Asma Basha

Birth‐associated long‐bone fractures

To assess the incidence and outcome of neonatal long‐bone fractures at a tertiary teaching hospital.

Accuracy of Sonographic Fetal Weight Estimation within 14 Days of Delivery in a Jordanian Population Using Hadlock Formula 1

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimation within 14 days of delivery in a Jordanian population using Hadlock formula 1 in the third trimester. Materials and Methods: Estimated fetal weights and actual fetal weights data were collected from the medical records of pregnant women who had undergone sonographic fetal weight estimation within 14 days of delivery over the period of March 2008 to June 2010. The analysis included 409 Jordanian women; 6 of them had twins, so the study involved estimation of 415 fetal weights, and these were compared to the actual recorded neonatal weights. Using Hadlock formula 1, we compared the estimations with the infants’ actual birth weights. The data were analyzed in 2 groups: within 7 days and 8–14 days. Results: The mean estimated fetal weight was 3,133 ± 475 g (range 1,343–4,420 g). The mean actual birth weight was 3,179 ± 450 g (range 1,300–4,450 g). The mean absolute percentage of error of ultrasound fetal weight estimation for all infants was 6.5%; however, it was 6.1 and 8.2% if the fetus was delivered within 7 days or 8–14 days of sonography, respectively. Overall, 78.8% of fetal weight estimations were within 10% of actual birth weight; however it was 81.3 and 69.9% if the fetus was delivered within 7 days or from 8–14 days of sonography, respectively. Conclusion: The use of Hadlock formula 1 for sonographic fetal weight estimations in Jordanian women showed acceptable results relative to the actual neonatal weight at birth. However, fetal weight estimation was more reliable when performed within 7 days of delivery.

Initiation and continuation of breastfeeding among Jordanian first-time mothers: a prospective cohort study

Objective This study aimed to examine the rates of initiation and continuation of breastfeeding (BF) and their relationship with mothers’ sociodemographic, obstetric, neonatal, and medical interventions. Methods Data were collected from 199 first-time Jordanian mothers using medical records, face-to-face interviews within 24 hours of birth, and two telephone interviews at 6 weeks and 6 months after birth. Results The rate of BF initiation within the first 4 hours after birth was only 13%. The rate of exclusive BF at 6 weeks was 25.5%, and this rate dropped to 2.1% at 6 months. Mothers who initiated BF before discharge were older, were employed, had normal vaginal birth, and had undergone antenatal or after-birth BF education. Infants’ birth weight or gender was not interrelated with BF initiation. There was no relationship between initiation and continuation of BF and use of medications for labor pain or for induction/augmentation. The only significant relationship was found between the dose of ergometrine and BF failure and painful BF at 6 weeks. Conclusion There is a need for increasing health care providers and public awareness about the role of intrapartum medications and procedures on the initiation and continuation of BF at 6 weeks and 6 months after birth.

Perceptions and Expectations among Pregnant Women Receiving Second-Trimester Ultrasound Scans at Jordan University Hospital

Objectives: To evaluate women’s information about the purpose of the second-trimester ultrasound scan, their expectations before the scan, the extent to which these expectations are fulfilled after the scan, and their perceptions of the foetus. Methods: A sample of pregnant women (540) attending a second-trimester ultrasound scan at Jordan University Hospital were asked to complete two parts of a questionnaire during a 3-month period in 2011. The first part included patients’ characteristics, the purpose of the scan, and expectations before the scan. The second part included patients’ perceptions of the foetus and how the expectations of the scan were fulfilled. Results: Both parts of the questionnaires were completed by 503 (93%) of the women. Three fourths of the participants were accompanied by their husband or a family member. Sixty (12%) women were referred specifically to rule out congenital anomalies. Comparison between patients’ expectations before and after the scan using the chi-square test showed significant improvement in all expectations variables (P–value < 0.001). Conclusion: A routine second-trimester ultrasound scan is an important event for most participating women. Improvements are required in the provision of pre-ultrasound information.