Maternal and Child Health Commons^™

Children Born To Mothers With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review Of Pediatric Outcomes, Simran Gandhi, Kush Patel, Harmann Singh

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, frequently affects women during their reproductive years. While the impact of IBD on pregnancy has been widely studied, less is known about the long-term health outcomes in children born to affected mothers, particularly in the context of in utero exposure to immunosuppressive therapies.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that children born to mothers with well-managed IBD experience normal growth and development, with minimal risk for immune-related complications, despite potential exposure to biologics and other IBD medications during gestation.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms …

Relationship Between Maternal Mortality And Zip Code In New Jersey, Katarina Rusinak

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Maternal mortality remains a pressing public health concern in the United States, with significant disparities influenced by geography and social determinants of health. This study investigates the relationship between zip code-level factors and maternal mortality rates (MMR) in New Jersey (NJ), a state with demographic and socioeconomic diversity. Using data from the NJ Department of Health, CDC, and recent literature, I identified patterns correlating higher MMR with areas experiencing poverty, limited access to healthcare, and predominantly minority populations. Counties such as Essex, Union, and Cumberland—classified as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs)—exhibited particularly high vulnerability. These …

Chemical Exposures In Utero: Phthalates And Congenital Heart Defects, Demi Poulathas

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common type of birth defect. Approximately 80% of CHDs have unknown causes, and phthalates may play a contributing role. Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental chemicals used as plasticizers in a wide range of products, including cosmetics and electronic devices. After entering the body, phthalates bind to the progesterone receptor, which is necessary for fetal development. While multiple studies have explored environmental factors in CHD development, few have examined the effects of phthalates on CHDs in humans. Methods: A literature review was conducted to investigate the relationship between parental occupational phthalate exposure and the …

A Systematic Review Of Weight Loss Interventions Among Black Postpartum Women, Jhelma Velveder Perez

Honors Scholar Theses

Cardiovascular disease is a leading contributor to maternal mortality, which remains disproportionately high among Black women. Obesity and postpartum weight retention exacerbate cardiovascular disease risk and increase the likelihood of complications in future pregnancies. Weight loss during the postpartum period may reduce long-term chronic health risks and mortality for Black women. This systematic review aimed to understand the weight-related health needs of Black postpartum women by evaluating behavioral weight loss interventions within the first year after childbirth. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database identified 3 randomized controlled trials that met inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated home-based programs, mobile health …

The Impact Of Environmental Deficiencies On Maternal Health Outcomes, Zahra Wallizadeh, Emiyah Bullock, Antoinette Jones, Katarina Rusinak

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

This study examines the environmental factors contributing to adverse maternal health outcomes in New Jersey, with particular focus on their disproportionate impact on minority women. Analysis of data from PubMed, Policy Map, NIH, CDC, EPA, and the New Jersey Department of Health reveals that women living in low-income areas face significant environmental challenges, including food deserts, air pollution, unsafe living conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and limited transportation options. These environmental determinants exacerbate maternal stress and contribute to complications such as preterm birth and hypertension. Black women are nearly three times more vulnerable to these adverse outcomes compared to white women, highlighting …

A Comparative Analysis Of Women’S Health In Latin America And The United States: Geographical Context And Preventative Actions, Holly J. Robinson

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Cervical cancer, breast cancer, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy complications, and gender-based violence are dangers faced by women everywhere. However, the severity of these risks can increase significantly due to a country’s geography, government control, and level of development. This thesis expands upon information gained directly from on-site experiences with medical professionals and locals (including doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and patients) in Peru, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, and further research to look at Latin America as a whole, in relation to the United States. Both the US and Latin America exhibit problems with their healthcare systems. The United States is more …

Barriers To Care For Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome In Southern New Jersey, Gabriela Taslitsky, Hijab Zaidi, Nafisa Zalil

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a spectrum of clinical manifestations seen in newborns due to withdrawal secondary to intrauterine illicit and/or prescription drug exposure. Newborns with NAS present with common signs of withdrawal such as poor feeding, irritability, seizures, hypertonicity, low birth weight, loose stool, and premature birth. Maternal opioid use is the most common cause of NAS and with the increase in opioid use in the past decade the cases of NAS have also increased. This study examines the prevalence and challenges associated with NAS in Southern New Jersey. Our analysis reveals that Atlantic and Gloucester counties reported the …

Health Professional Perspectives On Sudden Unexpected Infant Death In Arkansas, Laura Hansen, Bart Hammig

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Arkansas has one of the highest Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) rates in the nation, with 173.6 deaths for every 100,000 live births (CDC, 2024). This is much higher than the national rate, indicating a significant need for prevention education. Sudden Unexpected Infant Death is an umbrella term used to categorize Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), unknown death causes, and accidental suffocation in bed. SUID rate reduction can be achieved by following infant-safe sleeping guidelines, which include crib use, flat and firm mattresses, no blankets, and putting babies on their backs. In this proposed study, health care professionals across Arkansas …

The Relationship Of Peer Recovery Support Specialists And Recovery Of Perinatal Women With A Substance Use Disorder, Mary C. Talbot

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Substance use in pregnant and postpartum women is a growing issue in the United States. Drug use while pregnant can lead to birth defects, stillbirths, and problems providing positive parenting to their children. Many women with substance use disorders (SUD) feel extreme shame and stigma related to their substance use and have trouble accessing recovery-related treatment and other services. Peer recovery support treatment uses the lived experiences of individuals in current recovery from SUD to facilitate and support recovery in others. Purpose: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the impact of peer recovery support specialists on the …

The Effect Of Maternal Anxiety On Breastfeeding Exclusivity And Duration, Zoe E. Treat

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: The postpartum period, especially during the first year, presents a heightened risk for maternal anxiety. Research suggests a potential negative relationship between maternal anxiety and breastfeeding duration, though there is currently a gap in the existing literature regarding how maternal mental health impacts breastfeeding outcomes.

Purpose: This study seeks to investigate the influence of postpartum anxiety on both the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding, crucial knowledge required to support and implement targeted interventions. We expected that maternal anxiety would predict shorter exclusive and total breastfeeding durations.

Methodology: To explore the relationship between postpartum anxiety and breastfeeding behaviors, we distributed …

Beyond Opioids: The Role Of Polysubstance Exposure In Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Treatment And Hospitalization, Caelyn Harrison

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores the impact of prenatal polysubstance exposure, specifically focusing on the need for pharmacological treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and the duration of their hospital stay. A retrospective analysis of 462 infants, including 121 exposed to polysubstances during pregnancy, showed significant associations between polysubstance exposure and adverse neonatal outcomes. Infants with prenatal polysubstance exposure were more likely to require pharmacological treatment for NAS (52.8%) compared to non-exposed infants (38.7%), as determined by chi-square analysis (χ²(1, N = 462) = 7.36, p = .007). Additionally, infants exposed to polysubstances experienced longer hospital stays on average (M = 14.88 …

Transgender And Gender-Diverse Health Care Access And Availability Of Care According To Resident Leaders In The Mahoning County, Ohio, Robin A. Perry

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse health is significantly under attack in the United States and there is a continued need to further research to identify ways to increase their access to both inclusive care as well as gender affirming care. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers and supportive factors that professionals and community leaders perceive surrounding the availability and accessibility of inclusive and gender affirming care for transgender and gender diverse people in Mahoning County, Ohio.

METHODS: Key informant interviews were conducted with professionals and community leaders who could be considered “facilitators” helping transgender and gender diverse …

The Politics Of The Black Womb: How Education And Power Reinforce The U.S. Black Maternal Health Crisis, Foluke Akinkunmi

Honors Scholar Theses

This study investigates the alarming maternal mortality rates among Black women in the U.S. today first by exploring the historical exploitation of Black maternal bodies during enslavement and with the rise of professionalized gynecology. It challenges the narrative that attributes these outcomes to individual choices or supposedly inherent biological factors, arguing instead that the devaluing of Black women’s well-being and authoritative knowledge have been constructed along with the United States itself. To advance a constructive response, the paper analyzes curriculum competencies for obstetric and midwifery healthcare providers, surveys of Black women's birthing experiences in the previous 20 years, and interviews …

Exercise As An Intervention For Postpartum Depression (Ppd), Kylie P. Mistretta

Honors Scholar Theses

Objective: To illustrate the applications of exercise for preventing the development of postpartum depression (PPD) and addressing associated risk factors identified in the literature. Data Sources: PubMed and EBSCO: Academic Search Premier were accessed using the search terms exercise OR physical activity OR yoga AND postpartum depression OR postnatal depression. A secondary search of PubMed was conducted using the search terms exercise AND pregnancy AND depression OR gestational diabetes OR weight gain OR sleep quality.

Study Selection: Studies selected for inclusion were peer-reviewed, published after January 2012, written in English, and relevant to the PPD risk factors examined. Only clinical …

Reducing Extreme Heat Impacts On Health In Pregnant Women And Infants: A Community Based Intervention In Kilifi, Kenya, Adelaide Lusambili, Fiona Scorgie, Martha Oguna, Matthew Chersich, Stanley Luchters, Giorgia Gon, Veronique Filippi, Sari Kovats, Kevin Mccawley, Jeremy Hess

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

High ambient temperatures affect maternal and newborn health outcomes and wellbeing. The Climate Heat and Maternal and Neonatal Health in Africa (CHAMNHA) consortium conducted formative qualitative research in rural Kilifi, Kenya, to examine perceptions of heat risks among women, household members and community stakeholders. An intervention was co-designed together with community members. This paper presents the development, implementation, and evaluation of a behavior-change intervention aimed at reducing the burden of heat on maternal and newborn health. The intervention used Digital Audio-Visual (DAV) storytelling (encompassing short videos and a set of photographs) and facilitated group discussions. Intervention groups included pregnant and …

The Influence Of Scientific, Genetic, And Health Literacy On Carrier Screening Decision-Making, Brenna D. Albracht

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

For those wishing to assess their reproductive risks and make informed decisions in their reproductive planning, carrier screening for autosomal recessive and X-linked conditions, as well as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening for aneuploidy, are recommended during pregnancy. Despite similarities in purpose, sample requirements, insurance coverage, and safety, a lower percentage of individuals elect carrier screening than cfDNA screening, suggesting there may be a disconnect in what patients perceive as valuable information for their pregnancy. Previous studies have attempted to explain the factors associated with carrier screening uptake or decline; however, no models have yet accounted for a patient’s literacy level …

Planning For Scale: Analysis Of Adaptations And Contextual Factors Influencing Scale-Up Of The Quali-Dec Intervention To Optimize Caesarean Section Use, Soha El-Halabi, Claudia Hanson, Alexandre Dumont, Amanda Cleeve, Helle Mölsted Alvesson, Charles Kaboré, Guillermo Carroli, Pisake Lumbiganon, Quoc Nhu Hung Mac, Ana Pilar Betran

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Background: Researchers are encouraged to plan for scale through purposeful and guided assessment of scalability of an intervention. This study analysed factors potentially influencing scale-up and synthesised early adaptations of the QUALI-DEC intervention aiming to improve the appropriate use of caesarean section. The intervention consists of opinion leader engagement, audit and feedback for caesarean section, a tool to help women make an informed decision on the mode of birth, and labour companionship.

Methods: We conducted a framework analysis, which was guided by the scalability assessment framework by Zamboni et al., a 34-item checklist with a three-point scale. We used data …

Pregnancy Care Integrating Translational Science, Everywhere (Precise): A Prospective Cohort Study Of African Pregnant And Non-Pregnant Women To Investigate Placental Disorders – Cohort Profile, Rachel Craik, Joseph Akuze, Marie-Laure Volvert, Hannah Blencowe, Moses Mukhanya, Angela Koech, Grace Mwashigadi, Marleen Temmerman, Marvin Ochieng, Emily Mwadime

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Purpose: The Pregnancies' Care Integrating translational Science, Everywhere Network was established to investigate specific placental disorders (pregnancy hypertension, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction and stillbirth) in sub-Saharan Africa. We created a repository of clinical and social data with associated biological samples from pregnant and non-pregnant women. Alongside this, local infrastructure and expertise in the field of maternal and child health research were enhanced.

Participants: Pregnant women were recruited in participating health facilities in The Gambia, Kenya and Mozambique at their first antenatal visit or at the time a placental disorder was diagnosed (Kenya and The Gambia only). Follow-up study …

Measured And Self-Reported Hypertension Among Women Of Reproductive Age, Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Laura Magee, Esperanca Sevene, Anne Rerimoi, Rachel Craik, Ashley Muteti, Marleen Temmerman, Marianne Vidler, Umberto D’Alessandro, Anna Roca, Jeffrey Bone

Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health

Problem In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension prevalence is usually estimated from participant recall. We assessed the accuracy of self-reported hypertension in women of reproductive age.

Approach In PRECISE (PREgnancy Care Integrating translational Science, Everywhere), an observational prospective cohort study, we recruited 1825 non-pregnant women of reproductive age, 610 in the Gambia, 609 in Kenya and 606 in Mozambique. We compared self-reported and measured hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90mmHg). We adjusted hypertension prevalence for age, body mass index, education, parity, and antihypertensive medicine and oral contraceptive use.

Local setting PRECISE was conducted in both urban …

Racial Disparity And Environmental Influences On Perinatal Health In Jefferson County, Kentucky., Felicia A Pugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) risk has tripled over the past 30 years. Adverse infant birth outcomes in the U.S. have also increased with substantial Black-White disparities. Objectives: This work compares the frequency of adverse maternal and infant birth outcomes by maternal race (Black vs White) and examines associations between maternal ambient heavy metal exposures and birth outcomes in Jefferson County, Kentucky, 2017-2022. Methods: Jefferson County inpatient hospital delivery and birth certificate records of self-identified Black or White birthing parents were used. Incidence of SMM, stillbirth, preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) …