Nutrición de la embarazada, primer pilar de la nutrición para la vida / Nutrition of the pregnant, the first pillar of a nutrition for life

Following healthy eating patterns is important for pregnant and lactating women for a number of reasons. Increasing calories and nutrient intake is necessary to support the growth and development of the baby and maintain the health of the mother. Having access to a healthy dietary pattern before and during pregnancy will improve pregnancy outcomes. In addition, following a healthy diet plan before and during pregnancy as well as while breastfeeding has the potential to influence the health of mother and child in successive stages of life. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are special stages in a woman's life and nutrition plays a vital role before, during and after these stages in maintaining the health of the mother and her child. Consideration should be given to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight before pregnancy, gaining weight during pregnancy as recommended, and returning to a healthy weight after the postpartum period. Events that occur in the early stages of life play an important role in the development of chronic diseases. It is recognized that diet and lifestyle during pregnancy are crucial determinants for modulating the microbiota of the offspring, through a vertical transfer from the dysbiotic maternal environment. In addition, intestinal colonization is maximized in the first two years of life through the type and timing of feeding of the newborn

Seguir patrones de alimentación saludables es importante para las mujeres embarazadas y mujeres lactantes por varias razones. Aumento de calorías y la ingesta de nutrientes es necesaria para apoyar el crecimiento y desarrollo del bebé y mantener la salud de la madre. Tener acceso a un patrón dietético saludable antes y durante el embarazo mejorará. resultados del embarazo. Además, seguir un plan de dieta saludable antes y durante el embarazo, así como durante la lactancia, tiene el potencial influir en la salud de la madre y el niño en las sucesivas etapas de la vida. El embarazo y la lactancia son etapas especiales en la vida de una mujer y la nutrición juega un papel vital antes, durante y después de estas etapas en el mantenimiento de la salud de la madre y su hijo. Consideración debe darse para lograr y mantener un peso saludable antes embarazo, aumento de peso durante el embarazo según lo recomendado, y volver a un peso saludable después del período posparto. Los eventos que ocurren en las primeras etapas de la vida juegan un papel importante en el desarrollo de enfermedades crónicas. Se reconoce que la dieta y El estilo de vida durante el embarazo son determinantes cruciales para modular la microbiota de la descendencia, a través de una transferencia vertical desde el ambiente materno disbiótico. Además, la colonización intestinal se maximiza en los primeros dos años de vida a través del tipo y el momento de alimentación del recién nacido

Diagnóstico prenatal y posnatal de anomalías del tracto urinario / Pre- natal and post-natal diagnosis of urinary tract anomalies

Introducción: El ultrasonido prenatal aporta una magnífica forma de introducirnos en la patofisiología renal humana, pero es incapaz de detectar todas las anomalías. Objetivos: Identificar las principales anomalías de riñón y tracto urinario en pacientes con diagnóstico prenatal o posnatal de estas anomalías. Métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio todos los pacientes que llegaron remitidos al servicio de Nefrología del Hospital Pediátrico Docente William Soler entre el 1ero. de octubre de 2015 y el 30 de septiembre de 2017, por haberse detectado alteraciones en el ultrasonido prenatal durante el seguimiento de un embarazo normal y aquellos en los que después del nacimiento se comprobó alguna anormalidad en forma incidental o por síntomas relacionados. Se programó seguimiento clínico, imagenológico y terapéutico de acuerdo con la anomalía detectada. Resultados: El estudio incluyó 81 pacientes, 65 con diagnóstico prenatal y 16 con hallazgo posnatal. El sexo masculino estuvo representado por el 66,7 por ciento y la anomalía más frecuente estudiada resultó la displasia renal multiquística (23,4 por ciento). En segundo lugar, el diagnóstico morfológico correspondió a dilataciones del tracto urinario, que en su estudio posnatal se clasificaron como hidronefrosis (20,9 por ciento), pielectasias (17,4 por ciento) y reflujo vesicoureteral (7,4 por ciento). Conclusiones: El ultrasonido prenatal para la detección de anomalías de riñón y tracto urinario es un proceder diagnóstico de gran utilidad porque permite prepararnos para enfrentar estas anomalías antes que presente síntomas relacionados y además puede proporcionar una adecuada información a los padres. No todas las anomalías congénitas se detectan mediante ecografía prenatal(AU)

Introduction: The prenatal ultrasound provides a great way to introduce us to the human renal pathophysiology, but is unable to detect all of the anomalies. Objectives: To identify the main anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract in patients with prenatal or postnatal diagnosis of those. Methods: There were included in the study all the patients who were referred to the Nephrology Service of William Soler Pediatric Teaching Hospital from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2017 being detected alterations in the prenatal ultrasound during the follow-up of a normal pregnancy and those in which after birth any abnormality was found incidentally or by related symptoms. Clinical, imaging and therapeutic follow-up were scheduled in accordance with the anomaly detected. Results: The study included 81 patients, 65 with prenatal diagnosis and 16 with post-natal finding. The male sex was represented by the 66.7 percent and the most common anomaly studied was the multicystic dysplastic kidney (23.4 percent). Secondly, the morphological diagnosis corresponded to dilations of the urinary tract, which in the post-natal study were classified as hydronephrosis (20.9 percent), pyelectasis (17.4 percent) and vesicoureteral reflux (7.4 percent). Conclusions: The prenatal ultrasound for the detection of kidney and urinary tract´s anomalies is a diagnosis of great utility because it allows us to prepare to face these anomalies before they present related symptoms and it can also provide adequate information to parents. Not all congenital anomalies are detected by prenatal ultrasound(AU)

Evaluating the effectiveness of an educative workshop for pregnant women using pre and post intervention surveys / Avaliação da efetividade de uma oficina educativa para gestantes com o uso de inquéritos pré- e pós-intervenção / Evaluando la efectividad de un taller educativo para mujeres embarazadas utilizando pre y post encuestas de intervención

Abstract: This paper will report the findings of an education intervention performed by a workshop aimed to provide pregnant women with knowledge about pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding and newborn care. A cross-sectional study, using a pre and post-intervention research design, was performed with 105 pregnant women from an obstetric service for a two-year period. Time points (pre and post) were compared using either Student t test and ANOVA. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. After the intervention all items increased their level from the three stations: antenatal care (20.4%), labor and delivery (36.8%) and postnatal and breastfeeding (32.1%). The total score of the surveys also increased 31.7% when comparing the pre and post applications (p < 0.001). It was evidenced the importance of strategies to improve knowledge about pregnancy and its surroundings to pregnant women. The workshop proposal presented increases in its knowledge and can most likely bring better results in short and long-term outcomes.

Resumo: O artigo relata os achados de uma intervenção educativa através de uma oficina para fornecer informações às mulheres sobre a gravidez, parto, aleitamento e cuidados do recém-nascido. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com um desenho de pesquisa de intervenção, com 105 gestantes usuárias de um serviço obstétrico, ao longo de dois anos. Os dois momentos (pré- e pós-intervenção) foram comparados com o uso do teste t de Student ou ANOVA, com nível de significância de p ≤ 0,05. Após a intervenção, todos os itens aumentaram de nível nas três dimensões: atendimento pré-natal (20,4%), trabalho de parto e nascimento (36,8%) e pós-parto e aleitamento (32,1%). A pontuação total dos inquéritos também aumentou em 31,7% na comparação das aplicações pré e pós-intervenção (p < 0,001). Ficou evidenciada a importância de estratégias para melhorar o conhecimento das gestantes sobre a gravidez e seu entorno. A proposta da oficina resultou em aumento nesse conhecimento e deverá trazer melhores resultados no curto e longo prazo.

Resumen: Este trabajo informa sobre los resultados de una intervención educacional, llevada a cabo a través de un taller impartido para proporcionar a mujeres embarazadas conocimientos sobre el embarazo, parto, lactancia materna y cuidados de un recién nacido. Se realizó un estudio transversal, usando un diseño de investigación de pre- y pos-intervención, realizado con 105 mujeres embarazadas procedentes de un servicio obstétrico durante un periodo de dos años. Los puntos temporales (pre y post) se compararon usando bien el Student t test o bien ANOVA. La significancia se estableció en p ≤ 0,05. Tras la intervención todos los ítems incrementaron su nivel en los tres estadios: cuidado prenatal (20.4%), trabajo de parto y parto (36.8%), así como cuidados postnatales y lactancia materna (32.1%). La puntuación total de los estudios también se incrementó un 31,7%, si comparamos las pre- y post- aplicaciones (p < 0.001). Se evidenció la importancia de las estrategias para mejorar el conocimiento sobre el embarazo y todo lo que rodea a una mujer embarazada. La propuesta del taller presentó un aumento del conocimiento sobre estos temas y, probablemente, puede brindar mejores resultados en los resultados a corto y largo plazo sobre estas cuestiones.

Utilization and determinants of postnatal care services in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Postnatal care use is vital in saving mother and newborn lives which is a continuum of care for maternal, neonatal and child health. This reviewaimed to determine the utilization and determinants of postnatal care use in Ethiopia. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched on June 25, 2017. The study screening, data extraction and quality assessment were done independently by two reviewers. Effect sizes were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Nine articles were included in the review. The pooled estimate for utilization of the service was 32% (95% CI: 21%, 43%). The pooled results of determinants of postnatal care use was statistically significant among those mothers who had ability to make decisions (1.89; 1.25, 2.54), had a history of antenatal care utilization (2.55; 1.42, 3.68), received more than two antenatal care visits (1.84; 1.28, 2.40), and received the service from skilled service provider (3.16; 1.62, 4.70). It was also found that mothers who gave birth in health faciliteis (2.13; 1.14, 3.12), had middle monthly income, richer, were from urban areas, and had knowledge of obstetric danger signs were significantly associated with increased odds of postnatal care use. CONCLUSION: Utilization of the services is low in Ethiopia. Antenatal care utilization, skilled service provider, being from urban area and delivery in health facility had a significant effect on postnatal care utilization. More rigorous studies are needed to identify determinant with the causal association to postnatal care utilization. The reviewwas registered on PROSPERO CRD42017060266

Hematoma subcapsular hepático y hemofilia neonatal / Hepatic subcapsular hematoma and neonatal hemophilia

INTRODUCCIÓN: el hematoma subcapsular hepático sangrante se presenta cada vez menos en el recién nacido, debido al mejoramiento de la atención prenatal y al seguimiento esmerado del trabajo de parto. La hemofilia es una enfermedad hemorrágica hereditaria ligada al cromosoma X, en la cual se produce una alteración en los genes que codifican para los factores de la coagulación, factor VIII (hemofilia A) o del factor IX (hemofilia B), que trae como consecuencia una proteína alterada cuantitativa, cualitativa o ambas. Se manifiesta raramente en la etapa neonatal, y cuando ocurre, se presenta como formas clínicas graves. El diagnóstico de la hemofilia se realiza por antecedentes familiares y manifestaciones clínicas, confirmándose con la dosificación de factores, situación clave que ofrece una ventana de oportunidad para que el médico de primer nivel de atención establezca un diagnóstico oportuno y eficiente. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: se presenta cuadro clínico y ultrasonográfico, de neonato con 6 días de vida, al que se le consulta por palidez extrema y síndrome peritoneal, con antecedentes familiares de hemofilia sin diagnóstico prenatal. CONCLUSIONES: el diagnóstico precoz del hematoma subcapsular hepático sangrante, como complicación de la hemofilia, permite iniciar tratamiento médico apropiado para las dos entidades, lo cual genera un impacto positivo en la salud del paciente y la familia, y reduce los riesgos de mortalidad.

INTRODUCTION: bleeding hepatic subcapsular hematome is increasingly less frequent in the newborn as a result of better prenatal care and the careful follow-up of the labor. Hemophilia is an X chromosome-linked hereditary hemorrhagic disease in which there are altered gens that code for the coagulation factors, factor VIII (hemophilia A) or factor IX (hemophilia B), resulting in a quantitative, a qualitative protein or both. It is rarely seen at the neonatal phase and when it appears, it takes the severe clinical forms. The diagnosis of hemophilia is based on the family history and the clinical manifestations and is confirmed with factor dosing; a key situation that offers the opportunity for the primary level physician to set a timely efficient diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: clinical and ultrasonographic picture of a six days old neonate with signs of extreme pallor and peritoneal syndrome and family history of hemophilia with no prenatal diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: the early diagnosis of the bleeding hepatic subcapsular hematoma, as a complication of hemophilia, allows starting the adequate medical treatment for the two problems, thus generating a positive impact on the patient´s and the family´s health and reducing the mortality risks.

Evolución de niños con anomalías del tracto urinario y propuesta de interrupción del embarazo / Progress of children with urinary tract anomalies and proposal of pregnancy cessation

Introducción: el ultrasonido diagnóstico prenatal realizado en los embarazos normales ha demostrado que por cada 500 embarazos debe aparecer una anomalía importante del tracto urinario. En diferentes situaciones puede sugerirse o recomendarse la interrupción del embarazo, que puede ser aceptado o rechazado por los padres. Objetivos: comparar el diagnóstico pre y posnatal, y valorar la evolución en 8 pacientes en los que se propuso la interrupción, pero el embarazo continuó. Resultados: en 6 de los fetos se propuso la interrupción por el diagnóstico de hidronefrosis bilateral; en uno, por quistes renales bilaterales, y en otro por hidronefrosis unilateral y displasia renal multiquística contralateral. En 2 recién nacidos hubo coincidencia total entre el diagnóstico prenatal y el posnatal, en uno con reflujo de alto grado se encontró ureterohidronefrosis bilateral en el estudio prenatal, mientras que en 2 solamente hidronefrosis; un paciente tiene megauréter bilateral no obstructivo, y otro pielectasia bilateral. En el feto que se plantearon los quistes renales bilaterales, el estudio posnatal mostró un doble sistema excretor derecho con el superior obstruido, y reflujo vesicoureteral grado III del inferior con riñón izquierdo normal. Durante el tiempo de seguimiento la conducta médica varió de acuerdo con el diagnóstico posnatal. Al concluir el período de seguimiento, un paciente tiene una enfermedad renal crónica etapa 3, y los 7 restantes tienen función renal conservada. Conclusiones: la indicación de interrupción del embarazo por el diagnóstico ultrasonográfico prenatal de una anomalía renal o de tracto urinario tiene un margen de error que es necesario seguir estudiando y buscar indicadores de alto riesgo vital, porque los factores predictivos no están bien precisados

Introduction: prenatal ultrasound diagnosis performed in normal pregnancies has shown that one significant urinary tract anomaly occurs per 500 pregnancies. Under different circumstances, termination of pregnancy may be suggested or recommended, which may be accepted or rejected by parents. Objectives: to compare the pre-and postnatal diagnoses, and to assess the progress in 8 patients who were recommended to terminate their pregnancies, but they rejected this idea. Results: in 6 cases, the termination of pregnancy was suggested on account of bilateral hydronephrosis diagnosis in their fetuses; in one case due to bilateral renal cysts diagnosis and in the other case due to unilateral hydronephrosis and contralateral multicystic renal dysplasia. There was full agreement between the prenatal and postnatal diagnoses in 2 newborns; in a neonate with high grade reflux, the prenatal study revealed bilateral ureterohydronephrosis whereas this study showed just hydronephrosis for other two fetuses. One patient has non-obstructive bilateral megaureter and the other presents bilateral pyelectasy. The fetus with bilateral renal cysts presented, according to the postnatal study, a double right excretory system, being the upper obstructed and the lower with grade III vesicoureteral reflux, but his left kidney was normal. In the follow-up period, the medical behavior varied according to the postnatal diagnoses. Upon finishing this period, one patient had phase III chronic renal disease and the other seven had preserved renal function. Conclusions: the indication of termination of pregnancy based on the prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of a renal or urinary tract anomaly has an error index that must be further studied, and it is necessary to look for high life risk indicators because the predictive factors are not well detailed

Comportamiento patológico del puerperio / Pathologic behavior of puerperium

INTRODUCCIÓN: La muerte materna es uno de los indicadores primordiales que miden el nivel socioeconómico y estado de salud poblacional y resulta muy compleja su evaluación. Durante el puerperio pueden ocurrir complicaciones que evolucionen hacia la muerte, originando consecuencias negativas a la familia, la población y sistema de salud. OBJETIVOS: Caracterizar el puerperio patológico durante un trienio en el hospital ginecobstétrico provincial. Determinar la incidencia y causas de las complicaciones en el puerperio señalando la frecuencia de las mismas. Identificar la vía del parto y edad de la puérpera complicada, teniendo en cuenta la estadía post parto y reingreso. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo prospectivo de las puérperas que tuvieron alguna complicación durante el período de enero 2007 a diciembre 2009, en el Hospital Ginecobstétrico Dr. Julio Rafael Alfonso Medina de Matanzas, que tuvieron su parto o cesárea en el hospital. Se recolectaron los datos a través de un modelo confeccionado al efecto, previo consentimiento escrito de las pacientes, se describieron variables operacionalizadas. RESULTADOS: La incidencia de las complicaciones puerperales fue del 3,05 por ciento, las principales complicaciones halladas fueron la mastitis aguda (19,2 por ciento) y endometritis puerperal (15,7 por ciento). Las complicaciones se relacionaron con el parto vaginal en el 64,5 por ciento, estadía hospitalaria entre 2 y 7 días ocurrió en el 66,3 por ciento. CONCLUSIONES: Se logró caracterizar el puerperio, considerando que las complicaciones tienen baja incidencia, con riesgo significativo en adolescentes y mujeres muy jóvenes, fueron frecuentes las complicaciones mamarias, con mayor incidencia en pacientes con partos vaginales lo que implica estadías prolongadas

INTRODUCTION: Mother death is one the fundamental indicators measuring the socioeconomic level and the population health status whose evaluation is very complex. During puerperium period may to be present complications evolving to death, leading to negative consequences for the family the population and the health system. OBJECTIVES: The aim of present study was to characterize the pathological puerperium during three years in the provincial gynecology and obstetrics hospital as well as to determine the incidence and causes of complications at puerperium as well as their frequency and to identify the labor route and re-admission. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive and observational study was conducted in puerperal patients suffered some complication during January, 2007 to December, 2009 in the Dr. Julio Rafael Alfonso Medina Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital of Matanzas province whose labor or cesarean section were at hospital. Data were collected by means of a form designed to that end, previous writing informed consent of patients, describing the operational variables. RESULTS: The incidence of puerperium complications was of 3.05 percent, the major complications found were acute mastitis (19.2 percent) and puerperium endometritis (15.7 percent). Complications are related with vaginal labor in the 64.5 percent, hospital stay from 2 to 7 days in the 66.3 percent. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to characterize the puerperium, taking into account that complications have a low incidence, with a significant risk in adolescents and very young women, the breast complications were the more frequent ones with a high incidence in patients with vaginal labors leading to lengthy stays

The Changing Pattern of Physical and Psychological Health, and Maternal Adjustment Between Primiparas Who Used and Those Who did Not Use Sanhujori Facilities

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare levels of postpartum fatigue, depression, childcare stress, and maternal identity according to postpartum period between primiparas who used Sanhujori facilities and those who did not. METHODS: The research design was a longitudinal descriptive study using self-report questionnaires. Participants were 55 healthy primiparas who delivered at one of 3 hospitals in Chungnam, 21 using Sanhujori facilities and 34 not using these facilities during the first three weeks after childbirth. Data were collected from October 2008 to April 2009 at three measurement points, 2-4 days after childbirth (T1), 4-6 weeks (T2), and 12-14 weeks (T3). Data were analyzed using the SPSS 17.0 WIN program. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in childcare stress between the two groups at 4-6 weeks after childbirth. Postpartum depression and childcare stress at 4-6 weeks were significantly higher than those of the other postpartum periods, while maternal identity was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Child care stress is the most important issue among women who use Sanhujori facilities and the 4-6 week period after childbirth is very difficult to primiparas. These results indicate that nursing interventions for primiparas in Sanhujori facilities should focus on reducing childcare stress. Furthermore proper follow-up programs at 4-6 weeks are needed to decrease the difficulties in adjustment by new mothers.

Contacto madre-hijo en cesáreas: estudio controlado y randomizado con carbetocina / Contact mother-son in cesarean: ramdomized and controlled study with carbetacin

Objetivo. Comparar dos esquemas de manejo postoperatorio en cesáreas programadas. Métodos. Investigación clínica controlada y randomizada. Se comparó un esquema de manejo de cesárea con ocitocina y dextropropoxifeno más dipirona endovenosos más ayuno de 12 h (grupo control) con un nuevo esquema en que se utiliza carbetocina y dextroporpoxifeno más dipirona endovenosa intraoperatoria con dieta líquida y medicación oral (grupo estudio). Resultados. Se randomizaron mediante sobres cerrados 25 embarazadas al grupo de estudio y 25 al de control. Las características iniciales de ambos grupos no presentaron diferencias evidentes. Las madres del grupo estudio tomaron contacto con su hijo dentro de las primeras 6 h en mayor proporción que las del grupo control (RR=0,33, IC 95 por ciento 0,13-0,84); a las 12 h el RR fue de 0,26 (0,13-0,53). Conclusiones. El nuevo esquema de manejo postoperatorio acortó la demora en el contacto madre-hijo, sin diferencias en la hemorragia posparto y otras complicaciones mayores.

Alternative to surgical evacuation of uterus: misoprostol for post-abortion care

To compares the effectiveness of single 600 micrograms [micro g] dose of sublingual misoprostol with manual vacuum aspiration [MVA] for treatment of incomplete and missed abortions. Quasi- Experimental study. Post-abortion care room, Jinnah Postgraduate medical centre [JPMC] Karachi, from September 2008 to December 2008. Hundred consenting women with incomplete and missed abortions were randomized to either a single dose of 600 micrograms of sublingual misoprostol or MVA for treatment of their condition. Main outcome measure was complete abortion following initial treatment. Secondary outcome measures were satisfaction rate and acceptability of the method. Regardless of treatment assigned, nearly all participants had a complete uterine evacuation [Misoprostol =92% MVA= 100% p=0.12]. A slightly more satisfaction rate was observed in the misoprostol group [p=0.001] as 86% participants expressed desire to choose misoprostol again while the number was 76% in MVA group. Sublingual misoprostol is as safe and as effective as manual vacuum aspiration for post-abortion care

Immediate and early postnatal care for mothers and newborns in rural Bangladesh.

The study evaluated the impact of essential newborn-care interventions at the household level in the Saving Newborn Lives project areas. Two household surveys were conducted following the 30-cluster sampling method using a structured questionnaire in 2002 (baseline) and 2004 (endline) respectively. In total, 3,325 mothers with children aged less than one year in baseline and 3,110 mothers in endline from 10 sub-districts were interviewed during each survey. The proportion of newborns dried and wrapped immediately after birth increased from 14% in 2002 to 55% in 2004; 76.2% of the newborns were put to the mother's breast within one hour of birth compared to 38.6% in baseline. Newborn check-up within 24 hours of delivery increased from 14.4% in 2002 to 27.3% in 2004. Postnatal check-up of mothers by trained providers within three days of delivery rose from 2.4% in 2002 to 27.3% in 2004. Knowledge of the mothers on at least two postnatal danger signs increased by 17.2%, i.e. from 47.1% in 2002 to 64.3% in 2004. Knowledge of mothers on at least three postnatal danger signs also showed an increase of 16%. Essential newborn-care practices, such as drying and wrapping the baby immediately after birth, initiation of breastmilk within one hour of birth, and early postnatal newborn check-up, improved in the intervention areas. Increased community awareness helped improve maternal and newborn-care practices at the household level. Lessons learnt from implementation revealed that door-to-door visits by community health workers, using community registers as job-aids, were effective in identifying pregnant women and following them through pregnancy to the postnatal periods.

Impact of health centre availability on utilisation of maternity care and pregnancy outcome in a rural area of Haryana.

Six hundred married women of 15-45 years age group were interviewed in 4 villages of the district Ambala in Haryana. Impact of health centre (HC) availability on the knowledge, opinion and practices related to maternity care and pregnancy outcome was assessed after adjusting the effect of socio-economic status. Except 17 women (2.8%), everyone knew at least one correct purpose of antenatal care (ANC) and 98.2% women had contacted health staff for ANC. However, knowledge of the respondents about the components of ANC was found to be poor in study villages. Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) conducted delivery in 76.1% cases in sub-centre (SC), 75.6% in villages without a HC compared to 49.8% in primary health centre (PHC) village. However, preference for TBAs in PHC village was 14.9%, in SC village 33.5%, and in villages without HC 36.3% (p < 0.001). Among respondents having better awareness about ANC components, preference and utilisation of modern delivery attendants was found to be higher. For maternity illnesses, consultation rate of government functionaries was 67.9% in PHC village, 52.2% in SC village and 55.8% in villages without a HC. Perinatal mortality rate of 76.0/1000 births in villages without HC was not significantly different from the rate of 87.4/1000 in SC village but rate of 38.9/1000 in the PHC village was significantly lower (p < 0.01). Awareness and availability of modern maternity services were found to have significant influence on the health seeking behaviour and pregnancy outcome.

Maternal care receptivity and its relation to perinatal and neonatal mortality. A rural study.

A longitudinal study was conducted on 212 pregnant women from May 1987 to April 1988. Maternal Care Receptivity (MCR) "an innovative approach" was adopted for the assessment of maternal care services provided to pregnant mothers at their door steps. During follow-up, scores were allotted to each of the services rendered and antenatal status of pregnant women. Depending on the score--MCR was classified as high (11 to 8), moderate (7 to 4) or poor (3 to 0). Perinatal and neonatal deaths were recorded and an inverse relationship between MCR and perinatal and mortalities was observed (z = 5.46, p < 0.0001). Significantly, no perinatal or neonatal deaths occurred in women with high MCR. One of the most important cause of high PNMR and neonatal mortality rate in developing countries is poor MCR, i.e., under utilization of even the existing maternal health services. The main reasons for this under utilization appear to be poverty, illiteracy, ignorance and lack of faith in modern medicine.

Manejo activo del embarazo múltiple / Active management of multiple pregnancy

Se comunica el manejo y resultado perinatal de 29 casos de embarazo múltiple (23 triples, 5 cuádruples y 1 séxtuple), ocurridos en un período de 10 años. La edad gestacional promedio al parto fue de 33 y 30 semanas para triples y cuádruples, con un peso promedio de nacimiento de 1.773 g para triples y de 1208 g para cuádruples. Las principales patologías obstétricas fueron la amenaza de parto prematuro (37 por ciento), el RCIU, la RPM y el edema gravídico (25 por ciento cada uno), y la preclampsia y la anemia (17 por ciento c/u). El parto resolvió por cesárea en el 96 por ciento de los casos (23/24). Entre los recién nacidos vivos (60 triples y 16 cuádruples) hubo una muerte a los 108 días de vida. El seguimiento realizado en 69/75 RN dados de alta, revela normalidad en el 90 por ciento de ellos. El diagnóstico precoz, el control prenatal con pesquisa y tratamiento de patologías obstétricas, la ecografía de excelencia, el parto programado por cesárea y el manejo intensivo del recién nacido, son los principales determinantes del buen pronóstico observado en estos casos de embarazo múltiple