Maternal and Child Health Commons^™

Is There An Association Between Preeclampsia/Eclampsia And Congenital Heart Disease Among The Neurodivergent Population?, Jasmine Emanuel, Venkateswar Venkataraman, Jennifer Lecomte, Andrea Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are very common gestational conditions among pregnant individuals worldwide. These individuals are diagnosed with high blood pressure (after 20 weeks of gestation), proteinuria/end-stage organ disease, and may include seizures. These conditions can put the mother and fetus at risk. A review of literature has shown that there is an association between cardiovascular defects among the neurodivergent population, where these individuals have a higher risk of developing atrial septal defects and ventricular septal defects. The Rowan-Virtua Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center patient population will be used to investigate whether preeclampsia/eclampsia in mothers is indicative of higher congenital heart …

The Possible Relationship Of Adiponectin And Gestational Weight Gain During Different Stages Of Pregnancy Amongst Different Ethnic Groups, Jayshree Chauhan, Xinhua Chen

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) is defined as weight gain between conception and birth. Adiponectin, a fat derived hormone, has an inverse relationship with weight gain. We investigated the relationship of maternal adiponectin concentration and GWG during different pregnancy stages among ethnic groups. Method: Serum adiponectin levels were measured at entry (week 16) and trimester three (week 28) in pregnant women (n = 1634, age 22.0±5.3, pre-pregnancy BMI 25.7±6.3) which included Hispanic (47%), African American (37%) and Caucasian (16%) women. GWG was measured at week 24, 28, 32, and delivery and was divided into inadequate, adequate, and excessive according to …

Global Comparison Of Health Policies Focused On Gestational Diabetes: Recognizing Pertinent Gaps, Muskanjot Kaur, Isvita Marfatia, Samarth Gupta, Swetha Sundaram, Anudeep Deevi, Venkat Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition that affects 14.7% of women globally and occurs when a mother develops diabetes during the course of her pregnancy.1 Increased insulin resistance in pregnant mothers can lead to further complications, such as a larger baby, increased risk of the baby developing Type II diabetes, having low blood sugar, and even premature birth, which can lead to respiratory issues. The lack of policies in place to address GDM in various countries worldwide highlights the need for this literature. It is necessary to compile policies that are currently in place and to further discuss …

Improving Access To Community Resources For Mothers In Southern New Jersey, Ariana Blake, Josalynn Maree, Nayarith Lopez, Vanessa Pizutelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Maternal mortality rates have skyrocketed across the nation. New Jersey specifically has one of the highest rates across all 50 states. According to the New Jersey Maternal Health Report, southern New Jersey has the highest maternal mortality ratio, with 91% of the maternal deaths throughout New Jersey between 2016-2018 being preventable. It is crucial that families are receiving support during pregnancy and postpartum from the health care system and their community in order to reduce this trend. Acenda Integrated Health’s Connecting NJ aims to provide community support by connecting expectant mothers and families with children under the age of 3 …

Perinatal Experiences Of People With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Scoping Review, Tanvi Shah, Andrea Iannuzzelli, Venkateswar Venkataman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that is diagnosed in early childhood, typically in people who are assigned male at birth. However, this diagnosis and the sensory and behavioral divergence that comes with ASD stay with people throughout their lives. Based on the DSM-V diagnostic criteria and the history of how Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders were first identified, many people who do not identify as male and/or present atypically do not receive a formal diagnosis until later in life or self-diagnose. This in turn has led to a lack of research in both populations that do not …

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 …

Gestational Diabetes Among The South Asian Diaspora In The United States Of America: A Scoping Review, Anudeep Deevi, Mariam Sharobeem, Gabrianna Andrews, Rahul Ubrani, Venkateswar Venkataraman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Aim: The scoping review was conducted to review the current knowledge base regarding gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among South Asians in the United States. In addition, the review was meant to identify any gaps in knowledge, specifically about the current care received by South Asians as well as the associated adverse health outcomes.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus was conducted. Key words ""gestational diabetes South Asians in the United States" were used as search terms. Search was restricted to U.S. articles published on or after 01/01/2013 with key words. Articles were screened by …

Barriers To Doula Use In New Jersey After 2021 Medicaid Coverage Expansion, June Solow, Aashna Reddy, Natali Sharma, Jonathan Lewis

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Doulas are trained non-clinical professionals that provide continuous support to a pregnant mother from the prenatal to postpartum period. Presence of a doula has been shown to benefit both mother and newborn health.

Purpose: To determine what prevents doula utilization in New Jersey.

Methods: A review of the current literature about doulas, mothers, clinicians, and legislation in other states was conducted. This included qualitative and quantitative data gathered in the United States.

Results: The most significant barrier from both the mother’s and doula’s perspectives is cost. Besides cost, diversity and number of doulas is low. A major barrier to …

Early Childhood Support Specialist Evaluation Report, Emilie Swenson Msw, Rachel Gallo Mph

Children, Youth, & Families

The Early Childhood Support Specialist (ECSS) at MaineHealth builds relationships with families who have children aged birth to three, a timeframe when infants and toddlers are rapidly developing, learning, and benefiting from family and community connections. The ECSS assesses a family’s strengths and needs to understand how that family can be supported and connected. The ECSS connects families to resources, provides referrals, coaches families on children’s social and emotional development, and generally serves as a point of contact to assist families with social, emotional, and medical needs. Ultimately, the intended outcome of this model is to increase family connections, decrease …

Healthy School Meals For All: The Role Of Food Law And Policy, Thomas J. Vilsack

Journal of Food Law & Policy

The first Conference held more than 50 years ago by President Nixon in 1969 had significant impacts on our Department and the prevalence of food insecurity in our country. Most notably, the Conference sparked significant expansions to Food Stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), from 2 million in 1968 to 11 million by 1971. The Conference also increased the reach of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which served 2.9 million low-income children at the time of the Conference and expanded to serving nearly 8 million low-income children by 1971. Permanent authorization of the School Breakfast …

Influences On Pregnancy: An Exploration Of Maternal Discrimination, An Alternative Model Of Prenatal Care And Health Information Online, Emily Doherty

All Dissertations

In the United States metrics of perinatal health lag far behind peer countries and is characterized by stark disparities. The studies that make up this dissertation seek to elucidate factors influencing perinatal health.

The first and second chapters provide an introduction and extensive review of the literature of factors contributing to perinatal health with specific focus on discrimination and perinatal health; group prenatal care and digital pregnancy health information. The third chapter introduces the methodology to be used by each of the following studies. Subsequent chapters are formatted as individual manuscripts, each presenting background, methodology, results, and discussion.

The fourth …

Perceptions Of Prenatal Care From Mississippi Mothers: The Role Of Race And Insurance Coverage, Brittney Clayborn

Honors Theses

Giving birth in America as an African American woman is a daunting and risky undertaking. African American women are three to four times more likely to die from giving birth and two times more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity than their White counterparts (Wang, Glazer, Sofaer, Balbierz, & Howell, 2020). The disparity seen in maternal health and mortality can partially be linked to other chronic health and medical factors; however, there are even disparities seen in those as well. Attention must be brought to the impact of race and socioeconomic status on the likelihood of survival after giving birth, …

Therapeutic Approaches To Working With Perinatal Loss Clients: A Grounded Theory Study, Heather H. Olivier

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Perinatal loss (i.e., miscarriage, stillbirth, termination, and infant death) is commonly referred to in the literature as an invisible loss, non-loss, and even medical event. It is an ambiguous loss exhibiting the dialectical contradiction between the physical absence and psychological presence of the baby accompanied by disenfranchised grief, a reaction to a loss that is unacknowledged by society. Despite the likelihood of mental health clinicians working with clients who have experienced perinatal loss, there has yet to be a therapeutic model designed specifically for the unique grief and trauma reactions presented in this population. Existing grief models do not address …

The Ethical Dilemmas Epigenetic Editing In Utero Presents To Christians, Victoria Hendrix

Senior Honors Theses

The development of CRISPR epigenetic editing technology was initially impactful due to its potential for disease treatment. However, despite the potential benefits of epigenetic technology, there exist ethical dilemmas surrounding its use in utero. The review of the ethical dilemmas of epigenetic editing in utero from a Christian perspective showed that research in epigenetic editing is promising, yet fraught with peril. The basic ethical issues of epigenetic editing in utero stem from its inaccuracy, lack of research concerning its effects on offspring, an incomplete understanding of gene interactions, and its connection to eugenics. The ethical concerns particularly relevant to Christians …

Improving Breastfeeding Rates In A Rural And Medically Underserved Community, Kaylie D. Waters

Masters Projects

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports national breastfeeding rates that are inconsistent with the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life (CDC, 2020). The rate of infants receiving any breastmilk by six months of age in a rural Midwest County is only 16% in contrast to 55% nationally (CDC, 2020; XXXXX, 2021). This discrepancy was addressed by evaluating breastfeeding status in that Midwest community followed by strategies to improve breastfeeding rates.

Methods: A multi-intervention quality improvement project was implemented using the SEIPS framework. The project evaluated the effectiveness of documenting breastfeeding status in …

A Scoping Literature Review Of Workforce Development Strategies To Increase Indigenous Birth Workers, Danielle A. Thies

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective/Aim: To review the literature on workforce development to increase Indigenous birth workers to improve birth outcomes in Indigenous populations.

Design: A systematic scoping review.

Data Sources: The following databases were accessed: PubMED, Embase, and CINAHL. Support relating to key words and appropriate databases was provided by a university librarian.

Review Methods: Search terms across databases were sourced identifying a total of 152 papers. Title/abstract searches were screened against the inclusion/exclusion criteria, resulting in 55 papers reaching full-text review. Of the 55 papers reviewed, 26 were eligible for inclusion in the final review.

Results/Findings: Thematic …

Youth-Friendly, Person-Centered Contraceptive Care For Adolescents: Exploring The Capacity Of Safety-Net Clinics In Alabama And South Carolina, Kristen Surles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: In recent years, high quality contraceptive care for adolescents has shifted away from tiered effectiveness counseling and toward youth-friendly, patient-centered counseling (YFPCCC). YFPCCC is essential in the South, which has higher rates of sexual activity, lower rates of contraception use, and higher teen birth rates. This study examined Southern clinics’ characteristics which support YFPCCC and youth’s perceptions of the contraceptive care they receive.

Methods: This mixed methods study examined secondary data collected in two surveys and primary data collected through key-informant interviews. The first survey examined clinic characteristics impacting YFPCCC, and the second survey examined adolescents’ (aged 16-24) perspectives …

Syphilis And Congenital Syphilis Among Women In San Bernardino County, Valerie Alfaro

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that mostly affects individuals from a lower income status. San Bernardino County has a high poverty rate and a high rate of Congenital Syphilis. Pregnant women who test positive for Syphilis run the risk of passing the infection on to the fetus. Babies born with Congenital Syphilis may experience many complications, and therefore, the treatment is more intense. The best prevention for Congenital Syphilis is regular screening during pregnancy.

Methods: This study used quantitative research based on secondary data collected from San Bernardino County, Department of Public Health. Data were gathered by an …

Nurses’ And Nursing Students' Knowledge Of Pregnancy-Related Complications Among African Americans, Tamija Alexander

Honors Theses

The literature highlights ethnic and racial disparities within healthcare and maternal outcomes. African American mothers have suffered from disproportionate mortality and morbidity rates compared to Caucasian women for centuries. In 2007–2016, African American and American Indian/Alaska Native women had significantly more pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 births than did Caucasians, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander women. Cardiomyopathy, thrombotic pulmonary embolism, and hypertensive disorders are the three leading causes of complications during pregnancy among African Americans. The purpose of the research study was to identify if nurses and nursing students can recognize the early and late signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy, thrombotic pulmonary …

Investigation Of Teratogenic Concerns In The Covid-19 Era, Emily Daykin

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

In the United States, Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, including pregnant people, who were shown to be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 infection and pregnancy complications. Research on the teratogenicity of COVID-19 is still ongoing, but overall neither COVID-19 infection nor vaccination appear to increase the risk of birth defects. Numerous studies have investigated healthcare providers’ opinions on whether and when pregnant people should get vaccinated, as well as pregnant people’s perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines and psychosocial impacts of the pandemic. However, more research is needed to identify the most common concerns regarding …