Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons^™

Potential Causes Of Early Death Among Admitted Newborns In A Rural Tanzanian Hospital, Robert Moshiro, Jeffrey M. Perlman, Paschal Mdoe, Hussein Kidanto, Jan Terje Kvaløy, Hege L. Ersdal

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Approximately 40,000 newborns die each year in Tanzania. Regional differences in outcome are common. Reviewing current local data, as well as defining potential causal pathways leading to death are urgently needed, before targeted interventions can be implemented

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and potential causal pathways contributing to newborn death and determine the presumed causes of newborn mortality within seven days, in a rural hospital setting.

Methods: Prospective observational study of admitted newborns born October 2014–July 2017. Information about labour/delivery and newborn management/care were recorded on data collection forms. Causes of deaths were predominantly based on clinical diagnosis. …

Socio-Cultural Norms And Perceptions Of Menstruation: An Intergenerational Analysis Of Rural Jamkhed, Maharashtra, Addison Scales

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study analyzes the socio-cultural norms and perceptions of menstruation between two generations of women in rural Jamkhed, Maharashtra. Interview questions were prepared for women between the ages of 18-26 and 35 or older to determine the level of dilution of the menstrual taboo and stigmas between age groups. All women resided in two villages in the rural area surrounding Jamkhed, Maharashtra. A variety of socio-cultural perceptions and practices were explored to determine their correlation with external influences on the shifting menstruation narrative. The socio-cultural factors of focus are family structure, media exposure, choice of material use, disposal and sustainability, …

Predictors For Expired Co2 In Neonatal Bag-Mask Ventilation At Birth: Observational Study, Kari Holte, Hege Langli Ersdal, Joar Eilevstjønn, Monica Thallinger, Jørgen Linde, Claus Klingenberg, Rene Holst, Samwel Jatosh, Hussein Kidanto, Ketil Stordal

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Expired carbon dioxide (ECO2) indicates degree of lung aeration immediately after birth. Favourable ventilation techniques may be associated with higher ECO2 and a faster increase. Clinical condition will however also affect measured values. The aim of this study was to explore the relative impact of ventilation factors and clinical factors on ECO2 during bag-mask ventilation of near-term newborns.

Methods: Observational study performed in a Tanzanian rural hospital. Side-stream measures of ECO2, ventilation data, heart rate and clinical information were recorded in 434 bag-mask ventilated newborns with initial heart rate <120 beats per minute. We studied ECO2 by clinical factors (birth weight, Apgar scores and initial heart rate) and ventilation factors (expired tidal volume, ventilation frequency, mask leak and inflation pressure) in random intercept models and Cox regression for time to ECO2 >2%.

Results: ECO2 rose non-linearly with increasing expired tidal volume …

Radical Hysterectomy For Operable Early Cervical Cancer In Hiv-Positive And Hiv-Negative Women In Western Kenya, Peter M. Itsura, Rachel N. Deraney, Elkanah Omenge, Philip Tonui, Barry Rosen, Susan Cu-Uvin

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Radical hysterectomy is well tolerated with no increase in complications in HIV-infected women and is an appropriate form of treatment for early-stage cervical cancer in HIV-infected women.

Routine Late Trimester Ultrasound For The Detection Ofsmall-For-Gestational-Age And Growth-Restricted Fetus Inlow-Risk Pregnancy: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Sikolia Wanyonyi, Doreen Osoro, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objectives: To compare the proportion of small-for-gestational-age and fetal growth-restricted fetuses detected in women offered a routine growth ultrasound to those either offered selective or no ultrasound in the third trimester.

Methods: An open-label randomised control trial was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Eligible women were randomised into either the intervention or control group. Women in the intervention arm had a mandatory third trimester ultrasound for fetal growth performed between 36 weeks 0 days to 37 weeks 6 days. Those in the control group had a selective growth scan done if the clinician suspected abnormal fetal growth. …

Perceptions Of Rural Birthing Practices: A Glimpse Into Maternal And Child Health For Women In Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, Mackenzie Burke

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Over the past two decades birthing practices within India have drastically changed. This change is most visible in the shift from homebirths to hospital births following the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission. This study aims to understand and give voice to women’s perceptions of birthing practices in the rural villages of Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. A total of ten interviews were conducted with both mothers and healthcare practitioners in the surrounding villages of Kangra District in order to gain a thorough, qualitative understanding of birthing practices in the local communities. The healthcare practitioners’ responses were divided according …

Frequent Refresher Training On Newborn Resuscitation And Potential Impact On Perinatal Outcome Over Time In A Rural Tanzanian Hospital: An Observational Study, Estomih Mduma, Jan Terje Kvaløy, Eldar Soreide, Erling Svensen, Paschal Mdoe, Jeffrey Perlman, Caroline Johnson, Hussein Kidanto, Hege Langli Ersdal

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objectives: Globally, perinatal mortality remains high, especially in sub-Saharan countries, mainly because of inadequate obstetric and newborn care. Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) resuscitation training as part of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) programme may improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe observed changes in perinatal survival during a 6-year period, while adjusting for relevant perinatal risk factors.

Setting: Delivery rooms and operating theatre in a rural referral hospital in northern-central Tanzania providing comprehensive obstetric and basic newborn care 24 hours a day. The hospital serves approximately 2 million people comprising low social-economic status.

Participants: …

Cervical Assessment By Ultrasound For Preventing Preterm Delivery., Vincenzo Berghella, Gabriele Saccone

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Measurement of cervical length by ultrasound is predictive of preterm birth (PTB). There are three methods of ultrasound cervical assessment: transvaginal (TVU), transabdominal (TAU), and transperineal (TPU, also called translabial). Cervical length measured by TVU is a relatively new screening test, and has been associated with better prediction of PTB than previously available tests. It is unclear if cervical length measured by ultrasound is effective for preventing PTB. This is an update of a review last published in 2013.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of antenatal management based on transvaginal, transabdominal, and transperineal (also called translabial) ultrasound screening of …

Health Professionals' Experiences And Views On Obstetric Ultrasound In Vietnam: A Regional, Cross-Sectional Study, Sophia Holmlund, Pham Thi Lan, Kristina Edvardsson, Ho Dang Phuc, Joseph Ntaganira, Rhonda Small, Hussein Kidanto, Matilda Ngarina, Ingrid Mogren

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Objectives: Obstetric ultrasound is an important part of antenatal care in Vietnam, although there are great differences in access to antenatal care and ultrasound services across the country. The aim of this study was to explore Vietnamese health professionals' experiences and views of obstetric ultrasound in relation to clinical management, resources and skills.

Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was performed as part of the CROss Country UltraSound study.

Setting: Health facilities (n=29) in urban, semiurban and rural areas of Hanoi region in Vietnam.

Participants: Participants were 289 obstetricians/gynaecologists and 535 midwives.

Results: A majority (88%) …

Effects Of Implementing Free Maternity Service Policy In Kenya: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis, Evaline Lang’At, Lillian Mwanri, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Maternal and perinatal mortality is a major public health concern across the globe and more so in low and middle-income countries. In Kenya, more than 6000 maternal deaths, and 35,000 stillbirths occur each year. The Government of Kenya abolished user fee for maternity care under the Free Maternity Service policy, in June of 2013 in all public health facilities, a move to make maternity services accessible and affordable, and to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality.

Method: An observational retrospective study was carried out in 3 counties in Kenya. Six maternal health output indicators were observed monthly, 2 years pre …

Improving Patient Flow By Increasing Early Discharges On A Mother & Baby Unit, Faye Weir, Joy Moody, Kathleen Cyr, Cathy Palleschi, Stephen Tyzik, Joseph East, Heidi Morin, Suneela Nayak, Ruth Hanselman, Amy Sparks

Operations Transformation

Discharging patients early in the day has many advantages amongst which is increased bed availability. However, the experience in a large academic tertiary medical center demonstrated that most discharges occurred early to mid afternoon. A care team on a mother /baby unit established a quality improvement project to increase the number of discharges by 11AM and streamline key discharge planning activities.

A root cause analysis identified multiple barriers to attaining he established goals. To address these barriers, a multi prong approach was instituted to include a discharge education KPI for all unit staff.

Data collection post countermeasure implementation demonstrated some …

Colostrum And Mature Breast Milk Analysis Of Serum Irisin And Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins-1c In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Erum Khalid, Asma Akbar Ladak, Syed Adnan Ali

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: We aimed to evaluate irisin and SREBP-1c levels in serum, colostrum and mature breast milk in women with and without gestational diabetes (GDM); and to relate them with maternal glucose, lipid profile and weight status of babies.
Methods: GDM positive women (n = 33) and normal glucose tolerant women (NGT) (n = 33) were recruited. Maternal blood samples were collected at 28th week of gestation and later at 6-week post-partum while breast milk samples of the lactating mothers were collected within 72 hours of birth (colostrum) and at 6 weeks post-partum (mature milk). Irisin and SREBP-1c levels were analyzed …

Early Second Trimester Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome In Monoamniotic Twin Pregnancy: The Cause And Management–A Case Report From Resource Limited Settings, Philippe P. A., Andrew Cheruiyot, Sahara Shurie, M Pallavi, Elkanah Omenge

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Monoamniotic twin pregnancies are the least common type of twin pregnancies, associated with high foetal death rates. In addition, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare event in monoamniotic twins. The expectant management of early single-twin foetal demise is challenging due to risk to the surviving co-twin, and psychological impact on the mother. The authors report the case of early second trimester single-twin foetal demise, likely due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome in monochorionic twin pregnancy. The 22-year-old primigravida presented with vaginal bleeding in monoamniotic twin pregnancy. She then had sudden single-twin intrauterine demise at 16 weeks of gestation that ended with …

Detection And Concentration Of Plasma Aflatoxin Is Associated With Detection Of Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus In Kenyan Women, Jianjun Zhang, Elkanah Omenge, Philip Tonui, Yan Tong, Titus Manai, Stephen Kiptoo, Kapten Muthoka, John Groopman, Joshua Smith, Erin Madeen

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Cervical cancer is common in Kenyan women. Cofactors in addition to infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) are likely to be important in causing cervical cancer, because only a small percentage of HPV-infected women will develop this malignancy. Kenyan women are exposed to dietary aflatoxin, a potent carcinogen and immunosuppressive agent, which may be such a cofactor.

Methods: Demographics, behavioral data, plasma, and cervical swabs were collected from 88 human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected Kenyan women without cervical dysplasia. Human papillomavirus detection was compared between women with or without plasma aflatoxin B1-lysine (AFB1-lys) and evaluated in relation to AFB1-lys concentration.

Results: …

Antibiotic Prophylaxis In The Surgical Management Of Miscarriage In Low-Income Countries: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of The Aims Trial, Ilias Goranitis, David M. Lissauer, Arri Coomarasamy, Amie Wilson, Jane Daniels, Lee Middleton, Jonathan Bishop, Catherine A. Hewitt, Andrew D. Week, Chisale Mhango, Ronald Mataya, Iffat Ahmed

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: There is ongoing debate on the clinical benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis for reducing pelvic infection after miscarriage surgery. We aimed to study the cost-effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in the surgical management of miscarriage in low-income countries.
Method: We did an incremental cost-effectiveness analysis using data from 3412 women recruited to the AIMS trial, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in the surgical management of miscarriage in Malawi, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Economic evaluation was done from a health-care-provider perspective on the basis of the outcome of cost per pelvic infection avoided within …

Low-Cost, High-Resolution Imaging For Detecting Cervical Precancer In Medically-Underserved Areas Of Texas, Sonia G Parra, Ana M Rodriguez, Katelin D Cherry, Richard A Schwarz, Rose M Gowen, Laura B Guerra, Andrea M Milbourne, Paul A Toscano, Susan P Fisher-Hoch, Kathleen M Schmeler, Rebecca R Richards-Kortum

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer rates in the United States have declined since the 1940's, however, cervical cancer incidence remains elevated in medically-underserved areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) along the Texas-Mexico border. High-resolution microendoscopy (HRME) is a low-cost, in vivo imaging technique that can identify high-grade precancerous cervical lesions (CIN2+) at the point-of-care. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of HRME in medically-underserved areas in Texas, comparing results to a tertiary academic medical center.

METHODS: HRME was evaluated in five different outpatient clinical settings, two in Houston and three in the RGV, with medical providers …

Obstetric And Neonatal Complications Among Women With Autoimmune Disease, Andrew Williams, Katherine Grantz, Indulaxmi Seeni, Candace Robledo, Shanshan Li, Marion Ouidir, Carrie Nobles, Pauline Mendola

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The impact of autoimmune diseases on pregnancy remains understudied on a population level. Examination of obstetric and neonatal outcomes among women with autoimmune disease and their infants can provide important insights for clinical management.

Methods: Autoimmune diseases and outcomes were identified using medical records. Cesarean delivery, preterm birth, preeclampsia, small for gestational age (SGA), neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and perinatal mortality risk was assessed. Poisson regression with robust standard errors estimated relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) with adjustment for maternal characteristics and other chronic conditions.

Results: Women with …

Predicting Premature Birth Risk With Cfrna, Jason Lin, Jonathan Marin, John Santerre

SMU Data Science Review

Identifying which genes are early indicators for preterm births using cell-free ribonucleic acid (cfRNA) from non-invasive blood tests provided by pregnant women can improve prenatal care. Currently, there are no medical tests for early detection of preterm birth risk in routine checkups for pregnant women. Recent studies have shown potential genes that can predict preterm birth. Machine learning techniques are utilized to see if the Area Under the Curve (AUC) can be improved upon when evaluating the prediction accuracy for chosen genes sequences and concentrations. Using cell-free RNA data from non-invasive blood tests in conjunction with machine learning, we improve …

Feasibility Pilot Outcomes Of A Mammography Decision Support And Navigation Intervention For Women With Serious Mental Illness Living In Supportive Housing Settings., Lara Weinstein, Marianna Lanoue, Katelyn Hurley, Colleen Payton, Randa Sifri, Ronald Myers

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Objective: People with serious mental illness (SMI) experience significant disparities in morbidity and mortality from preventable and treatable medical conditions. Women with SMI have low mammography screening rates. SMI, poverty, and poor access to care can have a significant effect on a woman’s opportunity to learn about and discuss breast cancer screening with health care providers. This study examines the feasibility pilot outcomes of mammography decision support and patient navigation intervention (DSNI) for women with SMI living in supportive housing settings. The primary research question was: Does the DSNI increase knowledge, promote favorable attitudes, and decrease decisional conflict relating to …

Infertility In Muslim Refugees: A Review Of The Literature, Simone N. Reaves, Fern R. Hauck

Journal of Refugee & Global Health

Many couples worldwide are affected by infertility, which is defined as an inability to conceive after at least one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Many Muslim and Middle Eastern societies place a high societal value on having children and therefore, couples who are unable to conceive for various reasons often find themselves feeling stigmatized and socially isolated. Muslim refugees living in the United States face additional challenges and barriers to care due to their refugee status. This review is a synthesis of existing literature that 1) identifies Islamic viewpoints on infertility and assistive reproductive technology (ART), 2) explores the …