The Obstetric and Perinatal Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies in a Developed Cosmopolitan Middle Eastern Country: A Retrospective Pearl-Peristat Registry

Background: Early marriage is prevalent in Middle Eastern culture. The objective of this study was to investigate the pregnancy outcomes of married pregnant adolescents in a prosperous and highly developed Middle Eastern society, when they receive sufficient prenatal care and social assistance. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the Peristat-based Maternal-Newborn registry utilizing hospital data acquired from four main governmental hospitals in Qatar. The study analyzed the pregnancy outcomes of young adults [ages 20 - 24) who experienced their first pregnancy and compared them to the pregnancy outcomes of adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old. Results: The study comprised a cohort of 3152 pregnant married women. This cohort included 2674 women between the ages of 20 and 24, as well as 478 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old. In comparison to the young adult group, the non-Qatari population in the adolescent group was significantly higher (78.6% (376/478) vs. 71.5% (1914/2674), p-value = 0.003). Other Arab nationalities accounted for more than half of the adolescent population. All the mothers were married, did not use alcohol, and were nonsmokers. There were no documented mothers under the age of 15. Attending antenatal clinics was significantly higher in the adolescent group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean gestational age at birth between adolescents and young adults (38.5 ± 2.3 weeks vs. 38.7 ± 2.1 weeks, p = 0.06). Furthermore, adolescent mothers had a higher rate of low birth weight (13.6% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001) than young mothers. There was a non-statistically significant rise in pre-eclampsia incidence. Other unfavorable pregnancy outcomes were less common among them, such as diabetes, operative vaginal delivery, caesarean section, stillbirth, NICU hospitalization, and an Apgar score of less than 7 at five minutes. There were no maternal deaths;however, there was a comparable rate of neonatal in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Pregnancy during adolescence may not relate to significant problems in a well-tolerant culture that ensures dedicated antenatal and social support.

Factors Associated with Closely Spaced Pregnancies at the Departmental Hospital Centre of Zou-Collines (Benin) in 2022

Introduction: Birth spacing to prevent closely-spaced pregnancies, which are a source of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, is not always respected by our women, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The objective was to study the factors associated with closely-spaced pregnancies among women followed at the Departmental Hospital Center du Zou et du Colline (DHC/Z-C) in 2022. Study Method: This was a descriptive, analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection from 20 May to 30 June 2022. Results: At the end of the study, 83 of the 117 women surveyed had close pregnancies, a frequency of 70.94%. They had an average age of 27.0 ± 6.3 years and were of Fon ethnicity and related in 91.57% of cases. The majority were married (96.60%). The factors significantly associated with these closely spaced pregnancies were age between 25 and 30 years, household occupation, age at first birth, age at marriage, women’s perception of contraceptive method (CM), women’s knowledge of the existence of a center providing family planning services and non-use of MC. Conclusion: Close pregnancies are still very common in the commune of Abomey. It is therefore important to increase the use of contraceptive methods in this part of the country.

Effects of Health Education with Problem-Based Learning Approaches on the Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Coping Skills of Women with High-Risk Pregnancies in Plateau Areas

Objective: Given the unique cultural background, way of life, and physical environment of the Tibetan Plateau, this study aims to investigate the effects of health education using problem-based learning (PBL) approaches on the knowledge, attitude, practice, and coping skills of women with high-risk pregnancies in this region. Methods: 76 high-risk pregnancy cases were enrolled at Tibet’s Linzhi People’s Hospital between September 2023 and April 2024. 30 patients admitted between September 2023 and December 2023 were selected as the control group and were performed with regular patient education. 46 patients admitted between January 2024 and April 2024 were selected as the observation group and were performed regular patient education with problem-based learning approaches. Two groups’ performance on their health knowledge, attitude, practice and coping skills before and after interventions were evaluated, and patient satisfaction were measured at the end of the study. Results: There was no statistical significance (P P P Conclusions: Health education with problem-based learning approaches is worth promoting as it can help high-risk pregnant women in plateau areas develop better health knowledge, attitude and practice and healthier coping skills. Also, it can improve patient sanctification.

Effect of Internet+continuous midwifery service model on psychological mood and pregnancy outcomes for women with highrisk pregnancies

BACKGROUND There are many drawbacks to the traditional midwifery service management model,which can no longer meet the needs of the new era.The Internet+continuous midwifery service management model extends maternal management from prenatal to postpartum,in-hospital to out-of-hospital,and offline to online,thereby improving maternal and infant outcomes.Applying the Internet+continuous midwifery service management model to manage women with highrisk pregnancies(HRP)can improve their psycho-emotional opinion and,in turn,minimize the risk of adverse maternal and/or fetal outcomes.AIM To explore the effectiveness of a midwife-led Internet+continuous midwifery service model for women with HRP.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 439 women with HRP who underwent prenatal examination and delivered at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital(affiliated to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine)from April to December 2022.Among them,239 pregnant women underwent routine obstetric management,and 200 pregnant women underwent Internet+continuous midwifery service mode management.We used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory,Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale,and analysis of delivery outcomes to compare psychological mood and the incidence of adverse delivery outcomes between the two groups.RESULTS The data showed that in early pregnancy,the anxiety and depression levels of the two groups were similar;the levels gradually decreased as pregnancy progressed,and the decrease in the continuous group was more significant[31.00(29.00,34.00)vs 34.00(32.00,37.00),8.00(6.00,9.00)vs 12.00(10.00,13.00),P<0.05].The maternal self-efficacy level and strategy for weight gain management were better in the continuous group than in the traditional group,and the effective rate of midwifery service intervention in the continuous group was significantly higher than in the control group[267.50(242.25,284.75)vs 256.00(233.00,278.00),74.00(69.00,78.00)vs 71.00(63.00,78.00),P<0.05].The incidence of adverse delivery outcomes in pregnant women and newborns and fear of maternal childbirth were lower in the continuous group than in the traditional group,and nursing satisfaction was higher[10.50%vs 18.83%,8.50%vs 15.90%,24.00%vs 42.68%,89.50%vs 76.15%,P<0.05].CONCLUSION The Internet+continuous midwifery service model promotes innovation through integration and is of great significance for improving and promoting maternal and child health in HRP.

Efficacy of transvaginal ultrasound-guided local injections of absolute ethanol for ectopic pregnancies with intrauterine implantation sites

BACKGROUND Cervical pregnancies,interstitial tubal pregnancies,and cesarean scar pregnancies,which are ectopic pregnancies with intrauterine implantation sites exhibit increasing trends with the recent widespread use of assisted reproductive technologies and increased rate of cesarean deliveries.The development of highsensitivity human chorionic gonadotropin testing reagents and the increased precision of transvaginal ultrasonic tomography have made early diagnosis possible and have enabled treatment.Removal of ectopic pregnancies using methotrexate therapy and/or uterine artery embolization has been reported.However,delayed resumption of infertility treatments after methotrexate therapy is indicated,and negative effects on the next pregnancy after uterine artery embolization have been reported.AIM To examine the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided topical absolute ethanol injection in ectopic pregnancies with an intrauterine implantation site.METHODS In this study,we retrospectively examined the medical records of 21 patients who were diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy with an intrauterine implantation site at our hospital,between April 2010 and December 2018,and underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided local injections of absolute ethanol to determine the treatment outcomes.We evaluated the treatment methods,treatment outcomes,presence of bleeding requiring hemostasis measures and blood transfusion,complications,and treatment periods.Successful treatment was defined as the completion of treatment using transvaginal ultrasound-guided local injections of absolute ethanol alone.RESULTS There were 21 total cases comprising 10 cervical pregnancies,10 interstitial tubal pregnancies,and 1 cesarean scar pregnancy.All patients completed treatment with this method.No massive hemorrhaging or serious adverse reactions were observed during treatment.The mean gestation ages at the time of diagnosis were 5.9 wk(SD,±0.9 wk)for cervical and 6.9 wk(SD,±2.1 wk)for interstitial tubal pregnancies.The total ethanol doses were 4.8 mL(SD,±2.2 mL)for cervical pregnancies and 3.3 mL(SD,±2.2 mL)for interstitial pregnancies.The treatment period was 28.5days(SD,±11.7 d)for cervical pregnancies and 30.0±8.1 d for interstitial pregnancies.Positive correlations were observed between the bloodβ-human chorionic gonadotropin level at the beginning of treatment and the total ethanol dose(r=0.75;P=0.00008),as well as between the total ethanol dose and treatment period(r=0.48;P=0.026).CONCLUSION Transvaginal ultrasound-guided local injections of absolute ethanol could become a new option for intrauterine ectopic pregnancies when fertility preservation is desired.

Characteristics and Obstetrical Outcomes of Post-Rape Pregnancies among Adolescent Girls in Post Conflict Context in Eastern DR Congo

Introduction: In conflicts such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sexual violence is systematically perpetrated against children and adolescent girls. Unwanted pregnancy is one of the complications with a myriad of consequences for the victim, the newborn, and society. This study aims to draw up characteristics and obstetrical outcomes of post-rape pregnancies of victims under 18 years old treated at Panzi General Referral Hospital (PGRH) in Eastern DR Congo. Methods: A single-centre prospective descriptive study was conducted at PGRH over two years (June 2020 to June 2022). This study included 140 adolescent girls who became pregnant post sexual assault. They were followed from confirmation of pregnancy to delivery. Sociodemographic, psycho-affective and clinical parameters were recorded and analyzed using XLSTAT 2014 software. Results: 76.4% came from rural areas, with a median age of 16 [13-17]. Pregnancy was continued in 50.7% and terminated in 20%. The victims were casual acquaintances of the perpetrators in 33.6% and unknown in 26.4%. 57.9% attended regular antenatal consultations. 74.3% had an individual birth plan/preparation for labor, with the primary route of delivery being vaginal (69.3%). The frequency of caesarean sections was 30.7%. Some psychological symptoms were identified during labor in 52.9% like agitation (10.7%) and hypersensitivity (8.6%). Conclusion: Pregnancy post rape is a public health problem affecting adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age. These pregnancies require closer follow-up with multi-disciplinary shared care, including psychology, obstetrics, and community input, to improve mother and newborn antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum outcomes. In addition, long-term psychological sequelae of these pregnancies can be mitigated through supportive care in this high-risk period.

Analysis of Perinatal Outcomes of Twin Pregnancy in a Referral Hospital for High Risk

Introduction: The incidence of twin pregnancies has increased significantly in recent decades. These pregnancies require more attention due to their worse outcomes than singleton pregnancies. Objective: To analyze the characteristics and perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies at the Caxias do Sul General Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive and retrospective study that included all births related to twin pregnancies between March 1998 and June 2018. Maternal and perinatal variables were analyzed. Descriptive analyses were carried out using measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables (mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range), according to a prior assessment of distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and absolute (n) and relative (n%) frequencies for categorical variables. Results: 172 pairs of twins/21,972 births (0.8%) were identified. There was a high percentage of interpartum interval of less than 12 months, adherence and prenatal visits, body mass index, and need for neonatal intensive care. Stillbirth and neomortality rates were within acceptable parameters. Conclusion: The sample studied showed a percentage similar to that in the literature, a high rate of maternal and perinatal complications, characterizing it as a high-risk fetal pregnancy.

Emergency department management of acute agitation in the reproductive age female and pregnancy

BACKGROUND:Agitation is a common presentation within emergent departments(EDs).Agitation during pregnancy should be treated as an obstetric emergency,as the distress may jeopardize both the patient and fetus.The safety of psychotropic medications in the reproductive age female has not been well established.This review aimed to explore a summary of general agitation recommendations with an emphasis on ED management of agitation during pregnancy.METHODS:A literature review was conducted to explore the pathophysiology of acute agitation and devise a preferred treatment plan for ED management of acute agitation in the reproductive age or pregnant female.RESULTS:While nonpharmacological management is preferred,ED visits for agitation often require medical management.Medication should be selected based on the etiology of agitation and the clinical setting to avoid major adverse effects.Adverse effects are common in pregnant females.For mild to moderate agitation in pregnancy,diphenhydramine is an effective sedating agent with minimal adverse effects.In moderate to severe agitation,high-potency typical psychotropics are preferred due to their neutral effects on hemodynamics.Haloperidol has become the most frequently utilized psychotropic for agitation during pregnancy.Second generation psychotropics are often utilized as second-line therapy,including risperidone.Benzodiazepines and ketamine have demonstrated adverse fetal outcomes.CONCLUSION:While randomized control studies cannot be ethically conducted on pregnant patients requiring sedation,animal models and epidemiologic studies have demonstrated the effects of psychotropic medication exposure in utero.As the fetal risk associated with multiple doses of psychotropic medications remains unknown,weighing the risks and benefits of each agent,while utilizing the lowest effective dose remains critical in the treatment of acute agitation within the EDs.

A pregnant patient with type II osteogenesis imperfecta pregnancy

Osteogenesis imperfecta(OI)is a primary bone fragility disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1/15,000 births and is a hereditary syndrome characterized by one or more of the following:fractures,blue sclerae,impaired hearing,defective dentition,and hyperlaxibility throughout life.[1,2]We report a pregnant woman with type II OI and review her prenatal counseling,diagnosis,and pregnancy management to assist obstetricians in understanding the disease and managing it in emergency situations.

Correlates of Mistimed Pregnancy and Unmet Need for Family Planning among Women of Reproductive Age in Sandema, Ghana

Background: Globally, an estimated 80 million unintended pregnancies comprising both mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are recorded yearly. Yet only half of the women at risk of mistimed pregnancy use contraceptives. In developing countries, over 100 million females have unmet need, and national surveys in Ghana indicate 23% unmet need rate. Methods: Using a cross-sectional community-based approach, a sample size of 300 women of reproductive age were selected using multi-step cluster sampling techniques. The study was quantitative, using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Two-third (66%) of the women in reproductive age still had unmet need, 71% were currently pregnant, and more than a third (36%) confirmed ever having a mistimed pregnancy. Fifty-three percent (53%) of the women confirmed never communicating with their partners on family planning issues, a little below half (45%) took their own health care decisions. Seventy nine percent (79%) ever received family planning services from a health professional. Factors related to unmet needs included mistimed pregnancy, level of education, preferred birth/pregnancy interval, communication between partners and the autonomy to spend self-earnings. Conclusion: Considering that high rates of unmet need results in mistimed pregnancy, improved policies around the influence of unmet need on mistimed pregnancies are needed.

Iron supplementation during malaria infection in pregnancy and childhood:A review

Malaria presents a significant global public health challenge,with severe malarial anaemia being a primary manifestation of the disease.The understanding of anaemia caused by malaria remains incomplete,making the treatment more complex.Iron is a crucial micronutrient essential for haemoglobin synthesis,oxygen delivery,and other vital metabolic functions in the body.It is indispensable for the growth of human beings,as well as bacteria,protozoa,and viruses in vitro and in vivo.Iron deficiency is among the most common nutritional deficiencies and can have detrimental effects during developmental stages of life.Malaria-induced iron deficiency occurs due to the hemolysis of erythrocytes and the suppression of erythropoiesis,leading to anaemia.Meeting iron requirements is particularly critical during pivotal life stages such as pregnancy,infancy,and childhood.Dietary intake alone may not suffice to meet adequate iron requirements,thus highlighting the vital role of iron supplementation.While iron supplementation can alleviate iron deficiency,it can exacerbate malaria infection by providing additional iron for the parasites.However,in the context of pregnancy and childhood,iron supplementation combined with malaria prevention and treatment has been shown to be beneficial in improving birth outcomes and ensuring proper growth and development,respectively.This review aims to identify the role and impact of iron supplementation in malaria infection during the life stages of pregnancy and childhood.

Integrins and their potential roles in mammalian pregnancy

Integrins are a highly complex family of receptors that, when expressed on the surface of cells, can mediate reciprocal cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix(ECM) interactions leading to assembly of integrin adhesion complexes(IACs) that initiate many signaling functions both at the membrane and deeper within the cytoplasm to coordinate processes including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, survival, differentiation, and metabolism. All metazoan organisms possess integrins, and it is generally agreed that integrins were associated with the evolution of multicellularity, being essential for the association of cells with their neighbors and surroundings, during embryonic development and many aspects of cellular and molecular biology. Integrins have important roles in many aspects of embryonic development, normal physiology, and disease processes with a multitude of functions discovered and elucidated for integrins that directly influence many areas of biology and medicine, including mammalian pregnancy, in particular implantation of the blastocyst to the uterine wall, subsequent placentation and conceptus(embryo/fetus and associated placental membranes) development. This review provides a succinct overview of integrin structure, ligand binding, and signaling followed with a concise overview of embryonic development, implantation, and early placentation in pigs, sheep, humans, and mice as an example for rodents. A brief timeline of the initial localization of integrin subunits to the uterine luminal epithelium(LE) and conceptus trophoblast is then presented, followed by sequential summaries of integrin expression and function during gestation in pigs, sheep, humans, and rodents. As appropriate for this journal, summaries of integrin expression and function during gestation in pigs and sheep are in depth, whereas summaries for humans and rodents are brief. Because similar models to those illustrated in Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are present throughout the scientific literature, the illustrations in this manuscript are drafted as Viking imagery for entertainment purposes.

Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors During Pregnancy: A Multicenter Study in West Africa, Dakar, Senegal

Context: Non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, are major causes of complications during pregnancy, posing significant risks to maternal and fetal health. Pregnancy increases cardiovascular risks, particularly through the development of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, requiring early screening and close monitoring to prevent adverse outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in pregnant women in Senegal and identify associated socio-behavioral and economic determinants. Methodology: A descriptive, analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection was conducted over three months (April 10 to July 10, 2023). The study included pregnant women aged 15 and older from three public hospital maternity wards in Senegal. We studied sociodemographic aspects, cardiovascular risk factors, and collected information on previous and current pregnancies, including the number of pregnancies, parity, miscarriages, the number of prenatal consultations, and the number of fetuses. Written consent was obtained. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 222 pregnant women were enrolled, representing 28% of prenatal consultations. The average age was 29.18 years (range 15 - 47). Most participants (90%) lived in Dakar suburbs, 74.20% had no medical coverage, 84% worked in the informal sector (p = 0.043), and 18% had no education. Among them, 30.63% were in their first pregnancy, 34% were nulliparous, and 3.15% were grand multiparous. The average number of prenatal visits was 3.5, with about 40% having more than four visits. Risk factors included hypertension (17%), more prevalent in women over 30 (p = 0.043), diabetes (4%), and smoking (2%). Conclusion: The study highlights critical prenatal health needs and socio-economic challenges faced by pregnant women, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to improve healthcare access and health education.

A live birth resulting from a fourth cesarean scar pregnancy after combined hysteroscopic and laparoscopic uterine repair: A case report and literature review

Cesarean scar pregnancy(CSP)is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy that is defined as a pregnancy sac located within the scar of a previous cesarean section.Recurrent cesarean scar pregnancy(RCSP)is even more uncommon,1 with Hasegawa et al reporting the first RCSP in 2005.2 RCSP is a high-risk pregnancy condition with potential complications that include heavy bleeding,uterine rupture,and maternal shock.The exact incidence rates for CSP and RCSP are unknown,although the incidence of CSP is 1/2656–1/1800 of the total number of cesarean sections,and the incidence of RCSP can reach 6.9%–34.3%.3,4,5 With the promulgation of the second and third child policies in China,an increasing number of patients now manifest fertility needs after cesarean section.With improvements in examination methods and awareness of CSP,we also suspect that the rates of CSP and RCSP may be even higher.Unfortunately,there is no standard treatment for CSP.We herein report a case in which the patient was treated by combined hysteroscopic and laparoscopic uterine repair without scar resection during the third RCSP,and the fourth RCSP occurred 6 months later;the patient then selected expectant management.The outcome was a successful cesarean section delivery of a live baby at 34 weeks of gestation,and the uterus was successfully preserved.Placental pathology was examined after delivery and revealed that the chorionic villi penetrated deeply into the myometrium.

Case of Refractory Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy Associated with May-Heglin Anomaly after Repeated Platelet Transfusions

May-Heglin Anomaly is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by macrothrombocytopenia with a platelet function that is usually preserved. Platelets play an essential role in hemostasis. During pregnancy, a woman is susceptible to complications, including postpartum hemorrhage. Monitoring patients’ hemostatic functions and observing the patient’s clinical picture to maintain patient safety is paramount, while avoiding unnecessary therapeutic measures. This case report presents a rare instance of May-Heglin Anomaly (MHA) in a 35-year-old pregnant patient, with refractory thrombocytopenia despite receiving multiple platelet transfusions. Initially referred to as gravida 5 para 4 with severe thrombocytopenia at 28 weeks gestation, throughout her pregnancy, she was closely monitored and received over 40 units of platelets, which failed to increase her platelet count significantly. She delivered a healthy baby via vaginal delivery at 38 weeks, with her platelet count still critically low. This report highlights the challenges of managing MHA in pregnancy, the inefficacy of standard thrombocytopenia treatments such as platelet transfusion in MHA patients, and the importance of tailored management strategies to ensure maternal and fetal safety.

Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy and placental pathology

Objective:To describe and determine the association between Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy and placental pathology.Methods:Conducted in a tertiary hospital in Medan,Indonesia,from April 30th 2022 to June 30th 2022,this single-center cross-sectional study involved Covid-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated women with singleton full-term pregnancies delivering live fetuses via cesarean section.Maternal characteristics,placental pathologies,and the placental index were documented at enrollment.The association between Covid-19 vaccination status and placental pathology was assessed.Results:The study enrolled 200 pregnant women,including 110 vaccinated women and 90 unvaccinated women.No significant differences were observed in birthweight(P=0.48),placental index(P=0.48),and placental pathology findings[intervillous bleeding(P=0.20),increased syncytial knots(P=0.83),chorangiosis(P=0.13),villous stromal edema(P=0.13),vascular dilation and congestion(P=0.13),and vascular wall thrombus(P=0.71)]between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.Conclusions:This study revealed no statistically significant association between Covid-19 vaccination and placental pathology.The findings support the safety of Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy,in regards to changes of the placental pathology.

Prevalence and Individual-Level Determinants of Uptake of Three or More Doses of Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy in Busia County, Kenya

Background: Malaria in pregnancy causes maternal anemia, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm deliveries. In malaria-endemic regions in Kenya, percentage of pregnant women hospitalized with malaria reach up to 60%. WHO recommends at least three doses of sulphadoxine pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy (IPTp) antenatally. This study sought to ascertain the prevalence and individual-level factors influencing the uptake of IPTp-SP3+. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study at Busia County Referral Hospital. 384 mothers were consecutively sampled at the maternity unit during delivery. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR were used to determine statistical significance of individual factors influencing uptake of three or more IPTp-SP. Results: 43.0% of participants took IPTp-SP3+. Individual factors that affected the uptake of IPTp-SP3+ included starting ANC visits in the first trimester (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.23 – 3.67, p = 0.046), having more than four ANC visits (aOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.49 – 6.50, p = 0.002), having a higher monthly income (aOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.24 – 5.36, p = 0.012), being aware of the advantages of IPTp-SP medications (aOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.40 – 9.74, p = 0.008), and having a positive attitude toward ANC services (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.61 – 6.31, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Less than half of the pregnant mothers are complyingIPTp-SP3+. There should be aggressive efforts by the County and National Ministries of Health promoting initiation of ANC attendance early and attendance of all the recommended eight visits together with ensuring availability of the drugs.

Abdominal Trauma during Pregnancy with Splenic Rupture and Fetal Death in Utero at Bogodogo University Hospital: A Case Report

Splenic injury caused by abdominal trauma during pregnancy is rare. Splenic injury associated with fetal death in utero following a fall from a tree top is even rarer. The authors report a case of splenic trauma associated with fetal death in utero following a fall from the top of a tree in a 19-year-old pregnant woman at 30 weeks amenorrhoea. She was referred from a 1st level health facility for trauma that had occurred the day before admission. She was in poor general condition (WHO performance status IV) and had a cardiovascular collapse. Ultrasound was used to diagnose haemoperitoneum and fetal death in utero. A CT scan was used to diagnose splenic lesions. Treatment consisted of splenectomy and caesarean section after resuscitation.

Social and Behavioural Determinants for Occurrence of Repeat Pregnancy among Adolescents in Suna East-Migori County, Kenya

Introduction: A repeat pregnancy at adolescent age often comes with much stress and complications. It feeds into a cycle of psychological trauma and socio-economic deprivation that compromises the life of the young mother and her child. Majority of girls might be having one child, but many more might be pregnant or having more than one child at adolescent age. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional analytic mixed-method study with semi-structured questionnaires administered to 381 adolescents drawn from 10 health facilities. Two FGD and 5 key informant interviews were also conducted within the study area. Quantitative data was analysed using t-test for continuous variables and Chi-square test for categorical data. Qualitative data was themed to describe the population’s attitudes, patterns and opinions related to the study objectives. Results: Ethnicity significantly influenced occurrence of repeat pregnancy with adolescent girls from Luo ethnic group being 50% less likely to have repeat pregnancy. Adolescents who used condoms only sometimes were twice likely to report repeat pregnancy (OR: 1.7;95% CI: 1.1 - 2.7;p = 0.01), while those whose mothers had a child while under 18 years had 50% chance of having a repeat pregnancy. Similarly, those who had more than two sexual partners had higher odds of repeat pregnancy (OR: 2.5;95% CI: 1.1 - 5.6;p = 0.02). Conclusion: The study sought to investigate the association between social environment and behaviour of adolescent girls to occurrence of repeat pregnancy. It was based on Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory (SCT) that explains how human behaviour is a reciprocal interaction between the person, behaviour and the social environment. The study noted that as much as adolescent pregnancy is generally considered a social, economic and behavioural phenomenon, there was little influence by individuals around an adolescent, adolescent past-experience, future expectation, social surrounding and reinforcements in life of a teenager. However, a few factors such as ethnicity, level of support and condom use significantly influenced occurrence of repeat pregnancy among adolescents.

Eating Disorders and Pregnancy: The Case of Anorexia

The question of the link between pregnancy and eating disorders is an important question. At the moment, there are few concrete answers for these patients. Despite common fertility challenges, patients who suffer from ED are able to access maternity. ED and pregnancy can either have an easy evolution or experience a lot of trouble. Many studies describe obstetrical and foetal complications (low birthweight, inadequate intra-uterine growth, small head circumference, miscarriage, caesarean section). Those patients are frequently reluctant to address their disease with their specialist, who also often doesn’t know how to screen the signs. The lack of official data to train the specialists further increases these difficulties. However, ED are frequent in the general population and young patients are likely to eventually want to become mothers. It is thus essential to know how to screen those patients early and accurately to improve their treatment and care. Eating disorders impact the pregnancy, the delivery and the postpartum as well as the growth of the baby. It is an important public health problem. The evolution from being a woman to becoming a mother is a difficult one, and even more so when the women is suffering from ED. Those patients must handle their nutritional fears, the anxiety about their body changing with pregnancy and the daily challenges. The early interactions with their baby have consequences on their development. It seems necessary to evaluate how to improve the screening and the patient care in ED patients. Screening should begin from the pregnancy desire to the postpartum. This patient care should be based on a multidisciplinary care team.