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Semin Neurol 2018 Dec 6;38(6):627-633. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neurology, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.

Headache is a neurologic disorder that displays gender dichotomy. It is well established that there is a strong link between migraine headache and sex hormones, specifically estrogen, which influences the severity of migraines during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Furthermore, the epidemiology of headaches during pregnancy and the postpartum period is very distinct from that in males or nonpregnant females, in part due to the hemodynamic and hematologic changes that occur during pregnancy. Read More

J Dairy Res 2018 Dec 6:1-6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos,Universidade de São Paulo,Sao Paulo,Brazil.

The bovine whey consists of more than 200 different types of proteins, of which β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, serum albumin, immunoglobulins and lactoferrin predominate. However, their concentrations are not stable due to the existence of protein dynamics during a transition from colostrum secretion to mature milk. To evaluate the dynamics of whey proteins of Jersey cows during a colostral phase and first month of lactation and an influence of the number of lactations, 268 milk samples from 135 Jersey cows were selected through a clinical evaluation. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2019 Mar 10;13:28-31. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Howard University, 2041 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington DC, USA.

Purpose: We report 2 cases of young diabetic mothers with pre-eclampsia and no previously documented visual deficits prior to pregnancy who were found to have profound retinal circulation loss during the postpartum period.

Observations: Fluorescein angiogram in both cases documented profound ischemia of retinal and macular circulation with resulting severe vision loss, leading to legal blindness.

Conclusions And Importance: While Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia are well known clinical entities with potentially grave effects on both the mother and child, there is little information about the possible combined effects of diabetes and Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia on the retinal circulation. Read More

Heliyon 2018 Nov 27;4(11):e00965. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Office of Information Technology, University of Texas at Arlington, P.O.B 19407, Arlington, Texas, 76019, USA.

Background: Adolescent childbirth continues as a public health concern, and investigation of postpartum posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and depression is important to inform future research and practice. Longitudinal studies exploring PTSS alone or in combination with depression are non-existent for postpartum adolescent populations. This study aimed to identify stress/PTSS and depression symptoms at 72 hours and three, six, and nine months postpartum, and determine if symptoms at each time point predicted later symptoms. Read More

Open Access J Contracept 2018 9;9:63-74. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Purpose: To address the high unmet need for postpartum family planning (PPFP) in resource-limited settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, this study aimed to identify PPFP-related barriers and catalysts to inform policies and programs to increase access to postpartum contraception.

Methods: Using qualitative methodology, we explored the perspectives of women, adolescent girls, men, religious and community leaders, service providers, and decision makers from three rural communities in Burkina Faso and three rural-urban communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both countries have high unmet need for PPFP and are priority countries of the French Muskoka Fund for Maternal and Child Health. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Dec 5;8(1):17659. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.

Early detection of perinatal depression is an urgent issue. Our study aimed to examine the construct validity and factor structure of the Japanese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) from a prospective cohort study from pregnancy to postpartum. A total of 1075 women completed all items of the EPDS at four time points: early pregnancy, late pregnancy, 5 days postpartum and 1 month postpartum. Read More

Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi 2018 ;65(11):646-654

Faculty of Psychology, Kansai University of Welfare Sciences.

Objectives　This study aimed to separately ascertain and examine the association between sleep and mental health among primiparas and multiparas at one month postpartum.Methods　The subjects were 234 primiparas and 223 multiparas (a total of 457) at one month postpartum who agreed to participate in the questionnaire survey during a health check-up at a maternity hospital. According to the delivery records, they had no history of mental diseases. Read More

BMC Womens Health 2018 Dec 5;18(1):198. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.

Background: Despite efforts at curbing maternal morbidity and mortality, developing countries are still burdened with high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. Ethiopia is not an exception and has one of the world's highest rates of maternal deaths. Reducing the huge burden of maternal mortality remains the single most serious challenge in Ethiopia. Read More

Breastfeed Med 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine , Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Objective: This study compares breastfeeding outcomes after immediate postpartum initiation of single-rod etonogestrel (ENG) versus two-rod levonorgestrel (LNG) contraceptive implants. Outcomes assessed include the following: (1) breastfeeding continuation through 24 months after delivery and (2) exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months after delivery, at Kasungu District Hospital, Malawi.

Methods: We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to compare breastfeeding continuation through 24 months and exclusive breastfeeding through 6 months after delivery for ENG versus LNG implant users. Read More

Ginekol Pol 2018 ;89(11):627-636

Department of Nursing, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Department of Nursing, Haining Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Haining, China.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pain relief during labor on the occurrence of potential postpartum depression in early postpartum among Chinese women.

Material And Methods: A quasi-experimental study used, with a convenience sample of 565 women who delivered at the Women's Hospital, School of Medicine. Three types of pain relief were administered based on the women's preference (doula, n = 301; transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, n = 51; epidural analgesia, n = 213). Read More

Mult Scler 2018 Dec 3:1352458518816614. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Clinical Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.

Background:: Multiple sclerosis (MS) predominantly affects women of child-bearing potential. Pregnancy in MS is still a controversial issue lacking standardized treatment recommendations.

Objective:: To examine the reciprocal effects of pregnancy, MS, and disease-modifying treatment (DMT). Read More

Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Professor, Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin.

Context: Early access to contraception may increase postpartum contraceptive use. However, little is known about women's experiences receiving their desired method at the first postpartum visit or how access is associated with use.

Methods: In a 2014-2016 prospective cohort study of low-income Texas women, data were collected from 685 individuals who desired a reversible contraceptive and discussed contraception with a provider at their first postpartum visit, usually within six weeks of birth. Read More

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2018 Dec 2. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York City, NY.

Background: Data on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy for preventing vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the real-world setting are limited.

Aims: To investigate TDF for preventing vertical transmission of HBV in real-world practice.

Methods: Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers with HBV-DNA >6 log IU/mL to receive TDF between gestational weeks 24-33 and delivery were prospectively enrolled and followed until post-partum week 28. Read More

Anaesthesia 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.

Postpartum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide and prophylactic uterotonic drug administration after the delivery of the infant is advised. Carbetocin is recommended as an uterotonic, but the minimum effective dose has not been verified. We compared the efficacy of two doses of intravenous carbetocin (20 μg and 100 μg) in women undergoing elective caesarean delivery. Read More

Int J Bipolar Disord 2018 Dec 2;6(1):26. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Lithium is an effective treatment in pregnancy and postpartum for the prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder. However, lithium has also been associated with risks during pregnancy for both the mother and the unborn child. Recent large studies have confirmed the association between first trimester lithium exposure and an increased risk of congenital malformations. Read More

Pharmacoecon Open 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Health Economics Unit, Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the relative cost effectiveness for the full range of uterotonic drugs available for preventing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).

Methods: A model-based economic evaluation was constructed using effectiveness data from a network meta-analysis, and supplemented by the literature. A UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective was adopted for the analysis, which is based on UK costs from published sources. Read More

Womens Reprod Health (Phila) 2018 24;5(3):153-169. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

University of Iowa, Department of Epidemiology, Iowa City, IA 52242.

Computer-assisted telephone interviews were conducted after childbirth with 2,709 female residents of Iowa to examine experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) across pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum. IPV was most prevalent during the postpartum period, followed by pre-pregnancy, and pregnancy. Violence in one period increased the likelihood of violence in subsequent periods. Read More

Contracept Reprod Med 2018 23;3:27. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Los Angeles BioMedical Research Institute at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, 1457 3rd Street, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, CA 90266 USA.

Background: Women with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) are at risk for development of both overt Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) at higher rates and at earlier ages than control women. Current guidelines recommend longitudinal testing of glucose tolerance for women with prior GDM, but no formal assessments of cardiovascular disease are suggested. This study estimated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with GDM in recent pregnancy who were followed for at least 1 year postpartum to quantify their cardiovascular risks. Read More

J Child Fam Stud 2018 Jul 12;27(7):2295-2304. Epub 2018 Mar 12.

The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20052.

Young ethnic minority parents may lack psychological and financial resources to handle parenthood, increasing the risk of negative psychosocial and parenting outcomes. Partner support has been associated with positive coparenting, although findings have been mixed. Support from young parents' own parents ("grandparents") has been linked to adaptive family outcomes and may be particularly protective for African American and Latino parents whose cultures espouse interdependence. Read More

J Natl Med Assoc 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Section of General Internal Medicine, Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.

Maternal morbidity and mortality, important indicators of healthcare quality both nationally and internationally, have gained increasing public attention in the United States (U.S.). Read More

J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Objective: To characterize sexual function in women with and without musculoskeletal pelvic pain during the first year after childbirth.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Outpatient women's health clinic in a Midwestern U. Read More

Semin Perinatol 2018 Nov 14. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The majority of maternal deaths associated with hemorrhage could be preventable. The accurate assessment of blood loss, identification of risk factors and timely recognition of postpartum hemorrhage remain major challenges in obstetrics. Read More

Semin Perinatol 2018 Nov 14. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0587, United States.

Obstetrical hemorrhage is the most common cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Together with adequate surgical control and judicious transfusion of blood products, the use of pharmacological agents (e.g. Read More

Clin Nutr 2018 Nov 20. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, China. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: Delayed onset of lactogenesis II (OL) negatively affects breastfeeding and consequently, the health of the newborn. Few studies have examined the association between gestational weight gain (GWG) throughout pregnancy and risk of delayed OL.

Methods: We used data from a prospective cohort study in Wuhan of China, which enrolled pregnant women at 8-16 weeks of gestation and followed-up regularly. Read More

Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2018 Dec 13;206:9-15. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Applied Veterinary Morphology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address:

Selection for prolificacy in modern pig farming has resulted in increasing litter sizes. Since rearing large litters is challenging, artificial rearing of piglets with a milk replacer is an alternative strategy. It is hypothesized that the development of the piglets' mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) is affected by these artificial conditions. Read More

J Hum Lact 2018 Dec 5:890334418812044. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

2 Kaweah Delta Hospital, Visalia, CA USA.

Background:: Breastfeeding self-efficacy has been shown to be a strong predictor of breastfeeding initiation and duration; however, factors associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy in China are unclear.

Research Aims:: The aims were (a) to describe the breastfeeding self-efficacy of parturient women in Shanghai, China and (b) to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Methods:: This is a cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study. Read More

J Nutr 2018 Dec;148(12):1968-1975

Global Health Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.

Background: In the growing embryo, the vitamin A requirement is tightly regulated. Maternal vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy may alter maternal immune function to accommodate the fetus.

Objective: Our primary objective was to determine the effect of oral vitamin A supplementation (VAS) during pregnancy and until 6 mo postpartum on pandemic H1N1-vaccine responses in mothers and their infants at 6 mo of age. Read More

J Econ Entomol 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.

A 4-yr study was conducted on native rangeland to assess the growth and reproductive performance of cows (Bos taurus) infested with naturally occurring seasonal populations of horn flies (Haematobia irritans). One hundred five Angus × Hereford cow-calf pairs were evaluated as a randomized complete block that was replicated across 4 yr. Cows were approximately 39 d postpartum at the beginning of each yearly trial and were randomly allocated to either an untreated control (UTC) or an insecticide-treated (TRT) herd. Read More

PLoS One 2018 5;13(12):e0207298. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United states of America.

We aimed to test the hypothesis that determinants of the perinatal clinical exposome related to the underlying etiology of premature birth (PTB) impact differently on select neonatal outcomes. We conducted a prospective longitudinal study of 377 singleton preterm neonates [gestational age (GA) at birth: 23-34 weeks] separated into three distinct contemporaneous newborn cohorts: i) spontaneous PTB in the setting of intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (yes-IAI, n = 116); ii) spontaneous PTB in the absence of IAI (no-IAI, n = 130), and iii) iatrogenic PTB for preeclampsia (iPTB-PE, n = 131). Newborns (n = 372) were followed until death or discharge. Read More

Matern Child Nutr 2018 Dec 5:e12765. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

Based on formative research, HIV-positive women in Lilongwe District, Malawi receive little infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counseling postpartum and want more support for IYCF from their husbands. To address these gaps, we implemented a behavior change communication intervention promoting IYCF in village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) that included HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. The intervention consisted of 15 IYCF learning sessions facilitated by VSLA volunteers during regular VSLA meetings and included four sessions to which husbands were invited. Read More

Turk Kardiyol Dern Ars 2018 Dec;46(8):702-705

Department of Cardiology, Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with a high incidence of maternal and fetal complications when it develops during pregnancy or the early postpartum period. The pathophysiology involves various factors, including alterations in the vascular wall and hypercoagulability as a result of the hormonal and hemodynamic effects of pregnancy. It frequently occurs due to the development of a thrombus following a ruptured plaque. Read More

Aggress Behav 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.

A key criticism of research on intimate partner violence (IPV) is that a sole focus on physical or psychological acts of aggression fails to account for other forms of manipulative behavior that may have serious consequences for partner and family functioning. The current study examines coercive control, or behavior designed to constrain or compel an intimate partner in some way, in a longitudinal community sample of 98 heterosexual couples assessed in the third trimester of pregnancy as well as at 1 and 2 years postpartum. We found that the majority of couples reported at least some coercive controlling behavior during the transition to parenthood, that coercive control was highly bi-directional between partners, and that women were more likely than men to engage in coercive control before parenthood. Read More

Obesity (Silver Spring) 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.

Objective: This study aimed to assess associations between neighborhood typologies classified across multiple neighborhood domains and cardiometabolic pregnancy outcomes and determine variation in effectiveness of a mindfulness-based stress-reduction intervention on outcomes across neighborhood types.

Methods: Neighborhoods of participants in the Maternal Adiposity Metabolism and Stress (MAMAS) intervention (n = 208) were classified across dimensions of socioeconomic, food, safety, and service/resource environments using latent class analysis. The study estimated associations between neighborhood type and three cardiometabolic pregnancy outcomes-glucose tolerance (GT) during pregnancy, excessive gestational weight gain, and 6-month postpartum weight retention (PPWR)-using marginal regression models. Read More

J Pregnancy 2018 1;2018:3467308. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Department of Nursing, Lalitpur Nursing Campus, Sanepa, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Background And Objective: Antenatal care (ANC) is one of the main components of maternal health. Utilization of safe motherhood is deprived in women who belong to low-caste groups like Dalit of Nepal. Low socioeconomic status, poor knowledge and awareness on obstetric complications, lack of decision-making autonomy, and limited health care options lead to underutilization of existing maternal health care service. Read More

J Virus Erad 2018 Nov 15;4(Suppl 2):33-39. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

The implementation of the 2013 World Health Organization Option B+ recommendations for HIV treatment during pregnancy has helped drive significant progress in achieving universal treatment for pregnant and postpartum women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yet, critical research and implementation gaps exist in achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. To help guide researchers, programmers and policymakers in prioritising these areas, we undertook a comprehensive review of the progress, gaps and research needs to achieve the 90-90-90 targets for this population in the Option B+ era, including early infant HIV diagnosis (EID) for HIV-exposed infants. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2018 20;9:591. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.

Approximately 3% of women in community samples develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth. Higher prevalence rates are reported for high risk samples. Postpartum PTSD can adversely affect women's wellbeing, mother-infant relationships and child development. Read More

Mater Sociomed 2018 Oct;30(3):198-203

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.

Introduction: Considering physical and emotional changes affecting women's sexual function in postpartum period.

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the sexual dysfunction and postpartum-related factors in Bandar Abbas women in 2016.

Material And Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study used systematic random sampling on 432 postpartum women referred to Bandar Abbas Healthcare Centers. Read More

J Nutr Educ Behav 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

US Department of Agriculture/Economic Research Service, Washington, DC.

Objective: To examine the trends in breastfeeding disparities across Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) eligibility and participation statuses in the last 2 decades.

Design: Secondary analyses from multiple cross-sectional surveys.

Setting: United States. Read More

Reprod Health 2018 Dec 4;15(1):199. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, UNDP/UNFPA/ UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special programme of research, development and research training in human reproduction (HRP), Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: The loss of large amounts of blood postpartum can lead to severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Understanding the nature of postpartum blood loss distribution is critical for the development of efficient analysis techniques when comparing treatments to prevent this event. When blood loss is measured, resulting in a continuous volume measure, often this variable is categorized in classes, and reduced to an indicator of volume greater than a cutoff point. Read More

Nutrients 2018 Dec 3;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Chemistry and Immunochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Bujwida 44a, 50-345 Wroclaw, Poland.

Human milk (HM) is the first dietary exposure in infancy and the best nutritional option for growth and healthy development of the newborn and infant. The concentrations of macronutrients, namely proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, change during lactation stages. HM has been studied extensively in the first 6 months of lactation, but there are limited data regarding milk composition beyond 1 or 2 years postpartum. Read More

Rev Prat 2016 Feb;66(2):216-218

CHU Lille, département d'obstétrique, hôpital Jeannede- Flandre, Lille, France.

Early postpartum discharges: the care pathway. Early post-partum discharge (EPPD) is addressed for patients with low medical, psychological and social risks. A care pathway for these patients is well defined. Read More

Rev Prat 2016 Feb;66(2):211-215

Service de psychiatrie, hôpital Louis-Mourier, Colombes, France.

Postpartum depression. Postpartum depression affects over 10% of women in the year following childbirth; it has deleterious consequences for the mother - especially a significant risk of recurrence over the life - and the child development. Its detection is sometimes difficult because of polymorphic symptoms, whose severity is typically moderate but up to melancholy. Read More

Rev Prat 2016 Feb;66(2):207-210

Université Paris-Sud, UMR-S0782, Clamart, France.

Postpartum pelvic floor disorders. Postpartum pelvic floor disorders are frequent but most of the time, decrease spontaneously. Even if 40% of pregnant women suffer from urinary incontinence, 85% of them are cured 3 months after delivery. Read More

Rev Prat 2016 Sep;66(7):721-726

Service d'anesthésie, Hôpital femme-mère-enfant, CHU de Lyon, Bron, France.

International and French maternal mortality. Maternal mortality, defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy and 42 days following delivery, remains a major challenge to health systems worldwide and a known indicator of development. As did the Millennium Development Goal 5, France health ministry targeted a reduction in maternal mortality ratio. Read More

Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018 Nov 23;102:37-43. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.

Previous studies have reported weak associations between questionnaire-based stress measurements and hair steroids. A stronger relationship may exist in highly stressed subpopulations or with stress brought up by novel or unpredictable situations. In the Ulm SPATZ Health Study, conducted in Ulm, Germany, baseline recruitment 04/2012 to 05/2013, we analyzed data of families enrolled shortly after childbirth. Read More

PLoS One 2018 4;13(12):e0208563. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Purpose: Pregnancy-related critical illness leads to death for 3-14% of affected women. Although identifying patients at risk could facilitate preventive strategies, guide therapy, and help in clinical research, no prior systematic review of this literature exploring the validity of risk prediction models for maternal mortality exists. Therefore, we have systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed risk prediction models for maternal mortality. Read More

PLoS One 2018 4;13(12):e0208500. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Physiotherapy Department, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Objective: Previous studies show that multiparity and a number of chronic conditions are correlated among women. Also, low respiratory muscle strength has been associated to adverse health outcomes such as chronic lung disease and early mortality. This study aimed to investigate associations between the number of lifetime pregnancies and maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressures. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018 Dec 4:1-141. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

a Gynaecologist-Obstetrician Clinical Hospital , Poznan University of Medical Sciences , Poznań , Poland.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify a group of women needed psychological support after delivery by identifying the medical and social factors that may influence the emotional changes during the postpartum period.

Materials And Method: A group of 835 pregnant women in second, third trimester of pregnancy and during the postpartum period completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the questionnaire consisting of difficulties that might occur in the four life fields: practical, family, emotional and physical. The calculations have been carried out with the statistical package Statistica v10 and Cytel Studio v 9. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018 Dec 4:1-101. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Kaplan Medical Center , Rehovot , Israel and Affiliated with the Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Medicine , Jerusalem , Israel.

Objective: To examine the outcomes among discordant dichorionic (DC) twins, where the smaller twin is small for gestational age (SGA) or non-SGA.

Materials And Methods: We used the national perinatal registry to compare the relationship between selected maternal characteristics (age, parity, body mass index, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and gestational age at delivery) and neonatal outcomes in discordant > 25% DC twins. Chorionicity was established by standard ultrasound criteria and confirmed postpartum. Read More