Relationships of Severity of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia with Adverse Neurodevelopmental Outcomes and Poor Respiratory Function at 7-8 Years of Age.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationships of 3 definitions of severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) with adverse neurodevelopmental and respiratory outcomes at early school-age. STUDY DESIGN: Participants comprised 218 consecutive survivors to 7-8 years of age born either <28 weeks' gestation or weighing <1000 g in Victoria, Australia, in 2005. BPD was classified as none, grade 1 (mild), grade 2 (moderate), or grade 3 (severe), using 2 commonly accepted definitions: 1) Jobe2001, and 2) Higgins2018, and our own 3) Victorian Infant Collaborative Study (VICS) 2005, adapted from Jensen2019. Outcomes included major neurodevelopmental disability, low IQ and academic achievement, poor motor function, and poor respiratory function as assessed by spirometry. Outcomes for children with each grade of BPD were compared with children with no BPD. RESULTS: Of the 218 survivors, 132 (61%) had BPD on Jobe2001 criteria, and 113 (52%) had BPD on both Higgins2018 and VICS2005 criteria. Grade 1 on any criteria was not associated with any adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Grade 1 on both Higgins2018 and VICS2005 was associated with reduced spirometry, grade 2 on both Higgins2018 and VICS2005, and grade 3 on all criteria were associated with increased risk for both adverse neurodevelopmental and respiratory outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with no BPD, receiving additional oxygen up to 29% but no positive pressure support at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age increased the risk of abnormal respiratory function but not adverse neurodevelopment. Receiving ≥30% oxygen or any positive pressure support at 36 weeks increased the risk of both adverse outcomes.

The (temporary) Covid-19 baby bust in Mexico.

In this paper, we investigate whether fertility and newborn health changed during the Covid-19 pandemic in Mexico. We use national administrative data and an event-study design to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on fertility and newborn health characteristics. Our findings suggest that Mexico's fertility declined temporarily as measured by conceptions that likely occurred during the stay-at-home order. Initially, the general fertility rate fell by 11-12 per cent but quickly rebounded and returned close to its original levels by the end of 2021. Newborn health also deteriorated during the pandemic. Instances of low birthweight and prematurity substantially increased, with both remaining elevated over the entire pandemic period.

Yield and Chemical Characteristics of Salvia hispanica L. (Chia) Oil from Native Seeds from Four Provenances of Guatemala.

INTRODUCTION: Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a plant from the Lamiaceae family that has been used as ancestral food, medicine, and oil, with culinary, artistic, and religious purposes by most of the Mesoamerican civilizations. Native from Mesoamerica, introduced into South America, Australia, and Europe, it is presently consumed as a nutritional and functional food. OBJECTIVE: This research aims to characterize ancient native cultivars from four provenances in Guatemala to recommend their direct consumption by the population as well as to establish its trade. METHOD: Seed samples were collected in four places where they have been cultivated for several generations. The oil was obtained by expression and analyzed chemically by gas chromatography following standard qualitative and quantitative methods. RESULTS: Variations in oil yield and some of the characteristic parameters of the phytochemical analysis were obtained. In general, the profile was similar to most of the reported data in the literature, with the saturated fatty acids (8.54-9.25%) relatively lower than the references (7.95-11.45%) but a higher concentration of unsaturated fatty oils, particularly of omega-3 (64.68-68.62%). CONCLUSION: The oil from native cultivars contains high quantities of omega-3, which might help pregnant women during gestation and to control other conditions such as metabolic syndrome, particularly in low- and middle-income populations where these seeds are consumed regularly. The suggestion is made to encourage the cultivation and use of these ancestral seeds with the possibility of commercialization abroad with an appellation of origin label.

Vulnerable newborn types: Analysis of population-based registries for 165 million births in 23 countries, 2000-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of novel newborn types among 165 million live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021. DESIGN: Population-based, multi-country analysis. SETTING: National data systems in 23 middle- and high-income countries. POPULATION: Liveborn infants. METHODS: Country teams with high-quality data were invited to be part of the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We classified live births by six newborn types based on gestational age information (preterm <37 weeks versus term ≥37 weeks) and size for gestational age defined as small (SGA, <10th centile), appropriate (10th-90th centiles), or large (LGA, >90th centile) for gestational age, according to INTERGROWTH-21st standards. We considered small newborn types of any combination of preterm or SGA, and term + LGA was considered large. Time trends were analysed using 3-year moving averages for small and large types. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of six newborn types. RESULTS: We analysed 165 017 419 live births and the median prevalence of small types was 11.7% - highest in Malaysia (26%) and Qatar (15.7%). Overall, 18.1% of newborns were large (term + LGA) and was highest in Estonia 28.8% and Denmark 25.9%. Time trends of small and large infants were relatively stable in most countries. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of newborn types varies across the 23 middle- and high-income countries. Small newborn types were highest in west Asian countries and large types were highest in Europe. To better understand the global patterns of these novel newborn types, more information is needed, especially from low- and middle-income countries.

Birthweight, postnatal growth and blood pressure in adolescents of low socioeconomic condition: a cohort study in Northeast Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the influence of low birth weight and rapid postnatal weight gain and associated factors on blood pressure in adolescence in a population of low socioeconomic status, considering that injuries occur in the perinatal period can be predictors of future metabolic changes and are still poorly explored. METHODS: A cohort study was carried out with 208 adolescents, 78 born with low weight and 130 born with appropriate weight. The infants were followed up during the first six postnatal months and reassessed at 8 and 18 years of age. The independent variables were birthweight and postnatal weight gain. Rapid postnatal weight gain was defined when above 0.67 z score. The co-variables were sex, maternal height and family income at birth, nutritional status at eight years old, socioeconomic conditions, nutritional status, fat mass index, and physical activity level at 18 years. The outcome variable was blood pressure at 18 years old. The bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were realized and p < 0,05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The proportion of adolescents with elevated blood pressure was 37.5%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the variables independently associated with a higher chance of elevated blood pressure in adolescence were rapid postnatal weight gain (OR = 2.74; 95% CI 1.22-6.14; p = 0.014), male sex (OR = 4.15; 95% CI 1.66-10.38; p = 0.002) and being physically active (OR = 2.70; 95% CI 1.08-6.74; p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The rapid postnatal weight gain was a predictor for elevated blood pressure in adolescence, independently of other factors.

Performance of the INTERGROWTH-21st and World Health Organization fetal growth charts for the detection of small-for-gestational age neonates in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of INTERGROWTH-21st (IG-21st ) and World Health Organization (WHO) fetal growth charts to identify small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) neonates, as well as their specific risks for adverse neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Multicenter cross-sectional study including 67 968 live births from 10 maternity units across four Latin American countries. According to each standard, neonates were classified as SGA and FGR (birth weight <10th and less than third centiles, respectively). The relative risk (RR) and diagnostic performance for a low APGAR score and low ponderal index were calculated for each standard. RESULTS: WHO charts identified more neonates as SGA than IG-21st (13.9% vs 7%, respectively). Neonates classified as having FGR by both standards had the highest RR for a low APGAR (RR, 5.57 [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.99-7.78]), followed by those who were SGA by both curves (RR, 3.27 [95% CI, 2.52-4.24]), while neonates with SGA identified by WHO alone did not have an additional risk (RR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.55-1.39]). Furthermore, the diagnostic odds ratio for a low APGAR was higher when IG-21st was used. CONCLUSION: In a population from Latin America, the WHO charts seem to identify more SGA neonates, but the diagnostic performance of the IG-21st charts for low APGAR score and low ponderal index is better.

Perinatal outcomes of two consecutive strategies for the management of fetal growth restriction: a before-after study.

PURPOSE: We aim to compare the perinatal outcomes of two consecutive management strategies for fetal growth restriction (FGR), with or without the inclusion of additional Doppler parameters. METHODS: A quasi-experimental before/after study was conducted in which we compared a composite perinatal outcome, prematurity rate, and neonatal complications between two management strategies in small fetuses. In the strategy 1 (S1), the management was based on fetal biometry and umbilical artery Doppler. The second strategy (S2) added the assessment of uterine and middle cerebral artery Doppler. We also compared outcomes between strategies according to early (≤ 32 weeks) and late (> 32 weeks) diagnosis subgroups. RESULTS: We included 396 patients, 163 in S1 and 233 in S2. There were no significant differences in the perinatal composite outcome (p 0.98), prematurity (p 0.19), or in the subgroup analysis. We found a significant reduction in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) rate with S2 both globally (OR 0.50, p 0.02), and in the early diagnosis subgroup (OR 0.45, p 0.01). In addition, we observed a significant reduction in the incidence of sepsis with S2 both globally (OR 0.30, p 0.04) and in the early diagnosis subgroup (OR 0.25, p 0.02). We did not observe significant differences in necrotizing enterocolitis (p 0.41) and intraventricular hemorrhage (p 1.00). CONCLUSION: The expanded strategy for the management of FGR did not show significant differences in the primary composite outcome or prematurity. However, it was associated with a lower incidence of RDS and neonatal sepsis.

Maternal Care and Pregnancy Outcomes of Venezuelan and Colombian Refugees.

BACKGROUND: Ecuador is a major host country for Colombians fleeing violence and Venezuelans escaping a complex humanitarian crisis, many of whom are pregnant women. METHODS: We used national birth registry data (2018-2020) to compare the maternal care and infant outcomes of Venezuelan and Colombian immigrants with Ecuadorian nationals. RESULTS: Venezuelan immigrants had a lower adjusted odds (AOR) for adequate prenatal care (AOR = 0.64;95%CI = 0.62,0.67) but a higher AOR for institutional (AOR = 2.68;95%CI = 1.84,3.93) and C-section delivery (AOR = 1.28;95%CI = 1.23,1.32) and birthing infants who were moderate-late preterm (AOR = 1.12;95%CI = 1.05,1.20), very preterm (AOR = 1.20;95%CI = 1.04,1.40), extremely pre-term (AOR = 1.65;95%CI = 1.27,2.14), low birthweight (LBW) (AOR = 1.11;95%CI = 1.05,1.17), very LBW (AOR = 1.35;95%CI = 1.12,1.62), and extremely LBW (AOR = 1.71;95%CI = 1.36,2.16). Colombians had decreased AORs for adequate prenatal care (AOR = 0.82;95%CI = 0.78,0.87) but increased AORs for institutional (AOR = 2.03;95%CI = 1.19,3.46) and C-section deliveries (AOR = 1.07;95%CI = 1.01,1.13) and birthing infants with moderate-late preterm (AOR = 1.17;95%CI = 1.05,1.30) but not LBW. DISCUSSION: The findings underscore the need to address the causes of adequate prenatal care, excess C-sections, and poorer infant outcomes among refugee and immigrant women, especially Venezuelans.

Birthweight, postnatal growth and blood pressure in adolescents of low socioeconomic condition: a cohort study in Northeast Brazil

Abstract Objective To verify the influence of low birth weight and rapid postnatal weight gain and associated factors on blood pressure in adolescence in a population of low socioeconomic status, considering that injuries occur in the perinatal period can be predictors of future metabolic changes and are still poorly explored. Methods A cohort study was carried out with 208 adolescents, 78 born with low weight and 130 born with appropriate weight. The infants were followed up during the first six postnatal months and reassessed at 8 and 18 years of age. The independent variables were birthweight and postnatal weight gain. Rapid postnatal weight gain was defined when above 0.67 z score. The co-variables were sex, maternal height and family income at birth, nutritional status at eight years old, socioeconomic conditions, nutritional status, fat mass index, and physical activity level at 18 years. The outcome variable was blood pressure at 18 years old. The bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were realized and p < 0,05 was considered significant. Results The proportion of adolescents with elevated blood pressure was 37.5%. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the variables independently associated with a higher chance of elevated blood pressure in adolescence were rapid postnatal weight gain (OR = 2.74; 95% CI 1.22-6.14; p= 0.014), male sex (OR = 4.15; 95% CI 1.66-10.38; p= 0.002) and being physically active (OR = 2.70; 95% CI 1.08-6.74; p= 0.034). Conclusions The rapid postnatal weight gain was a predictor for elevated blood pressure in adolescence, independently of other factors.

Poor nutritional status of fifteen-year-old or younger adolescent mothers enhances the risk of small-for-gestational-age newborns

Introduction: To analyze the factors (socio-demographic, clinical, prenatal care, delivery, postpartum data and anthropometric measures) associated with the birth of small for gestational age newborns.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 15 years old or younger postpartum adolescents divided into small-for-gestational-age newborn (SGA) and non-small-for-gestational age newborn groups (NSGA). Socio-demographic, clinical, prenatal care, delivery, postpartum data and anthropometric measures (triceps skinfold (TS), and mid-arm circumference, (MAC)) were collected.Results: 8,153 women gave birth at the obstetric ward and 364 (4.46%) ≤ 15 years old adolescents were enrolled in the study. The proportion of SGA newborns was 34.61%. The SGA group attended fewer prenatal visits (p = 0.037), had a higher prevalence of nutritional status classified as "very low weight" (p < 0.001) and vaginal delivery (p = 0.023), compared to the NSGA group. The nutritional status and vaginal delivery remained significant even after adjustment for confounders. The prevalence risk for SGA birth was 30% higher in the group of mothers with nutritional status classified as "very low weight" (odds ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 1.50) (p < 0.001).Conclusions: 15.4% of adolescents ≤ 15 years of age had an arm circumference compatible with the "very low weight" condition, demonstrating the high prevalence of poor maternal nutritional status in this group. The birth of SGA among adolescents ≤ 15 years of age is independently associated with maternal nutritional status classified as "very low weight" by the mid-arm circumference measures (MAC).

Associations between child and adolescent marriage and reproductive outcomes in Brazil, Ecuador, the United States and Canada.

BACKGROUND: Although marriage is associated with favourable reproductive outcomes among adult women, it is not known whether the marriage advantage applies to girls (< 18 years). The contribution of girl child marriage (< 18 years) to perinatal health is understudied in the Americas. METHODS: National singleton birth registrations were used to estimate the prevalence of girl child marriage among mothers in Brazil (2011-2018, N = 23,117,661), Ecuador (2014-2018, N = 1,519,168), the USA (2014-2018, N = 18,618,283) and Canada (2008-2018, N = 3,907,610). The joint associations between marital status and maternal age groups (< 18, 18-19 and 20-24 years) with preterm birth (< 37 weeks), small-for-gestational age (SGA < 10 percentile) and repeat birth were assessed with logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of births to < 18-year-old mothers was 9.9% in Ecuador, 8.9% in Brazil, 1.5% in the United States and 0.9% in Canada, and marriage prevalence among < 18-year-old mothers was 3.0%, 4.8%, 3.7% and 1.7%, respectively. In fully-adjusted models, marriage was associated with lower odds of preterm birth and SGA among 20-24-year-old mothers in the four countries. Compared to unmarried 20-24-year-old women, married and unmarried < 18-year-old girls had higher odds of preterm birth in the four countries, and slightly higher odds of SGA in Brazil and Ecuador but not in the USA and Canada. In comparisons within age groups, the odds of repeat birth among < 18-year-old married mothers exceeded that of their unmarried counterparts in Ecuador [AOR: 1.99, 95%CI: 1.82, 2.18], the USA [AOR: 2.96, 95%CI: 2.79, 3.14], and Canada [AOR: 2.17, 95%CI: 1.67, 2.82], although minimally in Brazil [AOR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.11]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of births to < 18-year-old mothers varies considerably in the Americas. Girl child marriage was differentially associated with perinatal health indicators across countries, suggesting context-specific mechanisms.

Infant Outcomes among Teenage and Young Mothers: Racial Inequities and the Role of Educational Attainment.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of age-appropriate maternal educational attainment in teenage and young mothers on infant health outcomes across racial/ethnic groups. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research Natality data (2016-2017), we included live births comparing 14- to 19- year-old mothers with 20- to 24-year-old mothers. To analyze the association of maternal age-appropriate education (≥8th grade for 15-18 years of age, 9th-12th grade/completed high school for 19-24 years of age), we conducted multivariable regression adjusting for mothers' demographics, reporting adjusted incidence rate ratios with 95% CI for infant mortality rate, and logistic regression for extreme prematurity and low birth weight, reporting aORs with 95% CI. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2017, there were 1 976 334 live births among women 14-24 years of age; 407 576 (20.6%) were in 14- to 19-year-olds. In the multivariable model, increased term infant mortality rate was associated with age 14-19 years (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.18, 95% 1.10, 1.27), age-inappropriate education (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.38, 95% CI 1.28, 1.48), and non-Hispanic Black mothers (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.12, 1.30). Extreme prematurity was associated with women age 14-19 years (aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.30, 1.40), non-Hispanic Black (aOR 2.50, 95% CI 2.39, 2.61), and Hispanic mothers (aOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04, 1.15). Term infant low birth weight was associated with age 14-19 years (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.12, 1.16), age-inappropriate education for non-Hispanic White (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.11, 1.21), and non-Hispanic Black (aOR 1.08, 1.04, 1.12) mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate maternal educational attainment, which is influenced by modifiable social policies, is associated with increased adverse infant outcomes in mothers 14-24 years of age.

Impact of mitigation measures against the COVID 19 pandemic on the perinatal results of the reference maternity hospital in Uruguay.

INTRODUCTION: Social consequences of pandemics, impacts on perinatal results, especially those who are the most vulnerable. OBJECTIVE: Determine effect of mitigation measures of the COVID 19 pandemic on perinatal results in the maternity hospital of the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center (CHPR). METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional cohort study, with a comparative analysis of the semesters of March 15-30 September 2019 versus the same period in 2020 based on three variables low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PB), and small for gestational age (SGA). RESULTS: Incidence of PB (14.5%), LBW (12%) and SGA (6.9%) was higher in the 2020 semester during COVID 19 pandemic compared to the same period of 2019 (12.2%; 9.8%; 5.5%). PB showed a statistically significant increase of 21% in our hospital. CONCLUSION: Mitigation measures of the COVID 19 pandemic, aggravate the effects of the global syndemic on the reproductive process of the social sectors most violated in their rights.

Pregnant Mexican American Biopsychosocial/Cultural risks for adverse infant outcomes.

AIMS: To test a model of psychosocial/cultural/biological risk factors for poor birth outcomes in Latina pregnant women. DESIGN: An observational study measuring acculturation, progesterone, cortisol, cotinine, age, marital status, income, stress, depressive symptoms and coping. We tested a structural equation model to predict risk. METHODS: We obtained a convenience sample (N = 515) of low medical risk pregnant Mexican American Hispanic women at 22-24 weeks of gestation. Bilingual research nurses collected data from blood, urine and questionnaires. Self-report measures were the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II and the Brief Cope. We measured progesterone and cortisol in plasma and cotinine levels in urine by enzyme-linked immunoassays. RESULTS: A PLS-SEM model revealed that Mexican American Hispanic pregnant women who were younger, single, lower income, more acculturated and who had greater negative coping, stress and depression were most at risk for having earlier and smaller babies.

Ethnicity and Low Birth Weight: Inequalities Between Ethnic Minorities and the Predominant Mestizo Population, Colombia, 2008-2014.

Low birth weight (LBW) is a global problem that annually affects nearly 20 million children, 96% of these in developing countries. According to the WHO, the poorest and the ethnic minorities are the groups most affected by this indicator. A cross-sectional study of the database of all newborns officially registered in Colombia in 2008-2014 was done. While dichotomizing the mestizo population and ethnic minorities (Afro-descendants, indigenous, ROM), normal and low birth weight was used as the dependent variable and ethnicity as the explanatory variable. Other variables of the parents and the newborns were used as covariates. To assess associations, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. The incidence of LBW among newborns registered in Colombia fluctuated at around 9%. Among the ethnic minorities, the probability of LBW, adjusted for other variables, was significantly higher (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.05-1.08) than among mestizos. A significantly higher risk of LBW to newborns in the ethnic minorities' group, and those with unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, was found.

RESUMEN: El bajo peso al nacer (BPN) es un problema global que afecta anualmente a casi 20 millones de niños, el 96% de estos en países en desarrollo. Según la OMS, las más pobres y las minorías étnicas son los grupos más afectados por este indicador. Se realizó un estudio transversal de la base de datos de todos los recién nacidos registrados oficialmente en Colombia en 2008-2014. La población fue dicotomizaba en mestiza y minorías étnicas (afrodescendientes, indígenas, ROM). Se utilizó Bajo Peso al Nacer (BPN) como variable dependiente y el origen étnico como variable explicativa. Otras variables de los padres y los recién nacidos se utilizaron como covariables. Para evaluar las asociaciones, se realizaron análisis de regresión logística bivariada y multivariada. La incidencia de BPN entre los recién nacidos registrados en Colombia fluctuó alrededor del 9%. Entre las minorías étnicas, la probabilidad de LBW, ajustada por otras variables, fue significativamente mayor (OR = 1.07, 95% _CI: 1.05-1.08) que entre los mestizos. Se encontró un riesgo significativamente más alto de BPN para los recién nacidos en el grupo de minorías étnicas y aquellos con condiciones socioeconómicas desfavorables.

Hypertensive Disorders: Prevalence, Perinatal Outcomes and Cesarean Section Rates in Pregnant Women Hospitalized for Delivery / Distúrbios hipertensivos: Prevalência, resultados perinatais e taxas de cesarianas em gestantes hospitalizadas para o parto

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of hypertensive disorders, perinatal outcomes (preterm infants, low birthweight infants and Apgar score < 7 at the 5th minute and fetal deaths) and the cesarean rates in pregnant women hospitalized for delivery at the Maternidade Hilda Brandão da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from March 1, 2008 to February 28, 2018. Methods: A case-control study was performed, and the groups selected for comparison were those of pregnant women with and without hypertensive disorders. Out of the 36,724 women, 4,464 were diagnosed with hypertensive disorders and 32,260 did not present hypertensive disorders Results: The prevalence of hypertensive disorders was 12.16%; the perinatal outcomes and cesarean rates between the 2 groups with and without hypertensive disorders were: preterm infants (21.70% versus 9.66%, odds ratio [OR] 2.59, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.40-2.80, p < 0.001); low birthweight infants (24.48% versus 10.56%; OR 2.75; 95% CI, 2.55-2.96; p < 0.001); Apgar score < 7 at the 5th minute (1.40% versus 1.10%; OR 1.27; 95% CI, 0.97-1.67; p = 0.84); dead fetuses diagnosed prior to delivery (1.90% versus 0.91%; OR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.67-2.70; p < 0.001); cesarean rates (60.22% versus 31.21%; OR 3.34; 95% CI, 3.14-3.55; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders are associated with higher rates of cesarean deliveries and higher risk of preterm infants, low birthweight infants and a higher risk of fetal deaths.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência dos distúrbios hipertensivos, resultados perinatais (recém-nascidos pré-termo, recém-nascidos de baixo peso, índice de Apgar < 7 no 5° minuto e óbitos fetais) e as taxas de cesarianas nas gestantes internadas para assistência ao parto na Maternidade Hilda Brandão da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil, no período de 1° de março de 2008 a 28 de fevereiro de 2018. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo analítico, observacional, longitudinal. Os grupos selecionados para comparação foram gestantes com e sem distúrbios hipertensivos. Do total de 36.724 gestantes, 4.464 foram diagnosticadas com distúrbios hipertensivos e 32.260 não apresentavam distúrbios hipertensivos. Resultados: A prevalência dos distúrbios hipertensivos foi de 12,16%; Os resultados perinatais e as taxas de cesarianas entre os 2 grupos de gestantes com e sem distúrbios hipertensivos foram: recém-nascidos pré-termo (21,70% versus 9,66%; odds ratio [OR] 2,59; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95%, 2,40-2,80; p < 0,001); recém-nascidos de baixo peso (24,48% versus 10,56%; OR 2,75; IC 95%, 2,55-2,96; p < 0,001); índice de Apgar < 7 no 5° minuto (1,40% versus 1,10%; OR 1,27; IC 95%, 0,97-1,67; p = 0,084); fetos mortos diagnosticados previamente ao parto (1,90% versus 0,91%; OR 2,12; IC 95%, 1,67-2,70; p < 0,001); taxas de cesarianas (60,22% versus 31,21%; OR 3,34; IC 95%, 3,14-3,55; p < 0,001). Conclusão: Os distúrbios hipertensivos estão associados a maiores taxas de cesarianas, ao maior risco de recém-nascidos pré-termo, recém-nascidos de baixo peso e a um maior risco de óbitos fetais.

Dietary patterns and diet quality during pregnancy and low birthweight: The PRINCESA cohort.

Although the isolated effects of several specific nutrients have been examined, little is known about the relationship between overall maternal diet during pregnancy and fetal development and growth. This study evaluates the association between maternal diet and low birthweight (LBW) in 660 pregnant women from the Pregnancy Research on Inflammation, Nutrition,& City Environment: Systematic Analyses (PRINCESA) cohort in Mexico City. Using prior day dietary intake reported at multiple prenatal visits, diet was assessed prospectively using a priori (Maternal Diet Quality Score [MDQS]) and a posteriori (dietary patterns extracted by factor analysis) approaches. The association between maternal diet and LBW was investigated by logistic regression, controlling for confounders. Adherence to recommended guidelines (higher MDQS) was associated with a reduced risk of LBW (OR, 0.22; 95% confidence interval [0.06, 0.75], P < .05, N = 49) compared with the lowest adherence category (reference group), controlling for maternal age, education, height, marital status, pre-pregnancy body mass index, parity, energy intake, gestational weight gain, and preterm versus term birth; a posteriori dietary patterns were not associated with LBW risk. Higher adherence to MDQS was associated with a lower risk of having an LBW baby in this sample. Our results support the role of advocating a healthy overall diet, versus individual foods or nutrients, in preventing LBW.

Mortality and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in the Heart Rate Characteristics Monitoring Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether the composite outcome of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 18-22 months corrected age for infants ≤1000 g at birth is decreased by continuous monitoring of heart rate characteristics during neonatal intensive care. STUDY DESIGN: We studied a subset of participants enrolled in a multicenter randomized trial of heart rate characteristics monitoring. Survivors were evaluated at 18-22 months corrected age with a standardized neurologic examination and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (BSID-III). NDI was defined as Gross Motor Function Classification System of >2 (moderate or severe cerebral palsy), BSID-III language or cognitive scores of <70, severe bilateral hearing impairment, and/or bilateral blindness. RESULTS: The composite outcome, death or NDI, was obtained for 628 of 884 study infants (72%). The prevalence of this outcome was 44.4% (136/306) among controls (infants randomized to heart rate characteristics monitored but not displayed) and 38.9% (125/322) among infants randomized to heart rate characteristics monitoring displayed (relative risk, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.73-1.05; P = .17). Mortality was reduced from 32.0% (99/307) among controls to 24.8% (81/326) among monitoring displayed infants (relative risk, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.97; P = .028). The composite outcomes of death or severe CP and death or mildly low Bayley cognitive score occurred less frequently in the displayed group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in the composite outcome of death or NDI for extremely preterm infants whose heart rate characteristics were and were not displayed during neonatal intensive care. Two outcomes that included mortality or a specific NDI were less frequent in the displayed group.

Patient characteristics and pregnancy outcomes among Zika-infected pregnant women: Epidemiologic surveillance data from two cities in Colombia, 2015-2016.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of pregnant women infected with Zika virus in two representative regions of Colombia, examine their pregnancy outcomes, and outline findings of the epidemiologic surveillance program established during the peak of the 2015-2016 epidemic. METHODS: A cohort study conducted in the municipalities of Cali and Villavicencio using data from the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) and clinical follow-up data from pregnant women. We describe sociodemographic characteristics, health insurance status, Zika virus, pregnancy-related characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1259 Zika-infected pregnant women were identified in Cali; of these, 2.3% (n=27) experienced pregnancy loss, 9.5% (n=113) had preterm birth, and 7.9% (n=91) had a low birthweight neonate. In Villavicencio, 3.0% (n=13) experienced pregnancy loss, 6.9% (n=30) had preterm birth, and 6.7% (n=28) had a low birthweight neonate. Compared with the general population, this population of Zika-infected pregnant women did not experience an increased frequency of preterm birth or low birthweight (relative risk of prematurity and low birthweight infant <1). CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiologic surveillance data showed that most neonates of Zika-infected pregnant women were born at term, and that the frequency of low birthweight neonates was low. Good quality data were obtained from the surveillance registries.

Systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that Kangaroo position protects against apnoea of prematurity.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether the Kangaroo position decreased apnoea events in preterm newborns compared with conventional care in incubator. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of clinical trials published in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. A comprehensive literature search was realised until 2017. The main outcome was apnoea events. Data were extracted and combined in a fixed-effects model. The quality of the evidence was assessed according to the GRADE framework (grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations). RESULTS: Four original clinical trials were selected. These trials were conducted in India and Nepal, between 2005 and 2016. The systematic review comprised 416 preterm newborns. Three studies were randomised controlled trials and one was quasi-experimental. Meta-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in apnoea episodes (relative risk [RR] 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22, 0.78). The result remained significant when only the three clinical trials were analysed (RR 0.43; 95% CI 0.23, 0.83). Quality analysis indicated moderate quality because of lack of an appropriate method of randomisation in one study. CONCLUSION: The Kangaroo position could have protective effect against apnoea events in preterm infants, decreasing the associated risk of death or long-term disability.