Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Determinants of lactation performance across time in an urban population from Mexico

We identified determinants of breastfeeding and full breastfeeding among 165 healthy mothers from Hermosillo, Mexico who planned to breastfeed and delivered vaginally a healthy term infant. Deliveries took place in either a nursery (n = 58) or a rooming-in (n = 107) public hospital where formula supplementation was not allowed. Multivariate analyses indicated that at 1 week full breastfeeding was associated (P [less-than-or-equals, slant] 0.05) with early milk arrival, social support for full breastfeeding and planned breastfeeding duration. At 2 months, full breastfeeding was associated with social support for full breastfeeding and early milk arrival. Breastfeeding was positively associated with early milk arrival and inversely associated with early introduction of supplementary bottles, maternal employment, maternal body mass index and infant age. At 4 months, full breastfeeding was positively associated with social support for full breastfeeding and inversely associated with infant age. Breastfeeding was positively associated with planned breastfeeding duration and inversely associated with early introduction of a bottle and urban background. Rooming-in mothers reported that their milk came in earlier (P [less-than-or-equals, slant] 0.05) than did the nursery group. Milk arrival was later when a bottle was introduced in the first week; both of these variables might be important in explaining a positive effect of rooming-in on lactation performance.breastfeeding infant feeding lactation rooming-in

Acculturation Patterns and Depressive Symptoms among Low-income Pregnant Latina Women

Abstract This article examined the relationship between levels of acculturation and depression among pregnant Latina women. Among child bearing Latinas, higher acculturation has been found to be significantly associated with increased mental health problem

Household food insecurity is associated with greater autonomic dysfunction testing score in Latinos with type 2 diabetes.

AimWe examined household food insecurity (HFI) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in a subset of low-income Latinos with type 2 diabetes with data from a stress management trial.MethodsInclusionLatino or Hispanic, Spanish speaking, age less than 18 years, ambulatory status, type 2 diabetes more than 6 months, A1c less than 7.0%. ExclusionPain or dysfunction in hands (e.g., arthritis) precluding handgrip testing; medical or psychiatric instability. HFI was assessed with the 6-item U.S. household food security survey module; with responses to > = 1 question considered HFI. An ANS dysfunction index was calculated from xix autonomic function tests which were scored 0 = normal or 1 = abnormal based on normative cutoffs and then summed. Autonomic function tests were: 1) 24-hour heart rate variability as reflected in standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (SDNN) heart rate acquired with 3-channel, 7-lead ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter) monitors; 2) difference between the highest diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during sustained handgrip and the average DBP at rest; 3) difference between baseline supine and the minimal BP after standing up; and, from 24-hour urine specimens 4) cortisol, 5) normetanephrine, and, 6) metanephrine.ResultsThirty-five individuals participated, 23 (65.7%) of them were women, age mean = 61.6 (standard deviation = 11.2) years, HbA1c mean = 8.5% (standard deviation = 1.6) and 20 participants (57.1%) used insulin. Twenty-two participants (62.9%) reported HFI and 25 (71.4%) had one or more abnormal ANS measure. Independent t-tests showed that participants with HFI had a higher ANS dysfunction index (mean = 1.5, standard deviation = 0.9) than patients who were food secure (mean = 0.7, standard deviation = 0.8), p = 0.02. Controlling for financial strain did not change significance. Total ANS index was not related to glycemia, insulin use or other socioeconomic indicators. In this sample, HFI was associated with ANS dysfunction. Policies to improve food access and affordability may benefit health outcomes for Latinos with diabetes

Autonomic tests, normal values, and citations.

AimWe examined household food insecurity (HFI) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in a subset of low-income Latinos with type 2 diabetes with data from a stress management trial.MethodsInclusionLatino or Hispanic, Spanish speaking, age less than 18 years, ambulatory status, type 2 diabetes more than 6 months, A1c less than 7.0%.ExclusionPain or dysfunction in hands (e.g., arthritis) precluding handgrip testing; medical or psychiatric instability. HFI was assessed with the 6-item U.S. household food security survey module; with responses to > = 1 question considered HFI. An ANS dysfunction index was calculated from xix autonomic function tests which were scored 0 = normal or 1 = abnormal based on normative cutoffs and then summed. Autonomic function tests were: 1) 24-hour heart rate variability as reflected in standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (SDNN) heart rate acquired with 3-channel, 7-lead ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter) monitors; 2) difference between the highest diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during sustained handgrip and the average DBP at rest; 3) difference between baseline supine and the minimal BP after standing up; and, from 24-hour urine specimens 4) cortisol, 5) normetanephrine, and, 6) metanephrine.ResultsThirty-five individuals participated, 23 (65.7%) of them were women, age mean = 61.6 (standard deviation = 11.2) years, HbA1c mean = 8.5% (standard deviation = 1.6) and 20 participants (57.1%) used insulin. Twenty-two participants (62.9%) reported HFI and 25 (71.4%) had one or more abnormal ANS measure. Independent t-tests showed that participants with HFI had a higher ANS dysfunction index (mean = 1.5, standard deviation = 0.9) than patients who were food secure (mean = 0.7, standard deviation = 0.8), p = 0.02. Controlling for financial strain did not change significance. Total ANS index was not related to glycemia, insulin use or other socioeconomic indicators. In this sample, HFI was associated with ANS dysfunction. Policies to improve food access and affordability may benefit health outcomes for Latinos with diabetes.</div

Participant demographic characteristics.

AimWe examined household food insecurity (HFI) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in a subset of low-income Latinos with type 2 diabetes with data from a stress management trial.MethodsInclusionLatino or Hispanic, Spanish speaking, age less than 18 years, ambulatory status, type 2 diabetes more than 6 months, A1c less than 7.0%.ExclusionPain or dysfunction in hands (e.g., arthritis) precluding handgrip testing; medical or psychiatric instability. HFI was assessed with the 6-item U.S. household food security survey module; with responses to > = 1 question considered HFI. An ANS dysfunction index was calculated from xix autonomic function tests which were scored 0 = normal or 1 = abnormal based on normative cutoffs and then summed. Autonomic function tests were: 1) 24-hour heart rate variability as reflected in standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (SDNN) heart rate acquired with 3-channel, 7-lead ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter) monitors; 2) difference between the highest diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during sustained handgrip and the average DBP at rest; 3) difference between baseline supine and the minimal BP after standing up; and, from 24-hour urine specimens 4) cortisol, 5) normetanephrine, and, 6) metanephrine.ResultsThirty-five individuals participated, 23 (65.7%) of them were women, age mean = 61.6 (standard deviation = 11.2) years, HbA1c mean = 8.5% (standard deviation = 1.6) and 20 participants (57.1%) used insulin. Twenty-two participants (62.9%) reported HFI and 25 (71.4%) had one or more abnormal ANS measure. Independent t-tests showed that participants with HFI had a higher ANS dysfunction index (mean = 1.5, standard deviation = 0.9) than patients who were food secure (mean = 0.7, standard deviation = 0.8), p = 0.02. Controlling for financial strain did not change significance. Total ANS index was not related to glycemia, insulin use or other socioeconomic indicators. In this sample, HFI was associated with ANS dysfunction. Policies to improve food access and affordability may benefit health outcomes for Latinos with diabetes.</div

Boxplot of number of autonomic dysfunctions by food insecurity status.

Food insecurity was assessed with the 6-item US Household Food Security Module [22].</p

Lay health worker research personnel for home-based data collection in clinical and translational research: Qualitative and quantitative findings from two trials in hard-to-reach populations

Abstract Aims: The role of lay health workers in data collection for clinical and translational research studies is not well described. We explored lay health workers as data collectors in clinical and translational research studies. We also present several methods for examining their work, i.e., qualitative interviews, fidelity checklists, and rates of unusable/missing data. Methods: We conducted 2 randomized, controlled trials that employed lay health research personnel (LHR) who were employed by community-based organizations. In one study, n = 3 Latina LHRs worked with n = 107 Latino diabetic participants. In another study, n = 6 LHR worked with n = 188 Cambodian American refugees with depression. We investigated proficiency in biological, behavioral, and psychosocial home-based data collection conducted by LHR. We also conducted in-depth interviews with lay LHR to explore their experience in this research role. Finally, we described the training, supervision, and collaboration for LHR to be successful in their research role. Results: Independent observers reported a very high degree of fidelity to technical data collection protocols (>95%) and low rates of missing/unusable data (1.5%–11%). Qualitative results show that trust, training, communication, and supervision are key and that LHR report feeling empowered by their role. LHR training included various content areas over several weeks with special attention to LHR and participant safety. Training and supervision from both the academic researchers and the staff at the community-based organizations were necessary and had to be well-coordinated. Conclusions: Carefully selected, trained, and supervised LHRs can collect sophisticated data for community-based clinical and translational research