Junk food use and neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes in infants in low-resource settings

Introduction

Feeding infants a sub-optimal diet deprives them of critical nutrients for their physical and cognitive development. The objective of this study is to describe the intake of foods of low nutritional value (junk foods) and identify the association with growth and developmental outcomes in infants up to 18 months in low-resource settings.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of data from an iron-rich complementary foods (meat versus fortified cereal) randomized clinical trial on nutrition conducted in low-resource settings in four low- and middle-income countries (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Pakistan, and Zambia). Mothers in both study arms received nutritional messages on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months with continued breastfeeding up to at least 12 months. This study was designed to identify the socio-demographic predictors of feeding infants' complementary foods of low nutritional value (junk foods) and to assess the associations between prevalence of junk food use with neurodevelopment (assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II) and growth at 18 months.

Results

1,231 infants were enrolled, and 1,062 (86%) completed the study. Junk food feeding was more common in Guatemala, Pakistan, and Zambia than in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 7% of the infants were fed junk foods at 6 months which increased to 70% at 12 months. Non-exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months, higher maternal body mass index, more years of maternal and paternal education, and higher socioeconomic status were associated with feeding junk food. Prevalence of junk foods use was not associated with adverse neurodevelopmental or growth outcomes.

Conclusion

The frequency of consumption of junk food was high in these low-resource settings but was not associated with adverse neurodevelopment or growth over the study period.

Neurodevelopment of Children Whose Mothers Were Randomized to Low-Dose Aspirin During Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Because low-dose aspirin is now commonly prescribed in pregnancy, we sought to assess the association between early antenatal exposure and child neurodevelopment.

METHODS

We performed a noninferiority, masked, neurodevelopmental follow-up study of children between age 33 and 39 months whose mothers had been randomized to daily low-dose aspirin (81 mg) or placebo between 6 0/7 and 13 6/7 weeks of gestation through 37 weeks. Neurodevelopment was assessed with the Bayley-III (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition) and the ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaire, 3rd Edition). The primary outcome was the Bayley-III cognitive composite score with a difference within 4 points demonstrating noninferiority.

RESULTS

A total of 640 children (329 in the low-dose aspirin group, 311 in the placebo group) were evaluated between September 2021 and June 2022. The Bayley-III cognitive composite score was noninferior between the two groups (-1, adjusted mean -0.8, 95% CI, -2.2 to 0.60). Significant differences were not seen in the language composite score (difference 0.7, 95% CI, -0.8 to 2.1) or the motor composite score (difference -0.6, 95% CI, -2.5 to 1.2). The proportion of children who had any component of the Bayley-III score lower than 70 did not differ between the two groups. Similarly, the communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social components of the ASQ-3 did not differ between groups. Maternal characteristics, delivery outcomes, breastfeeding rates, breastfeeding duration, and home environment as measured by the Family Care Indicators were similar.

CONCLUSION

Antenatal low-dose aspirin exposure was not associated with altered neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 3 years.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04888377.

Incidence of possible serious bacterial infection in young infants in the three high-burden countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Nigeria: A secondary analysis of a large, multi-country, multi-centre clinical trial

Background

Neonatal infections are a major public health concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the infection-related deaths in under-five children occur. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest mortality rates, but there is a lack of data on the incidence of sepsis from this region, hindering efforts to improve child survival. We aimed to determine the incidence of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) in young infants in three high-burden countries in Africa.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of data from the African Neonatal Sepsis (AFRINEST) trial, conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, and Nigeria between 15 March 2012 and 15 July 2013. We recorded baseline characteristics, the incidence of PSBI (as defined by the World Health Organization), and the incidence of local infections among infants from 0-59 days after birth. We report descriptive statistics.

Results

The incidence of PSBI among 0-59-day-old infants across all three countries was 11.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.0-11.4). The DRC had the highest incidence of PSBI (19.0%; 95% CI = 18.2-19.8). Likewise, PSBI rates were higher in low birth weight infants (24.5%; 95% CI = 23.1-26.0) and infants born to mothers aged <20 years (14.1%; 95% CI = 13.4-14.8). The incidence of PSBI was higher among infants delivered at home (11.7%; 95% CI = 11.4-12.0).

Conclusions

The high burden of PSBI among young infants in DRC, Kenya, and Nigeria demonstrates the importance of addressing PSBI in improving child survival in sub-Saharan Africa to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These data can support government authorities, policymakers, programme implementers, non-governmental organisations, and international partners in reducing preventable under-five deaths.

Registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12610000286044.

Infant and young child feeding indicators are positively associated with length and family care indicators in the children of the Women First trial participants

This research describes the proportion of children in four low- and middle-income countries with adequate dietary practices at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age and how these practices changed over time using the World Health Organisation and UNICEF's infant young child feeding (IYCF) indicators. The associations between the IYCF indicators and anthropometric z-scores from 6 to 24 months, and between the IYCF indicators and the family care indicators (FCIs) at 24 months are described. This was a longitudinal study of offspring from participants in the Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial conducted in Sud-Ubangi, Democratic Republic of Congo; Chimaltenango, Guatemala; Belagavi, North Karnataka, India; and Thatta, Sindh Province, Pakistan. The frequency of the minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum adequate diet (MAD) increased between 6 and 24 months, but even at 24 months MAD remained below 50% at all sites. MDD (β = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.04-0.22) and MMF (β = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.03-0.17) were positively associated with length-for-age z-score at 24 months. All IYCF indicators were positively associated with mean total FCI score: MDD (proportion ratio [PR] = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.02-1.07), MMF (PR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01-1.04), MAD (PR = 1.05; 95% CI = 1.02-1.08). Although there are multiple barriers to young children having an adequate diet, our results support a positive association between familial interactions and improved IYCF feeding practices.

Neonatal Respiratory Support Utilization in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Registry-Based Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Newborns with hypoxemia often require life-saving respiratory support. In low-resource settings, it is unknown if respiratory support is delivered more frequently to term infants or preterm infants. We hypothesized that in a registry-based birth cohort in 105 geographic areas in seven low- and middle-income countries, more term newborns received respiratory support than preterm newborns.

METHODS

This is a hypothesis-driven observational study based on prospectively collected data from the Maternal and Newborn Health Registry of the NICHD Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research. Eligible infants enrolled in the registry were live-born between 22 and 44 weeks gestation with a birth weight ≥400 g and born from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2018. Frequency data were obtained to report the number of term and preterm infants who received treatment with oxygen only, CPAP, or mechanical ventilation. Test for trends over time were conducted using robust Poisson regression.

RESULTS

177,728 (86.3%) infants included in this study were term, and 28,249 (13.7%) were preterm. A larger number of term infants (n = 5,108) received respiratory support compared to preterm infants (n = 3,287). Receipt of each mode of respiratory support was more frequent in term infants. The proportion of preterm infants who received respiratory support (11.6%) was higher than the proportion of term infants receiving respiratory support (2.9%, p < 0.001). The rate of provision of respiratory support varied between sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory support was more frequently used in term infants expected to be at low risk for respiratory disorders compared to preterm infants.

Maternal age extremes and adverse pregnancy outcomes in low-resourced settings

Introduction

Adolescent (<20 years) and advanced maternal age (>35 years) pregnancies carry adverse risks and warrant a critical review in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes is highest.

Objective

To describe the prevalence and adverse pregnancy (maternal, perinatal, and neonatal) outcomes associated with extremes of maternal age across six countries.

Patients and methods

We performed a historical cohort analysis on prospectively collected data from a population-based cohort study conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia between 2010 and 2020. We included pregnant women and their neonates. We describe the prevalence and adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with pregnancies in these maternal age groups (<20, 20-24, 25-29, 30-35, and >35 years). Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals of each adverse pregnancy outcome comparing each maternal age group to the reference group of 20-24 years were obtained by fitting a Poisson model adjusting for site, maternal age, parity, multiple gestations, maternal education, antenatal care, and delivery location. Analysis by region was also performed.

Results

We analyzed 602,884 deliveries; 13% (78,584) were adolescents, and 5% (28,677) were advanced maternal age (AMA). The overall maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 147 deaths per 100,000 live births and increased with advancing maternal age: 83 in the adolescent and 298 in the AMA group. The AMA groups had the highest MMR in all regions. Adolescent pregnancy was associated with an adjusted relative risk (aRR) of 1.07 (1.02-1.11) for perinatal mortality and 1.13 (1.06-1.19) for neonatal mortality. In contrast, AMA was associated with an aRR of 2.55 (1.81 to 3.59) for maternal mortality, 1.58 (1.49-1.67) for perinatal mortality, and 1.30 (1.20-1.41) for neonatal mortality, compared to pregnancy in women 20-24 years. This pattern was overall similar in all regions, even in the <18 and 18-19 age groups.

Conclusion

The maternal mortality ratio in the LMICs assessed is high and increased with advancing maternal age groups. While less prevalent, AMA was associated with a higher risk of adverse maternal mortality and, like adolescence, was associated with adverse perinatal mortality with little regional variation.

Aspirin delays the onset of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy among nulliparous pregnant women: A secondary analysis of the ASPIRIN trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of low-dose aspirin (LDA) starting in early pregnancy on delaying preterm hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

DESIGN

Non-prespecified secondary analysis of a randomised masked trial of LDA.

SETTING

The study was conducted among women in the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health's Maternal and Newborn Health Registry (MNHR) clusters, a prospective, population-based study in Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Pakistan, India (two sites-Belagavi and Nagpur) and Guatemala.

POPULATION

Nulliparous singleton pregnancies between 6+0 weeks and 13+6  weeks in six low-middle income countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Zambia) enrolled in the ASPIRIN Trial.

METHODS

We compared the incidence of HDP at delivery at three gestational age periods (<28, <34 and <37 weeks) between women who were randomised to aspirin or placebo. Women were included if they were randomised and had an outcome at or beyond 20 weeks (Modified Intent to Treat).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Our primary outcome was pregnancies with HDP associated with preterm delivery (HDP@delivery) before <28, <34 and <37 weeks. Secondary outcomes included small for gestational age (SGA) <10th percentile, <5th percentile, and perinatal mortality.

RESULTS

Among the 11 976 pregnancies, LDA did not significantly lower HDP@delivery <28 weeks (relative risk [RR] 0.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02-1.52); however, it did lower HDP@delivery <34 weeks (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.17-0.81) and HDP@delivery <37 weeks (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.90). The overall rate of HDP did not differ between the two groups (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.94-1.25). Among those pregnancies who had HDP, SGA <10th percentile was reduced (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67-0.99), though SGA <5th percentile was not (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.64-1.09). Similarly, perinatal mortality among pregnancies with HDP occurred less frequently (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.92) in those receiving LDA. Pregnancies randomised to LDA delivered later with HDP compared with those receiving placebo (median gestational age 38.5 weeks vs. 37.9 weeks; p = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

In this secondary analysis of a study of low-risk nulliparous singleton pregnancies, early administration of LDA resulted in lower rates of preterm HDP and delivery before 34 and 37 weeks but not in the overall rate of HDP. These results suggest that LDA works in part by delaying HDP.

COVID-19 symptoms and antibody positivity among unvaccinated pregnant women: An observational study in seven countries from the Global Network

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relation of COVID-19 symptoms to COVID-19 antibody positivity among unvaccinated pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

DESIGN

COVID-19 infection status measured by antibody positivity at delivery was compared with the symptoms of COVID-19 in the current pregnancy in a prospective, observational cohort study in seven LMICs.

SETTING

The study was conducted among women in the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health's Maternal and Newborn Health Registry (MNHR), a prospective, population-based study in Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Bangladesh, Pakistan, India (Belagavi and Nagpur sites) and Guatemala.

POPULATION

Pregnant women enrolled in the ongoing pregnancy registry at study sites.

METHODS

Data on COVID-19 symptoms during the current pregnancy were collected by trained staff between October 2020 and June 2022. COVID-19 antibody testing was performed on samples collected at delivery. The relation between COVID-19 antibody positivity and symptoms was assessed using generalised linear models with a binomial distribution adjusting for site and symptoms.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

COVID-19 antibody status and symptoms of COVID-19 among pregnant women.

RESULTS

Among 19 218 non-vaccinated pregnant women who were evaluated, 14.1% of antibody-positive women had one or more symptoms compared with 13.4% in antibody-negative women. Overall, 85.3% of antibody-positive women reported no COVID-19 symptoms during the present pregnancy. Reported fever was significantly associated with antibody status (relative risk [RR] 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-11.18; P = 0.008). A multiple variable model adjusting for site and all eight symptoms during pregnancy showed similar results (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.23; P = 0.012). None of the other symptoms was significantly related to antibody positivity.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population-based cohort in LMICs, unvaccinated pregnant women who were antibody-positive had slightly more symptoms during their pregnancy and a small but significantly greater increase in fever. However, for prevalence studies, evaluating COVID-19-related symptoms does not appear to be useful in differentiating pregnant women who have had a COVID-19 infection.

Trends over time in the knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women related to COVID-19: A cross-sectional survey from seven low- and middle-income countries

OBJECTIVE

To understand trends in the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of pregnant women related to COVID-19 in seven low- and middle-income countries.

DESIGN

Multi-country population-based prospective observational study.

SETTING

Study sites in Bangladesh, the Demographic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guatemala, India (two sites), Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia.

POPULATION

Pregnant women in the Global Network's Maternal and Neonatal Health Registry (MNHR).

METHODS

Pregnant women enrolled in the MNHR were interviewed to assess their KAP related to COVID-19 from September 2020 through July 2022 across all study sites.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Trends of COVID-19 KAP were assessed using the Cochran-Armitage test for trend.

RESULTS

A total of 52 297 women participated in this study. There were wide inter-country differences in COVID-19-related knowledge. The level of knowledge of women in the DRC was much lower than that of women in the other sites. The ability to name COVID-19 symptoms increased over time in the African sites, whereas no such change was observed in Bangladesh, Belagavi and Guatemala. All sites observed decreasing trends over time in women avoiding antenatal care visits.

CONCLUSIONS

The knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women related to COVID-19 varied substantially among the Global Network sites over a period of 2 years; however, there was very little change in knowledge related to COVID-19 over time across these sites. The major change observed was that fewer women reported avoiding medical care because of COVID-19 across all sites over time.

The Global Network COVID-19 studies: a review

With the paucity of data available regarding COVID-19 in pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), near the start of the pandemic, the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research, funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), initiated four separate studies to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in eight LMIC sites. These sites included: four in Asia, in Bangladesh, India (two sites) and Pakistan; three in Africa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya and Zambia; and one in Central America, in Guatemala. The first study evaluated changes in health service utilisation; the second study evaluated knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women in relationship to COVID-19 in pregnancy; the third study evaluated knowledge, attitude and practices related to COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy; and the fourth study, using antibody status at delivery, evaluated changes in antibody status over time in each of the sites and the relationship of antibody positivity with various pregnancy outcomes. Across the Global Network, in the first year of the study there was little reduction in health care utilisation and no apparent change in pregnancy outcomes. Knowledge related to COVID-19 was highly variable across the sites but was generally poor. Vaccination rates among pregnant women in the Global Network were very low, and were considerably lower than the vaccination rates reported for the countries as a whole. Knowledge regarding vaccines was generally poor and varied widely. Most women did not believe the vaccines were safe or effective, but slightly more than half would accept the vaccine if offered. Based on antibody positivity, the rates of COVID-19 infection increased substantially in each of the sites over the course of the pandemic. Most pregnancy outcomes were not worse in women who were infected with COVID-19 during their pregnancies. We interpret the absence of an increase in adverse outcomes in women infected with COVID-19 to the fact that in the populations studied, most COVID-19 infections were either asymptomatic or were relatively mild.

The impact of risk factors on aspirin's efficacy for the prevention of preterm birth

BACKGROUND

The Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated Risk Reduction In Nulliparas trial was a landmark study that demonstrated a reduction in preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in nulliparous women who received low-dose aspirin. All women in the study had at least 1 moderate-risk factor for preeclampsia (nulliparity). Unlike current US Preventative Service Task Force guidelines, which recommend low-dose aspirin for ≥2 moderate-risk factors, women in this study were randomized to receive low-dose aspirin regardless of the presence or absence of an additional risk factor.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare how low-dose aspirin differentially benefits nulliparous women with and without additional preeclampsia risk factors for the prevention of preterm birth and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a non-prespecified secondary analysis of the Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated Risk Reduction In Nulliparas trial that randomized nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies from 6 low-middle-income countries to receive low-dose aspirin or placebo. Our primary exposure was having an additional preeclampsia risk factor beyond nulliparity. Our primary outcome was preterm birth before 37 weeks of gestation, and our secondary outcomes included preterm birth before 34 weeks of gestation, preterm birth before 28 weeks of gestation, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and perinatal mortality.

RESULTS

Among 11,558 nulliparous women who met the inclusion criteria, 66.8% had no additional risk factors. Low-dose aspirin similarly reduced the risk of preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation in women with and without additional risk factors (relative risk: 0.75 vs 0.85; P=.35). Additionally for our secondary outcomes, low-dose aspirin similarly reduced the risk of preterm birth at <28 weeks of gestation, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and perinatal mortality in women with and without additional risk factors. The reduction of preterm birth at <34 weeks of gestation with low-dose aspirin was significantly greater in women without additional risk factors than those with an additional risk factor (relative risk: 0.69 vs 1.04; P=.04).

CONCLUSION

Low-dose aspirin's ability to prevent preterm birth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and perinatal mortality was similar in nulliparous women with and without additional risk factors. Professional societies should consider recommending low-dose aspirin to all nulliparous women.

Can the date of last menstrual period be trusted in the first trimester? Comparisons of gestational age measures from a prospective cohort study in six low-income to middle-income countries

OBJECTIVES

We examined gestational age (GA) estimates for live and still births, and prematurity rates based on last menstrual period (LMP) compared with ultrasonography (USG) among pregnant women at seven sites in six low-resource countries.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study included data from the Global Network's population-based Maternal and Newborn Health Registry which follows pregnant women in six low-income and middle-income countries (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia). Participants in this analysis were 42 803 women, including their 43 230 babies, who registered for the study in their first trimester based on GA estimated either by LMP or USG and had a live or stillbirth with an estimated GA of 20-42 weeks.

OUTCOME MEASURES

GA was estimated in weeks and days based on LMP and/or USG. Prematurity was defined as GA of 20 weeks+0 days through 36 weeks+6 days, calculated by both USG and LMP.

RESULTS

Overall, average GA varied ≤1 week between LMP and USG. Mean GA for live births by LMP was lower than by USG (adjusted mean difference (95% CI) = -0.23 (-0.29 to -0.17) weeks). Among stillbirths, a higher GA was estimated by LMP than USG (adjusted mean difference (95% CI)= 0.42 (0.11 to 0.72) weeks). Preterm birth rates for live births were significantly higher when dated by LMP (adjusted rate difference (95% CI)= 4.20 (3.56 to 4.85)). There was no significant difference in preterm birth rates for stillbirths.

CONCLUSION

The small differences in GA for LMP versus USG in the Guatemalan and Indian sites suggest that LMP may be a useful alternative to USG for GA dating during the first trimester until availability of USG improves in those areas. Further research is needed to assess LMP for first-trimester GA dating in other regions with limited access to USG.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01073475.

Prevention of maternal and neonatal death/infections with a single oral dose of azithromycin in women in labour in low-income and middle-income countries (A-PLUS): a study protocol for a multinational, randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Maternal and neonatal infections are among the most frequent causes of maternal and neonatal mortality, and current antibiotic strategies have been ineffective in preventing many of these deaths. A randomised clinical trial conducted in a single site in The Gambia showed that treatment with an oral dose of 2 g azithromycin versus placebo for all women in labour reduced certain maternal and neonatal infections. However, it is unknown if this therapy reduces maternal and neonatal sepsis and mortality. In a large, multinational randomised trial, we will evaluate the impact of azithromycin given in labour to improve maternal and newborn outcomes.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This randomised, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial includes two primary hypotheses, one maternal and one neonatal. The maternal hypothesis is to test whether a single, prophylactic intrapartum oral dose of 2 g azithromycin given to women in labour will reduce maternal death or sepsis. The neonatal hypothesis will test whether this intervention will reduce intrapartum/neonatal death or sepsis. The intervention is a single, prophylactic intrapartum oral dose of 2 g azithromycin, compared with a single intrapartum oral dose of an identical appearing placebo. A total of 34 000 labouring women from 8 research sites in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America will be randomised with a one-to-one ratio to intervention/placebo. In addition, we will assess antimicrobial resistance in a sample of women and their newborns.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol has been reviewed and ethics approval obtained from all the relevant ethical review boards at each research site. The results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals and national and international scientific forums.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03871491 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03871491?term=NCT03871491&draw=2&rank=1).

Building a predictive model of low birth weight in low- and middle-income countries: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Low birth weight (LBW, < 2500 g) infants are at significant risk for death and disability. Improving outcomes for LBW infants requires access to advanced neonatal care, which is a limited resource in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Predictive modeling might be useful in LMICs to identify mothers at high-risk of delivering a LBW infant to facilitate referral to centers capable of treating these infants.

METHODS

We developed predictive models for LBW using the NICHD Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research Maternal and Newborn Health Registry. This registry enrolled pregnant women from research sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Kenya, Guatemala, India (2 sites: Belagavi, Nagpur), Pakistan, and Bangladesh between January 2017 - December 2020. We tested five predictive models: decision tree, random forest, logistic regression, K-nearest neighbor and support vector machine.

RESULTS

We report a rate of LBW of 13.8% among the eight Global Network sites from 2017-2020, with a range of 3.8% (Kenya) and approximately 20% (in each Asian site). Of the five models tested, the logistic regression model performed best with an area under the curve of 0.72, an accuracy of 61% and a recall of 72%. All of the top performing models identified clinical site, maternal weight, hypertensive disorders, severe antepartum hemorrhage and antenatal care as key variables in predicting LBW.

CONCLUSIONS

Predictive modeling can identify women at high risk for delivering a LBW infant with good sensitivity using clinical variables available prior to delivery in LMICs. Such modeling is the first step in the development of a clinical decision support tool to assist providers in decision-making regarding referral of these women prior to delivery. Consistent referral of women at high-risk for delivering a LBW infant could have extensive public health consequences in LMICs by directing limited resources for advanced neonatal care to the infants at highest risk.

Neurodevelopment, vision and auditory outcomes at age 2 years in offspring of participants in the 'Women First' maternal preconception nutrition randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Maternal nutrition in preconception and early pregnancy influences fetal growth. Evidence for effects of prenatal maternal nutrition on early child development (ECD) in low-income and middle-income countries is limited.

OBJECTIVES

To examine impact of maternal nutrition supplementation initiated prior to or during pregnancy on ECD, and to examine potential association of postnatal growth with ECD domains.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis regarding the offspring of participants of a maternal multicountry, individually randomised trial.

SETTING

Rural Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, India and Pakistan.

PARTICIPANTS

667 offspring of Women First trial participants, aged 24 months.

INTERVENTION

Maternal lipid-based nutrient supplement initiated preconceptionally (arm 1, n=217), 12 weeks gestation (arm 2, n=230) or not (arm 3, n=220); intervention stopped at delivery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The INTERGROWTH-21st Neurodevelopment Assessment (INTER-NDA) cognitive, language, gross motor, fine motor, positive and negative behaviour scores; visual acuity and contrast sensitivity scores and auditory evoked response potentials (ERP). Anthropometric z-scores, family care indicators (FCI) and sociodemographic variables were examined as covariates.

RESULTS

No significant differences were detected among the intervention arms for any INTER-NDA scores across domains, vision scores or ERP potentials. After adjusting for covariates, length-for-age z-score at 24 months (LAZ24), socio-economic status, maternal education and FCI significantly predicted vision and INTER-NDA scores (R2=0.11-0.38, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal maternal nutrition supplementation was not associated with any neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 2 years. Maternal education, family environment and LAZ24 predicted ECD. Interventions addressing multiple components of the nurturing care model may offer greatest impact on children's developmental potential.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01883193.

Azithromycin to Prevent Sepsis or Death in Women Planning a Vaginal Birth

BACKGROUND

The use of azithromycin reduces maternal infection in women during unplanned cesarean delivery, but its effect on those with planned vaginal delivery is unknown. Data are needed on whether an intrapartum oral dose of azithromycin would reduce maternal and offspring sepsis or death.

METHODS

In this multicountry, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, we assigned women who were in labor at 28 weeks' gestation or more and who were planning a vaginal delivery to receive a single 2-g oral dose of azithromycin or placebo. The two primary outcomes were a composite of maternal sepsis or death and a composite of stillbirth or neonatal death or sepsis. During an interim analysis, the data and safety monitoring committee recommended stopping the trial for maternal benefit.

RESULTS

A total of 29,278 women underwent randomization. The incidence of maternal sepsis or death was lower in the azithromycin group than in the placebo group (1.6% vs. 2.4%), with a relative risk of 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 0.79; P<0.001), but the incidence of stillbirth or neonatal death or sepsis was similar (10.5% vs. 10.3%), with a relative risk of 1.02 (95% CI, 0.95 to 1.09; P = 0.56). The difference in the maternal primary outcome appeared to be driven mainly by the incidence of sepsis (1.5% in the azithromycin group and 2.3% in the placebo group), with a relative risk of 0.65 (95% CI, 0.55 to 0.77); the incidence of death from any cause was 0.1% in the two groups (relative risk, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.51 to 2.97). Neonatal sepsis occurred in 9.8% and 9.6% of the infants, respectively (relative risk, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.10). The incidence of stillbirth was 0.4% in the two groups (relative risk, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.53); neonatal death within 4 weeks after birth occurred in 1.5% in both groups (relative risk, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.24). Azithromycin was not associated with a higher incidence in adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Among women planning a vaginal delivery, a single oral dose of azithromycin resulted in a significantly lower risk of maternal sepsis or death than placebo but had little effect on newborn sepsis or death. (Funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and others; A-PLUS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03871491.).

Delayed and Interrupted Ventilation with Excess Suctioning after Helping Babies Breathe with Congolese Birth Attendants

There is a substantial gap in our understanding of resuscitation practices following Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) training. We sought to address this gap through an analysis of observed resuscitations following HBB 2nd edition training in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is a secondary analysis of a clinical trial evaluating the effect of resuscitation training and electronic heart rate monitoring on stillbirths. We included in-born, liveborn neonates ≥28 weeks gestation whose resuscitation care was directly observed and documented. For the 2592 births observed, providers dried/stimulated before suctioning in 97% of cases and suctioned before ventilating in 100%. Only 19.7% of newborns not breathing well by 60 s (s) after birth ever received ventilation. Providers initiated ventilation at a median 347 s (>five minutes) after birth; no cases were initiated within the Golden Minute. During 81 resuscitations involving ventilation, stimulation and suction both delayed and interrupted ventilation with a median 132 s spent drying/stimulating and 98 s suctioning. This study demonstrates that HBB-trained providers followed the correct order of resuscitation steps. Providers frequently failed to initiate ventilation. When ventilation was initiated, it was delayed and interrupted by stimulation and suctioning. Innovative strategies targeting early and continuous ventilation are needed to maximize the impact of HBB.

COVID-19 antibody positivity over time and pregnancy outcomes in seven low-and-middle-income countries: A prospective, observational study of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research

OBJECTIVES

To determine COVID-19 antibody positivity rates over time and relationships to pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

DESIGN

With COVID-19 antibody positivity at delivery as the exposure, we performed a prospective, observational cohort study in seven LMICs during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

SETTING

The study was conducted among women in the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health's Maternal and Newborn Health Registry (MNHR), a prospective, population-based study in Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Bangladesh, Pakistan, India (two sites), and Guatemala.

POPULATION

Pregnant women enrolled in an ongoing pregnancy registry at study sites.

METHODS

From October 2020 to October 2021, standardised COVID-19 antibody testing was performed at delivery among women enrolled in MNHR. Trained staff masked to COVID-19 status obtained pregnancy outcomes, which were then compared with COVID-19 antibody results.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Antibody status, stillbirth, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality and morbidity.

RESULTS

At delivery, 26.0% of women were COVID-19 antibody positive. Positivity increased over the four time periods across all sites: 13.8%, 15.4%, 21.0% and 40.9%. In the final period, positivity rates were: DRC 27.0%, Kenya 33.1%, Pakistan 32.8%, Guatemala 37.0%, Zambia 37.8%, Bangladesh 47.2%, Nagpur, India 57.4% and Belagavi, India 62.4%. Adjusting for site and maternal characteristics, stillbirth, neonatal mortality, low birthweight and preterm birth were not significantly associated with COVID-19. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) for stillbirth was 1.27 (95% CI 0.95-1.69). Postpartum haemorrhage was associated with antibody positivity (aRR 1.44; 95% CI 1.01-2.07).

CONCLUSIONS

In pregnant populations in LMICs, COVID-19 antibody positivity has increased. However, most adverse pregnancy outcomes were not significantly associated with antibody positivity.

Cost-effectiveness of low-dose aspirin for the prevention of preterm birth: a prospective study of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research

BACKGROUND

Premature birth is associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity, and strategies to prevent preterm birth are few in number and resource intensive. In 2020, the ASPIRIN trial showed the efficacy of low-dose aspirin (LDA) in nulliparous, singleton pregnancies for the prevention of preterm birth. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of this therapy in low-income and middle-income countries.

METHODS

In this post-hoc, prospective, cost-effectiveness study, we constructed a probabilistic decision tree model to compare the benefits and costs of LDA treatment compared with standard care using primary data and published results from the ASPIRIN trial. In this analysis from a health-care sector perspective, we considered the costs and effects of LDA treatment, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal health-care use. We did sensitivity analyses to understand the effect of the price of the LDA regimen, and the effectiveness of LDA in reducing both preterm birth and perinatal death.

FINDINGS

In model simulations, LDA was associated with 141 averted preterm births, 74 averted perinatal deaths, and 31 averted hospitalisations per 10 000 pregnancies. The reduction in hospitalisation resulted in a cost of US$248 per averted preterm birth, $471 per averted perinatal death, and $15·95 per disability-adjusted life year.

INTERPRETATION

LDA treatment in nulliparous, singleton pregnancies is a low-cost, effective treatment to reduce preterm birth and perinatal death. The low cost per disability-adjusted life year averted strengthens the evidence in support of prioritising the implementation of LDA in publicly funded health care in low-income and middle-income countries.

FUNDING

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Examining maternal morbidity across a spectrum of delivery locations: An analysis of the Global Network's Maternal and Neonatal Health Registry

OBJECTIVE

To better understand maternal morbidity, using quality data from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including out-of-hospital deliveries. Additionally, to compare to the WHO estimate that maternal morbidity occurs in 15% of pregnancies, which is based largely on hospital-level data.

METHODS

The Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research Maternal Newborn Health Registry collected data on all pregnancies from seven sites in six LMICs between 2015 and 2020. Rates of maternal mortality and morbidity and the differences in morbidity across delivery location and birth attendant type were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the 280 584 deliveries included in the present analysis, the overall maternal mortality ratio was 138 per 100 000, while 11.7% of women experienced at least one morbidity. Rates of morbidity were generally higher for deliveries occurring within hospitals (19.8%) and by physicians (23.6%). The lowest rates of morbidity were noted among women delivering in non-hospital healthcare facilities (5.6%) or with non-physician clinicians (e.g. nurses, midwives [5.4%]).

CONCLUSION

The present study shows important differences in reported maternal morbidity across delivery sites, with a trend towards lower morbidity in non-hospital healthcare facilities and among non-physician clinicians.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women regarding COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy in 7 low- and middle-income countries: An observational trial from the Global Network for Women and Children's Health Research

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women regarding COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy in seven low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

DESIGN

Prospective, observational, population-based study.

SETTINGS

Study areas in seven LMICs: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Guatemala, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya and Zambia.

POPULATION

Pregnant women in an ongoing registry.

METHODS

COVID-19 vaccine questionnaires were administered to pregnant women in the Global Network's Maternal Newborn Health Registry from February 2021 through November 2021 in face-to-face interviews.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding vaccination during pregnancy; vaccination status.

RESULTS

No women were vaccinated except for small proportions in India (12.9%) and Guatemala (5.5%). Overall, nearly half the women believed the COVID-19 vaccine is very/somewhat effective and a similar proportion believed that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for pregnant women. With availability of vaccines, about 56.7% said they would get the vaccine and a 34.8% would refuse. Of those who would not get vaccinated, safety, fear of adverse effects, and lack of trust predicted vaccine refusal. Those with lower educational status were less willing to be vaccinated. Family members and health professionals were the most trusted source of information for vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS

This COVID-19 vaccine survey in seven LMICs found that knowledge about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine was generally low but varied. Concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness among pregnant women is an important target for educational efforts to increase vaccination rates.

The Global Network Socioeconomic Status Index as a predictor of stillbirths, perinatal mortality, and neonatal mortality in rural communities in low and lower middle income country sites of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research

BACKGROUND

Globally, socioeconomic status (SES) is an important health determinant across a range of health conditions and diseases. However, measuring SES within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can be particularly challenging given the variation and diversity of LMIC populations.

OBJECTIVE

The current study investigates whether maternal SES as assessed by the newly developed Global Network-SES Index is associated with pregnancy outcomes (stillbirths, perinatal mortality, and neonatal mortality) in six LMICs: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia.

METHODS

The analysis included data from 87,923 women enrolled in the Maternal and Newborn Health Registry of the NICHD-funded Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research. Generalized estimating equations models were computed for each outcome by SES level (high, moderate, or low) and controlling for site, maternal age, parity, years of schooling, body mass index, and facility birth, including sampling cluster as a random effect.

RESULTS

Women with low SES had significantly higher risks for stillbirth (p < 0.001), perinatal mortality (p = 0.001), and neonatal mortality (p = 0.005) than women with high SES. In addition, those with moderate SES had significantly higher risks of stillbirth (p = 0.003) and perinatal mortality (p = 0.008) in comparison to those with high SES.

CONCLUSION

The SES categories were associated with pregnancy outcomes, supporting the validity of the index as a non-income-based measure of SES for use in studies of pregnancy outcomes in LMICs.

Health care in pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic and pregnancy outcomes in six low- and-middle-income countries: Evidence from a prospective, observational registry of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health

Objective

To assess, on a population basis, the medical care for pregnant women in specific geographic regions of six countries before and during the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in relationship to pregnancy outcomes.

Design

Prospective, population‐based study.

Setting

Communities in Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, India and Guatemala.

Population

Pregnant women enrolled in the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health's Maternal and Newborn Health Registry.

Methods

Pregnancy/delivery care services and pregnancy outcomes in the pre‐COVID‐19 time‐period (March 2019–February 2020) were compared with the COVID‐19 time‐period (March 2020–February 2021).

Main outcome measures

Stillbirth, neonatal mortality, preterm birth, low birthweight and maternal mortality.

Results

Across all sites, a small but statistically significant increase in home births occurred between the pre‐COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 periods (18.9% versus 20.3%, adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.12, 95% CI 1.05–1.19). A small but significant decrease in the mean number of antenatal care visits (from 4.1 to 4.0, p = <0.0001) was seen during the COVID‐19 period. Of outcomes evaluated, overall, a small but significant decrease in low‐birthweight infants in the COVID‐19 period occurred (15.7% versus 14.6%, aRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.99), but we did not observe any significant differences in other outcomes. There was no change observed in maternal mortality or antenatal haemorrhage overall or at any of the sites.

Conclusions

Small but significant increases in home births and decreases in the antenatal care services were observed during the initial COVID‐19 period; however, there was not an increase in the stillbirth, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality, low birthweight, or preterm birth rates during the COVID‐19 period compared with the previous year. Further research should help to elucidate the relationship between access to and use of pregnancy‐related medical services and birth outcomes over an extended period.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women related to COVID-19 infection: A cross-sectional survey in seven countries from the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health

Pregnant women in 7 low and middle income sites often had incomplete knowledge related to COVID‐19 and practices to prevent COVID‐19 during pregnancy varied.

Family Care Indices and Linear Growth Predict INTER-NDA Scores for Child Development at Age 2 Years: Findings From the “Women First” Trial

Objectives

Nutrition during fetal and early postnatal life impacts brain development, however evidence from randomized trials from low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) is limited. We evaluated effects of maternal nutrition supplementation before and during pregnancy on neurodevelopment and vision in children from 4 LMIC with high rates of stunting, using a simplified assessment tool.

Methods

Women First was an individually randomized trial comparing the impact of maternal nutrition supplementation initiated preconception vs at ∼12 wk gestation vs no supplement; interventions were discontinued at delivery in trial sites in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, India, and Pakistan. Neurodevelopment and visual acuity and visual contrast sensitivity were assessed at 24 mo using the INTER-NDA and the Cardiff tests, respectively, in a random sub-set, representing ∼1/3 of infants with valid birth measurements from the WF trial. Anthropometry and Family Care Indicators (FCI) were also obtained at 24 mo.

Results

667 and 634 children (91% and 86% of sub-set) were included in INTER-NDA and vision analyses. Arm-proportionate contribution was 32.2–32.8%. Overall, we observed the following percentage of children with delays: 66.6% cognitive; 87.4% fine motor; 91.3% gross motor; and 11.7% language; 25.9% had positive behavior problems; and 26.0% and 21.0% had low acuity and contrast sensitivity scores, respectively. WF intervention arm was not significant for INTER-NDA scores, rates of mild-to-moderate or severe delay (F = 0.004–1.518, p = 0.28–0.99; X² = 3.81–5.92, p = 0.18–0.42; X² = 3.81–6.33, p = 0.18–0.43); or for low acuity and contrast sensitivity (X² = 0.91, p = 0.63 and X² = 1.64, p = 0.44). LAZ_24mo was significantly associated with cognitive, motor, language, and behavior scores; maternal education predicted cognitive, language, and vision; and FCI was significantly associated with fine motor, language, and behavior after adjusting for other covariates (R² 0.33 cognitive; 0.40 language; 0.12 motor; 0.05 positive and 0.11 negative behavior; and 0.31–0.34 for vision models).

Conclusions

The findings highlight the association between child development, linear growth, and family environment.

Funding Sources

Thrasher Research Fund, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NICHD, ODS.

Comparison of Toddler Crown Rump Length and Leg Length in Four Low- and Middle-Income Research Sites: The Women First trial

Objectives

Length at 2y of age is a strong indicator of adult height and potential for other adverse effects in adulthood; leg length (LL) is suggested to be the more nutritionally responsive component of height. These analyses examine body proportions- measured as linear crown rump length (CRL), LL, and CRL: LL- among 24 mo old children from four low- and middle-income settings with high stunting rates (average across 4 sites = 65%) participating in the Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial (WF).

Methods

The WF study is a nutrition intervention trial of maternal-child pairs in four diverse research sites (Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC], Guatemala, India, and Pakistan). At 24 mo of age, toddler length and CRL were obtained and subsequently used to calculate LL (length-CRL). ANOVAs with post hoc Tukey HSD for each parameter were performed in JMP Pro 16.0.0.

Results

No statistical differences were seen by maternal intervention arm, thus anthropometric data from 2,157 children (DRC n = 488, Guatemala n = 540, India n = 531, Pakistan n = 598) were explored by site. While mean (±SD) CRL did not significantly differ between Guatemala and India (48.9 ± 2.18, 48.9 ± 2.30cm), Pakistan and DRC (47.7 ± 2.52, 45.8 ± 2.22cm) had significantly lower mean CRL (p < 0.001), with DRC having the lowest value. Mean LL did not differ significantly between Guatemala and Pakistan (30.6 ± 1.74, 30.5 ± 2.21), nor between DRC and India (32.6 ± 2.28, 32.3 ± 2.01cm); however, DRC and India had significantly longer mean LL vs Guatemala and Pakistan (p < 0.0001). Statistically significant differences in mean CRL: LL (p < 0.0001) were observed among all four sites, with Guatemala exhibiting the largest mean (1.60 ± 0.09), attributable to shorter LL.

Conclusions

CRL and LL are indicative of proportionality, a measure of impaired growth. These data highlight that among the four research sites in the WF trial, Guatemala, which exhibits the highest rate of maternal stunting, has the least favorable body proportions (largest CRL: LL). The difference in body proportions between sites despite nutritional intervention warrants further examination of genomic and environmental (including nutritional) factors that may have an effect on anthropometrics such as LL, CRL, and CRL: LL.

Funding Sources

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NIH NICHD/ODS.

Neurodevelopment Scores at 24 Months Are Associated With Maternal Education, Home Environment, and Linear Growth in Offspring of the Women First Trial

Objectives

Healthy physical growth has been associated with better performance on neurodevelopmental testing in young children in low resource settings. We examined the relationship of growth indicators from 6 to 24 months of age to the sub-scales of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (BSID-III) at 24 months in offspring of participants in the four-country preconception maternal nutrition trial, Women First (WF), which found the maternal intervention to benefit birth length, which was predictive of length and risk of stunting at 24 months.

Methods

With no post-delivery intervention, follow-up visits for anthropometry were obtained at 6-month intervals; BSID-III and Family Care Indicators (FCI) were completed at 24 months in a random sub-set of the WF offspring, representing 2/3 of infants with valid birth measurements. Multiple covariates (intervention arm, site, cluster within site, maternal education, age, SES, FCI subscales, LBW, and change in anthropometry Z-scores from 6 to 24 months, e.g., length-for-age, DLAZ6-24) were considered as confounders or predictors and were adjusted in a general linear model to predict adjusted mean differences (AMD) in BSID scores.

Results

1,386 infants (93% of those randomized to sub-set) were included in the analysis (n = 441,486, 459 for Arms 1, 2, 3, respectively). Four covariates were positively associated (p ≤ 0.01) with all 3 of the BSID subscales cognitive(C), motor(M), and social-emotional(SE) scales, respectively: maternal secondary education (+AMD 3.60(C), 3.35(M), 2.80(SE)); DLAZ6-24 (+AMD 1.98(C), 3.15(M), 2.06(SE)); BW &gt; 2500 g (+AMD 1.64(C), 2.20(M), 2.31(SE)); and FCI play materials (+AMD 1.46(C), 1.36(M), 1.72(SE)). No other anthropometric or maternal variables were consistently associated with BSID subscales.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the multiple critical components of nurturing care for early child development, including the caregiver, adequate birth weight, healthy linear growth, and opportunities for learning. Results suggest that the positive effects of maternal nutrition supplementation in the WF trial on birth length and postnatal linear growth may, in turn, have enduring downstream benefits for their children's neurodevelopment.

Funding Sources

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NICHD, ODS.

Predictors of Plasmodium falciparum Infection in the First Trimester Among Nulliparous Women From Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

BACKGROUND

Malaria can have deleterious effects early in pregnancy, during placentation. However, malaria testing and treatment are rarely initiated until the second trimester, leaving pregnancies unprotected in the first trimester. To inform potential early intervention approaches, we sought to identify clinical and demographic predictors of first-trimester malaria.

METHODS

We prospectively recruited women from sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, and Zambia who participated in the ASPIRIN (Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated risk Reduction In Nulliparas) trial. Nulliparous women were tested for first-trimester Plasmodium falciparum infection by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We evaluated predictors using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

First-trimester malaria prevalence among 1513 nulliparous pregnant women was 6.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7%-8.8%] in the Zambian site, 37.8% (95% CI, 34.2%-41.5%) in the Kenyan site, and 62.9% (95% CI, 58.6%-67.2%) in the DRC site. First-trimester malaria was associated with shorter height and younger age in Kenyan women in site-stratified analyses, and with lower educational attainment in analyses combining all 3 sites. No other predictors were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

First-trimester malaria prevalence varied by study site in sub-Saharan Africa. The absence of consistent predictors suggests that routine parasite screening in early pregnancy may be needed to mitigate first-trimester malaria in high-prevalence settings.

The efficacy of low-dose aspirin in pregnancy among women in malaria-endemic countries

BACKGROUND

Low dose aspirin (LDA) is an effective strategy to reduce preterm birth. However, LDA might have differential effects globally, based on the etiology of preterm birth. In some regions, malaria in pregnancy could be an important modifier of LDA on birth outcomes and anemia.

METHODS

This is a sub-study of the ASPIRIN trial, a multi-national, randomized, placebo controlled trial evaluating LDA effect on preterm birth. We enrolled a convenience sample of women in the ASPIRIN trial from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya and Zambia. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect malaria. We calculated crude prevalence proportion ratios (PRs) for LDA by malaria for outcomes, and regression modelling to evaluate effect measure modification. We evaluated hemoglobin in late pregnancy based on malaria infection in early pregnancy.

RESULTS

One thousand four hundred forty-six women were analyzed, with a malaria prevalence of 63% in the DRC site, 38% in the Kenya site, and 6% in the Zambia site. Preterm birth occurred in 83 (LDA) and 90 (placebo) women, (PR 0.92, 95% CI 0.70, 1.22), without interaction between LDA and malaria (p = 0.75). Perinatal mortality occurred in 41 (LDA) and 43 (placebo) pregnancies, (PR 0.95, 95% CI 0.63, 1.44), with an interaction between malaria and LDA (p = 0.014). Hemoglobin was similar by malaria and LDA status.

CONCLUSIONS

Malaria in early pregnancy did not modify the effects of LDA on preterm birth, but modified the effect of LDA on perinatal mortality. This effect measure modification deserves continued study as LDA is used in malaria endemic regions.

Perceptions and experiences of Congolese midwives implementing a low-cost battery-operated heart rate meter during newborn resuscitation

BACKGROUND

900,000 newborns die from respiratory depression each year; nearly all of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Deaths from respiratory depression are reduced by evidence-based resuscitation. Electronic heart rate monitoring provides a sensitive indicator of the neonate's status to inform resuscitation care, but is infrequently used in low-resource settings. In a recent trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, midwives used a low-cost, battery-operated heart rate meter (NeoBeat) to continuously monitor heart rate during resuscitations. We explored midwives' perceptions of NeoBeat including its utility and barriers and facilitators to use.

METHODS

After a 20-month intervention in which midwives from three facilities used NeoBeat during resuscitations, we surveyed midwives and conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) regarding the incorporation of NeoBeat into clinical care. FGDs were conducted in Lingala, the native language, then transcribed and translated from Lingala to French to English. We analyzed data by: (1) coding of transcripts using Nvivo, (2) comparison of codes to identify patterns in the data, and (3) grouping of codes into categories by two independent reviewers, with final categories determined by consensus.

RESULTS

Each midwife from Facility A used NeoBeat on an estimated 373 newborns, while each midwife at facilities B and C used NeoBeat an average 24 and 47 times, respectively. From FGDs with 30 midwives, we identified five main categories of perceptions and experiences regarding the use of NeoBeat: (1) Providers' initial skepticism evolved into pride and a belief that NeoBeat was essential to resuscitation care, (2) Providers viewed NeoBeat as enabling their resuscitation and increasing their capacity, (3) NeoBeat helped providers identify flaccid newborns as liveborn, leading to hope and the perception of saving of lives, (4) Challenges of use of NeoBeat included cleaning, charging, and insufficient quantity of devices, and (5) Providers desired to continue using the device and to expand its use beyond resuscitation and their own facilities.

CONCLUSION

Midwives perceived that NeoBeat enabled their resuscitation practices, including assisting them in identifying non-breathing newborns as liveborn. Increasing the quantity of devices per facility and developing systems to facilitate cleaning and charging may be critical for scale-up.

Infant Young Child Feeding Practices From 12 to 24 Months of Age of Offspring From the Women First Trial

Objectives

Evaluate infant young child feeding (IYCF) trends from 12 to 24 mo in four low middle-income countries: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); Guatemala; India; and Pakistan.

Methods

2413 children (570 DRC, 614 Guatemala, 589 India, and 640 Pakistan) born to women from the Women First Trial enrolled. Trained research health workers visited households and assessed children's feeding practices from 12 to 24 mo. Child feeding indicators including the prevalence and longitudinal trends of meeting minimum diet diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD) were analyzed using the 2018 IYCF definitions from 12 to 24 mo for all four sites individually and combined.

Results

MDD significantly increased from 16% at 12 mo to 29% at 24 mo for all sites combined (p &lt; 0.001); by site: 3 to 10 for DRC (p &lt; 0.001), 33 to 42 for Guatemala (p = 0.001), 28 to 63 for India (p &lt; 0.001), and 1 to 2 for Pakistan (not significant). MMF significantly increased from 49% at 12 mo to 68% at 24 mo for all sites (p &lt; 0.001); by site: 22 to 49 for DRC (p &lt; 0.001), 89 to 92 for Guatemala (not significant), 66 to 73 for India (0.012), and 18 to 58 for Pakistan (p &lt; 0.001). MAD significantly increased (p &lt; 0.001) for all sites, and by site for DRC and India only. Food groups least consumed at 24 mo for all sites were nuts/pulses (prevalence 20%), meats/fish/insects (21%), and vitamin A rich fruits & vegetables (38%); compared to grains/roots/tubers which were consumed by 98% of participants. For all sites, milk & dairy and eggs consumption significantly increased from 50 to 60% (p &lt; 0.001) and 26 to 50% (p &lt; 0.001), respectively. Breastfeeding decreased from 94% at 12 mo to 49% at 24 mo for all sites with the lowest prevalence of breastfeeding in Pakistan (23%), whereas the other sites were ∼50%.

Conclusions

For all sites, the prevalence of participants meeting IYCF recommendations for feeding indicators increased from 12 to 24 mo, but prevalence at 24 mo remained well below recommendations in all sites. Children with low IYCF scores are at risk for low intakes of vital nutrients, protein and vitamin A rich foods, which may negatively impact periods of rapid growth and development in these resource limited populations.

Funding Sources

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD.

Cost estimation alongside a multi-regional, multi-country randomized trial of antenatal ultrasound in five low-and-middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Improving maternal health has been a primary goal of international health agencies for many years, with the aim of reducing maternal and child deaths and improving access to antenatal care (ANC) services, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Health interventions with these aims have received more attention from a clinical effectiveness perspective than for cost impact and economic efficiency.

METHODS

We collected data on resource use and costs as part of a large, multi-country study assessing the use of routine antenatal screening ultrasound (US) with the aim of considering the implications for economic efficiency. We assessed typical antenatal outpatient and hospital-based (facility) care for pregnant women, in general, with selective complication-related data collection in women participating in a large maternal health registry and clinical trial in five LMICs. We estimated average costs from a facility/health system perspective for outpatient and inpatient services. We converted all country-level currency cost estimates to 2015 United States dollars (USD). We compared average costs across countries for ANC visits, deliveries, higher-risk pregnancies, and complications, and conducted sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

Our study included sites in five countries representing different regions. Overall, the relative cost of individual ANC and delivery-related healthcare use was consistent among countries, generally corresponding to country-specific income levels. ANC outpatient visit cost estimates per patient among countries ranged from 15 to 30 USD, based on average counts for visits with and without US. Estimates for antenatal screening US visits were more costly than non-US visits. Costs associated with higher-risk pregnancies were influenced by rates of hospital delivery by cesarean section (mean per person delivery cost estimate range: 25-65 USD).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite substantial differences among countries in infrastructures and health system capacity, there were similarities in resource allocation, delivery location, and country-level challenges. Overall, there was no clear suggestion that adding antenatal screening US would result in either major cost savings or major cost increases. However, antenatal screening US would have higher training and maintenance costs. Given the lack of clinical effectiveness evidence and greater resource constraints of LMICs, it is unlikely that introducing antenatal screening US would be economically efficient in these settings--on the demand side (i.e., patients) or supply side (i.e., healthcare providers).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial number: NCT01990625 (First posted: November 21, 2013 on https://clinicaltrials.gov ).

Association of parity with birthweight and neonatal death in five sites: The Global Network's Maternal Newborn Health Registry study

BACKGROUND

Nulliparity has been associated with lower birth weight (BW) and other adverse pregnancy outcomes, with most of the data coming from high-income countries. In this study, we examined birth weight for gestational age z-scores and neonatal (28-day) mortality in a large prospective cohort of women dated by first trimester ultrasound from multiple sites in low and middle-income countries.

METHODS

Pregnant women were recruited during the first trimester of pregnancy and followed through 6 weeks postpartum from Maternal Newborn Health Registry (MNHR) sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guatemala, Belagavi and Nagpur, India, and Pakistan from 2017 and 2018. Data related to the pregnancy and its outcomes were collected prospectively. First trimester ultrasound was used for determination of gestational age; (BW) was obtained in grams within 48 h of delivery and later transformed to weight for age z-scores (WAZ) adjusted for gestational age using the INTERGROWTH-21st standards.

RESULTS

15,121 women were eligible and included. Infants of nulliparous women had lower mean BWs (males: 2676 gr, females: 2587 gr, total: 2634 gr) and gestational age adjusted weight for age z-scores (males: - 0.73, females: - 0.77, total: - 0.75,) than women with one or more previous pregnancies. The largest differences were between zero and one previous pregnancies among female infants. The associations of parity with BW and z-scores remained even after adjustment for maternal age, maternal height, maternal education, antenatal care visits, hypertensive disorders, and socioeconomic status. Nulliparous women also had a significantly higher < 28-day neonatal mortality rate (27.7 per 1,000 live births) than parous women (17.2 and 20.7 for parity of 1-3 and ≥ 4 respectively). Risk of preterm birth was higher among women with ≥ 4 previous pregnancies (15.5%) compared to 11.3% for the nulliparous group and 11.8% for women with one to three previous pregnancies (p = 0.0072).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large sample from diverse settings, nulliparity was independently associated with both lower BW and WAZ scores as well as higher neonatal mortality compared to multiparity.

Development of the Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research's socioeconomic status index for use in the network's sites in low and lower middle-income countries

Background

Socioeconomic status (SES) is an important determinant of health globally and an important explanatory variable to assess causality in epidemiological research. The 10th Sustainable Development Goal is to reduce disparities in SES that impact health outcomes globally. It is easier to study SES in high-income countries because household income is representative of the SES. However, it is well recognized that income is poorly reported in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC) and is an unreliable indicator of SES. Therefore, there is a need for a robust index that will help to discriminate the SES of rural households in a pooled dataset from LMIC.

Methods

The study was nested in the population-based Maternal and Neonatal Health Registry of the Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research which has 7 rural sites in 6 Asian, sub-Saharan African and Central American countries. Pregnant women enrolling in the Registry were asked questions about items such as housing conditions and household assets. The characteristics of the candidate items were evaluated using confirmatory factor analyses and item response theory analyses. Based on the results of these analyses, a final set of items were selected for the SES index.

Results

Using data from 49,536 households of pregnant women, we reduced the data collected to a 10-item index. The 10 items were feasible to administer, covered the SES continuum and had good internal reliability and validity. We developed a sum score-based Item Response Theory scoring algorithm which is easy to compute and is highly correlated with scores based on response patterns (r = 0.97), suggesting minimal loss of information with the simplified approach. Scores varied significantly by site (p < 0.001). African sites had lower mean SES scores than the Asian and Central American sites. The SES index demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.81). Higher SES scores were significantly associated with formal education, more education, having received antenatal care, and facility delivery (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

While measuring SES in LMIC is challenging, we have developed a Global Network Socioeconomic Status Index which may be useful for comparisons of SES within and between locations. Next steps include understanding how the index is associated with maternal, perinatal and neonatal mortality.

Trial Registration NCT01073475

Plain English summary

Socioeconomic status (SES) is an important determinant of health globally, and improving SES is important to reduce disparities in health outcomes. It is easier to study SES in high-income countries because it can be measured by income and what income is spent on, but this concept does not translate easily to low and middle income countries. We developed a questionnaire that includes 10 items to determine SES in low-resource settings that was added to an ongoing Maternal and Neonatal Health Registry that is funded by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development’s Global Network. The Registry includes sites that collect outcomes of pregnancies in women and their babies in rural areas in 6 countries in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. The Registry is population based and tracks women from early in pregnancy to day 42 post-partum. The questionnaire is easy to administer and has good reliability and validity. Next steps include understanding how the index is associated with maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality.

Maternal mortality in six low and lower-middle income countries from 2010 to 2018: risk factors and trends

BACKGROUND

Maternal mortality is a public health problem that disproportionately affects low and lower-middle income countries (LMICs). Appropriate data sources are lacking to effectively track maternal mortality and monitor changes in this health indicator over time.

METHODS

We analyzed data from women enrolled in the NICHD Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research Maternal Newborn Health Registry (MNHR) from 2010 through 2018. Women delivering within research sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India (Nagpur and Belagavi), Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia are included. We evaluated maternal and delivery characteristics using log-binomial models and multivariable models to obtain relative risk estimates for mortality. We used running averages to track maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) over time.

RESULTS

We evaluated 571,321 pregnancies and 842 maternal deaths. We observed an MMR of 157 / 100,000 live births (95% CI 147, 167) across all sites, with a range of MMRs from 97 (76, 118) in the Guatemala site to 327 (293, 361) in the Pakistan site. When adjusted for maternal risk factors, risks of maternal mortality were higher with maternal age > 35 (RR 1.43 (1.06, 1.92)), no maternal education (RR 3.40 (2.08, 5.55)), lower education (RR 2.46 (1.54, 3.94)), nulliparity (RR 1.24 (1.01, 1.52)) and parity > 2 (RR 1.48 (1.15, 1.89)). Increased risk of maternal mortality was also associated with occurrence of obstructed labor (RR 1.58 (1.14, 2.19)), severe antepartum hemorrhage (RR 2.59 (1.83, 3.66)) and hypertensive disorders (RR 6.87 (5.05, 9.34)). Before and after adjusting for other characteristics, physician attendance at delivery, delivery in hospital and Caesarean delivery were associated with increased risk. We observed variable changes over time in the MMR within sites.

CONCLUSIONS

The MNHR is a useful tool for tracking MMRs in these LMICs. We identified maternal and delivery characteristics associated with increased risk of death, some might be confounded by indication. Despite declines in MMR in some sites, all sites had an MMR higher than the Sustainable Development Goals target of below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The MNHR is registered at NCT01073475 .

Regional trends in birth weight in low- and middle-income countries 2013-2018

BACKGROUND

Birth weight (BW) is a strong predictor of neonatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare BWs between global regions (south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Central America) prospectively and to determine if trends exist in BW over time using the population-based maternal and newborn registry (MNHR) of the Global Network for Women'sand Children's Health Research (Global Network).

METHODS

The MNHR is a prospective observational population-based registryof six research sites participating in the Global Network (2013-2018), within five low- and middle-income countries (Kenya, Zambia, India, Pakistan, and Guatemala) in threeglobal regions (sub-Saharan Af rica, south Asia, Central America). The birth weights were obtained for all infants born during the study period. This was done either by abstracting from the infants' health facility records or from direct measurement by the registry staff for infants born at home. After controlling for demographic characteristics, mixed-effect regression models were utilized to examine regional differences in birth weights over time.

RESULTS

The overall BW meanswere higher for the African sites (Zambia and Kenya), 3186 g (SD 463 g) in 2013 and 3149 g (SD 449 g) in 2018, ascompared to Asian sites (Belagavi and Nagpur, India and Pakistan), 2717 g (SD450 g) in 2013 and 2713 g (SD 452 g) in 2018. The Central American site (Guatemala) had a mean BW intermediate between the African and south Asian sites, 2928 g (SD 452) in 2013, and 2874 g (SD 448) in 2018. The low birth weight (LBW) incidence was highest in the south Asian sites (India and Pakistan) and lowest in the African sites (Kenya and Zambia). The size of regional differences varied somewhat over time with slight decreases in the gap in birth weights between the African and Asian sites and slight increases in the gap between the African and Central American sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, BWmeans by global region did not change significantly over the 5-year study period. From 2013 to 2018, infants enrolled at the African sites demonstrated the highest BW means overall across the entire study period, particularly as compared to Asian sites. The incidence of LBW was highest in the Asian sites (India and Pakistan) compared to the African and Central American sites. Trial registration The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov. ClinicalTrial.gov Trial Registration: NCT01073475.

Stillbirth 2010-2018: a prospective, population-based, multi-country study from the Global Network

BACKGROUND

Stillbirth rates are high and represent a substantial proportion of the under-5 mortality in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). In LMIC, where nearly 98% of stillbirths worldwide occur, few population-based studies have documented cause of stillbirths or the trends in rate of stillbirth over time.

METHODS

We undertook a prospective, population-based multi-country research study of all pregnant women in defined geographic areas across 7 sites in low-resource settings (Kenya, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Pakistan, and Guatemala). Staff collected demographic and health care characteristics with outcomes obtained at delivery. Cause of stillbirth was assigned by algorithm.

RESULTS

From 2010 through 2018, 573,148 women were enrolled with delivery data obtained. Of the 552,547 births that reached 500 g or 20 weeks gestation, 15,604 were stillbirths; a rate of 28.2 stillbirths per 1000 births. The stillbirth rates were 19.3 in the Guatemala site, 23.8 in the African sites, and 33.3 in the Asian sites. Specifically, stillbirth rates were highest in the Pakistan site, which also documented a substantial decrease in stillbirth rates over the study period, from 56.0 per 1000 (95% CI 51.0, 61.0) in 2010 to 44.4 per 1000 (95% CI 39.1, 49.7) in 2018. The Nagpur, India site also documented a substantial decrease in stillbirths from 32.5 (95% CI 29.0, 36.1) to 16.9 (95% CI 13.9, 19.9) per 1000 in 2018; however, other sites had only small declines in stillbirth over the same period. Women who were less educated and older as well as those with less access to antenatal care and with vaginal assisted delivery were at increased risk of stillbirth. The major fetal causes of stillbirth were birth asphyxia (44.0% of stillbirths) and infectious causes (22.2%). The maternal conditions that were observed among those with stillbirth were obstructed or prolonged labor, antepartum hemorrhage and maternal infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the study period, stillbirth rates have remained relatively high across all sites. With the exceptions of the Pakistan and Nagpur sites, Global Network sites did not observe substantial changes in their stillbirth rates. Women who were less educated and had less access to antenatal and obstetric care remained at the highest burden of stillbirth.

STUDY REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov (ID# NCT01073475).

The Global Network Maternal Newborn Health Registry: a multi-country, community-based registry of pregnancy outcomes

BACKGROUND

The Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research (Global Network) conducts clinical trials in resource-limited countries through partnerships among U.S. investigators, international investigators based in in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and a central data coordinating center. The Global Network's objectives include evaluating low-cost, sustainable interventions to improve women's and children's health in LMICs. Accurate reporting of births, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, maternal mortality, and measures of obstetric and neonatal care is critical to determine strategies for improving pregnancy outcomes. In response to this need, the Global Network developed the Maternal Newborn Health Registry (MNHR), a prospective, population-based registry of pregnant women, fetuses and neonates receiving care in defined catchment areas at the Global Network sites. This publication describes the MNHR, including participating sites, data management and quality and changes over time.

METHODS

Pregnant women who reside in or receive healthcare in select communities are enrolled in the MNHR of the Global Network. For each woman and her offspring, sociodemographic, health care, and the major outcomes through 42-days post-delivery are recorded. Study visits occur at enrollment during pregnancy, at delivery and at 42 days postpartum.

RESULTS

From 2010 through 2018, the Global Network MNHR sites were located in Guatemala, Belagavi and Nagpur, India, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Zambia. During this period at these sites, 579,140 pregnant women were consented and enrolled in the MNHR, nearly 99% of all eligible women. Delivery data were collected for 99% of enrolled women and 42-day follow-up data for 99% of those delivered. In this supplement, the trends over time and assessment of differences across geographic regions are analyzed in a series of 18 manuscripts utilizing the MNHR data.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving maternal, fetal and newborn health in countries with poor outcomes requires an understanding of the characteristics of the population, quality of health care and outcomes. Because the worst pregnancy outcomes typically occur in countries with limited health registration systems and vital records, alternative registration systems may prove to be highly valuable in providing data. The MNHR, an international, multicenter, population-based registry, assesses pregnancy outcomes over time in support of efforts to develop improved perinatal healthcare in resource-limited areas. Trial Registration The Maternal Newborn Health Registry is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (ID# NCT01073475). Registered February 23, 2019. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01073475.

Oligohydramnios: a prospective study of fetal, neonatal and maternal outcomes in low-middle income countries

Background

Oligohydramnios is a condition of abnormally low amniotic fluid volume that has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. To date, the prevalence of this condition and its outcomes has not been well described in low and low-middle income countries (LMIC) where ultrasound use to diagnose this condition in pregnancy is limited. As part of a prospective trial of ultrasound at antenatal care in LMICs, we sought to evaluate the incidence of and the adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes associated with oligohydramnios.

Methods

We included data in this report from all pregnant women in community settings in Guatemala, Pakistan, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who received a third trimester ultrasound as part of the First Look Study, a randomized trial to assess the value of ultrasound at antenatal care. Using these data, we conducted a planned secondary analysis to compare pregnancy outcomes of women with to those without oligohydramnios. Oligohydramnios was defined as measurement of an Amniotic Fluid Index less than 5 cm in at least one ultrasound in the third trimester. The outcomes assessed included maternal morbidity and fetal and neonatal mortality, preterm birth and low-birthweight. We used pairwise site comparisons with Tukey-Kramer adjustment and multivariable logistic models using general estimating equations to account for the correlation of outcomes within cluster.

Results

Of 12,940 women enrolled in the clusters in Guatemala, Pakistan, Zambia and the DRC in the First Look Study who had a third trimester ultrasound examination, 87 women were diagnosed with oligohydramnios, equivalent to 0.7% of those studied. Prevalence of detected oligohydramnios varied among study sites; from the lowest of 0.2% in Zambia and the DRC to the highest of 1.5% in Pakistan. Women diagnosed with oligohydramnios had higher rates of hemorrhage, fetal malposition, and cesarean delivery than women without oligohydramnios. We also found unfavorable fetal and neonatal outcomes associated with oligohydramnios including stillbirths (OR 5.16, 95%CI 2.07, 12.85), neonatal deaths < 28 days (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.18, 8.57), low birth weight (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.44, 3.07) and preterm births (OR 2.73, 95%CI 1.76, 4.23). The mean birth weight was 162 g less (95% CI -288.6, − 35.9) with oligohydramnios.

Conclusions

Oligohydramnos was associated with worse neonatal, fetal and maternal outcomes in LMIC. Further research is needed to assess effective interventions to diagnose and ultimately to reduce poor outcomes in these settings.

Trial registration

NCT01990625.

Low-dose aspirin for the prevention of preterm delivery in nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy (ASPIRIN): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth remains a common cause of neonatal mortality, with a disproportionately high burden in low-income and middle-income countries. Meta-analyses of low-dose aspirin to prevent pre-eclampsia suggest that the incidence of preterm birth might also be decreased, particularly if initiated before 16 weeks of gestation.

METHODS

ASPIRIN was a randomised, multicountry, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial of low-dose aspirin (81 mg daily) initiated between 6 weeks and 0 days of pregnancy, and 13 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, in nulliparous women with an ultrasound confirming gestational age and a singleton viable pregnancy. Participants were enrolled at seven community sites in six countries (two sites in India and one site each in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia). Participants were randomly assigned (1:1, stratified by site) to receive aspirin or placebo tablets of identical appearance, via a sequence generated centrally by the data coordinating centre at Research Triangle Institute International (Research Triangle Park, NC, USA). Treatment was masked to research staff, health providers, and patients, and continued until 36 weeks and 7 days of gestation or delivery. The primary outcome of incidence of preterm birth, defined as the number of deliveries before 37 weeks' gestational age, was analysed in randomly assigned women with pregnancy outcomes at or after 20 weeks, according to a modified intention-to-treat (mITT) protocol. Analyses of our binary primary outcome involved a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test stratified by site, and generalised linear models to obtain relative risk (RR) estimates and associated confidence intervals. Serious adverse events were assessed in all women who received at least one dose of drug or placebo. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02409680, and the Clinical Trial Registry-India, CTRI/2016/05/006970.

FINDINGS

From March 23, 2016 to June 30, 2018, 14 361 women were screened for inclusion and 11 976 women aged 14-40 years were randomly assigned to receive low-dose aspirin (5990 women) or placebo (5986 women). 5780 women in the aspirin group and 5764 in the placebo group were evaluable for the primary outcome. Preterm birth before 37 weeks occurred in 668 (11·6%) of the women who took aspirin and 754 (13·1%) of those who took placebo (RR 0·89 [95% CI 0·81 to 0·98], p=0·012). In women taking aspirin, we also observed significant reductions in perinatal mortality (0·86 [0·73-1·00], p=0·048), fetal loss (infant death after 16 weeks' gestation and before 7 days post partum; 0·86 [0·74-1·00], p=0·039), early preterm delivery (<34 weeks; 0·75 [0·61-0·93], p=0·039), and the incidence of women who delivered before 34 weeks with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (0·38 [0·17-0·85], p=0·015). Other adverse maternal and neonatal events were similar between the two groups.

INTERPRETATION

In populations of nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies from low-income and middle-income countries, low-dose aspirin initiated between 6 weeks and 0 days of gestation and 13 weeks and 6 days of gestation resulted in a reduced incidence of preterm delivery before 37 weeks, and reduced perinatal mortality.

FUNDING

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Different Gut Microbial Profiles in Sub-Saharan African and South Asian Women of Childbearing Age Are Primarily Associated With Dietary Intakes

Background

To compare and characterize the gut microbiota in women of childbearing age from sub-Saharan Africa (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC) and South Asia (India), in relation to dietary intakes.

Methods

Women of childbearing age were recruited from rural DRC and India as part of the Women First (WF) preconception maternal nutrition trial. Findings presented include fecal 16S rRNA gene-based profiling of women in the WF trial from samples obtained at the time of randomization, prior to initiation of nutrition intervention and to conception.

Results

Stool samples were collected from 217 women (DRC n = 117; India n = 100). Alpha diversity of the gut microbiota was higher in DRC than in India (Chao1: 91 ± 11 vs. 82 ± 12, P = 6.58E-07). The gut microbial community structure was not significantly affected by any demographical or environmental variables, such as maternal BMI, education, and water source. Prevotella, Succinivibrio, and Roseburia were at relatively high abundance without differences between sites. Bifidobacterium was higher in India (4.95 ± 1.0%) than DRC (0.3 ± 0.1%; P = 2.71E-27), as was Lactobacillus (DRC: 0.2 ± 0.0%; India: 1.2 ± 0.1%; P = 2.39E-13) and Faecalibacterium (DRC: 6.0 ± 1.7%; India: 8.4 ± 2.9%; P = 6.51E-7). Ruminococcus was higher in DRC (2.3 ± 0.7%) than in India (1.8 ± 0.4%; P = 3.24E-5) and was positively associated with consumption of flesh foods. Succinivibrio was positively associated with dairy intake in India and fish/insects in DRC. Faecalibacterium was positively associated with vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables. Overall, these observations were consistent with India being primarily vegetarian with regular fermented dairy consumption and DRC regularly consuming animal-flesh foods.

Conclusion

Consumption of animal-flesh foods and fermented dairy foods were independently associated with the gut microbiota while demographic variables were not, suggesting that diet may have a stronger association with microbiota than demographic characteristics.

Including ultrasound scans in antenatal care in low-resource settings: Considering the complementarity of obstetric ultrasound screening and maternity waiting homes in strengthening referral systems in low-resource, rural settings

Recent World Health Organization (WHO) antenatal care recommendations include an ultrasound scan as a part of routine antenatal care. The First Look Study, referenced in the WHO recommendation, subsequently shows that the routine use of ultrasound during antenatal care in rural, low-income settings did not improve maternal, fetal or neonatal mortality, nor did it increase women's use of antenatal care or the rate of hospital births. This article reviews the First Look Study, reconsidering the assumptions upon which it was built in light of these results, a supplemental descriptive study of interviews with patients and sonographers that participated in the First Look study intervention, and a review of the literature. Two themes surface from this review. The first is that focused emphasis on building the pregnancy risk screening skills of rural primary health care personnel may not lead to adaptations in referral hospital processes that could benefit the patient accordingly. The second is that agency to improve the quality of patient reception at referral hospitals may need to be manufactured for obstetric ultrasound screening, or remote pregnancy risk screening more generally, to have the desired impact. Stemming from the literature, this article goes on to examine the potential for complementarity between obstetric ultrasound screening and another approach encouraged by the WHO, the maternity waiting home. Each approach may address existing shortcomings in how the other is currently understood. This paper concludes by proposing a path toward developing and testing such a hybrid approach.

Polyhydramnios among women in a cluster-randomized trial of ultrasound during prenatal care within five low and low-middle income countries: a secondary analysis of the first look study

Background

In many low and low-middle income countries, the incidence of polyhydramnios is unknown, in part because ultrasound technology is not routinely used. Our objective was to report the incidence of polyhydramnios in five low and low-middle income countries, to determine maternal characteristics associated with polyhydramnios, and report pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis of the First Look Study, a multi-national, cluster-randomized trial of ultrasound during prenatal care. We evaluated all women enrolled from Guatemala, Pakistan, Zambia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who received an examination by prenatal ultrasound. We used pairwise site comparisons with Tukey-Kramer adjustment and multivariable logistic models with general estimating equations to control for cluster-level effects. The diagnosis of polyhydramnios was confrimed by an U.S. based radiologist in a majority of cases (62%).

Results

We identified 305/18,640 (1.6%) cases of polyhydramnios. 229 (75%) cases were from the DRC, with an incidence of 10%. A higher percentage of women with polyhydramnios experienced obstructed labor (7% vs 4%) and fetal malposition (4% vs 2%). Neonatal death was more common when polyhydramnios was present (OR 2.43; CI 1.15, 5.13).

Conclusions

Polyhydramnios occured in these low and low-middle income countries at a rate similar to high-income contries except in the DRC where the incidence was 10%. Polyhydramnios was associated with obstructed labor, fetal malposition, and neonatal death.

Trial registration

NCT01990625, November 21, 2013.

A Prospective, Population-Based Study of Trends in Operative Vaginal Delivery Compared to Cesarean Delivery Rates in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, 2010-2016

OBJECTIVE

Few data are available on cesarean delivery and operative vaginal delivery trends in low- and middle-income countries. Our objective was to analyze a prospective population-based registry including eight sites in seven low- and middle-income countries to observe trends in operative vaginal delivery versus cesarean delivery rates over time, across sites.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective population-based study, including home and facility births among women enrolled from 2010 to 2016, was performed in communities in Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia. Women were enrolled during pregnancy and delivery outcome data were collected.

RESULTS

We analyzed 354,287 women; 4,119 (1.2%) underwent an operative vaginal delivery and 45,032 (11.2%) delivered by cesarean. Across all sites with data for 7 years, rates of operative vaginal delivery decreased from 1.6 to 0.3%, while cesarean delivery increased from 6.4 to 14.4%. Similar trends were seen when individual country data were analyzed. Operative vaginal delivery rates decreased in both hospitals and clinics, except in the hospital setting at one of the Indian sites.

CONCLUSION

In low- and middle-income countries, operative vaginal delivery is becoming less utilized while cesarean delivery is becoming an increasingly common mode of delivery.

Differences in Birth Size Associated with Preconception Maternal Nutrition Intervention Persist in Postnatal Growth Through 6 Months (OR10-05-19)

Objectives

Newborn size, including length, has been associated with later growth. Preconception nutrition supplementation in Women First (WF) trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01883193) was associated with higher newborn length and lower rates of stunting. The objective was to examine postnatal growth outcomes through 6 mo in the WF offspring.

Methods

Subjects were 2450 infants from the WF sites in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guatemala, India, and Pakistan with the 3 WF arms maintained: Arm 1 started a lipid-based nutrition supplement ≥ 3 mo prior to conception; Arm 2 started same supplement at ∼11 wk gestation; and Arm 3 received no trial supplements. Maternal supplementation was discontinued at delivery. Anthropometric measurements were obtained at birth, 0.5, 1, 3, and 6 mo; Z-scores were calculated from WHO Child Growth Standards. Primary and secondary outcomes were analyzed using longitudinal generalized estimating equations accounting for the correlation of repeated measures over time and study cluster. Intervention effects were evaluated within each site as well as overall, adjusting for site and baseline maternal covariates that differed by arm. Statistical interaction between arm and infant sex was evaluated and included if significant.

Results

Longitudinal growth (length and weight) curves from 0–6 mo demonstrated differences by intervention arm, with Arms 1 and 2 more favorable compared to Arm 3 (Table + LAZ in Figure). Relative risks (RR) for stunting were significantly lower for Arms 1 and 2 (vs. Arm 3) (Table). Site-specific analyses revealed some site differences warranting further exploration.

Conclusions

Without any postnatal intervention, differences in fetal growth evident at birth persisted at 6 months.

Funding Sources

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; NIH, NICHD & ODS.

Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

Different Gut Microbial Profiles in African and South Asian Women of Childbearing Age in the Women First (WF) Trial (FS07-05-19)

Objectives

To characterize and compare the gut microbial structures in women of childbearing age from Africa (the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC) and South Asia (India)

Methods

Women of childbearing age were recruited from rural DRC and India as part of the WF preconception maternal nutrition trial. Findings presented include the gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) of women at the time of randomization prior to conception in the WF trial and represented participants from two of the WF sites, with distinctive ethnicity, diet, culture and geographical locations. Women were recruited from 12 villages in rural DRC and 9 villages from rural India. 24-h dietary recalls were conducted on half of the participants during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Results

Stool samples were collected from n = 217 women (DRC n = 117; India n = 100). Alpha diversity of the gut microbiota was higher in DRC than in India using Chao1 (91 ± 11 vs. 82 ± 12, P < 0.001). At Phylum level, the three most abundant phyla were Bacteroidetes (51%), Firmicutes (33%) and Proteobacteria (7%) with no difference between sites. At Genus level, Prevotella remained the only strain that was over 10% abundance (DRC: 27 ± 11%; India: 29 ± 13%; P = 0.32). Some fiber fermenting strains Succinivibrio (DRC: 3.2 ± 0.8%; India: 3.2 ± 0.6%; P = 0.11) and Roseburia (DRC: 2.0 ± 0.3%; India: 2.1 ± 0.4%; P = 0.31) remained at relatively high abundance without differences between sites. Bifidobacterium was higher in India (4.95 ± 1.0%) than DRC (0.3 ± 0.1%; P = 1.4E-28), and so was Lactobacillus (DRC: 0.2 ± 0.0%; India: 1.2 ± 0.1%; P = 3.0E-14) and Faeclibacterium (DRC: 6.0 ± 1.7%; India: 8.4 ± 2.9%; P = 2E-7). Ruminococcus was higher in DRC (2.3 ± 0.7%) than in India (1.8 ± 0.4%; P = 1.3E-5). These observations were consistent with dietary intakes of high plant-based foods for both countries; India being primarily vegetarian with regular fermented dairy consumption and DRC consumes animal-based foods regularly. The gut microbiota was not affected by any demographical variables.

Conclusions

Consumption of plant-based foods, animal-flesh foods and fermented dairy foods all had independent effects on the gut microbiota, and the effects of diet apparently overrides other potential factors such as socioeconomic status.

Funding Sources

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; NIH, NICHD & ODS.

A multicountry randomized controlled trial of comprehensive maternal nutrition supplementation initiated before conception: the Women First trial

Background

Reported benefits of maternal nutrition supplements commenced during pregnancy in low-resource populations have typically been quite limited.

Objectives

This study tested the effects on newborn size, especially length, of commencing nutrition supplements for women in low-resource populations ≥3 mo before conception (Arm 1), compared with the same supplement commenced late in the first trimester of pregnancy (Arm 2) or not at all (control Arm 3).

Methods

Women First was a 3-arm individualized randomized controlled trial (RCT). The intervention was a lipid-based micronutrient supplement; a protein-energy supplement was also provided if maternal body mass index (kg/m2) was <20 or gestational weight gain was less than recommendations. Study sites were in rural locations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guatemala, India, and Pakistan. The primary outcome was length-for-age z score (LAZ), with all anthropometry obtained <48 h post delivery. Because gestational ages were unavailable in DRC, outcomes were determined for all 4 sites from WHO newborn standards (non-gestational-age-adjusted, NGAA) as well as INTERGROWTH-21st fetal standards (3 sites, gestational age-adjusted, GAA).

Results

A total of 7387 nonpregnant women were randomly assigned, yielding 2451 births with NGAA primary outcomes and 1465 with GAA outcomes. Mean LAZ and other outcomes did not differ between Arm 1 and Arm 2 using either NGAA or GAA. Mean LAZ (NGAA) for Arm 1 was greater than for Arm 3 (effect size: +0.19; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.30, P = 0.0008). For GAA outcomes, rates of stunting and small-for-gestational-age were lower in Arm 1 than in Arm 3 (RR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.98, P = 0.0361 and RR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.88, P < 0.001, respectively). Rates of preterm birth did not differ among arms.

Conclusions

In low-resource populations, benefits on fetal growth-related birth outcomes were derived from nutrition supplements commenced before conception or late in the first trimester. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01883193.

Factors influencing referrals for ultrasound-diagnosed complications during prenatal care in five low and middle income countries

Background

Ultrasound during antenatal care (ANC) is proposed as a strategy for increasing hospital deliveries for complicated pregnancies and improving maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. The First Look study was a cluster-randomized trial conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia to evaluate the impact of ANC-ultrasound on these outcomes. An additional survey was conducted to identify factors influencing women with complicated pregnancies to attend referrals for additional care.

Methods

Women who received referral due to ANC ultrasound findings participated in structured interviews to characterize their experiences. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics were used to examine differences between women who attended the referral and women who did not. Sonographers’ exam findings were compared to referred women’s recall.

Results

Among 700 referred women, 510 (71%) attended the referral. Among referred women, 97% received a referral card to present at the hospital, 91% were told where to go in the hospital, and 64% were told that the hospital was expecting them. The referred women who were told who to see at the hospital (88% vs 66%), where to go (94% vs 82%), or what should happen, were more likely to attend their referral (68% vs 56%). Barriers to attending referrals were cost, transportation, and distance. Barriers after reaching the hospital were substantial. These included not connecting with an appropriate provider, not knowing where to go, and being told to return later. These barriers at the hospital often led to an unsuccessful referral.

Conclusions

Our study found that ultrasound screening at ANC alone does not adequately address barriers to referrals. Better communication between the sonographer and the patient increases the likelihood of a completed referral. These types of communication include describing the ultrasound findings, including the reason for the referral, to the mother and staff; providing a referral card; describing where to go in the hospital; and explaining the procedures at the hospital. Thus, there are three levels of communication that need to be addressed to increase completion of appropriate referrals-communication between the sonographer and the woman, the sonographer and the clinic staff, and the sonographer and the hospital.

Trial registration

NCT01990625.