A longitudinal study to determine association of various maternal factors with neonatal birth weight at a tertiary care hospital

Background

Neonatal birth weight is a powerful predictor of infant growth and survival and maternal factors like poor knowledge and insufficient dietary intake are significant risk factors. Other preventable determinants like pre pregnant BMI <18.5, low gestational weight gain (GWG) and anemia are also associated with low birth weight. This study was carried out to identify the impact of these maternal factors with risk of low birth weight (LBW).

Methods

A longitudinal study was carried out on 124 booked antenatal cases at a tertiary care center. A validated protocol containing socio demography, food frequency and anthropometry was administered at the 3rd trimester. Birth weight of the newborn was noted after delivery.

Results

26.28% children had low birth weight (<2500 g), 14.6% mothers were thin (BMI < 18.5), 55.3% mothers had a weight gain of less than 9 kgs and 45.5% were anemic. 81.81% mothers with BMI >18.5 and 28.92% women who were educated till high school had a baby with LBW. Most mothers consumed milk and vegetables daily and a few consumed non vegetarian foods but quality and quantity of food were grossly inadequate. GWG levels and Hb levels were significantly different in different birth weight groups and also were significantly associated with low birth weight.

Conclusion

Quality and quantity of maternal dietary intake during pregnancy, even in normal weight mothers (BMI > 18.5), are important determinants of birth weight. Nutritional counseling for mothers during the antenatal period is the cornerstone for healthy mother and healthy child.     

Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes after assisted reproduction: a comparative study

Background  Increasing use of fertility therapy has elicited concerns regarding adverse effects for expectant mothers and the health of children thus conceived. Aims  To study the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, birth defects and pregnancy complications following assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods  Questionnaire-based study involving 1,524 children and 1,182 pregnancies conceived following in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in two units. Outcomes were compared with the general population. Results  In the study group versus the general population; multi-foetal gestations, 26 versus 2%; singleton preterm delivery and low birth weight, 8.7 and 6.4 versus 4.3 and 4%, respectively; non-lethal congenital malformation rate, 2.6 versus 2.1%; placenta praevia, 2.8 versus 0.5%. Conclusions  Multi-foetal gestations remain the principal cause of adverse perinatal outcomes after ART. Singleton ART pregnancies have an increased risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight at term. Non-lethal congenital malformation rates are not increased following ART. Placenta praevia is increased following ART.     

The importance of quality of care in perinatal mortality: a case-control study in Chiapas, Mexico

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken in order to ascertain the relative importance of different risk factors for perinatal mortality (PM) in a community of Chiapas, Mexico stressing the importance of antenatal and neonatal medical care. METHODS: Cases were stillbirth and early neonatal death (END). Two children born in the same hospital and/or day as the case were randomly selected as controls, in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. Socioeconomic, cultural, maternal, pregnancy, delivery, product and medical care factors were recorded. Two analyses were performed using multiple logistic regression: one for stillbirths, the other for END. RESULTS: PM rate was 46.7/1000; 142 cases and 284 controls were studied. Fifteen cases were excluded due to congenital malformations; 62 stillbirth and 65 END were analyzed. For stillbirth, pregnancy-delivery and maternal medical care factors resulted in the most strongly associated risk factors for PM (OR=27.5 95% CI 6.4-116.8), and within this index insufficient prenatal care had the strongest impact on PM (%population attributable risk (%PAR)=24%). For END, fetal conditions and the newborn medical care index had the strongest association with PM (OR=9.5 95% CI 1.5-60.3), and within the index inappropriate medical care of the newborn (%PAR=27%) was the most important variable. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the fact that insufficient prenatal care and failure to comply with the standards of care for labor, delivery and for the care of the newborn are strong predictors of PM.     

Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy: Outcomes at a tertiary care hospital

Background

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a formidable surgery and was associated with high morbidity and mortality. Though the mortality rates have steadily improved, morbidity continues to be high. There is lack of published data on outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy in Armed Forces hospitals. The aim of this study was to analyze the short term outcomes at our center and to compare it with the published literature.

Methods

A retrospective review of prospectively maintained data base was done. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data was analyzed with emphasis on the morbidity and mortality rates. Follow up data was analyzed to look at disease recurrence.

Results

Between Jan 2008 and March 2014, 69 patients underwent Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy with a median age of 64 years. All had a malignant etiology with periampullary carcinoma being the commonest (42%). Overall, intra-abdominal complications occurred in 46% of patients which included postoperative pancreatic fistula (20%) and delayed gastric emptying (24%). The mortality rate for the whole was 11% which reduced to 8% in the second half of the study.

Conclusion

The short term outcomes at our center were comparable to those in published literature. The mortality rates showed a decreasing trend with time.     

Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy: Outcomes at a tertiary care hospital

Background

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is a formidable surgery and was associated with high morbidity and mortality. Though the mortality rates have steadily improved, morbidity continues to be high. There is lack of published data on outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy in Armed Forces hospitals. The aim of this study was to analyze the short term outcomes at our center and to compare it with the published literature.

Methods

A retrospective review of prospectively maintained data base was done. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data was analyzed with emphasis on the morbidity and mortality rates. Follow up data was analyzed to look at disease recurrence.

Results

Between Jan 2008 and March 2014, 69 patients underwent Whipple''s pancreaticoduodenectomy with a median age of 64 years. All had a malignant etiology with periampullary carcinoma being the commonest (42%). Overall, intra-abdominal complications occurred in 46% of patients which included postoperative pancreatic fistula (20%) and delayed gastric emptying (24%). The mortality rate for the whole was 11% which reduced to 8% in the second half of the study.

Conclusion

The short term outcomes at our center were comparable to those in published literature. The mortality rates showed a decreasing trend with time.     

Evaluation of a multimodal teaching method on essential newborn care among health providers at a tertiary care hospital

BackgroundThere is an unmet need for in-service training of health providers for essential new-born care. This study evaluated the ability of a multi-modal training workshop on new-born care to improve the knowledge and skills of health providers.MethodsThis was an intervention based pre-and post-study on 54 students who attended a two-day workshop on essential new-born care. The teaching used self-directed learning, demonstration, videos, webinars, podcasts, group discussion, role-play and individual feedback. Knowledge was assessed by a set of 25 peer-reviewed multiple-choice questions (MCQs), both pre-and post-test and skills by 3 peer-reviewed and validated objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) stations in the post-test period. Follow-up assessment after 10 months was also done for 30 students.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in the knowledge scores on MCQs after the workshop [16.65 ± 1.84 vs 12 ± 2.98, mean difference 4.65, 95%CI (3.85 to 5.44); p value < 0.0001]. The skill scores assessed by the OSCE were 92.35%, 83.50% and 78.86% of the expected scores respectively with a composite OSCE stations score of 83.90% of the expected score (100%). Follow-up assessment after 10 months showed a significant decline in knowledge scores, though skill scores were retained.ConclusionAn essential new-born care workshop using multi-modal teaching methods resulted in an improvement in knowledge and skill scores among a diverse mix of nurses and doctors. This model of learning was acceptable and can be adapted for future training of health providers. There is a need for regular refresher training to maintain knowledge and skills.     

Mortality at the medical wards of a university teaching hospital in Papua New Guinea: a study of 1242 admissions

The records of all patients who died in the medical wards of the University Teaching Hospital in Papua New Guinea during a 6-month period between 1st January and 1st July 1984 were reviewed. Deaths were classified as early or late and subclassified as preventable, treatable, untreatable or undetermined. There were 120 deaths among 1242 adult patients admitted to the medical wards during the period under study (overall case fatality rate 10%). 35 patients died within 24 hours after admission (early death), 2 of preventable, 7 of treatable, 8 of untreatable and 18 of undetermined causes. Of patients who stayed alive in the hospital for more than one day, 5 died of preventable, 28 of treatable, 23 of untreatable and 29 of undetermined causes. Autopsy was performed on 3 patients (2.5%). Age of the deceased patients ranged from 13 to 67 years (median: 37). Male to female ratio was 1.86. The length of hospital stay ranged from 1 to 77 days (median: 4). Infectious diseases were found to be the major cause of death with pneumonia and tuberculosis leading the list. The emergency procedures, laboratory facilities and autopsy rate need to be improved to reduce the number of deaths from undetermined and preventable causes in Papua New Guinea.     

Adolescent pregnancy outcomes at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital,Malawi: a cross-sectional study

Malawi has a growing population with a high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 439 per 100,000 live births to which adolescents contribute 25%. Current data suggests adolescent pregnancies in low resource settings are at an increased risk of both maternal and neonatal morbidity.ObjectivesThis study assessed the pregnancy outcomes amongst adolescents while using women from the early adulthood (20 – 24-year-old) and advanced maternal age (35 years old and above) groups as reference.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study, carried out at the Chatinkha maternity (labour) and post-natal wards at QECH, and included all adolescents (10 – 19 years old) and women between 20 – 24 years old (early adulthood) and 35 years old or older (advanced maternal age), presenting in labor, at any gestational age ≥ 28 weeks or with a birth weight of 1000 grams or above.ResultsThe study found the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy to be 20.4% (N=5035) out of all the deliveries during the recruitment period. Sexually transmitted infections were proportionally higher in the adolescent group, with 12% testing HIV seroreactive and 10% syphilis seroreactive. Neonatal outcomes of birth asphyxia (3.5%), low birth weight (5%), prematurity (4.3%) and early neonatal death (4.3%) were not statistically different from the outcomes of the older age groups. The major causes of maternal morbidity were determined to be a high caesarean section rate of 31.9% and intrapartum diagnosis of urinary tract infection (7.4%), malaria (7.4%) and hypertensive disorders (14.5%).ConclusionsAdolescents are a significant proportion of the pregnant population in Malawi. These adolescents are at increased risk of some pregnancy and peripartum complications when compared to women of older age groups. However, our study determined that these outcomes appear to be more likely related to the peripartum care received and not solely specific to maternal age.     

Tracheostomy without mechanical ventilation in patients with traumatic brain injury at a tertiary referral hospital in Malawi: a cross sectional study

BackgroundTracheostomy alone, without mechanical ventilation, has been advocated to maintain a free airway in patients with traumatic brain injury in low-income settings with minimal critical care capacity. However, no reports exist on the outcomes of this strategy. We examine the results of this practice at a central hospital in Malawi.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of medical records and prospectively gathered trauma surveillance data of patients admitted to Kamuzu Central Hospital, with traumatic brain injury from January 2010 to December 2015. In-hospital mortality rates were examined according to registered traumatic brain injury severity and airway management.ResultsIn our analysis, 1875 of 2051 registered traumatic brain injury patients were included; 83.3% were male, mean age 32.6 (SD 12.9) years. 14.2% (n=267) of the patients had invasive airway management (endotracheal tube or tracheostomy) with or without mechanical ventilation. Mortality in severe traumatic brain injury treated with tracheostomy without mechanical ventilation was 42% (10/24) compared to 21% (14/68) in patients treated without intubation or tracheostomy (p= 0.043). Tracheostomies had an overall complication rate of 11%.ConclusionTracheostomy without mechanical ventilation in severe traumatic brain injury did not improve survival outcomes in our setting. Tracheostomy for severe traumatic brain injury cannot be recommended when mechanical ventilation is not available unless there are sufficient specialized human resources for follow up in the ward. Efforts to improve critical care facilities and human resource capacity to allow proper use of mechanical ventilation in severe traumatic brain injury should be a high priority in low-income countries where the burden of trauma is high.     

Acute kidney injury in the pediatric intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital of the Armed Forces: a cross-sectional observational study

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is shown to be the commonest complication in critically ill children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification and definition are now used universally. We undertook prospective observational study to study the etiology and maximum stage of AKI as defined by KDIGO and its complications and outcomes.MethodsAll children admitted to the PICU were included in the study. The diagnosis of sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) was made according to the standard international guidelines. The patients were followed up till discharge/death. All children were screened for AKI at admission and subsequently using serum creatinine measured by modified Jaffe's method and urine output measurement.ResultsA total of 197 children were admitted to the PICU. 38 (19.28%) developed AKI, and 6 (15.78%) developed stage III AKI. Malignancies, serious neurological and renal disorders, and postsurgery complications accounted for most of the cases with AKI. Six were admitted with primary renal condition. Sepsis with or without MODS was seen in 12 patients with AKI and in 8 without AKI. Twenty-one children with AKI and 3 children without AKI were exposed to nephrotoxic drugs. Twenty-three children with AKI required inotropic support. The average length of stay (ALOS) of children with AKI in the PICU was 9.86 days, whereas ALOS of children without AKI was 6.23 days. Eighteen children with AKI (47.36%) and 36 (21.38%) with no AKI died.ConclusionsAKI in children in the PICUs of referral hospitals in the armed forces have varied etiologies and presentations. These children require early identification and management with close monitoring to prevent long-term renal morbidity and mortality.     

Prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among operating room and critical care staff at a tertiary teaching hospital: A cross-sectional study

Objectives:To identify the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among operating room and critical care staff.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 319 Healthcare workers employed in the operation theater and intensive care unit of King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), a tertiary teaching hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between August 9, 2020 and November 2, 2020. All participants completed a 20-item questionnaire on demographic data and COVID-19 risk factors and provided blood samples. Antibody testing was performed using an in-house enzyme immunoassay and microneutralization test.Results:Of the 319 participants, 39 had detectable COVID-19 antibodies. Five of them had never experienced any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, and only 19 were previously diagnosed with COVID-19. The odds of developing COVID-19 or having corresponding antibodies increased if participants experienced COVID-19 symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-7.5) or reported contact with an infected family member (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 2.5-11.2). Disease acquisition was not associated with employment in the ICU and involvement in the intubation of or close contact with COVID-19 patients. Of the 19 previously diagnosed participants, 6 did not possess any detectable COVID-19 antibodies.Conclusions:Healthcare workers may have undiagnosed COVID-19, and those previously infected may not have long-lasting immunity. Therefore, hospitals must continue to uphold strict infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic.     

The crucial factor of hospital readmissions: a retrospective cohort study of patients evaluated in the emergency department and admitted to the department of medicine of a general hospital in Italy

Background

Early hospital readmissions, defined as rehospitalization within 30 days from a previous discharge, represent an economic and social burden for public health management. As data about early readmission in Italy are scarce, we aimed to relate the phenomenon of 30-day readmission to factors identified at the time of emergency department (ED) visits in subjects admitted to medical wards of a general hospital in Italy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective 30-month observational study, evaluating all patients admitted to the Department of Medicine of the Hospital of Ferrara, Italy. Our study compared early and late readmission: patients were evaluated on the basis of the ED admission diagnosis and classified differently on the basis of a concordant or discordant readmission diagnosis in respect to the diagnosis of a first hospitalization.

Results

Out of 13,237 patients admitted during the study period, 3,631 (27.4%) were readmitted; of those, 656 were 30-day rehospitalizations (5% of total admissions). Early rehospitalization occurred 12 days (median) later than previous discharge. The most frequent causes of rehospitalization were cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 29.3% and pulmonary disease (PD) in 29.7% of cases. Patients admitted with the same diagnosis were younger, had lower length of stay (LOS) and higher prevalence of CVD, PD and cancer. Age, CVD and PD were independently associated with 30-day readmission with concordant diagnosis and kidney disease with 30-day rehospitalization with a discordant diagnosis.

Conclusions

Comorbid patients are at higher risk for 30-day readmission. Reduction of LOS, especially in elderly subjects, could increase early rehospitalization rates.     

Intraoperative cardiac arrest during anesthesia:a retrospective study of 218 274 anesthetics undergoing non-cardiac surgery in a US teaching hospital

Background Patient safety has been gained much more attention in recent years.The authors reviewed patients who had cardiac arrest in the operating rooms undergoing noncardiac surgery between January 1989 and December 2001 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center,USA.The main objectives of the study were to determine the incidence of intraoperative cardiac arrest,to identify possible causes of cardiac arrest and to explore amenable modifications.Methods With approval by the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board,patients experienced cardiac arrest during surgery were retrieved from medical records,surgical operation and anesthesia records and pathological reports by searching the Medical Archival Retrieval System (MARS),a hospital electronic searching system.Cases of cardiac arrest were collected over a period of thirteen years from the Pre byteria University Hospital (PUH),USA.Results We found 23 cases of intraoperative cardiac arrests occurred in 218 274 anesthesia cases (1.1 per 10 000).Fourteen patients (60.8%) died in the operating room,leading to a mortality rate from all causes of 0.64 per 10 000 anesthetics.Immediate overall survival rate after arrest was 39% (9/23).Half of the patients (12/23) were emergency cases with 41% survival rate (5/12).One fourth of the arrests were trauma patients (6/23).Most arrest patients (87%,20/23) were American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA PS) Ⅳ and Ⅴ,while only three patients were ASA PS-Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ,respectively.One case was attributable to an anesthesia-related cardiac arrest and recovered after successful resuscitation.Conclusions Most intraoperative cardiac arrests were not due to anesthesia-related causes.Anesthesia-related cardiac arrests might have a higher survival rate when compared to other possible causes of cardiac arrest in the operating room.     

Skin-to-skin contact at birth for vaginally delivered neonates in a tertiary care hospital: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundNeonates undergoing skin-to-skin contact (SSC) have shown to have better cardiovascular stability, improved duration of breastfeeding, temperature maintenance and bonding. The primary objective was to estimate the existing prevalence of SSC among mother–infant dyads in the first hour after vaginal delivery, and the secondary objective was to ascertain the factors affecting adherence of SSC after vaginal delivery.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital between September 2017 and December 2017. All mother–newborn dyads in the labour room were eligible for the study. Mothers with their newborns, who gave multiple births, or with major congenital malformations or those requiring any form of resuscitation or having respiratory distress or requiring observation in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were excluded. All included mother–newborn dyads, after exclusion, were observed for SSC, and the duration in each dyad was recorded. All enrolled mothers, the attending doctors and nurses were asked questions based on a prevalidated questionnaire for the possible barriers of implementation.ResultsOf a total of 164 mother–infant dyads studied, only 34 (20.7%) carried out SSC for more than 30 min. Sixty-two (37.8%) mother–infant dyads did not participate in any SSC. The commonest reason for non-adherence to SSC was unawareness about the practice in 82.25%, followed by pain and exhaustion after the labour process in 8%.ConclusionThe rate of SSC at birth is suboptimal, and the commonest reason is lack of awareness about this important step of essential newborn care.     

Folate levels in children with sickle cell anaemia on folic acid supplementation in steady state and crises at a tertiary hospital in Enugu,Nigeria: a prospective,comparative study

IntroductionFolic acid supplementation is an integral aspect of the management of children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) especially in Africa. In spite of this, there have been concerns about lower folate levels, especially during crisis.AimTo determine red cell folate levels of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state and during crisis and compare with those with haemoglobin AA genotype.MethodThis study was prospective, hospital based, and comparative. Fifty children with sickle cell anaemia were recruited during crises and followed up until they met the criteria for attaining steady state. The controls were fifty children matched with those with SCA for age and gender and had haemoglobin AA genotype. Red cell folate estimation was done with the Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) method using the automated Roche Cobas e411 equipment.ResultsThe median (IQR) red cell folate level in children during sickle cell crisis was 265.95 (134.50) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the median (IQR) of 376.30 (206.85) ng/ml obtained during steady state. Most children with SCA (41 out of 50) had significantly higher folate levels during steady state (T=1081, Z-score= -4.660, p < 0.001). Median level of red cell folate was lower during anaemic crisis compared to vaso-occlusive crisis, though not significantly so (N(50), U = 214.00, Z-score= -1.077, p = 0.305). The median red cell folate level of normal controls was 343.55 (92.90) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than the 376.30 (206.85) ng/ml obtained during steady state (N(50), U= 209.00, Z-score= -7.177, p <0.001).ConclusionMedian red cell folate levels of the study participants were within normal limits, though most children with SCA had significantly higher levels during steady state compared to crisis. Normal controls had significantly lower red cell folate levels than the children with SCA during steady state.