Maternal hemodynamic responses to two different types of moderate physical exercise during pregnancy: a randomized clinical trial

Background/Aim:  Maternal hemodynamic responses (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were compared during two types of moderate-intensity physical exercise. Methods:  A randomized clinical trial compared 120 pregnant women performing physical exercise on a treadmill (n=64) or stationary bicycle (n=56).  In 44 of these women (n=23 treadmill; n=21 bicycle), blood pressure was monitored for 24 hours following exercise.  Repeated-measures analysis compared maternal heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure before, during and in the 24 hours following exercise in both groups.  Results:  Maternal heart rate increased significantly (p<0.001) with both types of exercise (from 84 at rest to 112 bpm on the treadmill and from 87 at rest to 107 bpm on the bicycle), without exceeding the limit of 140 bpm.  Systolic pressure increased from 110 at rest to 118 mmHg on the bicycle (p=0.06) and from 112 at rest to 120 mmHg on the treadmill (p=0.02).  Systolic pressure dropped steadily following exercise, reaching its lowest level (104 mmHg) after 14 hours, increasing thereafter and returning to pre-exercise levels by the 19th hour.  Diastolic pressure increased during exercise irrespective of the type of exercise (p=0.27), from 70 at rest to 75 mmHg on the bicycle (p=0.39) and from 70 at rest to 76 mmHg on the treadmill (p=0.18), with the lowest level (59 mmHg) being at the 13th hour. Conclusions:  A slight increase in blood pressure levels was found during exercise; however, this was not clinically significant and was followed by a substantial hypotensive effect that lasted around 19 hours. Register: Clinical Trials NCT01383889

How congenital Zika virus impacted my child's functioning and disability: a Brazilian qualitative study guided by the ICF

Introduction The Zika virus outbreak in Brazil has had devasting social, medical and financial consequences for families. Both researchers and clinicians are measuring longer-term outcomes to understand the impact of the Zika on child development, functioning and disability. Outcomes and tools used to measure them are very varied and we are unclear how meaningful they are to families and children. This study aimed to identify the parents’ perspectives on relevant areas of functioning and disability that should be included as outcome measures for children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), as guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).Methods This qualitative study included parents or caregivers of children aged 0–5 years with confirmed CZS from two states in northeastern Brazil. Interviews were conducted using focus groups. Content mapping followed the WHO’s ICF linking rules. Three raters analysed the content using NVivo V.11.Results Thirty-two caregivers participated in six focus groups, 88% were mothers with an average age of 30 years. Most children were male (59%) and all were level V (severe) to on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Overall, 825 themes were mapped to 36 ICF categories. Although parents mentioned areas across all ICF domains, they reported that areas of mobility, eating and recreation were most relevant for them. In addition, environmental factors were highly identified as barriers, specifically services, policies and access to assistive devices. The most predominant facilitators within the environment were; immediate family support, kind relationships with therapists and support from the extended family.Conclusions Although parents emphasised issues related to mobility, their greatest concerns involved environmental factors, such as access and quality of health and social services, systems and policies. These results reinforce the importance of including parents’ perspectives when selecting or developing outcome measures for CZS

Physical activity patterns in pregnant women attending the family health program of Campina Grande - PB

INTRODUÇÃO: A atividade física realizada durante a gestação vem sendo discutida devido aos seus efeitos benéficos tanto para a saúde materna como para o crescimento fetal e desfechos gestacionais, porém ainda são escassos estudos sobre o padrão de atividade física neste período. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o padrão de atividade física entre gestantes atendidas pela estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) do município de Campina Grande/PB. MÉTODOS:Foi acompanhada uma coorte observacional de gestantes (n=118), a partir da 16ª semana gestacional, durante os anos de 2005 a 2006. A cada quatro semanas eram aferidas as condições clínicas, socioeconômicas e obstétricas, incluindo a aplicação de um questionário específico sobre atividade física na 16ª, 24ª e 32ª semanas gestacionais. A avaliação foi feita a partir da somatória do equivalente metabólico (METs) e as atividades cotidianas foram divididas em quatro grupos: atividades laboral, doméstica e caminhada, além de inatividade. As gestantes foram classificadas de acordo com o padrão de atividade física realizado em: sedentárias, praticantes de atividades física leve, moderada e vigorosa. Os dados foram analisados no programa Epi Info 3.4.1. RESULTADOS: As características socioeconômicas da coorte estudada indicaram majoritariamente gestantes de baixo poder aquisitivo, baixa escolaridade e baixo percentual de mulheres economicamente ativas. O padrão de atividade física observado foi baixo desde o primeiro trimestre gestacional, oscilando entre o leve e o sedentário, e foi diminuindo com o evoluir da gravidez, com 100% das gestantes alcançando o padrão sedentário na 32ª semana. Em relação aos grupos de atividades, observou-se um predomínio de atividades domésticas, seguidas pelas atividades de lazer. CONCLUSÃO:Na coorte estudada verificou-se um padrão de atividade física inadequado desde o início da gestação, agravando-se no terceiro trimestre gestacional.INTRODUCTION: The benefits of physical activity during pregnancy on fetal growth, maternal health and pregnancy outcomes have been debated; however, studies on the physical activity patterns during this period are still scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physical activity patterns of pregnant women attending the Family Health Strategy at the municipality of Campina Grande, PB. METHODS:A cohort of 118 pregnant women was followed from 2005 to 2006. Follow up started on the 16th gestational week and continued at every four weeks to assess clinical conditions and collect obstetric and socio-economic information. A specific questionnaire on physical activity was applied on the 16th, 24th and 32nd gestational weeks, which was estimated through the weekly sum of the metabolic equivalent (MET). Daily activities were classified in four groups: labor, household, walking, and inactivity. According to the physical activity pattern, women were classified as sedentary, or performing light, moderate or vigorous activity. The data set was analyzed in Epi Info 3.4.1 RESULTS: The socioeconomic characteristics of the cohort described a population of low levels of income and education. The physical activity pattern observed since the first gestational trimester was low, ranging from light to sedentary and it decreased along pregnancy. On the 32nd gestational week 100% of the women were sedentary. Regarding physical activity groups, women spent more time on household activities followed by recreational activities. CONCLUSION:The physical activity pattern observed was inadequate form the beginning of pregnancy and it worsened in the third gestational trimester.CNP

Influence Of Number Of Pregnancies In Peak Expiratory Flow And Body Composition Of Pregnant Women

Objectives: to describe and compare the mean values of the body composition and the peak expiratory flow (PEF) in primigravidae and multigravidae and, to determine its correlation with obstetric, anthropometric and body composition variables. Method: it was performed a cross-sectional study of 120 healthy pregnant women at low risk, including 77 primigravidae and 43 multigravidae. The PEF was measured by spirometry and the body composition by multisegmental electrical impedance. The unpaired t test was used to compare the groups and the Pearson correlation test was used to determine the association between PEF and independent variables. A multiple linear regression was used to estimate the relationship between the dependent variable, the PEF and the independent variables. Results: the body composition variables in multigravidae women showed higher values compared to the primigravidae, being statistically significant, except for fat mass. In primigravidae, the PEF was correlated significantly with maternal age and height. In multigravidae, the PEF was correlated with maternal age, height, pre-pregnancy and current weight, total body water, extracellular water, fat mass, lean mass and fat-free mass. A Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, in primigravidae, height and maternal age were associated with PEF, being responsible for explaining 14.5% of its variability. The current weight and the maternal age explained 42.3% of peak flow variability in multigravidae. Conclusion: The PEF seemed to be influenced by the number of pregnancies. Changes were observed in relation to the body composition, as it was evidenced in correlation with the PEF in multigravidae women. Keywords: Pregnancy. Spirometry. Weight gain