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The Pan African Medical Journal 2022Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific multisystem disorder that is a leading cause of maternal and foetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality. Thus this systematic review... (Review)
Review
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific multisystem disorder that is a leading cause of maternal and foetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality. Thus this systematic review aims to identify the neonatal outcomes of preeclamptic patients. A systematic literature review of works published between January 2015 and March 2021 written in the English language and freely accessed online were used considering the PRISMA guidelines. The results from the search were managed using the endnote X7 software and extracted data from the full articles were documented in Microsoft Word. The neonatal outcomes of preeclampsia identified are; preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW), low Apgar score, intrauterine growth reduction (IUGR), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission are foetal/neonatal outcomes of preeclampsia and were subsequently classified into six groups according to the similarities of their outcome; group 1: death related neonatal outcomes, group 2: weight-related neonatal outcomes, group 3: prematurity related neonatal outcomes, group 4: respiratory related neonatal outcomes, group 5: injury-related neonatal outcomes, and Group 6: internal organ related outcome. The magnitude of occurrence of the classified neonatal outcomes is; respiratory-related neonatal outcome, death-related neonatal outcome, weight-related neonatal outcome, prematurity related neonatal outcome, internal related neonatal outcome and injury-related outcome in that sequence. All round interventions to improve neonatal morbidity and mortality of preeclamptic mothers should be targeted in addition to adequate provision of health/ medical resources for the tending of preterm neonates.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth
PubMed: 35432694
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.41.82.31413 -
Journal of Clinical Nursing Sep 2021This review analysed the implementation and integration into healthcare systems of maternal and newborn healthcare interventions in Africa that include community health...
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
This review analysed the implementation and integration into healthcare systems of maternal and newborn healthcare interventions in Africa that include community health workers to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.
BACKGROUND
Most neonatal deaths (99%) occur in low- and middle-income countries, with approximately half happening at home. In resource-constrained settings, community-based maternal and newborn care is regarded as a sound programme for improving newborn survival. Health workers can play an important role in supporting families to adopt sound health practices, encourage delivery in healthcare facilities and ensure timeous referral. Maternal and newborn mortality is a major public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 were not achieved at the end of 2015.
METHODS
The review includes quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies, with a data-based convergent synthesis design being used, and the results grouped into categories and trends. The review took into account the participants, interventions, context and outcome frameworks (PICO), and followed the adapted PRISMA format for reporting systematic reviews of the qualitative and quantitative evidence guide checklist.
RESULTS
The results from the 17 included studies focused on three themes: antenatal, delivery and postnatal care interventions as a continuum. The main components of the interventions were inadequate, highlighting the need for improved planning before each stage of implementation. A conceptual framework of planning and implementation was elaborated to improve maternal and newborn health.
CONCLUSION
The systematic review highlight the importance of thoroughly planning before any programme implementation, and ensuring that measures are in place to enable continuity of services.
RELEVANT TO THE CLINICAL PRACTICE
Conceptual framework of planning and implementation of maternal and newborn healthcare interventions by maternal community health workers.
Topics: Africa South of the Sahara; Community Health Workers; Delivery of Health Care; Female; Health Promotion; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Health Services; Pregnancy
PubMed: 33656214
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.15737 -
BMJ Open Mar 2023To identify the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and individual neonatal morbidities and outcomes, particularly longer-term outcomes such...
OBJECTIVES
To identify the association between maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and individual neonatal morbidities and outcomes, particularly longer-term outcomes such as neurodevelopment.
DESIGN
Systematic review of outcomes of neonates born to pregnant women diagnosed with a SARS-CoV-2 infection at any stage during pregnancy, including asymptomatic women.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health, WHOLIS and LILACS databases, last searched on 28 July 2021.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Case-control and cohort studies published after 1 January 2020, including preprint articles were included. Study outcomes included neonatal mortality and morbidity, preterm birth, caesarean delivery, small for gestational age, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, level of respiratory support required, diagnosis of culture-positive sepsis, evidence of brain injury, necrotising enterocolitis, visual or hearing impairment, neurodevelopmental outcomes and feeding method. These were selected according to a core outcome set.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data were extracted into Microsoft Excel by two researchers, with statistical analysis completed using IBM SPSS (Version 27). Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
The search returned 3234 papers, from which 204 were included with a total of 45 646 infants born to mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy across 36 countries. We found limited evidence of an increased risk of some neonatal morbidities, including respiratory disease. There was minimal evidence from low-income settings (1 study) and for neonatal outcomes following first trimester infection (17 studies). Neonatal mortality was very rare. Preterm birth, neonatal unit admission and small for gestational age status were more common in infants born following maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy in most larger studies.
CONCLUSIONS
There are limited data on neonatal morbidity and mortality following maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly from low-income countries and following early pregnancy infections. Large, representative studies addressing these outcomes are needed to understand the consequences for babies born to women with SARS-CoV-2.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021249818.
Topics: Infant; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; COVID-19; Premature Birth; SARS-CoV-2; Cesarean Section; Infant Mortality; Fetal Growth Retardation; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
PubMed: 36921946
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063052 -
Annals of Internal Medicine Jan 2024Severe maternal morbidity and mortality are worse in the United States than in all similar countries, with the greatest effect on Black women. Emerging research suggests... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Severe maternal morbidity and mortality are worse in the United States than in all similar countries, with the greatest effect on Black women. Emerging research suggests that disrespectful care during childbirth contributes to this problem.
PURPOSE
To conduct a systematic review on definitions and valid measurements of respectful maternity care (RMC), its effectiveness for improving maternal and infant health outcomes for those who are pregnant and postpartum, and strategies for implementation.
DATA SOURCES
Systematic searches of Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycInfo, and SocINDEX for English-language studies (inception to July 2023).
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies of interventions of RMC versus usual care for effectiveness studies; additional qualitative and noncomparative validation studies for definitions and measurement studies.
DATA EXTRACTION
Dual data abstraction and quality assessment using established methods, with resolution of disagreements through consensus.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Thirty-seven studies were included across all questions, of which 1 provided insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of RMC to improve maternal outcomes and none studied RMC to improve infant outcomes. To define RMC, authors identified 12 RMC frameworks, from which 2 main concepts were identified: and frameworks. Disrespect and abuse components focused on recognizing birth mistreatment; rights-based frameworks incorporated aspects of reproductive justice, human rights, and antiracism. Five overlapping framework themes include freedom from abuse, consent, privacy, dignity, communication, safety, and justice. Twelve tools to measure RMC were validated in 24 studies on content validity, construct validity, and internal consistency, but lack of a gold standard limited evaluation of criterion validity. Three tools specific for RMC had at least 1 study demonstrating consistency internally and with an intended construct relevant to U.S. settings, but no single tool stands out as the best measure of RMC.
LIMITATIONS
No studies evaluated other health outcomes or RMC implementation strategies. The lack of definition and gold standard limit evaluation of RMC tools.
CONCLUSION
Frameworks for RMC are well described but vary in their definitions. Tools to measure RMC demonstrate consistency but lack a gold standard, requiring further evaluation before implementation in U.S. settings. Evidence is lacking on the effectiveness of implementing RMC to improve any maternal or infant health outcome.
PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (PROSPERO: CRD42023394769).
Topics: Infant; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Maternal Health Services; Respect; Obstetrics; Delivery, Obstetric; Postpartum Period; Quality of Health Care
PubMed: 38163377
DOI: 10.7326/M23-2676 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2023Immunization is one of the most cost-effective measures to prevent morbidity and mortality in children. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Immunization is one of the most cost-effective measures to prevent morbidity and mortality in children. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the pooled prevalence of incomplete immunization among children in Africa as well as its determinants. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, and online institutional repository homes were searched. Studies published within English language, with full text available for searching, and studies conducted in Africa were included in this meta-analysis. A pooled prevalence, Sub-group analysis, sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were conducted. Out of 1305 studies assessed, 26 met our criteria and were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of incomplete immunization was 35.5% (95% CI: 24.4, 42.7), I = 92.1%). Home birth (AOR=2.7; 95% CI: 1.5-4.9), rural residence (AOR = 4.6; 95% CI: 1.1-20.1), lack of antenatal care visit (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.4-5.1), lack of knowledge of immunizations (AOR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.3-4.6), and maternal illiteracy (AOR = 1.7: 95%CI: 1.3-2.0) were associated with incomplete immunization. In Africa, the prevalence of incomplete immunization is high. It is important to promote urban residency, knowledge of immunization and antenatal follow up care.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Child; Vaccination; Africa; Immunization; Prenatal Care; Prevalence
PubMed: 37144686
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2202125 -
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research Nov 2023Heart failure (HF) is a frequent chronic disease with disturbing symptoms and complex treatments, associated with depression and lower quality of life. Some studies have...
OBJECTIVES
Heart failure (HF) is a frequent chronic disease with disturbing symptoms and complex treatments, associated with depression and lower quality of life. Some studies have shown that spirituality and religiosity may be relevant in these patients. We aimed to systematically review the medical literature on spirituality and religiosity in patients with HF.
METHODS
Major databases for studies investigating the effect of spirituality and religiosity in people affected by HF were searched from inception until 26th April 2023. Studies with clear definition of spirituality or religiosity, validated diagnosis of HF, and reporting outcomes of interest (i.e., incidence of mortality, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality of life) were included.
RESULTS
Among 810 non-duplicate records, we screened the full texts of 25 works. After excluding 18 studies, we included 7 studies (3 observational and 4 interventional) comprising 1234 HF patients followed up over a median of 3 months. Definitions of spirituality and religiosity were heterogeneous among the studies. The intervention studies showed improvements in quality-of-life parameters, some cardiovascular outcomes, or mortality, and the observational studies showed significant associations with these outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the extreme heterogeneity of the populations included, of the definition of spirituality and religiosity, and of the interventions in the few studies that included it, all the studies reported some positive associations with the outcomes examined. Spirituality/religiosity is an aspect not generally taken into account in the usual practice of medicine and can potentially contribute to improving the conditions of patients with HF, a chronic disease with unfavorable prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Spirituality; Quality of Life; Religion; Heart Failure; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 37737928
DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02557-x -
Association between pre-pregnancy multimorbidity and adverse maternal outcomes: A systematic review.Journal of Multimorbidity and... 2022We reviewed the literature on the association between pre-pregnancy multimorbidity (co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions) and adverse maternal outcomes in... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
We reviewed the literature on the association between pre-pregnancy multimorbidity (co-occurrence of two or more chronic conditions) and adverse maternal outcomes in pregnancy and postpartum.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched from inception to September, 2021.
STUDY SELECTION
Observational studies were eligible if they reported on the association between ≥ 2 co-occurring chronic conditions diagnosed before conception and any adverse maternal outcome in pregnancy or within 365 days of childbirth, had a comparison group, were peer-reviewed, and were written in English.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two reviewers used standardized instruments to extract data and rate study quality and the certainty of evidence. A narrative synthesis was performed.
RESULTS
Of 6,381 studies retrieved, seven met our criteria. There were two prospective cohort studies, two retrospective cohort studies, and 3 cross-sectional studies, conducted in the United States (n=6) and Canada (n=1), and ranging in size from n=3,110 to n=57,326,681. Studies showed a dose-response relation between the number of co-occurring chronic conditions and risk of adverse maternal outcomes, including severe maternal morbidity or mortality, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and acute health care use in the perinatal period. Study quality was rated as strong (n=1), moderate (n=4), or weak (n=2), and the certainty of evidence was very low to moderate.
CONCLUSION
Given the increasing prevalence of chronic disease risk factors such as advanced maternal age and obesity, more research is needed to understand the impact of pre-pregnancy multimorbidity on maternal health so that appropriate preconception and perinatal supports can be developed.
PubMed: 35586034
DOI: 10.1177/26335565221096584 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023Intraplacental choriocarcinoma is a gestational trophoblastic neoplasia located within the placenta. Due to the usual silent presentation, more than half of the cases... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Intraplacental choriocarcinoma is a gestational trophoblastic neoplasia located within the placenta. Due to the usual silent presentation, more than half of the cases are diagnosed incidentally. It has been demonstrated that this pathology is linked to feto-maternal hemorrhage (FMH), stillbirth, and intrauterine growth restriction. The aim of our review was to establish if there are recurrent signs that might lead to an early diagnosis and better management in cases complicated by FMH.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a systematic review of the literature from 2000 up to March 2023. The adopted research strategy included the following terms: (gestational choriocarcinoma obstetrics outcome) AND (intraplacental choriocarcinoma) AND (gestational choriocarcinoma). The MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were searched.
RESULTS
The research strategy identified 19 cases of FMH coexisting with intraplacental choriocarcinoma (IC), as described in 17 studies. The perinatal mortality rate was 36.8%. In eight cases, histological diagnosis of IC was made post-delivery. Metastatic lesions were found in 75% (6/8) of described cases. One case of maternal death has been described. Chemotherapy was necessary in seven cases. Sporadical prenatal ultrasound signs were described.
DISCUSSION
The diagnosis of IC is usually delayed, mostly due to aspecific symptoms and signs. Histological analysis of the placenta, when not routinely performed, should be performed when warning symptoms are encountered. The maternal prognosis was good, with a mortality rate of 5.5%. A fertility-sparing approach is always possible even in the presence of metastasis. Chemotherapy seems to be useful in cases of maternal and neonatal metastasis.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Fetomaternal Transfusion; Placenta; Choriocarcinoma; Placenta Diseases; Prenatal Care
PubMed: 38010764
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2285238 -
American Journal of Epidemiology Nov 2021Cancer is an important cause of childhood mortality, yet the etiology is largely unknown. A combination of pre- and postnatal factors is thought to be implicated,...
Cancer is an important cause of childhood mortality, yet the etiology is largely unknown. A combination of pre- and postnatal factors is thought to be implicated, including maternal medication use. We aimed to provide: 1) a systematic review of peer-reviewed publications on associations between maternal medication use and childhood cancer, with a focus on study design and methodology; and 2) suggestions for how to increase transparency, limit potential biases, and improve comparability in studies on maternal medication use and childhood cancer. We conducted a systematic search in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases to June 8, 2020. Altogether, 112 studies were identified. The reviewed studies were heterogeneous in study design, exposure, and outcome classification. In 21 studies (19%), the outcome was any childhood cancer. Of the 91 papers that reported on specific types of cancer, 62% did not report the cancer classification system. The most frequently investigated medication groups were sex hormones (46 studies, excluding fertility medications), and antiinfectives (37 studies). Suggestions for strengthening future pharmacoepidemiologic studies on maternal medication use and childhood cancer relate to choice of cancer classification system, exposure windows, and methods for identification of, and control for, potential confounders.
Topics: Child; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Female; Humans; Neoplasms; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 34017981
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwab154 -
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal =... May 2023Maternal mortality is an indication of the health status of women in the society. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Maternal mortality is an indication of the health status of women in the society.
AIMS
To investigate the maternal mortality ratio, causes of maternal mortality, and related risk factors among Iranian women.
METHODS
Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist and the Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) guideline, we systematically searched electronic databases, and the grey literature, for publications in Farsi and English from 1970 to January 2022 for studies that reported the number of maternal deaths and/or maternal mortality ratio and their related factors. Data analysis was conducted using Stata 16 and 2-sided P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant, if not otherwise specified.
RESULTS
A subgroup meta-analysis of studies conducted since 2000 estimated the maternal mortality ratio as 45.03 per 100 000 births during 2000-2004, 36.05 during 2005-2009, and 23.71 after 2010. The most frequent risk factors for maternal mortality were caesarean section, poor antenatal and delivery care, unskilled birth attendance, age, low maternal education level, lower human development index, and residence in rural or remote areas.
CONCLUSION
There has been a significant decrease in maternal mortality in the Islamic Republic of Iran during the last few decades. Mothers in the country need to be monitored more carefully by trained healthcare workers during the pregnancy, delivery and postpartum periods so they can effectively handle postpartum complications, such as haemorrhage and infection, thereby further reducing maternal mortality.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Maternal Mortality; Iran; Cesarean Section; Checklist; Databases, Factual
PubMed: 37306175
DOI: 10.26719/emhj.23.063