Digital Commons Network^™

Barriers In Health Care Leading To High Maternal Mortality Rates In Southern New Jersey, Katarina Rusinak Oms I, Muznah Khan, Ava Dinardo, Nayarith Lopez Oms Ii

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Maternal mortality remains a significant issue in New Jersey, particularly in the Southern counties where rates are alarmingly high. This study investigates barriers faced by mothers in these areas, utilizing data from state health departments, as well as the CDC. Findings reveal clear disparities in healthcare access and resources, exacerbated by high poverty and rural settings. Proposed interventions include educational posters and community workshops to empower expecting mothers and families. However, challenges such as low attendance and limited effectiveness of interventions underscore the need for comprehensive, sustainable solutions to tackle maternal mortality in Southern New Jersey.

Ketamine For Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review, Jaylyn Thompson, David F. Lo, Alexis Foschini, Suvan Sundaresh, Don D. Shamilov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

The purpose of this review is to explore perinatal ketamine’s potential for reducing postpartum depression after cesarean section. Articles reviewed from Pubmed, Cochrane, and Web of Science using specific search terms. 8 final papers were used for review after excluding duplicates and irrelevant titles and abstracts. Ketamine showed potential in reducing postpartum depression symptoms post C-section, although some studies reported no significant effects. All studies were randomized control trials. Ketamine may help prevent or lessen postpartum depression symptoms post C-section, but more research is needed to understand dosing and its casual relationship with PPD in this context.

Management Strategies For Traumatic Injuries In Pregnant Women: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Jaylyn D. Thompson, Jenna Zappetti, Clarence Julian Clark Ii

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Traumatic injuries in pregnant women are the leading cause of non-obstetric death and affect 6% to 8% of all pregnancies. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain updated guidelines to construct a framework for the optimal management strategies for traumatic injuries in pregnant women, considering the perspectives of obstetrics/gynecology, emergency medicine, and orthopedics.

Methods: To conduct this study, research was done via a database search through the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine’s research library. PubMed was the sole database used to review 8 peer-reviewed sources. Articles that were published within the last 10 years were chosen.

Results: Every woman with …

A Review Of Risk Factors, Adverse Outcomes, And Counseling Strategies Among Pregnant Individuals With Eating Disorders, Alexandra Fontaine, Emily Meale

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) among women of childbearing age have become more prevalent on the global level. Identifying at-risk populations of women having EDs before, during, or after pregnancy is essential for clinicians to improve treatment and decrease the likelihood of negative maternal and/or fetal outcomes. Purpose: The purpose is to determine risk factors for women who have EDs throughout pregnancy, to identify negative pregnancy outcomes of women suffering from EDs, and to explore treatment and counseling options through the postpartum period. Methods: This literature review mainly utilizes sources from PubMed and the National Institute of Health databases. An expansive …

Preparatory Program For Women During Pregnancy/Postpartum And Transitioning Back To Work Or School, Bria Runnels, Rebecca King

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Despite the importance of maternal health during the prenatal, postnatal, and parenting stages, there is a lack of research on the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in addressing the occupational challenges faced by women during this transitional phase. This dissertation aims to develop a program that raises awareness of the role of occupational therapy in maternal health and promotes occupational therapists as part of an interdisciplinary team within the scope of maternal health care. By adapting co-occupation for mothers, occupational therapists can play an important role in individualizing occupations for enhanced transitioning and overall quality of life. The study highlights …

Observation On Efficacy And Underlying Mechanism Of Cheek Acupuncture On Ovulation Induction For Infertile Women With Pcos: Case Series, Yi Yang, Lihua Jin, Shasha Xu, Huijun Ye, Xi Luo, Ruilan Li, Yuebing Yue

Journal Articles

RATIONALE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive endocrine disorder among women of childbearing age and is the primary cause of anovulatory infertility, accounting for 70% to 80% of cases. Ovulation induction is the main treatment approach for infertile patients with PCOS. Commonly utilized medications for this purpose are clomiphene citrate (CC) and letrozole (LE). Clomiphene citrate administration results in an ovulation rate ranging from 60% to 85%, while the pregnancy rate is limited to 35% to 40%, and a further reduction is observed in live birth rates. Letrozole demonstrates a slightly higher pregnancy rate and live birth …

Hypertension In Pregnancy Among Immigrant And Swedish Women: A Cohort Study Of All Pregnant Women In Sweden, Per Wändell, Casey Crump, Xinjun Li, Nouha Saleh Stattin, Axel C Carlsson, Jan Sundquist, Kristina Sundquist

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND: Little is known about risks of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in both first- and second-generation immigrant women in Europe and other Western countries; such knowledge may help elucidate the influence of genetic versus social factors on such risks. We aimed to study both first- and second-generation immigrant women for the presence of all types of hypertension (preexisting hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia) during pregnancy.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A cohort study was conducted using data derived from the Swedish National Birth Register, the National Patient Register, and the total Population Register. We used Cox regression analysis to compute hazard …

Covid-19 Prevalence And Trends Among Pregnant And Postpartum Persons In Maine By Rurality And Pregnancy Conditions, Charlie O. Grantham, Christina M. Ackerman-Banks Md, Heather S. Lipkind Md, Ms, Kristin Palmsten Scd, Katherine A. Ahrens Mph, Phd

Journal of Maine Medical Center

No abstract provided.

“Their Body, Their Choice. Your Body, Your Choice. Your Baby, Your Choice.”: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis Of Vaccine Access And Acceptance Among U.S. Pregnant People On Reddit, Sydney Marie Perlotto

Public Health Theses

Compared to the general population, pregnant people and newborns are at a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases and experiencing worse adverse outcomes. Vaccines delivered during pregnancy, known as prenatal vaccines, represent a critical yet underused form of preventive care for these populations in the United States. Increasing successful prenatal vaccination uptake requires a focus on both access and acceptance, which pregnant people may experience differently than non-pregnant people due to their unique physiological and social state. Given the evolution of vaccine hesitancy following the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the recent expansion of the U.S. prenatal immunization schedule, this study …

Body. Freedom. Choice: Creating Artwork In Post-Roe America, Erin Sedra

MSU Graduate Theses

I knew from a young age that I never wanted children. Whenever I expressed my disinterest in motherhood, I was often met with bewilderment, disapproval, and hostility. The church I was raised in taught me that my value and worth as a woman directly correlated with the power of my birthing hips. This fundamentalist upbringing has significantly shaped my relationship with my femininity, my body, and my artwork. When I feel powerless, turning to my art gives me a sense of control and self-expression. This body of work began as a reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and …

Antenatal Depression And Its Associated Factors: Findings From Kuwait Birth Cohort Study, Reem Al-Sabah, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Ali H. Ziyab, Saeed Akhtar, Majeda S. Hammoud

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Pregnant and postpartum women are at high risk of depression due to hormonal and biological changes. Antenatal depression is understudied compared to postpartum depression and its predictors remain highly controversial.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and investigate factors associated with this condition including vitamin D, folate and Vitamin B₁₂ among participants in the Kuwait Birth Study.

Methods: Data collection occurred as part of the Kuwait Birth Cohort Study in which pregnant women were recruited in the second and third trimester during antenatal care visits. Data on antenatal depression were collected using the Edinburgh …

Age, Body Mass Index, Physical Activity And Quality Of Life In Turkish Pregnant Woman With And Without A Diagnosis Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparative Study, Yaren Nur Tayyar, Hatice Kahyaoglu Sut

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to examine and compare the age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and quality of life (QOL) of third-trimester Turkish pregnant women with and without a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A comparative study was conducted in the obstetrics clinic of a university hospital in Turkey, and it included 210 women (GDM women = 105 and non-GDM women = 105). Personal Information Form, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Short Form-Turkish (WHOQOL-Bref-TR) were used.

Results: The age and BMI of GDM women were higher …

Rapidiron Trial Follow-Up Study - The Rapidiron-Kids Study: Protocol Of A Prospective Observational Follow-Up Study, Richard Derman, Roopa Bellad, Mrutyunjaya Bellad, Jesse Bradford-Rogers, Michael Georgieff, Zubair Aghai, Simal Thind, Michael Auerbach, Rupsa Boelig, Benjamin Leiby, Vanessa Short, S. Yogeshkumar, Umesh Charantimath, Manjunath Somannavar, Ashalata Mallapur, Ramesh Pol, Umesh Ramadurg, Radha Sangavi, Basavaraj Peerapur, Nasima Banu, Praveen Patil, Amaresh Patil, Subarna Roy, Phaniraj Vastrad, Dennis Wallace, Hemang Shah, Shivaprasad Goudar

Global Health Articles

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a worldwide problem with iron deficiency being the most common cause. When anemia occurs in pregnancy, it increases the risk of adverse maternal, fetal, and postnatal outcomes. It induces preterm births and low birth weight (LBW) deliveries, long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae, and an increased risk of earlier onset of postnatal iron deficiency. Anemia rates are among the highest in South Asia, and India's National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) for 2019-2021 indicated that over half of pregnant women, and more than 65% of children, in the country are classified as anemic (Sciences IIfP, National Family Health Survey-5, 2019-21, India …

Sars-Cov-2 Seroprevalence In Pregnant Women In Kilifi, Kenya From March 2020 To March 2022, Angela Koech, Geoffrey Omuse, Alex Mugo, Isaac Mwaniki, Joseph Mutunga, Moses Mukhanya, Onesmus Wanje, Grace Mwashigadi, Geoffrey Katana, Marleen Temmerman

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Seroprevalence studies are an alternative approach to estimating the extent of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the evolution of the pandemic in different geographical settings. We aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from March 2020 to March 2022 in a rural and urban setting in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Methods: We obtained representative random samples of stored serum from a pregnancy cohort study for the period March 2020 to March 2022 and tested for antibodies against the spike protein using a qualitative SARS-CoV-2 ELISA kit (Wantai, total antibodies). All positive samples were retested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (Euroimmun, ELISA kits, NCP, …

In-Utero Exposure To Antibiotics And Risk Of Colorectal Cancer In A Prospective Cohort Of 18 000 Adult Offspring, Caitlin C Murphy, Piera M Cirillo, Nickilou Y Krigbaum, Amit G Singal, Dean P Jones, Timothy Zaki, Barbara A Cohn

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND: Incidence rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) are increasing among younger adults and in mid-life, implicating exposures in early life as risk factors. We examined the association between in-utero exposure to antibiotics and risk of CRC in adult offspring.

METHODS: The Child Health and Development Studies is a prospective cohort of women receiving prenatal care between 1959 and 1966 in Oakland, California, with deliveries through June 1967. Diagnosed conditions and all prescribed medications were abstracted from mothers' medical records beginning 6 months prior to pregnancy through delivery. We identified mothers who received antibiotics in pregnancy, including penicillins, tetracyclines, short-acting sulfonamides …

Multilevel Community Engagement To Inform A Randomized Clinical Trial, Kirby L. Wycoff, Jabina G. Coleman, Christine M. Santoro, Leah L. Zullig, Niesha Darden, Porsche M. Holland, Jane F. Cruice, Shukriyyah Mitchell, Michelle Smith, Saleemah J. Mcneil, Sharon J. Herring

Counseling and Behavioral Health Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To explore how patients, community-based perinatal support professionals, and health system clinicians and staff perceived facilitators and barriers to implementation of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) designed to optimize Black maternal heart health.

METHODS: This article describes the formative work that we believed needed to occur before the start of the Change of H.E.A.R.T (Here for Equity, Advocacy, Reflection and Transformation) RCT. We used a qualitative, descriptive design and community-based, participatory approach, the latter of which allowed our team to intentionally focus on avoiding harm and equalizing power dynamics throughout the research process. Data were collected between November 2021 …

Diabetes Risk During Pregnancy Among Second-Generation Immigrants: A National Cohort Study In Sweden, Per Wändell, Xinjun Li, Nouha Saleh Stattin, Axel C Carlsson, Jan Sundquist, Casey Crump, Kristina Sundquist

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gestational diabetes is more common in many first-generation immigrant women in Europe and other Western countries. Less is known about second-generation immigrant women; such knowledge is needed to understand generational influences on diabetes risk. We aimed to study second-generation immigrant women regarding the presence of all types of diabetes during pregnancy.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A cohort study was conducted using the Swedish National Birth Register, the National Patient Register, and the total Population Register. We used Cox regression analysis to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 99% confidence intervals (99% CI) for any diabetes during pregnancy and specific …

Quality Of Nutritional Care During Pregnancy: Folic Acid And Vitamin D Supplementation, Isabel Omaña-Guzmán, Monica Ancira-Moreno, Cecilia Pérez-Navarro, Sonia Hernández-Cordero, Soraya Burrola Méndez, Eric Monterrubio-Flores, Arturo Bautista Morales, Omar Acosta Ruiz, Constanza Bernat, Belén Sánchez,, Ariana Cajero

Research Symposium

Backgrounds: Folic acid (FA) and vitamin D supplementation is recommended during pregnancy. Quality nutritional care during pregnancy should include the supplementation of these vitamins. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the quality of nutritional care regarding supplementation during pregnancy in primary health care units in six states of Mexico (Estado de México, Oaxaca, Yucatán, Chihuahua, Veracruz and Chiapas).

Methods: A mixed study was conducted. An indicator (formed by two sub-indicators) to assess the quality of nutritional care focused on FA and vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy was developed and validated. To assess the quality of care, a …

One Size Doesn’T Fit All: Attitudes Towards Work Modify The Relation Between Parental Leave Length And Postpartum Depression, Christine Y. Chang, Sabrina R. Liu, Laura M. Glynn

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental leave length and maternal depressive symptoms at six- and twelve-months postpartum and whether this relation was influenced by women’s attitudes towards leave, whether leave was paid or unpaid, and the reason they returned to work. The sample included 115 working women recruited during pregnancy as part of a larger longitudinal study. Analyses revealed that maternal attitudes toward leave influenced the association between leave length and depressive symptoms. Specifically, longer leaves were associated with increased depressive symptoms for women who missed their previous activities at work. Furthermore, women who missed work …

Occupational Therapy For Perinatal Women: An Online Educational Course, Rachel Killorin, Steven M. Gerardi, Sabina Khan

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

A freely accessible website and online educational course was developed to inform occupational therapy practitioners and maternal healthcare professionals about the role that occupational therapy has on the perinatal healthcare team. Perinatal Occupational Therapy. https://www.perinataloccupationaltherapy.com/

Overview Of Iron Deficiency And Iron Deficiency Anemia In Women And Girls Of Reproductive Age, Richard J. Derman, Anmol Patted

Global Health Articles

Over 50% of pregnant women are anemic and the majority of these are iron deficient. Micronutrient deficiency, the symptom of heavy menstrual bleeding in nonpregnant individuals, and loss of blood associated with pregnancy and obstetric delivery contribute to iron deficiency (ID). Poor outcomes with low maternal iron can affect not only the pregnancy but can also have major bearings on the offspring. Correction of ID and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnant and prepregnant populations with single-dose intravenous iron supplementation may offer improved outcomes. A harmonization process that incorporates all major randomized controlled trials studying the use of single-dose IV …

A Call To Action: Person-Centered Care Aligned With Reproductive Justice For Incarcerated Pregnant People With Substance Use Disorder, Essence Hairston, Aunchalee El Palmquist, Andrea K. Knittel, Kevin Mensah-Biney, Crystal M. Hayes, Amelia Mack, Hendrée E. Jones

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Although research has proven that jails and prisons are ineffective in preventing or reducing substance use among pregnant people, the USA continues to rely heavily on the criminal legal system as its intervention. Pregnant people with an opioid use disorder are more likely to experience incarceration than pregnant people without an opioid use disorder. In some states, pregnant people are transported from jail to prison through the process of safekeeping in order to receive physical or mental health care that the jail does not provide, despite conviction status. When pregnant and postpartum safekeepers with an opioid use disorder experience incarceration, …

Neurotropic Manifestations As A Potential Risk Factor For Schizophrenia Following In Utero Exposure To Sars-Cov-2, Mir Ali R Talpur, Omar H. Elsayed, Rif S. El-Mallakh

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background: COVID-19 infection is associated with neurologic and psychiatric morbidity that suggests a direct effect of the virus or secondary effect of an inflammatory process. These neuropsychiatric consequences may increase the likelihood of schizophrenia in the offspring of women who become infected with COVID-19 during their pregnancy.

Methods: We performed a directed narrative review of the literature focusing on the proposed pathophysiological processes that lead to schizophrenia and known pathological consequences of COVID-19 infection.

Results: Schizophrenia in adult offspring has been associated with maternal infections during pregnancy by a wide range of respiratory and neurotropic pathogens. Spikes in the incidence …

Calcium Carbonate As A Potential Intervention To Prevent Labor Dystocia: Narrative Review Of The Literature, Sabahat Raees, Marie Forgie, Rita Mitchell, Emily Malloy

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Anecdotally, there are attestations from clinicians of calcium carbonate being used successfully for laboring people experiencing labor dystocia. The goal of this narrative review was to provide a synopsis of pertinent literature on calcium use in obstetrics to explore the potential benefit of calcium carbonate as a simple and low-cost intervention for prevention or treatment of labor dystocia. To answer how calcium and carbonate physiologically contribute to myometrium contractility, we conducted a literature search of English-language peer-reviewed articles, with no year limitation, consisting of the keywords “calcium,” “calcium carbonate,” “calcium gluconate,” “pregnancy,” “hemorrhage,” and variations of “smooth muscle contractility” and …

Congenital Malformations And Preeclampsia Associated With Integrase Inhibitor Use In Pregnancy: A Single-Center Analysis., Christiana Smith, Angela J. Fought, Joyce F. Sung, Jennifer R. Mckinney, Torri D. Metz, Kirk B. Fetters, Sarah Lazarus, Shannon Capraro, Emily Barr, Carrie Glenny, Jenna Buehler, Adriana Weinberg, Chip Perinatal Medical Team

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) decreases perinatal HIV transmission, but concerns exist regarding maternal and infant safety. We compared the incidence of congenital malformations and other adverse outcomes in pregnancies exposed to integrase inhibitor (INSTI) versus non-INSTI ART.

SETTING: Single-site review of all pregnancies among women living with HIV between 2008 and 2018.

METHODS: We used binomial family generalized estimating equations to model the relationship of congenital anomalies and pregnancy outcomes with exposure to INSTI or dolutegravir (DTG) versus non-INSTI ART.

RESULTS: Among 257 pregnancies, 77 women received ≥1 INSTI (54 DTG, 14 elvitegravir, 15 raltegravir), 167 received non-INSTI, and 3 …

Adverse Birth Outcomes Of Adolescent And Young Adult Women Diagnosed With Cancer During Pregnancy, Andrea C Betts, L Aubree Shay, Philip J Lupo, Sandi L Pruitt, Michael E Roth, Marlyn A Allicock, Barbara A Cohn, Caitlin C Murphy

Journal Articles

BACKGROUND: We examined adverse birth outcomes among adolescent and young adult women diagnosed with cancer (AYA women, ages 15-39 years) during pregnancy.

METHODS: We linked data from the Texas Cancer Registry, vital records, and Texas Birth Defects Registry to identify all singleton births to AYA women diagnosed during pregnancy from January 1999 to December 2016. We compared prevalence of adverse live birth outcomes between AYA women and women without cancer (matched 1:4 on age, race and ethnicity, and year). Among AYA women, we used log-binomial regression to identify factors associated with these outcomes. Statistical tests were 2-sided.

RESULTS: AYA women …

Covid-19 Vaccination Hesitancy In Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study Of Patients’ Perceptions, Molly Schassberger, Charlotte Kirk, Samantha Fields, Carol Brenner, Andrea M. Bodine Md

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Patients’ Perceptions

Schassberger¹, M, MS III, Kirk¹, C, MS III, Fields¹, S, MS III, Brenner¹, C, Ph.D., Bodine², A, M.D.

¹University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, Maine

²Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Introduction: The COVID-19 vaccination rate of US pregnant individuals of childbearing age was 42.3%, compared to 63.7% of the total population as of 1/15/2022 despite ACOG and CDC recommendations. Our objectives were to determine patients’ perceptions on COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy …

The Child Healthcare At Mater Pediatric Study (Champs): A 2-Arm Cluster Randomized Control Trial Of Group Well Child Care For Mothers In Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder And Their Children, Vanessa L. Short, Diane J. Abatemarco, Erica Sood, Dennis J. Hand, Meghan Gannon, Jobayer Hossain, Neera K. Goyal

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that group-based well child care-a shared medical appointment where families come together as a group to receive pediatric primary care-increases patient-reported satisfaction and adherence to recommended care. Evidence supporting the use of group well child care for mothers with opioid use disorder, however, is lacking. The overall objective of the Child Healthcare at MATER Pediatric Study (CHAMPS) trial is to evaluate a group model of well child care for mothers with opioid use disorder and their children.

METHODS: CHAMPS is a single-site 2-arm cluster randomized controlled trial. A total of 108 mother-child dyads will be enrolled into …

Neurodevelopment, Vision And Auditory Outcomes At Age 2 Years In Offspring Of Participants In The ‘Women First’ Maternal Preconception Nutrition Randomised Controlled Trial, Michelle Fernandes, Nancy F. Krebs, Jamie Westcott, Antoinette Tshefu, Adrien Lokangaka, Melissa Bauserman, Ana L. Garcés, Lester Figueroa, Sarah Saleem, Sumera A. Aziz, Robert L. Goldenberg, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Sangappa M. Dhaded, Richard J. Derman, Jennifer F. Kemp, Marion Koso-Thomas, Amaanti Sridhar, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, K. Michael Hambidge

Global Health Articles

BACKGROUND: Maternal nutrition in preconception and early pregnancy influences fetal growth. Evidence for effects of prenatal maternal nutrition on early child development (ECD) in low-income and middle-income countries is limited.

OBJECTIVES: To examine impact of maternal nutrition supplementation initiated prior to or during pregnancy on ECD, and to examine potential association of postnatal growth with ECD domains.

DESIGN: Secondary analysis regarding the offspring of participants of a maternal multicountry, individually randomised trial.

SETTING: Rural Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, India and Pakistan.

PARTICIPANTS: 667 offspring of Women First trial participants, aged 24 months.

INTERVENTION: Maternal lipid-based nutrient supplement initiated …

Impact Of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (Omt) On Morbidity In Pregnant Persons Aged 18-39, Jessica-Sophie Chang Horoschak

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States continue to rise.1 Pregnant persons are more vulnerable to stress and morbidities associated with the physiological changes of pregnancy. Low back pain and posterior pelvic pain are of high incidence experienced in pregnant persons.2 Prevention strategies are necessary to improve maternal health outcomes in the United States. Some studies have shown that Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) can be an effective treatment modality for pregnant patients experiencing somatic pain. These studies, however, are limited and of small sample size.

Purpose: To examine the current literature on the impact of OMT …