Maternal mortality: near-miss events in middle-income countries, a systematic review

Objective To describe the incidence and main causes of maternal near-miss events in middle-income countries using the World Health Organization's (WHO) maternal near-miss tool and to evaluate its applicability in these settings. Methods We did a systematic review of studies on maternal near misses in middle-income countries published over 2009-2020. We extracted data on number of live births, number of maternal near misses, major causes of maternal near miss and most frequent organ dysfunction. We extracted, or calculated, the maternal near-miss ratio, maternal mortality ratio and mortality index. We also noted descriptions of researchers'experiences and modifications of the WHO tool for local use. Findings We included 69 studies from 26 countries (12 lower-middle- and 14 upper-middle-income countries). Studies reported a total of 50 552 maternal near misses out of 10 450 482 live births. Median number of cases of maternal near miss per 1000 live births was 15.9 (interquartile range, IQR: 8.9-34.7) in lower-middle- and 7.8 (IQR: 5.0-9.6) in upper-middle-income countries, with considerable variation between and within countries. The most frequent causes of near miss were obstetric haemorrhage in 19/40 studies in lower-middleincome countries and hypertensive disorders in 15/29 studies in upper-middle-income countries. Around half the studies recommended adaptations to the laboratory and management criteria to avoid underestimation of cases of near miss, as well as clearer guidance to avoid different interpretations of the tool. Conclusion In several countries, adaptations of the WHO near-miss tool to the local context were suggested, possibly hampering international comparisons, but facilitating locally relevant audits to learn lessons.Research into fetal development and medicin

Great saves or near misses? Severe maternal outcome in Metro East, South Africa: a region-wide population-based case-control study

Objective To assess the incidence of severe maternal outcome (SMO), comprising maternal mortality (MM) and maternal near miss (MNM), in Metro East health district, Western Cape Province, South Africa between November 2014 and November 2015 and to identify associated determinants leading to SMO with the aim to improve maternity care.Methods Region-wide population-based case-control study. Women were included in the study, if they were maternal deaths or met MNM criteria, both as defined by WHO. Characteristics of women with SMO were compared with those of a sample of women without SMO, matched for age and parity, taken from midwifery-led obstetrical units from two residential areas in Metro East, using multivariate regression analysis.Results Incidence of SMO was 9.1 per 1000 live births, and incidence of MNM was 8.6 per 1000 live births. Main causes of SMO were obstetrical hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Factors associated with SMO were HIV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 24.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.0-61.6), pre-eclampsia (aOR 17.5; 95% CI 7.9-38.7), birth by cesarean section (aOR 8.4; 95% CI 5.8-12.3), and chronic hypertension (aOR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1-5.1).Conclusion Evaluation of SMO incidence and associated determinants supports optimizing tailored guidelines in Metro-East health district to improve maternal health.Research into fetal development and medicin

The Reproducibility of 31-Phosphorus MRS Measures of Muscle Energetics at 3 Tesla in Trained Men

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides an exceptional opportunity for the study of in vivo metabolism. MRS is widely used to measure phosphorus metabolites in trained muscle, although there are no published data regarding its reproducibility in this specialized cohort. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility of (31)P-MRS in trained skeletal muscle

Fiber intake, serum cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular disease in European individuals with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional analysis of dietary fiber intake was performed in European type 1 diabetic patients enrolled in the EURODIAB IDDM Complications Study to explore its potential relationship to serum cholesterol levels and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Dietary intake was assessed by a standardized 3-day dietary record. For analysis of fiber intake (total, soluble, and insoluble) and its associations with CVD (past history or electrocardiogram abnormalities), complete data were available from 1,050 male and 1,012 female individuals. Relationships of fiber intakes to serum cholesterol levels (total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol) were examined in 926 men and 881 women with type 1 diabetes. RESULTS: Higher intakes of total fiber (g/day) were independently associated with significantly higher levels of HDL cholesterol in male (P = 0.01) and female individuals (P = 0.03). Fiber intakes of men with type 1 diabetes were also inversely related to ratios of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (P = 0.0001) and levels of LDL cholesterol (P = 0.0002). A protective effect of total fiber intake against CVD was observed for female subjects, where a significant trend was maintained after adjustment for potential confounders, including energy and saturated fat (P = 0.03 vs. P = 0.2 in men). Results were similar in separate analyses of soluble and insoluble fiber. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that higher fiber intakes are independently related to beneficial alterations of the serum cholesterol pattern in men and to a lower risk for CVD in European insulin-dependent women. Beneficial effects can already be observed for fiber amounts within the range commonly consumed by outpatients with type 1 diabete