Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Arash Derakhshan, Tuija Mannisto, Liangmiao Chen, Joris A. J. Osinga, Ghalia Ashoor, Xuemian Lu, Sofie Bliddal, Fang-Biao Tao, Suzanne J. Brown, Bijay Vaidya, Andrew T. Hattersley, Sachiko Itoh, Polina Popova, Ashraf Aminorroaya, Reiko Kishi, Maryam Kianpour, Elena A. Vasukova, Abel Lopez-Bermejo, Emily Oken, Leda Chatzi, Marina Vafeiadi, Wichor M. Bramer, Judit Bassols, Aitana Lertxundi, Ana Fernandez-Somoano, Paula Carrasco, Juha Auvinen, Kun Huang, Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen, Elena N. Grineva, Erik K. Alexander, Elizabeth N. Pearce, Layal Chaker, John P. Walsh, Robin P. Peeters, Monica Guxens, Eila Suvanto, Kypros H. Nicolaides, Tim I. M. Korevaar
Summary: This study explores the association between gestational FT3 and TT3 levels and adverse obstetric outcomes. The findings suggest that FT3 and TT3 levels have different associations with various adverse obstetric outcomes, with high TT3 associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension and low TT3 associated with a higher risk of very preterm birth.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Yanyan Ni, Marina Mendonca, Nicole Baumann, Robert Eves, Eero Kajantie, Petteri Hovi, Marjaana Tikanmaki, Katri Raikkonen, Kati Heinonen, Marit S. Indredavik, Kari-Anne I. Evensen, Samantha Johnson, Neil Marlow, Dieter Wolke
Summary: Very preterm/very low birth weight adults scored lower in relationships with friends compared to controls, but perceived their family and partner relationships, as well as work and educational experiences, as comparable. No significant differences were found in other domains.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nandita Perumal, Dongqing Wang, Anne Marie Darling, Enju Liu, Molin Wang, Tahmeed Ahmed, Parul Christian, Kathryn G. Dewey, Gilberto Kac, Stephen H. Kennedy, Vishak Subramoney, Brittany Briggs, GWG Pooling Project Consortium
Summary: This article discusses the importance of evaluating the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) and neonatal outcomes in low and middle income countries. The study found that inadequate and excessive GWG are associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, and interventions promoting optimal GWG may help reduce the burden of these outcomes. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal range of GWG based on data from low and middle income countries.
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yulika Yoshida-Montezuma, Branavan Sivapathasundaram, Hilary K. Brown, Charles Keown-Stoneman, Russell J. de Souza, Teresa To, Cornelia M. Borkhoff, Catherine S. Birken, Jonathon L. Maguire, Laura N. Anderson
Summary: Children born late preterm and moderately preterm have higher cardiometabolic risk, suggesting that screening and early-life interventions for these children may prevent cardiometabolic outcomes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ethan K. Gough, Thaddeus J. Edens, Hyun Min Geum, Iman Baharmand, Sandeep K. Gill, Ruairi C. Robertson, Kuda Mutasa, Robert Ntozini, Laura E. Smith, Bernard Chasekwa, Florence D. Majo, Naume Tavengwa, Batsirai Mutasa, Freddy Francis, Lynnea Carr, Joice Tome, Rebecca J. Stoltzfus, Lawrence H. Moulton, Andrew J. Prendergast, Jean H. Humphrey, Amee R. Manges
Summary: The study in rural Zimbabwe found that the maternal intestinal microbiome composition and functions during pregnancy are closely related to infant birth weight and growth outcomes, with resistant starch-degrading bacteria playing a key role in predicting birth outcomes.
Editorial Material
Biology
Stephanie M. Holm, John Balmes
Summary: Pollution from landscape fires, increasing due to climate change, leads to lower birthweights in babies in low- and middle-income countries.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jovine Bachwenkizi, Cong Liu, Xia Meng, Lina Zhang, Weidong Wang, Aaron van Donkelaar, Randall Martin, Melanie S. Hammer, Renjie Chen, Haidong Kan
Summary: This multicountry study in Africa found significant associations between maternal exposure to PM2.5 and higher odds of low birth weight and preterm birth. These findings may contribute to the development of air quality control strategies to address adverse birth outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cosmin Rugina, Cristina Oana Marginean, Lorena Elena Melit, Adina Hutanu, Dana Valentina Ghiga, Viviana Modi, Claudiu Marginean
Summary: Excessive gestational weight gain in pregnant women can lead to increased inflammatory status and higher birth weights in newborns. Interleukin 8 may serve as a key indicator of inflammatory status in both mothers and newborns.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Elisabeth C. McGowan, Julie A. Hofheimer, T. Michael O'Shea, Howard Kilbride, Brian S. Carter, Jennifer Check, Jennifer Helderman, Charles R. Neal, Steve Pastyrnak, Lynne M. Smith, Marie Camerota, Lynne M. Dansereau, Sheri A. Della Grotta, Barry M. Lester
Summary: This study found that high-risk neonatal neurobehavioral patterns at NICU discharge were associated with adverse cognitive, motor, and behavioral outcomes at 2 years.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel K. Robinson, Kati Heinonen, Polina Girchenko, Marius Lahti-Pulkkinen, Eero Kajantie, Petteri Hovi, Aulikki Lano, Sture Andersson, Johan G. Eriksson, Dieter Wolke, Sakari Lemola, Katri Raikkonen
Summary: The study found that preterm and term born adults did not differ in optimism, but preterm individuals scored higher in pessimism. Additionally, preterm individuals with higher birth weight may have more optimistic life orientations.
Article
Pediatrics
Giulia Vizzari, Daniela Morniroli, Valentina Tiraferri, Marta Macchi, Silvana Gangi, Alessandra Consales, Federica Ceroni, Jacopo Cerasani, Fabio Mosca, Maria Lorella Gianni
Summary: This study examined the growth outcomes of late preterm infants and identified factors associated with failure to recover growth. The results showed that 34% of children did not regain weight at 36 months. Infants who did not regain weight at 12 months were at a higher risk of not regaining weight at 36 months. The same risk factor was also associated with length catch-up growth. Additionally, infants fed any human milk at discharge were protected from failure to achieve weight and length catch-up growth at 36 months.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lan-Wan Wang, Hung-Chih Lin, Ming-Luen Tsai, Yu-Tzu Chang, Yu-Chia Chang
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. It found that children born to mothers with HDP had higher rates of preterm-birth and small-for-gestational-age, both of which are risk factors for ASD. The study also suggested that HDP may not be a major contributor to ASD, but rather preterm-birth and SGA play a moderating role in increasing ASD risks.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Chang-Fa Sun, Han Liu, Yan-Hui Hao, Hong-Tao Hu, Zhi-Yang Zhou, Ke-Xin Zou, Xin-Mei Liu, Jian-Zhong Sheng, Guo-Lian Ding, He-Feng Huang
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between anemia in different trimesters and neonatal outcomes, revealing that gestational anemia is a public health issue in China with only about a quarter of women able to be corrected. Anemia occurring in the first trimester, whether corrected or not, still led to lower birth weight, highlighting the importance of preventing anemia before pregnancy.
WORLD JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fengming Tu, Aimei Fei
Summary: This study examines the impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on maternal and neonatal outcomes in singleton and twin pregnancies. The results showed that singleton pregnancies with GDM had a lower risk of cesarean section, small-for-gestational age neonates, preterm delivery, respiratory morbidity, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and NICU admission compared to twin pregnancies with GDM. Therefore, interventions should be focused on twin pregnancies with GDM.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Martina A. Steurer, Kurt Schuhmacher, Jill J. Savla, Mousumi Banerjee, Nikhil K. Chanani, Aaron Eckhauser, Justin Elhoff, Jeffrey P. Jacobs, Katherine Mikesell, Shabnam Peyvandi, Jennifer Romano, Wenying Zhang, J. William Gaynor, Sarah Tabbutt
Summary: This study developed a Neonatal Risk Adjustment Model for congenital heart surgery that incorporated more granular data on gestational age and birth weight, and compared its performance with traditional models, finding that it improved the accuracy of mortality prediction.
JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Barbara Willey, Nasir Umar, Emma Beaumont, Elizabeth Allen, Jennifer Anyanti, Abubakar Bala Bello, Antoinette Bhattacharya, Josephine Exley, Krystyna Makowiecka, Magdalene Okolo, Rabi Sani, Joanna Schellenberg, Neil Spicer, Umar Adamu Usman, Ahmed Mohammed Gana, Abdulrahman Shuaibu, Tanya Marchant
Summary: This study evaluated a government-led maternal and newborn health intervention program in Gombe state, Nigeria. The results showed improvements in coverage for most indicators in the intervention areas, but wide-spread inequities persisted. The study highlights the effectiveness of coordinated multi-partner action in resource-constrained settings.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abimbola A. Olaniran, Modupe Oludipe, Zelee Hill, Adedoyin Ogunyemi, Nasir Umar, Kelechi Ohiri, Joanna Schellenberg, Tanya Marchant
Summary: The study found that adaptation of QI initiatives according to local needs, priorities, and organizational culture is crucial for successful implementation across different facility types. Insufficient human and capital resources were identified as constraints, requiring an extension of the initiative's duration.
QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nasir Umar, Joanna Schellenberg, Zelee Hill, Antoinette Alas Bhattacharya, Moise Muzigaba, Ozge Tuncalp, Nuraddeen Umar Sambo, Abdulrahman Shuaibu, Tanya Marchant
Summary: This study aims to investigate the validity of telephone interviews as a low-cost alternative to collect data on the experience of childbirth care. The results show that the telephone interviews conducted 14 months after childbirth did not yield consistent results with the exit interviews conducted at the time of facility discharge, possibly influenced by the location of reporting or changes in the recall of experiences over time.
Article
Infectious Diseases
George Mtove, Daniel T. R. Minja, Omari Abdul, Samwel Gesase, Kenneth Maleta, Titus H. Divala, Noel Patson, Ulla Ashorn, Miriam K. Laufer, Mwayiwawo Madanitsa, Per Ashorn, Don Mathanga, Jobiba Chinkhumba, Julie R. Gutman, Feiko O. Ter Kuile, Sofie Lykke Moller, Ib C. Bygbjerg, Michael Alifrangis, Thor Theander, John P. A. Lusingu, Christentze Schmiegelow
Summary: The choice of weight-for-gestational-age reference chart may affect the prevalence of SGA and the association between malaria in pregnancy and SGA. This study suggests that using a local reference chart may provide a more accurate assessment of the impact of malaria in pregnancy on SGA.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nancy A. Kassam, Daniel Laswai, Neema Kulaya, Robert D. Kaaya, Debora C. Kajeguka, Christentze Schmiegelow, Christian W. Wang, Michael Alifrangis, Reginald A. Kavishe
Summary: This study investigated human IgG responses to mosquito bites and compared the responses between Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes. The results showed higher exposure to Aedes mosquito bites compared to Anopheles mosquitoes. The findings are important for understanding the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emma Beaumont, Della Berhanu, Elizabeth Allen, Joanna Schellenberg, Bilal Iqbal Avan
Summary: This study examined the relationship between household socioeconomic status and both coverage and quality of postnatal care in Ethiopia. The findings showed a strong association between socioeconomic status and receiving postnatal care, with women from higher socioeconomic groups having a higher likelihood of receiving postnatal care compared to women in the poorest quintile. The study also found that poor women who did not deliver in a facility received fewer postnatal care services, highlighting the need to focus on quality improvement as well as coverage among this group.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sai Sundar Rajan Raghavan, Robert Dagil, Mary Lopez-Perez, Julian Conrad, Maria Rosaria Bassi, Maria del Pilar Quintana, Swati Choudhary, Tobias Gustavsson, Yong Wang, Pontus Gourdon, Michael Fokuo Ofori, Sebastian Boje Christensen, Daniel Thomas Remias Minja, Christentze Schmiegelow, Morten Agertoug Nielsen, Lea Barfod, Lars Hviid, Ali Salanti, Thomas Lavstsen, Kaituo Wang
Summary: Malaria during pregnancy is a major global health problem caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection. Immunity to placental malaria is acquired through exposure and mediated through antibodies to VAR2CSA. This study reveals the structure of a broadly reactive antibody against VAR2CSA, providing insights for the development of a placental malaria vaccine.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Elizabeth A. Hazel, Daniel J. Erchick, Joanne Katz, Anne C. C. Lee, Michael Diaz, Lee S. F. Wu, Keith P. P. West Jr, Abu Ahmed Shamim, Parul Christian, Hasmot Ali, Abdullah H. Baqui, Samir K. Saha, Salahuddin Ahmed, Arunangshu Dutta Roy, Mariangela F. Silveira, Romina Buffarini, Roger Shapiro, Rebecca Zash, Patrick Kolsteren, Carl Lachat, Lieven Huybregts, Dominique Roberfroid, Zhonghai Zhu, Lingxia Zeng, Seifu H. Gebreyesus, Kokeb Tesfamariam, Seth Adu-Afarwuah, Kathryn G. Dewey, Stephaney Gyaase, Kwaku Poku-Asante, Ellen Boamah Kaali, Darby Jack, Thulasiraj Ravilla, James Tielsch, Sunita Taneja, Ranadip Chowdhury, Per Ashorn, Kenneth Maleta, Ulla Ashorn, Charles Mangani, Luke C. Mullany, Subarna K. Khatry, Vundli Ramokolo, Wanga Zembe-Mkabile, Wafaie W. Fawzi, Dongqing Wang, Christentze Schmiegelow, Daniel Minja, Omari Abdul Msemo, John P. A. Lusingu, Emily R. Smith, Honorati Masanja, Aroonsri Mongkolchati, Paniya Keentupthai, Abel Kakuru, Richard Kajubi, Katherine Semrau, Davidson H. Hamer, Albert Manasyan, Jake M. Pry, Bernard Chasekwa, Jean Humphrey, Robert E. Black
Summary: This study aims to understand the mortality risks of vulnerable newborns in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The results show that small and/or preterm babies in LMICs have a considerably increased mortality risk compared to term and larger babies. This classification system can contribute to a better understanding of social determinants, biomedical risk factors, and improved treatment for newborn health.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
F. Procureur, A. S. Estifanos, D. W. Keraga, A. K. Kiflie Alemayehu, N. W. Hailemariam, J. Schellenberg, H. Magge, Z. Hill
Summary: This study conducted in-depth interviews and analysis of control charts with staff from health centers and hospitals in Ethiopia participating in quality improvement collaboratives. The findings revealed that cross facility learning sessions increased the focus on quality and motivated staff through recognition and emulation. New structures and processes created within facilities were sometimes alienating to those outside the improvement team. Trusted and respected mentors played a crucial role in support and accountability. Strong leadership and pre-existing teamwork were key factors in successful quality improvement. However, facilities with limited resources and contextual disruptions faced challenges in implementing quality improvement.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mwayiwawo Madanitsa, Hellen C. Barsosio, Daniel T. R. Minja, George Mtove, Reginald A. Kavishe, James Dodd, Queen Saidi, Eric Onyango, Kephas Otieno, Duolao Wang, Ulla Ashorn, Jenny Hill, Crispin Mukerebe, Samwel Gesase, Omari A. Msemo, Victor Mwapasa, Kamija S. Phiri, Kenneth Maleta, Nigel Klein, Pascal Magnussen, John P. A. Lusingu, Simon Kariuki, Jacklin F. Mosha, Michael Alifrangis, Helle Hansson, Christentze Schmiegelow, Julie R. Gutman, R. Matthew Chico, Feiko O. ter Kuile
Summary: This study evaluates the efficacy of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine compared to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in high-resistance areas in East Africa. The results demonstrate that IPTp with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and its combination with azithromycin lead to more adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. This suggests that combining sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for IPTp should be considered.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sigilbert Mrema, Fredros Okumu, Joanna Schellenberg, Gunther Fink
Summary: This study used longitudinal data from rural Tanzania to examine the long-term effects of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) on educational outcomes, fertility, and marriage. The results showed that ITN use during early childhood was associated with increased school completion, especially for secondary education. However, the impact on early marriage and adolescent childbearing was weaker.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dirk L. Christensen, Theonest K. Mutabingwa, Ib C. Bygbjerg, Allan A. Vaag, Louise G. Grunnet, Fanny Lajeunesse-Trempe, Jannie Nielsen, Christentze Schmiegelow, Kaushik L. Ramaiya, Kathryn H. Myburgh
Summary: This study assessed muscle fibre distribution 20 years after placental and/or peripheral in-utero malaria exposure. The results showed that there were no differences in muscle fibre types or enzymatic activity between the malaria-exposed and non-exposed groups. The findings supported the idea that the mild elevations of plasma glucose levels in people exposed to placental malaria in pregnancy were due to compromised pancreatic insulin secretion rather than insulin resistance.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Iornum Shambe, Katherine Thomas, John Bradley, Tanya Marchant, Helen A. Weiss, Emily L. Webb
Summary: This case study examines the representation of authors from low and middle-income country (LMIC) institutions in research publications. The findings indicate that authors affiliated with LMIC institutions are under-represented in first and last authorship positions compared to those from high-income country (HIC) institutions. Additionally, the study reveals a lower proportion of senior authors from LMIC institutions in high impact journals and multicountry studies.
Article
Health Policy & Services
Zelee Hill, Dorka Keraga, Abiyou Kiflie Alemayehu, Joanna Schellenberg, Hema Magge, Abiy Estifanos
Summary: Collaboration and value exist within quality improvement collaboratives in Ethiopia, but require more explicit support from learning sessions and mentors. More emphasis is needed on ensuring quality improvement knowledge transfer, buy-in, and system level change, including a modified collaborative design to provide facility-level support for spread.
HEALTH RESEARCH POLICY AND SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Line Hjort, Nicolai J. Wewer Albrechtsen, Daniel Minja, Christine Rasmussen, Sofie Lykke Moller, John Lusingu, Thor Theander, Ib Christian Bygbjerg, Christentze Schmiegelow, Louise Groth Grunnet
Summary: This study found that malaria during pregnancy is associated with lower FGF-21 levels, while anemia during pregnancy is associated with higher FGF-21 levels. Additionally, cord blood levels of FGF-21 and GDF-15 are negatively associated with neonatal weight and skinfold thickness.
JOURNAL OF THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY
(2023)