Public Health Commons^™

Identifying Pregnant Women With Disabilities And Maternal And Newborn Outcomes, Alka Dev, Willi Horner-Johnson, Andrew Schaefer, Cecilia Ganduglia-Cazaban, Thérèse A Stukel, David C Goodman, Joanna K Leyenaar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: Pregnant women with disabilities are at higher risk of poor pregnancy and birth outcomes. Different methods for identifying disability may affect estimates of health disparities in this population.

Objective: To compare pregnancy and birth outcomes among pregnant women using different ways of identifying maternal disability.

Design, setting, and participants: Retrospective cohort study of linked vital records and maternal and newborn claims for Medicaid-insured live births from January 2010 to December 2014 in Texas. Data analysis was conducted from October 2023 to May 2024.

Exposure: Births grouped into 5 maternal cohorts: no identified disability, disability benefits enrollment only, disability diagnostic …

Assessing Healthcare Insurance Policies In Mississippi: An Evaluation Of Public And Private Options, Latarsha H. Michael, Brieah D. Hudson

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

Medicaid is the main payer for maternity care in the U.S., covering nearly half of all births. Federal law provides postpartum coverage for 60 days, but gaps exist, especially in non-expansion states. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allows states to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months. Mississippi, where Medicaid covers 65% of births, faces severe maternal and infant health challenges. Despite its surplus, extending postpartum care to 12 months could cost $7 million annually. This study examines private and public health insurance coverage for perinatal care in Mississippi. This involves analyzing how different insurance policies address the …

Rural–Urban Differences In Substance Use During Pregnancy, Emma Kathryn Boswell, Olivia M. Hinds, Cassie Odahowski Phd, Mph, Elizabeth L. Crouch, Peiyin Hung Ph.D, Christina M. Andrews Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Purpose: Drug overdoses are now a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States. Despite evidence of rural–urban disparities in substance use, there has not yet been a nationally representative examination of rural–urban differences in perinatal substance use. This study provides a comprehensive examination of rural–urban disparities in perinatal substance use. Methods: This study uses cross-sectional data to examine 3499 pregnant women from the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Rural (nonmetro)–urban (metro) differences in past-month tobacco use, alcohol use, binge drinking, illicit drug use, and marijuana use were examined using Rao–Scott chi-square tests and multivariable …

Pregnancy In Women Receiving Maintenance Dialysis, Cristina Popa, Priyadarshini John, Prasoon Verma, Sehrish Ali, Silvi Shah

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Women with kidney failure experience pathophysiological changes that frequently result in disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Because of these hormonal disturbances, women with kidney disease often experience oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, sexual dysfunction, and infertility. Preconception counseling, partnered with the early identification and optimal management of risk factors, such as hypertension and discontinuation of teratogenic medications, should be pursued for females contemplating conception. Pregnancy in women receiving maintenance dialysis is associated with a high risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and should be managed by a multidisciplinary team of providers. In this review article, we discuss pregnancy incidence, pregnancy outcomes, and …

Pharmacodynamics Of Aspirin Through Gestation: Predictors Of Aspirin Response And Association With Pregnancy Outcome, A Prospective Cohort Study, Rupsa C. Boelig, Emily Foecke Munden, Tingting Zhan, Steven E. Mckenzie, Walter K. Kraft

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Low-dose aspirin is recommended for prevention of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and preterm birth (PTB) in high-risk pregnancies. There is limited data on factors impacting aspirin response in pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate predictors of aspirin response and association with pregnancy outcome with a prospective study of high-risk pregnancies taking 81 mg aspirin daily. Aspirin response was evaluated with Platelet Function Assay-100 (PFA-100) epinephrine closure time at baseline (< 16 weeks' gestation), follow-up 1 (2-4 weeks after aspirin initiation), and follow-up 2 (28-32 weeks gestation). Multivariable regression was used to identify factors associated with PFA-100 at each visit, and results presented with beta coefficient (B) and confidence interval. The median difference (MD) in PFA-100 in those with and without HDP or PTB was compared. Results included 108 who completed follow-up 1 and 96 who completed both visits with > 75% adherence. PFA-100 was increased from baseline at follow-ups 1 and 2 (MD 37 (27-49); MD 26 (15.5-38.5) respectively). At follow-up 1, obesity (B = -30 (-53 to -7) seconds), …

Altered Thermal Preference By Preoptic Estrogen Receptor Alpha Neurons In Postpartum Females, Nan Zhang, Meng Yu, Qianru Zhao, Bing Feng, Yue Deng, Jonathan C Bean, Qingzhuo Liu, Benjamin P Eappen, Yang He, Kristine M Conde, Hailan Liu, Yongjie Yang, Longlong Tu, Mengjie Wang, Yongxiang Li, Na Yin, Hesong Liu, Junying Han, Darah Ave Threat, Nathan Xu, Taylor Smiley, Pingwen Xu, Lulu Chen, Tianshu Zeng, Yanlin He, Chunmei Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate how reproductive experience (RE) alters thermal preference and thermoregulation in female mice, with a focus on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-expressing neurons in the preoptic area (POA).

METHODS: Thermal preference and body temperature were measured in female mice with and without RE, and virgin female mice with selective deletion of ERα from the POA (ERα

RESULTS: We showed that female mice prefer a cooler environment starting from late pregnancy and persisting long term postpartum. Female mice with RE (>4 weeks post-weaning) displayed lower body temperature and a lower thermal preferred temperature, and lost preference …

Community Engagement Approaches And Lessons Learned: A Case Study Of The Precise Pregnancy Cohort Study In Kenya, Onesmus Wanje, Angela Koech, Maggie Woo Kinshella, Grace Mwashigadi, Alice Kombo, Grace Maitha, Nathan Barreh, Hiten D. Mistry, Marianne Vidler, Rachel Craik

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Community engagement (CE) has been recommended as an important ethical consideration for health research to enhance informed consent and exchange knowledge between researchers and community members. The purpose of this paper is to describe how CE was developed and delivered for the PRECISE prospective pregnancy cohort study in Kenya. PRECISE enrolled pregnant women in antenatal care, followed them up to the postpartum period, and collected data and biological samples to enable the study of placental disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. Initially CE was aimed at informing the community about the study, establishing communitywide acceptance of the research and addressing concerns about …

Zika Virus Ns1 Drives Tunneling Nanotube Formation For Mitochondrial Transfer And Stealth Transmission In Trophoblasts, Rafael T Michita, Long B Tran, Steven J Bark, Deepak Kumar, Shay A Toner, Joyce Jose, Indira U Mysorekar, Anoop Narayanan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Zika virus (ZIKV) is unique among orthoflaviviruses in its vertical transmission capacity in humans, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that ZIKV induces tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in placental trophoblasts which facilitate transfer of viral particles, proteins, mitochondria, and RNA to neighboring uninfected cells. TNT formation is driven exclusively via ZIKV non-structural protein 1 (NS1). Specifically, the N-terminal 1-50 amino acids of membrane-bound ZIKV NS1 are necessary for triggering TNT formation in host cells. Trophoblasts infected with TNT-deficient ZIKV

Breastfeeding Interventions And Programs Conducted In The Islamic Republic Of Iran: A Scoping Review, Patricia J. Kelly, Amrita Sidhu, Anusha Sajja, Devanshi Majeethia, Elizabeth Dodge, Basil H. Aboul-Enein

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

The purpose of this review was to identify interventions promoting breastfeeding (BF), BF practices and their outcomes in Iran. Using the PRISMA-ScR Guidelines, we searched across 14 databases for publications published between 2010 and February 2024 to identify studies published in English or Farsi language in peer-reviewed journals, using search terms 'breastfeeding', 'lactation', 'education', 'promotion', 'intervention' and 'program'. Inclusion criteria included intervention-based studies with quantitative outcomes of pregnant women/mothers receiving education, training or other intervention that promoted BF or exclusive BF. Excluded studies were protocols, those examining Iranian communities outside of Iran publications in other languages, brief communications, gray literature …

Machine Learning-Enhanced Surface-Enhanced Spectroscopic Detection Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In The Human Placenta, Oara Neumann, Yilong Ju, Andres B Sanchez-Alvarado, Guodong Zhou, Weiwu Jiang, Bhagavatula Moorthy, Melissa A Suter, Ankit Patel, Peter Nordlander, Naomi J Halas

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The detection and identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), are essential for environmental and health monitoring, for assessing toxicological exposure and their associated health risks. PAHs/PACs are the most dangerous chemicals found in tobacco smoke, and cigarette use during pregnancy can convey these molecules to the developing fetus through the placenta. This exposure is associated with many negative health outcomes, from premature birth to sudden infant death syndrome and adverse neurodevelopmental disorders. This study demonstrates the use of surface-enhanced Raman and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopies for direct detection of PAHs/PACs in human placental …

Evaluating Maternal Drug Use Disparities, Risk Factors And Outcomes In Northeast Arkansas: A Pre, During, And Post-Covid-19 Pandemic Analysis., Enrique Gomez Pomar, Johnna Berryhill, Sudeepa Bhattacharyya

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: The use of addictive substances remains a major health problem in the U.S. An increase in drug overdose and mortality was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in underserved populations. This surge also impacted pregnant women especially with the use of marijuana (THC) and opioids.

METHODS: Retrospective study analyzing mother-infant dyads with reported Meconium Drug Screen (MDS) results, from January 2018 through April 2023 at a reference hospital serving an urban and rural area of Arkansas. Due to the absence of universal screening, the prevalence of drug use was variable during the study period. An adjusted monthly positive rate …

Prevalence And Correlates Of Depressive And Anxiety Symptoms Among Pregnant Women From An Urban Informal Settlement In Nairobi, Kenya: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Stephen Mulupi, Amina Abubakar, Moses Nyongesa, Vibian Angweny, Margaret Kabue, Paul Mwangi, Rachel Odhiambo, Joyce Marangu, Eunice Njoroge, Mercy Mokaya, Emmanuel Obulemire, Eunice Ombech, Kofi Marfo

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Purpose: Previous research, largely from the Global North, reports high rates of common mental health disorders among women in the antenatal period, but there is paucity of such data in contexts like Kenya. This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of depressive and anxiety symptoms among pregnant women in an urban informal settlement in Kenya’s capital – Nairobi.

Method: An analysis of baseline cross-sectional data from a pilot cluster randomized trial of an integrated early childhood development programme. Participants were pregnant women in their third pregnancy trimester (N = 249), residing in an urban informal settlement in Nairobi County. Mental …

Evaluation Of Fetal Growth And Birth Weight In Pregnancies With Placenta Previa With And Without Placenta Accreta Spectrum, Neha Agarwal, Ramesha Papanna, Baha M Sibai, Alexandra Garcia, Dejian Lai, Eleazar E Soto Torres, Farah H Amro, Sean C Blackwell, Edgar Hernandez-Andrade

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: We evaluated fetal growth and birthweight in pregnancies with placenta previa with and without placenta accreta spectrum (PAS).

Methods: We retrospectively studied pregnant patients with placenta previa with or without PAS diagnosed at 20-37 weeks' gestation. Estimated fetal weight (EFW) percentile and fetal growth rate were calculated based on ultrasound at two timepoints: 20-24 and 30-34-weeks' gestation. Fetuses were small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) when EFW or abdominal circumference was < 10th or >90th percentile for gestational age, respectively. Fetal growth rate was estimated by subtracting EFW percentiles from the two ultrasounds. Birthweight in grams and percentiles were estimated …

Beyond The Numbers: A Qualitative Exploration Of Patient Perspectives On Postpartum Care And Maternal Mortality, Kristen A. Waters

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Introduction

Montgomery County faces one of Ohio's highest maternal mortality rates, with notable disparities by race. Despite their importance in reducing maternal deaths, up to 40% of women nationwide do not attend a postpartum care (PPC) visit. While well researched guidelines exist regarding the content and timing of PPC visits, there is a lack of patient perspective on this topic, specifically in the Black-identifying population in an area with a significant burden of maternal mortality.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions were conducted with 31 participants of maternal health community events in Dayton, OH. Participants were asked their opinions …

Pathways To Green River District Health Department, Gracelyn P. Bush

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

In an effort to decrease Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in the Green River District of Western Kentucky, this grant proposes the expansion of the evidence-based University of Kentucky PATHways program to the Green River District Health Department (GRDHD). To protect the health of both women and children, this program will specifically target pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD). This program will deliver a group-based prenatal and postpartum curriculum with the integration of Peer Recovery Support Specialists, specifically modeled on Social Cognitive Theory and the adoption of whole-person care. The proposed program spans a three-year time frame, beginning with program …

One Airway, One Disease In Pregnancy: A Prospective Observational Study On The Correlation Between Upper And Lower Airway Inflammation In Pregnant Women, Durga K, Yuvarajan S

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background: The well-established "One Airway, One Disease" concept recognizes the deep physiological and pathological connections between conditions affecting both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, most notably allergic rhinitis and asthma. During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes significant immunological, hormonal, and physiological changes, which can profoundly influence and modulate existing or emerging airway inflammation.

Objective: This prospective observational study was designed with the primary objective of meticulously evaluating the correlation between upper and lower airway inflammation in pregnant women. We aimed to achieve this by assessing a range of clinical symptoms, objective functional parameters, and specific inflammatory markers.

Methods: We …

Maternal Health Predictors In Ohio, Sritha Donepudi, Humza Khan

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Background: Ohio has continued to have a maternal mortality rate higher than the average which has posed the question of how geographic location, socioeconomic status, and demographics affect these rates.
Objective: This paper aims to investigate the relationship between variables affecting maternal mortality rates in Ohio such as teen birth rates and primary care physician access with where one lives between Rural and Urban areas and their household income in order to provide more information for future research.
Methods: This paper utilized County Health Rankings and statistical and correlation analysis with SPSS to analyze rates across counties in Ohio.
Results: …

Racial Health Disparities Among Pregnant Women Of Color In New York City: Biological And Systemic Impacts, Kaylin Peña

Pitzer Senior Theses

Racial Health Disparities Among Pregnant Women of Color in New York City: Biological and Systemic Impacts

Abstract

This thesis aims to explore how racial health disparities, underrepresentation in gynecology, and socioeconomic barriers contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes among women of color in New York City. Through an interdisciplinary approach that combines resources from medical anthropology and human biology, this research will examine the biological implications of chronic stress, specifically HPA axis dysregulation, and its role in maternal health outcomes. With the idea of intersectionality, as conceptualized by Kimberlé Crenshaw, the study analyzes the various effects of systemic inequities and social …

Exposure To Phthalates And Replacements During Pregnancy In Association With Gestational Blood Pressure And Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy, Erin E. Mcnell, Danielle R. Stevens, Barrett M. Welch, Emma M. Rosenthal, Suzanne Fenton, Antonia M. Calafat, Julianne Cook Botelho, Elena Sinkovskaya, Ann Przybylska, George Saade, Alfred Abuhamad, Kelly K. Ferguson

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates may increase risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Prior studies lack investigation of chemical mixtures, phthalate replacements, or key periods of susceptibility including early pregnancy. In the present study, we used a longitudinal approach to evaluate gestational exposure to phthalates and replacements, as both single-pollutants and mixtures, in association with blood pressure and diagnosis of preeclampsia or any HDP. The Human Placenta and Phthalates prospective pregnancy cohort includes 291 participants recruited from two U.S. clinics. Urinary metabolites of ten phthalates and replacements were quantified at up to 8 time points per individual …

Impacts Of Ramadan Fasting During Pregnancy On Pregnancy And Birth Outcomes: An Umbrella Review, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Md Estiar Rahman, May Salama, Ali H. Ziyab, Wilfried Karmaus

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

Despite a large number of primary research studies, and systematic and narrative reviews, there is no consensus on the impact of fasting during Ramadan while pregnant on pregnancy and birth outcomes. Currently, there is no evidence-based guideline for Muslim women regarding Ramadan fasting during pregnancy and clinicians cannot provide firm recommendations.

Objectives

To review the current evidence regarding the impact of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy on pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Search Strategy

We conducted an umbrella review of all systematic and narrative reviews examining the impacts of fasting during Ramadan while pregnant on pregnancy and birth outcomes by searching …

Impact Of Abortion Restrictions On Childhood Health Outcomes, Rico Carter, Griffin Suppa

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Abortion has been a topic for debate in the U.S. for decades. With the Supreme Court’s recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, many pro-abortion advocates fear for the looming effects this policy change will have on healthcare. In this study we aim to study how abortion access or lack thereof influences childhood healthcare outcomes. Past research has shown a negative impact of abortion restrictions on infant survival, future socioeconomic success, and the U.S. foster care system. Using data collected from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps and three abortion restriction levels created from Guttmacher, we found that states with restrictions had …

Association Between The Social Vulnerability Index And Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Tetsuya Kawakita, Misa Hayasaka, Lindsay Robbins, Juliana Martins, George Saade

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective: To assess the association between the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes across U.S. counties and to quantify these racial disparities.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using restricted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data sets, including natality data sets, fetal death data sets, and all-cause mortality data sets from 2016 to 2021. We limited analyses to Black or White individuals aged 15-44 years from 3,114 U.S. counties. Participants were categorized into quartiles based on county-level SVI. The primary outcome was maternal mortality rate while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of …

Longitudinal Assessment Of Intravillous Arterioles In Normal Pregnancy Using Superb Microvascular Imaging, R. Horgan, E. Sinkovskaya, G. Saade, E. Kalafat, A. Heeze, A. Abuhamad

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective

To use superb microvascular imaging (SMI) to longitudinally evaluate blood flow in intravillous arterioles (IVA) in pregnancy, and to develop reference ranges for IVA pulsatility index (PI) and peak systolic velocity (PSV) from 12 to 38 weeks' gestation.

Methods

The data for this study were obtained from the National Institutes of Health-funded Human Placenta Project. Eligible for inclusion were women aged 18-35 years, with a body mass index of <  30 kg/m², without comorbidities, with a singleton pregnancy conceived spontaneously and a gestational age of ≤ 13 + 6 weeks. Exclusion criteria were maternal or neonatal complications, fetal or umbilical cord anomalies, abnormal placental implantation and delivery <  37 weeks. Each participant underwent eight ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. Using SMI technology, the total number of IVA identified was recorded in a sagittal placental section at the level of cord insertion. The PI and PSV were measured in a total of six IVA (two in the central portion of the placenta, two peripherally towards the uterine fundal portion and two peripherally towards the lower uterine segment). Umbilical artery (UA)-PI was also obtained. Multilevel regression models were used to create reference ranges for IVA-PI and IVA-PSV at 12-38 weeks' gestation.

Results

A total of 90 women fulfilled the study criteria. IVA-PI decreased throughout pregnancy from a mean ± SD of 1.04 ± 0.23 in the first trimester (at 12-13 weeks) …

Evaluating Impacts Of The Trichloroethylene Metabolite S-(1,2-Dichlorovyinyl)-L-Cysteine On Transcriptomic Responses And Cytokine Release In A Macrophage Model: Implications For Pregnancy Outcomes, Annella Benjamin, Erica Boldenow, Sammy Jaber, Kelly M. Bakulski, John Dou, Justin Colacino, Peter Mancuso, Sean Harris

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile synthetic chemical used in various industrial processes like metal degreasing. Large amounts of TCE have been released into the environment. Exposure to TCE can occur through routes, such as inhalation for workers using TCE or ingestion of drinking water in contaminated areas. Macrophages are key immune cells in virtually all tissues in the human body, including the fetal membranes, making them a plausible target for DCVC-induced immunotoxicity. Macrophages are critical for maintaining anti-microbial defenses during pregnancy, but little data exists on TCE immunotoxicity during pregnancy. We previously showed that the TCE metabolite, S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC), …

Facilitated Group Care For Maternal And Child Health Model Fidelity: A Scoping Review, Ashley Gresh, Phoebe Parker, Anne Batchelder, Jalana Lazar, Christina X. Marea, Camilla Bjelland, Rohan D. Jeremiah, Giovanna Cristina Machado-Kayzuka, Hayden Geibel, Dhruvi R. Patel, Esnath Kapito, Kathleen F. Norr, Crystal L. Patil

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Group care is a transformative model of prenatal, postnatal, and well-child care. The Centering-based group care model has three core components: health care, interactive learning, and community building. It has been implemented in 33 countries with associated improved maternal and child health outcomes. Maintaining fidelity to the model is essential for its effectiveness. However, to date no standardised measure of fidelity to the group care model exists. This review aimed to explore how fidelity is measured in group care and identify common themes to understand what is essential to maintain fidelity. We used the scoping review framework by Arksey & …

The Role Of Doulas In The Health Care Continuum For Pregnant People With Substance Use Disorder: Perspectives Of Patients, Doulas, And Healthcare Providers, Dashaunda Taylor, Derek A. Chapman, Caitlin E. Martin, Cynthia C. F. Romero, Gerard Moeller

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objectives/Goals: The goals of this research are to 1) determine the prevalence of perinatal doula services use in Virginia, with a focus on individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), 2) evaluate awareness of doulas among pregnant and postpartum people with SUD, and 3) assess provider knowledge and interaction with doulas for the care of this population. Methods/Study Population: Both quantitative and qualitative methods will be used to evaluate patient and healthcare provider knowledge regarding doula services and the patient–doula–healthcare provider relationship. Surveys and semi-structured interviews will be administered to doulas, pregnant and postpartum women, and healthcare providers in this mixed-methods …

Study Of Maternal And Fetal Outcomes In Pregnancy Complicated By Thyroid Disorders, Sindhu Kumari, Poornima M

Digital Journal of Clinical Medicine

Background:

Thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism, are common during pregnancy and can significantly impact both maternal and fetal outcomes. Despite advancements in screening and treatment, thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy often remains underdiagnosed, especially in low-resource settings. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, outcomes and effective management strategies of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of thyroid dysfunction, including both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, during pregnancy, and their associated maternal and fetal complications.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 281 pregnant women with thyroid disorders attending antenatal care at JSS Hospital, Mysuru, from August 2022 …

Maternal Rest Improves Growth In Small-For-Gestational-Age Fetuses (<10th Percentile), Greggory R Devore, Bardo Polanco, Wesley Lee, Jeffrey Brian Fowlkes, Emma E Peek, Manesha Putra, John C Hobbins

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Optimal management of fetuses diagnosed as small for gestational age based on an estimated fetal weight ofHowever, maternal bed rest has not been recommended based on the results of a randomized clinical trial that showed that maternal rest does not improve fetal growth in small-for-gestational-age fetuses. This study was conducted to revisit this question.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether maternal bed rest was associated with an increase in the fetal biometric parameters that reflect growth after the diagnosis of a small-for-gestational-age fetus.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted on fetuses who were diagnosed as small for …

Toward Improving Retention In Hiv Care After Pregnancy: Lessons From A Post-Pandemic Cohort In The United States, Alexandra H Latham, Andrea Lugo Morales, Elizabeth Barba Gutierrez, Michael Jochum, Sarah Conrad, Eva H Clark, Kassandra Goytia, Megan Alam, Jessica Gerard, Jennifer Mckinney

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLWH) often experience low rates of retention in HIV care (RIC) and suboptimal viral suppression postpartum. Understanding contemporary barriers to RIC is crucial to identify risk factors for loss to care and thereby improve support during this vulnerable transition. This work aimed to identify factors associated with adequate RIC, defined as two HIV care visits ≥90 days apart in the first year postpartum.

Methods: Electronic records were retrospectively reviewed for PLWH who delivered from 2019 to 2023 and received prenatal care within a single county health system. Variables were collected related to both maternal and …

Anemia In Pregnant Women: Findings From Kuwait Birth Cohort Study, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Ali H. Ziyab, Majeda S. Hammoud, Reem Al-Sabah, Saeed Akhtar

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background Anemia is the most common hematologic disorder in pregnancy, affecting over one-third of pregnant women globally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women and its associated factors in the Kuwait Birth Cohort study.

Methods The Kuwait birth cohort (n = 1,108) was a prospective study in which pregnant women were recruited during their second or third trimester. Data were collected through personal interviews during antenatal care visits, including data on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Blood samples were analyzed under strict quality control to measure various laboratory indicators. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) < 110 g/L. Predictors of anemia were categorized as underlying or direct factors, and logistic regression models were used to investigate their association with anemia.

Results …