Clinical Findings and Disease Severity in Hospitalized Pregnant Women With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
by Savasi et alThe objective of this study was to investigate the clinical evolution of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized pregnant women and potential factors associated with severe maternal outcomes. In the study cohort, one in five women hospitalized with COVID-19 infection delivered urgently for respiratory compromise or were admitted to the ICU. None, however, died. Increased pregestational BMI and abnormal heart and respiratory rates on admission were associated with severe disease.
In this trial, the authors investigated whether a primarily telehealth lifestyle intervention reduced excess gestational weight gain (GWG) among women with overweight or obesity. Evidence-based programme showed that health-care delivery systems could further adapt to meet the needs of their clinical settings to prevent excess GWG and improve healthy behaviours and markers of insulin resistance among women with overweight or obesity by using telehealth lifestyle interventions.
Perinatal Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms of Pregnant Women Along With COVID-19 Outbreak in China
by Wu et alThe aim of the present study is to examine the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and the corresponding risk factors among pregnant women across China. Findings suggest that major life-threatening public health events such as the COVID-19 outbreak may increase the risk for mental illness among pregnant women including thoughts of self-harm. Strategies targeting maternal stress and isolation such as effective risk communication and the provision of psychological first aid may be particularly useful to prevent negative outcomes for women and their fetuses.
COVID19 During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Reported Cases
by Anna Nunzia Della Gatta et alThe objective of thsi study was to conduct a systematic review of the outcomes reported for pregnant patients with COVID 19. Fidnings suggest that although vertical transmission of SARS-Cov2 has been excluded thus far and the outcome for mothers and fetuses has been generally good, the high rate of preterm cesarean delivery is a reason for concern. These interventions were typically elective, and it is reasonable to question whether they were warranted or not. COVID-19 associated with respiratory insufficiency in late pregnancies certainly creates a complex clinical scenario.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes in pregnancy and the vertical transmission potential of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Findings suggest that ARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and spontaneous preterm birth. There is no evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection when the infection manifests during the third-trimester of pregnancy.
Perinatal Aspects on the covid-19 Pandemic: A Practical Resource for Perinatal-Neonatal Specialists
by Francis Mimouni et alThe objective of this study was to summarize available evidence and provide perinatologists/neonatologists with tools for managing their patients. As the pandemic continues, more data will be available that could lead to changes in current knowledge and recommendations.
The objective of this study was to assess whether vaginal secretions and breast milk of COVID-19 patients contain SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this case series of 13 pregnant women with COVID-19, we observed negative viral test results in vaginal secretion specimens, suggesting that a vaginal delivery may be a safe delivery option. However, additional research is urgently needed to examine breast milk and the potential risk for viral contamination.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in Children and Adolescents A Systematic Review
by Riccardo Castagnoli et alThe objective of this study was to evaluate currently reported pediatric cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 815 articles were identified. Eighteen studies with 1065 participants (444 patients were younger than 10 years, and 553 were aged 10 to 19 years) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the final analysis. All articles reflected research performed in China, except for 1 clinical case in Singapore. Children at any age were mostly reported to have mild respiratory symptoms, namely fever, dry cough, and fatigue, or were asymptomatic. Bronchial thickening and ground-glass opacities were the main radiologic features, and these findings were also reported in asymptomatic patients. Among the included articles, there was only 1 case of severe COVID-19 infection, which occurred in a 13-month-old infant. No deaths were reported in children aged 0 to 9 years. Available data about therapies were limited.
Facing a Pandemic While Pregnant
by Coral Olazagasti et alFacing a Pandemic While Pregnant
Factors Associated With Child Stunting, Wasting, and Underweight in 35 Low- and Middle-Income Countries
by Li et alIn this cross-sectional study of 299 353 children aged 12 to 59 months in 35 low- and middle-income countries, household socioeconomic status and parental nutritional status were the leading factors associated with child undernutrition in pooled analyses and in most country-specific analyses. Environmental conditions, health behaviors, disease prevalence, and maternal reproductive care were less frequently associated with child undernutrition, with substantial heterogeneity among countries.
A sexual and reproductive health and justice policy agenda must be at the heart of the COVID-19 response. The response must ensure that universal health coverage includes pregnant women, adolescents, and marginalised groups and must designate sexual and reproductive health, family planning, and community health centres as essential health providers, reallocating resources accordingly.
Community-based Savings Groups, Women's Agency, and Maternal Health Service Utilisation: Evidence From Mozambique
by Tura et alThis study, using data collected as part of an ongoing programme evaluation, investigates whether participation in Saving Groups (SGs)-a community-owned microfinance intervention focused on poor households - is associated with maternal health service utilisation, and whether this association is mediated by women's agency - as measured by self-efficacy and decision-making autonomy. This study suggests that the impact of SG membership on use of maternal health services goes beyond improvements in household income and may operate through women's agency by giving women the ability to realize their preference for quality health care.
Clinical Features and Outcomes of Pregnant Women Suspected of Coronavirus Disease 2019
by Yang et al 2020This study aims to observe the clinical features and outcomes of pregnant women who have been confirmed with COVID-19. Findings suggest that the clinical symptoms and laboratory indicators are not obvious for asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 pregnant women. Pulmonary CT scan plus blood routine examination are more suitable for finding pregnancy women with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 infection, and can be used screening COVID-19 pregnant women in the outbreak area of COVID-19 infection.
Access and Use of Oxytocin for Postpartum Haemorrhage Prevention: A Pre-Post Study Targeting the Poorest in Six Mesoamerican Countries
by Kamath et alThe study objective was to assess the availability and administration of oxytocin, before and after applying Salud Mesoamérica Initiative interventions in the poorest health facilities across Central America. After interventions to increase health facility supplies, the study showed a significant improvement in availability but not administration of oxytocin in poor communities within Mesoamerica. Efforts are needed to improve the use of oxytocin.
This study explores the challenges and potential solutions for effective implementation of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) programs for FDMNs residing in camps of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Findings suggest that providing healthcare in an emergency setting has several associated challenges. Considering the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) as the base for identifying different challenges and their potential solutions at a different level of the program can prove to be an excellent asset for the program implementers in designing their plans. Two additional domains, context, and security should be included in the CFIR framework for any humanitarian settings.
This study aimed to clarify the clinical features and obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnant patients with COVID-19. In this retrospective, single-centre study, the authors included all pregnant women with COVID-19 who were admitted to Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, China. Clinical features, treatments, and maternal and fetal outcomes were assessed. Findings suggest that the maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes of patients who were infected in late pregnancy appeared very good, and these outcomes were achieved with intensive, active management that might be the best practice in the absence of more robust data. The clinical characteristics of these patients with COVID-19 during pregnancy were similar to those of non-pregnant adults with COVID-19 that have been reported in the literature.
Coalition launched to accelerate research on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries
by The Editorial TeamTrends in Parity and Breast Cancer Incidence in US Women Younger Than 40 Years From 1935 to 2015
by Lima et alThe objective of the study was to examine whether secular trends in parity explain the increase in breast cancer incidence among US women aged 25 to 39 years from 1935 to 2015. The study concluded that breast cancer incidence for women aged 25 to 39 years has been significantly increasing since the 1930s and cannot be attributed to changes in parity over time.
Effectiveness of Universal School-Based Screening vs Targeted Screening for Major Depressive Disorder Among Adolescents
by Sekhar et alThe study aims to compare the effectiveness of universal school-based screening for adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD0 vs the existing process of targeted screening based on observable behavior. Screening in High Schools to Identify, Evaluate, and Lower Depression (SHIELD) is a randomized clinical trial that will take place in at least 8 Pennsylvania public high schools among at least 9650 students enrolled in 9th through 12th grade. Students will be randomized by grade to either targeted screening (current process) or universal screening (intervention).
The authors aimed to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of intravenous iron sucrose (intervention) versus standard oral iron (control) therapy in the treatment of women with moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. The study was stopped due to futility. There is insufficient evidence to show the effectiveness of intravenous iron sucrose in reducing clinical outcomes compared with standard oral iron therapy in pregnant women with moderate-to-severe anaemia.