Pregnant People Research Articles

A retrospective study on hearing outcomes of infants of COVID-19 mothers pre-vaccination era

Background: A COVID-19 infection can result in a variety of symptoms. Findings must be carefully reviewed because there is still a dispute over the potential involvement of the audiovestibular system. Moreover, there is debate over the intrauterine transfer of COVID-19 infection from mother to fetus in pregnant people. There are not many investigations on the audiovestibular symptomatology of infants exposed to COVID-19 during pregnancy. Aims and Objectives: This study looks at any potential links between the COVID-19 gestational infection and the start of hearing impairment in babies. The verification of hearing’s engagement in COVID-19 allows for the planning of the time and methods for children’s audiological evaluations. Materials and Methods: Newborns had audiological examination and screening for hearing loss. The automatic transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) test is used to evaluate newborns for hearing impairments before they are released from the hospital. By employing the COVID-19 case history, otoscopy, acoustic immittance test, transient evoked OAEs test, and mother, pregnancy, and perinatal case histories, an audiological examination is conducted on children under 3 months of age, with 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months of age follow-up. Results: The research comprised 100 children. Of these infants, 90% were part of the neonatal hearing screening initiative. Due to isolation protocols, the remaining 10 neonates did not undergo hearing screening; instead, a direct audiological examination was performed on them. Out of the 90 newborns that were tested, only 11 had a bilateral REFER test result, but the audiological examination revealed a normal hearing threshold. Conclusion: There is no data in this study that a mother’s COVID-19 infection results in hearing loss in newborn.

COVID-19 Vaccination in the First Trimester and Major Structural Birth Defects Among Live Births

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended throughout pregnancy to prevent pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes associated with COVID-19 disease. To date, data on birth defects after first-trimester vaccination are limited. To evaluate the associated risks for selected major structural birth defects among live-born infants after first-trimester receipt of a messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine. This was a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies with estimated last menstrual period (LMP) between September 13, 2020, and April 3, 2021, and ending in live birth from March 5, 2021, to January 25, 2022. Included were data from 8 health systems in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin in the Vaccine Safety Datalink. Receipt of 1 or 2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses in the first trimester, as part of the primary series. Selected major structural birth defects among live-born infants, identified from electronic health data using validated algorithms, with neural tube defects confirmed via medical record review. Among 42 156 eligible pregnancies (mean [SD] maternal age, 30.9 [5.0] years) 7632 (18.1%) received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in the first trimester. Of 34 524 pregnancies without a first-trimester COVID-19 vaccination, 2045 (5.9%) were vaccinated before pregnancy, 13 494 (39.1%) during the second or third trimester, and 18 985 (55.0%) were unvaccinated before or during pregnancy. Compared with pregnant people unvaccinated in the first trimester, those vaccinated in the first trimester were older (mean [SD] age, 32.3 [4.5] years vs 30.6 [5.1] years) and differed by LMP date. After applying stabilized inverse probability weighting, differences in baseline characteristics between vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant persons in the first trimester were negligible (standardized mean difference <0.20). Selected major structural birth defects occurred in 113 infants (1.48%) after first-trimester mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and in 488 infants (1.41%) without first-trimester vaccine exposure; the adjusted prevalence ratio was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.78-1.33). In secondary analyses, with major structural birth defect outcomes grouped by organ system, no significant differences between infants vaccinated or unvaccinated in the first trimester were identified. In this multisite cohort study, among live-born infants, first-trimester mRNA COVID-19 vaccine exposure was not associated with an increased risk for selected major structural birth defects.

Association Between Influenza Vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Recent data in nonpregnant individuals suggest a protective effect of influenza vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection and its severity. Our primary objective was to evaluate whether influenza vaccination was associated with COVID-19 severity and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among those infected with SARS-CoV-2. The secondary objective was to examine the association between influenza vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondary analysis of a multicenter retrospective cohort of pregnant people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March and August 2020, and a cohort of random deliveries during the same time period. The associations between 2019 influenza vaccination and the primary outcome of moderate-to-critical COVID-19 as well as maternal and perinatal outcomes were examined among all people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March and August 2020. The association between 2019 influenza vaccination and having a positive SARS-CoV-2 test was examined among a cohort of individuals who delivered on randomly selected dates between March and August 2020. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. Of 2325 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 1068 (45.9%) were vaccinated against influenza in 2019. Those who received the influenza vaccine were older, leaner, more likely to have private insurance, and identify as White or Hispanic. They were less likely to smoke tobacco and identify as Black. Overall, 419 (18.0%) had moderate, 193 (8.3%) severe, and 52 (2.2%) critical COVID-19. There was no association between influenza vaccination and moderate-to-critical COVID-19 (29.2%vs. 28.0%, adjusted OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.90-1.34) or adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes among those who tested positive. Of 8152 people who delivered in 2020, 4658 (57.1%) received the influenza vaccine. Prior vaccination was not associated with a difference in the odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection (3.8%vs. 4.2%, adjusted OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.74-1.19). Prior influenza vaccination was not associated with decreased severity of COVID-19 or lower odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy.

Are You Ready to Recommend Physical Activity for Pregnant People?

Are You Ready to Recommend Physical Activity for Pregnant People?

Eighteen-Month Outcomes Among Pregnant and Nonpregnant Reproductive-Aged People Hospitalized for Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Physiologic and immunologic adaptations in pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse outcomes from respiratory viral infections. However, data are limited on longer-term outcomes after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pregnancy prior to widespread vaccine availability. Using electronic health record data, we retrospectively compared 6-, 12-, and 18-month outcomes including death and rehospitalization between pregnant and nonpregnant reproductive-aged individuals hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection between 2020 and 2021 at 2 academic referral hospitals. There were 190 nonpregnant and 70 pregnant participants. Mean age was 31 years for pregnant and 34 years for nonpregnant participants. For pregnant patients, mean gestational age at coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis was 36 weeks, 54% delivered by cesarean, and 97% delivered a live birth. Compared to pregnant participants, nonpregnant participants had a higher prevalence of baseline comorbidities and a higher proportion received mechanical ventilation (84% vs 55%). Index hospitalization complications (31% vs 17%) and mortality (3% vs 0%) were more common in nonpregnant participants. Over 18 months following index hospitalization, 39 (21%) nonpregnant and 5 (7%) pregnant participants were readmitted, most for infection (28/44 [64%]). Most readmissions occurred within 6 months. There were no posthospitalization deaths in the pregnant group. Pregnant people with severe COVID-19 disease had a low rate of severe adverse outcomes after index hospitalization. The low readmission rate is reassuring that pregnant individuals may not be at higher risk for long-term severe adverse health outcomes after COVID-19 compared to the nonpregnant reproductive-aged population, possibly because any increased risk conferred by pregnancy resolves soon after delivery.

The Epidemic of Congenital Syphilis in the Indigenous and Rural Populations of South Dakota.

From 2020 to 2023, South Dakota witnessed a substantial increase in cases of congenital syphilis (CS), with the highest rates identified in rural and Native American (NA) communities. Here, we discuss 3 severe cases of CS in premature infants born to NA individuals and communities in South Dakota with poor access to prenatal care. The infants in these 3 cases presented with varying clinical conditions, including respiratory failure, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, severe direct hyperbilirubinemia, feeding intolerance, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Lack of prenatal care and other systemic health disparities likely contributed to the increased disease burden. For NA communities, rurality, limited resources, systemic racism, historical trauma, and lack of trust in medical institutions likely contribute to inadequate prenatal care. All 3 of these cases also occurred in pregnant people with a present or history of substance use disorders, which may have led to further hesitancy to seek care because of fear of prosecution. To combat the rising number of syphilis and CS cases, we advocate for new and continued outreach that provides education about and testing for sexually transmitted diseases to NA and rural populations, increased care coordination, the integration of point-of-care testing and treatment strategies in lower resource centers, and legislative allocation of additional resources to engage pregnant people with or at risk for substance use disorders.

Medicaid Dental Benefits for Pregnant People and Dental Care Use Among Very Young Children.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between Medicaid dental benefits for pregnant people and dental care use among very young children in Medicaid. We hypothesized that children living in states with more generous dental benefits for Medicaid-enrolled pregnant people would be more likely to have a recent dental visit. This national cross-sectional study used pooled2017-2019 data from the National Survey of Children's Health, as well as state Medicaid policy data. The study sample included children aged 0-2 enrolled in Medicaid. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association between Medicaid dental benefit generosity for pregnant people and the child having a dental visit in the past year. Children in states with emergency-only dental coverage for pregnant people were 2.5 times as likely to have had a dental visit than children in states with extensive coverage (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.35-4.53). In supplemental analyses excluding children living in Texas, there was no longer an association between dental coverage for pregnant people and dental utilization among young children (OR 1.52, 95% CI 0.82-2.83). Young children in states that provided emergency-only dental benefits for pregnant people in Medicaid had significantly higher odds of dental utilization than young children in states with more generous dental benefits for pregnant people. This relationship disappeared after excluding the state Texas, which had the highest rate of child dental utilization in the country and provided emergency-only dental benefits for pregnant people in Medicaid.

Gestational Weight Gain and Neonatal Biometry during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Observational Cohort.

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that being pregnant and delivering during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with changes in gestational weight gain (GWG) or frequency of small- (SGA) or large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates. Secondary analysis of a multicenter observational cohort comparing pregnant people who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic (June-December 2020) to people who delivered prior to the pandemic (March-December 2019). Those with multiple gestations, fetuses with major congenital anomalies, implausible GWG values, unavailable body mass index (BMI), or who were severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-positive were excluded. The primary outcome was frequency of optimal recommended GWG based on prepregnancy BMI. Neonatal outcomes included birth weight, ponderal index, and frequency of SGA, LGA, and small head circumference for live births. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess associations between exposure to the pandemic and outcomes. A total of 10,717 pregnant people were included in our analysis. A total of 4,225 pregnant people were exposed to the pandemic and 6,492 pregnant people delivered prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pregnant people exposed to the pandemic were older and more likely to have gestational diabetes. The frequency of appropriate GWG was 28.0% during the pandemic and 27.6% before the pandemic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.11). Excessive GWG was more likely (54.9 vs. 53.1%; aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.001-1.17), and inadequate GWG was less likely during the pandemic (17.0 vs. 19.3%; aOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.95). The frequency of SGA was 5.4% during the pandemic and 6.1% before the pandemic (aOR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.76-1.06), and the frequency of LGA was 16.0% during the pandemic versus 15.0% before the pandemic (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.95-1.18). Other neonatal outcomes including birth weight percentile (62.1 [35.8-83.2] vs. 60.2 [34.4-82.2]; adjusted mean difference (aMD) = 1.50, 95% CI: -0.28 to 3.29), ponderal index (2.6 g/cm3 [2.4-2.8] in both groups; aMD = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.02), and small head circumference for livebirths (<10th percentile [8.2 vs. 8.1%; aOR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.89-1.19], <3rd percentile [3.5 vs. 3.1%; aOR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.93-1.44]) were similar between groups as well. Being pregnant and delivering during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a higher likelihood of excessive GWG and a lower likelihood of inadequate GWG. · Delivering during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with higher likelihood of excessive GWG.. · Delivering during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with lower likelihood of inadequate GWG.. · COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with changes in frequency of SGA or LGA..

Projecting the Potential Clinical and Economic Impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Resource Reallocation in Tennessee.

In 2023, Tennessee replaced $6.2 M in US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention funding with state funds to redirect support away from men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender women (TGW), and heterosexual Black women (HSBW) and to prioritize instead first responders (FR), pregnant people (PP), and survivors of sex trafficking (SST). We used a simulation model of HIV disease to compare the clinical impact of Current, the present allocation of condoms, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and HIV testing to CDC priority risk groups (MSM/TGW/HSBW); with Reallocation, funding instead increased HIV testing and linkage of Tennessee-determined priority populations (FR/PP/SST). Key model inputs included baseline condom use (45%-49%), PrEP provision (0.1%-8%), HIV testing frequency (every 2.5-4.8 years), and 30-day HIV care linkage (57%-65%). We assumed Reallocation would reduce condom use (-4%), PrEP provision (-26%), and HIV testing (-47%) in MSM/TGW/HSBW, whereas it would increase HIV testing among FR (+47%) and HIV care linkage (to 100%/90%) among PP/SST. Reallocation would lead to 166 additional HIV transmissions, 190 additional deaths, and 843 life-years lost over 10 years. HIV testing reductions were most influential in sensitivity analysis; even a 24% reduction would result in 287 more deaths compared to Current. With pessimistic assumptions, we projected 1359 additional HIV transmissions, 712 additional deaths, and 2778 life-years lost over 10 years. Redirecting HIV prevention funding in Tennessee would greatly harm CDC priority populations while conferring minimal benefits to new priority populations.

Pharmacovigilance in Pregnancy Studies, Exposures and Outcomes Ascertainment, and Findings from Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review.

Pharmacovigilance (PV), or the ongoing safety monitoring after a medication has been licensed, plays a crucial role in pregnancy, as clinical trials often exclude pregnant people. It is important to understand how pregnancy PV projects operate in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where there is a disproportionate lack of PV data yet ahigh burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a scoping review to assess how exposures and outcomes were measured in recently published pregnancy PV projects in LMICs. We utilized a search string, secondary review, and team knowledge to review publications focusing on therapeutic or vaccine exposures among pregnant people in LMICs. We screened abstracts for relevance before conducting a full text review, and documented measurements of exposures and outcomes (categorized as maternal, birth, or neonatal/infant) among other factors, including study topic, setting, and design, comparator groups, and funding sources. We identified 31 PV publications spanning at least 24 LMICs, all focusing on therapeutics or vaccines for infectious diseases, including HIV (n = 17), tuberculosis (TB; n = 9), malaria (n = 7), pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria (n = 1), and influenza (n = 3). As for outcomes, n = 15, n = 31, and n = 20 of the publications covered maternal, birth, and neonatal/infant outcomes, respectively. Among HIV-specific publications, the primary exposure-outcome relationship of focus was exposure to maternal antiretroviral therapy and adverse outcomes. For TB-specific publications, the main exposures of interest were second-line drug-resistant TB and isoniazid-based prevention therapeutics for pregnant people living with HIV. For malaria-specific publications, the primary exposure-outcome relationship of interest was antimalarial medication exposure during pregnancy and adverse outcomes. Among vaccine-focused publications, the exposure was assessed during a specific time during pregnancy, with an overall interest in vaccine safety and/or efficacy. The study settings were frequently from Africa, designs varied from cohort or cross-sectional studies to clinical trials, and funding sources were largely from high-income countries. The published pregnancy PV projects were largely centered in Africa and concerned with infectious diseases. This may reflect the disease burden in LMICs but also funding priorities from high-income countries. As the prevalence of non-communicable diseases increases in LMICs, PV projects will have to broaden their scope. Birth and neonatal/infant outcomes were most reported, with fewer reporting on maternal outcomes and none on longer-term child outcomes; additionally, heterogeneity existed in definitions and ascertainment of specific measures. Notably, almost all projects covered a single therapeutic exposure, missing an opportunity to leverage their projects to cover additional exposures, add scientific rigor, create uniformity across health services, and bolster existing health systems. For many publications, the timing of exposure, specifically by trimester, was crucial to maternal and neonatal safety. While currently published pregnancy PV literature offer insights into the PV landscape in LMICs, further work is needed to standardize definitions and measurements, integrate PV projects across health services, and establish longer-term monitoring.

Mandatory Warning Signs for Cannabis: Perspectives and Preferences of Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People Who Use Cannabis.

Five U.S. states where recreational cannabis is legal require Mandatory Warning Signs for cannabis use during pregnancy (MWS-cannabis) to be posted in cannabis dispensaries. Previous research has found adverse health consequences associated with MWS-cannabis and that people lack trust in information on signs. This qualitative study explores people's perspectives and preferences regarding MWS-cannabis. We conducted in-depth interviews with 34 pregnant or recently pregnant individuals from multiple states with varying policy climates in the U.S. who used cannabis before and/or during pregnancy. We asked participants about their perspectives on MWS-cannabis and reactions to specific messages. We reviewed transcripts using thematic analysis. Participants reported mostly negative views on MWS-cannabis, suggesting they may have stigmatizing and negative impacts on pregnant people who use cannabis, discouraging them from seeking care. Many said that the scientific evidence is not strong enough to justify MWS-cannabis, and that they are unlikely to deter pregnant people from using cannabis. Participants asserted that vague or fear-based messages, distrust of government, and the location and timing of the signs undermine the goals of MWS-cannabis. When reacting to specific messages, participants preferred messages that are evidence-based, clear, specific, and aligned with autonomous decision-making. Pregnant and recently pregnant people who use cannabis have mostly negative perceptions of MWS-cannabis and believe they have negative consequences. More work is needed to develop health information resources that meet the needs of people who use cannabis in pregnancy without increasing stigma.

Maternal Immunizations: Past, Present, and Future.

Maternal vaccines during pregnancy offer crucial protection against infections for both the pregnant person and their newborn. Vaccines against influenza, pertussis, coronavirus disease 2019, and respiratory syncytial virus are routinely recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to safeguard pregnant women and their infants from potentially severe complications. Administering these vaccines during pregnancy helps transfer protective antibodies from the mother to the baby, enhancing immunity during the vulnerable early months of life. Extensive research supports the safety and efficacy of maternal vaccines, with numerous studies demonstrating their protective benefits for both pregnant people and newborns.

The experiences and outcomes of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller pregnant people in pregnancy: A scoping review.

Within Europe, Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller groups have been marginalized and discriminated against by larger society. Persecution and displacement have resulted in high rates of unemployment, reduced access to education, and poorer health, with significantly increased risk of poverty compared with the general population. In pregnancy, there appears to be a gap in the literature surrounding the experiences and outcomes of pregnant people within these ethnic groups. The aim of this study was therefore to scope published research, specifically questioning "What is the experience of Roma Gypsy and Traveller pregnant people who access maternity care?" and "What are the obstetric outcomes within these groups?" This review followed frameworks proposed by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac, and the Joanna Brigg's Institute. The PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) tool was used. The search strategy and specific terms were chosen using the population-concepts-context framework. Titles and abstracts were reviewed independently by two reviewers. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined to set clear guidance for reviewers to identify appropriate studies. Five electronic databases were searched (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE [OVID] Web of Science and SCOPUS). A charting form was developed to record key characteristics systematically and uniformly from the studies. Five themes were identified: systemic issues, antenatal care, complications of pregnancy, birth experience, and postnatal care. Systemic issues included racism, barriers to care, and adapted antenatal care. Antenatal issues included teenage pregnancy, smoking, risk of venous thrombus embolism, dietary issues, risk of communicable diseases, domestic violence, and mental health concerns. Increased risks of congenital abnormalities, growth restriction, premature labor, and perinatal and early childhood mortality were identified. For Roma women, negative birth experiences were reported, whereas the experiences of Traveller women varied. The findings identified in this study serve to create a framework upon which healthcare providers can tailor the way in which pregnant people from a Roma, Gypsy, or Irish Traveller background are cared for. Using such a framework would hopefully begin to reduce the systematic marginalization and discrimination of these minorities.

Choline Supplementation for Infants, Children, and Pregnant People

What Is the Issue? Choline is an essential nutrient produced by humans and animals and is important during pregnancy, fetal growth, and the development of the brain and nervous system. Most people do not get enough choline from their diet. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a set of conditions where fetuses have been exposed to alcohol and this affects memory, learning, and development from early childhood to later life. Choline supplements are products used to complement choline-deficient diets. Given the role of choline in fetal development, choline supplements are a potential intervention to support pregnancy or to mitigate the developmental harms in children from prenatal exposure to alcohol if supported by evidence of their effectiveness for these purposes. What Did We Do? To inform decisions about the use and timing of choline supplementation to support health outcomes in infants and children, CADTH sought to identify and summarize the literature about the effectiveness and safety of choline supplementation given to any pregnant people or given to children with either prenatal alcohol exposure or FASD. We also attempted to identify evidence-based recommendations for using choline supplementation in these populations. We searched key resources and conducted a focused internet search for relevant evidence published since 2014. One reviewer screened articles for inclusion based on predefined criteria, critically appraised the included studies, and narratively summarized the findings. What Did We Find? We found few publications investigating this topic, and several studies had low statistical power and imprecise results. The clinical evidence was mixed depending on whether choline was given to the pregnant person or child, which interventional groups were compared, what the clinical exposures or diagnoses were in the study population, the time point and duration of choline supplementation, which outcomes were measured, and how old children were during follow-up. For choline supplementation in healthy pregnant people, evidence was mixed for infant and child neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes or behavioural symptoms; there were little-to-no differences in safety outcomes. For choline supplementation in pregnant people exposed to alcohol, evidence was mixed for infant and child neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes, body size, and brain region sizes; some minor side effects were reported overall. For choline supplementation in children with FASD, most evidence showed little-to-no benefits for neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes, and brain structure; limited evidence showed higher fishy body odour and some other unspecified adverse symptoms for children given choline. Guidelines based mostly on low-quality evidence or expert opinion recommend that all pregnant people, including those with gestational diabetes mellitus or on vegan or vegetarian diets, increase their choline intake through diet or supplements. We did not find clinical effectiveness evidence for choline supplementation in infants with FASD, or guidelines regarding choline supplementation in either infants or children with FASD, that met inclusion criteria for our report. What Does it Mean? Health care professionals and decision-makers can use this evidence to inform decisions around applicability of choline supplementation for pregnant people, or for infants and children with FASD, in their practice. There may be a need to balance the knowledge that choline intake is low at the population level and important for fetal development with the identified clinical effectiveness evidence for choline supplementation, which was limited and mixed for all evaluated patient populations. Careful consideration of the following may also be important to inform decisions about the appropriateness of choline supplementation: the care plan and other intensive and concurrent interventions for children with FASD; stigma and challenges faced by pregnant people and children in the context of prenatal alcohol exposure; cultural dietary practices; and accessibility, cost, and availability of supplements.

Epidemic of parvovirus B19 and disease severity in pregnant people, Denmark, January to March 2024.

We report an epidemic of parvovirus B19 infections in Denmark during the first quarter of 2024, with a peak incidence 3.5 times higher than during the most recent epidemic in 2017. In total, 20.1% (130/648) of laboratory-confirmed cases were pregnant. Severe adverse outcomes were observed among 12.3% (16/130) of pregnant people and included foetal anaemia, foetal hydrops and miscarriage. Parvovirus B19 infection is not systematically monitored, but a national laboratory-based surveillance system is currently being established in Denmark.

Factors Associated With Perinatal Hepatitis C Screening Among Exposed Children: 2016-2020.

Children perinatally exposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) should be screened for infection, yet testing rates are low. Clinical perinatal HCV testing recommendations vary and may contribute to poor completion. This study examines pediatric care factors associated with perinatal HCV testing completion. A cohort of people living with HCV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who delivered a live birth in 2016 to 2020 and their children were followed by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. The association of completion of HCV screening with pregnant/postpartum person demographics, pediatric care factors, and testing policy were retrospectively explored. χ2 and multivariable logistic regressions were used. HCV-positive pregnant people gave birth to 457 children of whom 307 (67.2%) were tested for HCV according to recommendations and 79 (17.2%) were inadequately tested. Children were more likely to be tested if born to a pregnant person with HIV coinfection (P = .007), if they were always on schedule for vaccinations (P < .001), and if they attended the 18-month well visit (P < .001). Completion rates varied significantly by pediatrician's testing policy: 90.9% tested if the policy was for 2 months, 79.6% if 2 to 12 months, 61.9% if 12 months, and 58.5% if 18 months of age (P < .001). Timing of perinatal HCV testing policies was significantly associated with testing completion rates. Testing at 2 months was associated with far better HCV testing completion than other strategies, regardless of birthing person and pediatrician factors. These findings suggest routine HCV testing of children perinatally exposed to HCV is best achieved in the first year of life.

Inclusion of Drinking Water Source and Testing Questions into Electronic Medical Records: Advancing Environmental Medicine and Public Health Outreach in New Jersey.

Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes, and early life exposure is particularly damaging. Households with pregnant people and young children drinking from unregulated wells in arsenic-prevalent regions are therefore a public health priority for outreach and intervention. A partnership between Columbia University, New Jersey government partners, and Hunterdon Healthcare has informed Hunterdon County residents of the risks faced from drinking arsenic-contaminated water and offered free well testing through a practice-based water test kit distribution and an online patient portal outreach. Encouraged by those successes, Hunterdon Healthcare incorporated questions about drinking water source and arsenic testing history into the electronic medical record (EMR) template used by most primary care practices in Hunterdon County. The new EMR fields allow for additional targeting of risk-based outreach and water test kit distribution, offering promising new opportunities for public health and environmental medicine outreach, surveillance, and research.

Prescription psychostimulant use, admissions and treatment initiation and retention in pregnant people with opioid use disorder

Prescription psychostimulant use, admissions and treatment initiation and retention in pregnant people with opioid use disorder

A novel smartphone application to prevent postpartum depression adapted from an evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy program: Individual end-user interviews to optimize the intervention.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is more common among pregnant patients who have unmet social needs, such as financial stress or food insecurity, compared to those who do not. Mothers and Babies (MB) is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based program that prevents up to 50% of de novo PPD when provided in-person to low-income Spanish- and English-speaking pregnant people without depression. MB's reach has been limited by the need for trained personnel to support the program. Transforming MB into a smartphone application (app) may mitigate this key barrier to scaling MB. To utilize qualitative data from target end-users to create and optimize MBapp, a novel app centered on the MB program. Draft wireframes of MBapp were created in English and Spanish with CBT-based modules adapted from MB. These wireframes included several features shown previously to sustain app engagement: 1) push notifications delivered at participant-preferred times; 2) text-, graphic-, and video-based content; and 3) gamification with digital rewards for app engagement. English- or Spanish-speaking individuals with public health insurance who were between 32 weeks' gestation and six months postpartum and owned smartphones were eligible to consent for individual in-depth interviews. Individuals with prior or current depression were excluded. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using deductive and inductive codes to characterize opinions about MBapp and perceptions of challenges and facilitators of use of MBapp or other perinatal or mental health apps. End-user feedback led to major modifications to the wireframes. Each of these changes was categorized according to the Framework for Modification and Adaptation (FRAME), an established method of systematically reporting adaptations and modifications to evidence-based interventions via end-user feedback. Recruitment ceased with content saturation, defined as three successive participants providing only positive feedback on MBapp's wireframe, without further suggestions for improvement. 25 interviews were completed. Participants were racially and ethnically diverse, generally representing our target end-user population, and 48% of interviews were conducted in Spanish. Participants' suggestions to improve MBapp were categorized within the FRAME as adaptations that improved either content or context to optimize reach, retention, engagement, and fit for end users. Specifically, the following features were added to MBapp secondary to end-user feedback: 1) audio narration; 2) "ask a clinician" non-urgent questions; 3) on-demand module summaries accessible upon module completion; and 4) choice to defer assessments and start the next module. Participants also provided insights into features of perinatal or mental health apps they found appealing or unappealing to understand preferences, challenges, and (non)negotiables for MBapp. Adapting MBapp to incorporate end users' perspectives optimized our digital PPD prevention intervention, ideally increasing its appeal to future users. Our team's next steps will confirm that MBapp is a feasible, acceptable intervention among English- and Spanish-speaking perinatal people at risk of PPD.

Examining Cesarean Among Individuals of Advanced Maternal Age in Nurse-Midwifery Care.

Cesarean rates are rising, especially for individuals of advanced maternal age (AMA), defined as aged 35 or older. The Robson 10-Group Classification System (TGCS) facilitates assessment and comparison of cesarean rates among individuals in different settings. In midwifery-led care, in which pregnant people are typically healthier and seek a vaginal birth, it is unknown whether individuals of AMA have different antecedents leading to cesarean compared with younger counterparts. This study aimed to examine antecedents contributing to cesarean using Robson TGCS for individuals across age groups in midwifery care. This study was a secondary analysis of 2 cohort data sets from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and University of Michigan Health Systems (UMHS) hospitals. The samples were individuals in midwifery-led care birthing at either OHSU from 2012 to 2019 or UMHS from 2007 to 2019. A total of 11,951 individuals were studied. Overall cesarean rates were low; however, the rate for individuals of AMA was higher than the rate of their younger counterparts (18.30% vs 15.10%). The Robson groups were similar; however, the primary contributor among AMA individuals was group 5 (multiparous with previous cesarean), followed by group 2 [nulliparous with labor induced or prelabor cesarean], and group 1 [nulliparous with spontaneous labor]. In contrast, the primary contributors for younger individuals were groups 1, 2, and 5, respectively. In addition, prelabor cesarean and induced labor partly mediated the relationship between AMA and cesarean among nulliparous individuals, whereas prelabor cesarean was the key contributor to cesarean among multiparous people. The cesarean rate in midwifery-led care was low. Using Robson TGCS provided additional insight into the antecedents to cesarean, rather than viewing cesarean as a single outcome. Future studies should continue to use Robson TGCS and investigate antecedents to cesarean, including factors influencing successful vaginal birth after cesarean in individuals of AMA.