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BMC Public Health Sep 2020Unintended pregnancy has dire consequences on the health and socioeconomic wellbeing of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) (aged 15-24 years). While most studies...
BACKGROUND
Unintended pregnancy has dire consequences on the health and socioeconomic wellbeing of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) (aged 15-24 years). While most studies tend to focus on lack of access to contraceptive information and services, and poverty as the main contributing factor to early-unintended pregnancies, the influence of sexual violence has received limited attention. Understanding the link between sexual violence and unintended pregnancy is critical towards developing a multifaceted intervention to reduce unintended pregnancies among AGYW in South Africa, a country with high teenage pregnancy rate. Thus, we estimated the magnitude of unintended pregnancy among AGYW and also examined the effect of sexual violence on unintended pregnancy.
METHODS
Our study adopted a cross-sectional design, and data were obtained from AGYW in a South African university between June and November 2018. A final sample of 451 girls aged 17-24 years, selected using stratified sampling, were included in the analysis. We used adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression analysis to examine the effect of sexual violence on unintended pregnancy.
RESULTS
The analysis shows that 41.9% of all respondents had experienced an unintended pregnancy, and 26.3% of those unintended pregnancies ended in abortions. Unintended pregnancy was higher among survivors of sexual violence (54.4%) compared to those who never experienced sexual abuse (34.3%). In the multivariable analysis, sexual violence was consistently and robustly associated with increased odds of having an unintended pregnancy (AOR:1.70; 95% CI: 1.08-2.68).
CONCLUSION
Our study found a huge magnitude of unintended pregnancy among AGYW. Sexual violence is an important predictor of unintended pregnancy in this age cohort. Thus, addressing unintended pregnancies among AGYW in South Africa requires interventions that not only increase access to contraceptive information and services but also reduce sexual violence and cater for survivors.
Topics: Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Sex Offenses; South Africa; Young Adult
PubMed: 32894130
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09488-6 -
Clinical Endocrinology Dec 2016Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disease. The frequency of pregnancy loss in women with known hypothyroidism as opposed to women with a later diagnosis of...
BACKGROUND
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disease. The frequency of pregnancy loss in women with known hypothyroidism as opposed to women with a later diagnosis of hypothyroidism has not been evaluated and compared with other common endocrine diseases.
DESIGN
Population-based cohort study using Danish nationwide registers.
PARTICIPANTS
All pregnancies in Denmark, 1997-2008, resulting in live birth (n = 732 533), spontaneous abortion (n = 112 487) or stillbirth (n = 2937) were identified together with information on maternal hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and diabetes.
METHODS
Cox model was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for spontaneous abortion and stillbirth, reference: no hypo- or hyperthyroidism or diabetes (n = 824 310).
RESULTS
We identified 4951 pregnancies where maternal hypothyroidism was diagnosed before the pregnancy (group 1) and 2464 pregnancies where maternal hypothyroidism was diagnosed in the 2-year period after the pregnancy (group 2). In group 1, 825 pregnancies (16·7%) resulted in spontaneous abortion which was more frequent than in nonexposed (13·2%), (aHR 1·19 (95%CI 1·12-1·27)), and of the same magnitude as in hyperthyroidism (17·2%, P = 0·5) and diabetes (17·5%, P = 0·2) diagnosed before the pregnancy. In group 2, the frequency was 12·2% (aHR 0·92 (0·84-1·02)). In group 2, 16 pregnancies (0·65%) resulted in stillbirth which was more frequent than in nonexposed (0·36%), (aHR 1·81 (1·11-2·97)), of the same magnitude as in hyperthyroidism (0·82%, P = 0·5) and less frequent than in diabetes (2·9%, P < 0·001) diagnosed after the pregnancy. In group 1, the frequency was 0·40% (aHR 1·11 (0·68-1·82)).
CONCLUSIONS
Hypothyroidism increased the risk of both early and late pregnancy loss as did hyperthyroidism and in particular diabetes. We hypothesize that undetected or insufficiently treated maternal disease in the pregnancy may be of causal importance.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Adult; Denmark; Diabetes Complications; Female; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Live Birth; Pregnancy; Registries; Stillbirth; Young Adult
PubMed: 27312058
DOI: 10.1111/cen.13136 -
Identification of pregnancies and their outcomes in healthcare claims data, 2008-2019: An algorithm.PloS One 2023Pregnancy is a condition of broad interest across many medical and health services research domains, but one not easily identified in healthcare claims data. Our...
Pregnancy is a condition of broad interest across many medical and health services research domains, but one not easily identified in healthcare claims data. Our objective was to establish an algorithm to identify pregnant women and their pregnancies in claims data. We identified pregnancy-related diagnosis, procedure, and diagnosis-related group codes, accounting for the transition to International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis and procedure codes, in health encounter reporting on 10/1/2015. We selected women in Merative MarketScan commercial databases aged 15-49 years with pregnancy-related claims, and their infants, during 2008-2019. Pregnancies, pregnancy outcomes, and gestational ages were assigned using the constellation of service dates, code types, pregnancy outcomes, and linkage to infant records. We describe pregnancy outcomes and gestational ages, as well as maternal age, census region, and health plan type. In a sensitivity analysis, we compared our algorithm-assigned date of last menstrual period (LMP) to fertility procedure-based LMP (date of procedure + 14 days) among women with embryo transfer or insemination procedures. Among 5,812,699 identified pregnancies, most (77.9%) were livebirths, followed by spontaneous abortions (16.2%); 3,274,353 (72.2%) livebirths could be linked to infants. Most pregnancies were among women 25-34 years (59.1%), living in the South (39.1%) and Midwest (22.4%), with large employer-sponsored insurance (52.0%). Outcome distributions were similar across ICD-9 and ICD-10 eras, with some variation in gestational age distribution observed. Sensitivity analyses supported our algorithm's framework; algorithm- and fertility procedure-derived LMP estimates were within a week of each other (mean difference: -4 days [IQR: -13 to 6 days]; n = 107,870). We have developed an algorithm to identify pregnancies, their gestational age, and outcomes, across ICD-9 and ICD-10 eras using administrative data. This algorithm may be useful to reproductive health researchers investigating a broad range of pregnancy and infant outcomes.
Topics: Infant; Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Pregnancy Outcome; Abortion, Spontaneous; Maternal Age; Algorithms; International Classification of Diseases; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 37093890
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284893 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Apr 2021The use of intrauterine devices (IUDs), including the copper-bearing device and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), is safe among nulligravidas and... (Review)
Review
The use of intrauterine devices (IUDs), including the copper-bearing device and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), is safe among nulligravidas and adolescent girls. However, several misconceptions limit their use in clinical practice; health-care providers are hesitant to prescribe IUDs, and several myths associated with their usage in nulligravidas and adolescents exist among both providers and women themselves. The high rates of unplanned pregnancies (which in many settings constitute a public health issue, primarily among adolescent females) can be attributed at least partially to lack of awareness and limited use of highly effective contraceptives such as IUDs. In this review, we discuss the role of non-hormonal and hormonal IUDs as effective contraceptives in nulligravidas and adolescent girls. We present a literature review of data that highlight contraceptive efficacy, side effects (including reasons for discontinuation), and continuation rates with the method. We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases for all articles published in English between January 1990 through September 2020. A large body of evidence confirmed the effectiveness of IUD/IUS, independent of age and parity. Studies showed a high expulsion rate among adolescents but not among nulligravidas. Additionally, bleeding patterns among adolescents and nulligravidas were similar to those observed among adults and parous women. The high early removal rates observed in adolescents were attributable to bleeding and/or pain, which indicate that compared with adults, adolescents are less likely to accept IUD-induced side effects. IUD placement is an excellent strategy to avoid the high rates of unplanned pregnancies in adolescents and nulligravidas. IUDs are more effective than short-acting reversible contraceptives with failure rates that are equivalent to those observed with permanent contraception. However, few long-term studies have investigated this category of women to definitively establish the role of IUD/IUS as effective means of contraception.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Gravidity; Humans; Intrauterine Devices, Copper; Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Pregnancy, Unwanted
PubMed: 33483956
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14097 -
Twin Research and Human Genetics : the... Feb 2022The aim of this study was to determine the pregnancy loss rate of amniocentesis with double-needle insertions in twin pregnancies. This was a retrospective study of twin...
The aim of this study was to determine the pregnancy loss rate of amniocentesis with double-needle insertions in twin pregnancies. This was a retrospective study of twin pregnancies who underwent amniocentesis with double-needle insertion between 2010 and 2019 at a single center. The pregnancy loss rates were recorded as single or double fetal loss before 24 weeks' gestation and within 4 weeks after the procedure. Risk factors for pregnancy loss after amniocentesis were also assessed. A total of 678 twin pregnancies with amniocentesis were finally included. The pregnancy loss rates before 24 weeks' gestation and within 4 weeks after the procedure were 0.9% and 1.9%, respectively. Only one fetal loss was presumed to be a direct result of the procedure. All other cases were complicated by structural or chromosomal anomalies. Twin pregnancies with abnormal ultrasound findings had a significantly higher rate of pregnancy loss with a relative risk of 4.81 (95% CI [1.03, 22.2]). Our study showed a low pregnancy loss rate after amniocentesis in twin pregnancies with double-needle insertions technique of sampling, which can help decision making in prenatal screening and diagnosis for twin pregnancies.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Amniocentesis; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Twin; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35249587
DOI: 10.1017/thg.2022.1 -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... May 2022To compare maternal cardiovascular indices at 19-23 weeks' gestation between twin and singleton pregnancies and assess the impact of chorionicity on these parameters. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
To compare maternal cardiovascular indices at 19-23 weeks' gestation between twin and singleton pregnancies and assess the impact of chorionicity on these parameters.
METHODS
This was a prospective observational study in women with twin pregnancy attending for a hospital visit at 19 + 1 to 24 + 3 weeks' gestation. This visit included recording of maternal demographic characteristics and medical history and maternal cardiovascular assessment. In a previous study of 4795 women with singleton pregnancies at 19-23 weeks' gestation, multivariable linear regression models were fitted between the various cardiovascular indices and elements of maternal characteristics and medical history. In this study, we calculated multiples of the median (MoM) and delta values according to the singleton models and assessed the distributional properties of these MoM and delta values in twin as compared with singleton pregnancies.
RESULTS
The study population of 155 women with twin pregnancy included 86 dichorionic and 69 monochorionic cases. In general, there was a similar distribution of maternal cardiovascular indices in monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies. In both types of twin pregnancy, compared with singleton pregnancy, there was an increase in isovolumetric relaxation time, left atrial area and myocardial performance index, and a decrease in mitral valve E/A. Left ventricular mass indexed for body surface area and relative wall thickness were also increased in twin compared with singleton pregnancy. The magnitude of the increase in left atrial area was greater in dichorionic compared with monochorionic pregnancies. Additionally, mitral valve E was decreased and left atrial volume was increased in dichorionic but not in monochorionic pregnancies, while isovolumetric contraction time was increased in monochorionic but not in dichorionic pregnancies. Left ventricular myocardial deformation was similar between twin and singleton pregnancies.
CONCLUSIONS
In twin pregnancies at mid-gestation, maternal systolic and diastolic function is reduced when compared with singletons. The patterns of cardiovascular adaptation are similar between monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies and resemble those reported in uncomplicated singleton pregnancy later in gestation. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Topics: Chorion; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Twin; Prospective Studies; Twins
PubMed: 35020248
DOI: 10.1002/uog.24857 -
Contraception Aug 2017Spontaneous abortion (SAB) affects over 1 million US women each year, yet little is known about the intendedness of these pregnancies. We examined prevalence and...
OBJECTIVES
Spontaneous abortion (SAB) affects over 1 million US women each year, yet little is known about the intendedness of these pregnancies. We examined prevalence and correlates of unintended and unwanted pregnancies ending in SAB.
STUDY DESIGN
We used nationally-representative cross-sectional data of US women aged 15-44 from the 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth to examine pregnancies ending in SAB. We used modified Poisson regression models to evaluate associations between demographic and pregnancy characteristics with unintended and unwanted pregnancy.
RESULTS
Among 1351 pregnancies ending in SAB, 44.5% were unintended (i.e. unwanted or occurring sooner than desired). Younger women with SAB were more likely to report unintended pregnancies than women 30-44 years, and women 15-19 years reported unintended pregnancy most often [adjusted relative risk (aRR)=3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2-4.1]. Unintended pregnancy was two times more likely among unmarried than married women [never married: aRR=2.2; 95% CI: 1.7-2.7; previously married: aRR=2.2; 95% CI: 1.7-3.0]. Other factors associated with unintended pregnancy were multiparity compared to nulliparity [aRR=2.6; 95% CI: 1.7-4.1 for ≥3 children; aRR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.5 for 2 children] and inter-pregnancy interval ≤12 months compared to >12 months [aRR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.7]. We found similar associations with unwanted pregnancies ending in SAB (15.3% of pregnancies). Neither race/ethnicity nor socioeconomic indicators were independently associated with unintended or unwanted pregnancy ending in SAB.
CONCLUSIONS
Many pregnancies ending in spontaneous abortion are unintended and/or unwanted. Women with pregnancy loss, like all reproductive-aged women, should receive comprehensive counseling about reproductive planning and contraception.
IMPLICATIONS
Similar to all pregnancies, nearly half of pregnancies ending in spontaneous abortion are unintended and/or unwanted, suggesting that many women experiencing spontaneous abortion may benefit from a review of family planning desires and the provision of reproductive planning counseling and effective contraception to prevent future undesired pregnancy.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family Planning Services; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Unplanned; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 28578152
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2017.05.010 -
Romanian Journal of Ophthalmology 2021Due to the increasing rate of couples suffering from infertility, recently, the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased by 5%-10% per year. Some ART... (Review)
Review
Due to the increasing rate of couples suffering from infertility, recently, the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased by 5%-10% per year. Some ART pregnancies are at risk of obstetric and neonatal complications, but it is unknown whether the procedures used or the etiology of infertility influences this risk. Multiple ART pregnancies are responsible for the increased rate of prematurity and its associated complications. Also, it has been demonstrated that ART pregnancies have a higher risk of congenital anomalies. The rate of ART-associated ocular abnormalities is incompletely known due to a small number of studies conducted regarding this pathology. In this paper, we presented a review of literature on ocular anomalies associated with ART in order to raise awareness of the need to implement ophthalmological screening in children from pregnancies obtained by ART. ART = assisted reproductive techniques, IVF = in vitro fertilization, ICSI = intracytoplasmic sperm injection, LBW = low birth weight, ROP = retinopathy of prematurity.
Topics: Child; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Multiple; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic
PubMed: 35087971
DOI: 10.22336/rjo.2021.65 -
Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine Dec 2017Monochorionic twin pregnancies are at increased risk for adverse outcome compared to dichorionic twin pregnancies and singletons. Monochorionic-specific complications... (Review)
Review
Monochorionic twin pregnancies are at increased risk for adverse outcome compared to dichorionic twin pregnancies and singletons. Monochorionic-specific complications include twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, single intrauterine fetal demise and its consequences on the co-twin, and selective intrauterine growth restriction. Whereas the natural history of monochorionic-specific complications carries a high risk of fetal death or severe neurologic disability, a framework now exists, based on well-designed clinical trials, for optimal treatment of these entities. Fetoscopic selective laser coagulation of anastomotic vessels on the chorionic plate has been clearly demonstrated to improve survival and neurologic outcomes for Quintero stage ≥2 TTTS. However, many challenges remain unsolved, the most important of which is preterm premature rupture of membranes. Further improvement in the outcomes of monochorionic pregnancies will require improvements in the rate of premature delivery, and improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for early and late onset TTTS.
Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Fetofetal Transfusion; Fetoscopy; Humans; Laser Coagulation; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Twin
PubMed: 29122542
DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2017.08.005 -
Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy 2022Monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins are rare, and information is lacking on pregnancy outcomes from the first trimester onward. This study compares the pregnancy and...
INTRODUCTION
Monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins are rare, and information is lacking on pregnancy outcomes from the first trimester onward. This study compares the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between MCMA and monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies from the first trimester onward. We also report on the outcomes of MCMA twin pregnancies continuing after 28 weeks and on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of MCMA twins.
METHODS
A retrospective single-center cohort study of MCMA and MCDA twin pregnancies followed from the first trimester with a fortnightly ultrasound scan. We excluded pregnancies with a major anomaly diagnosed on the first-trimester ultrasound scan. MCMA twin pregnancies were offered inpatient monitoring from 28 weeks onward, and an elective cesarean section was advised between 32 and 33 weeks. MCDA pregnancies were managed as inpatients only if medically indicated, and an elective birth between 36 and 37 weeks was recommended.
RESULTS
We analyzed the outcomes of 52 MCMA and 671 MCDA twin pregnancies. In MCMA twins, the fetal and neonatal survival rate was 81/104 (78%) versus 1,192/1,342 (89%) in MCDA twins (p = 0.016). Double intrauterine demise (IUD) was more common in MA than in DA pairs (13% vs. 3%) (p = 0.002). No IUD occurred in the 40 MCMA pregnancies that continued after 28 weeks, but five women (13%) required an urgent cesarean section for fetal distress. Thirty-eight of 52 eligible infants (73%) underwent a neurodevelopmental assessment. Thirty-three (87%) had cognitive and motor development scores within normal limits. Four infants had mild cognitive or motor impairment, and one infant was diagnosed with spastic diplegia.
CONCLUSION
MCMA twins are associated with decreased survival rates compared to MCDA due to increased rates of double IUD. After 28 weeks, about one in eight women required an urgent delivery for fetal distress. Most infants had normal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Infant; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pregnancy, Twin; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Twins, Monozygotic; Retrospective Studies; Cesarean Section; Cohort Studies; Fetal Distress; Pregnancy Outcome
PubMed: 35882214
DOI: 10.1159/000526162