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Child and maternal benefits and risks of caseload midwifery - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Sep 2023It has been reported that caseload midwifery, which implies continuity of midwifery care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, improves the outcomes... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
It has been reported that caseload midwifery, which implies continuity of midwifery care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, improves the outcomes for the mother and child. The aim of this study was to review benefits and risks of caseload midwifery, compared with standard care comparable to the Swedish setting where the same midwife usually provides antenatal care and the checkup postnatally, but does not assist during birth and the first week postpartum.
METHODS
Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and the Cochrane Library were searched (Nov 4th, 2021) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Retrieved articles were assessed and pooled risk ratios calculated when possible, using random-effects meta-analyses. Certainty of evidence was assessed according to GRADE.
RESULTS
In all, 7,594 patients in eight RCTs were included, whereof five RCTs without major risk of bias, including 5,583 patients, formed the basis for the conclusions. There was moderate certainty of evidence for little or no difference regarding the risk of Apgar ≤ 7 at 5 min, instrumental birth, and preterm birth. There was low certainty of evidence for little or no difference regarding the risk of perinatal mortality, neonatal intensive care, perineal tear, bleeding, and acute caesarean section. Caseload midwifery may reduce the overall risk of caesarean section. Regarding breastfeeding after hospital discharge, maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, health-related quality of life, postpartum depression, health care experience/satisfaction and confidence, available studies did not allow conclusions (very low certainty of evidence). For severe child morbidity and Apgar ≤ 4 at 5 min, there was no literature available.
CONCLUSIONS
When caseload midwifery was compared with models of care that resembles the Swedish one, little or no difference was found for several critical and important child and maternal outcomes with low-moderate certainty of evidence, but the risk of caesarean section may be reduced. For several outcomes, including critical and important ones, studies were lacking, or the certainty of evidence was very low. RCTs in relevant settings are therefore required.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Child; Midwifery; Delivery, Obstetric; Cesarean Section; Mothers; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 37715118
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05967-x -
PloS One 2015Maternal infection with cholera may negatively affect pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this research is to systematically review the literature and determine the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Maternal infection with cholera may negatively affect pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this research is to systematically review the literature and determine the risk of fetal, neonatal and maternal death associated with cholera during pregnancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Medline, Global Health Library, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the key terms cholera and pregnancy for articles published in any language and at any time before August 2013 to quantitatively summarize estimates of fetal, maternal, and neonatal mortality. 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each selected study. Random-effect non-linear logistic regression was used to calculate pooled rates and 95% CIs by time period. Studies from the recent period (1991-2013) were compared with studies from 1969-1990. Relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% CIs were obtained by comparing mortality of selected recent studies with published national normative data from the closest year.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included seven studies that together involved 737 pregnant women with cholera from six countries. The pooled fetal death rate for 4 studies during 1991-2013 was 7.9% (95% CIs 5.3-10.4), significantly lower than that of 3 studies from 1969-1990 (31.0%, 95% CIs 25.2-36.8). There was no difference in fetal death rate by trimester. The pooled neonatal death rate for 1991-2013 studies was 0.8% (95% CIs 0.0-1.6), and 6.4% (95% CIs 0.0-20.8) for 1969-1990. The pooled maternal death rate for 1991-2013 studies was 0.2% (95% CIs 0.0-0.7), and 5.0% (95% CIs 0.0-16.0) for 1969-1990. Compared with published national mortality estimates, the RR for fetal death of 5.8 (95% CIs 2.9-11.3) was calculated for Haiti (2013), 1.8 (95% CIs 0.3-10.4) for Senegal (2007), and 2.6 (95% CIs 0.5-14.9) for Peru (1991); there were no significant differences in the RR for neonatal or maternal death.
CONCLUSION
Results are limited by the inconsistencies found across included studies but suggest that maternal cholera is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly fetal death. These findings can inform a research agenda on cholera in pregnancy and guidance for the timely management of pregnant women with cholera.
Topics: Cholera; Female; Fetal Mortality; Haiti; Humans; India; Infant; Infant Mortality; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Mortality; Pakistan; Peru; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Senegal
PubMed: 26177291
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132920 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Oct 2021To describe the incidence and main causes of maternal near-miss events in middle-income countries using the World Health Organization's (WHO) maternal near-miss tool and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To describe the incidence and main causes of maternal near-miss events in middle-income countries using the World Health Organization's (WHO) maternal near-miss tool and to evaluate its applicability in these settings.
METHODS
We did a systematic review of studies on maternal near misses in middle-income countries published over 2009-2020. We extracted data on number of live births, number of maternal near misses, major causes of maternal near miss and most frequent organ dysfunction. We extracted, or calculated, the maternal near-miss ratio, maternal mortality ratio and mortality index. We also noted descriptions of researchers' experiences and modifications of the WHO tool for local use.
FINDINGS
We included 69 studies from 26 countries (12 lower-middle- and 14 upper-middle-income countries). Studies reported a total of 50 552 maternal near misses out of 10 450 482 live births. Median number of cases of maternal near miss per 1000 live births was 15.9 (interquartile range, IQR: 8.9-34.7) in lower-middle- and 7.8 (IQR: 5.0-9.6) in upper-middle-income countries, with considerable variation between and within countries. The most frequent causes of near miss were obstetric haemorrhage in 19/40 studies in lower-middle-income countries and hypertensive disorders in 15/29 studies in upper-middle-income countries. Around half the studies recommended adaptations to the laboratory and management criteria to avoid underestimation of cases of near miss, as well as clearer guidance to avoid different interpretations of the tool.
CONCLUSION
In several countries, adaptations of the WHO near-miss tool to the local context were suggested, possibly hampering international comparisons, but facilitating locally relevant audits to learn lessons.
Topics: Developing Countries; Female; Humans; Live Birth; Maternal Mortality; Near Miss, Healthcare; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 34621087
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.21.285945 -
Maternal complications and cesarean section without indication: systematic review and meta-analysis.Revista de Saude Publica 2017The objective of this study was to determine the risks of severe acute maternal complications associated with cesarean section without medical indication. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the risks of severe acute maternal complications associated with cesarean section without medical indication.
METHODS
A systematic review was carried out with meta-analysis. The literature search was performed systematically, in multiple stages, in the PubMed, Lilacs, and Web of Science databases using the following descriptors: (postpartum period) and (cesarean section or natural childbirth) and ((morbidity or mortality) or (postpartum hemorrhage) or (puerperal infection) or (surgical infection) or (puerperal disorders)). The protocol of the study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42016032933. A total of 1,328 articles were found; after selection, eight publications that met the study objective and inclusion criteria were selected, with information on 1,051,543 individuals.
RESULTS
The results obtained in the meta-analyses indicate that women with cesarean section have a higher chance of maternal death (OR = 3.10, 95%CI 1.92-5.00) and postpartum infection (OR = 2.83, 95%CI, 1.585.06), but they have a lower chance of hemorrhage (OR = 0.52, 95%CI 0.48-0.57). For the blood transfusion outcome, the group effect was not associated with the type of delivery (95%CI 0.88-2.81).
CONCLUSIONS
The quality of evidence was considered low for hemorrhage and blood transfusion and moderate for postpartum infection and maternal death. Thus, cesarean sections should be performed with caution and safety, especially when its benefits outweigh the risks of a surgical procedure.
Topics: Blood Transfusion; Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Maternal Mortality; Natural Childbirth; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Puerperal Disorders; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29166440
DOI: 10.11606/S1518-8787.2017051000389 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Jan 2023To understand the experiences and perceptions of people implementing maternal and/or perinatal death surveillance and response in low- and middle-income countries, and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To understand the experiences and perceptions of people implementing maternal and/or perinatal death surveillance and response in low- and middle-income countries, and the mechanisms by which this process can achieve its intended outcomes.
METHODS
In June 2022, we systematically searched seven databases for qualitative studies of stakeholders implementing maternal and/or perinatal death surveillance and response in low- and middle-income countries. Two reviewers independently screened articles and assessed their quality. We used thematic synthesis to derive descriptive themes and a realist approach to understand the context-mechanism-outcome configurations.
FINDINGS
Fifty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Good outcomes (improved quality of care or reduced mortality) were underpinned by a functional action cycle. Mechanisms for effective death surveillance and response included learning, vigilance and implementation of recommendations which motivated further engagement. The key context to enable effective death surveillance and response was a blame-free learning environment with good leadership. Inadequate outcomes (lack of improvement in care and mortality and discontinuation of death surveillance and response) resulted from a vicious cycle of under-reporting, inaccurate data, and inadequate review and recommendations, which led to demotivation and disengagement. Some harmful outcomes were reported, such as inappropriate referrals and worsened staff shortages, which resulted from a fear of negative consequences, including blame, disciplinary action or litigation.
CONCLUSION
Conditions needed for effective maternal and/or perinatal death surveillance and response include: separation of the process from litigation and disciplinary procedures; comprehensive guidelines and training; adequate resources to implement recommendations; and supportive supervision to enable safe learning.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Perinatal Death; Family; Learning; Qualitative Research; Social Problems; Maternal Death
PubMed: 36593778
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.22.288703 -
Global Health Action Oct 2021The COVID-19 pandemic is having significant direct and associated effects on many health outcomes, including maternal mortality. As a useful marker of healthcare system... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The COVID-19 pandemic is having significant direct and associated effects on many health outcomes, including maternal mortality. As a useful marker of healthcare system functionality, trends in maternal mortality provide a lens to gauge impact and inform mitigation strategies.
OBJECTIVE
To report the findings of a rapid systematic review of studies on levels of maternal mortality before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS
We systematically searched for studies on the 1st March 2021 in MEDLINE and Embase, with additional studies identified through MedRxiv and searches of key websites. We included studies that reported levels of mortality in pregnant and postpartum women in time-periods pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The maternal mortality ratio was calculated for each study as well as the excess mortality.
RESULTS
The search yielded 3411 references, of which five studies were included in the review alongside two studies identified from grey literature searches. Five studies used data from national health information systems or death registries (Mexico, Peru, Uganda, South Africa, and Kenya), and two studies from India were record reviews from health facilities. There were increased levels of maternal mortality documented in all studies; however, there was only statistical evidence for a difference in maternal mortality in the COVID-19 era for four of these. Excess maternal mortality ranged from 8.5% in Kenya to 61.5% in Uganda.
CONCLUSIONS
Measuring maternal mortality in pandemics presents many challenges, but also essential opportunities to understand and ameliorate adverse impact both for women and their newborns. Our systematic review shows a dearth of studies giving reliable information on levels of maternal mortality, and we call for increased and more systematic reporting of this largely preventable outcome. The findings help to highlight four measurement-related issues which are priorities for continuing research and development.
Topics: COVID-19; Family; Female; Health Facilities; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Mortality; Pandemics; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35377289
DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1974677 -
European Journal of Midwifery 2022This study explored maternal and infant outcomes in the periods of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum, in women with COVID-19. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
This study explored maternal and infant outcomes in the periods of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum, in women with COVID-19.
METHODS
After PROSPERO registration (CRD42020191106), scanning for the studies was carried out over the period 5-15 May 2020 in the PubMed, Science Direct, EBSCO and Web of Science databases with the search string: ['COVID-19' AND ('pregnancy' OR 'pregnant' OR 'maternal outcomes' OR 'infant outcomes' OR 'fetal outcomes' OR 'birth')]. Studies reporting maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 were included. Data were extracted independently by two researchers and combined with meta-analysis and pooled analysis.
RESULTS
The 54 studies included in this analysis contained data on 517 pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 and 385 infants. Of the pregnant women, 18% had gone into preterm labor and 77% had given birth by caesarean. Of the newborns, 19% had low birth weight, 14% had fetal distress, and 24% were admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit. Nine maternal and eight baby mortalities were reported in the studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The study revealed that COVID-19 in pregnant women appeared to be negative maternal and infant outcomes, with mortalities as well.
PubMed: 35860720
DOI: 10.18332/ejm/149485 -
Scandinavian Journal of Surgery : SJS :... Sep 2023Non-obstetric surgery is fairly common in pregnant women. We performed a systematic review to update data on non-obstetric surgery in pregnant women. The aim of this... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Non-obstetric surgery is fairly common in pregnant women. We performed a systematic review to update data on non-obstetric surgery in pregnant women. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effects of non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy on pregnancy, fetal and maternal outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of MEDLINE and Scopus was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search span was from January 2000 to November 2022. Thirty-six studies matched the inclusion criteria, and 24 publications were identified through reference mining; 60 studies were included in this review. Outcome measures were miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, low Apgar score, and infant and maternal morbidity and mortality rates.
RESULTS
We obtained data for 80,205 women who underwent non-obstetric surgery and data for 16,655,486 women who did not undergo surgery during pregnancy. Prevalence of non-obstetric surgery was between 0.23% and 0.74% (median 0.37%). Appendectomy was the most common procedure with median prevalence of 0.10%. Near half (43%) of the procedures were performed during the second trimester, 32% during the first trimester, and 25% during the third trimester. Half of surgeries were scheduled, and half were emergent. Laparoscopic and open techniques were used equally for abdominal cavity. Women who underwent non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy had increased rate of stillbirth (odds ratio (OR) 2.0) and preterm birth (OR 2.1) compared to women without surgery. Surgery during pregnancy did not increase rate of miscarriage (OR 1.1), low 5 min Apgar scores (OR 1.1), the fetus being small for gestational age (OR 1.1) or congenital anomalies (OR 1.0).
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of non-obstetric surgery has decreased during last decades, but still two out of 1000 pregnant women have scheduled surgery during pregnancy. Surgery during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth, and preterm birth. For abdominal cavity surgery, both laparoscopic and open approaches are feasible.
Topics: Infant; Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; Stillbirth; Abortion, Spontaneous; Fetus
PubMed: 37329286
DOI: 10.1177/14574969231175569 -
PLoS Medicine Jun 2023Literature focusing on migration and maternal health inequalities is inconclusive, possibly because of the heterogeneous definitions and settings studied. We aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Literature focusing on migration and maternal health inequalities is inconclusive, possibly because of the heterogeneous definitions and settings studied. We aimed to synthesize the literature comparing the risks of severe maternal outcomes in high-income countries between migrant and native-born women, overall and by host country and region of birth.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
Systematic literature review and meta-analysis using the Medline/PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for the period from January 1, 1990 to April 18, 2023. We included observational studies comparing the risk of maternal mortality or all-cause or cause-specific severe maternal morbidity in high-income countries between migrant women, defined by birth outside the host country, and native-born women; used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale tool to assess risk of bias; and performed random-effects meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses were planned by host country and region of birth. The initial 2,290 unique references produced 35 studies published as 39 reports covering Europe, Australia, the United States of America, and Canada. In Europe, migrant women had a higher risk of maternal mortality than native-born women (pooled risk ratio [RR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14, 1.58; p < 0.001), but not in the USA or Australia. Some subgroups of migrant women, including those born in sub-Saharan Africa (pooled RR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.03, 4.15; p < 0.001), Latin America and the Caribbean (pooled RR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.43, 5.35; p = 0.002), and Asia (pooled RR, 1.57, 95% CI, 1.09, 2.26; p = 0.01) were at higher risk of maternal mortality than native-born women, but not those born in Europe or in the Middle East and North Africa. Although they were studied less often and with heterogeneous definitions of outcomes, patterns for all-cause severe maternal morbidity and maternal intensive care unit admission were similar. We were unable to take into account other social factors that might interact with migrant status to determine maternal health because many of these data were unavailable.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review of the existing literature applying a single definition of "migrant" women, we found that the differential risk of severe maternal outcomes in migrant versus native-born women in high-income countries varied by host country and region of origin. These data highlight the need to further explore the mechanisms underlying these inequities.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42021224193.
Topics: Humans; Female; Developed Countries; Income; Transients and Migrants; Europe; Ethnicity
PubMed: 37347797
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004257 -
Maternal Health, Neonatology and... Jan 2021Despite decreasing overall perinatal and maternal mortality in high-income countries, perinatal and maternal health inequalities are persisting in Sub Saharan African... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Despite decreasing overall perinatal and maternal mortality in high-income countries, perinatal and maternal health inequalities are persisting in Sub Saharan African countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects size of rates and determinants for perinatal mortality in Sub-Saharan countries.
METHOD
The sources for electronic datasets were PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Google, Google Scholar, and WHO data Library. Observational studies published in the English language from January 01, 2000, to May 30, 2019 were included. STROBE and JBI tools were used to include relevant articles for this review. We used a Comberehensive Meta-Analysis version 2 software for this analysis. The I and Q- statistic values were used to detect the level of heterogeneity. The Kendall's without continuity correction, Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation and Egger's linear regression tests were used to detect the existence of significant publication bias (P < 0.10). The effects size were expressed in the form of point estimate and odds ratio with 95% CI (P < 0.05) in the random effect analysis using the trim and fill method.
RESULT
Twenty-one articles were included in this review. However, only fourteen studies reported the perinatal mortality rate. Among 14 studies, the observed and adjusted PMR was found to be 58.35 and 42.95 respectively. The odds of perinatal mortality among mothers who had no ANC visits was 2.04 (CI: 1.67, 2.49, P < 0.0001) as compared to those who had at least one ANC visit. The odds of perinatal mortality among preterm babies was 4.42 (CI: 2.83, 6.88, P < 0.0001). In most cases, heterogeneity was not evident when subgroup analyses were assessed by region, study design, and setting. Only perinatal mortality (P < 0.0001), antenatal care (P < 0.046) and preterm births (P < 0.034) showed a relationship between the standardized effect sizes and standard errors of these effects.
CONCLUSION
In general, engaging in systematic review and meta-analysis would potentially improve under-represented strategies and actions by informing policy makers and program implementers for minimizing the existing socioeconomic inequalities between regions and nations.
PubMed: 33386082
DOI: 10.1186/s40748-020-00120-4