Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sima Berendes, Sandra Mounier-Jack, Oyinkansola Ojo-Aromokudu, Alice Ivory, Joseph D. Tucker, Heidi J. Larson, Caroline Free
Summary: This study aimed to understand the complex interplay between structural and behavioral factors contributing to the low maternal vaccine uptake in socially and ethnically diverse areas in London. The results showed that various factors from both health service providers and pregnant women influenced the decision-making process for vaccination, including individual, social, and contextual factors. To improve the uptake, it is necessary to enhance the reliability of information and vaccination provision, provide training and communication, and consider individual skills and information needs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonia Arreciado Maranon, Maria Isabel Fernandez-Cano, Laura Montero-Pons, Maria Feijoo-Cid, Azahara Reyes-Lacalle, Rosa Maria Cabedo-Ferreiro, Josep Maria Manresa-Dominguez, Gemma Falguera-Puig
Summary: The study found that midwives had disparate knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding maternal influenza and pertussis vaccination. They generally considered the vaccines safe, but lacked sufficient information about the safety of the influenza vaccine, leading to a reluctance to recommend it. Although most midwives had a positive attitude toward vaccination, their advocation for the influenza vaccine was not as clear as it was for pertussis. Midwives are among the main sources of professional advice for pregnant women.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ewa Talarek, Joanna Warzecha, Marcin Banasiuk, Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz
Summary: The influenza vaccine uptake among medical students at the Medical University of Warsaw, Poland increased significantly in 2020, but there is still room for improvement; the majority of students expressed their willingness to receive a hypothetical Ebola or COVID-19 vaccine. The study found that the influenza vaccine uptake status was a predictor of medical students' intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Article
Immunology
Maarten M. Immink, Nicoline A. T. van der Maas, Hester E. de Melker, Jose A. Ferreira, Mireille N. Bekker
Summary: A study investigated the factors influencing the acceptance of maternal Tdap vaccine during the second trimester of pregnancy in the Netherlands. It was found that intention, attitude, beliefs, risk perception and moral responsibility were the most predictive factors for vaccine acceptance. This study highlights the importance of discussing these factors with pregnant women early in pregnancy.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gabriel Figueroa-Parra, Jorge Antonio Esquivel-Valerio, Leticia Santoyo-Fexas, Andrea Moreno-Salinas, Carmen Magdalena Gamboa-Alonso, Ana Laura De Leon-Ibarra, Dionicio Angel Galarza-Delgado
Summary: This study investigated the knowledge and attitudes about influenza vaccination among patients with rheumatic diseases and found that concerns about safety, efficacy, side effects, fear of the vaccine, and knowledge of cost can diminish vaccine uptake. These factors are related to confidence, complacency, and convenience as components of vaccine hesitancy in this population.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
William A. Fisher, Vladimir Gilca, Michelle Murti, Alison Orth, Hartley Garfield, Paul Roumeliotis, Emmanouil Rampakakis, Vivien Brown, John Yaremko, Paul Van Buynder, Constantina Boikos, James A. Mansi
Summary: The attitudes and intentions of parents to vaccinate their infants with adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine are strongly correlated with their perception of vaccine safety, efficacy, and importance. The strength of clinician recommendation and social support also influence parental intentions to vaccinate. These findings are crucial for clinician education to ensure optimal seasonal pediatric influenza vaccination.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pere Godoy, Manuel Garcia-Cenoz, Cristina Rius, Carmen Munoz-Almagro, Gloria Carmona, Miquel Alseda, Mireia Jane, Maria-Jose Vidal, Raquel Rodriguez, Josep Alvarez, Neus Camps, Sofia Minguell, Monica Carol, Maria-Rosa Sala, Jesus Castilla, Angela Dominguez
Summary: Maternal pertussis vaccination during pregnancy is highly effective in reducing pertussis in infants aged < 2 months, with a vaccine effectiveness of 88%. Vaccination before and after the 32nd week of pregnancy are equally effective in reducing the risk of pertussis.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
C. Nieuwoudt, C. F. Reeder, H. K. Moss, J. B. van Nes, W. W. Schoutko, J. W. Jeter, K. B. Fortner
Summary: The authors examined the vaccination rates of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) and influenza during pregnancy following ACIP's recommendation. A retrospective chart review was conducted on women receiving prenatal care at their institution between 2014 and 2018. The study found higher vaccination rates in practices with standing orders, more advanced practice providers, and lower provider to nurse ratios. Future research should focus on optimizing practice staff composition and vaccination protocols to increase vaccine uptake.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Despoina Gkentzi, Maria Zorba, Markos Marangos, Ageliki Vervenioti, Ageliki Karatza, Gabriel Dimitriou
Summary: The study revealed that knowledge and uptake of influenza and pertussis vaccine among pregnant women in Greece is poor. Prior vaccination and obstetrician's recommendation are the stronger predictors of antenatal vaccine uptake. Further improvement is needed in patient education and vaccine provision by antenatal care providers.
JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fatemah Alhendyani, Kate Jolly, Laura L. Jones
Summary: This study systematically reviewed and synthesized qualitative evidence on the views and experiences of healthcare professionals involved in providing maternal influenza vaccine worldwide. The findings suggest that trust, communication, knowledge, electronic prompts, and national guidelines can facilitate vaccine delivery, while workload, time constraints, perception of pregnant women's concerns, and social/cultural/environmental influences can hinder it.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cynthia M. Rand, Robin Bender, Sharon G. Humiston, Christina Albertin, Courtney Olson-Chen, Judy Chen, Yung-Shee J. Hsu, Sitaram Vangala, Peter G. Szilagyi
Summary: This study assessed obstetric providers' attitudes and practices related to influenza and Tdap vaccination in four large health systems in New York (NY) and California (CA). The results showed that although most providers considered maternal vaccination important, there is room for improvement in increasing vaccination rates and emphasizing the importance of maternal vaccination for infant health.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cynthia M. Rand, Robin Bender, Sharon G. Humiston, Christina Albertin, Courtney Olson-Chen, Judy Chen, Yung-Shee J. Hsu, Sitaram Vangala, Peter G. Szilagyi
Summary: This study assessed obstetric providers' attitudes and practices related to influenza and Tdap vaccination in four large health systems in New York and California. Results showed that while most providers consider influenza and Tdap vaccination important during pregnancy, there is room for improvement in focusing on the importance of maternal vaccination to the health of the infant, and increasing the use of office systems to improve vaccination during pregnancy.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Durga P. Neupane, Changhwan Ahn, Yi-An Yang, Gi Young Lee, Jeongmin Song
Summary: Children are vulnerable to typhoid fever, especially in developing countries with imbalanced diets. This study explores the role of diet in maternal vaccination efficacy against Salmonella Typhi. The results show that a balanced diet is crucial for effective maternal vaccination and highlight the importance of nutrition in preventing typhoid fever.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Michelle L. Giles, Kong Khai, Sushena Krishnaswamy, Karen Bellamy, Margaret Angliss, Christopher Smith, Olivia Fay, Paul Paddle, Beverley Vollenhoven
Summary: Maternal immunisation is crucial for improving health outcomes for pregnant women and newborns, but uptake of vaccines during pregnancy remains suboptimal. A study in Victoria, Australia, implemented different vaccine delivery models in maternity services, resulting in increased influenza vaccine coverage and cost savings per immunisation. The findings suggest that site-specific strategies can effectively enhance maternal vaccine coverage at a modest cost.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2021)
Article
Nursing
Kate Mi Ralph, Robert B. Dorey, Rebecca Rowe, Christine E. Jones
Summary: The uptake of pertussis and influenza vaccines in pregnant women was evaluated in a midwife-led immunisation clinic in the UK. The study found that the vaccine uptake was higher than the national or regional average. Factors influencing the decision to accept vaccination included healthcare professional recommendation, perceived susceptibility and risk of infection, and previous experience with vaccination and vaccine-preventable disease. The model of vaccine delivery was associated with high levels of satisfaction and could be implemented elsewhere to increase vaccine uptake, including for COVID-19 vaccines in the future.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Renee J. Burger, Sofieke Temmink, Dagmar Wertaschnigg, Wessel Ganzevoort, Maya Reddy, Mary-Ann Davey, Euan Morrison Wallace, Ben-Willem Mol
Summary: The preterm birth rate is increasing in twin pregnancies in Victoria, Australia, primarily due to an increase in iatrogenic preterm birth. This rise is seen in both complicated and non-complicated pregnancies, and has not led to a reduction in perinatal mortality rates after 28 weeks of gestation.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nursing
Daniel L. Rolnik, Tony M. Korman, Andrea Rindt, Rhonda L. Stuart, Michelle L. Giles, Janine Rawlins, Kirsten R. Palmer, Andrew Stripp, Euan M. Wallace, Ryan J. Hodges
Summary: During a two-week period in May 2020, a study in Melbourne, Australia found a negligible rate of asymptomatic coronavirus infection among pregnant women, with all 350 tests returning negative results. This reflects low levels of community transmission during the study period.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Renee J. Burger, Josephina D. Temmink, Dagmar Wertaschnigg, Wessel Ganzevoort, Maya Reddy, Mary-Ann Davey, Euan M. Wallace, Ben-Willem Mol
Summary: The singleton preterm birth rate in Victoria is increasing, mainly driven by an increase in iatrogenic preterm birth both in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth problems and hypertension, as well as in pregnancies not complicated by these conditions. While there is a decrease in perinatal mortality in pregnancies with complications, there is no significant reduction in perinatal mortality from 28 weeks onwards or in the preterm weekly prospective stillbirth risk in pregnancies without complications.
ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Seungmin Ham, Craig Harrison, David de Kretser, Euan M. Wallace, Graeme Southwick, Peter Temple-Smith
Summary: The study found that activin A and connective tissue growth factor were significantly upregulated in keloid fibroblasts, and a single treatment of follistatin over 5 days significantly inhibited activin and various matrix-related genes in keloid fibroblasts. This suggests a potential therapeutic role of follistatin in managing keloids.
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
A. G. Langston-Cox, D. Anderson, D. J. Creek, K. R. Palmer, S. A. Marshall, E. M. Wallace
Summary: Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, may serve as an adjuvant therapy for preeclampsia. The bioavailability of sulforaphane differs between non-pregnant women and women with preeclampsia, with higher doses required for pregnant women. Activation of broccoli extract results in better bioavailability of sulforaphane and may improve endothelial function and blood pressure in women with pregnancy hypertension.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nursing
Rodion Sharlov, David Taniar, Thanh Phan, Richard Beare, Velandai Srikanth, Henry Ma, Tanya Farrell, Colleen White, Euan M. Wallace, Miranda Davies-Tuck
Summary: This study aimed to use geo-mapping to identify the number of eligible women for homebirth in Victoria, Australia and plan future maternity care options. The findings showed that less than 1% of Australian women currently give birth at home, but half of the low risk women live within 25 km of seven Victorian hospitals. The results can be used to inform the expansion of maternity service options.
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Roshan J. Selvaratnam, Mary-Ann Davey, Robyn M. Hudson, Tanya Farrell, Euan M. Wallace
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
R. J. Selvaratnam, D. L. Rolnik, M-A Davey, E. M. Wallace
Summary: The changing stillbirth risk profile of women has influenced the interpretation of stillbirth rate, with a faster decline in population rates of stillbirth due to changing maternal characteristics than previously estimated.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annie Langston-Cox, Sarah A. Marshall, Daisy Lu, Kirsten R. Palmer, Euan M. Wallace
Summary: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disease characterized by hypertension and organ dysfunction. Traditional treatment has focused on antihypertensive medications, but recent insights into the pathogenesis have introduced new options such as melatonin. Melatonin, as a safe antioxidant, shows promise in improving maternal condition and protecting the fetus.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Roshan J. Selvaratnam, Euan M. Wallace, Rodney W. Hunt, Mary-Ann Davey
Summary: This study aimed to design a balance measure to address the specificity of FGR detection. The results showed variations in hospital performance on existing indicator of FGR detection and the balance measures, suggesting that introducing a balance measure may help reduce unintended harm associated with increased FGR detection.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
John P. Newnham, Chris Schilling, Stavros Petrou, Jonathan M. Morris, Euan M. Wallace, Kiarna Brown, Lindsay Edwards, Monika M. Skubisz, Scott W. White, Brendan Rynne, Catherine A. Arrese, Dorota A. Doherty
Summary: Preterm birth poses a significant economic burden to the Australian government, with costs mainly attributed to healthcare services and educational needs. Economic evaluations of interventions for preterm birth prevention or treatment should take into account these costs.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
James DS. Aridas, Tamara Yawno, Amy E. Sutherland, Ilias Nitsos, Flora Y. Wong, Rod W. Hunt, Michael Ditchfield, Michael C. Fahey, Atul Malhotra, Euan M. Wallace, Alistair J. Gunn, Graham Jenkin, Suzanne L. Miller
Summary: This study found that combined use of TH and MLT for neonatal encephalopathy in newborn lambs provides significantly greater neuroprotection than either treatment alone.
JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fiona J. Stenning, Graeme R. Polglase, Arjan B. Te Pas, Kelly J. Crossley, Martin Kluckow, Andrew W. Gill, Euan M. Wallace, Erin McGillick, Corinna Binder, Douglas A. Blank, Calum Roberts, Stuart B. Hooper
Summary: The study found that uterine contractions, even when amplified by oxytocin, did not increase placental transfusion during delayed cord clamping. Instead, they decreased blood flow from both the umbilical artery and vein, resulting in a net loss of blood from the lamb. Additionally, uterine contractions had significant cardiovascular effects and reduced systemic and cerebral oxygenation.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Daniel L. Rolnik, Roshan J. Selvaratnam, Dagmar Wertaschnigg, Simon Meagher, Euan Wallace, Jon Hyett, Fabricio da Silva Costa, Andrew McLennan
Summary: This study aimed to assess pregnancy outcomes following first trimester combined screening for preterm preeclampsia in Australia. Women who underwent combined screening were less likely to experience preeclampsia, preterm birth, and other pregnancy complications compared to those who received standard care. The screening identified a population at high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and low-risk women suitable for less intensive antenatal care.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Yann W. Yap, Natalie J. Hannan, Euan M. Wallace, Sarah A. Marshall
Summary: Nrf proteins have been found to play a crucial role in placental-derived oxidative stress-induced pregnancy disorders. Successful silencing of Nrf proteins in human cells has been achieved for further research.