The causal effect of delivery volume on severe maternal morbidity: an instrumental variable analysis in Sichuan, China

Different behavior of NK cells isolated from healthy women and women with recurrent spontaneous abortion after treatment with human amniotic epithelial cells

Maternal immunotolerance during pregnancy is heavily dependent on the critical properties of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs). Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is one of the most common diseases in women and is caused by feto-maternal immunotolerance disruption. The objective of this study is to investigate how hAEECs affect pNK cells isolated from RSA and healthy women in terms of immunomodulation. Peripheral blood NK cells were isolated from 20 women with RSA and 20 healthy women. Purified NK cells were co-cultured with hAECs, obtained from full-term healthy pregnant women at different cellular ratios. After 24 and 72 h of incubation, the expression of immunomodulatory genes in hAECs, immunophenotype, and cytotoxicity of NK cells, and cytokine production were investigated using real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and ELISA techniques, respectively. We observed a significant increase in TGF-β and IL-10 production, and CD56bright CD16+ subpopulation in pNK cells, a significant decrease in IFN-γ production and CD107a and FasL expression on NK cells. Also, NK cells' cytotoxicity against K562 cells was diminished after co-culture with hAECs. The expression of TGF-β and HLA-G genes by hAECs was diminished after co-culture with NK cells isolated from women with RSA. Our research indicates that the interaction between NK cells and hAECs influences the phenotype and function of both cells. Also, NK cells belonging to women with RSA and healthy women exhibit different behavior during treatment with hAECs, possibly due to NK cell dysfunction. However, extensive research is required to assess NK cell defects and their mutual interaction with hAECs.

Association between maternal exposure to air pollution and intrapartum fetal distress: A retrospective cohort study

This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal exposure to ambient air pollution and intrapartum fetal distress. The retrospective data were obtained for 150 parturients, ages 19-45, referred to Kamali Teaching Hospital, Karaj, Iran, in 2016. To assess the impact of the 2, 4, and 8 weeks exposure windows before the delivery of particulate matter ≤ 10 micrometers (PM10) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) on fetal distress incidence, logistic regression models were fitted, crudely and adjusted for maternal covariates. The parturients' ages owned a mean (standard deviation) of 30.4 (5.4). Moreover, 17 fetal distress cases were detected (11.3 %), demonstrating higher proportions of cousin marriage and family history of diabetes than the non-fetal distress group. Adjusted for body mass index, cousin marriage, abortion, and family history of diabetes, and over the eight weeks exposure window, a five µg/m3 increase of SO2 and PM10 provided odds ratios of 2.12 (95 % CI: 1.04-4.30) and 1.61 (95 % CI: 1.08-2.40), respectively, for fetal distress incidence. To conclude, we found the long-term impacts of SO2 and PM10 on the incidence of fetal distress based on the exposure level during the last eight weeks of pregnancy.

Identifying key indicators to develop a novel mobile application for early screening of postpartum depression in developing countries

Postpartum depression (PPD) poses significant risks to both maternal and child health, yet it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh. Factors such as hormonal changes, lack of communal support and socioeconomic stressors primarily contribute to its prevalence. Despite advancements in research, technological solutions for PPD support are lacking in regions where mental health is deemed negligible. Thus, the objectives of this research are to reveal the underlying factors contributing to PPD among mothers in developing countries and to propose a novel application based on these factors for PPD detection. A Design Science Research (DSR) approach is adopted to achieve these objectives. In this research, firstly 17 factors that could serve as effective indicators for detecting PPD were identified through interviews with 12 key informants, including doctors and patients. Next, for each identified factor, visual and scenario-based questionnaires were designed to facilitate effective screening through user feedback. Then, an Android application, 'PPD Screening App', was developed, which provides users with visual, auditory, and multilingual (in English and Bengali) scenario-based questionnaires for each identified factor, as well as the questionnaires proposed in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for PPD detection. Finally, the developed application was evaluated with 45 new mothers in the postpartum period and demonstrated high accuracy (96%) compared to the traditional screening method (84%). The effectiveness of the application was also explored in relation to participants' demographic profiles (age and IT literacy), and participants provided very positive feedback on the usability of the application. This research thus contributes in improving early detection and intervention for PPD, ultimately enhancing maternal and child well-being.

Exploring the influence of medical staffing and birth volume on observed-to-expected cesarean deliveries: a panel data analysis of integrated obstetric and gynecological departments in Germany

INTRODUCTION

Cesarean deliveries account for approximately one-third of all births in Germany, prompting ongoing discussions on cesarean section rates and their connection to medical staffing and birth volume. In Germany, the majority of departments integrate obstetric and gynecological care within a single department.

METHODS

The analysis utilized quality reports from German hospitals spanning 2015 to 2019. The outcome variable was the annual risk-adjusted cesarean section ratio-a metric comparing expected to observed cesarean sections. Explanatory variables included annual counts of physicians, midwives, and births. To account for case number-related staffing variations, full-time equivalent midwife and physician staff positions were normalized by the number of deliveries. Uni- and multivariate panel models were applied, complemented by multiple instrument variable analyses, including two-stage least square and generalized method of moments models.

RESULTS

Incorporating data from 509 integrated obstetric departments and 2089 observations, representing 2,335,839 deliveries with 720,795 cesarean sections (over 60% of all inpatient births in Germany), multivariate model with fixed effects revealed a statistically significant positive association between the number of physicians per birth and the risk-adjusted cesarean section ratio (0.004, p = 0.004). Two-stage least square instrument variable analysis (0.020, p < 0.001) and a system GMM estimator models (0.004, p < 0.001) validated these results, providing compelling evidence for a causal relationship.

CONCLUSION

The study established a robust connection between the number of physicians per birth and the risk-adjusted cesarean section ratio in integrated obstetric and gynecological departments in Germany. While the cause of the effect remains unclear, one possible explanation is a lack of specialization within these departments due to the combined provision of both obstetric and gynecological care.

Does the reduction in obstetric hospitals result in an unintended decreased in-hospital delivery utilisation? A causal multilevel analysis in China

Introduction

China's progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals for maternal health is largely attributed to a reduction in maternal mortality rates, driven by increased in-hospital delivery services utilisation. However, recent reductions in the number of obstetric hospitals have raised concerns about compromised access to these services. This study investigates the impact of reduced obstetric hospitals on spatial accessibility and the utilisation of in-hospital delivery services.

Methods

Data from 2016 to 2020 were collected from a densely populated province with approximately 83 million residents. Directed Acyclic Graph was applied to identify a minimally sufficient set of confounders, including residential characteristics and transportation-related factors. Multilevel regression models were employed to analyse the causal effects, with sensitivity analysis using fixed effect and quantile regression models.

Results

Between 2017 and 2020, the number of obstetric hospitals decreased by 21.3% (from 1209 to 951), leading to a decline in the proportion of pregnant women covered within a 2-hour driving radius (from 97.4% to 97.1%) and an increase in the maximum of shortest driving time within county (from 117.2 to 121.0 min). Multilevel regression models, adjusted for confounders, showed that a 1 percentage point increase in the proportion of pregnant women covered within a 2-hour driving radius was associated with a 13 percentage point (95% CI: 11.4 to 14.7) increase in in-hospital delivery rates, especially in areas with lower coverage and in-hospital delivery rates.

Conclusions

The reduction in obstetric hospitals increased travel distances, negatively impacting in-hospital delivery utilisation. Expanding the proportion of pregnant women covered within a 2-hour driving radius may be more effective than reducing the maximum of shortest travel distance within a county when optimising obstetric hospital locations. These findings provide insights for optimising obstetric facility locations in similar low- and middle-income countries. While improving spatial accessibility is important, the potential quality gains from centralising obstetric resources should also be considered.

Preimplantation genetic testing as a preventive strategy for the transmission of mitochondrial DNA disorders

Mitochondrial diseases are distinct types of metabolic and/or neurologic abnormalities that occur as a consequence of dysfunction in oxidative phosphorylation, affecting several systems in the body. There is no effective treatment modality for mitochondrial disorders so far, emphasizing the clinical significance of preventing the inheritance of these disorders. Various reproductive options are available to reduce the probability of inheriting mitochondrial disorders, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) using donated oocytes, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and prenatal diagnosis (PND), among which PGT not only makes it possible for families to have genetically-owned children but also PGT has the advantage that couples do not have to decide to terminate the pregnancy if a mutation is detected in the fetus. PGT for mitochondrial diseases originating from nuclear DNA includes analyzing the nuclear genome for the presence or absence of corresponding mutations. However, PGT for mitochondrial disorders arising from mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more intricate, due to the specific characteristics of mtDNA such as multicopy nature, heteroplasmy phenomenon, and exclusive maternal inheritance. Therefore, the present review aims to discuss the utility and challenges of PGT as a preventive approach to inherited mitochondrial diseases caused by mtDNA mutations.

The Effect of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants Treatment on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Outcome: A Scoping Review

Diagnosing a pregnant woman's glucose intolerance is referred to as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Diabetes has been linked to enhanced oxidative stress. In this condition, oxidative stress may damage nucleic acids, fats, and proteins, which in turn affects cell and tissue functions. The present study highlights the relationship between oxidative stress and GDM, with a particular focus on the role of hyperglycemia-induced processes during reactive oxygen species (ROS) oversupply, followed by it discusses the oxidative stress biomarkers and assesses the effects of antioxidant supplements on glycemic control, inflammatory processes, and oxidative stress among individuals with GDM. Two reviewers conducted a comprehensive literature search utilizing the PubMed®, Web of Science™, and Scopus® databases. Only items published in the English language up until June 2024 were taken into account. We conducted a thorough search of research databases to identify articles that had the terms "oxidative stress" or "antioxidant" and "GDM". From this search, we selected 55 relevant papers to be included in this narrative review. Pregnancy-induced hypertension, postpartum bleeding, lower birth weight, a higher risk of hyperbilirubinemia in their neonates, fetal growth retardation, and birth asphyxia were revealed to be outcomes of women enduring major oxidative stress during pregnancy. Furthermore, tight glycemic control both before and throughout pregnancy as well as oxidative stress treatment may help women highly prone to GDM.

Height below 154 cm is a risk factor for pulmonary edema in twin pregnancy: An observational study

In recent years, twin pregnancies have become increasingly common. The aim of our study was to analyze the exposure to risk factors for postpartum pulmonary edema in twin pregnancies. We get all our data from the "DATADRYAD" database, which is available directly. We used a variety of statistical methods, including multivariate logistic regression analysis and smoothed curve fitting. The aim was to critically assess the relationship between height and the occurrence of postpartum pulmonary edema in pregnant women with twin pregnancies. Among pregnant women whose height was <154 cm, the risk of postpartum development of pulmonary edema gradually decreased with increasing height (OR = 0.65, P = .0104). There was no relationship between maternal height and postpartum development of pulmonary edema among pregnant women with height higher than 154 cm (P = .9142). Pregnant women who were taller than 154 cm had a 76% lower risk of developing pulmonary edema postpartum compared to pregnant women whose height was lower than 154 cm (P = .0005). Our study suggests that pregnant women with twin pregnancies whose height is <154 cm are more likely to suffer from postpartum pulmonary edema. Therefore, healthcare professionals and caregivers should pay closer attention to twin pregnancies with heights below 154 cm, be alert to the occurrence of pulmonary edema, and take preventive and therapeutic measures as early as possible. This will help prevent the development of pulmonary edema.

Spatial Access to Continuous Maternal and Perinatal Health Care Services in Low-Resource Settings: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Maternal and perinatal health are fundamental to human development. However, in low-resource settings such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), significant challenges persist in reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality. To achieve the targets of the sustainable development goal 3 (SDG3) and universal health coverage (UHC), improving access to continuous maternal and perinatal health care services (CMPHS) has been addressed as a critical strategy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide a widely applicable procedure to illuminate the current challenges in ensuring access to CMPHS for women of reproductive age. The findings are intended to inform targeted recommendations for prioritizing resource allocation and policy making in low-resource settings.

METHODS

In accordance with the World Health Organization guidelines and existing literature, and taking into account the local context of CMPHS delivery to women of reproductive age in Mozambique, we first proposed the identification of CMPHS as the continuum of 3 independent service packages, namely antenatal care (ANC), institutional delivery (ID), and postnatal care (PNC). Then, we used the nearest-neighbor method (NNM) to assess spatial access to each of the 3 service packages. Lastly, we carried out an overlap analysis to identify 8 types of resource-shortage zones.

RESULTS

The median shortest travel times for women of reproductive age to access ANC, ID, and PNC were 2.38 (IQR 1.38-3.89) hours, 3.69 (IQR 1.87-5.82) hours, and 4.16 (IQR 2.48-6.67) hours, respectively. Spatial barriers for women of reproductive age accessing ANC, ID, and PNC demonstrated large variations both among and within regions. Maputo City showed the shortest travel time and the best equity within the regions (0.46, IQR 0.26-0.69 hours; 0.74, IQR 0.47-1.04 hours; and 1.34, IQR 0.83-1.85 hours, respectively), while the provinces of Niassa (4.07, IQR 2.41-6.63 hours; 18.20, IQR 11.67-24.65 hours; and 7.69, IQR 4.74-13.05 hours, respectively) and Inhambane (2.69, IQR 1.49-3.91 hours; 4.43, IQR 2.37-7.16 hours; and 10.76, IQR 7.73-13.66 hours, respectively) lagged behind significantly in both aspects. In general, more than 51% of the women of reproductive age, residing in 83.25% of Mozambique's land area, were unable to access any service package of CMPHS in time (within 2 hours), while only about 21%, living in 2.69% of Mozambique's land area, including Maputo, could access timely CMPHS.

CONCLUSIONS

The spatial accessibility and equity of CMPHS in Mozambique present significant challenges in achieving SDG3 and UHC, especially in the Inhambane and Niassa regions. For Inhambane, policy makers should prioritize the implementation of a decentralization allocation strategy to increase coverage and equity through upgrading existing health care facilities. For Niassa, the cultivation of well-trained midwives who can provide door-to-door ANC and PNC at home should be prioritized, with an emphasis on strengthening communities' engagement. The proposed 2-step procedure should be implemented in other low-resource settings to promote the achievement of SDG3.