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International Journal of Gynaecology... Jul 2024Infectious diseases including syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B are major contributors to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low- and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Infectious diseases including syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B are major contributors to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The World Health Organization has prioritized elimination of vertical transmission of these three diseases.
OBJECTIVES
To rapidly assess the impact of interventions designed to improve antenatal screening rates for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B in LMICs and to identify areas for future implementation research.
SEARCH STRATEGY
A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and EconLit, targeting articles published between January 1, 2013, and June 27, 2023.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included quantitative interventional studies in English, involving pregnant adults (15 years or older) from LMICs. Exclusions were studies based in high-income countries, qualitative studies, or those investigating accuracy of diagnostic methods.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
From an initial 5549 potential studies, 27 were finalized for review after various screening stages. Data extraction covered aspects such as study design, intervention details, and outcomes. Findings were qualitatively synthesized within a systems thinking framework.
MAIN RESULTS
The interventions assessed varied in terms of geographic locations, health care system levels, and modalities. The review highlighted the effectiveness of interventions such as community health interventions, service quality improvements, and financial incentives.
CONCLUSIONS
The study underscores the potential of specific interventions in enhancing antenatal screening rates in LMICs. However, there is a discernible research gap concerning hepatitis B. The findings emphasize the importance of capacity building and health systems strengthening in public health interventions.
Topics: Humans; Female; Hepatitis B; Pregnancy; Syphilis; Developing Countries; HIV Infections; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Prenatal Diagnosis; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Mass Screening
PubMed: 38391190
DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15425 -
International Journal For Equity in... Feb 2024Sepsis is a serious and life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated immune response to an infection. Recent guidance issued in the UK gave recommendations around...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Sepsis is a serious and life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated immune response to an infection. Recent guidance issued in the UK gave recommendations around recognition and antibiotic treatment of sepsis, but did not consider factors relating to health inequalities. The aim of this study was to summarise the literature investigating associations between health inequalities and sepsis.
METHODS
Searches were conducted in Embase for peer-reviewed articles published since 2010 that included sepsis in combination with one of the following five areas: socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, community factors, medical needs and pregnancy/maternity.
RESULTS
Five searches identified 1,402 studies, with 50 unique studies included in the review after screening (13 sociodemographic, 14 race/ethnicity, 3 community, 3 care/medical needs and 20 pregnancy/maternity; 3 papers examined multiple health inequalities). Most of the studies were conducted in the USA (31/50), with only four studies using UK data (all pregnancy related). Socioeconomic factors associated with increased sepsis incidence included lower socioeconomic status, unemployment and lower education level, although findings were not consistent across studies. For ethnicity, mixed results were reported. Living in a medically underserved area or being resident in a nursing home increased risk of sepsis. Mortality rates after sepsis were found to be higher in people living in rural areas or in those discharged to skilled nursing facilities while associations with ethnicity were mixed. Complications during delivery, caesarean-section delivery, increased deprivation and black and other ethnic minority race were associated with post-partum sepsis.
CONCLUSION
There are clear correlations between sepsis morbidity and mortality and the presence of factors associated with health inequalities. To inform local guidance and drive public health measures, there is a need for studies conducted across more diverse setting and countries.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Ethnicity; Minority Groups; Socioeconomic Factors; Risk Factors; Health Inequities; Sepsis
PubMed: 38383380
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02114-6 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Apr 2024Several studies have reported vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2; however, information regarding intrauterine transmission based on diagnostic methods to detect... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Several studies have reported vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2; however, information regarding intrauterine transmission based on diagnostic methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection is scarce. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify and explore the studies that attempt to ascertain the possibility of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement. The results demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted intrauterine, as detected by clinical manifestations (1.00, 95 % CI: 1.00 - 1.00, 0.51, 95 % CI: 0.22 - 0.80), imaging (0.50, 95 % CI: 0.24 - 0.76, 0.03, 95 % CI: 0.00 - 0.17), molecular (1. 00, 95 % CI: 1.00 - 1.00, 0.92, 95 % CI: 0.77 - 1.00), immunological (0.32, 95 % CI: 0.10 - 0.57, 0.34, 95 % CI: 0.11 - 0.61), and histological approaches (0.79, 95 % CI: 0.52 - 0.98) in maternal and fetal/neonatal specimens, respectively. The possibility of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to fetus/newborn was 41 % (95 % CI 0.37 - 0.45). We might confirm/verify the intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoCV-2 from mother to fetus/newborn.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Mothers; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Fetus; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; COVID-19 Testing
PubMed: 38367392
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.02.026 -
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) May 2024To determine the prevalence of group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage among parturient women and neonates, and the relative risk of vertical transmission, the relative... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
AIM
To determine the prevalence of group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage among parturient women and neonates, and the relative risk of vertical transmission, the relative risk of early and late-onset GBS and the pooled incidence of early-late-onset GBS infection.
METHODS
A systematic search of relevant cohort studies from three electronic databases to identify all relevant studies published up to 7 November 2022. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses.
RESULTS
A total of 54 articles with 355 787 matched pairs of parturient women and neonates from 30 countries were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of GBS colonisation was 17.1% among the pregnant women and 1.0% among neonates. The pooled prevalence of vertical transmission of GBS was 4.5% and the pooled relative risk of GBS colonisation of neonates born to mothers with GBS was 9.9.
CONCLUSION
We support the implementation of targeted intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis for all women who are positive for GBS as well as women with risks factors for early onset GBS in their infants regardless of their GBS colonisation status.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Parturition; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Streptococcus agalactiae; Mothers; Streptococcal Infections; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
PubMed: 38351491
DOI: 10.1111/apa.17152 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Feb 2024Although neonatal sepsis is acknowledged as the primary cause of newborn death in Ethiopia, data on its impact at the national level are limited. Strong supporting data... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although neonatal sepsis is acknowledged as the primary cause of newborn death in Ethiopia, data on its impact at the national level are limited. Strong supporting data are required to demonstrate how this affects neonatal health. This umbrella study was conducted to determine the overall prevalence of newborn sepsis and its relationship with maternal and neonatal factors.
METHODS
This umbrella review included five articles from various databases. The AMSTAR-2 method was used to assess the quality of included systematic review and meta-analysis studies. STATA Version 18 software was used for statistical analysis. A random-effects model was used to estimate the overall effects.
RESULTS
In this umbrella review, 9032 neonates with an outcome of interest were included. The overall pooled prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 45% (95% CI: 39-51%; I=99.34). The overall pooled effect size showed that prematurity was significantly associated with neonatal sepsis [odds ratio=3.11 (95% CI: 2.22-3.99)]. Furthermore, maternal factors are strongly associated with neonatal sepsis.
CONCLUSIONS
Nearly half of Ethiopian neonates are affected by neonatal sepsis. It is critical to reduce premature birth, low birth weight, and preterm membrane rupture to reduce the incidence of neonatal sepsis. Furthermore, it is preferable to design and strengthen policies and programs aimed at improving maternal nutritional status and treating maternal infections, which all contribute to lowering the burden of neonatal sepsis.
PubMed: 38333239
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001619 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with maternal and neonatal sepsis in sub-Saharan Africa. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with maternal and neonatal sepsis in sub-Saharan Africa.
METHODS
This systematic review and meta-analysis used the PRISMA guideline on sepsis data in sub-Saharan Africa. The bibliographic search was carried out on the following databases: Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, African Index Medicus, and Google Scholar. Additionally, the reference lists of the included studies were screened for potentially relevant studies. The last search was conducted on 15 October 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment checklist was applied for critical appraisal. Estimates of the prevalence of maternal and neonatal sepsis were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity between studies was estimated using the Q statistic and the I2 statistic. The funnel plot and Egger's regression test were used to assess the publication bias.
RESULTS
A total of 39 studies were included in our review: 32 studies on neonatal sepsis and 7 studies on maternal sepsis. The overall pooled prevalence of maternal and neonatal sepsis in Sub-Saharan Africa was 19.21% (95% CI, 11.46-26.97) and 36.02% (CI: 26.68-45.36), respectively. The meta-analyses revealed that Apgar score < 7 (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.6-3.5), meconium in the amniotic fluid (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.8-4.5), prolonged rupture of membranes >12 h (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9-4.1), male sex (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.4), intrapartum fever (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.5-3.7), and history of urinary tract infection in the mother (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.4-5.2) are factors associated with neonatal sepsis. Rural residence (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.01-10.9), parity (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.7), prolonged labor (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6-6.9), and multiple digital vaginal examinations (OR: 4.4, 95% CI: 1.3-14.3) were significantly associated with maternal sepsis.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of maternal and neonatal sepsis was high in sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple factors associated with neonatal and maternal sepsis were identified. These factors could help in the prevention and development of strategies to combat maternal and neonatal sepsis. Given the high risk of bias and high heterogeneity, further high-quality research is needed in the sub-Saharan African context, including a meta-analysis of individual data. PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022382050).
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Infant, Newborn; Male; Neonatal Sepsis; Prevalence; Africa South of the Sahara; Mothers; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
PubMed: 38327574
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1272193 -
International Journal of Gynaecology... Feb 2024A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2013 reported increased risks of congenital malformations, neonatal death and neonatal hospitalization amongst infants born to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2013 reported increased risks of congenital malformations, neonatal death and neonatal hospitalization amongst infants born to women with asthma compared to infants born to mothers without asthma.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to update the evidence on the associations between maternal asthma and adverse neonatal outcomes.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We performed an English-language MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and COCHRANE search with the terms (asthma or wheeze) and (pregnan* or perinat* or obstet*).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Studies published from March 2012 until September 2023 reporting at least one outcome of interest (congenital malformations, stillbirth, neonatal death, perinatal mortality, neonatal hospitalization, transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal sepsis) in a population of women with and without asthma.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
The study was reported following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Quality of individual studies was assessed by two reviewers independently using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random effects models (≥3 studies) or fixed effect models (≤2 studies) were used with restricted maximum likelihood to calculate relative risk (RR) from prevalence data and the inverse generic variance method where adjusted odds ratios (aORs) from individual studies were combined.
MAIN RESULTS
A total of 18 new studies were included, along with the 22 studies from the 2013 review. Previously observed increased risks remained for perinatal mortality (relative risk [RR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05, 1.23 n = 16 studies; aOR 1.07, 95% CI: 0.98-1.17 n = 6), congenital malformations (RR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.32-1.40 n = 17; aOR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.38-1.47 n = 6), and neonatal hospitalization (RR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.25-1.30 n = 12; aOR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.07-1.16 n = 3) amongst infants born to mothers with asthma, while the risk for neonatal death was no longer significant (RR 1.33, 95% CI: 0.95-1.84 n = 8). Previously reported non-significant risks for major congenital malformations (RR1.18, 95% CI: 1.15-1.21; aOR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.15-1.26 n = 3) and respiratory distress syndrome (RR 1.25, 95% CI: 1.17-1.34 n = 4; aOR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18 n = 2) reached statistical significance.
CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare professionals should remain aware of the increased risks to neonates being born to mothers with asthma.
PubMed: 38327138
DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15407 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Jan 2024Tularemia is caused by the gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. Although rare, tularemia during pregnancy has been associated with pregnancy complications;...
BACKGROUND
Tularemia is caused by the gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. Although rare, tularemia during pregnancy has been associated with pregnancy complications; data on efficacy of recommended antimicrobials for treatment are limited. We performed a systematic literature review to characterize clinical manifestations of tularemia during pregnancy and examine maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes with and without antimicrobial treatment.
METHODS
We searched 9 databases, including Medline, Embase, Global Health, and PubMed Central, using terms related to tularemia and pregnancy. Articles reporting cases of tularemia with ≥1 maternal or fetal outcome were included.
RESULTS
Of 5891 articles identified, 30 articles describing 52 cases of tularemia in pregnant patients met inclusion criteria. Cases were reported from 9 countries, and oropharyngeal and ulceroglandular tularemia were the most common presenting forms. A plurality (46%) of infections occurred in the second trimester. Six complications were observed: lymph node aspiration, lymph node excision, maternal bleeding, spontaneous abortion, intrauterine fetal demise, and preterm birth. No deaths among mothers were reported. Of 28 patients who received antimicrobial treatment, 1 pregnancy loss and 1 fetal death were reported. Among 24 untreated patients, 1 pregnancy loss and 3 fetal deaths were reported, including one where F. tularensis was detected in placental and fetal tissues.
CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy loss and other complications have been reported among cases of tularemia during pregnancy. However, risk of adverse outcomes may be lower when antimicrobials known to be effective are used. Without treatment, transplacental transmission appears possible. These data underscore the importance of prompt recognition and treatment of tularemia during pregnancy.
Topics: Humans; Female; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Tularemia; Premature Birth; Placenta; Francisella tularensis; Abortion, Spontaneous; Anti-Infective Agents
PubMed: 38294114
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad686 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023The effect of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in neonates >34 weeks on improving respiration is well documented. However, the efficacy of iNO in preterm infants ≤34 weeks... (Review)
Review
The effect of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in neonates >34 weeks on improving respiration is well documented. However, the efficacy of iNO in preterm infants ≤34 weeks remains controversial. The main purpose of this review is to assess the effectiveness and safety of iNO treatment in preterm infants ≤34 weeks. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Libraries from their inception to 1 June 2023. We also reviewed the reference lists of retrieved studies. Our study involved randomized controlled trials on preterm infants ≤34 weeks, especially those receiving iNO treatment, and mainly assessed outcomes such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and mortality. Two authors independently reviewed these trials, extracted data, and evaluated study biases. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. We used the GRADE method to assess evidence quality. Our research included a total of 17 studies involving 4,080 neonates and 7 follow-up studies. The synthesis of results showed that in neonates, iNO treatment reduced the incidence of BPD (RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86-0.98). It also decreased the composite outcome of death or BPD (RR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90-0.98), without increasing the risk of short-term (such as intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia) and long-term neurological outcomes (including Bayley mental developmental index <70, cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental impairment). Furthermore, iNO did not significantly affect other neonatal complications like sepsis, pulmonary hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus. Subgroup analysis revealed that iNO significantly reduced BPD incidence in neonates at 36 weeks under specific intervention conditions, including age less than 3 days, birth weight over 1,000 g, iNO dose of 10 ppm or higher, or treatment duration exceeding 7 days ( < 0.05). Inhaled NO reduced the incidence of BPD in neonates at 36 weeks of gestation, and the effect of the treatment depended on neonatal age, birth weight, duration and dose of iNO. Therefore, iNO can be considered a promising treatment for the potential prevention of BPD in premature infants. More data, however, would be needed to support nitric oxide registration in this specific patient population, to minimize its off-label use.
PubMed: 38273818
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1268795 -
PloS One 2024Postpartum sexual health is indicated by a resumption of sexual activity as well as arousal, desire, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction. The issue of resuming sexual... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Postpartum sexual health is indicated by a resumption of sexual activity as well as arousal, desire, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction. The issue of resuming sexual intercourse after childbirth has received limited attention because healthcare professionals rarely provide adequate care to postnatal women. The present study aimed to ascertain the overall prevalence of early resumption of sexual intercourse among most women.
METHODS
Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, and the Cochrane Library. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel, and STATA version 14 was used for analysis. Publication bias was checked by funnel plot, Egger, and Begg regression tests. A p-value of 0.05 was regarded to indicate potential publication bias. Using I2 statistics, the heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated. By country, a subgroup analysis was conducted. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the effect of each study's findings on the overall estimate. The random effects model was used to assess the overall effect of the study and then measured using prevalence rates and odds ratio with 95% CI.
RESULTS
Twenty-one studies with 4,482 postpartum women participants were included in the study. The pooled prevalence of early resumption sexual intercourse among post-partum women was 57.26% (95% CI 50.14, 64.39) with significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 99.2%; P-value ≤ 0.000) observed. Current contraceptive use (AOR = 1.48, 95%CI = 1.03, 6.21), primipara (AOR = 2.88, 95%CI = 1.41, 5.89), and no history of severe genital injury on the last delivery (AOR = 2.27, 95%CI = 1.05, 4.93) were significantly associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse.
CONCLUSION
This study found that more than half of women resumed sexual intercourse early after giving birth. This suggests that a significant number of women may be at higher risk of unwanted pregnancies, short birth intervals, and postpartum sepsis. Thus, stakeholders should improve the integration of postpartum sexual education with maternal health services to reduce the resumption of postpartum sexual intercourse.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Coitus; Family Planning Services; Postpartum Period; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 38232099
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288536