Maternal smoking in pregnancy and blood pressure during childhood and adolescence: a meta-analysis

rterial hypertension during childhood or adolescence is rising, and smoking during pregnancy may constitute a modifiable risk factor. This study aims to evaluate the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on diastolic (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in childhood and adolescence. A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases in March 2022. Meta-analysis was performed with the difference in mean-adjusted SBP/DBP of children and adolescents aged 3–17 years, according to maternal smoking/non-smoking in pregnancy. A random effects model was applied; a leave-one-out analysis and meta-analysis by subgroups were performed. A modified Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of the studies. Evidence levels were rated using the GRADE system. Fifteen studies were included in the meta-analysis; all of them evaluated the mean-adjusted SBP difference in children or adolescents (N = 73,448), and 6 also that of DBP (N = 31,459). Results showed that maternal smoking during pregnancy significantly increased SBP (β = 0.31 mmHg 95% CI 0.14–0.49). A greater increase in mean-adjusted SBP was observed in those studies that completed the recruitment before 1990, were conducted in non-European countries, used standard mercury or manual sphygmomanometry, adjusted for birth weight, and were in the lowest quality subgroup. No significant association was found for DBP. The GRADE level of evidence was low for SBP and very low for DBP. Conclusion: Smoking in pregnancy might increase SBP in childhood and adolescence. Due to the low level of evidence, solid inferences cannot be drawn about the clinical relevance of these findings.S

Consideraciones para el diseño e implementación de las intervenciones para la cesación de consumo de tabaco, alcohol y cannabis en el embarazo. Un estudio cualitativo

Resumen: Objetivo: Explorar la opinión de distintos actores clave, en relación con los requisitos que deberían cumplir las intervenciones de cesación de consumo de tabaco, alcohol y/o cannabis durante el embarazo para que puedan ser implementadas y resulten aceptables y útiles. Diseño: Estudio cualitativo con aproximación fenomenológica. Sitio: Se realizó en España en 2022. Participantes: Gestores, profesionales sanitarios, embarazadas consumidoras de tabaco, alcohol y/o cannabis y sus parejas también consumidoras. Métodos: Los datos se recogieron mediante grupos focales y entrevistas en profundidad, hasta alcanzar la saturación del discurso y se transcribieron de manera exacta. Se realizó un análisis exploratorio y codificación abierta inductiva, se fusionaron los códigos en categorías y se identificaron subcategorías. Resultados: Se identificaron cuatro categorías y 18 subcategorías. Los resultados apuntan a que las intervenciones deberían de ser multicomponente. Entre las intervenciones más aceptadas por parte de las mujeres embarazadas y sus parejas, las consultas específicas de cesación, la información, el apoyo de un igual (aunque no precisan de qué manera) y los incentivos económicos. Entre otras opciones a considerar, la cooximetría, propuesta por gestores para obtener un registro objetivo. Conclusiones: Se extrae que esta intervención debe realizarse a nivel de la atención prenatal realizada en atención primaria. Existen dudas respecto de la frecuencia, fin y seguimiento de esta intervención multicomponente, así como a la posibilidad de incorporar a las parejas. Abstract: Objective: To explore the opinion of different key stakeholders regarding the requirements that tobacco, alcohol and/or cannabis cessation interventions should meet to be implemented and to be acceptable and useful during pregnancy. Design: A qualitative study with phenomenological approach. Site: The study was conducted in Spain in 2022. Participants: Decision makers, health professionals, pregnant women using tobacco, alcohol and/or cannabis and their partners who are also users. Methods: Data were collected through focus groups and in-depth interviews, until discourse saturation was reached and accurately transcribed. Exploratory analysis and inductive open coding were conducted, codes were merged into categories and subcategories were identified. Results: Four categories and 18 subcategories were identified. The results suggest that interventions should be multicomponent. Among the interventions most accepted by pregnant women and their partners were specific cessation consultations, information, peer support (although they did not specify how) and financial incentives. Among other options to consider, co-oximetry, proposed by managers to obtain an objective register. Conclusions: The conclusion is that this intervention should be carried out at the level of prenatal care in primary care. There are doubts regarding the frequency, purpose, and follow-up of this multicomponent intervention, as well as the possibility of incorporating couples

Actividad física en el embarazo y puerperio: prevalencia y recomendaciones de los profesionales sanitarios

Resumen: Objetivo: Valorar los cambios en la realización de actividad física (AF) en el embarazo y después del parto y explorarlo en función de la edad y el nivel de estudios. Analizar si los profesionales sanitarios dieron recomendaciones sobre la AF. Diseño: Estudio observacional. Sitio: La información procede del Sistema de Información sobre Conductas de Riesgo de Galicia. Participantes: La población objetivo fueron mujeres gallegas (18-49 años) que dieron a luz entre septiembre-2015 y agosto-2016. Medidas principales: Se estimó la prevalencia de realización de caminatas, ejercicio físico (EF) y recomendaciones de realización de la AF en tres momentos (pre-embarazo, embarazo y tras parto). Resultados: Las caminatas aumentaron 34,0% durante el embarazo y el ejercicio disminuyó 21,0%. Tras el parto las caminatas disminuyeron 37,0% y el ejercicio 32,0%, en comparación con el embarazo. Las mujeres de menor edad y con menor nivel educativo son las que realizan menos AF; 72,6 y 22,1% de las mujeres declaró que un profesional sanitario les recomendó AF durante el embarazo y tras el parto, respectivamente. Conclusión: La AF realizada durante el embarazo es fundamentalmente la caminata, y preocupa su abandono tras el parto. Los profesionales sanitarios recomiendan AF principalmente durante el embarazo, pero poco tras el parto. Para mejorar estas prevalencias sería conveniente el refuerzo de la acción sanitaria. Abstract: Objective: To assess changes in physical activity (PA) during pregnancy and after giving birth and to explore this according to age and educational level. To analyze whether the health professionals gave recommendations on PA. Design: Observational study. Site: Information is derived from the Galician Risk Behavior Information System. Participants: The target population was Galician women (aged 18-49 years) who delivered between september-2015 and august-2016. Main measurements: The prevalence of walking, physical exercise and PA recommendations were estimated for three moments (pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and after delivery). Results: Walking during pregnancy increased by 34,0% and the performance of physical exercise decreased by 21,0%. After delivery, walking decreased by 37,0% and physical exercise decreased by 32,0% compared to pregnancy. Women of younger age and lower educational level were those who performed less PA. 72,6% and 22,1% of women declared that a healthcare professional recommended PA during pregnancy and after delivery, respectively. Conclusion: The PA performed by women during pregnancy is mainly walking, and there is a concern about the abandonment of PA practice after delivery. Healthcare professionals recommend PA mainly during pregnancy, but little is recommended after delivery. It may be desirable for the improvement of this prevalence to reinforce health action

La actividad física en los planes de salud autonómicos de España. Una revisión de propuestas

Resumen: Objetivo: Conocer si en España los planes de salud autonómicos incluyen objetivos y medidas específicas relacionados con la actividad física. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda en las páginas web institucionales para identificar el plan de salud más reciente de cada comunidad autónoma. Se extrajo la información que incluían los planes de salud sobre objetivos y medidas, y grupos poblacionales a los que se dirigían dichas medidas. La búsqueda se completó el 24 de enero de 2022. Resultados: Se identificaron 16 planes de salud, de los cuales seis están vigentes en 2022; de estos, 15 incorporaban objetivos y medidas específicas sobre actividad física. La mayor parte de las acciones van destinadas a población general, población infanto-juvenil y personas mayores. Los planes de Cantabria, la Comunidad Valenciana y el País Vasco incluyen la actividad física de forma más extensa, proponiendo medidas para siete de los ocho grupos poblacionales identificados. Conclusiones: La mayor parte de los planes de salud incluyen medidas en relación con la actividad física y las dirigen a dos o más grupos poblacionales. La heterogeneidad en cuanto a objetivos, medidas específicas y grupos poblacionales es alta. Este estudio puede ayudar a las comunidades autónomas a revisar su plan de salud, actualizarlo y mejorarlo en materia de actividad física. Es conveniente que los diferentes planes de salud tengan un marco de propuestas homogéneo relacionado con la promoción de la actividad física. Abstract: Objective: To identify if the regional government health plans in Spain include specific objectives and measures related to physical activity. Method: Institutional websites were scanned to identify the most recent health plan of each regional government. The information included in the health plans on objectives and measures and the population groups targeted by these measures was extracted. The search was completed on 24 January 2022. Results: Sixteen health plans were identified of which six are in force in 2022; 15 of these have incorporated specific objectives and measures on physical activity. Most of the actions are focus on general population, children-adolescents and elderly population. The plans of Cantabria, the Comunitat Valenciana and País Vasco cover physical activity more widely, proposing measures for seven of the eight identified population groups. Conclusions: Most of the health plans include measures related to physical activity and target two or more population groups. The objectives, specific measures and population groups were highly heterogeneous. This study could serve to prompt regional governments to review their health plans, update them and improve them in terms of physical activity. It seems advisable that the different health plans should have a homogeneous framework of proposals related to the promotion of physical activity

Perception of pregnant individuals, health providers and decision makers on interventions to cease substance consumption during pregnancy: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Despite multiple recommendations and strategies implemented at a national and international level, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and cannabis use during pregnancy remains high in most countries. The objective of this study was to examine key stakeholders’ perception of the treatment interventions adopted in Spain, to identify political, organizational and personal factors associated with successful implementation, and to propose strategies for improvement. Methods A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was conducted in 2022. The target groups were: (1) clinical decision makers in the field of addiction science, (2) health professionals who carry out treatment interventions, and (3) pregnant individuals who use tobacco, alcohol or cannabis. Two focus groups and eight in-depth interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed. Exploratory analysis and inductive open coding was performed, codes were merged into categories, and subcategories were identified. Results The analysis resulted in 10 subcategories which were further merged into three main categories: (1) Degree of adoption and utility of treatment interventions implemented; (2) Needs and demands with respect to the organization of treatment interventions; and, (3) Personal barriers to and facilitators for treatment. Respondents reported that despite multiple national and regional cessation initiatives, treatment interventions were rarely adopted in clinical practice. Health care administrators demanded reliable records to quantify substance use for better planning of activities. Health care professionals advocated for additional time and training and both echoed the importance of integrating cessation interventions into routine prenatal care and creating in-house specialized units. The difficulty in quitting, lack of awareness of risk for foetus and child and the controversial advice were identified as barriers by pregnant individuals. Conclusions Consistent with previous work, this study found that cessation strategies implemented by the health authorities are not effective if they are not accompanied by organizational and behavioral changes. The current study identifies a set of factors that could be pivotal in ensuring the success of treatment interventions targeting tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use among pregnant individuals

Additional file 1 of Perception of pregnant individuals, health providers and decision makers on interventions to cease substance consumption during pregnancy: a qualitative study

Supplementary Material

Current preventive strategies and management of Epstein-Barr virus-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in solid organ transplantation in Europe. Results of the ESGICH Questionnaire-based Cross-sectional Survey

There is limited clinical evidence on the utility of the monitoring of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia in the pre-emptive management of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We investigated current preventive measures against EBV-related PTLD through a web-based questionnaire sent to 669 SOT programmes in 35 European countries. This study was performed on behalf of the ESGICH study group from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. A total of 71 SOT programmes from 15 European countries participated in the study. EBV serostatus of the recipient is routinely obtained in 69/71 centres (97%) and 64 (90%) have access to EBV DNAemia assays. EBV monitoring is routinely used in 85.9% of the programmes and 77.4% reported performing pre-emptive treatment for patients with significant EBV DNAemia levels. Pre-emptive treatment for EBV DNAemia included reduction of immunosuppression in 50.9%, switch to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in 30.9%, and use of rituximab in 14.5% of programmes. Imaging by whole-body 18-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is used in 60.9% of centres to rule out PTLD and complemented computer tomography is used in 50%. In 10.9% of centres, FDG-PET is included in the first-line diagnostic workup in patients with high-risk EBV DNAemia. Despite the lack of definitive evidence, EBV load measurements are frequently used in Europe to guide diagnostic workup and pre-emptive reduction of immunosuppression. We need prospective and controlled studies to define the impact of EBV monitoring in reducing the risk of PTLD in SOT recipients