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Biomedical subjects

J G Cecatti

Publications and source records attributed to J G Cecatti.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Predictors of preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: This is a systematic review to assess published scientific evidence on preterm birth predictors. METHODS: An Internet search for predictors of preterm birth was performed and the evidence level of each method was evaluated. RESULTS: There is strong evidence that preterm birth can be predicted using vaginal sonography to evaluate cervical characteristics, fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretions and interleukin-6 in amniotic fluid. There is consistent evidence that digital cervical examination is a weak predictor, and controversy regarding home uterine activity monitoring. There is scanty evidence about the predictive ability of maternal history and perceptions of symptoms since the study design fails to provide high evidence level. CONCLUSION: Cervical evaluation by vaginal sonography, fetal fibronectin and interleukin-6 are the best methods for predicting preterm birth.

Amniotic Fluid↗

[Cesarean section in Brazil: incidence, trends, causes, consequences and suggestions for change].

The authors analyse the current cesarean section situation in Brazil. In the last decade it has reached extremely high levels of incidence, higher than any other country. Social-economic and regional differences are established through the available national data on the cesarean section incidence. There is a higher incidence on wealthier regions and women. The factors influencing this high incidence, including socio-cultural, obstetric care organization, legal and institutional ones are also considered. Special attention is given to the problem of female surgical sterilization which is forbidden in the country and is performed through inadequate indication of a cesarean section. Consequences for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, the effects on population fertility and extra public expenses are considered. Interventions and attitude changes are proposed at several levels to reverse this increasing tendency of cesarean section incidence in the country.

English Abstract↗

Hyaluronidase versus Foley catheter for cervical ripening in high-risk term and post term pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Foley catheter and hyaluronidase for cervical ripening. METHOD: Randomized controlled trial where 140 pregnant women, with gestational age > or = 37 weeks, indication for labor induction and an unripe cervix, were enrolled, allocated in two groups according to the method of cervical ripening before labor induction. Statistical analysis used Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square test, survival analysis, risk ratios and number needed to treat. RESULTS: Time of induction, dose of oxytocin and mode of delivery had better results in the Foley catheter group. Comfort with the method was higher in the hyaluronidase group. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods were effective and safe for cervical ripening. The Foley catheter group experienced a shorter period of induction, required a lower dose of oxytocin and had higher vaginal delivery rates, while the women who used hyaluronidase declared greater comfort with the method.

Catheterization↗

Maternal mortality in Campinas: evolution, under-registration and avoidance.

CONTEXT: Up until a few years ago, maternal mortality did not merit much attention as a worldwide public health issue. The health and social development indicator almost exclusively used was infant death. OBJECTIVE: To study the number, characteristics, basic causes and avoidance of maternal mortality (MM) among women living in the city of Campinas, which occurred between 1985 and 1991, identified from all death certificates of women aged 10 through 49 years. DESIGN: Retrospective and descriptive population-based study. SETTING: University Referal Center. SAMPLES: All eligible death certificates classified as declared and presumed maternal deaths according to the Laurenti criteria for the cause of death were selected and complementary studies of the clinical records were performed. MAIN MEASURES: Day of the week and place of occurrence of death; period of occurrence; transfer from another hospital; number of days from delivery/abortion to death; blood transfusion; opportunity for transfusion; complications; autopsy; basic cause of death. RESULTS: Initially 39 declared maternal deaths were identified and a total of 62 were confirmed by the end of the study. This corresponds to an under-registration rate of 37.1% and to an MM ratio of 45.5 per 100,000 live births. Around three-fourths of these maternal deaths were due to a direct obstetrical cause and were considered avoidable. CONCLUSION: Maternal mortality still is high in the municipality of Campinas, although lower than the mean estimated for Brazil. The predominance of direct obstetric causes and avoidable deaths reinforces the need for public health interventions directed towards avoiding them.

Adolescent↗

Reasons for hospitalization due to abortion and pregnancy termination.

The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for hospitalization associated with abortion and pregnancy termination among women attending the Maternity Unit of IMIP, Recife, Brazil. In a case-control study, 230 women who were hospitalized consecutively between August 1994 and June 1995 due to causes related to pregnancy termination or abortion were chosen as cases. Four controls per case were selected randomly out of a total of 920 women who delivered at the same hospital. For each potential cause considered, the odds ratio (OR) and respective 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was then used to control for confounders. Among all potential causes studied, those that showed significant association with pregnancy termination or abortion were: being single, absence of emotional support from partner, being a working woman, literacy up to the fourth year of school, failure of contraceptive method employed, and experience of previous pregnancies, children, and abortions.

Abortion, Induced↗

[Factors associated to the trial of labor in primipara women with one previous cesarean section].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify medical and non-medical factors associated to the performance of a trial of labor during the second delivery of women with one previous cesarean section. METHODS: This was a nested case control study, with a secondary data analysis from a retrospective population based cohort study. It was primarily performed on a population of women who had had their first children in Campinas, SP, Brazil, during 1985. The study population was constituted of the 1,352 women of the cohort study who had had their first deliveries by cesarean section and also had their second deliveries no matter when. The group of cases (333 women, almost 25%) was constituted of those women who had a trial of labor during their second deliveries and the control group (1,019 women) of those who had not had it. For each possible associated factor evaluated, the Odds Ratio and its respective 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. For the ordered categorical variables, the chi2 for trend was also calculated. Finally, a non conditional multivariate regression analysis was performed, identifying the significant factors and then estimating their adjusted Odds Ratio. RESULTS: The main factors associated with the trial of labor in this situation were a low monthly family income, having public medical insurance by the national health system, a low maternal age, the occurrence of rupture of membranes during the second delivery, and having been in childbirth during the first delivery. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the main determinants for a trial of labor among primipara women with one previous cesarean section were basically social and economic factors, rather than medical ones.

Adult↗

Contraceptive use and pregnancy before and after introducing lactational amenorrhea (LAM) in a postpartum program.

There is good evidence that lactational amenorrhea (LAM) is an effective method of fertility regulation during the first 6 months postpartum, provided no other food is given to the baby and the mother remains amenorrheic. However, although breast-feeding is strongly promoted in many maternity hospitals that also run postpartum family planning programs, LAM is rarely included among the contraceptive options being offered. This paper presents the results of an operational study which compared the prevalence of contraceptive use and the cumulative pregnancy rate at 12-months postpartum among 350 women observed before and 348 women studied after introducing LAM as an alternative contraceptive option offered to women following delivery at the Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco (IMIP), in Recife, Brazil. The percentage of women not using any contraceptive method was significantly lower (p<0.0001) after the intervention (7.4%) than before (17.7%). This difference remained statistically significant after controlling for age, number of living children, marital status and years of schooling. The proportion pregnant one year postpartum was also significantly lower (p<0.0001) after the introduction of LAM (7.4%) than before (14.3%), but the difference was no longer significant after controlling for the same variables. It is concluded that LAM is a useful addition to family planning postpartum programs.

Adolescent↗

[Mortality in childbearing-age women in Campinas, São Paulo (1985-1994)].

To provide a profile of the main health problems in childbearing-age women, we studied all 3,086 death certificates from the SEADE Foundation for women from 10 to 49 years of age and residing in the municipality of Campinas, from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 1994. The primary cause of death was identified and classified according to the 10th review of the ICD. Population data were obtained from the Laboratory for Epidemiological Analyses and Research, UNICAMP. One-fourth of the deaths were cardiovascular in origin, one-fifth were from external causes, and almost 20% were due to neoplasms. Maternal mortality was the ninth cause of death. External causes predominated in the 10-to-34-year age group, as compared to cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms in the 35-to-49-year group. Most alarming were the predominance of traffic accidents among causes of death in women up to age 34 (greater than AIDS during the study period) and the high mortality rate from homicides.

Adolescent↗

[Curve of normal fetal weight values estimated by ultrasound according to gestation age].

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the evolution of estimated fetal weight in normal pregnancies in Campinas, Brazil, between 20 to 42 weeks. DESIGN AND METHODS: A descriptive study was performed, including 2,874 normal pregnant women studied through routine obstetric ultrasound with fetal biometry, using the Hadlock (1991) formula for fetal weight estimation. Data were evaluated by fitting a curve with the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of fetal weight for gestational age, subsequently submitted to a smoothing procedure by quadratic polynomial adjustment. RESULTS: the 50th percentile was 368g at 20th week, 1,512g at 30th, and 3,417g at 42nd week. There was a mean weight increase of 200g per week from the 27th to 38th week, when the gain decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of a Brazilian curve of normal estimated fetal weight will allow for prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of deviations.

Biometry↗

Risk factors associated to fetal death.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors associated to fetal death in a Brazilian population. DESIGN: A case control study. SETTING: The Hospital Maternidade Leonor Mendes de Barros in São Paulo. PARTICIPANTS: 122 pregnant women with diagnosis of fetal death and gestation age of 20 or more weeks and 244 controls of pregnant women who delivered liveborns. VARIABLES STUDIED: The fetal death (dependent variable), independent variable (the social demographic factors, clinical and obstetrical history, prenatal care indicators and pathological conditions). RESULTS: The risk factors associated to fetal death were abruptio placentae, syphilis, few prenatal care visits, one or more previous stillbirths, hospitalization during pregnancy, diabetes, age above or equal to 25 years, hypertension during pregnancy, anemia and age below 20 years. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study might be useful to orientate a primary prevention health program, specially those concerning antenatal care.

Adult↗

[Myasthenia gravis and pregnancy: review of the literature and report of 2 cases].

Two cases of women with myasthenia gravis are presented. These women had three pregnancies followed by the authors, and description is made of clinical follow-up, therapeutic complications, termination of pregnancy, puerperal and perinatal outcome. A review of the literature is made due to the rarity of this condition and emphasis is given to the specialized knowledge required to adequately manage these cases. Myasthenia gravis, when associated to pregnancy, presents aspects that make it a high risk disease, decompensations of myasthenia being more common. Aspects relative to diagnosis and therapy of myasthenia in pregnancy and in the newly-born are reviewed, and considerations about anesthesia in the myasthenic pregnant woman.

Adult↗

[Interventions to reduce maternal mortality].

The authors comment a proposal to adopt measures to reduce maternal death and suggest four levels of action: 1) actions aimed at improving the knowledge about the number and factors associated to high risk maternal mortality during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium; they comment on the undernumeration of maternal death cases and propose an improvement in vital statistics, epidemiologic investigation and the creation of maternal mortality committees; 2) action to assist pregnancy, delivery and puerperium, to increase both the coverage and the quality of medical care, prenatal care, institutional care to delivery, and post-partum care; 3) action to prevent pregnancy in women with high risk of maternal mortality, improving diagnosis and treatment of diseases that increase maternal risk, and promoting contraception for these cases; 4) other actions aimed at reducing the risk of death brought about by induced abortion.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

[The experience of the Resting Home at the Center for Integral Women's Health Care of the State University of Campinas, Brazil].

The CAISM--Center for Integral Women's Health Care, of the Unicamp--State University of Campinas created a low complexity unit called a "Resting Home" according to the model adopted by other tertiary care centers in Brazil and in other countries. With 35 beds, the Resting Home staff includes two registered nurses, one social worker, and one occupational therapist. The institution admits women who have a high risk of acute complications of pregnancy or who require frequent check-up, mothers of premature babies under care in neonatal units who require their mother's breast feeding, and gynecological cancer patients who are in the process of staging and final diagnosis, or who are under frequent sessions of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The common characteristic is that all of them need to go frequently to the outpatient services of the hospital, they live far away from the hospital, and they cannot afford rapid and easy transportation from their homes. The Resting Home offers them lodging and food, and a minimum of comfort (occupational therapy, TV, reading) at a cost that is only a small fraction of the cost of an inpatient. The authors present the statistics for the first 31 months of operation.

Brazil↗