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Translational Psychiatry May 2024Perinatal affective disorders are common, but standard screening measures reliant on subjective self-reports might not be sufficient to identify pregnant women at-risk...
Perinatal affective disorders are common, but standard screening measures reliant on subjective self-reports might not be sufficient to identify pregnant women at-risk for developing postpartum depression and anxiety. Lower heart rate variability (HRV) has been shown to be associated with affective disorders. The current exploratory study aimed to evaluate the predictive utility of late pregnancy HRV measurements of postpartum affective symptoms. A subset of participants from the BASIC study (Uppsala, Sweden) took part in a sub-study at pregnancy week 38 where HRV was measured before and after a mild stressor (n = 122). Outcome measures were 6-week postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms as quantified by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). In total, 112 women were included in a depression outcome analysis and 106 women were included in an anxiety outcome analysis. Group comparisons indicated that lower pregnancy HRV was associated with depressive or anxious symptomatology at 6 weeks postpartum. Elastic net logistic regression analyses indicated that HRV indices alone were not predictive of postpartum depression or anxiety outcomes, but HRV indices were selected as predictors in a combined model with background and pregnancy variables. ROC curves for the combined models gave an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 for the depression outcome and an AUC of 0.83 for the anxiety outcome. HRV indices predictive of postpartum depression generally differed from those predictive of postpartum anxiety. HRV indices did not significantly improve prediction models comprised of psychological measures only in women with pregnancy depression or anxiety.
Topics: Humans; Female; Depression, Postpartum; Pregnancy; Heart Rate; Adult; Anxiety; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Sweden; Anxiety Disorders; Young Adult
PubMed: 38744808
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02909-9 -
PloS One 2024The previous studies have found an association between Big Five personality traits and postpartum depression in women. The present study aimed to find out an association...
The previous studies have found an association between Big Five personality traits and postpartum depression in women. The present study aimed to find out an association between Big Five personality traits and postpartum depression in a sample of Pakistani fathers. A total of 400 Pakistani fathers who had birth of a child in the past 1 month to 1 year period and had been living with their married partners were recruited purposively by using Google Form based survey from the major cities of Pakistan. The Urdu translated versions of Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used as the main outcome measures to assess the relationship between personality traits and postpartum depression. The results found a significant negative and moderate association between Big Five personality traits and paternal postpartum depression except openness which had a weak association and neuroticism which had a positive and moderate association with PPPD (r(398) = .45). The multiple linear regression analysis found that Big Five personality traits significantly predicted paternal postpartum depression (F(5, 394) = 53.33, p = .001) except openness (B = .007, p = .98). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) found significant differences in paternal postpartum depression for age of father (F(2, 397) = 6.65, p = .001, ηp2 = .03), spouse age (F(2, 393) = 5.97, p = .003, ηp2 = .02), employment type (F(2, 395) = 9.69, p = .001, ηp2 = .04) and time spent at home (F(2, 397) = 6.23, p = .002, ηp2 = .03) while there were found no significant differences for education (F(2, 397) = 1.29, p = .27, ηp2 = .006), marital duration (F(2, 397) = 2.17, p = .11, ηp2 = .01), and birth number of recent child (F(2, 397) = 1.48, p = .22, ηp2 = .007). The study concluded that Big Five personality traits are significantly correlated with and predict paternal postpartum depression except openness which did not predict paternal postpartum depression. The occurrence of paternal postpartum depression varied significantly for age of father, age of spouse, type of employment and time spent at home.
Topics: Humans; Depression, Postpartum; Fathers; Pakistan; Male; Adult; Female; Personality; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Personality Inventory
PubMed: 38743742
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303474 -
European Heart Journal May 2024Arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse (AMVP) is linked to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), and young women are considered at high risk. Cases of AMVP in women...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse (AMVP) is linked to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), and young women are considered at high risk. Cases of AMVP in women with malignant VA during pregnancy have emerged, but the arrhythmic risk during pregnancy is unknown. The authors aimed to describe features of women with high-risk AMVP who developed malignant VA during the perinatal period and to assess if pregnancy and the postpartum period were associated with a higher risk of malignant VA.
METHODS
This retrospective international multi-centre case series included high-risk women with AMVP who experienced malignant VA and at least one pregnancy. Malignant VA included ventricular fibrillation, sustained ventricular tachycardia, or appropriate shock from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The authors compared the incidence of malignant VA in non-pregnant periods and perinatal period; the latter defined as occurring during pregnancy and within 6 months after delivery.
RESULTS
The authors included 18 women with AMVP from 11 centres. During 7.5 (interquartile range 5.8-16.6) years of follow-up, 37 malignant VAs occurred, of which 18 were pregnancy related occurring in 13 (72%) unique patients. Pregnancy and 6 months after delivery showed increased incidence rate of malignant VA compared to the non-pregnancy period (univariate incidence rate ratio 2.66, 95% confidence interval 1.23-5.76).
CONCLUSIONS
The perinatal period could impose increased risk of malignant VA in women with high-risk AMVP. The data may provide general guidance for pre-conception counselling and for nuanced shared decision-making between patients and clinicians.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Mitral Valve Prolapse; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Risk Factors; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Puerperal Disorders; Defibrillators, Implantable; Incidence; Ventricular Fibrillation; Postpartum Period
PubMed: 38740526
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae224 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2024Uterine rupture is a life-threatening obstetric complication. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological features, maternal and foetal prognosis...
Uterine rupture is a life-threatening obstetric complication. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiological features, maternal and foetal prognosis and different treatment options for uterine rupture in healthy and scarred uteri. We conducted a retrospective monocentric descriptive and analytical study of 60 cases of uterine rupture collected in the Department of Gynaecology-Obstetrics of the Center of Maternity and Neonatology, Monastir, from 2017 to 2021. Patients were classified according to the presence or absence of a uterine scar. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. The majority of cases of rupture occurred in patients with scarred uterus (n=55). The most common clinical sign was abnormal foetal heart rate. No maternal deaths were recorded and perinatal mortality rate was 11%. Mean BMI, fetal macrosomia rate and mean parity were significantly higher in the healthy uterus group than in the scarred uterus group (p=0.033, 0.018, and 0.013, respectively). The maternal complications studied (post-partum haemorrhage, hysterectomy, blood transfusion, prolonged hospitalisation) were significantly more frequent in patients with unscarred uterine rupture (p=0.039; p=0.032; p=0.009; p=0.025 respectively). Uterine rupture is a life-threatening obstetrical event for the foetus and the mother. Fetal heart rate abnormality is the most common sign associated with uterine rupture. Management is based on conservative treatment in most cases. Patients with scarred uterus have a better prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Tunisia; Retrospective Studies; Uterine Rupture; Adult; Pregnancy; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Young Adult; Cicatrix; Prognosis; Hysterectomy; Perinatal Mortality; Fetal Macrosomia; Infant, Newborn; Heart Rate, Fetal; Blood Transfusion; Length of Stay
PubMed: 38737224
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.83.42188 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2024Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity around the globe. The novel low-suction vacuum hemorrhage device (VHD) provides an... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity around the globe. The novel low-suction vacuum hemorrhage device (VHD) provides an alternative treatment option for cases of postpartum hemorrhage when first-line uterotonic agents fail. This systematic review aims to review current data evaluating the overall efficacy and safety of VHDs in treating postpartum hemorrhage.
METHODS
We searched CINAHL Ultimate, Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE with Full Text, and PubMed and reference lists of retrieved studies for eligible studies that included outcomes of effectiveness, efficacy, or safety. Two independent reviewers used Covidence.org to screen Titles and Abstracts for 69 studies of which six were included in the analysis. Secondary outcomes measured across studies included time to bleeding control, total device deployment time, and adverse effects.
RESULTS
Six nonrandomized trials ( = 1018 participants) included studies conducted in Indonesia, the United States, Switzerland, and Canada. The VHDs were found to have 90% effectiveness in achieving bleeding control across the studies. For most patients, this was achieved in <5 min and required a total device deployment time of 3 h. Reported adverse events were not considered life-threatening, including endometritis in 11 patients and red blood cell transfusions in 38% of patients.
CONCLUSION
VHDs have the potential to be used as a rapidly effective means for mechanical intervention of postpartum hemorrhage. The efficacy and safety of VHDs must be further studied at the randomized controlled trial level to determine their clinical usage.
Topics: Humans; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Female; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38735867
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2349957 -
BMC Primary Care May 2024Mastitis is a common reason new mothers visit their general practitioner (GP). In Australia, the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic provides practical advice to GPs...
BACKGROUND
Mastitis is a common reason new mothers visit their general practitioner (GP). In Australia, the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic provides practical advice to GPs managing a range of infections, including mastitis. It is not known if Australian GPs prescribe antibiotics and order investigations as recommended for the management of mastitis.
METHODS
A convergent mixed methods design integrated quantitative analysis of a general practice dataset with analysis of interviews with GPs. Using the large-scale primary care dataset, MedicineInsight, (2021-2022), antibiotics prescribed and investigations ordered for mastitis encounters were extracted. Mastitis encounters were identified by searching 'Encounter reason', 'Test reason' and 'Prescription reason' free text field for the term 'mastitis'; 'granulomatous mastitis' was excluded. Clinical encounters for mastitis occurring within 14 days of a previous mastitis encounter were defined as belonging to the same treatment episode. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Australian GPs using Zoom or telephone in 2021-2022, and analysed thematically. The Pillar Integration Process was used to develop a joint display table; qualitative codes and themes were matched with the quantitative items to illustrate similarities/contrasts in findings.
RESULTS
During an encounter for mastitis, 3122 (91.7%) women received a prescription for an oral antibiotic; most commonly di/flucloxacillin ([59.4%]) or cefalexin (937 [27.5%]). Investigations recorded ultrasound in 303 (8.9%), blood tests (full blood examination [FBE]: 170 [5.0%]; C-reactive protein [CRP]: 71 [2.1%]; erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]: 34 [1.0%]) and breast milk or nipple swab cultures in approximately 1% of encounters. Analysis using pillar integration showed consistency between quantitative and qualitative data regarding mastitis management. The following themes were identified: - GPs support continued breastfeeding. - Antibiotics are central to GPs' management. - Antibiotics are mostly prescribed according to Therapeutic Guidelines. - Analgesia is a gap in the Therapeutic Guidelines. - Low use of breast milk culture.
CONCLUSIONS
Prescribing antibiotics for mastitis remains central to Australian GPs' management of mastitis. Interview data clarified that GPs were aware that antibiotics might not be needed in all cases of mastitis and that delayed prescribing was not uncommon. Overall, GPs followed principles of antibiotic stewardship, however there is a need to train GPs about when to consider ordering investigations.
Topics: Humans; Female; Australia; Mastitis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Breast Feeding; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; General Practitioners; Adult; Middle Aged; Male
PubMed: 38730361
DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02414-4 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders May 2024The aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery rate of the left ventricular systolic function of women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy receiving specialized... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery rate of the left ventricular systolic function of women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy receiving specialized care in rural Tanzania.
METHODS
In this observational study, women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy at a referral center in rural Tanzania between December 2015 and September 2021 were included. Women diagnosed between February and September 2021 were followed prospectively, those diagnosed between December 2015 and January 2021 were tracked back for a follow-up echocardiography. All participants received a clinical examination, a comprehensive echocardiogram, and a prescription of guideline-directed medical therapy. The primary outcome was recovery of the left ventricular systolic function (left ventricular ejection fraction > 50%).
RESULTS
Median age of the 110 participants was 28.5 years (range 17-45). At enrolment, 49 (45%) participants were already on cardiac medication, 50 (45%) had severe eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle, and the median left ventricular ejection fraction was 30% (range 15-46). After a median follow-up of 8.98 months (IQR 5.72-29.37), 61 (55%) participants were still on cardiac medication. Full recovery of the left ventricular systolic function was diagnosed in 76 (69%, 95% CI 59.6-77.6%) participants. In the multivariate analysis, a higher left ventricular ejection fraction at baseline was positively associated with full recovery (each 5% increase; OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.10-2.62, p = 0.012), while higher age was inversely associated (each 10 years increase; OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.19-0.82, p = 0.012).
CONCLUSION
Left ventricular systolic function recovered completely in 69% of study participants with peripartum cardiomyopathy from rural Tanzania under specialized care.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Ventricular Function, Left; Tanzania; Recovery of Function; Young Adult; Adolescent; Pregnancy; Stroke Volume; Systole; Peripartum Period; Cardiomyopathies; Time Factors; Middle Aged; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Treatment Outcome; Prospective Studies; Rural Health; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Puerperal Disorders
PubMed: 38724901
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03906-y -
BMJ Open May 2024There are no globally agreed on strategies on early detection and first response management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) during and after caesarean birth. Our study...
Strategies for optimising early detection and obstetric first response management of postpartum haemorrhage at caesarean birth: a modified Delphi-based international expert consensus.
OBJECTIVE
There are no globally agreed on strategies on early detection and first response management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) during and after caesarean birth. Our study aimed to develop an international expert's consensus on evidence-based approaches for early detection and obstetric first response management of PPH intraoperatively and postoperatively in caesarean birth.
DESIGN
Systematic review and three-stage modified Delphi expert consensus.
SETTING
International.
POPULATION
Panel of 22 global experts in PPH with diverse backgrounds, and gender, professional and geographic balance.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Agreement or disagreement on strategies for early detection and first response management of PPH at caesarean birth.
RESULTS
Experts agreed that the same PPH definition should apply to both vaginal and caesarean birth. For the intraoperative phase, the experts agreed that early detection should be accomplished via quantitative blood loss measurement, complemented by monitoring the woman's haemodynamic status; and that first response should be triggered once the woman loses at least 500 mL of blood with continued bleeding or when she exhibits clinical signs of haemodynamic instability, whichever occurs first. For the first response, experts agreed on immediate administration of uterotonics and tranexamic acid, examination to determine aetiology and rapid initiation of cause-specific responses. In the postoperative phase, the experts agreed that caesarean birth-related PPH should be detected primarily via frequently monitoring the woman's haemodynamic status and clinical signs and symptoms of internal bleeding, supplemented by cumulative blood loss assessment performed quantitatively or by visual estimation. Postoperative first response was determined to require an individualised approach.
CONCLUSION
These agreed on proposed approaches could help improve the detection of PPH in the intraoperative and postoperative phases of caesarean birth and the first response management of intraoperative PPH. Determining how best to implement these strategies is a critical next step.
Topics: Humans; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Female; Cesarean Section; Pregnancy; Delphi Technique; Consensus; Early Diagnosis; Tranexamic Acid
PubMed: 38719306
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079713 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth May 2024The objective of the meta-analysis was to determine the influence of uterine fibroids on adverse outcomes, with specific emphasis on multiple or large (≥ 5 cm in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the meta-analysis was to determine the influence of uterine fibroids on adverse outcomes, with specific emphasis on multiple or large (≥ 5 cm in diameter) fibroids.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and SinoMed databases for eligible studies that investigated the influence of uterine fibroids on adverse outcomes in pregnancy. The pooled risk ratio (RR) of the variables was estimated with fixed effect or random effect models.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies with 237 509 participants were included. The pooled results showed that fibroids elevated the risk of adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, cesarean delivery, placenta previa, miscarriage, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), fetal distress, malposition, intrauterine fetal death, low birth weight, breech presentation, and preeclampsia. However, after adjusting for the potential factors, negative effects were only seen for preterm birth, cesarean delivery, placenta previa, placental abruption, PPH, intrauterine fetal death, breech presentation, and preeclampsia. Subgroup analysis showed an association between larger fibroids and significantly elevated risks of breech presentation, PPH, and placenta previa in comparison with small fibroids. Multiple fibroids did not increase the risk of breech presentation, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, PPH, placenta previa, PPROM, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. Meta-regression analyses indicated that maternal age only affected the relationship between uterine fibroids and preterm birth, and BMI influenced the relationship between uterine fibroids and intrauterine fetal death. Other potential confounding factors had no impact on malposition, fetal distress, PPROM, miscarriage, placenta previa, placental abruption, and PPH.
CONCLUSION
The presence of uterine fibroids poses increased risks of adverse pregnancy and obstetric outcomes. Fibroid size influenced the risk of breech presentation, PPH, and placenta previa, while fibroid numbers had no impact on the risk of these outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Leiomyoma; Pregnancy Outcome; Uterine Neoplasms; Cesarean Section; Premature Birth; Placenta Previa; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic; Abortion, Spontaneous; Abruptio Placentae; Breech Presentation; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38710995
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06545-5 -
BMC Women's Health May 2024Despite the high burden of perinatal depression in Nepal, the detection rate is low. Community-based strategies such as sensitization programmes and the Community...
BACKGROUND
Despite the high burden of perinatal depression in Nepal, the detection rate is low. Community-based strategies such as sensitization programmes and the Community Informant Detection Tool (CIDT) have been found to be effective in raising awareness and thus promoting the identification of mental health problems. This study aims to adapt these community strategies for perinatal depression in the Nepalese context.
METHODS
We followed a four-step process to adapt the existing community sensitization program manual and CIDT. Step 1 included in-depth interviews with women identified with perinatal depression (n=36), and focus group discussions were conducted with health workers trained in community mental health (n=13), female community health volunteers (FCHVs), cadre of Nepal government for the prevention and promotion of community maternal and child health (n=16), and psychosocial counsellors (n=5). We explored idioms and understanding of depression, perceived causes, and possible intervention. Step 2 included draft preparation based on the qualitative study. Step 3 included a one-day workshop with the psychosocial counsellors (n=2) and health workers (n=12) to assess the understandability and comprehensiveness of the draft and to refine the content. A review of the CIDT and community sensitization program manual by a psychiatrist was performed in Step 4.
RESULTS
The first step led to the content development for the CIDT and community sensitization manual. Multiple stakeholders and experts reviewed and refined the content from the second to fourth steps. Idioms of depression and commonly cited risk factors were incorporated in the CIDT. Additionally, myths of perinatal depression and the importance of the role of family were added to the community sensitization manual.
CONCLUSION
Both the CIDT and community sensitization manual are grounded in the local context and are simple, clear, and easy to understand.
Topics: Humans; Nepal; Female; Qualitative Research; Adult; Pregnancy; Depression, Postpartum; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Focus Groups; Health Promotion; Depression; Community Health Workers; Young Adult
PubMed: 38704570
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03122-y