Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Adverse Maternal, Fetal, And Newborn Outcomes Among Pregnant Women With Sars-Cov-2 Infection: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis, Emily R. Smith, Erin Oakley, Gargi Wable Grandner, Kacey Ferguson, Fouzia Farooq, Yalda Afshar, Mia Ahlberg, Homa Ahmadzia, Victor Akelo, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Introduction: Despite a growing body of research on the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, there is continued controversy given heterogeneity in the quality and design of published studies.

Methods: We screened ongoing studies in our sequential, prospective meta-analysis. We pooled individual participant data to estimate the absolute and relative risk (RR) of adverse outcomes among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection, compared with confirmed negative pregnancies. We evaluated the risk of bias using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results: We screened 137 studies and included 12 studies in 12 countries involving 13 136 pregnant women.

Pregnant women with …

Acceptability And Feasibility Of A Low-Cost Device For Gestational Age Assessment In A Low-Resource Setting: Qualitative Study, Angela Koech, Peris Muoga Musitia, Grace Mwashigadi, Mai-Lei Woo Kinshella, Marianne Vidler, Marleen Temmerman, Rachel Craik, J. Alison Noble, Peter Dadelszen Von Dadelszen, Aris T . Papageorghiou

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Ultrasound for gestational age (GA) assessment is not routinely available in resource-constrained settings, particularly in rural and remote locations. The TraCer device combines a handheld wireless ultrasound probe and a tablet with artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software that obtains GA from videos of the fetal head by automated measurements of the fetal transcerebellar diameter and head circumference.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of pregnant women, their families, and health care workers regarding the feasibility and acceptability of the TraCer device in an appropriate setting.

Methods: A descriptive study using qualitative methods was conducted in …

Global Burden Of Maternal And Congenital Syphilis In 2008 And 2012: A Health Systems Modelling Study, N. Saman Wijesooriya, Roger W. Rochat, Mary L. Kamb, Prasad Turlapati, Marleen Temmerman, Nathalie Broutet, Lori M. Newman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: In 2007, WHO launched a global initiative for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis (congenital syphilis). An important aspect of the initiative is strengthening surveillance to monitor progress towards elimination. In 2008, using a health systems model with country data inputs, WHO estimated that 1·4 million maternal syphilis infections caused 520 000 adverse pregnancy outcomes. To assess progress, we updated the 2008 estimates and estimated the 2012 global prevalence and cases of maternal and congenital syphilis.

Methods: We used a health systems model approved by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group. WHO and UN databases provided inputs on …

Use Of Antenatal Corticosteroids And Tocolytic Drugs In Preterm Births In 29 Countries: An Analysis Of The Who Multicountry Survey On Maternal And Newborn Health, Joshua P. Vogel, João Paulo Souza, A Metin Gülmezoglu, Rintaro Mori, Pisake Lumbiganon, Zahida Qureshi, Guillermo Carroli, Malinee Laopaiboon, Bukola Fawole, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Despite the global burden of morbidity and mortality associated with preterm birth, little evidence is available for use of antenatal corticosteroids and tocolytic drugs in preterm births in low-income and middle-income countries. We analysed data from the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health (WHOMCS) to assess coverage for these interventions in preterm deliveries.

Methods: WHOMCS is a facility-based, cross-sectional survey database of birth outcomes in 359 facilities in 29 countries, with data collected prospectively from May 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2011. For this analysis, we included deliveries after 22 weeks’ gestation and we excluded births that …

Examining The "Urban Advantage" In Maternal Health Care In Developing Countries, Zoe¨ Matthews, Amos Channon, Nyovani Madise, William Stones

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Although recent survey data make it possible to examine inequalities in maternal and newborn health care in developing countries, analyses have not tended to take into consideration the special nature of urban poverty.

Using improved methods to measure urban poverty in 30 countries, we found substantial inequalities in maternal and newborn health, and in access to health care.

The ‘‘urban advantage’’ is, for some, non-existent. The urban poor do not necessarily have better access to services than the rural poor, despite their proximity to services.

There are two main patterns of urban inequality in developing countries: (1) massive exclusion, in …