Sleep Quality in Pregnancy and Its Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes
Obstructive Sleep ApneaPregnancy Induced Hypertension4 moreHypothesis:Sleep Disorders are very common during pregnancy but the their exact role in causation of pregnancy related disorders is yet to be determined. OSA can complicate pregnancy given the risk factors of weight gain, upper displacement of the diaphragm, and hormonal-induced hyperaemia of the nasopharyngeal passages. SDB confers the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and is associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. The study would involve pregnant females which would be prospectively followed in pregnancy and post partum to know the prevalence of sleep disorders in pregnancy. Diagnosis of sleep disorders would be confirmed by overnight polysomnography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Pregnancy outcomes, both maternal and fetal would be recorded and its relation with sleep disorders in pregnancy would be analysed.
In Utero Magnesium Sulfate Exposure: Effects on Extremely-Low-Birth-Weight Infants
InfantNewborn10 moreThis study examined the effect of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) exposure on adverse outcome in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. For infants included in the NICHD Neonatal Research Network Generic Database whose mothers were given prenatal MgSO4, data were prospectively collected on maternal/infant conditions and magnesium exposure (including indications, timing and duration of exposure).
Assessing the Impact of Smoke-free Legislation on Perinatal Health in the Netherlands
Premature BirthPerinatal Mortality9 moreThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether there has been a change in perinatal outcomes following the phased smoking ban introduction (January 2004 for workplaces; July 2008 for bars and restaurants) workplaces in the Netherlands.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Foot Length in Predicting Preterm and Low Birth Weight Using Ultrasound Dating...
Preterm BirthLow Birth WeightBackground: The burden of preterm and low birth weight babies (LBW) is high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, assessment of gestational age (GA) and birth weight is important. The GA is assessed using a reliable last menstrual period (LMP), measuring fundal height, using ultrasound for dating, or postnatally using Ballard, Dubowitz, or Eregie scores. However, each method has some limitations. Pregnant women in LMIC are not able to recall LMP and are also unreliable when menstrual cycles are irregular, fundal height is often imprecise and subject to variation due to observer bias, uterine pathologies, abdominal obesity, amniotic fluid volume, fetal position, and ultrasound in a rural setting is often unreliable because lack of trained sonologist, power failures, and maintenance of ultrasound machine. Post-natal GA scoring is also lengthy, subjective, and time-consuming. Similarly, determining birth weight has many challenges. In Thatta, weighing scales are only available in health facilities, therefore, birth weight is available for babies born in the health facilities. Furthermore, even where weighing scales are available, the calibration and maintenance are not without challenges, especially in the extremely hot climate. In the majority of studies, foot length has been validated for determining GA and birth weight, with LMP serving as the gold standard, which has limitations in our population. In a meta-analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of foot length to identify preterm and LBW, researchers emphasized the need for studies using high-quality ultrasound as a reference standard for early dating. Hence, there is a need to develop a simple and effective method of GA and birth weight that healthcare providers of all levels including mid-level healthcare workers in remote areas can use with reasonable accuracy. Objectives of the study The primary objectives of the study are to determine the diagnostic accuracy of foot length in predicting GA and low birth weight using ultrasound conducted between 6-20 weeks for the predicted estimated date of delivery (EDD) as the gold standard. Secondary objectives of the study are, 1) to develop the regression equations that predict gestational age and low birth weight using foot length, 2) to assess the use of foot length measurement as a screening tool to identify LBW or preterm infants in a community-based setting, and 3) to develop percentile charts of foot length for gestational age and low birth weight Methods: This test validation study will be conducted in Global Network's Maternal and Newborn Health Registry catchment area. All live birth singleton babies who have a first-trimester ultrasound for gestational age and birth weight within 48 hours of birth will be included in this study. Stillbirths, multiple pregnancies, gross congenital malformations such as neural tube defects, omphalocele, etc., club foot, and babies with chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome that make measuring foot length difficult, will be excluded from the study. Gestational age will be assessed using ultrasound between 6-20 weeks of gestation by a trained sonographer working in the registry. Neonatal assessment having neuromuscular, and physical signs will be conducted by the research assistants (RA). RA will be taking anthropometric measurements such as birth weight using calibrated weighing scales, foot length, mid-upper arm circumference, and fronto-occipital circumference. The data will be entered in Epicollect data five. Sensitivity, specificity, positive & negative predictive value, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic accuracy will be done using different cut-offs of foot length against ultrasound estimated gestational age and birth weight. Receivers operating characteristics (ROC) curves will be generated to identify the optimal cut-off point for foot length taken within 24 hours of birth for identification of prematurity and LBW (based on first-trimester ultrasound) with ≥80% sensitivity. Linear regression will be done for estimating predictive values of foot length by GA. Pentile charts for foot length (FL) against GA will be derived. Bland Altman's analyses will identify and quantify any biases inherent to the tool. Public health implications: If these equations predict gestational age and birth weight with accuracy, an android-based application can be developed for health care providers (HCP) who simply measure foot length and enter it into the application to identify preterm &/or low birth weight along with referred guidelines for early treatment. This is one step closer to Every Newborn Action Plan's goal of lowering neonatal mortality to 12/1000 LB by 2030.
Effects of Birth Weight on Anterior Eye Segment Measurements in Full-Term Children by Galilei Dual-Scheimpflug...
Birth WeightThis study evaluates the effects of birth weight (BW) on ocular anterior segment parameters in preschool children using the Galilei Dual-Sheimpflug Analyzer (GD-SA). Children were measured by GD-SA and relationships between all anterior segment parameters obtained by this device and birth weight were analyzed.
Additional Protein Fortification in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Premature BirthInfant2 morePostnatal growth is a crucial in premature infants as it could be correlated with the long-term cognitive development. Optimal nutritional care is required to reduce the initial weight loss and further growth deficit. The quantitative objective is to achieve growth that is at least equivalent to that of the fetus (on average 15 g/kg.day (12-18 g/kg.day according to gestational age). Children often grow during difficult 10-15 first days of life, so they accumulate a delay that should compensate them secondarily. Therefore, optimum postnatal growth is rather 20 g/kg.day than 15 g/kg.day. Individualized fortification of human milk (HM) has been proposed to optimize postnatal growth. Specifically, the lack of protein intake is responsible for sub-optimal postnatal growth in preterm infants. The objectives of this study are to determine the effectiveness of additional protein fortification (APF) in terms of short-term growth along with the proportion of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants requiring APF.
KMC Implementation Research for Accelerating Scale-up in Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Low Birth-weightThe main objective is to implement Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) at selected facilities in Addis Ababa and Oromia Regions to achieve high effective coverage in the catchment population.
Optimizing Gestational Weight Gain, Birth Weight and Other Perinatal Outcomes Among Pregnant Women...
HypertensionPregnancy-Induced4 moreBackground: Burden: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, complicate up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide, constituting one of the greatest causes of fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, low birth weight, perinatal mortality, and maternal morbidity and mortality. In Bangladesh, 24% of all maternal deaths are directly attributed to hypertensive causes. Conventional antenatal care practice often delays in or misses diagnosing hypertension in pregnancy, which makes the women vulnerable to its adverse consequences. Knowledge gap: Although there are randomised controlled trials (RCT) of efforts directed at preventing development of hypertension in pregnancy or reducing its complications, there have been no published RCTs of the intervention focusing on regular monitoring of weight gain and blood pressure among pregnant women who are at risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy or its complications to ensure early diagnosis, and thereby optimizing the perinatal outcomes through prompt referral and management. Relevance: To undertake an RCT of intervention to optimize adverse consequences in hypertension in pregnancy raises important practical concerns including: commitment of the enrolled women, the need to make a decision regarding participation due to longer duration of intervention and adherence to protocol. Investigators aim to perform this study to address whether an RCT of the intervention in individual patients is an appropriate trial design, and is feasible. Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of Salu Health Gauge device in measuring blood pressure. To test the design, feasibility, acceptability and fidelity of a future definitive randomized controlled trial focusing on regular monitoring of weight gain and continuous self-monitoring of blood pressure among pregnant women who are at risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy. Methods: The study will be completed in two steps: 1) the validation of Salu Health Gauge and 2) the pilot trial. The study will be conducted in Matlab, Bangladesh. Salu Health Gauge device will be validated according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010 (ESH-IP revision 2010) in general adult population (including men and non-pregnant women) as well as in specific groups such as adolescents and pregnant women. The pilot trial is designed as a prospective, two-arm, parallel, and open-label randomized controlled external pilot trial. Eligible participants (pregnant women at risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy) will be individually randomized 1:1 to the intervention arm who will use a wearable device (Salu Health Gauge) from 20 weeks of gestation up to termination of pregnancy alongside conventional antenatal and postnatal care or the control arm who will receive conventional antenatal and postnatal care only. In Matlab, a woman is diagnosed as pregnant by HDSS field staff by 12-16 weeks of gestation and is enlisted. The investigators will obtain this list from HDSS and conduct baseline interviews to identify pregnant women at risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy. Outcome measures/variables: Feasibility outcomes: Recruitment rate, Retention rate, compliance, Acceptability etc. Clinical outcomes: gestational weight gain, birth weight, adverse consequence of hypertension in pregnancy (episodes or occurrence and when), blood pressure profile of high-risk pregnancies, prevalence of specific risk factors for hypertension in pregnancy Serious adverse events
OptiMoM Kindergarten Study
InfantVery Low Birth WeightIn Canada, the leading cause of long-term disability in children is being born at very low birth weight (VLBW). To help improve outcomes, nutrition is a modifiable aspect of infant care. Mother's milk is the optimal way to feed VLBW infants; however, many need a supplement of donor milk or preterm formula as not enough mother's milk is available. As the ideal supplement for prolonged feeding and its long-term effects is currently unknown, this study is a prospective follow up of VLBW infants who in hospital were fed: donor milk or preterm formula and/or mother's milk. Areas of development to be assessed include: cognition, language, motor skills, brain structure/function, and body composition. A DNA biorepository will also be created.
Effective Approaches & Strategies to Ease Off Nasal CPAP In Preterm Infants
Neonatal Respiratory Distress SyndromeExtremely Low Birth Weight Infant (ELBW)1 moreThough Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (NCPAP) is a commonly used form of non-invasive neonatal respiratory support, the optimal method of weaning off NCPAP is not well established. In this prospective, two-center randomized control trial we hypothesize that gradually increasing time off NCPAP (sprinting) increases the success of weaning NCPAP off in infants born between 23 0/7-30 6/7 weeks of gestational age.