Is it possible to reduce rates of placenta praevia

To determine factors responsible for rising rates of placenta praevia. This comparative study was performed at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi, (Group-A) from September 2000 to February 2002 and (Group-B) from January 2008 to January 2009. All women with major degree of placenta praevia diagnosed on ultrasound who came in emergency or through out patient department were included in the study. Patients with mild degree of placenta praevia were excluded. Group A had 100 patients and Group B, 58 patients. Chi-Squire test was used for comparison of previous study and current study. The number of unbooked cases in both groups A and B was high (A=76%, B=62%). Most patients were grandmultipara (A=41%, B=34%) with ages ranging from 31-35 years (A=36%, B=43%). Even primigravida had a major degree of placenta praevia (A=17%, B=7%). There was a significant difference in two groups in term of previous caesarean section (A=12%, B=38%). Association of placenta praevia following miscarriages was also noted (A=41%, B=29%). Placenta accrete were noted in two cases in group B, both required obstetrical hysterectomies. The results revealed a favourable foetal out come in both groups, A= 93 (93%), B=55 (95%). With rising rate of previous caesarean sections over an eight year period from 12% to 38% the frequency of placenta praevia has increased. Most patients continue to present as unbooked cases in emergency, there fore the associated morbidity due to haemorrhage remains high. Therefore efforts should be made to avoid primary caesarean section where possible. In addition antenatal care and timely diagnosis of placenta praevia on ultrasound can decrease the associated morbidity

The project to understand and research preterm pregnancy outcomes and stillbirths in South Asia (PURPOSe): a protocol of a prospective, cohort study of causes of mortality among preterm births and stillbirths

Background: In South Asia, where most stillbirths and neonatal deaths occur, much remains unknown about the causes of these deaths. About one-third of neonatal deaths are attributed to prematurity, yet the specific conditions which cause these deaths are often unclear as is the etiology of stillbirths. In low-resource settings, most women are not routinely tested for infections and autopsy is rare.Methods: This prospective, cohort study will be conducted in hospitals in Davengere, India and Karachi, Pakistan. All women who deliver either a stillbirth or a preterm birth at one of the hospitals will be eligible for enrollment. With consent, the participant and, when applicable, her offspring, will be followed to 28-days post-delivery. A series of research tests will be conducted to determine infection and presence of other conditions which may contribute to the death. In addition, all routine clinical investigations will be documented. For both stillbirths and preterm neonates who die ≤ 28 days, with consent, a standard autopsy as well as minimally invasive tissue sampling will be conducted. Finally, an expert panel will review all available data for stillbirths and neonatal deaths to determine the primary and contributing causes of death using pre-specified guidance.Conclusion: This will be among the first studies to prospectively obtain detailed information on causes of stillbirth and preterm neonatal death in low-resource settings in Asia. Determining the primary causes of death will be important to inform strategies most likely to reduce the high mortality rates in South Asia

Perceptions of parents and religious leaders regarding minimal invasive tissue sampling to identify the cause of death in stillbirths and neonates: Results from a qualitative study

Background: Recently, the minimal invasive tissue sampling (MITS) procedure has been developed to support determination of the cause of death as an alternate to conventional autopsy, especially in countries where complete diagnostic autopsy is not routine. To assess the feasibility of implementation of the MITS procedure for a study to determine cause of death in premature births and stillbirths in south Asia, we explored the views and perceptions of parents and religious leaders on the acceptability of MITS.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with parents of newborns who visited well-baby clinics of the NICH hospital for post-natal check-ups. Key-informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with religious leaders. Data were analyzed using NVivo 10 software.Results: A total of 13 interviews (FGDs = 8; KIIs = 5) were conducted. Three overarching themes were identified: (I) acceptability of MITS; (II) concerns affecting the implementation of MITS; and (III) religious and cultural perspectives. Participants\u27 acceptance of MITS was based on personal, religious, cultural and social beliefs. Parents widely recognized the need for this procedure in cases where the couple had experienced multiple stillbirths, neonatal deaths and miscarriages. Counseling of parents was considered vital to address emotional concerns of the parents and the family. Religious leaders indicated acceptability of the MITS procedure from a religious perspective and advised that respect for the deceased and consent of the guardians is mandatory when performing MITS.Conclusions: This qualitative study provided a unique opportunity to understand the views of parents and religious leaders towards the use of MITS. Generally, MITS appears to be an acceptable method for identifying the cause of death in neonates and stillbirths, provided that the deceased is respected and buried as soon as possible without any delays and parents are counseled appropriately. Findings from this research are essential in approaching families for consent for MITS

Perceptions of health professionals regarding minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) to identify the cause of death in stillbirths and neonates: results from a qualitative study

Background Pakistan is considered to be one of the riskiest places in the world for childbirth as measured by its high stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates. Complete diagnostic autopsy remains the gold standard to determine the cause of death (CoD); however, it is not routinely implemented due to religious objections, sociocultural beliefs, limited resources and low demand from physicians and families. Recently, minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) using needle biopsies of multiple tissues to obtain tissue for histological examination and organism identification with PCR has been developed and promoted to determine CoD in low-resource areas. To ensure successful implementation of MITS, it is important to understand health professionals’ attitudes and perceptions related to MITS. Methods A qualitative study was conducted at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, Pakistan. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and Key-informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with health professionals including doctors, nurses, trainees, clinicians, bioethics experts and public health experts to explore their perceptions and views on acceptability of MITS. Data were analyzed using NVivo 10 software. Results A total of 12 interviews (FGDs = 4; KIIs = 8) were conducted. Four overarching themes were identified: (I) acceptability of MITS; (II) perceived benefits of the MITS procedure; (III) factors facilitating the implementation of MITS; and (IV) health system requirements for implementing the MITS procedure. Generally, MITS was considered as a positive development for the health system. Diagnostic accuracy and identification of less common causes of death were highlighted as two main benefits of the MITS procedure. The study highlighted a number of facilitators for the acceptability of MITS including effective counseling, building trust with parents, fast procedure time, and approaching families within a few hours of death. In addition, lack of skilled staff, poorly equipped healthcare facilities and the potential high cost to conduct MITS were identified as challenges for the implementation of MITS. Conclusions This formative research provided a unique opportunity to explore health professionals’ views and attitudes towards the MITS procedure. Such insights are crucial to ensure successful implementation and integration of a new technique into the existing health system. The research identified the factors influencing the acceptability of MITS among health professionals in Pakistan. The study also informed factors that could help facilitate the implementation of the MITS procedures in the context of Pakistan and similar settings

Perceptions of parents and religious leaders regarding minimal invasive tissue sampling to identify the cause of death in stillbirths and neonates: results from a qualitative study

Background Recently, the minimal invasive tissue sampling (MITS) procedure has been developed to support determination of the cause of death as an alternate to conventional autopsy, especially in countries where complete diagnostic autopsy is not routine. To assess the feasibility of implementation of the MITS procedure for a study to determine cause of death in premature births and stillbirths in south Asia, we explored the views and perceptions of parents and religious leaders on the acceptability of MITS. Methods A qualitative study was conducted at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with parents of newborns who visited well-baby clinics of the NICH hospital for post-natal check-ups. Key-informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with religious leaders. Data were analyzed using NVivo 10 software. Results A total of 13 interviews (FGDs = 8; KIIs = 5) were conducted. Three overarching themes were identified: (I) acceptability of MITS; (II) concerns affecting the implementation of MITS; and (III) religious and cultural perspectives. Participants’ acceptance of MITS was based on personal, religious, cultural and social beliefs. Parents widely recognized the need for this procedure in cases where the couple had experienced multiple stillbirths, neonatal deaths and miscarriages. Counseling of parents was considered vital to address emotional concerns of the parents and the family. Religious leaders indicated acceptability of the MITS procedure from a religious perspective and advised that respect for the deceased and consent of the guardians is mandatory when performing MITS. Conclusions This qualitative study provided a unique opportunity to understand the views of parents and religious leaders towards the use of MITS. Generally, MITS appears to be an acceptable method for identifying the cause of death in neonates and stillbirths, provided that the deceased is respected and buried as soon as possible without any delays and parents are counseled appropriately. Findings from this research are essential in approaching families for consent for MITS

Maternal anaemia and the risk of postpartum haemorrhage: a cohort analysis of data from the WOMAN-2 trial

Background: Worldwide, more than half a billion women of reproductive age are anaemic. Each year, about 70 000 women who give birth die from postpartum haemorrhage. Almost all deaths are in low-income or middle-income countries. We examined the association between anaemia and the risk of postpartum haemorrhage. Methods: We did a prospective cohort analysis of data from the World Maternal Antifibrinolytic-2 (WOMAN-2) trial. This trial enrols women with moderate or severe anaemia giving birth vaginally in hospitals in Pakistan, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia. Hospitals in each country where anaemia in pregnancy is common were identified from a network established during previous obstetric trials. Women who were younger than 18 years without permission provided by a guardian, had a known tranexamic acid allergy, or developed postpartum haemorrhage before the umbilical cord was cut or clamped were excluded from the study. Prebirth haemoglobin, the exposure, was measured after hospital arrival and just before giving birth. Postpartum haemorrhage, the outcome, was defined in three ways: (1) clinical postpartum haemorrhage (estimated blood loss ≥500 mL or any blood loss sufficient to compromise haemodynamic stability); (2) WHO-defined postpartum haemorrhage (estimated blood loss of at least 500 mL); and (3) calculated postpartum haemorrhage (calculated estimated blood loss of ≥1000 mL). Calculated postpartum haemorrhage was estimated from the peripartum change in haemoglobin concentration and bodyweight. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between haemoglobin and postpartum haemorrhage, adjusting for confounding factors. Findings: Of the 10 620 women recruited to the WOMAN-2 trial between Aug 24, 2019, and Nov 1, 2022, 10 561 (99·4%) had complete outcome data. 8751 (82·9%) of 10 561 women were recruited from hospitals in Pakistan, 837 (7·9%) from hospitals in Nigeria, 525 (5·0%) from hospitals in Tanzania, and 448 (4·2%) from hospitals in Zambia. The mean age was 27·1 years (SD 5·5) and mean prebirth haemoglobin was 80·7 g/L (11·8). Mean estimated blood loss was 301 mL (SD 183) for the 8791 (83·2%) women with moderate anaemia and 340 mL (288) for the 1770 (16·8%) women with severe anaemia. 742 (7·0%) women had clinical postpartum haemorrhage. The risk of clinical postpartum haemorrhage was 6·2% in women with moderate anaemia and 11·2% in women with severe anaemia. A 10 g/L reduction in prebirth haemoglobin increased the odds of clinical postpartum haemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1·29 [95% CI 1·21–1·38]), WHO-defined postpartum haemorrhage (aOR 1·25 [1·16–1·36]), and calculated postpartum haemorrhage (aOR 1·23 [1·14–1·32]). 14 women died and 68 either died or had a near miss. Severe anaemia was associated with seven times higher odds of death or near miss (OR 7·25 [95% CI 4·45–11·80]) than was moderate anaemia. Interpretation: Anaemia is strongly associated with postpartum haemorrhage and the risk of death or near miss. Attention should be given to the prevention and treatment of anaemia in women of reproductive age. Funding: The WOMAN-2 trial is funded by Wellcome and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

An Audit Of Maternal Mortality At Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi

Objective: To evaluate the maternal deaths andits causes in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: This is an observational analytic study of one year from January 2012 - December 2012, carried out at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit 1, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi.A prospective analysis of one year data comprised of total obstetric admissions, total no of deliveries, live birthsand number of maternal deaths was done. Results: During the period of one year the total number of deaths certified in the department was 55. During the same year the total number of obstetric admissions and total number of deliveries were 7784 and 6980 respectively. Fifty three(96.4%) maternal deaths were amongst non booked patients.Direct causes were responsible for 70.9% of deaths. Hemorrhage was the direct leading cause and was responsible for 22 (40.2%), deaths. Eclampsia was responsible for 9 (16.4%) deaths. It was the leading cause among all women having their first baby. Ruptured uterus was seen in 3 (5.4%) Patients Three (5.4%) patients died as a result of complications of unsafe abortion. Anemia was the leading indirect cause of death responsible for 14.5% of cases followed by hepatic failure in 6 (10.9%) cases. Two patients died as a result of cardiac disease. Conclusion: Maternal mortality still remains very high in the tertiary care centers, mainly due to high percentage of referred cases from the periphery brought in moribund condition

Audit of perinatal mortality at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi

Objective: To determine the perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) and its causes. Materials and Methods: An audit of all births was conducted from January 2010 – December 2010 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 1 of JPMC, Karachi. All stillbirths from 28 weeks of pregnancy and neonatal deaths within first seven days of life in the hospital either in the obstetric ward or in the neonatal nursery were recorded. Aberdeen (Obstetric) classification of perinatal deaths was applied in the audit for classification of perinatal causes. Results: From 1st January to 31st December 2010, there were 7537 deliveries and 453 perinatal deaths. Four hundred and seven babies were still born while 46 died within 7 days of birth. The perinatal mortality rate was 60.1/1000 total births and still birth rate was 54.0/1000 total births. The leading cause of perinatal deaths was antepartum hemorrhage 140(30.9%). This included abruption of placenta 97 (21.4%) and placenta previa 43 (9.4%). The next common cause was mechanical accounted for 95 (21.0%). Hypertensive disorder of mother was responsible for 94 (20.8%) of perinatal deaths. Congenital malformation caused deaths in 39 (8.6%) cases. Low birth weight was identified in 37(8.1%) maternal medical disorder as jaundice, anaemia and diabetes were responsible for 17 (3.7%) and neonatal infection such as respiratory disorders and septicemia caused deaths in 3 (0.6%) of cases. Conclusion: Perinatal Mortality Rate in 2010 at JPMC was 60.1/1000 total births with leading cause of antepartum hemorrhage

Guidelines on prevention of preterm birth

This guideline has been prepared by the National Maternal Fetal Medicine guidelines committee and approved by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Pakistan. These recommendations will enable the practicing clinicians to optimally manage pregnancies at risk of preterm birt