Breno Fauth de Araújo

[Early neonatal mortality in Caxias do Sul: a cohort study]

OBJECTIVES: To establish the profile of neonates in Caxias do Sul city, and to study early neonatal mortality, its causes and related variables.METHODS: This cohort study enrolled 5,545 newborns, which were followed up to 7 days after birth. The probability of early neonatal mortality was calculated and multiple logistic regression was performed to relate all studied variables to the outcome of early neonatal death.RESULTS: The observed probability of early neonatal mortality was 7.44 per thousand live births. The incidence of premature births and low birth weight was 9.4% and 8.1%, respectively. Fifty five percent of the neonates were born through cesarean section, which were related to socioeconomic and educational level. Previous history of neonatal mortality, maternal age > 35 years, gestational age, Apgar score < 7, male sex and low birth weight were related to early neonatal death. The main cause of death was hyaline membrane disease, followed by congenital cardiopaties, extreme preterm and abruptio placentae.CONCLUSION: Even though the observed probability of early neonatal mortality was low, some deaths may have been avoided if better prenatal and delivery care, as well as newborn assistance had been offered.

Risk factors associated with very low birth weight in a low-income population

This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with very low birth weight in a general hospital in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. This was a case-control study of 200 newborns with birth weight from 500 to 1,499 g (cases) and 400 with birth weight from 3,000 to 3,999 g (controls). Infants were from singleton pregnancies, and their mother had received prenatal care at public health services. The dependent variable was birth weight, and independent variables included socioeconomic status, schooling, and gestational and birth status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with a 5% level of significance. Mortality in very low birth weight newborns was 32.5%. The limits of viability were 600 g for birth weight and 26 weeks for gestational age. Variables related to very low birth weight were: maternal age > 35 years (p = 0.01), lack of prenatal care (p < 0.0001), illness during the index pregnancy (p = 0.03), maternal hypertension (p = 0.007), hospitalization during pregnancy (p < 0.0001), and prior history of low birth weight (p < 0.0001). Many premature births were due to avertable factors.

Fatores maternos e perinatais relacionados à macrossomia fetal

PURPOSE: to identify maternal and perinatal factors related to neonates with birthweight >4,000 g. METHODS: cross-section cohort study with 411 consecutive cases of fetal macrosomia (FM) which occurred from March 1998 to March 2005. Data were compared to 7,349 cases of fetal birthweight >2,500 and <3,999 g which occurred in the same period. Maternal variables (maternal age, parity, diabetes, previous cesarean section, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, cephalopelvic disproportion, main cesarean section indications) and perinatal variables (birth injury, <7 1-min and 5-min Apgar score, fetal and early neonatal mortality range, need of neonatal intensive care unit) were analyzed. For statistical analysis the c2 test with Yates correction and Students t test were used with the level of significance set at 5%. RESULTS: FM was significantly associated with older mothers, more parous and <7 1-min Apgar score (p<0.05; OR=1.8; 95% CI: 1,4-2.5) and <7 5-min Apgar score (p<0,05; OR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.3-4,1), diabetes mellitus (p<0.05; OR=4.2; 95% CI: 2.7-6.4), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (p<0.02; OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.0-1.7), need of neonatal intensive care unit (p<0,05; OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.5-2.7), early neonatal mortality (p<0,05; OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.0-6.7), cesarean section (p < 0.05; OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1,6-2,5) and cephalopelvic disproportion (p < 0.05;OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.6-4,8). There was no statistical difference between birth injury and fetal mortality range. In the FM group the main cesarean section indications were repeat cesarean sections (11.9%) and cephalopelvic disproportion (8.6%); in the normal birthweight group, repeat cesareans (8.3%) and fetal distress during labor (3.9%). CONCLUSIONS: in spite of the characteristic limitations of a retrospective evaluation, the analysis demonstrated which complications were associated with large fetal size, being useful in obstetric handling of patients with a diagnosis of extreme fetal growth. FM remains an obstetric problem of difficult solution, associated with important maternal and perinatal health problems, due to the significant observed rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries.

Prevalence of toxoplasmosis, HIV, syphilis and rubella in a population of puerperal women using Whatman 903® filter paper.

OBJECTIVES to determine the seroprevalence rate of toxoplasmosis, HIV, syphilis and rubella in a population of puerperal women. METHODS a prospective, cross-sectional study was performed from February 2007 to April 2008 at Hospital Geral, Universidade de Caxias do Sul in a population of 1,510 puerperal women. Women that gave birth to live born or stillborn infants were included in the study; maternal and perinatal variables were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and Pearsons chi-square with occasional Fishers correction were used for comparisons. Alpha was set in 5%. RESULTS a total of 148 cases of congenital infection (9.8%) were identified: 66 cases of syphilis (4.4%), 40 cases of HIV (2.7%), 27 cases of toxoplasmosis (1.8%) and 15 cases of rubella (1.0%). In ten cases there was co-infection (four cases of HIV and syphilis, two cases of HIV and rubella, one case of HIV and toxoplasmosis, two cases of rubella and syphilis, and one case of toxoplasmosis and rubella). In a comparison between puerperal women with and without infection there was no statistical significance in relation to incidence of abortions, small for gestational age, prematurity, live births and stillbirths, and prenatal care. Need of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), maternal schooling, maternal age higher than 35 years and drug use (alcohol, cocaine and crack) had statistical significance. CONCLUSION the prevalence rate of infections was 9.8%. Need of NICU, maternal schooling lower than eight years, maternal age higher than 35 years and drug use were significantly associated with occurrence of congenital infection.

Análise da morbiletalidade neonatal em recém-nascidos pré-termo tardios

OBJECTIVE To compare mortality and the principal intercurrent clinical conditions suffered by late-preterm newborn infants born with gestational ages of 34 full weeks to 36 weeks and 6 days, and full term newborns. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of all preterm newborn infants born at a public hospital from August 2010 to August 2011. The study sample comprised late-preterm infants (cases) and a group of full term newborns (controls). Three controls were enrolled for each case. Maternal, gestational and neonatal variables were analyzed. Means and standard deviations were used to compare numerical variables between case and control groups using Students t test and the Mann-Whitney test; Pearsons chi-square was used for categorical variables. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate risk. RESULTS The study sample comprised 239 late-preterm infants and 698 full term newborns. Mothers aged over 35 years and/or with a history of previous premature deliveries had a higher proportion of late-preterm children. The following gestational variables were associated with late-preterm delivery: hypertension, infectious diseases, rupture of membranes more than 18 hours previously and multiple pregnancies. When compared with full term newborns, late-preterms were statistically more likely to be subject to hypothermia/hyperthermia, hypoglycemia, respiratory pathologies, resuscitation in the delivery room, phototherapy, supplementary feeding, mechanical ventilation, venous infusions, antibiotics and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, resulting in a nine times greater neonatal mortality rate. Intercurrent conditions were inversely related to gestational age. CONCLUSION Late-preterm newborn infants had a mortality rate nine times that of full term infants and were exposed to a greater risk of intercurrent conditions during the neonatal period. These intercurrent conditions were inversely related to gestational age.OBJECTIVE: To compare mortality and the principal intercurrent clinical conditions suffered by late-preterm newborn infants born with gestational ages of 34 full weeks to 36 weeks and 6 days, and full term newborns. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of all preterm newborn infants born at a public hospital from August 2010 to August 2011. The study sample comprised late-preterm infants (cases) and a group of full term newborns (controls). Three controls were enrolled for each case. Maternal, gestational and neonatal variables were analyzed. Means and standard deviations were used to compare numerical variables between case and control groups using Students t test and the Mann-Whitney test; Pearsons chi-square was used for categorical variables. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate risk. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 239 late-preterm infants and 698 full term newborns. Mothers aged over 35 years and/or with a history of previous premature deliveries had a higher proportion of late-preterm children. The following gestational variables were associated with late-preterm delivery: hypertension, infectious diseases, rupture of membranes more than 18 hours previously and multiple pregnancies. When compared with full term newborns, late-preterms were statistically more likely to be subject to hypothermia/hyperthermia, hypoglycemia, respiratory pathologies, resuscitation in the delivery room, phototherapy, supplementary feeding, mechanical ventilation, venous infusions, antibiotics and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, resulting in a nine times greater neonatal mortality rate. Intercurrent conditions were inversely related to gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Late-preterm newborn infants had a mortality rate nine times that of full term infants and were exposed to a greater risk of intercurrent conditions during the neonatal period. These intercurrent conditions were inversely related to gestational age.

Oligodramnia sem rotura das membranas amnióticas: resultados perinatais

OBJETIVO: avaliar os resultados perinatais em casos de oligodramnia sem rotura de membranas amnioticas. METODOS: foram estudados retrospectivamente 51 casos consecutivos de oligodramnia (indice de liquido amniotico (ILA) menor que 5 cm) em nascimentos ocorridos no periodo de marco de 1998 a setembro de 2001. Compararam-se os dados obtidos aos de 61 casos com quantidade intermediaria e normal de liquido amniotico (ILA >5 cm). Analisaram-se variaveis maternas e neonatais, bem como taxas de mortalidade fetal, neonatal precoce e perinatal. As avaliacoes estatisticas foram realizadas mediante a aplicacao do teste nao parametrico do c² com a correcao de Yates, e do teste t de Student. Adotou-se o nivel de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: nao houve diferenca significante entre os grupos estudados, ao se analisar a ocorrencia de sindrome hipertensiva, presenca de meconio, indice de Apgar inferior a sete no primeiro e quinto minuto, internacao na unidade de tratamento intensivo neonatal e prematuridade. A oligodramnia associou-se significantemente ao tipo de parto (p<0,0002; RR=0,32), sofrimento fetal agudo (p<0,0004; RR=2,2) e presenca de malformacoes fetais (p<0,01; RR=5,4). Os percentuais de malformacoes fetais foram de 17,6 e 3,3% nos grupos de oligodramnia e normal, respectivamente. As taxas de mortalidade fetal (2,0 vs 1,6%), neonatal (5,9 vs 1,6%) e perinatal (7,8 vs 3,3%), em ambos os grupos, nao apresentaram diferenca significante. CONCLUSAO: a oligodramnia se associou a um aumento do risco para operacao cesariana, sofrimento fetal agudo e malformacoes fetais.

Effect of Obesity on Gestational and Perinatal Outcomes

Purpose To assess the impact of pre-pregnancy obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) on the gestational and perinatal outcomes. Methods Retrospective cohort study of 731 pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 at the first prenatal care visit, comparing them with 3,161 women with a BMI between 18.5 kg/m2 and 24.9 kg/m2. Maternal and neonatal variables were assessed. Statistical analyses reporting the demographic features of the pregnant women (obese and normal) were performed with descriptive statistics followed by two-sided independent Students t tests for the continuous variables, and the chi-squared (χ2) test, or Fishers exact test, for the categorical variables. We performed a multiple linear regression analysis of newborn body weight based on the mothers BMI, adjusted by maternal age, hyperglycemic disorders, hypertensive disorders, and cesarean deliveries to analyze the relationships among these variables. All analyses were performed with the R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) for Windows software, version 3.1.0. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Obesity was associated with older age [OR 9.8 (7.8-12.2); p < 0.01], hyperglycemic disorders [OR 6.5 (4.8-8.9); p < 0.01], hypertensive disorders [OR 7.6 (6.1-9.5); p < 0.01], caesarean deliveries [OR 2.5 (2.1-3.0); p < 0.01], fetal macrosomia [OR 2.9 (2.3-3.6); p < 0.01] and umbilical cord pH [OR 2.1 (1.4-2.9); p < 0.01). Conversely, no association was observed with the duration of labor, bleeding during labor, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, gestational age, stillbirth and early neonatal mortality, congenital malformations, and maternal and fetal injury. Conclusion We observed that pre-pregnancy obesity was associated with maternal age, hyperglycemic disorders, hypertension syndrome, cesarean deliveries, fetal macrosomia, and fetal acidosis.

Fatores perinatais associados a recém-nascidos de termo com pH<7,1 na artéria umbilical e índice de Apgar <7,0 no 5º minuto

PURPOSE To assess perinatal factors associated with term newborns with pH<7.1 in the umbilical artery and 5th min Apgar score<7.0. METHODS Retrospective case-control study carried out after reviewing the medical records of all births from September/1998 to March/2008, that occurred at the General Hospital of Caxias do Sul. The inclusion criterion was term newborns who presented a 5th min Apgar score <7.0 and umbilical artery pH<7.10. In the univariate analysis, we used the Students t-test and the Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables, the c² test for dichotomous variables and risk estimation by the odds ratio (OR). The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS Of a total of 15,495 consecutive births, 25 term neonates (0.16%) had pH<7.1 in the umbilical artery and a 5th min Apgar score <7.0. Breech presentation (OR=12.9, p<0.005), cesarean section (OR=3.5, p<0.01) and modified intrapartum cardiotocography (OR=7.8, p<0.02) presented a significant association with the acidosis event. Among the fetal characteristics, need for hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (OR=79.7, p <0.0001), need for resuscitation (OR=12.2, p <0.0001) and base deficit were associated with the event (15.0 versus -4.5, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Low Apgar score at the 5th min of life associated with pH<7.1 in the umbilical artery can predict adverse neonatal outcomes.

Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy at a Tertiary-Care and University Hospital

Objective. Analyze maternal and perinatal aspects related to chronic hypertension (CH) in pregnancy. Methods. Cross-section and retrospective study. Maternal, obstetric, and neonatal variables inserted in a database of the SPSS program, version 16.0, were analyzed. Students t-test was applied to the continuous variables and the chi-square test to the dichotomous variables, considering as statistically significant a value of p < 0.05. Results. From March 1998 to February 2009 about 15,945 births were observed, 888 (5.5%) being related to pregnant mothers with CH. In the hypertense group, there was a higher percentage of cesarean section, preterm labor during pregnancy, abruptio placentae, small-for-gestational age babies (<2500 g), and the need for treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Conclusion. CH in pregnancy was significantly associated with maternal age ≥30 years, nonwhite race, low level of schooling, parity ≥3 children, weight gain ≥16 kg, greater rates of cesarean section, Apgar score at the first and fifth minutes <7, umbilical artery pH ≤7.1, fetal weight ≤2500 g, need for neonatal intensive care, preterm labor during pregnancy, abruptio placentae, birth injury, small-for-gestational age babies and higher rates of preterm babies, fetal and neonatal mortality. It should be emphasized that the variables mentioned are representative or poor birth conditions in the group of chronic hypertense pregnant women.

Factores de riesgo asociados a traumatismo al nacimiento

Antecedentes: Se define trauma al nacimiento las lesiones sufridas por el feto durante el trabajo de parto o expulsion. Objetivo: Identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a lesiones originadas durante el nacimiento en recien nacidos. Metodo: Estudio casos y controles, realizado en el periodo de julio/2004 a diciembre/2005, en la Division de Ginecologia y Obstetricia del Hospital General de Caxias do Sul/ Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Caxias do Sul, RS, Brasil. Fueron analizadas variables maternas, del parto y fetales, utilizando el programa estadistico SPSS version 19.0. Los factores que obtuvieron nivel significativo 33 cm (OR-A: 3,36; IC95%: 1,35-9,73; p=0,010). Conclusion: Los factores de riesgo asociados a lesiones durante el nacimiento involucran el parto vaginal y el perimetro toracico igual o superior a 33cm.