Periodontal Disease of Pregnant Women and Low Weight Newborn in Senegal: A Case-Control Study

The aim of this work was to study the connection between periodontal diseas of women during their pregnancy and the weight of newborn infants the women gave birth to. Method: It was a case-control study and carried out on the outskirts of Dakar (Senegal). The sample consisted of 129 mothers with infants of weight < 2500 g (case) and 258 mothers with infants of weight ≥ 2500 g (control). The socio-demographic variables, patterns of life, history and outcome of pregnancy were collected. The variables relating to periodontal status included the plaque index, inflammation, bleeding, loss of clinical attachment and pocket depth. Data were analyzed by the R software. Logistic regression had identified associations on the threshold of 5%. Results: The proportions of mothers with periodontitis were 70.6% among cases versus 33% in controls. Periodontitis was significantly associated with low weight (OR = 4 [2.3 - 5.7] 4) adjusted on age, BMI and other periodontal indices. Conclusion: periodontal disease appears to be involved in the occurrence of low birth weight in the African context. The introduction of an oral component in prenatal consultations is therefore necessary for the health of mothers and their children.

Simultaneous type III congenital esophageal atresia and patent ductus arteriosus in a low-weight patient: A case report

BACKGROUND We report a low-birth-weight child(1.8 kg)with neonatal type III congenital esophageal atresia(CEA)combined with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus(PDA).After comprehensive evaluation,esophageal anastomosis was performed on postnatal day 11 after excluding surgical contraindications,and arterial catheter ligation was performed at the same time.Concurrent surgery for CEA combined with PDA has not been clearly reported in the literature.CASE SUMMARY We report a 6-day-old female child with type III CEA and PDA.The patient presented with foam at the mouth after birth,cough and shortness of breath after feeding.At another hospital,she was considered to have neonatal pneumonia,neonatal jaundice and congenital heart disease and transferred to our hospital.After iodine oil radiography of the esophagus and echocardiography we con-firmed diagnosis of CEA and PDA.The diameter of the PDA was 8 mm,with obvious left to right shunting.We performed right rear extrapleural orificium fistula ligation and esophageal anastomosis,and ligation of PDA via left axilla straight incision after 5 d of hospitalization.The operations were successful,and the incision healed after 12 d,and the patient was discharged.We re-examined the patient 1 mo after surgery.She did not vomit when she ate rice flour.Esophageal angiography showed no stricture of the anastomotic stoma.The patient weighed 3.2 kg.CONCLUSION For CEA patients with multiple risk factors,comprehensive,timely and accurate diagnosis and evaluation,and early treatment may improve prognosis.

Effects of low molecular weight polysaccharide from Sargassum thunbergii against palmitic acid-induced intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and HepG2 cells

Low molecular weight polysaccharides can be isolated from Sargassum thunbergii(LMPST)and in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects on lipids.Two natures of LMPST were attained from S.thunbergii and appraised their LMPST on palmitic acid(PA)induced lipid accretion in Hep G2,and 3T3-L1 cells.LMPST treatment lessened lipid deposition and intracellular free fatty acid and triglyceride intensities in PA-treated above mentioned cells.The mechanistic study publicized that LMPST2 significantly suppressed adipogenesis and stimulated the PA-treated 3T3-L1 cells occupied in the lipolysis pathway.Furthermore,in PA-treated Hep G2 cells,the free fatty acid oxidation was significantly increased by LMPST2.Given these constructive properties of LMPST2 from S.thunbergii,is a potential candidate for diminishing the intracellular lipids,and for a therapeutic agent in those conditions.

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.

Impact of Delivery Mode on Morbidity in Preterm Infants with Very Low Birth Weights (<1500 Grams)

The mode of delivery and gestational age for very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) preterm infants are not yet well established and are constant topics of debate. Objective: To analyze the impact of delivery mode on morbidity in preterm infants weighing less than 1500 g. Results: Among 21,957 births, 81 were analyzed;53 were delivered vaginally, and 28 were delivered by cesarean section. The median maternal age, gestational age and body mass index among those delivered vaginally and by cesarean section were 20 years and 22.5 years, 27.6 weeks and 30.1 weeks, and 26.0 kg/m2 and 27.8 kg/m2, respectively. With respect to neonatal blood gas parameters, for those born vaginally and by cesarean section, the median pH was 7.32 and 7.24, the pCO2 was 41.5 mmHg and 51.1 mmHg, and the pO2 was 22.3 mmHg and 16 mmHg. The median fetal weight among those born by cesarean section and vaginally were 1180 g and 955 g, respectively. The median Apgar scores at the first and fifth minutes among those born by cesarean section and vaginally were 5.00 and 8.00 and 4.50 and 7.00, respectively. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the results of vaginal and cesarean delivery for VLBW infants. Thus, further studies on this subject are needed.

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.

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.

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.

Pharmacokinetics of fucoidan and low molecular weight fucoidan from Saccharina japonica after oral administration to mice

The brown seaweed,Sacchairna japonica,has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over one thousand years.Oral administration of fucoidan or low molecular weight fucoidan(LMWF)from S.japonica could ameliorate kidney dysfunction in chronic kidney diseases and inhibit diabetic vascular complications.In many studies,LMWF was found to be more potent than fucoidan with high molecular weight.However,the pharmacokinetics of LMWF still remains unclear.The purpose of the research is to compare the pharmacokinetics of fucoidan with high molecular weight(136 kDa)with that low molecular weight(9.5 kDa)after oral administration to ICR mice.Since fucose is the main and representative monosaccharide of fucoidans,we evaluate the pharmacokinetics of fucoidan and LMWF by determining the fucose concentration in mice serum.Both fucoidan and LMWF were absorbed following oral administration.Fucoidan and LMWF were provided to mice by oral administration with 60 mg/kg and the maximum Concentration(C_(max))was found at 2.5 h(0.66±0.32 mg/L)for Fucoidan and 1.5 h(1.01±0.56 mg/L)for LMWF,respectively.It seems that LMWF had a higher area under the curve(AUC_(0–t))and was absorbed more quickly than fucoidan.The estimated bioavailability of LMWF was28.3%in the mice treated with a single dose of 30 mg/kg.In addition,LMWF was found widely spreaded into different tissues following oral administration and the highest concentration was found in kidney at 19.93±7.02μg/g.In this study,we first studied the pharmacokinetics of LMWF,in order to help to understand the function of LMWF.And our results shed light on the potential of development of drugs based on LMWF.

Purification and immunoglobulin E epitopes identification of low molecular weight glutenin:an allergen in Chinese wheat

As one of the most important cereals,wheat(Triticum aestivum)has high nutritional value and is widely cultivated in China.However,wheat can cause severe allergic reactions,and a growing number of people are developing allergies to Chinese wheat.Low molecular weight glutenin(LMW-GS),an important allergen in susceptible populations,is responsible for celiac disease and wheat contacts dermatitis.In this study,LMW-GS was highly purified from Chinese wheat(Xiaoyan 6)and further identified and characterized.In addition,8 peptides were predicted efficiently by 5 immunological tools,among which 5 peptides showed significant immunoglobulin E binding abilities.Two specific epitopes were found to be in the non-conserved region of the amino acid sequence of LMW-GS,which was speculated to be the specific epitope of Chinese wheat.This systematic research of LMW-GS may provide new insights into the prevention of wheat allergy and development of hypoallergenic wheat products.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Efficacy and Safety of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Prophylaxis for Venous Thromboembolism Following Lumbar Decompression Surgery

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after lumbar decompression surgery. Methods Patients at high or the highest risk of VTE who underwent lumbar spine surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to April 2011 were included in the present study. All the patients received a half dose of LMWH 6 hours after surgery followed by a full dose LMWH once per day until discharge. We recorded incidences of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), bleeding complications, and medication side effects. Results Seventy-eight consecutive patients were eligible and enrolled in this study. The mean hospital stat was 8.5±4.5 days. No symptomatic DVT, PE, or major bleeding events were observed. One patient developed wound ecchymosis, another developed wound bleeding, four had mild hepatic aminotransferase level elevation, and one developed a suspicious allergic reaction. Conclusion LMWH may be applied as an effective and safe prophylaxis for VTE in high-risk patients undergoing lumbar decompression surgery.

Maternal risk factors for low birth weight for term births in a developed region in China:a hospital-based study of 55,633 pregnancies

Low birth weight （LBW） is an important risk factor for neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity in adults.. How- ever, no large scale study on the prevalence of LBW and related maternal risk factors in China has been published. To explore the effects of maternal factors on LBW for term birth in China, we conducted a hospital-based retrospective study of 55, 633 Chinese pregnancy cases between 2001 and 2008. Maternal sociodemographic data, history of infer- tility and contraceptive use were obtained. Their medical status and diseases during pre-pregnancy were examined by physical examination at the first antenatal care visit. Maternal medical status before childbirth and pregnancy outcomes, including body weight, infant gender, multiple pregnancy and congenital anomalies, were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and linear regression were used to investigate the relationship be- tween maternal factors and term LBW. The general incidence of term LBW was 1.70% in the developed area of China. After preliminary analysis using the univariate model, low primary education, anemia, hypertensive disor- ders, placental previa, oligohydramnios and premature rupture of membrane were predicted as independent factors of term LBW in the multivariate model. Furthermore, the decrease in annual frquencies of these risk factors were major causes of gradual decline in the incidence of LBW （from 2.43% in 2001 to 1.21% in 2008）. The study dem- onstrated that among maternal factors, primary education, anemia and hypertensive disorders could contribute to LBW for term birth even in the most developed area of China.

Rescue case of low birth weight infant with acute hepatic failure

We report a case involving a rescued low birth weight infant(LBWI) with acute liver failure. Case: The patient was 1594 g and 32^(3/7) gestational wk at birth. At the age of 11 d, she developed acute liver failure due to gestational alloimmune liver disease. Exchange transfusion and high-dose gamma globulin therapy were initiated, and body weight increased with enteral nutrition. Exchange transfusion was performed a total of 33 times prior to living donor liver transplantation(LDLT). Her liver dysfunction could not be treated by medications alone. At 55 d old and a body weight of 2946 g, she underwent LDLT using an S2 monosegment graft from her mother. Three years have passed with no reports of intellectual disability or liver dysfunction. LBWIs with acute liver failure may be rescued by LDLT after body weight has increased to over 2500 g.

Application of prolonging small feeding volumes early in life to prevent of necrotizing enterocolitis in very low birth weight preterm infants

Objective:To study the effects of prolonging small feeding volumes early in life on the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC)in very low birth weight(VLBW)preterm infants.Methods:A total of 128 VLBW infants who could not be breastfed were assigned into the experimental group(63 cases)and the control group(65 cases)using a random number table.The experiment group was fed 12 mL/(kg·d)on day 1 which was increased to 24 mL/(kg·d)for the first 10 study days.The control group was fed 12 mL/(kg·d)for the first 14e48 hours.Then,the feeding volume increased by 24-36 mL/(kg·d)up to 140e160 mL/(kg·d)and maintained until the 10th day after birth.The incidence of feeding intolerance and NEC,duration of hospitalization,time to full enteral feedings,incidence of intrahepatic cholestasis,and the levels of gastrin and motilin in serum were assessed.Results:The incidence of feeding intolerance was significantly lower in the experimental group compared with the control group(15.87% vs.33.84%).There was a significant reduction in the incidence of NEC between the experimental and control groups(7.9% vs.16% in the control group).Conclusion:A protocol that prolongs small feeding volumes early in life can reduce the incidence and severity of NEC,but still warrants further study.