symbolic interactionism, during which 14 mothers of children bellow 1 year-old were interviewed, who attended to the Family Health Unit at Ilha de Maré, Bahia, Brazil. Results: Appointment attendance is affected by factors intrinsic to mothers (meaning of child health follow-up; association between appointments and children falling ill; personal issues) and extrinsic factors, related to the service (availability, long waiting time for appointments and its quality). Final considerations: An administration prioritizing the service's organization is required, which can prioritize attendances and the reduction of waiting time, specially given the personal issues that compromise going to the unit.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar los factores que interfieren en la asiduidad de niños quilombolas en las consultas de seguimiento para el crecimiento y desarrollo. Método: Investigación cualitativa con base en el Interaccionismo Simbólico, en la cual se entrevistó 14 madres de niños menores de un año de edad y que frecuentaban la Unidad de Salud de la Familia de Ilha de Maré, Bahia, Brasil. Resultados: La asiduidad en las consultas sufre influencia de factores intrínsecos a las madres -significado de seguimiento para la salud infantil, asociación de las consultas con la enfermedad del niño; cuestiones personales- y de factores extrínsecos relativos al servicio -disponibilidad de agenda, mucho tiempo de espera para las consultas y su calidad-. Consideraciones Finales: Es necesario haber una gestión que priorice la reorganización del servicio, con mayor prioridad a las agendas y al perfeccionamiento profesional, teniendo en cuenta la mejora de la calidad de la atención médica prestada y la reducción del tiempo de espera, principalmente considerando las cuestiones personales que les comprometen venir a la unidad.

RESUMO Objetivo: Apreender fatores que interferem na assiduidade de crianças quilombolas às consultas de acompanhamento do crescimento e desenvolvimento. Método: Pesquisa qualitativa ancorada no Interacionismo Simbólico, durante a qual foram entrevistadas 14 mães de crianças menores de um ano e que frequentavam a Unidade de Saúde da Família de Ilha de Maré, Bahia, Brasil. Resultados: A assiduidade às consultas sofre influência de fatores intrínsecos às mães (significado do acompanhamento à saúde infantil; vinculação das consultas ao adoecimento da criança; questões pessoais) e fatores extrínsecos relativos ao serviço (disponibilidade de agendamento, amplo tempo de espera para as consultas e qualidade das mesmas). Considerações Finais: Urge uma gestão que priorize a reorganização do serviço, com prioridade aos agendamentos e o aprimoramento profissional, tendo em vista a melhoria da qualidade do atendimento e a redução do tempo de espera, principalmente considerando as questões pessoais que comprometem a ida à unidade.

Comparing the Hadlock fetal growth standard to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development racial/ethnic standard for the prediction of neonatal morbidity and small for gestational age.

BACKGROUND: The fetal growth standard in widest use was published by Hadlock >25 years ago and was derived from a small, homogeneous cohort. In 2015, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Growth Study published updated standards that are specific to race/ethnicity. These do not allow for precise estimated fetal weight percentile calculation, however, and their effectiveness to predict neonatal morbidity and small for gestational age has not yet been compared to the long-standing Hadlock standard. OBJECTIVE: We compared the ability of the Hadlock standard to predict neonatal morbidity and small for gestational age at birth with that of The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development race-/ethnicity-specific standard. Our secondary objective was to compare their performance among our Native American population, which is not accounted for in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development standard. STUDY DESIGN: For this retrospective study of diagnostic accuracy, we reviewed deliveries at the University of New Mexico Hospital from Jan. 1, 2013, through March 31, 2017. We included mothers with singleton, well-dated pregnancies and nonanomalous fetuses with an estimated fetal weight within 30 days of delivery. Cubic spline interpolation was performed on the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development estimated fetal weight-percentile tables to calculate percentiles specific to the gestational day. Estimated fetal weight percentiles were then calculated using both the Hadlock and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development race-/ethnicity-specific standards according to maternal self-identified race/ethnicity. We calculated the receiver operator area under the curve of each method to predict composite and severe composite neonatal morbidity and small for gestational age at birth (birthweight <10th percentile). As an additional measure of method accuracy, we calculated the mean ultrasound-birthweight percentile discrepancy. For Native Americans, percentiles were calculated using the Hadlock and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development race/ethnicity standards (white, black, Hispanic, Asian), and test characteristics were calculated for each to predict neonatal morbidity and small for gestational age. RESULTS: We included 1514 women, with a mean ultrasonography-to-delivery interval of 14.4 days (±8.8) and a small for gestational age rate of 13.6% (n = 206). For the prediction of both composite and severe composite neonatal morbidity, the Hadlock method had superior performance, with higher areas under the curve than the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development method (P < .001 for both), though neither had good discriminatory value (all areas under the curve <0.8). For the prediction of small for gestational age at birth, the Hadlock standard had higher sensitivity (61.1%) than the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development standard, both when using the interpolated Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development method (36.2%, P < .01) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development whole-week 10th percentile cutoff (46.7%, P < .01). The Hadlock method also had a higher area under the curve than the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development interpolated method to predict small for gestational age (0.89 vs 0.88, P < .01). The Hadlock method had a lower ultrasound-birthweight percentile discrepancy than the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development method (6.1 vs 16.5 percentile points, P < .01). Fetuses classified as growth restricted by Hadlock but not Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development had significantly higher composite morbidity than normally grown fetuses. Among Native American women, the Hadlock method had the highest area under the curve to predict composite and severe composite morbidity, while the Hadlock and all Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development race-/ethnicity-specific methods performed comparably to predict small for gestational age. CONCLUSION: Despite its publication >25 years ago, the Hadlock standard is superior to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development race-/ethnicity-specific standard for the prediction of both neonatal morbidity and small for gestational age.

An analysis of the effects of intrapartum factors, neonatal characteristics, and skin-to-skin contact on early breastfeeding initiation.

This study aims to determine relationships between intrapartum factors, neonatal characteristics, skin-to-skin contact (SSC), and early breastfeeding initiation after spontaneous vaginal and Caesarean section or operative vaginal birth. A total of 915 mother-newborn dyads were considered in a hypothetical model based on integrated concepts of breastfeeding initiation model, infant learning framework, and attachment theory. Multiple-group path analysis was used to determine whether differences exist between effects of immediate SSC (≤30 min) on early breastfeeding initiation in different modes of birth. SSC, mode of birth, labour duration, and neonatal intensive care unit admission were significantly associated with early breastfeeding initiation, as indicated by the path analysis model, which included all samples. Women with immediate SSC were more likely to initiate early breastfeeding in different modes of birth. In the spontaneous vaginal birth group, women showed a lower likelihood of initiating early breastfeeding when their neonates were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and presented an Apgar score of <7 at 1 min. Multiple-group analysis showed no significant difference between effects of immediate SSC on early breastfeeding initiation in different modes of birth (critical ratio = -0.309). Results showed that models satisfactorily fitted the data (minimum discrepancy divided by degrees of freedom = 1.466-1.943, goodness of fit index = 0.981-0.986, comparative fit index = 0.947-0.955, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.023-0.032). Our findings emphasize the crucial importance of prioritizing promotion of immediate SSC under different modes of birth.

Umbilical cord-care practices in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal sepsis is the third leading cause of deaths for infants in their first month of life. The newly cut umbilical cord can be a pathway for bacteria that can cause newborn sepsis and death. Optimal umbilical cord care practices for newborns and during the first week of life, especially in settings with poor hygiene, has the potential to avoid these preventable neonatal deaths. The purpose of this review of cord care practices is to assist in the development of behavior-change strategies to support introduction of novel cord-care regimens, particularly 7.1% chlorhexidine digluconate for umbilical cord care. METHODS: We searched domestic and international databases for articles that were published in English between January 1, 2000, and August 24, 2016. We found 321 articles and reviewed 65 full-text articles using standardized inclusion criteria. The primary criteria for inclusion was a description of substances applied to the umbilical cord stump in the days following birth. RESULTS: We included 46 articles in this review of umbilical cord-care practices. Articles included data from 15 low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa (8 countries), Asia (5 countries), North Africa (1 country), and Latin America and the Caribbean (1 country). Findings from this review suggest that documentation of cord-care practices is not consistent throughout low- and middle-income countries, yet existing literature depicts a firm tradition of umbilical cord care in every culture. Cord-care practices vary by country and by regions or cultural groups within a country and employ a wide range of substances. The desire to promote healing and hasten cord separation are the underlying beliefs related to application of substances to the umbilical cord. The frequency of application of the substance (either the number of days or the number of times per day the substance was applied), and source and cost of products used is not well-characterized. CONCLUSIONS: This desire to actively care for the umbilical cord of a newborn-as noted in the variety of cord care practices and beliefs identified in this review-points toward the need to contextualize any behavior change approach to align with the local culture.

Prevalence of gestational diabetes among Chinese and South Asians: A Canadian population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable geographic variation in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rates. We used data from two Canadian provinces, British Columbia (BC) and Alberta (AB), to determine the impact of ethnicity on GDM prevalence and neonatal outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: All deliveries between 04/01/2004 and 03/31/2010 in AB (n=249,796) and BC (n=248,217) were analyzed. We calculated GDM prevalence among Chinese, South-Asian, and the general population (predominantly Caucasian) women. RESULTS: Overall GDM prevalence was 4.8% (n=12,036) in AB and 7.2% (n=17,912) in BC. In both provinces, the prevalence of GDM was significantly higher in Chinese (AB:11%; BC:13.5%) and South Asian women (AB:8.4%;BC:13.9%) compared to the general population (AB:4.2%; BC: 5.8%). Chinese women were significantly older (AB:32.7; BC:33.0years) compared to the general population (AB:29.1; BC:30.1years). The odds of GDM relative to the general-population were 2-fold higher for South Asians in both provinces and almost 3-fold higher for Chinese in BC. Among GDM cases, compared to the general population, Chinese and South Asian infants were less likely to be LGA, more likely to be SGA, and had similar neonatal mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the general population, GDM prevalence is higher in Chinese and South Asian Canadians. Increased maternal age is a major contributor to higher prevalence of GDM in Chinese women. GDM rates were higher in both ethnic and general population women in BC compared to AB, suggesting that in addition to differences in ethnic distribution, differences in diagnostic practices are likely contributing to observed geographic differences in GDM prevalence.

Infant morbidity and mortality attributable to prenatal smoking in Chile / Morbilidad y mortalidad del lactante atribuible al tabaquismo prenatal en Chile / Morbidade e mortalidade infantis atribuíveis ao tabagismo durante a gestação no Chile

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate annual infant morbidity and mortality attributable to prenatal smoking in Chile during 2008−2012. Methods Population-attributable fractions (PAFs) for several infant outcomes were calculated based on previous study estimates of prenatal smoking prevalence and odds ratios associated with exposure (prenatal smoking relative to non-prenatal smoking). Prenatal smoking-attributable infant morbidity and mortality cases were calculated by multiplying the average annual number of morbidity and mortality cases registered in Chile during 2008-2012 by the corresponding PAF. Results PAFs for 1) births ≤ 27 weeks; 2) births at 28-33 weeks; 3) births at 34-36 weeks; and 4) full-term low-birth-weight infants were 12.3%, 10.6%, 5.5%, and 27.4% respectively. PAFs for deaths caused by preterm-related causes and deaths caused by sudden infant death syndrome were 11.9% and 40.0% respectively. Annually, 2 054 cases of preterm-birth and full-term low-birth-weight (1 in 9 cases), 68 deaths caused by preterm-related causes (1 in 8 cases), and 26 deaths caused by sudden infant death syndrome (1 in 3 cases) were attributable to prenatal smoking. Conclusions In Chile, infant morbidity and mortality attributable to prenatal smoking are unacceptably high. Comprehensive individual and population-based interventions for tobacco control should be a public health priority in the country, particularly among female adolescents and young women who will be the mothers of future generations.

RESUMEN Objetivo Calcular las tasas anuales de morbilidad y mortalidad de lactantes atribuibles al tabaquismo prenatal en Chile entre los años 2008 y 2012. Métodos Se calcularon las fracciones atribuibles a la población (FAP) correspondientes a diferentes resultados de salud en lactantes tomando como base la prevalencia estimativa del tabaquismo prenatal y las razones de posibilidad asociadas a la exposición (tabaquismo prenatal frente a tabaquismo no prenatal) calculadas en estudios previos. Los casos de mortalidad y morbilidad de lactantes atribuibles al tabaquismo prenatal se calcularon multiplicando el promedio anual de casos de morbilidad y mortalidad registrados en Chile entre los años 2008 y 2012 por la FAP correspondiente. Resultados Las FAP para los lactantes nacidos 1) a las 27 semanas o menos de gestación; 2) de 28 a 33 semanas de gestación; 3) de 34 a 36 semanas de gestación; y 4) al término de la gestación, pero con peso bajo al nacer, fueron de 12,3%, 10,6%, 5,5% y 27,4%, respectivamente. Las FAP correspondientes a las muertes por causas relacionadas con el nacimiento prematuro y las muertes por síndrome de muerte súbita del lactante fueron de 11,9% y 40,0%, respectivamente. Al año, 2 054 casos de bebés prematuros y de bebés nacidos con peso bajo al término de la gestación (1 de 9 casos), 68 muertes por causas relacionadas con el período prenatal (1 de 8 casos) y 26 muertes causadas por el síndrome de muerte súbita del lactante (1 de 3 casos) fueron atribuibles al tabaquismo prenatal. Conclusiones En Chile, las tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad de lactantes atribuibles al tabaquismo prenatal son inadmisiblemente altas. En el país, las intervenciones integrales para el control del tabaco a nivel individual y poblacional deben ser una prioridad de salud pública, particularmente en las mujeres adolescentes y jóvenes que serán las madres de las generaciones futuras.

RESUMO Objetivo Estimar a morbidade e a mortalidade infantis anuais atribuíveis ao tabagismo durante a gestação no Chile em 2008-2012. Métodos As frações atribuíveis populacionais (PAFs) para vários desfechos infantis foram calculadas com base em estimativas de estudos anteriores da prevalência do tabagismo durante a gestação e razões de possibilidades associadas à exposição (tabagismo durante a gestação relativo ao tabagismo fora da gestação). Os casos de morbidade e mortalidade infantis atribuíveis ao tabagismo durante a gestação foram calculados multiplicando-se o número médio anual de casos de morbidade e mortalidade registrados no Chile em 2008-2012 pela PAF correspondente. Resultados As PAFs para 1) recém-nascidos ≤ 27 semanas, 2) recém-nascidos com 28-33 semanas, 3) recém-nascidos com 34-36 semanas e 4) recém-nascidos de termo com baixo peso foram 12,3%, 10,6%, 5,5% e 27,4%, respectivamente. As PAFs para mortes devidas a causas relacionadas à prematuridade e mortes devidas à síndrome de morte súbita do recém-nascido foram 11,9% e 40,0%, respectivamente. Anualmente, 2.054 casos de recém-nascidos prematuros e de termo com baixo peso (1 em 9 casos), 68 mortes devidas a causas relacionadas à assistência pré-natal (1 em 8 casos) e 26 mortes devidas à síndrome de morte súbita do recém-nascido (1 em 3 casos) foram atribuíveis ao tabagismo durante a gestação. Conclusões No Chile, a morbidade e a mortalidade infantis atribuíveis ao tabagismo durante a gestação são inadmissivelmente elevadas. Amplas intervenções individuais e populacionais para o controle do tabagismo devem ser uma prioridade de saúde pública no país, sobretudo em adolescentes e jovens que serão mães das futuras gerações.

Perinatal outcome of macrosomic infants born to diabetic versus non-diabetic mothers. / Resultados perinatales entre macrosomas hijos de madre diabética y macrosomas hijos de madre no diabética.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and perinatal complications of macrosomic infants born to diabetic and non-diabetic mothers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A six-year retrospective study of newborns at our hospital. A total of 996 macrosomic newborns were found. Maternal characteristics, mode of delivery, and perinatal outcomes were studied. RESULTS: Of 18005 newborns, 996 were macrosomic infants (5.53%). Of these, 103 (10.3%) were born to diabetic mothers. Diabetic mothers had higher parity (1.89 vs. 1.35; P<0.000), cesarean section rate (52.4 vs. 31.1%; P<0.05), and resuscitation rate (5.8 vs. 1.8%; P<0.006; RR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.42-5.9), and greater need for hospitalization (19.4 vs. 9.6%; p<0.002; RR: 2; 95% CI: 1.3-3.2) and intensive care (5.8 vs. 0.7%; P<0.000; RR: 5.3; 95% CI: 2.8-10) mostly for hypoglycemia (7.8 vs. 1%; P<0.000; RR: 5; 95% CI: 2.8-8.3), jaundice (8.7 vs. 2.1%; P<0.000; RR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.9-5.9), respiratory distress (4.9 vs. 1.3%; P<0.009; RR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.4-6.7), and asphyxia (2.9 vs. 0.4%; P<0.005; RR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.8-11.1). No differences were found in birth trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Macrosomic infants born to diabetic mothers have an increased risk of hospital admission in the neonatal period for hypoglycemia, jaundice, respiratory distress, and asphyxia, and a greater need of intensive care. Obstetric trauma rates were similar in both groups.

PREventing Maternal And Neonatal Deaths (PREMAND): a study protocol for examining social and cultural factors contributing to infant and maternal deaths and near-misses in rural northern Ghana.

BACKGROUND: While Ghana is a leader in some health indicators among West African nations, it still struggles with high maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates, especially in the northern areas. The clinical causes of mortality and morbidity are relatively well understood in Ghana, but little is known about the impact of social and cultural factors on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Less still is understood about how such factors may vary by geographic location, and how such variability may inform locally-tailored solutions. METHODS/DESIGN: Preventing Maternal And Neonatal Deaths (PREMAND) is a three-year, three-phase project that takes place in four districts in the Upper East, Upper West, and Northern Regions of Ghana. PREMAND will prospectively identify all maternal and neonatal deaths and 'near-misses', or those mothers and babies who survive a life threatening complication, in the project districts. Each event will be followed by either a social autopsy (in the case of deaths) or a sociocultural audit (in the case of near-misses). Geospatial technology will be used to visualize the variability in outcomes as well as the social, cultural, and clinical predictors of those outcomes. Data from PREMAND will be used to generate maps for local leaders, community members and Government of Ghana to identify priority areas for intervention. PREMAND is an effort of the Navrongo Health Research Centre and the University of Michigan Medical School. DISCUSSION: PREMAND uses an innovative, multifaceted approach to better understand and address neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality in northern Ghana. It will provide unprecedented access to information on the social and cultural factors that contribute to deaths and near-misses in the project regions, and will allow such causal factors to be situated geographically. PREMAND will create the opportunity for local, regional, and national stakeholders to see how these events cluster, and place them relative to traditional healer compounds, health facilities, and other important geographic markers. Finally, PREMAND will enable local communities to generate their own solutions to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, an effort that has great potential for long-term impact.

Women with an HbA1c of 41-49 mmol/mol (5.9-6.6%): a higher risk subgroup that may benefit from early pregnancy intervention.

AIMS: To examine whether women with an HbA1c of 41-49 mmol/mol (5.9-6.6%) at diagnosis of gestational diabetes are higher risk than women with an HbA1c of < 41 mmol/mol (5.9%) and whether pregnancy outcomes are improved if treated at < 24 weeks' gestation. METHODS: This was an observational study of women with gestational diabetes diagnosed by early HbA1c screening or subsequent oral glucose tolerance test at < 34 weeks' gestation who delivered at National Women's Health, Auckland, from July 2012 to June 2014. Data were extracted from the hospital database. Women with HbA1c 41-49 mmol/mol (5.9-6.6%) were divided into those seen < 24 weeks (Early, n = 134) and those seen ≥ 24 weeks (Later, n = 151). Those with HbA1c < 41 mmol/mol (5.9%) were labelled Other GDM (n = 661). RESULTS: The Early and Later groups, compared with Other GDM, had more Polynesian and fewer (non-Indian) Asian women, higher BMI and more required medication (P < 0.001). More were smokers (P = 0.007, 0.02) and more had chronic hypertension (P < 0.001, 0.02). There were higher rates of adverse outcomes in the Later group than the Other GDM group (pre-eclampsia 8.0% vs. 2.4%, P = 0.001, preterm birth 16.6% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.002, neonatal admission 15.5% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.02). Outcomes were similar between the Early group and Other GDM group (pre-eclampsia 1.5% vs. 2.4%, P = 0.5, preterm birth 10.5% vs. 8.2% P = 0.4, neonatal admission 13.6% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.12). Comparing the Early and Later groups, the Early group had less pre-eclampsia, 1.5% vs. 8.0%, adjusted P = 0.03. Other outcomes were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: An HbA1c of 41-49 mmol/mol (5.9-6.7%) identifies a higher-risk group of women with gestational diabetes. Overall, our data support early treatment of women with an HbA1c ≥ 41 mmol/mol (5.9%).

Does maternal asthma contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in obstetrical and neonatal complications?

PURPOSE: To examine whether maternal asthma contributes to racial/ethnic differences in obstetrical and neonatal complications. METHODS: Data on white (n = 110,603), black (n = 50,284), and Hispanic (n = 38,831) singleton deliveries came from the Consortium on Safe Labor. Multilevel logistic regression models, with an interaction term for asthma and race/ethnicity, estimated within-group adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, maternal hemorrhage, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, small for gestational age, apnea, respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia after adjustment for clinical and demographic confounders. Nonasthmatics of the same racial/ethnic group were the reference group. RESULTS: Compared with nonasthmatics, white asthmatics had increased odds of pre-eclampsia (aOR, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.43) and maternal hemorrhage (aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.23). White and Hispanic infants were more likely to have neonatal intensive care unit admissions (aOR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.11-1.28; aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02-1.32, respectively) and be small for gestational age (aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20; aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.10-1.44, respectively), and Hispanic infants were more likely to have apnea (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.69). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal asthma did not affect most obstetrical and neonatal complication risks within racial/ethnic groups. Despite their increased risk for both asthma and many complications, our findings for black women were null. Asthma did not contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in complications.

Sex differences in morbidity and care-seeking during the neonatal period in rural southern Nepal.

BACKGROUND: South Asian studies, including those from Nepal, have documented increased risk of neonatal mortality among girls, despite their early biologic survival advantage. We examined sex differences in neonatal morbidity and care-seeking behavior to determine whether such differences could help explain previously observed excess late neonatal mortality among girls in Nepal. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from a trial of chlorhexidine use among neonates in rural Nepal was conducted. The objective was to examine sex differences in neonatal morbidity and care-seeking behavior for ill newborns. Girls were used as the reference group. RESULTS: Referral for care was higher during the early neonatal period (ENP: 0-7 days old) (50.7%) than the late neonatal period (LNP: 8-28 days old) (31.3%), but was comparable by sex. There were some significant differences in reasons for referral by sex. Boys were significantly more often referred for convulsions/stiffness, having yellow body/eyes, severe skin infection, and having at least two of the following: difficulty breathing, difficulty feeding, fever, or vomiting during the ENP. Girls were more often referred for hypothermia. During the LNP, boys were significantly more often referred for having yellow body/eyes, persistent watery stool, and severe skin infection. There were no referral types in the LNP for which girls were more often referred. Less than half of those referred at any point were taken for care (47.0%) and referred boys were more often taken than girls (Neonatal Period OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.64 - 1.91). Family composition differentially impacted the relationship between care-seeking and sex. The greatest differences were in families with only prior living girls (Pahadi - ENP OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.29 - 2.45 and LNP OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.03 - 2.21; Madeshi - ENP OR: 2.86, 95% CI: 2.28 - 3.59 and LNP OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.84 - 3.26). CONCLUSIONS: Care-seeking was inadequate for both sexes, but ill boys were consistently more often taken for care than girls, despite comparable referral. Behavioral interventions to improve care-seeking, especially in the early neonatal period, are needed to improve neonatal survival. Addressing gender bias in care-seeking, explicitly and within interventions, is essential to reducing neonatal mortality differentials between boys and girls.

Exclusive breast feeding is the strongest predictor of infant survival in Northwest Ethiopia: a longitudinal study.

Despite the overall national success in reducing infant mortality rate in Ethiopia, infant mortality rate is still high in northwest Amhara region. This study is conducted in one of the high mortality areas with the aim of identifying risk factors that are associated with infant mortality in Northwest Amhara Region, Ethiopia. A prospective open cohort study involving 1752 infants (1472.4518 person years of follow-up) was undertaken from November 2009 to August 2011. Kaplan-Meier Survival analysis was used to estimate infant mortality rate. Risk factors associated with infant mortality were assessed using multivariate Poisson regression. The overall infant mortality rate was 88 per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 74.3, 104.9). After controlling other important predictors in multivariate Poisson regression, infants not exclusively breastfed [IRR = 7.86, 95% CI: (5.11, 12.10), )], breast milk initiated after 24 hours of birth [IRR = 4.84,95% CI: (2.94,7.99)], mothers not washing hands with soap after visiting toilet and before feeding child [IRR = 4.61, 95% CI: (2.24, 9.48)], being rural residents [IRR = 2.33, 95% CI: (1.12, 4.88)], infants born within 24 months for the previous birth [IRR = 2.79, 95%CI: (1.88, 4.15)], have increased the risk of infant mortality. In conclusion, exclusive breast feeding is the strongest predictor of infant survival in this predominantly rural setting where hygienic standards are poor. Supporting mothers to exclusively breast feeding which is cost effective, safe and feasible strategy, can help reduce infant mortality in the study setting.

Increased risk for respiratory syncytial virus-associated, community-acquired alveolar pneumonia in infants born at 31-36 weeks of gestation.

BACKGROUND: We compared hospitalization and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission rates for community-acquired alveolar pneumonia (CAAP) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated CAAP (RSV-CAAP) in non-RSV-immunized children <24-month-old born at 31-36 weeks gestational age (GA) versus those born at term (>36 weeks GA). METHODS: Nasopharyngeal samples for RSV were obtained prospectively (2004-2011) during RSV season, from hospitalized children with radiographic-diagnosed CAAP. Soroka University Medical Center is the only hospital in the region, enabling population-based rate calculation. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated comparing RSV-CAAP incidence in 31-36 weeks GA with >36 weeks GA children. RESULTS: CAAP hospitalization incidences (per 1000 population) were 23.6 and 9.4 (RR: 2.52; 95% CI: 2.13-2.68), respectively; the respective incidences of PICU admission for overall CAAP were 1.8 and 0.2 (RR: 7.88; 95% CI: 4.59-11.83). The RRs (and 95% CI) for RSV-CAAP hospitalizations and PICU admission rates were (after extrapolation) 15.2 and 5.8 (RR: 2.79; 95% CI: 2.31-3.06) and 1.1 and 0.1 (RR: 9.14; 95% CI: 4.93-16.96), respectively. In a multiregression analysis in patients with RSV-CAAP versus CAAP, 31-36 weeks GA was an independent risk factor for hospitalization (RR: 1.485; 95% CI: 1.03-2.14). CONCLUSIONS: Children <24-month-old born at 31-36 weeks GA are at increased risk for hospitalization and PICU admission for both overall CAAP and RSV-associated CAAP compared with those born at >36 weeks GA. Moreover, in late premature children, RSV represented a 50% increased risk for CAAP compared with infants born at term.