The association between maternal HIV-1 infection and pregnancy outcomes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Objective To examine the association between maternal HIV infection and pregnancy outcomes controlling for potential confounding factors among a cohort of HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Design Prospective cohort study.
Methods A cohort of 1078 HIV-infected and 502 HIV-uninfected pregnant women between 12 and 27 weeks of gestation were enrolled and followed up until delivery. Multiple regression models were used to compare the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes among HIV-uninfected women with those among HIV-infected women overall, and separately among asymptomatic or symptomatic HIV-infected women.
Results No significant differences between HIV-uninfected women and HIV-infected women were observed in risks of fetal loss or low birthweight or in the weight, head circumference and gestational age of infants at birth. HIV-infected women were more likely to have severe immature infants (<34 weeks) than HIV-uninfected women (multivariate RR 1.54 [95% CI 0.90–2.48]; P =0.05). There was a significantly higher risk of low birthweight (RR 2.29, 95% CI 1.34–3.92; P =0.03) and prematurity (<37 weeks) (RR 1.93, 95% CI 1.35–2.77; P =0.0003) among symptomatic HIV-infected women when compared with HIV-uninfected women.
Conclusion HIV-infected women, particularly those who are symptomatic, are at a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Recent oral contraceptive use and adverse birth outcomes

Objective

To examine the possible association between oral contraceptive use and adverse birth outcomes.

Study design

We conducted a population-based cohort study of pregnant women who used oral contraceptives within 3 months before their last menstrual period. Subjects were divided into three groups, according to the interval (0–30, 31–60, and 61–90 days) between the dispensing date and their last menstrual period. For each exposed subject, 4 subjects without exposure to oral contraceptives were individually matched by infant's year of birth and plurality and by mother's age and parity.

Results

Oral contraceptive use within 30 days prior to the last menstrual period was associated with increased risks of very low birth weight (OR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.18, 8.92), low birth weight (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.17, 3.20), and preterm birth (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.55); however, oral contraceptive use 31–90 days prior to the last menstrual period did not increase the risk of low birth weight or preterm birth.

Conclusion

Our results indicate the use of oral contraceptives near the time of conception may be associated with an increased risk of low birth weight and preterm birth.     

Dipyrone use during pregnancy and adverse perinatal events

Objective  To evaluate the risk of adverse perinatal events among newborns exposed to dipyrone during gestation. Design and Setting  The present study is a secondary analysis of Brazilian study of gestational diabetes (EBDG), a cohort of women attended at healthcare units of the Brazilian national health system (SUS) located in six Brazilian state capitals, between February 1991 and June 1995. Sample  A total number of 5,564 women aged 20 years and over who were between their 21st and 28th week of pregnancy were followed up. Methods  A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on the pregnant women, their pregnancies, and their use of medications. Other data and the outcomes congenital abnormalities, intrauterine death, preterm birth, or low birth weight were obtained from the medical records. To estimate the odds ratios after adjustment for the potential confounding factors, logistic regression modeling was developed. Main outcome measures  Congenital abnormalities, intrauterine death, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Results  Dipyrone use was reported by 555 pregnant women (11.5%). Their exposure to this medication did not present any association with the outcomes of congenital abnormalities (OR 1.11; 95% CI, 0.58–2.10), intrauterine death (OR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.33–1.43), preterm birth (OR 0.94; 95% CI, 0.73–1.20), or low birth weight (OR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.64–1.22), in the crude analysis. This absence of associations was maintained after performing logistic regression analysis. Conclusions  The data suggest that the exposure to dipyrone during pregnancy does not increase the risk of congenital abnormalities and other adverse events as outcomes from pregnancy.     

HIV-1 infection and fertility in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The objective of this study was to examine the association of HIV-1 infection with rates of pregnancy and pregnancy loss in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A retrospective cohort study of 1,006 HIV-infected women and 485 uninfected women was employed. In multivariate analyses controlling for other predictors of pregnancy, the association of HIV-seropositivity with a woman's reported number of pregnancies was of borderline significance (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.27). HIV infection was not associated with pregnancy loss in multivariate analysis. The adjusted pregnancy rate ratio comparing HIV-positive women at the earliest stages of infection to all uninfected women was 1.22 (95% CI = 1.04, 1.42). HIV infection was not associated with female fertility when comparing women in the most advanced stages of infection to all uninfected women. We conclude that HIV-1 infected women had higher pregnancy rates than uninfected women. This association disappeared when analyses were limited to women with advanced disease. Abstract word count: 150.     

Paid work, domestic work, and other determinants of pregnancy outcome in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria

Objective

To identify the determinants of low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, and stillbirth, and the factors associated with paid or domestic work that affected pregnancy outcome in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of women who delivered live or stillborn singleton neonates at 4 hospitals between February and June 2008. Participants were interviewed to obtain information on paid and domestic work activities during pregnancy, as well as obstetric history. Pregnancy outcomes and other clinical data were extracted from case notes.

Results

A total of 1504 mothers aged 20-45 years recorded 137 (9.1%) LBW neonates (< 2.5 kg), 154 (10.2%) preterm deliveries (< 37 weeks), and 56 (3.7%) stillbirths. There was no overall increased risk of these outcomes among working mothers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of working mothers who had booked their deliveries revealed that lifting heavy objects at home, a clinical record of proteinuria, and hospital admission during pregnancy were associated with LBW. Predictors for preterm birth were self-reported exposure to vibration at work, nulliparity, history of preterm birth, 4 or fewer compared with more than 8 antenatal visits, and prolonged rupture of membranes. Predictors for stillbirth were low education and prolonged rupture of membranes.

Conclusion

The results further support recommendations that physical exertion in paid and domestic work should be reduced during pregnancy.     

Maternal age ≥45 years and maternal and perinatal outcomes: A review of the evidence

Objective

to examine the evidence in relation to very advanced maternal age (≥45 years) and maternal and perinatal outcomes in high-income countries.

Background

this review was conducted against a background of increasing fertility options for women aged ≥=45 years and rising birth rates among this group of women.

Methods

established health databases including SCOPUS, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and Maternity and Infant Care were searched for journal papers, published 2001–2011, that examined very advanced maternal age (VAMA) and maternal and perinatal outcomes. Further searches were based on references found in located articles. Keywords included a search term for maternal age ≥45 years (very advanced maternal age, pregnancy aged 45 years and older) and a search term for maternal complications (caesarian section, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes) and/or adverse perinatal outcome (preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, stillbirth, perinatal death). Of 164 retrieved publications, 10 met inclusion criteria.

Data extraction

data were extracted and organised under the following headings: maternal age ≥45 years; maternal characteristics such as parity and use of artificial reproductive technology (ART); and pre-existing maternal conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Additional headings included: gestational conditions, such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes (GDM); and perinatal outcomes, including fetal/infant demise; gestational age and weight. Study quality was assessed by using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) guidelines.

Findings

this review produced three main findings: (1) increased rates of stillbirth, perinatal death, preterm birth and low birth weight among women ≥45 years; (2) increased rates of pre-existing hypertension and pregnancy complications such as GDM, gestational hypertension (GH), pre-eclampsia and interventions such as caesarian section; and (3) a trend of favourable outcomes, even at extremely advanced maternal age (50–65 years), for healthy women who had been screened to exclude pre-existing disease.

Key conclusions

although there is strong evidence of an association between very advanced maternal age and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, the absolute rate of stillbirth/perinatal death remains low, at less than 10 per 1000 births in most high-income countries. Therefore, although women in this age group encounter greater pregnancy risk, most will achieve a successful pregnancy outcome. Best outcomes appear to be linked to pre-existing maternal health, and pregnancy care at tertiary centres may also contribute. This information should be used to counsel women aged ≥45 years who are contemplating pregnancy.     

Singleton pregnancy outcomes after assisted and non-assisted reproductive technology in infertile patients

Purpose

Singleton pregnancy after assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been associated with higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcome than naturally conceived singleton pregnancy. This study was to elucidate whether the ART procedure is responsible for abnormal pregnancy outcome comparing those after ART and non-ART in infertile patients.

Methods

We compare the singleton pregnancy outcome of infertile patients in our university hospital between 2000 and 2008 following ART (351 pregnancies) and non-ART (213 pregnancies) procedures. Pregnancy outcome parameters were incidence of pregnancy induced hypertension, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, very preterm birth, stillbirth, low birth weight and very low birth weight.

Results

Most of the pregnancy outcome parameters were not significantly different between the ART group and the non-ART group. Only placenta previa was significantly higher in the ART group than in the non-ART group (odds ratio 4.0; 95?% CI 1.2?C13.7).

Conclusions

ART procedure may itself be a risk factor for the development of placenta previa. Some of the abnormal perinatal outcomes that had been previously attributed to ART, however, may be due to the baseline characteristics of infertile patients.     

Evaluation of cervical visual inspection screening in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and performance of screening for cervical cancer using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or with Lugol's iodine (VILI) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods

The accuracy of tests for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was assessed in a cross-sectional study of 10 378 women. All women who were screened underwent colposcopy, and biopsies were offered to those with abnormal colposcopy results.

Results

The positivity rates were 3.8% for VIA and 4.8% for VILI. The peak positivity rates for both visual tests were observed just after training or re-training and gradually declined thereafter. CIN 1 was diagnosed in 41 women, CIN 2-3 in 33 women, and invasive cancer in 200 women, showing high detection rates of invasive cancer. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of CIN 2-3 lesions were 60.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 42.1-77.1) and 98.2% (95% CI, 97.9-98.4), respectively, for VIA; and 93.9% (95% CI, 79.8-99.3) and 97.3% (95% CI, 97.0-97.6), respectively, for VILI. Two-thirds of the women detected with CIN 2-3 lesions were treated.

Conclusion

Both visual screening tests are useful and accurate, especially in low-income settings. Standardization of assessment of the visual inspection techniques, continual training and supervision, and quality control measures are important for successful visual screening programs.     

Maternal periodontal disease and adverse perinatal outcomes: is there an association? A hospital-based case-control study

Objectives: The association between maternal periodontal disease and adverse perinatal outcomes although extensively studied remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by a case-control study, conducted in three hospitals the association between preterm birth and/or low birth weight (PTB/LBW) and clinical parameters of maternal periodontal disease.

Material and methods: Postpartum women who gave birth to a newborn PTB/LBW (case group), and postpartum women who had babies at full term with normal weight (control group) were included, in 1:2 ratio. Data were collected through medical records, interview, and periodontal clinical parameters. Bivariate analysis was performed to assess the PTB/LBW proportion relative to independent variables and multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the association between adverse perinatal outcomes and independent variables.

Results: The sample consisted of 148 cases and 296 controls. By the 148 postpartum women with PTB/LBW in case group, 126 (87.5%) had preterm birth, and 75 (50.7%) had PTB and LBW. The periodontal status and generalized periodontitis presence were not associated with any adverse pregnancy outcomes. Having made four or more prenatal visits was a protective factor for all outcomes. The history of previous PTB/LBW was a risk factor for new cases of PTB and PTB and/or LBW. The presence of systemic disease was associated with preterm and low birth weight (PTLBW). Preeclampsia and cesarean delivery were associated with all outcomes.

Conclusions: The clinical parameters of maternal periodontitis were not considered as a risk factor for the studied adverse perinatal outcomes.

Clinical relevance: The present study demonstrated no association between maternal periodontitis and PTB/LBW.     

Obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes in twin pregnancies

Abstract

Objective: To compare pregnancy outcomes in twin pregnancies based on maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI).

Methods: Historical cohort study of all twin pregnancies >24 weeks managed by one maternal-fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2012. We compared pregnancy outcomes between pre-pregnancy obese (BMI ≥30?kg/m²) and normal weight women (BMI 18.5–24.99?kg/m²). We also compared pre-pregnancy normal weight women to overweight women (BMI 25–29.99?kg/m²) and underweight women (BMI <18.5?kg/m²). Chi square, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used as appropriate. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Five hundred fourteen patients with twin pregnancies were included. Pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with gestational hypertension (34.1% versus 17.9%, p?=?0.011), preeclampsia (27.3% versus 14.4%, p?=?0.028), and gestational diabetes (22.2% versus 4.7%, p?<?0.001). Pre-pregnancy overweight was associated with gestational diabetes (13.7% versus 4.7%, p?=?0.002). Pre-pregnancy underweight was not associated with any adverse pregnancy outcomes. Comparing outcomes across normal weight, overweight, and obese women, the rates of gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension increased significantly across the three groups.

Conclusion: In patients with twin pregnancy, pre-pregnancy obesity is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia.     

Maternal kidney stones during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes,particularly congenital abnormalities in the offspring

Objective The possible adverse birth outcomes, particularly congenital abnormalities (CAs) in pregnant women with kidney stones (KS) previously have not been evaluated; therefore, we decided to study this possible association. Methods The population-based data set of the Hungarian Case–Control Surveillance of CAs, 1980–1996, was used for this analysis. Results Of 22,843 newborns or fetuses with CAs, 69 (0.30%) had mothers with KS during pregnancy. Of 38,151 matched control newborns without any abnormalities, 147 (0.39%) had KS during pregnancy. KS were associated with an adjusted prevalence odds ratio (POR) with 95% CI of 0.8, 0.6–1.0 for CAs. A higher prevalence of maternal KS during the first trimester of pregnancy was not found in any CA group. There was no higher rate of preterm birth and low birthweight in the newborns of pregnant women with KS. Conclusions There is no higher risk for adverse birth outcomes particularly CAs in the offspring of mothers with KS and related drug treatments during pregnancy.     

Placental maternal vascular malperfusion and adverse pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus

IntroductionMaternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) lesions represent hypoxic-ischemic damage to the placenta, and they are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women with gestational diabetes (GDM) are at increased risk for pregnancy complications, so we set out to characterize the prevalence and clinical correlates of MVM lesions in this cohort.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of 1187/1374 (86.4%) women with GDM delivered between 2009 and 2012 who had placental pathology available. Placental lesions of all types were tabulated and grouped into constructs of related entities. MVM lesions specifically included villous infarcts, decidual vasculopathy, increased syncytial knots, perivillous fibrin, and fibrin deposition. We compared maternal characteristics between women with and without MVM lesions, and we also assessed the impact of these lesions on birth weight, preterm birth, and pre-eclampsia using multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsMVM lesions were the most common placental lesion type in women with GDM (n = 362, 30.5%). Excess gestational weight gain was independently associated with MVM lesions (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.06–1.91, p = 0.02) after adjusting for maternal characteristics. MVM lesions were associated with lower birth weight (−90.3 g, 95% CI -148.0 to −32.7, p = 0.002), as well as a 2-fold increased risk for delivery of a small for gestational age infant (10.8 vs 5.9%, p = 0.01) in overweight and obese women. MVM lesions were also associated with increased risk for preterm birth <34 weeks (adjusted OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.31–4.23, p = 0.004) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; adjusted OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.13–2.22, p = 0.02).DiscussionPlacental maternal vascular malperfusion lesions may be one pathway linking excess gestational weight gain to adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with GDM, and future studies are needed to identify metabolic factors that may explain this association.     

Tetanus immunity among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

This study was conducted to investigate immunity to tetanus among pregnant women with verbal histories or documentation of having been vaccinated under the current five-dose tetanus toxoid (TT) schedule. It examined sera from 176 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tetanus antitoxin level of 0.1 IU/ml was considered protective. Our findings show that 94.9% of women had tetanus antitoxin > or = 0.1 IU/ml. Multivariate analysis revealed that time after last vaccination, TT doses received and TT vaccination status explained 7.5%, 5.7% and 2.3% of variations in tetanus antitoxin levels respectively. Pregnant women with non-protective levels of tetanus antitoxin (5.1%) pose great risks of neonatal tetanus to their newborns and are also susceptible to maternal tetanus. Proper keeping of TT vaccination records is vitally important to avoid hyper-immunisation.     

The mutual effect of pregestational body mass index,maternal hyperglycemia and gestational weight gain on adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objective: To investigate the mutual effect of obesity, gestational diabetes (GDM) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Charts of patients who delivered in our hospital between June 2001 and June 2006 singleton, live births >24 weeks gestation were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess pregnancy outcomes defined as large for gestational age (LGA), primary cesarean section (PCS) and a composite outcome of LGA and/or PCS.

Results: A total of 8595 women were included. Frequency of composite outcome increased with increasing body mass index (BMI), increasing hyperglycemia and above-recommended GWG. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis compared to women with normal BMI, odds ratio (OR) for composite outcome was 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.44) in overweight women, OR?=?1.86 (1.51–2.31) in obese women and in severe obesity OR?=?2.97 (2.15–4.11).

Compared to normoglycemic women, odds for composite outcome in women with abnormal glucose challenge test OR?=?1.46 (1.20–1.79), impaired glucose tolerance OR?=?1.65 (1.14–2.4) and GDM OR?=?1.56 (1.16–2.10). Women with GWG above recommended had OR?=?1.58, (1.37–1.81) for composite outcome.

Conclusions: Higher pregestational BMI, maternal hyperglycemia and above-recommended GWG independently contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, there is mutual effect between these three factors and adverse outcomes. Appropriate pregestational weight and adequate GWG might reduce risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

The use of social media among adolescents in Dar es Salaam and Mtwara,Tanzania

Social media form part of the rapid worldwide digital development that is re-shaping the life of many young people. While the use of social media by youths is increasingly researched in the North, studies about youth in the South are missing. It therefore remains unclear how social media can be included in interventions that aim at informing young people in many countries of the global South about sexual and reproductive health. This paper presents findings of a mixed-methods study of young people’s user behaviour on the internet and specifically of social media as a platform for sexual health promotion in Tanzania. The study used questionnaires with 60 adolescents and in-depth interviews with eight students aged 15 to 19 years in Dar es Salaam, and in Mtwara, Southern Tanzania. Findings show that youth in Dar es Salaam and Mtwara access the internet mainly through mobile phones. Facebook is by far the most popular internet site. Adolescents highlighted their interest in reproductive and sexual health messages and updates being delivered through humorous posts, links and clips, as well as by youth role models like music stars and actors that are entertaining and reflect up-to-date trends of modern youth culture.     

Maternal vitamin D status and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the associations between maternal vitamin D status and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Study design: We searched electronic databases of the human literature in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library up to October, 2012 using the following keywords: “vitamin D” and “status” or “deficiency” or “insufficiency” and “pregnancy”. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on observational studies that reported the association between maternal blood vitamin D levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm birth or small-for-gestational age (SGA).

Results: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Women with circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level less than 50?nmol/l in pregnancy experienced an increased risk of preeclampsia [odds ratio (OR) 2.09 (95% confidence intervals 1.50–2.90)], GDM [OR 1.38 (1.12–1.70)], preterm birth [OR 1.58 (1.08–2.31)] and SGA [OR 1.52 (1.08–2.15)].

Conclusion: Low maternal vitamin D levels in pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, GDM, preterm birth and SGA.     

Maternal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital,Ghana

Objective

To determine maternal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1 and February 28, 2013. All women delivering at KBTH whose pregnancies were complicated by hypertensive disorders were identified. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the women were followed up on a daily basis until discharge from hospital. Medical records were also reviewed to identify any complications of hypertensive disorders.

Results

A total of 368 women were analyzed. Of 10 maternal deaths, 3 (30.0%) were due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and specifically pre-eclampsia. Overall, 168 (45.7%) women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy delivered by cesarean, 16 (4.3%) had placental abruption, 11 (3.0%) had pulmonary edema, 3 (0.8%) had HELLP syndrome, 2 (0.5%) had acute renal failure, 3 (0.8%) had an intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebrovascular accident, 21 (5.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 7 (1.9%) had disseminated intravascular coagulation, and 58 (15.8%) had eclampsia. Cesarean delivery, admission to intensive care unit, and eclampsia were significantly more common in women with pre-eclampsia than in those with other hypertensive disorders.

Conclusion

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are associated with high incidences of adverse maternal outcomes in Ghana, with significantly increased frequencies in women with pre-eclampsia.     

Advanced maternal age and adverse perinatal outcome: a review of the evidence

Objective

to examine the evidence in relation to advanced maternal age (35–39 years), physiological risk and adverse perinatal outcome (stillbirth, low birth weight, preterm birth) in high-income countries.

Background

this review was conducted against a background of increasing maternal age (>35 years) and concerns for fetal and maternal welfare among this group. Consequent to these concerns, increasing trends of birth intervention such as caesarean section and instrumental birth are seen. Although evidence justifies a high rate of intervention among women aged more than 40 years, the evidence for such intervention in women aged 35–39 years is sketchy and often contradictory.

Methods

a systematic review was conducted of studies in English, that were published between 2000 and 2010. Studies were included if they had extractable data on maternal age (35–39 years) and perinatal outcomes. Of 102 retrieved publications, nine met these criteria.

Findings

evidence from this review suggests that rates of adverse perinatal outcome, such as stillbirth, are linked to maternal age 35–39 years. However, rates of increase are modest until 40 years of age or more. The impact of changing maternal socio demographics appears to be of importance but is not yet well understood.

Key conclusions and implications for practice

although risk and rates of adverse perinatal outcome are increased among women aged 35–39 years, midwives and women should also be aware that perinatal outcomes are generally favourable for this group. There is also some suggestion in the literature that social advantage may ameliorate some of the effect of advanced maternal age on perinatal outcome. Further research is required to evaluate the soundness and strength of this association.