A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol on knowledge of obstetric danger signs and associated factors among women in Africa

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis will investigate the pooled knowledge level of obstetric danger signs and related factors among African women. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis incorporating cross-sectional, case–control, and cohort study designs. Methods: Studies published with full texts in English language from the beginning to the present will be searched in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar databases. Checklists from the Joanna Briggs Institute will be used to assess the quality of the studies’ methodology. Data extraction, critical appraisal, and screening of all retrieved articles will be conducted by two independent reviewers. Statistical analysis will be performed using the STATA-14 and Review Manager 5.3 (RevMan 5.3) software packages. A random effect will be employed to demonstrate pooled estimates of knowledge among women. For determinants of knowledge, an effect size with a 95% confidence interval will be analyzed. Protocol Registration: This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered in PROSPERO with the registration ID and link as follows: CRD42022379085; CRD [email protected] https://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd Discussion: Women who are more knowledgeable about obstetric danger signs are more likely to seek emergency care on time, closely attend antenatal care, and be better prepared for labor and any complications, which reduces both maternal and child mortality. This analysis will provide evidence of the pooled prevalence of knowledge of obstetric danger signs among African women, as well as contributing factors

Maternal bleeding complications following early versus delayed umbilical cord clamping in multiple pregnancies

Abstract Background In 2015, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended delayed umbilical cord clamping for at least 30–60 s for all infants. However, there is limited data regarding the maternal safety of delayed cord clamping in multiple pregnancies. We aimed to compare the maternal bleeding complications following early cord clamping (ECC) versus of delayed cord clamping (DCC) in multiple pregnancies. Methods A retrospective cohort study of pregnant women with multiples who delivered live-born infants at Sharp Healthcare Hospitals in San Diego, CA, USA during January 1st, 2016 – September 30th, 2017. Bleeding complications of 295 women who underwent ECC (less than 30 s) were compared with 154 women who underwent DCC (more than 30 s). ECC or DCC was performed according to individual obstetrician discretion. Results Four hundred forty-nine women with multiple pregnancies (N = 910 infants) were included in the study. 252 (85.4%) women underwent cesarean section in ECC group vs. 99 (64.3%) in DCC group. 58 (19.7%) women delivered monochorionic twins in ECC group vs. 32 (20.8%) women in DCC group. There was no increase in maternal estimate blood loss when DCC was performed comparing to ECC. There were no differences in operative time, post-delivery decrease in hematocrits, rates of postpartum hemorrhage, bleeding complications, maternal blood transfusions and therapeutic hysterectomy between the two groups. Conclusions No differences in maternal bleeding complications were found with DCC in multiple pregnancies compared to ECC. Delayed cord clamping can be done safely in multiple pregnancies without any increased maternal risk

Acceptability of Bedside Resuscitation With Intact Umbilical Cord to Clinicians and Patients’ Families in the United States

BackgroundWhile delayed umbilical cord clamping in preterm infants has shown to improve long-term neurological outcomes, infants who are thought to need resuscitation do not receive delayed cord clamping even though they may benefit the most. A mobile resuscitation platform allows infants to be resuscitated at the mother’s bedside with the cord intact. The newborn is supplied with placental blood during the resuscitation in view of the mother. The objective of the study is to assess the usability and acceptability of mobile resuscitation platform, LifeStart trolley, among the infants’ parents and perinatal providers.MethodsA resuscitation platform was present during every delivery that required advanced neonatal providers for high-risk deliveries. Perinatal providers and parents of the infants were given a questionnaire shortly after the delivery.Results60 neonatal subjects were placed on the trolley. The majority of deliveries were high risk for meconium-stained amniotic fluid (43%), and non-reassuring fetal heart rate (45%). About 50% of neonatal providers felt that there were some concerns regarding access to the baby. No parents were uncomfortable with the bedside neonatal interventions, and most parents perceived that communication was improved because of the proximity to the care team.ConclusionBedside resuscitation with umbilical cord intact through the use of a mobile resuscitation trolley is feasible, safe, and effective, but about half of the perinatal providers expressed concerns. Logistical issues such as improved space management and/or delivery setup should be considered in centers planning to perform neonatal resuscitation with an intact cord

Umbilical cord milking at birth for term newborns with acidosis: Neonatal outcomes

Objective: To determine if umbilical cord milking is detrimental in compromised term/near-term infants. Study Design: A retrospective analysis of infants with abnormal cord gases (cord arterial or venous pH of ≤ 7.1 or base deficit \u3e -12). We collected maternal risk factors, cord management, birth, and neonatal outcomes during hospitalization. Result: We found 157 infants who met the criteria for abnormal cord gases. Thirty-six of those had umbilical cord milking at delivery. There was no significant difference in neonatal outcomes, but fewer infants in the cord milking group needed resuscitation (38 vs. 56%, p = 0.07) and ongoing respiratory support (19 vs. 31%, p = 0.16) compared to the immediate clamping group. Conclusions: While not significant, infants who received cord milking at birth needed less resuscitation and ongoing respiratory support. This study suggests that umbilical cord milking appears to be a safe therapy when acidosis is present and when resuscitation is needed

A pilot randomized controlled trial of EKG for neonatal resuscitation

<div><p>Background</p><p>The seventh edition of the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program recommends the use of a cardiac monitor in infants that need resuscitation. Previous trials have shown that EKG heart rate is available before pulse rate from a pulse oximeter. To date no trial has looked at how the availability of electrocardiogram (EKG) affects clinical interventions in the delivery room.</p><p>Objective</p><p>To determine whether the availability of an EKG heart rate value and tracing to the clinical team has an effect on physiologic measures and related interventions during the stabilization of preterm infants.</p><p>Design/Methods</p><p>Forty (40) premature infants enrolled in a neuro-monitoring study (The Neu-Prem Trial: NCT02605733) who had an EKG monitor available were randomized to have the heart rate information from the bedside EKG monitor either displayed or not displayed to the clinical team. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, FiO₂ and mean airway pressure from a data acquisition system were recorded every 2 seconds. Results were averaged over 30 seconds and the differences analyzed using two-tailed t-test. Interventions analyzed included time to first change in FiO₂, first positive pressure ventilation, first increase in airway pressure, and first intubation.</p><p>Results</p><p>There were no significant differences in time to clinical interventions between the blinded and unblinded group, despite the unblinded group having access to a visible heart rate at 66 +/- 20 compared to 114 +/- 39 seconds for the blinded group (p < .0001). Pulse rate from oximeter was lower than EKG heart rate during the first 2 minutes of life, but this was not significant.</p><p>Conclusion(s)</p><p>EKG provides an earlier, and more accurate heart rate than pulse rate from an oximeter during stabilization of preterm infants, allowing earlier intervention. All interventions were started earlier in the unblinded EKG group but these numbers were not significant in this small trial. Earlier EKG placement before pulse oximeter placement may affect other interventions, but this needs further study.</p></div

Delivery room interventions.

<p>Delivery room interventions.</p

Consort diagram.

<p>Consort diagram.</p

Demographics.

<p>Demographics.</p

Heart rate in the first 5 minutes.

<p>Comparison of EKG and Pulse Oximeter Heart Rate in the first 5 minutes. (Beats Per Minute).</p