Low Birth Weight in Cameroon: Research and Analysis of Factors Associated with Their Occurrence in Douala Maternity Wards

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a birth weight strictly below 2500 g, whatever the term of pregnancy. It constitutes a major public health problem, both in developed and developing countries, due to its magnitude and its strong association with infant morbidity and mortality. Main objective was to study the factors associated with the occurrence of small-for-gestational-age newborns in Douala. Methodology: We carried out a cross-sectional analytical study with prospective data collection using a technical pretested sheet in the maternity wards of the Douala General Hospital, the Laquintinie Hospital, and the District hospitals of Deido, Nylon and Bonassama over a period of 4 months (January to April 2020). We were interested in any newborn, born alive, vaginally or by cesarean section, of low weight, seen in the first 24 hours from a full-term single-fetal pregnancy whose mother had given her consent. Our sampling was consecutive and non-exhaustive. We excluded newborns whose term was unclear and those with congenital malformations or signs of embryo-foetopathy. Data collection was done using survey sheets. Statistical analyzes were carried out with CS Pro 7.3 and SPSS version 25.0 software. The Student, Chi-square and Fischer tests were used to compare the means of the variables, the percentages with a significance threshold P value Results: During the study period, 305 full-term newborns were included, divided into 172 boys and 133 girls. The percentage of small-for-gestational-age newborns was 9.8%;after multivariate analysis by logistic regression to eliminate confounding factors, we found maternal factors associated with small for gestational age newborns;maternal age less than 20 years, primiparity, gestational age (37 - 38), a delay in prenatal visits greater than 14 weeks, anemia in pregnancy, positive toxoplasmosis serology in pregnancy, a body mass index of Conclusion: Our study revealed the potential determinants of low birth weight at term in the Cameroonian urban context and specifically in Douala.

Vaginal Birth after Cesarean after Zavanelli Maneuver: A Woman’s Right to Choose

Introduction: Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) plays an essential role in lowering cesarean rates. Despite endorsement, trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) attempt rates remain low, in part due to fear of lawsuits. Zavanelli maneuver is a last resort procedure in the management of shoulder dystocia. We discuss a case of a woman determined to have a vaginal birth after her prior birth was complicated by shoulder dystocia requiring a Zavanelli maneuver. Her physicians were reluctant to allow her a TOLAC given her prior obstetric history. Case: A 34-year-old para 1 with prior cesarean delivery due to shoulder dystocia that required Zavanelli maneuver presents determined to pursue VBAC in her current pregnancy. She considered her delivery route options and addressed her modifiable risk factors. She consulted with multiple perinatologists who agreed that a TOLAC was reasonable, however she had to travel more than 70 miles (from Pennsylvania to New Jersey) to find an obstetrical practice and hospital willing to consider VBAC. She transferred care and the remainder of her prenatal course was uncomplicated. She went into labor at 41 weeks and had a successful VBAC without complication. In a thank you letter to her obstetrician, she described her birth experience as euphoric. Conclusion: This case illustrates how a woman’s choice of delivery route may be impacted by fear of litigation. Local providers focused on her prior delivery instead of her overall improved risk profile. Delivery route decisions should be based on a thorough evaluation of all risk factors and individualized to meet the reproductive goals of each woman. .

Risk Factors Associated with Unsuccessful Vaginal Birth after One Cesarean (VBAC-1) in Puerto Rico

Background: Cesarean section (CS) has increased steadily over the last decade, with an estimated one-third of women delivering by cesarean section worldwide. Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the demographic and associated factors influencing vaginal birth after one cesarean (VBAC-1) success focusing on variables like pre-pregnancy BMI, diabetes, hypertension, education, and smoking. Study Design and Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 285 cases (81 unsuccessful VBAC-1, 204 successful VBAC-1) from San Juan City Hospital (Puerto Rico) between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020. We used odds ratios and model selection comparison to assess the impact of variables on successful VBAC-1, using a significance threshold of 95% CI. Model selection assessed binomial model combinations using a generalized linear approach to identify key risk factors. Results: Unsuccessful VBAC-1 (a repeat cesarean), was associated with diabetes (OR: 0.376, p = 0.086), hypertension (OR: 0.23, p = 0.006), and university-educated women (OR: 1.372, p = 0.711). High school-educated women had an OR of 3.966 (p = 0.105), while overweight women were 0.481 times more likely to have unsuccessful VBAC-1 (p = 0.041). Significant associations were not found with obesity (OR: 0.574, p = 0.122), underweight/normal (OR: 1.01, p = 0.810), or smoking (OR: 1.227, p = 0.990). Conclusion: Results revealed women with higher education levels, hypertension, or diabetes are less likely to have a successful VBAC-1. Understanding the complex interactions affecting these outcomes is aimed at establishing guidelines for healthcare professionals to conduct systematic risk/benefit assessments. This study lays a foundation for evidence-based practices and policies, offering initial insights into VBAC-1 success factors in Puerto Rico.

Low Birth Weight and Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnant Women in Lomé (Togo) in 2021: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Since 2012, the World Health Organization has recommended intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPT-SP) to prevent malaria-related complications in pregnant women. Ten years following these recommendations, we conducted this study to estimate the coverage for three doses of IPT-SP (IPT3) as well as the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW), and its associated factors in Lomé (Togo) in 2021. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2021. An exhaustive recruitment of women and their newborns was carried out in the maternity wards of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center. Data from antenatal consultations and clinical data of the newborns were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to determine factors associated with LBW. Results: A total of 252 mother-child pairs were included in this study. Median age of the mothers was 27 years, IQR [24-31]. More than a third (35.3%) of the mothers were primigravida. IPT3 coverage was 66.7% and 14.7% of newborns had a LBW. The prevalence of LBW was 33.3% [23.3-43.4] in women who had received fewer than 3 doses of IPT-SP and 5.4% [2.0-8.8] in those who had received at least 3 doses of IPT-SP (p Conclusion: Ten years following recommendations of the WHO on IPT-SP, malaria prevention based on IPT-SP is not optimal among pregnant women in Lomé, and the proportion of LBW children remains high. Actions to strengthen the three-dose IPT-SP policy are needed to prevent malaria and its consequences among newborns in Togo.

Acceptability of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) by Mothers with Low-Birth-Weight Babies at Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital, in Ndola, Zambia

Background: Kangaroo Mother Care is a simple safe method used to care for low-birth-weight babies. Low-birth-weight is a global public health issue that pose significant challenge to perinatal care systems. Globally, complications due to low-birth-weight are the leading cause of neonatal mortality, resulting in an estimated 1 million deaths annually. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a low-cost method of care for low-birth-weight infants in areas with inadequate incubators and power outages with positive outcomes. Objectives: To assess factors influencing acceptability of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in NICU at Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital in Ndola, Zambia. Methodology: A cross sectional quantitative analytical study design was used. The study was conducted at Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital (ADCH) in Ndola, Zambia. The purposive sampling method was used to select the study participants and a total of 129 mothers with Low Weight Babies A were selected to participate structured closed ended questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants using an interview. Data was analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) software version 26. Cross tabulations were done to determine association of variables using a Chi square (x2) test at 95% confidence interval and were assumptions where not met, fishers exact test was used. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Results: Most of the respondents had male babies 77%, 69% of the babies weighed 1000 g - 1400 g, majority 79% had normal delivery, 71% of the respondents were multigravida and most of the respondents 79% were married. The study reviewed that 85% of those who attained secondary education accepted KMC, 74% of the respondents without monthly income accepted KMC, 80% of the respondents had positive attitude and accepted KMC. 82% of the respondents who had positive perception accepted KMC. Conclusion: Acceptance of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) among 75% of the mothers underscores its widespread favourability as a beneficial method for infant care.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Cervical Tactile Ultrasound Technique as a Predictive Tool for Spontaneous Preterm Birth

Background: Premature cervical softening and shortening may be considered an early mechanical failure that predispose to preterm birth. Purpose: This study aims to explore the applicability of an innovative cervical tactile ultrasound approach for predicting spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). Materials and Methods: Eligible participants were women with low-risk singleton pregnancies in their second trimester, enrolled in this prospective observational study. A Cervix Monitor (CM) device was designed with a vaginal probe comprising four tactile sensors and a single ultrasound transducer operating at 5 MHz. The probe enabled the application of controllable pressure to the external cervical surface, facilitating the acquisition of stress-strain data from both anterior and posterior cervical sectors. Gestational age at delivery was recorded and compared against cervical elasticity. Results: CM examination data were analyzed for 127 women at 240/7 - 286/7 gestational weeks. sPTB was observed in 6.3% of the cases. The preterm group exhibited a lower average cervical stress-to-strain ratio (elasticity) of 0.70 ± 0.26 kPa/mm compared to the term group’s 1.63 ± 0.65 kPa/mm with a p-value of 1.1 × 10−4. Diagnostic accuracy for predicting spontaneous preterm birth based solely on cervical elasticity data was found to be 95.0% (95% CI, 88.5 - 100.0). Conclusion: These findings suggest that measuring cervical elasticity with the designed tactile ultrasound probe has the potential to predict spontaneous preterm birth in a cost-effective manner.

An Analysis of Specific Categories of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities for Children of Participants of the Air Force Health Study

Background: The Air Force Health Study collected reproductive outcomes for live-born children of male Air Force veterans of the Vietnam War. Methods: Dioxin values for participants were obtained from blood samples. Analyses were conducted of occurrence of 16 specific categories of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Children were categorized as conceived before and after the start of participants’ Vietnam War service. Children conceived before the start of Vietnam War service were treated as being conceived when their fathers had unquantifiable dioxin values. Children conceived after the start of Vietnam War service for participants with missing dioxin values were excluded from primary analyses, but were used to assess the impact of their exclusion on conclusions. Correlation between values for specific categories for multiple children fathered by the same participant was accounted for. The dose-response relationship was treated as a step function increasing for dioxin values larger than adaptively identified individual thresholds changing with the specific category. Results: For 15 of 16 specific categories, the probability of occurrence increased substantially for a sufficiently high dioxin level above identified thresholds. Exclusion of children due to missing dioxin likely did not affect these results. Conclusions: Results supported the conclusion of substantial adverse effects on a wide variety of specific categories of birth defects and developmental disabilities due to sufficiently high exposures to dioxin, a toxic contaminant of Agent Orange used for herbicide spraying in the Vietnam War. Results may hold more generally, but might also have been affected by a variety of limitations.

Clinical risk factors for preterm birth and evaluating maternal psychology in the postpartum period

BACKGROUND Although the specific pathogenesis of preterm birth(PTB)has not been thoroughly clarified,it is known to be related to various factors,such as pregnancy complications,maternal socioeconomic factors,lifestyle habits,reproductive history,environmental and psychological factors,prenatal care,and nutritional status.PTB has serious implications for newborns and families and is associated with high mortality and complications.Therefore,the prediction of PTB risk can facilitate early intervention and reduce its resultant adverse consequences.AIM To analyze the risk factors for PTB to establish a PTB risk prediction model and to assess postpartum anxiety and depression in mothers.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 648 consecutive parturients who delivered at Shenzhen Bao’an District Songgang People’s Hospital between January 2019 and January 2022 was performed.According to the diagnostic criteria for premature infants,the parturients were divided into a PTB group(n=60)and a full-term(FT)group(n=588).Puerperae were assessed by the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self rating Depression Scale(SDS),based on which the mothers with anxiety and depression symptoms were screened for further analysis.The factors affecting PTB were analyzed by univariate analysis,and the related risk factors were identified by logistic regression.RESULTS According to univariate analysis,the PTB group was older than the FT group,with a smaller weight change and greater proportions of women who underwent artificial insemination and had gestational diabetes mellitus(P<0.05).In addition,greater proportions of women with reproductive tract infections and greater white blood cell(WBC)counts(P<0.05),shorter cervical lengths in the second trimester and lower neutrophil percentages(P<0.001)were detected in the PTB group than in the FT group.The PTB group exhibited higher postpartum SAS and SDS scores than did the FT group(P<0.0001),with a higher number of mothers experiencing anxiety and depression(P<0.001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater maternal weight change,the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus,a shorter cervical length in the second trimester,a greater WBC count,and the presence of maternal anxiety and depression were risk factors for PTB(P<0.01).Moreover,the risk score of the FT group was lower than that of the PTB group,and the area under the curve of the risk score for predicting PTB was greater than 0.9.CONCLUSION This study highlights the complex interplay between postpartum anxiety and PTB,where maternal anxiety may be a potential risk factor for PTB,with PTB potentially increasing the incidence of postpartum anxiety in mothers.In addition,a greater maternal weight change,the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus,a shorter cervical length,a greater WBC count,and postpartum anxiety and depression were identified as risk factors for PTB.

Multiple model PHD filter for tracking sharply maneuvering targets using recursive RANSAC based adaptive birth estimation

An algorithm to track multiple sharply maneuvering targets without prior knowledge about new target birth is proposed. These targets are capable of achieving sharp maneuvers within a short period of time, such as drones and agile missiles.The probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter, which propagates only the first-order statistical moment of the full target posterior, has been shown to be a computationally efficient solution to multitarget tracking problems. However, the standard PHD filter operates on the single dynamic model and requires prior information about target birth distribution, which leads to many limitations in terms of practical applications. In this paper,we introduce a nonzero mean, white noise turn rate dynamic model and generalize jump Markov systems to multitarget case to accommodate sharply maneuvering dynamics. Moreover, to adaptively estimate newborn targets’information, a measurement-driven method based on the recursive random sampling consensus (RANSAC) algorithm is proposed. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves significant improvement in tracking multiple sharply maneuvering targets with adaptive birth estimation.

Medication for Birth Control in Bitch at Battambang City,Battambang Province,Cambodia

The observation study was conducted in Battambang City,Battambang province,by interviewing the 88 dog owners,who came to the animal pharmacy stores and clinics by using convenience sampling method of nonrandomized sampling.Though the results of the interviews,showed that the dog owners were selected in different range of age and gender,however,most of them were in middle age from 21-40 years old,with medium and rich living wellbeing.The confinement in premise/house was primarily applied by dog owners.The number of bitches per household was from 1 to 3 batches,and there was no association with the wellbeing of the owners,and the age was from 2 to 4 years old,but some bitches had older age.Most of the bitches were dewormed in last 3 months and 6 months,however,there were some bitches last more than 6 months after deworming.The bitch vaccination was applied by owner around for 60.00%.There were two popular types of vaccination,Rabies and DHLPP(Distemper,Hepatitis,Leptospirosis,Parvovirus,and Parainfluenza).For dog population management,about 94.29%of the owners apply nonsurgical method with applying medicine.The reasons for using nonsurgical method were not only the cheapest price and easy way,but also there was no information on the consequence of using medication for birth control.The medication was highly used before heat.But,almost half of them got health problem in less than 3 months after administration,also some got long-term effect.Among clinical signs observed,the enlargement of belly was the most evidence,since 54.76%of affected bitches had shown it,then followed by discharge blood from vulvar,clear discharge and thick white pus from vulvar,accounting for 38.10%,35.71%and 26.71%,respectively.

Hypoglycaemia in screening oral glucose tolerance test in pregnancy with low birth weight fetus

Maternal hypoglycemia,a condition characterized by lower than normal blood glucose levels in pregnant women,has been increasingly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes,including low birth weight(LBW)in neonates.LBW,defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 g,can result from various factors,including maternal nutrition,health status,and metabolic conditions like hypoglycemia.Maternal hypoglycemia may affect fetal growth by altering the supply of essential nutrients and oxygen to the fetus,leading to restricted fetal development and growth.This condition poses significant risks not only during pregnancy but also for the long-term health of the child,increasing the likelihood of developmental delays,health issues,and chronic conditions later in life.Research in this area has focused on understanding the mechanisms through which maternal hypoglycemia influences fetal development,with studies suggesting that alterations in placental blood flow and nutrient transport,as well as direct effects on fetal insulin levels and metabolism,may play a role.Given the potential impact of maternal hypoglycemia on neonatal health outcomes,early detection and management are crucial to minimize risks for LBW and its associated complications.Further investigations are needed to fully elucidate the complex interactions between maternal glucose levels and fetal growth,as well as to develop targeted interventions to support the health of both mother and child.Understanding these relationships is vital for improving prenatal care and outcomes for pregnancies complicated by hypoglycemia.

Sociodemographic determinants associated with breastfeeding in term infants with low birth weight in Latin American countries

BACKGROUND A progressive decrease in exclusive breastfeeding(BF)is observed in Latin America and the Caribbean compared with global results.The possibility of being breastfed and continuing BF for>6 months is lower in low birth weight than in healthy-weight infants.AIM To identify factors associated with BF maintenance and promotion,with particular attention to low-and middle-income countries,by studying geographic,socioeconomic,and individual or neonatal health factors.METHODS A scoping review was conducted in 2018 using the conceptual model of social determinants of health published by the Commission on Equity and Health Inequalities in the United States.The extracted data with common characteristics were synthesized and categorized into two main themes:(1)Sociodemographic factors and proximal determinants involved in the initiation and maintenance of BF in low-birth-weight term infants in Latin America;and(2)individual characteristics related to the self-efficacy capacity for BF maintenance and adherence in low-birth-weight term infants.RESULTS This study identified maternal age,educational level,maternal economic capacity,social stratum,exposure to BF substitutes,access to BF information,and quality of health services as mediators for maintaining BF.CONCLUSION Individual self-efficacy factors that enable BF adherence in at-risk populations should be analyzed for better health outcomes.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Extremely Premature Infants with Extremely Low and Very Low Birth Weight at Three Years of Age: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: The purpose of this retrospective study is to identify medical conditions impacting neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely low birth weight and very low birth weight preterm infants at three years of age. Methods: Infants born in Banner Diamond Children’s University Medical Center, receiving services in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, and attending Neonatal Developmental Follow-Up Clinic were identified. Participants received developmental assessment and follow-up from August 2012 through December 2018. Relevant clinical conditions during initial hospital stay and up to three years of age were obtained by reviewing medical and developmental records. Bayley Scales of Infant Toddler Development (Bayley III) was used to evaluate skill development at 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 months. Results: Data analysis did not reveal significant p-values;it did demonstrate that some predictor variables impact neurodevelopmental outcomes in cognitive, language and motor skill development. Conclusion: This retrospective study reports significant association between birth weight and low cognitive scores. Correlations were also found between gestational age and Total Language, and the longer an infant stayed in the NICU, the poorer the Total Language Scaled Scores at 8 to 12 months, 15 to 18 months, and 24 to 36 months. Birth weight was found to be the greatest predictor of poor motor scores.

Promoting normal childbirth:Research status and application of upright positions in the second stage of labour

In recent years,more and more attention has been paid to normal childbirth.The World Health Organization(WHO),International Confederation of Midwives(ICM),Chinese Maternal and Child Health Association(CMCHA)have actively advocated normal childbirth[[1],[2],[3]].It is proved that normal childbirth can improve birth outcomes.

出生缺陷与出生体重、胎龄的相关性

目的分析不同出生体重及胎龄围产儿的出生缺陷发生率,为进一步完善出生缺陷监测系统和降低出生缺陷发生率提供新的科学依据。方法对2003年10月1日至2015年9月30日西安市各级开设产科的医疗保健机构出生的孕28周~生后7 d所有围产儿进行出生缺陷监测并收集相关资料。结果2003至2015年共监测围产儿1236937例,其中出生缺陷儿10619例,出生缺陷发生率为8.59‰。2003至2015年西安市出生缺陷医院监测系统共收集出生体重<2500 g出生缺陷患儿3306例,出生孕周≥28周且<37周的出生缺陷患儿3473例,出生孕周≥42周的出生缺陷患儿共224例。2003至2015年低出生体重儿出生缺陷率显著高于正常体重儿(χ^(2)=37097.79,P<0.001)。2003至2015年早产儿(<37周)出生缺陷率显著高于正常产期儿(χ^(2)=24998.24,P<0.001),过期产儿出生缺陷率(≥42周)显著高于正常产期儿(χ^(2)=196.40,P<0.001)。低体重儿出生缺陷常见缺陷类型前5位依次是先天性脑积水、脊柱裂、先天性心脏病、无脑畸形、唇裂合并腭裂。正常体重儿出生缺陷出生结局以活产为主(占68.60%),而低体重儿出生缺陷出生结局以死胎为主(占54.72%),低体重儿出生缺陷与正常体重儿出生缺陷出生结局比较,差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=647.59,P<0.001)。正常产期儿出生缺陷出生结局以活产为主(占77.38%),过期产儿出生缺陷出生结局以活产为主(占83.93%),而早产儿出生缺陷出生结局以死胎为主(占57.79%)。早产儿与正常产期儿出生缺陷出生结局比较,差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=2025.08,P<0.001),早产儿与过期产儿出生缺陷出生结局比较,差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=245.39,P<0.001),正常产期儿与过期产儿出生缺陷出生结局比较差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=16.28,P=0.001)。结论早产儿、低出生体重儿及过期产儿出生缺陷发生率显著高于正常产期儿,低体重儿与正常体重儿、早产儿与正常产期儿、早产儿与过期产儿、正常产期儿与过期产儿出生缺陷出生结局比较,差异均有统计学意义。

Epidemioclinical Profile and Immediate Outcome of Low Birth Weight at the Reference Health Center in Commune VI of the District of Bamako, Mali

Introduction: Low birth weight is responsible for 9.1 million child deaths each year worldwide. It is the leading cause of perinatal and infant mortality. The objective of this work was to determine the epidemio-clinical profile as well as the future of low birth weight at the Reference Health Center of commune VI in the district of Bamako, Mali. Methods: Our study was descriptive and prospective over a year from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. Data were taken from hospital records and newborn referral/evacuation forms. Data processing was performed using Epi Info software version 3.5.4 and Word. Results: The frequency of low birth weight was 34.94%. Multiparity accounted for 47.84%, sex ratio was 0.93, maternal arterial hypertension was present in 41.66%, genitourinary infection was in 58.37% and delivery was by low way in 86.12%. The majority of newborns had a gestational age between 28SA-33SA (56.52%) and a weight between 1501-1999 grams (47.36%). Mortality accounted for 18.66%. Conclusion: Low birth weight is common in our settings with modifiable risk factors. Practitioners must play on them to minimize its importance.

Prediction of Success Rates of Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Delivery According to the Previous Indication for Cesarean Delivery

Background: Trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) has long been accepted as a safe option for women with previous cesarean delivery. Previous efforts have been exerted in trials to predict the success rates of TOLAC according to specific parameters related to previous cesarean section and before TOLAC. We aimed to investigate the different indications of previous cesarean delivery as independent predictors for successful vaginal birth. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Armed Forces Hospitals of the Southern Region between December 15, 2019, and July 1, 2020. The included 566 patients with previous cesarean section who were willing to undergo a trial of labor were divided into two groups according to the success of vaginal birth (VBAC). Results: The nonrecurring indications for previous cesarean delivery were higher in the successful group (fetal distress 54.7% vs 41.1%, malpresentation 26% vs 21.4%, multifetal pregnancy 3.8% vs 2.7%). Additionally, the successful VBAC group had a significantly higher percentage of previous successful VBAC (47.7% vs 21.9%) and prior vaginal deliveries (58.5% vs 44.2%) and less coincidence of medical disorders and meconium-stained liquor (18.1% vs 26.3% and 3.2% vs 8.2%, respectively) than the unsuccessful group. Conclusion: During counseling regarding trial of labor after cesarean section, indications for previous cesarean section not related to arrest of labor can predict higher success of VBAC. Moreover, previous successful vaginal delivery or VBAC improves the success rates.

Epidemiology of Low Birth Weight in the Lake Areas of Cotonou (Benin Republic)

Introduction: Low birth weight is a significant public health problem worldwide, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of low birth weight in the lake areas of Cotonou. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study included 931 records of women who gave birth in 2022 in the Cotonou 1-4 health zone. Completed maternity records were included in this study, except for premature births and congenital malformations. Birth weight was the dependent variable. Sociodemographic, obstetrical, preventive care and child-related data were collected using a digitized form. These data were analyzed using SPSS software to determine the prevalence and factors associated with low birth weight using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of low birth weight was 16.30%. Factors related to this prevalence were non-use of mosquito nets during pregnancy (OR = 2.72;CI: 1.275 - 5.805), twin pregnancy (OR = 9.97;CI: 3.869 - 25.696), previous abortion (OR = 1.61;CI: 1.034 - 2.515), low number of pregnancy (OR = 3.97;CI: 1.276 - 12.393), trimester of first antenatal visit (OR = 3.47;CI: 1.821 - 6.638) and birth size less than 45 cm (OR = 5.98;CI: 2.965 - 12.083). Conclusion: The prevalence obtained from this study justifies the need to support pregnant women in this health zone. It is, therefore, essential to strengthen communication and health promotion strategies for women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Vaginal Birth after a Cesarean Section at Good Shepherd Mission Hospital at Tshikaji in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Background: The success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean section with a single cesarean scar is greater than 50%, the lack of the information about the safety of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery pushes most of obstetricians to increase the num ber of cesarean sections following a previous cesarean section. Guidelines for Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) indicate that TOLAC offers women with no contraindications and one previous transverse low-segment cesarean. The objective of the current study was to study the outcome of trial of labour after caesarean section (TOLAC), the indications for emergency repeat cesarean section and to determine the maternal and fetal prognosis in vaginal birth after caesarian section (VBAC) at Tshikaji Mission Hospital. Patients, Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study of the records of 126 women were selected to undergo the TOLAC in the department of gynecology and obstetrics at the Tshikaji Mission Hospital over the period from January 1st to December 31st, 2021. The data on demography, antenatal care, labour and delivery and outcomes were collected from the maternity unit of this hospital. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 2.0. Results: The TOLAC in 126 studied women. The course of work allowed vaginal delivery 107 parturient women, a success rate of successful VBAC of 85% after the TOLAC. The repeat emergency cesarean section was necessary for delivery in 15% of cases for failed TOLAC. There was no maternal mortality, but we recorded one fetal death or 0.8% of perinatal mortality, 2 cases of cicatricial dehiscence, the incidence of 1.6%. Maternal morbidity after delivery on cicatricial uterus was dominated by postpartum hemorrhages, with 19 cases or 15.1% of cases. Cervical dilatation of more than 3 cm at the time of admission, the parity more than 3 and were the significant factors in favor of a successful VBAC. Birth weight of more than 3500 g, fetal distress and malpresentation were associated with a lower success rate of VBAC. The TOLAC in selected cases has great importance in the present era of the rising rate of primary CS especially in rural areas. Conclusion: Pregnancy on a cicatricial uterus represents a high-risk pregnancy. Trial of VBAC in selected cases has great importance in the present era of the rising rate of primary CS especially in rural areas. There is a significantly high vaginal birth after caesarian section (VBAC) success rate among selected women undergoing trial of scar in Tshikaji Hospital. TOLAC remains the option for childbirth in low resource settings as Kasai region in DRC. Adequate patient education and counselling in addition to appropriate patient selection for TOLAC remain the cornerstone to achieving high VBAC success rate.

Childbirth:One,Two,Three,or None

Recognizing the multitude of factors affecting people’s birth decisions,the government has rolled out a slew of supportive policies and measures over the past years.RECENTLY,17 central authorities issued a guideline on support for childbirth and child care-proposing measures in 20 areas including taxation,housing,education,health care,insurance,and maternity leave.