Articles

Mother-infant bonding is not associated with feeding type: a community study sample

Bonding refers to emotions and cognitions towards one’s infant. Breastfeeding is believed to facilitate bonding, yet only a handful of studies have empirically tested this assertion. This study aimed to confir...

Authors: Ilana S. Hairston, Jonathan E. Handelzalts, Tamar Lehman-Inbar and Michal Kovo

Factors associated with knowledge of obstetric danger signs and perceptions of the need for obstetric care among married men in northern Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey

Male involvement in maternal, newborn and child health contributes to better health outcomes for women and their children, especially in restrictive societies. There is evidence that when men have better under...

Authors: Olugbenga Oguntunde, Jabulani Nyenwa, Farouk Musa Yusuf, Dauda Sulaiman Dauda, Abdulsamad Salihu and Irit Sinai

Contraceptive use, prevalence and predictors of pregnancy planning among female sex workers in Uganda: a cross sectional study

Unintended pregnancies are associated with negative consequences to both mother and baby. Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are at high risk of unintended/unplanned pregnancies. However, prevalence of pregnancy planni...

Authors: Justine Nnakate Bukenya, Rhoda K. Wanyenze, Geraldine Barrett, Jennifer Hall, Fredrick Makumbi and David Guwatudde

Interpregnancy change in body mass index and infant outcomes in Texas: a population-based study

Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) is associated with several infant outcomes, but it is unclear whether these associations reflect causal relationships. We conducted a study of interpregnancy change ...

Authors: Renata H. Benjamin, Sarah Littlejohn, Mark A. Canfield, Mary K. Ethen, Fei Hua and Laura E. Mitchell

Risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and seroprevalence for brucellosis in pregnant women exposed to goats or raw goat products in southern Thailand: a prospective cohort study

Pregnant women infected with brucellosis have been shown to have higher odds of having been exposed to goats and raw goat products and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, information on these associations in ...

Authors: Kan Kledmanee, Tippawan Liabsuetrakul and Somporn Sretrirutchai

Low autopsy acceptance after stillbirth in a disadvantaged French district: a mixed methods study

Authors: Priscille Sauvegrain, Marion Carayol, Aurélie Piedvache, Esther Guéry, Martine Bucourt and Jennifer Zeitlin

A successful pregnancy in a patient with secondary hypertension caused by adrenal adenoma: a case report

Secondary hypertension is a rare complication in pregnancy that causes poor outcomes, such as preeclampsia, premature delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, stillbirths, spontaneous abortion or intrauterin...

Authors: Xin Zhang, Hang Liao, Xiaojiang Zhu, Di Shi and Xiaoping Chen

Determinants of utilization of antenatal care services in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia: a study based on demographic and health survey

Utilization of antenatal care (ANC) in Ethiopia was low. There was also a variation of this underutilization of ANC service from region to region in the country. Therefore, this study aimed at providing a comp...

Authors: Kassahun Tiruaynet and Kindie Fentahun Muchie

Effects of antenatal corticosteroids in twin neonates with late preterm birth (ACTWIN [Antenatal Corticosteroids in TWIN late preterm neonates] trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Antenatal corticosteroids have been proven to prevent adverse outcomes including respiratory morbidities in preterm neonates before 34 weeks of gestation. Recently, it has been suggested that antenatal cortico...

Authors: Subeen Hong, Seung Mi Lee, Dong Wook Kwak, Joongyub Lee, So Yeon Kim, Jeong Won Oh, Sohee Oh, Chan-Wook Park, Joong Shin Park, Jin Hoon Chung and Jong Kwan Jun

Validity of self-reported receipt of iron supplements during pregnancy: implications for coverage measurement

Iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy is an underlying cause of maternal deaths, and reducing risk through routine iron supplementation is a key component of antenatal care (ANC) programs in most low- and mi...

Authors: Mufaro Kanyangarara, Joanne Katz, Melinda K. Munos, Subarna K. Khatry, Luke C. Mullany and Neff Walker

Association of first trimester maternal vitamin D, ferritin and hemoglobin level with third trimester fetal biometry: result from cohort study on vitamin D status and its impact during pregnancy and childhood in Indonesia

The role of vitamin D in placental functions and fetal growth had been addressed in many reports with conflicting results. However, such report is limited for Indonesian population. The aim of this study was t...

Authors: Raden Tina Dewi Judistiani, Tita Husnitawati Madjid, Setyorini Irianti, Yessika Adelwin Natalia, Agnes Rengga Indrati, Mohammad Ghozali, Yunia Sribudiani, Tetty Yuniati, Rizky Abdulah and Budi Setiabudiawan

Determinants of vitamin D status among Black and White low-income pregnant and non-pregnant reproductive-aged women from Southeast Louisiana

Vitamin D deficiency is a growing public health problem, with pregnant women being particularly vulnerable due to its influences on maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, there are limited data published abo...

Authors: Natalie L. Burke, Emily W. Harville, Jeffrey K. Wickliffe, Arti Shankar, Maureen Y. Lichtveld and Michael L. McCaskill

A large proportion of poor birth outcomes among Aboriginal Western Australians are attributable to smoking, alcohol and substance misuse, and assault

Aboriginal infants have poorer birth outcomes than non-Aboriginal infants. Harmful use of tobacco, alcohol, and other substances is higher among Aboriginal women, as is violence, due to factors such as interge...

Authors: Alison J. Gibberd, Judy M. Simpson, Jocelyn Jones, Robyn Williams, Fiona Stanley and Sandra J. Eades

Simulation TRaining for Operative vaginal Birth Evaluation: study protocol for an observational stepped-wedge interrupted time-series study (STROBE)

Operative vaginal birth is a common procedure used to expedite birth after full cervical dilatation where there is a clinical need to do so (15% of births in the UK in 2016). The acquisition of skills for oper...

Authors: Stephen O’Brien, Erik Lenguerrand, Sharon Jordan, Katie Cornthwaite, Christy Burden, Laura Timlin and Dimitrios Siassakos

Predictors of neonatal mortality in Assosa zone, Western Ethiopia: a matched case control study

Benshangul Gumuze region is one of the regional states in Ethiopia, with highest rate of neonatal mortality rate. The trend increased at alarming rate from 42/1000 live birth in 2005 to 62/ 1000 live birth in ...

Authors: Fillmon Kidus, Kifle Woldemichael and Desta Hiko

The effects of magnesium-zinc-calcium-vitamin D co-supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes

Diabetes is the most common medical condition in pregnant women and its complications affect both mother and fetus. The beneficial effects of vitamin D on gestational diabetes have been shown, though data on t...

Authors: Mehri Jamilian, Naghmeh Mirhosseini, Masoumeh Eslahi, Fereshteh Bahmani, Maryam Shokrpour, Maryam Chamani and Zatollah Asemi

Management of bleeding from morbidly adherent placenta during elective repeat caesarean section: retrospective -record -based study

Controlling massive haemorrhage from morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) at caesarean section is a major surgical challenge to obstetricians. This study compares different intra-operative interventions to control...

Authors: Saad El Gelany, Emad M. Ibrahim, Mo’men Mohammed, Ahmed R. Abdelraheim, Eissa M. Khalifa, Ahmed K. Abdelhakium, Ayman M. Yousef, Heba Hassan, Khaled Goma and Mohammed Khairy

Maternal body mass index and risk of neonatal adverse outcomes in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Maternal body mass index is linked to short- and long-term unfavorable health outcomes both for child and mother. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies to evalua...

Authors: Lei Liu, Yanan Ma, Ningning Wang, Wenjing Lin, Yang Liu and Deliang Wen

Influence of different preoperative fasting times on women and neonates in cesarean section: a retrospective analysis

This study was to evaluate the impact of different preoperative fasting conditions on women and neonates through a retrospective analysis.

Authors: Yi Li, Danchen Su, Yijuan Sun, Zurong Hu, Zaomei Wei and Jie Jia

Evaluation of the Maternal Death Surveillance and response system in Hwange District, Zimbabwe, 2017

Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) system was established to provide information that effectively guides actions to eliminate preventable maternal mortality. In 2016, Hwange district sent six mate...

Authors: Mpumelelo Maphosa, Tsitsi P. Juru, Nyasha Masuka, More Mungati, Notion Gombe, Peter Nsubuga and Mufuta Tshimanga

Maternal reasons for requesting planned cesarean section in Norway: a qualitative study

Pregnant women who request a cesarean section in the absence of obstetric indication have become a highly debated issue in academic as well as popular literature. In order to find adequate, targeted treatment ...

Authors: Kristiane Tislevoll Eide, Nils-Halvdan Morken and Kristine Bærøe

Effect of team training and monitoring on the rate of failed mid and low cavity vacuum extraction: a hospital based intervention study

Clinical team training has been advocated as a means to improve delivery care, and failed extractions is a suggested variable for clinical audit in instrumental vaginal delivery.

Authors: Kristina Pettersson, Magnus Westgren, Rebecca Götze-Eriksson and Gunilla Ajne

Childbearing desires and behaviour: a prospective assessment in Nairobi slums

Advancing an understanding of childbearing desires is an important precursor to achievement of the policy goal of reducing unintended pregnancies. It has been long debated that concepts of fertility desires an...

Authors: Kazuyo Machiyama, Joyce N. Mumah, Michael Mutua and John Cleland

Successful laparoscopic management of diaphragmatic pregnancy:a rare case report and brief review of literature

Abdominal ectopic pregnancies are rare category of ectopic pregnancies.We describe a ectopic pregnancy implanted on the surface of diaphragm and highlight the difficult clinical course of an abdominal ectopic ...

Authors: Lifeng Chen, Jinwei Liu, Jing Shu, Wenjie Zeng and Xiaofeng Zhao

Maternal and neonatal outcome of reverse breech extraction of an impacted fetal head during caesarean section in advanced stage of labour: a retrospective cohort study

Caesarean section with extraction of a deeply impacted fetal head is technically challenging and is associated with serious maternal and neonatal complications. The purpose of the study was to identify risks a...

Authors: Franziska Lenz, Nina Kimmich, Roland Zimmermann and Martina Kreft

Reasons given by pregnant women for participating in a clinical trial aimed at preventing premature delivery: a qualitative analysis

In clinical trials, pregnant women are potentially vulnerable, and the fetus is exposed to the intervention. This study aimed to identify the reasons that led pregnant women at a high risk of premature deliver...

Authors: Thaís M. Monteiro, Leila Katz, Silvana F. Bento, Melania M. Amorim, Patrícia C. Moriel and Rodolfo C. Pacagnella

Establishing a valid construct of fear of childbirth: findings from in-depth interviews with women and midwives

Fear of childbirth (FOC) can have a negative impact on a woman’s psychological wellbeing during pregnancy and her experience of birth. It has also been associated with adverse obstetric outcomes and postpartum...

Authors: P. Slade, K. Balling, K. Sheen and G. Houghton

Determinants of puerperal sepsis among post partum women at public hospitals in west SHOA zone Oromia regional STATE, Ethiopia (institution BASEDCASE control study)

Puerperal sepsis is an infection of the genital tract, which occurs from rupture of amniotic sacs and within 42^ndday after delivery. It happens mainly after discharge in the 1st 24 h of parturition. It is the thi...

Authors: Getu Alemu Demisse, Samuel Dessau Sifer, Buseraseman Kedir, Daniel Belema Fekene and Gizachew Abdissa Bulto

Obstetrical and epidemiological factors influence the severity of anal incontinence after obstetric anal sphincter injury

Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is one of the most severe obstetrical complications. Although risk factors for OASI have been identified, little is known about various parameters that can influence symp...

Authors: France Joris, Irene Hoesli, Andre Kind, Jean Jacques Ries and Tilemachos Kavvadias

Women who have not utilized health Service for Delivery in Nigeria: who are they and where do they live?

Health facility delivery has been described as one of the major contributors to improved maternal and child health outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa where 66% of the global maternal mortality occurred, only 56% ...

Authors: Sulaimon T. Adedokun and Olalekan A. Uthman

Evaluation of risk factors’ importance on adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in women aged 40 years or older

Women of advanced age (40 years or older) are generally, at risk for pregnancy and delivery related problems. In addition, there is limited knowledge on being of advanced age and having been given Assisted Rep...

Authors: Gunilla Sydsjö, Malin Lindell Pettersson, Marie Bladh, Agneta Skoog Svanberg, Claudia Lampic and Elizabeth Nedstrand

Surgical treatment of postpartum haemorrhage: national survey of French residents of obstetrics and gynecology

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Many medical treatments and interventions are available nowadays, but surgical...

Authors: Pierre-Emmanuel Bouet, Hugo Madar, Alizée Froeliger, Hady El Hachem, Elsa Schinkel, Aurélien Mattuizi and Loïc Sentilhes

Baby survival in Zambia: stillbirth and neonatal death in a local hospital setting

Globally, 2.6 million stillbirths occur every year. Of these, 98% occur in developing countries. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, the neonatal mortality rate in Zambia in 2014 was 2.4%. In 2016...

Authors: Yasuhiro Miyoshi, Keiichi Matsubara, Norimi Takata and Yasunori Oka

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in pregnancy: a case report and literature review

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is rare in pregnancy and is characterized by left ventricular dysfunction with apical ballooning. This transient cardiac dysfunction may affect women of childbearing age in the antepar...

Authors: Felix Mwembi Oindi, Evan Sequeira, Herman Ryan Sequeira and Steve Kyende Mutiso

Factors associated with perinatal mortality in Nepal: evidence from Nepal demographic and health survey 2001–2016

Perinatal mortality is a devastating pregnancy outcome affecting millions of families in many low and middle-income countries including Nepal. This paper examined the more distant factors associated with perin...

Authors: Pramesh Raj Ghimire, Kingsley E. Agho, Andre M. N. Renzaho, Monjura K. Nisha, Michael Dibley and Camille Raynes-Greenow

Predisposing factors and neonatal outcomes for twin-twin transfusion syndrome cases developing transient donor hydrops after fetoscopic laser coagulation: a case control study

Transient donor hydrops (TDH) is defined as donor hydrops developed within days after laser therapy for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) followed by resolution later. The purpose of this study was to eval...

Authors: Yao-Lung Chang, An-Shine Chao, Shuenn-Dyh Chang, Wen-Fang Li and Po-Jen Cheng

Adverse pregnancy outcomes, ‘stillbirths and early neonatal deaths’ in Mutare district, Zimbabwe (2014): a descriptive study

Perinatal deaths account for 7% of the global burden of disease, with developing countries contributing about 98% of deaths. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and factors contributing to adv...

Authors: Blessmore Vimbai Chaibva, Steve Olorunju, Simon Nyadundu and Andy Beke

Single- versus double-layer closure of the caesarean (uterine) scar in the prevention of gynaecological symptoms in relation to niche development – the 2Close study: a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Double-layer compared to single-layer closure of the uterus after a caesarean section (CS) leads to a thicker myometrial layer at the site of the CS scar, also called residual myometrium thickness (RMT). It po...

Authors: S. I. Stegwee, I. P. M. Jordans, L. F. van der Voet, M. Y. Bongers, C. J. M. de Groot, C. B. Lambalk, R. A. de Leeuw, W. J. K. Hehenkamp, P. M. van de Ven, J. E. Bosmans, E. Pajkrt, E. A. Bakkum, C. M. Radder, M. Hemelaar, W. M. van Baal, H. Visser…

Mode of birth after caesarean section: individual prediction scores using Scottish population data

Rising caesarean section (CS) rates are a global health concern. Contemporary data indicates that almost 50% of CS are electively performed, with a high proportion of these being a repeat procedure. Vaginal bi...

Authors: Sara Helen Denham, Tracy Humphrey, Claire deLabrusse and Nadine Dougall

Predictors of Neonatal mortality in Neonatal intensive care unit at referral Hospital in Southern Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study

The first one month of life; the neonatal period is the most risky time for child survival. In Ethiopia, neonatal mortality is unacceptably high, and the trend in reduction is slower as compared to infant and ...

Authors: Tujare Tunta Orsido, Netsanet Abera Asseffa and Tezera Moshago Berheto

Option B plus antiretroviral therapy adherence and associated factors among HIV positive pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia

Adherence to Option B plus Antiretroviral Therapy plays a vital role in preventing mother to child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and development of drug resistance. This study was aimed to asses...

Authors: Dawit Jember Tesfaye, Desalegn Tsegaw Hibistu, Teshome Abuka Abebo, Feleke Tafesse Asfaw, Kaleegziabher Lukas, Tariku Laelago, Ermias Abera Turuse, Henok Gebreyohaness Kebede, Abraham Abate Altaye and Fanuel Belayneh Bekele

Intramuscular 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate to prevent preterm birth among HIV-infected women in Zambia: study protocol of the IPOP randomized trial

Each year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm, a global burden borne disproportionately by families in lower-income countries. Maternal HIV infection increases a woman’s risk of delivering prematu...

Authors: Joan T. Price, Bellington Vwalika, Bethany L. Freeman, Stephen R. Cole, Helen B. Mulenga, Jennifer Winston, Felistas M. Mbewe, Elwyn Chomba, Lynne M. Mofenson, Dwight J. Rouse, Robert L. Goldenberg and Jeffrey S. A. Stringer

Caffeine exposure during pregnancy, small for gestational age birth and neonatal outcome – results from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

Maternal caffeine intake has repeatedly been linked to babies being born small for gestational age (SGA). SGA babies are known to be at increased risk for adverse neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study was t...

Authors: Dominika Modzelewska, Rino Bellocco, Anders Elfvin, Anne Lise Brantsæter, Helle Margrete Meltzer, Bo Jacobsson and Verena Sengpiel

Applicability of the WHO maternal near miss tool in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Applicability of the World Health Organization (WHO) maternal near miss criteria in low-income settings is not systematically addressed in the literature. The objective of this review was to determine the appl...

Authors: Abera Kenay Tura, To Lam Trang, Thomas van den Akker, Jos van Roosmalen, Sicco Scherjon, Joost Zwart and Jelle Stekelenburg

Cord pilot trial, comparing alternative policies for timing of cord clamping before 32 weeks gestation: follow-up for women up to one year

The Cord Pilot Trial compared two alternative policies for cord clamping at very preterm birth at eight UK maternity units: clamping after at least 2 min and immediate neonatal care (if needed) with cord intac...

Authors: Lucy Bradshaw, Alexandra Sawyer, Lindsay Armstrong-Buisseret, Eleanor Mitchell, Susan Ayers and Lelia Duley

Complications and adverse outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth among women who conceived by assisted reproductive technologies: a nationwide birth cohort study of Japan environment and children’s study

Although pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART) have a higher risk of maternal/perinatal complications, the overall risk of adverse outcomes necessitating advanced obstetric care has n...

Authors: Chie Nagata, Limin Yang, Kiwako Yamamoto-Hanada, Hidetoshi Mezawa, Tadayuki Ayabe, Kazue Ishizuka, Mizuho Konishi, Yukihiro Ohya, Hirohisa Saito and Haruhiko Sago

The effect of an exercise program in pregnancy on vitamin D status among healthy, pregnant Norwegian women: a randomized controlled trial

Vitamin D insufficiency is common in pregnant women worldwide. Regular prenatal exercise is considered beneficial for maternal and fetal health. There is a knowledge gap regarding the impact of prenatal exerci...

Authors: Miriam K. Gustafsson, Pål R. Romundstad, Signe Nilssen Stafne, Anne-Sofie Helvik, Astrid Kamilla Stunes, Siv Mørkved, Kjell Åsmund Salvesen, Per Medbøe Thorsby, Mats Peder Mosti and Unni Syversen

The role of maternal homocysteine concentration in placenta-mediated complications: findings from the Ottawa and Kingston birth cohort

Homocysteine is an intermediate metabolite implicated in the risk of placenta-mediated complications, including preeclampsia, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and pregnancy loss. Large cohort and...

Authors: Shazia H. Chaudhry, Monica Taljaard, Amanda J. MacFarlane, Laura M. Gaudet, Graeme N. Smith, Marc Rodger, Ruth Rennicks White, Mark C. Walker and Shi Wu Wen

The importance of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway at the maternal-fetal interface

Our goal with this study was to investigate the contribution of PD-1/PD-L1 immune-checkpoint pathway to maternal immunotolerance mechanisms.

Authors: Matyas Meggyes, Eva Miko, Brigitta Szigeti, Nelli Farkas and Laszlo Szereday

Adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the breastfeeding self-efficacy scale to assess exclusive breastfeeding

Increasing the prevalence of optimal breastfeeding practices, including exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, could prevent an estimated 823,000 child deaths annually. Self-efficacy is an important determinant...

Authors: Godfred O. Boateng, Stephanie L. Martin, Emily L. Tuthill, Shalean M. Collins, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Barnabas K. Natamba and Sera L. Young