ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of novel newborn types among 165 million live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021.DesignPopulation‐based, multi‐country analysis.SettingNational data systems in 23 middle‐ and high‐income... more
ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of novel newborn types among 165 million live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021.DesignPopulation‐based, multi‐country analysis.SettingNational data systems in 23 middle‐ and high‐income countries.PopulationLiveborn infants.MethodsCountry teams with high‐quality data were invited to be part of the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We classified live births by six newborn types based on gestational age information (preterm <37 weeks versus term ≥37 weeks) and size for gestational age defined as small (SGA, <10th centile), appropriate (10th–90th centiles), or large (LGA, >90th centile) for gestational age, according to INTERGROWTH‐21st standards. We considered small newborn types of any combination of preterm or SGA, and term + LGA was considered large. Time trends were analysed using 3‐year moving averages for small and large types.Main outcome measuresPrevalence of six newborn types.ResultsWe analysed 165 017 419 live bir...
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Background Freezing all embryos, followed by thawing and transferring them into the uterine cavity at a later stage (freeze-all), instead of fresh-embryo transfer may lead to improved pregnancy rates and fewer complications during in... more
Background Freezing all embryos, followed by thawing and transferring them into the uterine cavity at a later stage (freeze-all), instead of fresh-embryo transfer may lead to improved pregnancy rates and fewer complications during in vitro fertilisation and pregnancies resulting from it. Objective We aimed to evaluate if a policy of freeze-all results in a higher healthy baby rate than the current policy of transferring fresh embryos. Design This was a pragmatic, multicentre, two-arm, parallel-group, non-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Setting Eighteen in vitro fertilisation clinics across the UK participated from February 2016 to April 2019. Participants Couples undergoing their first, second or third cycle of in vitro fertilisation treatment in which the female partner was aged < 42 years. Interventions If at least three good-quality embryos were present on day 3 of embryo development, couples were randomly allocated to either freeze-all (intervention) or fresh-embryo tra...
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ObjectiveTo compare the severity of maternal infection and perinatal outcomes during periods in which wildtype, alpha variant, and delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 were dominant in the UK.DesignProspective cohort study.Setting194 obstetric... more
ObjectiveTo compare the severity of maternal infection and perinatal outcomes during periods in which wildtype, alpha variant, and delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 were dominant in the UK.DesignProspective cohort study.Setting194 obstetric units across the UK, during the following periods: between 1 March and 30 November 2020 (wildtype dominance), between 1 December 2020 and 15 May 2021 (alpha variant dominance), and between 16 May and 31 October 2021 (delta variant dominance).Participants4436 pregnant women admitted to hospital with covid-19 related symptoms.Main outcome measuresModerate to severe maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection (indicated by any of the following: oxygen saturation <95% on admission, need for oxygen treatment, evidence of pneumonia on imaging, admission to intensive care, or maternal death), and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes (including mode and gestation of birth, stillbirth, live birth, admission to neonatal intensive care, and neonatal death).Results1387, 1613, an...
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IntroductionStillbirths and neonatal deaths are leading contributors to the global burden of disease and pregnancy ultrasound has the potential to help decrease this burden. In the absence of high-Grading of Recommendations Assessment,... more
IntroductionStillbirths and neonatal deaths are leading contributors to the global burden of disease and pregnancy ultrasound has the potential to help decrease this burden. In the absence of high-Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence on universal obstetric ultrasound screening at or close to term, many different screening strategies have been proposed. Systematic reviews have rapidly increased over the past decade owing to the diverse nature of ultrasound parameters and the wide range of possible adverse perinatal outcomes. This systematic review will summarise the evidence on key ultrasound parameters in the published literature to help develop an obstetric ultrasound protocol that identifies pregnancies at risk of adverse perinatal outcomes at or close to term.MethodsThis study will follow the recent Cochrane guidelines for a systematic review of systematic reviews. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted using Embase (Ovid...
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STUDY QUESTION Does a policy of elective freezing of embryos, followed by frozen embryo transfer result in a higher healthy baby rate, after first embryo transfer, when compared with the current policy of transferring fresh embryos?... more
STUDY QUESTION Does a policy of elective freezing of embryos, followed by frozen embryo transfer result in a higher healthy baby rate, after first embryo transfer, when compared with the current policy of transferring fresh embryos? SUMMARY ANSWER This study, although limited by sample size, provides no evidence to support the adoption of a routine policy of elective freeze in preference to fresh embryo transfer in order to improve IVF effectiveness in obtaining a healthy baby. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The policy of freezing all embryos followed by frozen embryo transfer is associated with a higher live birth rate for high responders but a similar/lower live birth after first embryo transfer and cumulative live birth rate for normal responders. Frozen embryo transfer is associated with a lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), preterm delivery and low birthweight babies but a higher risk of large babies and pre-eclampsia. There is also uncertainty about long-term outcom...
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Background Perinatal common mental disorders are associated with significant adverse outcomes for women and their families, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. Early detection through screening with locally-validated tools... more
Background Perinatal common mental disorders are associated with significant adverse outcomes for women and their families, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. Early detection through screening with locally-validated tools can improve outcomes. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Global Health, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Google Scholar for articles on the validation of screening tools for common mental disorders in perinatal women in India, with no language or date restrictions. Quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. We used bivariate and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic models to calculate pooled summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity. Heterogeneity was assessed by visualising the distance of individual studies from the summary curve. Results Seven studies involving 1003 women were analysed. All studies assessed the validity of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in identifying perinatal depression...
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ObjectivesTo determine the incidence of and risk factors for neonatal unit admission, intrapartum stillbirth or neonatal death without admission, and describe outcomes, in babies born in an alongside midwifery unit (AMU).DesignNational... more
ObjectivesTo determine the incidence of and risk factors for neonatal unit admission, intrapartum stillbirth or neonatal death without admission, and describe outcomes, in babies born in an alongside midwifery unit (AMU).DesignNational population-based case-control study.MethodWe used the UK Midwifery Study System to identify and collect data about 1041 women who gave birth in AMUs, March 2017 to February 2018, whose babies were admitted to a neonatal unit or died (cases) and 1984 controls from the same AMUs. We used multivariable logistic regression, generating adjusted OR (aOR) with 95% CIs, to investigate maternal and intrapartum factors associated with neonatal admission or mortality.ResultsThe incidence of neonatal admission or mortality following birth in an AMU was 1.2%, comprising neonatal admission (1.2%) and mortality (0.01%). White ‘other’ ethnicity (aOR=1.28; 95% CI=1.01 to 1.63); nulliparity (aOR=2.09; 95% CI=1.78 to 2.45); ≥2 previous pregnancies ≥24 weeks’ gestation (...
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Objective: In infants with gastroschisis, outcomes were compared between those where operative reduction and fascial closure were attempted ≤24 hours of age (PC), and those who underwent planned closure of their defect >24 hours of age... more
Objective: In infants with gastroschisis, outcomes were compared between those where operative reduction and fascial closure were attempted ≤24 hours of age (PC), and those who underwent planned closure of their defect >24 hours of age following reduction with a pre-formed silo (SR). Summary of Background Data: Inadequate evidence exists to determine how best to treat infants with gastroschisis. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted of data collected 2006–2008 using the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System, and 2005–2016 using the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network. 28-day outcomes were compared between infants undergoing PC and SR. Primary outcome was number of gastrointestinal complications. Interactions were investigated between infant characteristics and treatment to determine whether intervention effect varied in sub-groups of infants. Results: Data from 341 British and Irish infants (27%) and 927 Canadian infants (73%) wer...
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BackgroundA maternal postpartum 6-week check (SWC) with a general practitioner (GP) is now considered an essential service in England, a recent policy change intended to improve women’s health. We aimed to provide an up-to-date snapshot... more
BackgroundA maternal postpartum 6-week check (SWC) with a general practitioner (GP) is now considered an essential service in England, a recent policy change intended to improve women’s health. We aimed to provide an up-to-date snapshot of the prevalence of SWC prior to the policy change as a baseline, and to explore factors associated with having a late or no check.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study using primary care records in England (Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD)). 34 337 women who gave birth between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2018 and had ≥12 weeks of follow-up post partum were identified in the CPRD Pregnancy Register. The proportion who had evidence of an SWC with a GP was calculated, and regression analysis was used to assess the association between women’s characteristics and risks of a late or no check.ResultsSixty-two per cent (95% CI 58% to 67%) of women had an SWC recorded at their GP practice within 12 weeks post partum, another 27% had other consultations. ...
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Background There is a lack of population level data on risk factors, incidence and impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and their babies. The primary aim of this study was to describe the incidence, characteristics and... more
Background There is a lack of population level data on risk factors, incidence and impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and their babies. The primary aim of this study was to describe the incidence, characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized pregnant women with symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 in the UK compared to pregnant women without SARS-CoV-2. Methods and findings We conducted a national, prospective cohort study of all hospitalized pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 from 01/03/2020 to 31/08/2020 using the UK Obstetric Surveillance System. Incidence rates were estimated using national maternity data. Overall, 1148 hospitalized women had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy, 63% of which were symptomatic. The estimated incidence of hospitalization with symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 was 2.0 per 1000 maternities (95% CI 1.9–2.2) and for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 was 1.2 per 1000 maternities (95% CI 1.1–1.4). Compared to pregnant women without SARS-CoV-2, women hosp...
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SummaryAnaphylaxis in pregnancy is a rare but severe complication for both mother and infant. Population‐based data on anaphylaxis in pregnancy are lacking from mainland European countries. This multinational study presents the incidence,... more
SummaryAnaphylaxis in pregnancy is a rare but severe complication for both mother and infant. Population‐based data on anaphylaxis in pregnancy are lacking from mainland European countries. This multinational study presents the incidence, causative agents, management and maternal and infant outcomes of anaphylaxis in pregnancy. This descriptive multinational study used a combination of retrospective (Finnish medical registries) and prospective population‐based studies (UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands) to identify cases of anaphylaxis. Sixty‐five cases were identified among 4,446,120 maternities (1.5 per 100,000 maternities; 95%CI 1.1–1.9). The incidence did not vary between countries. Approximately three‐quarters of reactions occurred at the time of delivery. The most common causes were antibiotics in 27 women (43%), and anaesthetic agents in 11 women (17%; including neuromuscular blocking drugs, 7), which varied between countries. Anaphylaxis had very poor outcomes for one ...
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Research Interests: Pediatrics, Epidemiology, Neonatology, Medicine, United Kingdom, and 13 moreHumans, Infection Control, Newborn Infant, Pandemics, Uncategorized, Perinatal Care, Betacoronavirus, Infant Care, coronavirus outbreak, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Coronavirus infections, Paediatrics and reproductive medicine, and Epidemiological monitoring
BackgroundPublic health organisations use public health indicators to guide health policy. Joint analysis of multiple public health indicators can provide a more comprehensive understanding of what they are intended to... more
BackgroundPublic health organisations use public health indicators to guide health policy. Joint analysis of multiple public health indicators can provide a more comprehensive understanding of what they are intended to evaluate.ObjectiveTo analyse variaitons in the prevalence of congenital anomaly‐related perinatal mortality attributable to termination of pregnancy for foetal anomaly (TOPFA) and prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomaly prevalence.MethodsWe included 55 363 cases of congenital anomalies notified to 18 EUROCAT registers in 10 countries during 2008‐12. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) representing the risk of congenital anomaly‐related perinatal mortality according to TOPFA and prenatal diagnosis prevalence were estimated using multilevel Poisson regression with country as a random effect. Between‐country variation in congenital anomaly‐related perinatal mortality was measured using random effects and compared between the null and adjusted models to estimate the percentage o...
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BackgroundData recorded at birth and death registration in England and Wales have been routinely linked with data recorded at birth notification since 2006. These provide scope for detailed analyses on ethnic differences in preterm birth... more
BackgroundData recorded at birth and death registration in England and Wales have been routinely linked with data recorded at birth notification since 2006. These provide scope for detailed analyses on ethnic differences in preterm birth (PTB).ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate ethnic differences in PTB and degree of prematurity in England and Wales, taking into account maternal sociodemographic characteristics and to further explore the contribution of mother's country of birth to these ethnic differences in PTB.MethodsWe analysed PTB and degree of prematurity by ethnic group, using routinely collected and linked data for all singleton live births in England and Wales, 2006‐2012. Logistic regression was used to adjust for mother's age, marital status/registration type, area deprivation and mother's country of birth.ResultsIn the 4 634 932 births analysed, all minority ethnic groups except ‘Other White’ had significantly higher odds of PTB compared with White British babi...
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ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the variation in risks of adverse birth outcomes across ethnic groups and socioeconomic circumstances, and to explore the evidence of mediation by socioeconomic circumstances of the effect of... more
ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the variation in risks of adverse birth outcomes across ethnic groups and socioeconomic circumstances, and to explore the evidence of mediation by socioeconomic circumstances of the effect of ethnicity on birth outcomes.SettingEngland and Wales.ParticipantsThe data came from the 4.6 million singleton live births between 2006 and 2012.ExposureThe main exposure was ethnic group. Socioeconomic circumstances, the hypothesised mediator, were measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), an area-level measure of deprivation, based on the mother’s place of residence.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were birth outcomes, namely: neonatal death, infant death and preterm birth. We estimated the slope and relative indices of inequality to describe differences in birth outcomes across IMD, and the proportion of the variance in birth outcomes across ethnic groups attributable to IMD. We investigated mediation by IMD on bir...
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Background: Dandy-Walker (DW) malformation is a rare and severe congenital anomaly of the posterior fossa affecting the development of the cerebellum and the fourth ventricle. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the... more
Background: Dandy-Walker (DW) malformation is a rare and severe congenital anomaly of the posterior fossa affecting the development of the cerebellum and the fourth ventricle. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of DW malformation, using data from the European population-based registries of congenital anomalies in the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies network. Methods: Anonymous individual data on cases of DW malformation diagnosed in 2002–2015 from 28 registries in 17 countries were included. Prevalence, prenatal detection rate, proportions and types of associated anomalies were estimated. Cases of DW variant were considered and analysed separately. Results: Out of 8,028,454 surveyed births we identified a total of 734 cases, including 562 DW malformation cases and 172 DW variant cases. The overall prevalence of DW malformation was 6.79 per 100,000 births (95% CI 5.79–7.96) with 39.2% livebirths, 4.3% foetal deaths from 20 weeks gestatio...
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ObjectivesTo describe the epidemiology and geographical differences in prevalence of congenital cerebral anomalies in Europe.Design and settingCongenital cerebral anomalies (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code... more
ObjectivesTo describe the epidemiology and geographical differences in prevalence of congenital cerebral anomalies in Europe.Design and settingCongenital cerebral anomalies (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code Q04) recorded in 29 population-based EUROCAT registries conducting surveillance of 1.7 million births per annum (29% of all European births).ParticipantsAll birth outcomes (live births, fetal deaths from 20 weeks gestation and terminations of pregnancy after prenatal diagnosis of a fetal anomaly (TOPFA)) from 2005 to 2014.Main outcome measuresPrevalence, proportion of associated non-cerebral anomalies, prenatal detection rate.Results4927 cases with congenital cerebral anomalies were identified; a prevalence (adjusted for under-reporting) of 9.8 (95% CI: 8.5 to 11.2) per 10 000 births. There was a sixfold difference in prevalence across the registries. Registries with higher proportions of prenatal diagnoses had higher prevalence. Overall, 55% of all ca...
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PurposeThis study aims to describe short-term outcomes of live-born infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and to identify prognostic factors associated with early mortality.DesignA prospective population cohort study was... more
PurposeThis study aims to describe short-term outcomes of live-born infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and to identify prognostic factors associated with early mortality.DesignA prospective population cohort study was undertaken between April 2009 and September 2010, collecting data on live-born infants with CDH from all 28 paediatric surgical centres in the UK and Ireland using an established surgical surveillance system. Management and outcomes are described. Prognostic factors associated with death before surgery are explored.ResultsTwo hundred and nineteen live-born infants with CDH were reported within the data collection period. There were 1.5 times more boys than girls (n=133, 61%). Thirty-five infants (16%) died without an operation. This adverse outcome was associated with female sex (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.96, 95% CI 1.66 to 9.47), prenatal diagnosis (aOR 4.99, 95% CI 1.31 to 18.98), and the need for physiological support in the form of inotropes (aOR 9.96, 95...
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The prediction of long-term outcomes in surviving infants born very preterm (VPT) or with very low birth weight (VLBW) is necessary to guide clinical management, provide information to parents, and help target and evaluate interventions.... more
The prediction of long-term outcomes in surviving infants born very preterm (VPT) or with very low birth weight (VLBW) is necessary to guide clinical management, provide information to parents, and help target and evaluate interventions. There is a large body of literature describing risk factor models for neurodevelopmental outcomes in VPT/VLBW children, yet few, if any, have been developed for use in routine clinical practice or adopted for use in research studies or policy evaluation. We sought to systematically review the methods and reporting of studies that have developed a multivariable risk factor model for neurodevelopment in surviving VPT/VLBW children. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases from January 1, 1990, to June 1, 2014, and identified 78 studies reporting 222 risk factor models. Most studies presented risk factor analyses that were not intended to be used for prediction, confirming that there is a dearth of specifically designed prognostic modeli...
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To identify the population prevalence, pregnancy outcome, and the pattern of associated anomalies with a prenatal diagnosis of cystic hygroma. We analysed the pregnancy outcomes from 99 cases of prenatally diagnosed cystic hygroma... more
To identify the population prevalence, pregnancy outcome, and the pattern of associated anomalies with a prenatal diagnosis of cystic hygroma. We analysed the pregnancy outcomes from 99 cases of prenatally diagnosed cystic hygroma reported to the Trent Congenital Anomalies Register from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1999, by means of an outcome reporting form completed by the notifying centre. We identified a population prevalence of 1 in 1775 livebirths for prenatally diagnosed cystic hygroma. There were 64 terminations of pregnancy, 19 spontaneous pregnancy failures, and 16 livebirths. Of the 87 pregnancies karyotyped, 53 (61%) demonstrated aneuploidy with Turner syndrome being the most common, 29 (33%). There were a large variety of structural malformations identified, however, only 14 out of 83 terminations of pregnancy and spontaneous pregnancy failures had post-mortem examinations. Termination of pregnancy for Turner syndrome not complicated by identified structural malformations was the norm. Of the 16 livebirths, only 6 were normal at birth, 1 other has had successful hygroma surgery. Four of the liveborn infants have since died. The &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;normal outcome&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; rate from pregnancies complicated by prenatally diagnosed cystic hygroma is less than 10% in this study (6/99). Prenatal diagnosis of cystic hygroma requires careful assessment of the fetus, with regard to both karyotyping and ultrasound. Post-mortem examination should be encouraged after termination of pregnancy, or spontaneous pregnancy loss. This is important not just to the current pregnancy but also for future pregnancies.
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Research Interests: Obstetrics, Infertility, Medicine, England, Pregnancy, and 15 morePopulation, Humans, Female, Ovulation Induction, Lancet, Adult, Infant Mortality, Odds ratio, Fertilization in Vitro, Risk Factors, Perinatal mortality, Logistic Models, Pregnancy Outcome, Case Control Studies, and Medical and Health Sciences
Objective: To define the earliest age at which histological changes can be used to diagnose oesophagitis and to determine the relationships between clinical, endoscopic and histological features of oesophagitis in infants. Methodology:... more
Objective: To define the earliest age at which histological changes can be used to diagnose oesophagitis and to determine the relationships between clinical, endoscopic and histological features of oesophagitis in infants. Methodology: The case records and biopsies of 113 infants aged 2–18 months with clinically significant gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GOR), undergoing oesophagoscopy between 1978 and 1994 were retrospectively reviewed. The biopsies were independently evaluated and graded by two pathologists. Results: Forty‐five cases (40%) had histological oesophagitis but only 16 (14%) had abnormal endoscopic findings (excluding erythema). Endoscopy was found to be highly specific (93%) for histological oesophagitis but lacked sensitivity (25%). Irritability was inversely related to the presence of endoscopic abnormalities, and there was poor correlation between symptoms and histological changes with only haematemesis showing a statistically significant association with histological ...
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BackgroundRisks of adverse birth outcomes in England and Wales are relatively low but vary across ethnic groups. We aimed to explore the role of mother’s country of birth on birth outcomes across ethnic groups using a large... more
BackgroundRisks of adverse birth outcomes in England and Wales are relatively low but vary across ethnic groups. We aimed to explore the role of mother’s country of birth on birth outcomes across ethnic groups using a large population-based linked data set.MethodsWe used a cohort of 4.6 million singleton live births in England and Wales to estimate relative risks of neonatal mortality, infant mortality and preterm birth, and differences in birth weight, comparing infants of UK-born mothers to infants whose mothers were born in their countries or regions of ethnic origin, or elsewhere.ResultsThe crude neonatal and infant death risks were 2.1 and 3.2 per 1000, respectively, the crude preterm birth risk was 5.6% and the crude mean birth weight was 3.36 kg. Pooling across all ethnic groups, infants of mothers born in their countries or regions of ethnic origin had lower adjusted risks of death and preterm birth, and higher gestational age-adjusted mean birth weights than those of UK-bor...
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Research Interests: Risk, Uganda, Hypoxia, Medicine, Brain, and 15 moreHumans, Ischemia, Ultrasonography, Female, Male, Pediatric, Odds ratio, Encephalopathy, Confidence Interval, Brain Diseases, Case Control Studies, Brain injuries, Neonatal Encephalopathy, Paediatrics and reproductive medicine, and Referral and consultation
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ObjectiveWhen a formal review of care takes places after the death of a baby, parents are largely unaware it takes place and are often not meaningfully involved in the review process. Parent engagement in the process is likely to be... more
ObjectiveWhen a formal review of care takes places after the death of a baby, parents are largely unaware it takes place and are often not meaningfully involved in the review process. Parent engagement in the process is likely to be essential for a successful review and to improve patient safety. This study aimed to evaluate an intervention process of parental engagement in perinatal mortality review (PNMR) and to identify barriers and facilitators to its implementation.DesignMixed-methods study of parents’ engagement in PNMR.SettingSingle tertiary maternity unit in the UK.ParticipantsBereaved parents and healthcare professionals (HCPs).InterventionsParent engagement in the PNMR (intervention) was based on principles derived through national consensus and qualitative research with parents, HCPs and stakeholders in the UK.OutcomesRecruitment rates, bereaved parents and HCPs’ perceptions.ResultsEighty-one per cent of bereaved parents approached (13/16) agreed to participate in the stu...
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IntroductionGlobally, about half of all pregnancies are unintended and/or unwanted and three-fifths of these end in induced abortion. When faced with a choice to terminate pregnancy, women’s abortion decision-making processes are often... more
IntroductionGlobally, about half of all pregnancies are unintended and/or unwanted and three-fifths of these end in induced abortion. When faced with a choice to terminate pregnancy, women’s abortion decision-making processes are often complex and multiphasic and maybe amplified in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) which bear the major burden of abortion-related morbidity and mortality. Our review aims to (1) describe abortion decision-making trajectories for women in LMICs and (2) investigate factors influencing the choice of abortion decision-making trajectories in LMICs.Methods and analysisWe will search and retrieve published and unpublished qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods, community and/or hospital-based studies conducted in LMICs from 1 January 2000 up to 16 February 2021. We will search Ovid Medline, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid PsycInfo, Ovid Global Health, Web of Science (including Social Science Citation Index), Scopus, IBSS, CINAHL via EBSCO, WHO Global Index Medi...
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Background One way in which care for pregnant and postpartum women living with long-term health conditions (LTCs) may be improved is through the adoption of standardised measures to provide evidence of health outcomes and wellbeing from... more
Background One way in which care for pregnant and postpartum women living with long-term health conditions (LTCs) may be improved is through the adoption of standardised measures to provide evidence of health outcomes and wellbeing from the woman’s perspective. Aim The study explores the views of pregnant and postpartum women living with LTCs, and healthcare professionals to better understand the potential value of using standardised health and wellbeing measures within this patient population. Methods Qualitative semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted to explore the perceived value of using measures with pregnant and postpartum women living with LTCs within maternity services. Participants were asked to provide feedback on three exemplar measures: the Long Term Conditions Questionnaire, the Wellbeing in Pregnancy Questionnaire and the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L instrument. Thematic analysis was used in the analysis of the transcripts. Results Eleven women and 11 healthcare profe...
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Background Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) contributes substantially to child mortality and disability globally. We compared cytokine profiles in term Ugandan neonates with and without NE, with and without perinatal infection or inflammation... more
Background Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) contributes substantially to child mortality and disability globally. We compared cytokine profiles in term Ugandan neonates with and without NE, with and without perinatal infection or inflammation and identified biomarkers predicting neonatal and early childhood outcomes. Methods In this exploratory biomarker study, serum IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα, and VEGF (<12 h) were compared between NE and non-NE infants with and without perinatal infection/inflammation. Neonatal (severity of NE, mortality) and early childhood (death or neurodevelopmental impairment to 2.5 years) outcomes were assessed. Predictors of outcomes were explored with multivariable linear and logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic analyses. Results Cytokine assays on 159 NE and 157 non-NE infants were performed; data on early childhood outcomes were available for 150 and 129, respectively. NE infants had higher IL-10 (p < 0.001), higher IL-6 (p <...
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ObjectiveTo review quality of care in births planned in midwifery‐led settings, resulting in an intrapartum‐related perinatal death.DesignConfidential enquiry.SettingEngland, Scotland and Wales.SampleIntrapartum stillbirths and... more
ObjectiveTo review quality of care in births planned in midwifery‐led settings, resulting in an intrapartum‐related perinatal death.DesignConfidential enquiry.SettingEngland, Scotland and Wales.SampleIntrapartum stillbirths and intrapartum‐related neonatal deaths in births planned in alongside midwifery units, freestanding midwifery units or at home, sampled from national perinatal surveillance data for 2015/16 (alongside midwifery units) and 2013–16 (freestanding midwifery units and home births).MethodsMultidisciplinary panels reviewed medical notes for each death, assessing and grading quality of care by consensus, with reference to national standards and guidance. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.ResultsSixty‐four deaths were reviewed, 30 stillbirths and 34 neonatal deaths. At the start of labour care, 23 women were planning birth in an alongside midwifery unit, 26 in a freestanding midwifery unit and 15 at home. In 75% of deaths, improvements...
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Research Interests: Pediatrics, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Air pollution, Density, and 15 moreMedicine, Multidisciplinary, Hypospadias, Birth, Environmental Sciences, Population, Emissions, Cohort, Exposure, Congenital Anomalies, Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Science Technology, Odds ratio, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, and Environment
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Objective To investigate perinatal mortality, morbidity and obstetric intervention after introducing universal third-trimester ultrasound scan for growth restriction. Design Prospective cohort study Setting Oxfordshire (OUH), UK... more
Objective To investigate perinatal mortality, morbidity and obstetric intervention after introducing universal third-trimester ultrasound scan for growth restriction. Design Prospective cohort study Setting Oxfordshire (OUH), UK Population Women with a non-anomalous singleton pregnancy undergoing pregnancy care and term delivery at OUH with an estimated-date-of-birth between 01/Jan/2014 and 30/Sept/2019. Methods Universal ultrasound for fetal growth restriction between 35+0 and 36+6 weeks was introduced in 2016. The outcomes of the next 18631 eligible term pregnancies were compared, using logistic regression, with the previous 18636 who had clinically-indicated ultrasounds only. ‘Screen positives’ for growth restriction were managed according to a pre-determined protocol. Main Outcome Measures Extended perinatal mortality, a composite of mortality or encephalopathy Grade II-III, and expedited birth. Other outcomes included composite adverse outcomes used elsewhere, detection of birt...
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Fact finding phonecalls topic guide. (DOCX 21 kb)
Plain language summary. (PDF 315 kb)
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Example Search Strategy. (DOCX 16 kb)
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Plain Language Protocol Summary. (DOCX 6162 kb)
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PRISMA-P checklist. (DOCX 29 kb)
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Communication and dissemination plan. (DOCX 25 kb)