Devenir périnatal issu des grossesses rapprochées étude retrospective Marocaine / Perinatal outcome of closely spaced pregnancies: a Moroccan retrospective study

Introduction: déterminer les complications périnatales associées aux grossesses rapprochées. Méthodes: une étude cas-témoin rétrospective menée du 1er juin 2020 au 1er juin 2021 au centre hospitalier provincial de Settat. Au total, 670 patients ont été recrutés. Six cent trente personnes ont été réparties en deux groupes. Un groupe de patientes avec des intervalles intergénésique <9 mois (N = 443) et un groupe témoin >9 mois (N = 187). Résultats: la prématurité, la dénutrition et l'anémie p<0,05 étaient les principales complications et les principaux facteurs de risque de grossesse imminente étaient l'âge >35 ans (OR = 19,079 (4,98; 73,06) p<0,005) et le milieu rural (OR = 0,468)) (0,28; 0,78) p<0,005), niveau socio-économique bas (OR = 3,465 (2,06; 5,81) p<0,005); absence de prescriptions contraceptives postnatales (OR = 15,77 [7,31; 33,99]; p<0,005); absence d´allaitement avant la grossesse (OR = 49,462 [15,78; 155,03]; p<0,05). Conclusion: des soins préventifs et ciblés sont nécessaires en matière de planification familiale pour éviter les complications périnatales.

Introduction: the purpose of this study is to provide Moroccan data, study maternal risk factors and identify perinatal complications related to closely-spaced pregnancies. Methods: we conducted a retrospective case-control study at the Provincial Hospital Center in the city of Settat since June 1, 2020 to June 1, 2021. A total of 1,200 patients were admitted, but only 630 were included in the study. They were divided into 2 groups: a group of patients whose interpregnancy interval was <9 months (N = 443) and a control group whose interpregnancy interval was >9 months (N = 187). Results: prematurity, hypotrophy and anemia p<0,05 were the main complications, the main risk factors for closely-spaced pregnancies were age >35 years (OR =19,079 (4,98; 73,06) p < 0,005), coming from a rural area (OR = 0,468 [0,28; 0,78] p < 0,005), having a low socioeconomic status (OR =3,465 [2,06; 5,81]; p < 0,005); the absence of contraceptive prescription in the postpartum period (OR =15,77 [7,31; 33,99]; p < 0,005); and breastfeeding breaks before getting pregnant (OR = 49,462 [15,78; 155,03]; p<0,05). Conclusion: prevention and specific family planning methods are necessary to avoid perinatal complications.

Risk factors for preeclampsia and eclampsia in Sidama region, southern Ethiopia: a nested case-control study

Introduction: though Ethiopia has made a significant improvement in the reduction of maternal mortality, the high burden of preeclampsia remains a concern in the Sidama region of southern Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for preeclampsia and eclampsia in the Sidama region of southern Ethiopia. Methods: a nested case-control study was conducted from August 8, 2019, to October 1, 2020 in the Sidama region. Two-stage sampling techniques were used to recruit study participants. First, seven of the 13 public hospitals were selected using a random sampling technique. Second, cases and controls were selected from a cohort of pregnant women enrolled at ≥20 weeks of gestation up until the 37th week. Data were collected in a face-to-face interview using a locally translated and validated tool. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for preeclampsia and eclampsia Results: of the planned sample size of 816 women, we enrolled 808 (404 cases and 404 controls). Of the 404 cases, (59.40%, 240/404) had preeclampsia without severity features, (30.94%, 125/404) had preeclampsia with severity features, and (9.65%, 39/404) had convulsions. After controlling for confounders, women having a low wealth status were 98% [AOR: 1.98, 95%CI: 1.34-2.92] at higher risk for preeclampsia and eclampsia compared to women having a high wealth status. Women who had early neonatal deaths were 5 times more likely to be developed preeclampsia and eclampsia than women who did not have early neonatal deaths [AOR: 5.09, 95%CI: 1.69-9.36]. Women who did not attend school were three times more likely to develop preeclampsia and eclampsia [AOR: 3.00, 95% CI: 1.10-8.19] compared to women who attended college/university. Conclusion: in this study, a higher risk for preeclampsia and eclampsia was observed among women with low wealth status, women who had early neonatal deaths and women who did not attend school. Some of these factors could be positively influenced by educational interventions. Maternal and child health providers should screen pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia and eclampsia using these factors. Findings of this study will provide epidemiological evidence for policy makers and implementers to reduce the occurrence of preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Association of socioeconomic status with adverse birth outcomes at the Women and Newborn Hospital of the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia

Background: Low socioeconomic status has generally been associated with adverse birth outcomes worldwide. Adverse birth outcomes significantly contribute to perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide with some literatures showing conflicting results. At Women and New-born Hospital in Zambia, this relationship had remained unclear among women who experienced poor neonatal outcome; hence the study was done to explore this association between socioeconomic status and adverse birth outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Secondary data from ZAPPS study that had been collected prospectively between August 2015 and September 201 7 was retrieved. Altogether, 1,450 participants' information was retrieved, out of which 1,084 data records were set out for analysis after excluding those not meeting eligibility criteria. Socioeconomic status was an explanatory variable which was estimated using the standardized wealth score derived from principal component analysis of 14 variables. The wealth quintiles were further categorised into poor and not poor. Response variables were low birth weight, preterm birth and small for gestation age. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis and p value< 0.05 was significant Results: This study found the incidences of SGA, LBW and preterm births to be 164, 124 and 13 5 per 1000 live births respectively. In survival analysis, the proportion of babies who survived LBW among mothers who were poor was lower (82.9%) compared to babies born to rich mothers (87.5%) (p-value = 0.189). Furthermore, the proportion of babies who survived SGA for the poor was lower (79 .1 % ) compared to babies born to none poor mothers (85.8%) (p-value = 0.032) and preterm birth for the poor (78.4%) compared to babies born to mothers who were rich (83 .6%) (p-value = 0.022). In multiple Cox regression analysis socioeconomic status was not a significant risk factor for SGA ( aHR = 1.08; 95% CI; p=0.099), LBW and preterm birth (aHR = 1.17; 95% CI; p= l.41). However, male babies (aHR = 1.80; 95% CI; p=0.012), domestic violence or abuse during pregnancy (aHR = 3.48; 95% CI [1.59 - 7.34]; p = 0.002) and maternal anaemia (aHR = 2.1; 95% CI; p = 0.019) were risk factors for SGA while prior preterm birth ( aHR = 2.02; 95% CI; p = 0.002), HIV infection (aHR = 1.22; 95% CI; p = 0.040) and anaemia (aHR = 1.37; 95% CI; p = 0.009) were predictors of preterm delivery. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association between low socioeconomic status and adverse birth outcomes although being pregnant with a male baby, HIV infection, anaemia and prior preterm birth were significantly associated with SGAand preterm

Impact of the use of surfactant and Nasal CPAP in the reduction of mortality among very low birth weight preterm babies in Ile-Ife, south western Nigeria

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome causes significant morbidity and death especially among very low birth weight babies. Though the use of CPAP and surfactant have been shown to improve survival, these interventions were scarcely available in the past. This study aimed at comparing the clinical outcomes of preterm babies with RDS delivered at the Ife Hospital Unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex at two different periods. Objective: To compare the birth weight specific mortality rates and overall mortality rates of preterm babies with RDS between two periods in the neonatal ward of the Ife Hospital Unit of OAUTHC. Methods: A retrospective study comparing outcomes of 92 babies with RDS at GA 26 to 33+6 weeks between January 2015 and May 2016 and managed with intranasal oxygen alone to 104 babies of same gestational age characteristics between January 2019 and May 2020 who were managed withCPAP/surfactant. Results: The mean weight and gestational age of the babies respectively were 1.36 (±0.37) kg and 31.14 (±2.3) weeks in 2015/2016 and 1.35 (±0.322) kg and 30.95 (±2.24) weeks in 2019/2020. The overall case fatality rate and birth-weight specific mortality rates for ELBW, VLBW and LBW were 33.7%, 62.5%, 35.2% and 9.1% in 2015/2016 and 18.3%, 58.3%, 15.5% and 9.7% respectively in 2019/2020. Conclusion: While the use of CPAP and the administration of surfactant clearly show improved survival among very low birth weight babies who are at increased risk of death from RDS, this was not the case for extreme low birth weight babies.

Cervicovaginal fluid beta human chorionic gonadotropin assay as an early predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery among antenatal patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the beta subunit of hCG in cervicovaginal secretions as a biochemical predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery among pregnant women with and without preterm delivery risk.DESIGN: This was an eight-month prospective case control study of pregnant women with or without risk factors for preterm delivery. SETTING: Ifako- Ijaye General Hospital Lagos/ Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja Lagos Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: 150 pregnant women which consisted of 50 cases with preterm delivery risk and 100 controls without preterm delivery risk. INTERVENTIONS: A structured interviewer administered questionnaire which had been pretested, was used to collect data. Two cervicovaginal fluid samples at 26 weeks and 32 weeks were collected from each of the participants and it was quantitatively assayed using ELISA for presence of beta hCG. The participants were followed up till delivery. RESULTS: 15 participants out of the 50 cases delivered their babies preterm, while only 2 participants out of the 100 controls had preterm delivery. The 15 cases who delivered preterm had significant increase in their mean beta HCG value from 7.44±1.74 at 26 weeks to 32.6±1.32 at 32 weeks with p value<0.001. There was however no statistical difference in the mean beta HCG at 26 weeks and at 32 weeks for the control group. CONCLUSION: The concentration of beta HCG in the cervicovaginal fluid is a useful early predictor of preterm delivery especially among patients with risk factors.

Association between maternal serum homocysteine concentrations in early pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes

There is still conflicting evidence on the extent to which maternal hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for pregnancy complications. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the impact of elevated maternal homocysteine concentrations on adverse pregnancy outcomes among Nigerian women in Lagos. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria. Participants were enrolled during the first trimester of pregnancy following which relevant data were obtained by the interview. Fasting blood samples were collected for the measurement of maternal homocysteine concentration using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Pregnancy outcomes and complications were obtained by abstracting the antenatal, delivery, and newborn medical records. Preterm births, low-birth weight (LBW), and antepartum fetal death were used as confirmatory outcome variables in the final analysis. Descriptive statistics for all data were computed using SPSS version 22.0. The associations between the variables were tested and multivariate analyses were used to study the effects of the major baseline characteristics on the pregnancy outcome. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Hyperhomocysteinemia was recorded in 41 (24.6%) patients. Women with a high homocysteine concentration and those with a normal homocysteine level did not differ significantly in terms of age (P = 0.684), level of education (P = 0.866), and parity (P = 0.647). Women with hyperhomocysteinemia had an approximately twelve-fold higher risk of preterm birth (P = 0.001) and a ten-fold higher risk of delivering a term neonate with LBW (P = 0.004), but had no risk of antepartum fetal death (P = 0.118) compared to women with a normal homocysteine concentration. Conclusions: The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia among mothers in Lagos was relatively low. The associations between hyperhomocysteinemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes could have implications in future for the prevention of these adverse outcomes

Impact of maternal periodontitis on preterm birth and low biirth weight in babies: results of a scoping review

Background Periodontitis has been documented as public health concern but its association with preterm and low birth weight remains uncertain, thus the objective of this scoping review is to summarize the most recent published evidence related to the impact of periodontitis on preterm birth and low birth weight in order to improve public awareness and to inform policies for oral health during pregnancy. Methods Hinari, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched to acquire the published literature. The retrieved studies included cross-sectional, case control studies and randomized controlled trials with available full text published in English from 2008 to 2019. Results After combining the key words, 333 articles were identified with only 133 eligible articles published from 2008 to 2019. After reviewing the available 50 full text articles, duplicates were removed and 15 studies fully met the inclusion criteria. There were 13 articles that supported the association between maternal periodontitis and preterm low birth weight while 2 found no evidence to support the association. Conclusion The results of this scoping review contribute to an increasing body of evidence to support the hypothesis that maternal periodontal disease may be a risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight.

Implementing the Family-Led Care model for preterm and low birth weight newborns in Malawi: experience of healthcare workers

Background: Every Preemie­SCALE developed and piloted the Family-Led Care model, an innovative, locally developed model of care for preterm and low birth weight babies receiving kangaroo mother care. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe healthcare workers' experience using Family-Led Care. Setting: This study was conducted in five health facilities and their catchment areas in Balaka district, Malawi. Methods: The mixed-methods design, with two data collection periods, included record reviews, observations and questionnaires for facility staff and qualitative interviews with health workers of these facilities and their catchment areas. The total convenience sample comprised 123 health professionals, support staff and non-professional community health workers. Results: Facility-based staff generally had positive perceptions of Family-Led Care (83%). Knowledge and application-of-knowledge scores were 69% and 52%, respectively. A major change between the first and the second data periods was improvement in client record-keeping. Documentation of newborn vital signs increased from 62% to 92%. Themes emerging from the qualitative interview analysis were the following: benefits of Family-Led Care; activities supporting the implementation of Family-Led Care; own care practices; and families' reaction to and experience of Family-Led Care. Conclusion: This article reports improved quality of care through better documentation and better follow-up of preterm and low birth weight babies receiving kangaroo mother care according to the Family-Led Care model. Overall, health workers were positive about their involvement, and they reported positive reactions from families. Lessons learned have been incorporated into a universal Family-Led Care package that is available for adaptation by other countries

Coping strategies of mothers with preterm babies admitted in a public hospital in Cape Town

Background: Most pregnancies run a normal course, ending in a healthy mother­infant relationship, but sometimes, it can also be a life-threatening and stressful condition. The stress levels of mothers are more aggravated when they deliver preterm babies.Objectives: To explore the coping strategies of mothers of preterm babies with the stress of preterm delivery and subsequent admission of the preterm neonate to a neonatal care unit.Method: A qualitative research approach applying an exploratory and descriptive design was applied to explore the coping strategies of mothers with preterm babies admitted in a neonatal care unit. The study applied a purposive sampling technique to select mothers with preterm babies. The population for this study included women who delivered preterm babies and whose babies were admitted in the neonatal care unit at a public hospital in Cape Town. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached, and 11 mothers with preterm babies in the selected public hospital participated in the study. Data were analysed manually using thematic content analysis with an inductive approach. Results: Results were deductively interpreted and supported by the Brief COPE model. The main themes that emerged from data analysis included praying, attachment with baby and acceptance of the situation. Under praying the following subthemes emerged, namely praying for God's strength, God's grace, babies' survival and thanksgiving to God for babies' health and preferred gender. The theme of attachment with the baby emerged with the following subthemes: bonding with the baby and seeing the baby. The last theme that was acceptance of the situation emerged with the following subtheme: perseverance in the situation and mother's awareness of her responsibility. Conclusion: Even though the mothers of preterm babies cope differently after delivery, their coping abilities, which included praying, attachment to baby and acceptance of the situation, were greatly determined by the condition of their babies as well as the support they receive from significant others

Determinants of preterm delivery in the central zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia: a case-control study

Background. Preterm birth remains one of the most serious problems in obstetrics care globally. In Ethiopia preterm delivery is a direct cause of 28% newborn deaths. However, little is known about the risk factors of preterm birth.Objective. To determine risk factors of preterm birth in Tigray, Ethiopia.Methods. A hospital-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted among 288 respondents (cases=96; controls=192). Data were collected during individual interviews and through a chart review. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis (significance level p<0.05). Results. The response rate was 100%. The mean (standard deviation) age of the respondents was 26.1 (5.9) years. Urban residence (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.181 - 8.168)), gynaecological problems (aOR 8.9; 95% CI 1.580 - 50.252), hard physical work during pregnancy (aOR 3.85; 95% CI 1.622 - 9.144), being younger than 18 (aOR 4.56; 95% CI 1.702 - 12.215) and being a first-time mother (aOR 4.66; 95% CI 1.635 - 13.254) were identified as statiscally significant risk factors of preterm delivery. Micronutrient supplementation (aOR 0.26; 95% CI 0.008 - 0.084) and nutritional counselling during pregnancy (aOR 0.24; 95% CI 0.067 - 0.862) were identified as protective factors against preterm birth. Conclusion. The study identified various factors associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and also some protective factors against preterm birth. Programmes to improve maternal and newborn healthcare are recommended to reduce the incidence of preterm births in this region

Short-term outcomes of inborn v. outborn very-low-birth-weight neonates (<1 500 g) in the neonatal nursery at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Background. The Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) neonatal nursery provides level 3 care for the Metro West Health District in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Worldwide, very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) neonates delivered in level 3 neonatal units have better outcomes than those transported from other facilities.Objectives. To identify the characteristics and outcomes of VLBW neonates at GSH, with emphasis on differences between inborns and outborns. Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study. VLBW neonates admitted to the GSH neonatal nursery between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013 were enrolled on the Vermont Oxford Network database and reviewed.Results. Of 1 032 VLBW neonates enrolled, 906 (87.8%) were delivered at GSH and 126 (12.2%) were outborn. Access to antenatal care, antenatal steroids and inborn status were statistically significant predictors of mortality and survival without morbidity. The mothers of inborn patients were more likely than those of outborn patients to have received antenatal care (89.1% v. 57.9%; p<0.0001) and antenatal steroids (64.2% v. 15.2%; p<0.0001). Inborns required less ventilatory support (16.2% v. 57.9%; p<0.0001) and surfactant administration than outborns (25.3% v. 65.1%; p<0.0001), and developed less late infection (8.8% v. 23.4%; p<0.0001), severe intraventricular haemorrhage (3.7% v. 13.9%; p<0.0001) and chronic lung disease (5.3% v. 13.4%; p=0.003). The incidence of necrotising enterocolitis was similar in the two groups (5.9% v. 8.7%; p=0.227). The mortality rate was 18.4% for inborns and 33.3% for outborns (p<0.0001). Mortality declined as birth weight increased. Of the survivors, 85.0% of inborns and 70.2% of outborns did not develop serious morbidity (p=0.003).Conclusions. VLBW neonates delivered at GSH had better outcomes than their outborn counterparts. Perinatal regionalisation is beneficial to our patients, with antenatal care, timeous transfer in utero and antenatal steroids contributing to excellent outcomes

Prevalence and outcome of pregnancy among elderly primigravida in Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Kano: a 5 year review

Background: As women increasingly delay child bearing, the proportion of women having their first delivery at ''advanced maternal age'' is expected to rise. These elderly primigravidae have traditionally been considered to be at increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes compared to their younger counterparts, because of associated pregnancy and labour complications. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of elderly primigravidae and compare their pregnancy outcome with that of younger primigravidae in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective case control study comparing the pregnancy outcome of primigravid mothers aged 35 years and above (elderly primigravidae) with those of younger primigravidae aged 20-25 years, who delivered at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital between January 2009 and December 2013. Results: There were 18,452 deliveries during the period under review, out of which 295 were primigravidae aged 35 years or above giving a prevalence of 1.6%. There was statistically significant higher preterm delivery rate ( X2= 10.30, P= 0.001) and caesarean delivery rate (X2= 12.15, P= 0.0001) among the elderly primigravidae compared to younger primigravidae. The elderly primigravidae were more prone to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (X2=23.96, P=0.0001) and diabetes (X2=4.689, P=0.030) compared to the younger primigravidae. The prevalence of antepartum haemorrhage (X2=6.434, P=0.011) and uterine fibroids (X2=5.549, P=0.019) were also statistically significant among the elderly primigravidae compared to the younger primigravidae. There was no significant difference in the other maternal and foetal outcome measures. Conclusion: The prevalence of elderly primigravidae in this study was 1.6%. The prevalence of obstetric complications such as preterm delivery, antepartum haemorrhage, uterine fibroids coexisting with pregnancy and medical conditions like hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and diabetes mellitus are higher among elderly primigravidae compared to younger primigravidae. The elderly primigravidae were also more liable to have caesarean deliveries than the younger primigravidae. However there was no difference in the fetal outcome in the two groups

Comparison of 25 and 50 Microgram of Misoprostol for Induction of Labour in Nulliparous Women with Postdate Pregnancy in Port Harcourt

Background: Induction of labor for postdate pregnancy using misoprostol is one of the most common interventions in pregnancy. However; the optimal dose of misoprostol is yet to be determined with previous reports utilizing different dosages. Objective: The main objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of 25 ?g versus 50 ?g of intravaginal misoprostol for induction of labor in nulliparous women with postdate pregnancy. Methodology: This was a prospective study in which 88 nulliparous women with postdate pregnancy were randomly selected to receive either 25 ?g or 50 ?g of misoprostol for induction of labor. Student's t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare proportions. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the induction-vaginal delivery interval between the two doses. The proportion of women delivering vaginally with a single dose of misoprostol (11/40 vs. 23/43; P = 0.01) and vomiting were significantly greater in the 50 ?g group. However; there was no significant difference between both groups in terms of the need for augmentation of labor; caesarean section; tachysystole and hyperstimulation syndrome. Conclusion: Intravaginal administration of 25 ?g of misoprostol appears to be as effective; but safer than 50 ?g for induction of labor in nulliparous women with postdate pregnancy

Profile of Babies Born before Arrival at Hospital in a Peri-Uban Setting

Background. Babies born before arrival (BBAs) at hospital constitute a special group at risk of high morbidity and mortality.Objective. We conducted a 12-month retrospective review to describe maternal and neonatal characteristics of BBAs; and their outcomes compared with babies born in the state health sector.Methods. Using case-control sampling; all babies born outside a health facility and who presented to hospital within 24 hours of life were included and compared to the next in-hospital delivery occurring immediately after each BBA presented. Results. During the period reviewed; 135 BBAs (prevalence 1.8) presented; 71 after hours with most deliveries occurring at home (73.8). There was no birth attendant present at 70.5 of deliveries. Average birth weights were similar (2.86 kg in the BBA group; 95 confidence interval (CI) 2.73 - 2.95; 2.94 kg in the control group; 95 CI 2.78 - 3.02); but significantly more preterm babies were found in the BBA group (23 v. 9; respectively; p0.0001). Admitted BBAs had significantly lower average weights than those who were not admitted (2.19 kg v. 2.96 kg; respectively; p0.0001). No significant differences were found when maternal age; parity; co-morbidities and distance from the hospital were compared. There were significantly more unbooked mothers in the BBA group (23.0 v. 6.7; respectively;p0.0001). Only 54.40 of the admitted BBAs' mothers had booked antenatally; compared with 78.89 of mothers whose babies were discharged. Admission and complication rates were similar between the groups; but average length of stay was longer in admitted BBAs compared with controls. Conclusion. The prevalence of BBAs in this study is comparable to that in other developing countries; and is associated with poor antenatal attendance; prematurity; delay in presentation to hospital and lengthier hospital stays. These factors have implications for prehospital care of newborns and access to maternal and child healthcare in general

Pregnancy Outcome in Asymptomatic Women with Abnormal Vaginal Flora Without any Treatment and After Treatment with Vaginal Clindamycin and Clotrimazole: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Aims. To study the role of screening for and treatment of abnormal vaginal flora in early pregnancy; and its correlation with pregnancy outcome.Methods. Eight hundred asymptomatic women seen at the antenatal clinic of Lok Nayak Hospital; New Delhi; India; at 12 - 24 weeks' gestation were screened for abnormal vaginal flora by means of examination of vaginal fluid smears on Gram-stained slides. Two hundred and forty-two women with abnormal vaginal flora were allocated randomly to receive either treatment (vaginal clindamycin and clotrimazole) or no treatment. The presence of abnormal vaginal flora was correlated with pregnancy outcomes in terms of preterm delivery or late miscarriage; premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) and puerperal sepsis.Results. A total of 242 patients with abnormal vaginal flora for whom outcome data were complete were analysed. Intervention in women with abnormal vaginal flora was associated with a decrease in the rate of preterm delivery (30.3 v. 18.6; relative risk 1.65; 95 confidence interval 1.04 - 2.63; p0.05). The advantage did not extend to late miscarriage; PROM or puerperal sepsis; as the decrease in these outcomes did not attain statistical significance.Conclusions. Screening for and treatment of asymptomatic abnormal vaginal flora in early pregnancy significantly reduces the rate of preterm delivery and consequent perinatal morbidity and mortality

Clinical Significance of Low Serum Magnesium in Pregnant Women Attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Objective: Magnesium level is known to decline during pregnancy. A suggested role for magnesium deficiency in conditions like pre-eclampsia and pre-term birth has prompted studies with conflicting evidence. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypomagnesemia in pregnancy; while the secondary objectives attempted to define maternal and fetal outcome due to hypomagnesemia.Subjects and Methods: A pilot study was performed to determine the mean serum magnesium level for the population of female patients attending the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The result of the pregnant population in the pilot study was used as a reference for hypomagnesemia in this study. Thereafter; a prospective cohort study of antenatal women recruited in the second trimester and followed-up till delivery and 1 week post-partum was done. Serum magnesium estimates were done with samples collected at recruitment and delivery. The magnesium levels determined at recruitment were used to divide the subjects into two groups of hypomagnesemic and normomagnesemic patients. Their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were used to generate a database for analysis.Results: The prevalence of magnesium deficiency was 16.25. Hypomagnesemia was significantly correlated with the occurrence of pre-eclampsia (P = 0.011); leg cramps (P = 0.000) and pre-term birth (P = 0.030). A logistic regression analysis showed that hypomagnesemia had an Odds ratio of 22 for pre-eclampsia. There was no maternal mortality or early neonatal death.Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia and pre-term birth are associated with hypomagnesemia in pregnancy; hence; magnesium supplementation or magnesium-rich diet consisting of green leafy vegetables; soy milk and legumes may improve outcome

Pregnancy Outcome and Factors Affecting Vaginal Delivery of Twins at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital; Enugu

Objective: The study aims to determine the differences in maternal and perinatal outcomes between caesarean and vaginal deliveries and the factors affecting vaginal delivery in twin pregnancy.Materials and Methods: An observational study to audit twin pregnancies delivered at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital between 2002 and 2008. Clinical observations were entered into a questionnaire immediately after the delivery of the women and the mothers and their babies were followed up until the end of the puerperium.Results: There were 5298 deliveries within the study period; out of which 117 were twin deliveries. This gives a twinning rate of 22 per 1000 deliveries. The mean age of the mothers was 30 } 5.9 years. Twenty.five (21.4) women were admitted into the hospital for preterm labor. The average gestational age of admission was 32 } 5.8 weeks and the average duration of hospital stay for preterm labor was 12.6 } 9.1 days. Other pregnancy complications observed were severe hypertension (14.5; anemia (9.4); postpartum hemorrhage (8.5); puerperal fever (5.1); abruptio placentae; and diabetic mellitus (2.7). Fifty.nine women (50.4) had vaginal deliveries; 5 (4.3) had vaginal delivery of the leading twin and caesarean delivery of the retained second twin while 53 women (45.3) were delivered by caesarean section. Forty.eight (41) women had preterm delivery. Vaginal deliveries were more common than caesarean section among patients that were unbooked than booked P = 0.047 (OR 2.26; 95CI:0.93.5.53) and those that had cephalic presentation of the leading twin; P = 0.0002 (OR = 4.7 95 CI:2.6.8.2). Vaginal delivery tended toward statistical significance when the fetal weight of the leading twin was 1.5 to 2.5 kg; P = 0.09. The commonest indications for caesarean section were abnormal lies and presentations and hypertension in pregnancy.Two.hundred and seventeen (92.7) out of a total of 234 fetuses that were delivered in this study were live births and 17 (7.3) still births. The rate of new born admissions in twin 1 was however higher in those delivered by Caesarean section (39.6) than those delivered vaginally (29.7). Indications for admissions into the special baby care units were; prematurity 33 (40.2); birth asphyxia 15 (18.3); low birth weight 12 (14.6); neonatal jaundice 10 (12.2); and twin-twin transfusion 4 (4.9). There was a higher rate of early neonatal death in both vaginally delivered twin 1 (9.4) and twin 2 (11.9) than those delivered by Caesarean section; 3.8 and 3.5; respectively.Conclusion: Cephalic presentation of the leading twin; birth weight less than 2.5 kg; and unbooked women presenting in advanced labor predisposed to vaginal delivery in twin pregnancies. There was however increased risk of still birth and early neonatal deaths especially for the leading twin in vaginal deliveries in unbooked women

Achieving Optimal Feeds for Preterm Babies; Recommendations and Realities in Practice: Nigerian Perspective

Preterm deaths are responsible for the highest number of neonatal mortality in Nigeria. Preterm nutrition contributes significantly to overall outcome particularly as it relates to neurodevelopment. Recently; new guidelines for enteral feedings in premature infants were issued by the American Academy of Paediatrics and European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology; Hepatology and Nutrition Committee on Nutrition. Nevertheless; in clinical practice it is often difficult to attain suggested intakes at all times. The situation is worse in Nigeria where there are no specific national guidelines and recommendations derived from local data targeting Preterms. There is a high possibility of significant potential cumulative nutritional deficits occurring in Nigerian preterms. The inevitable suboptimal intake contributes significantly to the incidence of neonatal diseases and outcome. This review describes practical ways of optimizing nutritional intake in these vulnerable neonates with reference to Nigerian situation. Understanding the preterm gut; initiation of parenteral nutrition; need for minimal enteral feeds; ensuring adequate macro and micronutrients intake and need for follow up are discussed. There are limitations to the practice of the recommended preterm nutrition in Nigerian settings; nevertheless the interventions like early commencement of minimal enteral feeds and preference for human breast milk should be practiced optimally. Hence; all health professionals should acknowledge that preterm nutrition may be an emergency and need to improve their knowledge on when and how to achieve optimal feeds in them. There is a dare need through both clinical practice as well as research; to reduce nutritional deficits in these vulnerable infants

Causes of Neonatal Admissions and Deaths at a Rural Hospital in Kwazulu-Natal; South Africa

One of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG-4) is to reduce child mortality by up to two-thirds by 2015. In most developing countries; a higher proportion of neonatal deaths are observed. We quantify the causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality at a rural hospital. A retrospective review of consecutive neonatal admissions to Empangeni Hospital; between January and December 2005; was conducted. Of 1;573 admissions; male babies made up 57.8 of admissions and 63 of the deaths. The most common causes of admission were birth asphyxia (38.2); prematurity (23.5); and infection (21). The average length of stay was 9.2 days (SD 12 days). The overall mortality rate was 13.8 but higher (23.4) among the referred babies. Admission and death rates of low birthweight babies ( 2;500g) were 53 and 84; respectively. Two-thirds (67.7) of those babies who died were born preterm. Over half (56.6) of the deaths took place within the first three days of life. Logistic regression showed that extremely low birthweight (OR

Timing of Spontaneous Birth and the Risk of Adverse Perinatal Outcome

Abstract:The study aspired to assess the impact of time of birth on spontaneous onset of labour and delivery. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted from the Empangeni Hospital delivery registry on 9;397 infant births between January to December 2005; weighing more than 1;000 g. Logistic regression; adjusting for birth weight and for gender was used to estimate the relationship between spontaneous birth and timing of birth. A higher proportion of births (59) occurred between 10h00 and 22h00 of the day. Estimating the hourly births; we found that the daytime peak is 5.3 and occurred at 10h00 while the night-time peak is 4.9 and occurred at 20h00. Maternal age was significantly associated with the timing of spontaneous births (p 0.05). A higher proportion of preterm babies was born during the day (6.4) and early night (3.4) compared to late night births (1.6). There were significant differences between multiple births and low birth weight infants born during the day (1.1; 6.9) and night (0.8; 6.3). However; low birth weight babies were born mostly during early night rather than late night (4 vs. 2.3; p 0.05). Adverse pregnancy outcome; measured by estimating the perinatal mortality rate; was the same for day and night and was equally distributed between early and late night. Timing of birth of infants did not influence the negative outcomes of pregnancy among this study population