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Objective: Birth defects (BDs) are an important cause of infant mortality and disproportionately occur among low birth weight infants. We determined the prevalence of BDs in a cohort of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants cared for at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network (NRN) centers over a 10-year period and examined the relationship between anomalies, neonatal outcomes, and surgical care., Methods: Infant and maternal data were collected prospectively for infants weighing 401 to 1500 g at NRN sites between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2007. Poisson regression models were used to compare risk of outcomes for infants with versus without BDs while adjusting for gestational age and other characteristics., Results: A BD was present in 1776 (4.8%) of the 37 262 infants in our VLBW cohort. Yearly prevalence of BDs increased from 4.0% of infants born in 1998 to 5.6% in 2007, P < .001. Mean gestational age overall was 28 weeks, and mean birth weight was 1007 g. Infants with BDs were more mature but more likely to be small for gestational age compared with infants without BDs. Chromosomal and cardiovascular anomalies were most frequent with each occurring in 20% of affected infants. Mortality was higher among infants with BDs (49% vs 18%; adjusted relative risk: 3.66 [95% confidence interval: 3.41-3.92]; P < .001) and varied by diagnosis. Among those surviving >3 days, more infants with BDs underwent major surgery (48% vs 13%, P < .001)., Conclusions: Prevalence of BDs increased during the 10 years studied. BDs remain an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality among VLBW infants.

Background: Globally, the major causes of neonatal deaths are birth asphyxia, prematurity and severe infections. Little attention is paid to deaths contributed by surgically amenable conditions. This study was undertaken to determine the burden and types of surgical problems encountered in the neonatal period, their outcome and challenges encountered., Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study. The case notes of all neonates admitted into the newborn unit of our centre between April 2002 and March 2010 with surgical conditions were retrieved and the following information extracted: Sex, diagnosis, age at presentation, surgical intervention and outcome., Results: Out of 7,401 neonates admitted within the study period, 460 (6.2%) had a surgical condition. Of the 1,657 babies that died within the same period, 196 (11.8%) of them were those with surgical conditions. Congenital abnormalities accounted for 408 (88.7%) of all the surgical cases. Intestinal obstruction 129 (31.6%), neural tube defects 101 (24.8%) and anterior abdominal wall defect 58 (14.2%) were the commonest congenital abnormalities, while fracture of the long bones following birth trauma 15 (28.8%) and perforated NEC 14 (26.9%) were the commonest acquired conditions. Surgery was performed in 166 (36.1%) and 98 (59%) had postoperative complications. Significantly, more deaths occurred in preterms than in term babies (P = 0.003) and in those delivered outside the hospital than in in-born babies (P = 0.02). The major cause of death was infection in 92 (47%)., Conclusion: Neonatal surgical conditions contributed significantly to both neonatal admissions and overall neonatal mortality and thus highlights the need for investments in newborn surgical care in developing countries.

Objectives: Perinatal mortality rates vary between ethnic groups but the relation with immigrant status is unclear. Previous research suggested that birth outcomes may either improve or deteriorate with duration of residence, depending on the migrant group. The objectives of this study are to describe and measure inequalities in pregnancy outcomes, perinatal mortality and causes of perinatal deaths according to current citizenship versus national origin of the mother, in Brussels., Study Design: This is a population-based cohort study using data from linked birth and death certificates from the Belgian civil registration system. The data relate to all babies born between 1998 and 2008, whose mothers were living in Brussels, irrespective of the place of delivery. We used a logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for the association between mortality, causes of deaths and nationality., Results: Women from Morocco, sub-Saharan Africa and Turkey experience an 80% excess in perinatal mortality (p<0.0001) compared to Belgians, but this excess of perinatal mortality is not observed for mothers with Belgian citizenship at delivery. For sub-Saharan African women, this excess is caused mainly by immaturity-related conditions and reflects a high rate of preterm deliveries, low birth weight and a low socio-economic level. Moroccan and Turkish mothers have favourable pregnancy outcomes that persist after adopting Belgian nationality, but they experience a strong excess of perinatal mortality, mainly due to congenital anomalies and asphyxia or unexplained deaths prior to the onset of labour., Conclusion: In Brussels, perinatal mortality varies according to nationality but those differences do not persist after adopting Belgian nationality. The explanation of this positive effect is probably due to a mix of determinants such as acculturation, use of health services or cultural contexts. Further analysis should help to better understand the results observed., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Some couples may choose to continue the pregnancy unable to decide for termination of pregnancy. Such situations recently occurred in neonatology units and may lead to neonatal palliative care. Faced with all uncertainties inherent to medicine and the future of the baby, medical teams must inform parents of different possible outcome step by step. Consistency in the reflection and intentionality of the care is essential among all different stakeholders within the same health team to facilitate support of parents up to a possible fatal outcome. This issue in perinatal medicine seems to be to explore how caregivers can contribute in the construction of parenthood in a context of a palliative care birth plan., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: In this study, we examined the perinatal outcomes of planned home births over a 25-year period (1983-2008) in a group of primarily Amish women (98%) attended by certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) in southeastern Pennsylvania., Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive analysis of data (N = 1836 births) from several CNM practices. Data were abstracted for 25 items, including demographics, labor, and birth. Initially, 2 investigators abstracted 15 records to compare assessments and standardize definitions. Charts were then divided and abstracted individually by one investigator. Several relationships were examined in 2 by 2 tables using the chi-square procedure for the difference in proportions. Maternal and newborn transfers to the hospital were included in the analysis., Results: Of the women who planned home birth for 1836 pregnancies, 1733 of the births occurred at home. Although more than one-third of the women were of high parity (gravida 5-13), rates of postpartum hemorrhage were low (n = 96, 5.5%). There were no maternal deaths. Nearly half of the maternal transfers to the hospital (n = 103, 5.6%) were for ruptured membranes without labor (n = 25, 1.4%) and/or failure to progress (n = 23, 1.3%). The neonatal hospital admission rate also was low (n = 13, 0.75%). Of the 7 (0.4%) early neonatal deaths, all were attributed to lethal congenital anomalies that are common to this population., Discussion: This study is the first to describe the outcomes of planned home births in a primarily Amish population cared for by CNMs. It also adds to the literature on planned home births in the United States and supports the findings from previous studies that women who have home births attended by CNMs have safety profiles equal to or better than profiles of women who had hospital births in similar populations., (© 2013 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.)

Objective: To compare outcomes for women undergoing two in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies with singletons and women undergoing one IVF twin pregnancy. The concept of single-embryo transfer in IVF has reduced the risks of both maternal and neonatal complications, but there is still a discussion of whether or not twins are a desired outcome of IVF., Design: Registry study., Setting: Not applicable., Patient(s): All reported twins after IVF with double-embryo transfer (n = 1,982) and their mothers (n = 991) and all mothers (n = 921) who gave birth to two IVF singletons (n = 1,842)., Intervention(s): None., Main Outcome Measure(s): Maternal and neonatal outcomes including severe neonatal morbidity., Result(s): Preterm birth, very preterm birth, low birth weight, very low birth weight, and small for gestational age were dramatically increased for IVF twins compared with two IVF singletons with the same mother, with adjusted odds ratios from 4 to 16. Significantly higher rates of respiratory complications, sepsis, and jaundice were detected among the IVF twins. Significantly higher rates of preeclampsia, preterm premature rupture of the membranes, and cesarean section were observed for IVF twin pregnancies., Conclusion(s): The neonatal and maternal outcomes were dramatically better for women undergoing two IVF singleton pregnancies compared with one IVF twin pregnancy after double-embryo transfer. These results support single-embryo transfer to minimize the risks associated with twin pregnancies., (Copyright © 2013 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To understand the situation of congenital defects' in five counties/cities in Gansu province so as to provide scientific evidence for the development of effective interventions., Methods: General information was collected on all the neonates who were born in Dunhuang city, Jingchuan county, Hui county, Weiyuan county and Yongjing county in Gansu province between Oct. 1(st), 2009 to Sep. 30(th), 2010, with all of their gestational age above 28 weeks. Neonates would include live birth, dead fetus and still birth., Results: The overall incidence of congenital defects was 7.49‰ in the five counties/cities in Gansu province in 2009. Ranking order in the top three showed as congenital heart disease, pigmented nevus and limb deformity. Disease with the highest mortality was congenital heart disease (0.79‰). The incidence of congenital defects was 8.35‰ in 2010 with the ranking order of the top three as congenital heart disease, neural tube defects/pigmented nevus and hydrocephalus. Diseases having the highest mortality was congenital heart disease (1.10‰). Different incidence rates on congenital defects were seen in related areas, with the highest incidence as 14.65‰ in Dunhuang city. Hui county had the lowest incidence-3.28‰., Conclusion: Different incidence of congenital defects were seen in respective areas in Gansu province, with the change of ranking orders. Different strategies should be developed differently depending on the current states of congenital defects in respective areas, according to the three-grade prevention model, to reduce the occurrence of congenital defects.

Perinatal autopsy detects the cause of death and also finds the various types of congenital malformation involving one or more than one system. Congenital malformations are one of the leading causes of perinatal deaths and infant mortality. In the present study various visceral malformations were detected in perinatal autopsies and categorised them systemwise. The prospective study was conducted during the period of June 2007 to May 2009 consisting of 32 cases. Out of 32 perinatal deaths studied, 30 were stillborn and in 2 there were early neonatal deaths. In each case, an attempt was made to find out the congenital malformation in perinatal deaths and clinicopathological correlation was attempted after a detailed postmortem and histopathological study. Congenital malformations were seen in 10 cases which accounted for 31.2% of perinatal deaths. A total of 64 congenital malformations were observed in 10 cases. Malformations of the alimentary system (20.31%) were most common followed by genito-urinary system (18.75%), musculoskeletal system (17.18%) and central nervous system (9.37%). There were other 22 congenital anomalies. Two cases of harlequin icthyosis and one case each of Meckel Gruber syndrome, sirenomelia and twin reverse arterial perfusion syndrome were also seen. In many of the perinatal deaths, internal malformations were not suspected clinically. Thus, autopsy is an invaluable tool for detecting visceral malformations, adding to the clinical diagnosis and counselling the parents for subsequent pregnancy.

Objectives: This report presents 2009 period infant mortality statistics from the linked birth/infant death data set (linked file) by maternal and infant characteristics. The linked file differs from the mortality file, which is based entirely on death certificate data., Methods: Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and interpreted., Results: The infant mortality rate in the United States in 2009 was 6.39 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, 3% lower than the rate of 6.61 in 2008. The number of infant deaths was 28,075 in 2008 and 26,408 in 2009, a decline of 1,667 infant deaths. Infant mortality rates ranged from 4.40 per 1,000 live births for Asian or Pacific Islander mothers to 12.40 for non-Hispanic black mothers. Infant mortality was higher for male infants and infants born preterm or at low birthweight. Infant mortality rates were also higher for those infants who were born in multiple deliveries, to mothers who were unmarried, and for those whose mothers were born in the 50 states or the District of Columbia. From 2008 to 2009, the neonatal mortality rate (under age 28 days) declined 3% to 4.18 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births, while the postneonatal mortality rate (aged 28 days to under 1 year) declined 5% to 2.21. Preterm and low birthweight infants had the highest infant mortality rates and contributed greatly to overall U.S. infant mortality. The three leading causes of infant death--congenital malformations, low birthweight, and sudden infant death syndrome--accounted for 46% of all infant deaths. In 2009, 35.4% of infant deaths were "preterm-related."

Study Question: Does neonatal outcome including congenital malformations in children born after ICSI with epididymal and testicular sperm [testicular sperm extraction (TESE)/percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)/testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) (TPT)] differ from neonatal outcome in children born after ICSI with ejaculated sperm, IVF and natural conception (NC)?, Summary Answer: Children born after TPT have similar neonatal outcome, including total malformation rates, as have children born after ICSI and IVF with ejaculated sperm. Testing for variance over the four groups may indicate smaller differences in specific malformation rates with TPT as the highest risk group., What Is Known Already: Regarding neonatal outcome as well as congenital malformations in children born after TPT, studies are few, with limited sample size, heterogeneous and often performed without relevant control groups., Study Design, Size, Duration: Population-based cohort study including all Danish children born after TPT and fresh embryo transfer in Denmark from 1995 to 2009. Children born after transfer of frozen-thawed embryos were excluded. Control groups of children conceived by ICSI with ejaculated sperm, IVF and NC were identified by cross-linkage of the Danish IVF Register, Medical Birth Register (MBR) and National Hospital Discharge Register (HDR)., Participants/materials, Setting: The study group consisted of 466 children born after TPT, while the control groups consisted of 8967 (ICSI with ejaculated sperm), 17 592 (IVF) and 63 854 (NC) children. Neonatal outcomes and congenital malformations were analysed for singletons and twins separately. Risk estimates for low birthweight (LBW, <2500 g) and preterm birth (PTB, <37 gestational weeks) were adjusted for maternal age, parity, child gender and year of childbirth. The study group was identified from the Danish national database on children born after TPT. Control groups were obtained from the IVF register and the MBR. All information included in the study was retrieved from the national registers., Main Results and the Role of Chance: Considering singletons and twins as one group, the sex ratio (♂/♀) was significantly lower for children born after TPT (0.89) compared with conventional IVF (1.11; P = 0.017) but did not differ significantly when compared with ICSI with ejaculated sperm (0.94) and NC (1.05). The mean birthweight (BW) for singletons did not differ significantly between groups when including only first-born children. The mean gestational age (GA) in the TPT singletons (279 ± 12 days) was significantly higher compared with IVF (276 ± 18 days; P = 0.02), but similar to ICSI with ejaculated sperm and NC singletons when including only first-born children (277 ± 16 days and 279 ± 14 days, respectively). Rate of stillbirths, perinatal and neonatal mortality in the group of TPT singletons did not differ significantly from any of the control groups. Comparable results were found for the TPT twin group, except for perinatal mortality, which was significantly lower in the TPT group compared with naturally conceived twins. The adjusted risk of LBW was significantly higher for TPT versus NC singletons [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.67 (0.48-0.93)]; however AOR for PTB was similar in the two groups. Regarding twins, similar adjusted risks were observed for PTB and LBW between the TPT and all three control groups. Significantly more Caesarean sections were performed after IVF (27.3% for singletons) and ICSI (25.1% for singletons) with ejaculated sperm compared with the TPT group (16.4% for singletons). The total rate of congenital malformations in the TPT group was 7.7% and did not differ significantly from any of the control groups. However, singleton TPT boys showed an increased rate of cardiac malformations (3.6%) compared with singleton boys after IVF (1.4%; P = 0.04) and NC (1.1%; P = 0.02). Considering the level of male infertility as a continuum over the four groups, tests for variance in the rate of cardiac malformations in singleton boys, and undescended testicles for singleton as well as twin boys were each significantly increased from NC to IVF to ICSI to TPT (P < 0.001). The rate of hypospadias showed the same pattern, but the TPT group did not differ significantly compared with the control groups., Limitations, Reasons for Caution: One of the limitations is that the TPT group could not be classified according to testicular or epididymal sperm, as these data were not available in the IVF register. Another limitation is that registry-based studies are encumbered with the risk of reporting or coding errors or missing data due to insufficient coding. However, the quality of data on congenital malformations in HDR has, in other studies, been validated and found acceptable for epidemiological research, and furthermore, recordings on study and control groups are performed similarly., Wider Implications of the Findings: Accumulating data show that TPT treatment is equally safe as conventional ICSI and IVF treatment and as NC with regard to neonatal outcome including congenital malformation., Study Funding/potential Competing Interests: This study is supported by Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Scientific Unit, Horsens Hospital. No competing interests declared.

Background: Therapeutic hypothermia was introduced in the Netherlands and Flanders, Belgium, in 2008. Since then, an increasing number of patients has been treated - up to 166 in 2010. Complications and outcome were registered in an online database., Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse complications and outcome after implementation., Methods: Data were retrieved from an online database to which all centres had contributed., Results: In 3 years, 332 patients were treated. Excluding 24 patients with congenital abnormalities or metabolic disorders, mortality was 31.8%. Of the 210 survivors without congenital malformations, 21 had cerebral palsy, another 19 a developmental delay of more than 3 months at the age of at least 24 months, and 2 had severe hearing loss. The total adverse outcome, combining death and adverse neurodevelopment, in 308 patients without congenital malformations is 45.5%, which is similar to that of the large trials., Conclusions: The introduction of therapeutic hypothermia for neonates with perinatal asphyxia in the Netherlands and Flanders has been rapid and successful, with results similar to findings in the randomised controlled trials., (Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Long-term outcomes for children who survive on tracheostomy and positive-pressure ventilation (TPPV) at home are not well known., Methods: A retrospective review of 20 years of clinical data at a single institution was performed. Outcome measures included 5-year survival, decannulation rate, and neurocognition., Results: A total of 91 children were categorized under neuromotor dysfunction (52%), chronic lung disease (29%), and congenital anomalies (20%). The 5-year survival rates for these categories were 89% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 80%-99%), 76% (95% CI = 57%-100%), and 94% (95% CI = 83%-100%), respectively. Overall, the 5-year decannulation rate was 25% (95% CI = 14%-35%), with children with chronic lung disease having the highest rate (51%). It was found that 14% were extremely delayed in neurocognition., Conclusion: Most children on TPPV at home survive beyond 5 years, and a significant number are decannulated. Primary care physicians and communities should be prepared to accommodate the increasing number of children on TPPV at home.

Background and Objectives: To investigate the probable timing of events leading to cerebral palsy (CP) in singletons born small for gestational age (SGA) at term, taking neonatal death into consideration., Methods: In this registry-based cohort study, data on 400 488 singletons born during 1996-2003 were abstracted from the Medical Birth and the CP registries of Norway. Among 36 604 SGA children (birth weight <10th percentile), 104 died in the neonatal period and 69 developed CP. Apgar scores at 5 minutes, risk factors, MRI findings, and CP subtypes were used to assess the timing of events leading to CP or neonatal death., Results: Intrapartum origin of CP was considered in 5 SGA children (7%; 95% confidence interval: 3-16) in comparison with 31 of 263 (12%; 95% confidence interval: 8-16) non-SGA children (P = .28). The proportions of children who died in the neonatal period after a probable intrapartum event did not differ between the groups when children with congenital malformations were excluded. Probable antenatal events leading to CP and neonatal death were more common among SGA than non-SGA children (P < .001)., Conclusions: In ~90% of children born SGA the event leading to CP is of probable antenatal origin. The low proportion of SGA children with CP after a probable intrapartum event was not outweighed by a higher neonatal mortality rate when congenital malformations were excluded. The higher risk of CP among SGA than among non-SGA children is probably due to a higher prevalence of antenatal risk factors.

Objective: Monochorionic twin pregnancies are associated with increased risk of severe complications. Umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) and fetoscopic selective laser coagulation (FSLC) are used as invasive treatment. The study aim was to document treatment indications and pregnancy outcome where UCO and FSLC were used for treating fetal discrepancies and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)., Design: Cohort study of all consecutively treated monochorionic twin pregnancies 2004-2010., Setting: Tertiary care center., Population: One hundred and twenty pregnancies treated by FSLC (55) or UCO (65). Umbilical cord occlusion was undertaken in 49 TTTS cases, in four cases with fetal abnormality and TTTS and in 12 cases because of fetal anomaly only., Main Outcome Measures: Overall survival per fetus, survival per pregnancy of at least one fetus and further survival according to the Quintero stages. Infant survival until at least one week after birth., Results: Of the pregnancies studied, 84% had TTTS, 13% had a fetal malformation and 3% had both. Of TTTS cases, 69% were Quintero stage 3 and 4. In the UCO group with TTTS, 87% were in stage 3 and 4. Survival in the UCO group was 82%. In the laser group, the survival of at least one fetus was 85%. Overall survival per fetus was 60%., Conclusions: By far the most common indication for invasive treatment was TTTS in Quintero stage 3. Outcome by means of survival after FSLC and UCO were similar to what has been reported elsewhere. Cord occlusion was an acceptable treatment alternative to fetoscopic selective laser coagulation in severe TTTS cases., (© 2012 The Authors Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica© 2012 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Objective: Birth defects are a leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Previous reports have highlighted black-white differences in overall infant mortality and infant mortality attributable to birth defects (IMBD). We evaluated the impact of gestational age on US racial/ethnic differences in IMBD., Methods: We estimated the rate of IMBD as the underlying cause of death using the period-linked birth/infant death data for US residents for January 2003 to December 2006. We excluded infants with missing gestational age, implausible values based on Alexander's index of birth weight for gestational age norms, or gestational ages <20 weeks or >44 weeks; we categorized gestational age into 3 groups: 20 to 33, 34 to 36, and 37 to 44 weeks. Using Poisson regression, we compared neonatal and postneonatal IMBD for infants of non-Hispanic black and Hispanic mothers with that for infants of non-Hispanic white mothers stratified by gestational age., Results: IMBD occurred in 12.2 per 10 000 live births. Among infants delivered at 37 to 44 weeks, blacks (and Hispanics, to a lesser degree) had significantly higher neonatal and postneonatal IMBD than whites; however, among infants delivered at 20 to 33 or 34 to 36 weeks, neonatal (but not postneonatal) IMBD was significantly lower among blacks compared with whites., Conclusions: Racial/ethnic differences in IMBD were not explained in these data by differences in gestational age. Further investigation should include an assessment of possible racial/ethnic differences in severity and/or access to timely diagnosis and management of birth defects.

Background: Cuba and Chile have the lower infant mortality rates of Latin America. Infant mortality rate in Cuba is similar to that of developed countries. Chilean infant mortality rate is slightly higher than that of Cuba., Aim: To investigate if the lower infant mortality rate in Cuba, compared to Chile, could be explained by eugenic abortion, considering that abortion is legal in Cuba but not in Chile., Material and Methods: We compared total and congenital abnormalities related infant mortality in Cuba and Chile during 2008, based on vital statistics of both countries., Results: In 2008, infant mortality rates in Chile were significantly higher than those of Cuba (7.8 vs. 4.7 per 1,000 live born respectively, odds ratio (OR) 1.67; 95% confidence intervals (Cl) 1.52-1.83). Congenital abnormalities accounted for 33.8 and 19.2% of infant deaths in Chile and Cuba, respectively. Discarding infant deaths related to congenital abnormalities, infant mortality rate continued to be higher in Chile than in Cuba (5.19 vs. 3.82 per 1000 live born respectively, OR 1.36; 95%CI 1.221.52)., Conclusions: Considering that antenatal diagnosis is widely available in both countries, but abortion is legal in Cuba but not in Chile, we conclude that eugenic abortion may partially explain the lower infant mortality rate observed in Cuba compared to that observed in Chile.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the trends and causes of regional disparities of infant mortality rate (IMR) in rural China from 1996 to 2008., Design: A population-based, longitudinal study., Setting: The national child mortality surveillance network., Population: Population of the 79 surveillance counties., Main Outcome Measure: IMR, leading causes of infant death and the RR of IMR., Results: The IMR in coastal, inland and remote regions declined by 72.4%, 62.9% and 58.2%, respectively, from 1996 to 2008. Compared with the coastal region, the RR of IMR were 1.7 (95% CI 1.6 to 1.9), 1.9 (95% CI 1.7 to 2.0) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.0) for inland region and 2.6 (95% CI 2.4 to 2.7), 3.2 (95% CI 3.0 to 3.5) and 3.1 (95% CI 2.7 to 3.4) for the remote region during 1996-2000, 2001-2005 and 2006-2008, respectively. The regional disparities existed for both male and female IMRs. The postneonatal mortality showed the highest regional disparities. Pneumonia, birth asphyxia, prematurity/low birth weight, injuries and diarrhoea were the main contributors to the regional disparities. There were significantly more infants who did not seek healthcare services before death in the remote region relative to the inland and coastal regions., Conclusion: The results indicated persistent existence of regional disparities in IMR in rural China. It is worth noting that regional disparities in IMR increased in the remote and coastal regions during 2001-2005 in rural China. These disparities remained unchanged during 2006-2008. The results indicate that strategies to reduce mortality caused by pneumonia, birth asphyxia and diarrhoea are keys to reducing IMR.

Background: Information about the distribution of causes of and time trends for child mortality should be periodically updated. We report the latest estimates of causes of child mortality in 2010 with time trends since 2000., Methods: Updated total numbers of deaths in children aged 0-27 days and 1-59 months were applied to the corresponding country-specific distribution of deaths by cause. We did the following to derive the number of deaths in children aged 1-59 months: we used vital registration data for countries with an adequate vital registration system; we applied a multinomial logistic regression model to vital registration data for low-mortality countries without adequate vital registration; we used a similar multinomial logistic regression with verbal autopsy data for high-mortality countries; for India and China, we developed national models. We aggregated country results to generate regional and global estimates., Findings: Of 7·6 million deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2010, 64·0% (4·879 million) were attributable to infectious causes and 40·3% (3·072 million) occurred in neonates. Preterm birth complications (14·1%; 1·078 million, uncertainty range [UR] 0·916-1·325), intrapartum-related complications (9·4%; 0·717 million, 0·610-0·876), and sepsis or meningitis (5·2%; 0·393 million, 0·252-0·552) were the leading causes of neonatal death. In older children, pneumonia (14·1%; 1·071 million, 0·977-1·176), diarrhoea (9·9%; 0·751 million, 0·538-1·031), and malaria (7·4%; 0·564 million, 0·432-0·709) claimed the most lives. Despite tremendous efforts to identify relevant data, the causes of only 2·7% (0·205 million) of deaths in children younger than 5 years were medically certified in 2010. Between 2000 and 2010, the global burden of deaths in children younger than 5 years decreased by 2 million, of which pneumonia, measles, and diarrhoea contributed the most to the overall reduction (0·451 million [0·339-0·547], 0·363 million [0·283-0·419], and 0·359 million [0·215-0·476], respectively). However, only tetanus, measles, AIDS, and malaria (in Africa) decreased at an annual rate sufficient to attain the Millennium Development Goal 4., Interpretation: Child survival strategies should direct resources toward the leading causes of child mortality, with attention focusing on infectious and neonatal causes. More rapid decreases from 2010-15 will need accelerated reduction for the most common causes of death, notably pneumonia and preterm birth complications. Continued efforts to gather high-quality data and enhance estimation methods are essential for the improvement of future estimates., Funding: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To compare prospectively maternal acceptance of fetal and neonatal virtuopsy with that of conventional autopsy and to determine the confidence with which magnetic resonance (MR) virtuopsy can be used to diagnose normality/abnormality of various fetal anatomical structures., Methods: MR and/or computed tomography virtuopsy and conventional autopsy were offered to 96 women (102 fetuses/neonates) following termination of pregnancy (TOP), intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) or neonatal death. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the effect on maternal acceptance of virtuopsy and/or conventional autopsy of the age of the mother, gestational age at TOP or delivery after IUFD, order of pregnancy, parity, religion, type of caregiver obtaining consent and reason for death. When parents consented to both MR virtuopsy and conventional autopsy of fetuses ≥ 20 weeks of gestation or neonates, the confidence with which MR virtuopsy could be used to diagnose normality/abnormality of various anatomical structures was determined on a scale in which conventional autopsy was considered gold standard. On autopsy we classified fetuses/neonates as having either 'normal' or 'abnormal' anatomical structures; these groups were analyzed separately. At virtuopsy, we indicated confidence of diagnosis of normality/abnormality of every anatomical structure in each of these two groups defined at autopsy, using a scale from 0 (definitely abnormal) to 100 (definitely normal)., Results: Of the 96 women, 99% (n = 95) consented to virtuopsy and 61.5% (n = 59) to both conventional autopsy and virtuopsy; i.e. 36 (37.5%) consented to virtuopsy alone. Maternal acceptance of conventional autopsy was independently positively related to singleton pregnancy, non-Moslem mother, earlier gestation at TOP or delivery afer IUFD and a maternal-fetal medicine specialist obtaining consent. Thirty-three fetuses ≥ 20 weeks of gestation had both conventional autopsy and MR virtuopsy, of which 19 had a full autopsy including the brain. In fetuses with normal anatomical structures at conventional autopsy, MR virtuopsy was associated with high diagnostic confidence (scores > 80) for the brain, skeleton, thoracic organs except the heart, abdominal organs except the pancreas, ureters, bladder and genitals. In fetuses with abnormal anatomical structures at autopsy, MR virtuopsy detected the anomalies with high confidence (scores < 20) for these same anatomical structures. However, in three cases, virtuopsy diagnosed brain anomalies additional to those observed at conventional autopsy., Conclusion: MR virtuopsy is accepted by nearly all mothers while conventional autopsy is accepted by about two-thirds of mothers, in whom refusal depends mainly on factors over which we have no control. Although conventional autopsy remains the gold standard, the high acceptance of virtuopsy makes it an acceptable alternative when the former is declined., (Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Objective: To determine if postmortem examinations of fetuses and infants change the diagnosis obtained at prenatal ultrasound and affect counseling of future pregnancies, and if there has been a change over recent years in the accuracy of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis., Methods: This was a retrospective review of 455 autopsies of fetuses and infants with developmental anomalies performed at Trondheim University Hospital between 1995 and 2004 and with a prenatal ultrasound examination performed at a tertiary referral center. The routine ultrasound examinations were performed by specially trained midwives and obstetricians, referral scans by fetal medicine experts and autopsies by consultant pathologists with experience in perinatal pathology. The results of this study were also compared with those of a previous similar study performed between 1985 and 1995, with fetuses and infants coming from the same population and diagnosed at the same center., Results: Of all cases analyzed during the study period, there was complete agreement between prenatal ultrasound and postmortem findings in 84% (384/455), i.e. prenatal ultrasound diagnoses were supplemented by postmortem examinations in 16% (71/455). Autopsy findings in four of these cases influenced further counseling. There was agreement regarding the main diagnosis in 98% (445/455) of cases. In the previous 10-year period, there was complete agreement in 75% and the main diagnosis was correct in 90% of cases. These differences between the two time periods were statistically significant (P = 0.0004 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The most frequent defects involved the central nervous system, heart and urinary tract. For these defects, detection rates for the main diagnoses were significantly better in 1995-2004 compared with in the previous 10-year period (P = 0.0125, P = 0.0111 and P = 0.0241, respectively)., Conclusion: The accuracy of prenatal sonographic detection of developmental anomalies has increased in recent years. However, postmortem examination is still necessary to verify or improve the prenatal diagnosis and may influence future counseling., (Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Objective: Compare the infant mortality rate due to congenital malformations ( IMRCM) and the percentage of deaths due to congenital malformations (%DCM) with sociodemographic and economic characteristics in Argentina., Methods: The Argentine study population resided in 511 departments of 23 provinces, grouped into five geographic regions (Northwest, Northeast, Central, Cuyo, and Patagonia). The analyzed variables were the IMRCM and the %DCM calculated on the basis of births and deaths during 2002-2006 period. In addition, 21 variables were used from the 2001 Population and Housing Census (National Census and Statistics Institute of Argentina) to construct the Sociodemographic and Economic Indicator (SDEI) through the analysis of principal components. Comparison tests were carried out in order to assess the significant differences among the various regions and the correlations between indicators, and of these with the departmental latitudes and longitudes., Results: There was no significant correlation between the IMRCM and the SDEI, nor with geographic coordinates. However, there was a significant positive correlation between the IMRCM and the SDEI (P < 0.05) at all levels of political organization. The SDEI explained 41% of the %DCM., Conclusions: The IMRCM was not significantly associated with the country's marked socioeconomic heterogeneity; the highest %DCM values, on the other hand, were observed in the populations of the central and southern areas of the country. Given the relationship between the %DCM and socioeconomic development of the population, use of this indicator as a proxy of well-being and quality of life is suggested.

Objective: Perinatal autopsy provides additional diagnostic information in a significant proportion of cases but parents and relatives frequently decline traditional postmortem (PM) examination, partly due to the unacceptability of the cosmetic effects of large incisions and concerns regarding organ retention. We present a novel minimally invasive autopsy method for fetal and neonatal PMexaminations, which includes PM magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of anatomy and endoscopic internal examination to allow direct organ visualization and targeted tissue biopsy., Methods: Descriptive retrospective feasibility report of the first 10 perinatal cases undergoing endoscopic minimally invasive autopsy., Results: A minimally invasive autopsy (MIA) approach based on postmortem MRI (PM MRI) and endoscopic autopsy with tissue biopsy is feasible and effective with minimal cosmetic consequences compared to traditional PM examination. Endoscopic examination with tissue biopsy provided additional diagnostic information to PM MRI alone in the majority of cases., Conclusions: Endoscopic MIA is a feasible and potentially more acceptable approach to perinatal autopsy and provides an additional option for parents who do not agree to a traditional PM examination. This approach could result in increased utilization of investigations after death in this group of patients.

Objective: Early neonatal mortality within the first 24 hours contributes substantially to overall neonatal mortality rates. The definition of birth asphyxia (BA) is imprecise, and reliable cause-specific mortality data are limited; thus the estimated proportion of BA-related deaths globally remains questionable. The objective was to determine the presumed causes of neonatal death within the first 24 hours in a rural hospital in Northern Tanzania., Methods: This is a prospective descriptive observational study conducted in the delivery room and adjacent neonatal area. Research assistants were trained to observe and record events related to labor, neonatal resuscitation, and 24-hour postnatal course. BA was defined as failure to initiate spontaneous respirations and/or 5-minute Apgar score <7, prematurity as gestational age <36 weeks, and low birth weight (LBW) as birth weight <3rd centile for gestational age. Data were analyzed with χ(2) and Student's t tests., Results: Over 1 year, 4720 infants were born and evaluated. Of these, 256 were admitted to the neonatal area. Forty-nine infants died secondary to BA (61%), prematurity (18%), LBW (8%), infection (2%), congenital abnormalities (8%), and unclear reason (2%). The 5-minute Apgar score was ≥7 in 50% of the infants who died secondary to BA., Conclusions: Most cases of early neonatal mortality were related to BA, and prematurity and LBW are additional important considerations. Reducing perinatal mortality requires a multifaceted approach with attention to issues related to BA, potential complications of prematurity, and LBW. The 5-minute Apgar score is a poor surrogate of BA.

Every year, half a million babies are born with malformations, one-third of these life-threatening. The present study aims at analysing trends of perinatal mortality (PM) due to major congenital malformations (MCM) at a rural institute, for preventive possibilities. Records of all perinatal deaths due to MCM over 24 years were analysed. Perinatal deaths (PD) due to MCM were 346; overall 8.3% of PD (287 (82.94%) stillbirths; 59 (17.06%) neonatal deaths). There was a decreasing trend of contribution of MCM to PM: 9.52% in Block A to 6.95% in Block H; 26.87% of PD were due to nervous system anomalies: 3.76% in Block A to 2.02% in Block H. PM due to congenital heart disease increased from 0.87% in Block A to 6.94% in Block H. It is essential that a system exists to diagnose MCM at a gestation when abortion is possible. Research for prevention of anomalies needs to be continued.

Objective: To determine the time trends and risk factors for intrapartum fetal death (IPFD)., Study Design: A case-control study comparing pregnancies with and without IPFD between the years 1988 and 2008 was conducted. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the risk factors for IPFD., Results: During the study period, 204,102 singleton births were analyzed; of these, 110 IPFD cases occurred. The following independent risk factors were identified: Bedouin ethnicity (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.22-2.8), malpresentations (OR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.71-4.47), gestational age (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.69-0.76), polyhydramnios (OR = 3.49, 95% CI 1.94-6.26), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR = 3.18, 95% CI 2.01-5.05), umbilical cord prolapse (OR = 6.64, 95% CI 2.79-15.78), placental abruption (OR = 3.24, 95% CI 1.73-6.04), uterine rupture (OR = 38.59, 95% CI 10.58-140.71) and congenital malformations (OR = 2.41, 95% CI 1.47-3.97). A gradual decline over the years in the rate of IPFD was noted in the Bedouin population. No significant association was noted in the prevalence of IPFD during the weekends as compared to the week days (OR = 0.85; 95% CI 0.54-1.32; P = 0.475)., Conclusion: Independent risk factors for IPFD are preterm birth, malpresentation, polyhydramnios, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, uterine rupture, congenital malformations and Bedouin ethnicity. Weekends do not pose additional risk for the occurrence of IPFD.

Aim: To investigate perinatal mortality and morbidity rates of twin pregnancies and to determine the underlying factors responsible for the increase in these rates., Methods: Records of 300 twin pregnancies which have been followed in our clinic between 1996 and 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Perinatal mortality and morbidity rates, zygocity, chorionicity, gestational age at delivery, route of conception, birth weight, route of delivery, fetal gender and cesarean rates were investigated., Results: A total of 16,549 deliveries have been reviewed and 2.9% (n = 484) of these were detected to be twin deliveries. Perinatal mortality, adjusted perinatal mortality, fetal loss, neonatal mortality and perinatal morbidity rates were 7.5, 6.9, 3, 5.8 and 15.4%, respectively. The principal causes of perinatal mortality were prematurity, fetal demise and congenital abnormalities. The main cause of morbidity was respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In neonatal period 28% of newborns needed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and 12.1% received positive pressured ventilation (PPV). Perinatal mortality and morbidity rates were found to be independent from zygocity, instead they were closely linked with chorionicity. Perinatal mortality and morbidity were higher if maternal age was under 18 and over 35, and were not effected by intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), discordance between twins or RDS prophylaxis., Conclusion: Twin pregnancies have higher perinatal mortality and morbidity rates and potential obstetrical complications compared to singleton pregnancies, therefore should be monitored more intensely, appropriate precautions should be taken against obstetrical complications, especially before 31-32 weeks of gestation, deliveries should be performed in referral centers with competent NICUs.

The aim of this article is to present the published information until this moment about the survival, long term effects and quality of life of the diseases named by the Bioethics Committee of the Spanish Society of Gynaecologist and Obstetricians (SEGO) as extremely severe and untreatable diseases, subsidiary of a Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy after the 22 weeks of gestational age, according to the Organic Law 2/2010 of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy. Health professionals must know the medical aspects, the therapeutics advances and the outcomes of these diseases, and it is a high standard of professional ethics to transmit this information to the progenitors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to present the incidence of fetal anomalies in our region of Hatay, Turkey in order to determine the efficiency of prenatal diagnosis through fetal autopsy, and to compare our statistical data with other national and international studies., Material and Method: This study was conducted on 274 fetuses from terminated pregnancies due to abnormal prenatal findings and intrauterine deaths from 2005 to September 2010. Fetuses were evaluated through postmortem examination, external measurements, X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Images, Multislice Computerized Tomography and photographs. The autopsy was completed by the histological examination of each organ., Results: Autopsy was conducted on 274 fetuses. A fetal anomaly was detected in 160 (58.39%) cases. The central nervous system contained the most frequent structural defects (79 cases, 49.38%), followed by malformations in the musculoskeletal system in 36 cases (22.5%). The most frequent multiple system anomalies were central nervous system defect and bilateral adrenal agenesis, musculoskeletal system malformations and urinary system defects. Fetal autopsy provided additional findings in 43 cases (26.88%)., Conclusion: Fetal autopsy is a very important procedure and an integral part of the general prenatal management. New findings through this method may suggest invaluable data for parents about potential risks in future pregnancies.

Objective: To correlate the Apgar score, and neonatal mortality and its causes at a hospital located in the southern area of São Paulo City., Methods: A retrospective study performed by analysis of medical charts (n = 7,094) of all live newborns during the period of 2005 to 2009, with data up to 28 days of life in reference to weight, Apgar score, survival and cause of mortality. Cases were analyzed by the chi2 test (p < 0.05)., Results: In 7,094 births, there were 139 deaths, 58.3% during the first week, and 3.6% of them with Apgar < 4 in the 1st minute. A positive association was found between mortality and this variable, with significantly declining values up to 2,000 g in weight. In the group with weight < 1,000 g, the association with Apgar < 4 in the 1st minute with mortality was three-fold greater than in the 1,000-1,500 g weight group, and 35-fold greater than in the > or = 3,000 g group. Among newborns with Apgar 8-10, the rate of mortality and low weight was two times greater than in those with weight > 2,499 g. Fetal distress and prematurity were associated with early neonatal death; malformations and fetal distress to late mortality. The predictive value of death with Apgar < 4 varied, according to weight, from 62.74% in the < 1,000 g group to 5.5%, in the > 3,000 g group., Conclusions: The Apgar score proved linked to factors both epidemiological and related to attention given to the birth and neonatal mortality, and was associated with extremely low birth weight.

Background: Few studies have been conducted on long-term survival of children with major birth defects because of a lack of longitudinal birth defects surveillance data. The objective of this study was to conduct a 25-year survival analysis among children in New York born with major defects by survival age, birth defect category, and other possible contributing factors., Methods: A cohort was constructed containing children born in 1983 to 2006 with selected major birth defects. Deaths among the study cohort were identified by matching the children to their death certificates. The survival probability was estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the effect of the risk factors on survival., Results: A total of 9112 deaths were identified among 57,002 live births with selected birth defects between 1983 and 2006. The overall 25-year survival probability of the study cohort was 82.51% (95% confidence interval, 82.11-82.89%). The estimated survival probability was comparable to that reported from previous studies regarding individual defects including spina bifida, encephalocele, atrioventricular septal defects, tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia or stenosis, renal agenesis or dysgenesis, lower limb reduction, diaphragmatic hernia, abdominal wall defects, and Down syndrome. Sex, low birth weight for gestational age, existence of multiple birth defects (nonisolated), and maternal age and nativity were identified as risk factors., Conclusion: Using the statewide, population-based birth defects surveillance data in New York State, the survival experience of the study cohort was examined across all survival time periods by individual birth defect of interest. Several risk factors that affect survival were identified., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The purpose of the study is to provide data about long-term survivors with full trisomy 13 (t13). Mothers of 30 long-term survivors with full t13 completed an online survey. Survey data were downloaded into an SPSS database. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data. Tracking Rare Incidence Syndrome (TRIS) Survey data on survival, birth information including maternal and paternal age at conception, physical characteristics, and medical conditions were compared. Data indicate longer mean survival rates (48.4 months for those living at the time of data collection, 40.8 months for those who died prior) than described in the literature. Means for gestations age, birth weight, and length are 38.11 weeks, 2,789.34 g and 48.45 cm, respectively. Long-term survivors presented with syndrome-related physical characteristics (e.g., low-set ears, cleft lip and palate) and medical conditions (e.g., ventricular septal defect (VSD), feeding difficulties). We conclude that data indicate longer survival and a range in birth information (gestational age, birth weight, and length) along with presence of common presenting physical characteristics and medical conditions of long-term survivors with full t13., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Renal oligohydramnion (ROH) is predominantly caused by congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urogenital tract (CAKUT). Although the number of neonates born with chronic renal failure is small, they provide many challenges, and among the most problematic are respiratory management and long-term treatment of chronic renal failure. We studied the value of prenatal and perinatal variables to predict survival and the general long-term outcome of our ROH population. Method. A single-centre retrospective chart review was conducted in 36 neonates with ROH treated between 1996 and 2007. Respiratory data sets including minimum inspiratory oxygen concentration (FiO(2), 1d), best oxygenation index (BOI, 1d) and minimum arterial partial carbon dioxide (pCO(2), 1d) at the first day of life were available in 23 children requiring intubation., Results: ROH causes were obstructive uropathy (n = 19), polycystic kidney disease [autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) n = 5 and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease n = 1], renal agenesis/dysplasia (n = 10) and bilateral renal vein thrombosis (n = 1). Survival until discharge was 64% (23/36), and overall survival was 58% (21/36). Seven patients died within 48 h from respiratory failure. Non-survivors had a higher minimum FiO(2) and pCO(2) (1d) compared to survivors (P < 0.001). Mean BOI (1d) was 6.2 in survivors versus 43.9 in the non-surviving group (P < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that BOI (28 gestational weeks) retained significance in predicting survival until discharge., Conclusions: The attitude toward initiating dialysis in neonates is changing and long-term outcome in the absence of severe comorbidity is promising. Prenatal prediction concerning respiratory and renal outcome in fetuses with ROH is difficult. Our data suggest that BOI (1d) and onset of ROH may be reliable predictors of respiratory prognosis in children born with ROH.

Background: China's success in improving the quality of and access to obstetric care in hospitals offers an opportunity to examine the effect of a large-scale facility-based strategy on neonatal mortality. We aimed to establish this effect by assessing how the institutional strategy of intrapartum care has affected neonatal mortality and its regional inequalities., Methods: We did a population-based epidemiological study of China's National Maternal and Child Mortality Surveillance System from 1996 to 2008. We used data from 116 surveillance sites in China (37 urban districts and 79 rural counties) to examine neonatal mortality by cause, socioeconomic region, and place of birth, with Poisson regression to calculate relative risks. Rural counties were categorised into types 1-4, with type 4 being the least developed. We report attributable risks and preventable fractions for hospital births versus home births., Findings: Neonatal mortality decreased by 62% between 1996 and 2008. The rate of neonatal mortality was much lower for hospital births than for home births in all regions, with relative risks (RR) ranging from 0·30 (95% CI 0·22-0·40) in type 2 rural counties, to 0·52 (0·33-0·83) in type 4 counties (p<0·0001). The proportion of neonatal deaths prevented by hospital birth ranged from 70% (95% CI 59·7-77·8) to 48% (16·9-67·3). Babies born in urban hospitals had a low rate of neonatal mortality (5·7 per 1000 livebirths); but those born in hospitals in type 4 rural counties were almost four times more likely to die than were children born in urban hospitals (RR 3·80, 2·53-5·72)., Interpretation: Other countries can learn from China's substantial progress in reducing neonatal mortality. The major effect of China's facility-based strategy on neonatal mortality is much greater than that reported for community-based interventions. Our findings will provide a great impetus for countries to increase demand for and quality of facility-based intrapartum care., Funding: China Medical Board, UNICEF China., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the causes of neonatal deaths and their contributing factors., Material and Methods: We used the "three-delay model" to conduct an audit of the neonatal deaths that occurred between January 2006 and December 2010 at the Charles de Gaulle University Pediatric Hospital, in Ouagadougou., Results: The neonatal mortality rate was 12.3%. The main direct causes were infections (70%), cerebral distress (10%), respiratory distress (7%), congenital malformations (5.5%), prematurity (4.5%) and hemorrhagic syndromes (3%). All three delays were found: in decision making in 64.4% of cases, in access to health services in 77%, and in receiving appropriate care in 66.9%; they multiplied the risk of death by a factor of 4, 3 and 5, respectively., Conclusion: To reduce deaths of newborn babies, it is necessary to overcome the three delays that contribute to it, pending the improvement of socioeconomic conditions of populations. This combat requires optimizing the implementation of the subsidies for obstetric and neonatal emergency care and strengthening the involvement of all stakeholders, specifically, policy makers, the community and health professionals.

Objective: To analyze mortality and resource consumption in patients with long stays in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs)., Design: A retrospective, descriptive case series study., Scope: Medical-surgical PICU in a third level hospital., Patients: Data were collected from patients with a stay of 28 days or more in PICU between 2006 and 2010. Of the 2118 patients assisted in this period, 83 (3.9%) required prolonged stay., Study Variables: Morbidity-mortality and resource consumption among patients with prolonged stay in the PICU., Results: Mortality was higher in patients with a long stay (22.9%) than in the rest of patients (2%) (p<0.001). In 52.6% of these patients, death occurred after withdrawal of treatment or after not starting resuscitation measures. Patients with prolonged stay showed a high incidence of nosocomial infection (96.3%) and an important consumption of healthcare resources (97.6% required conventional mechanical ventilation, 90.2% required transfusion of blood products, 86.7% required intravenous vasoactive drugs and 22.9% required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation [ECMO])., Conclusions: Critical children with prolonged stay in the PICU show important morbidity and mortality, and an important consumption of healthcare resources. The adoption of specific measures permitting early identification of patients at risk of prolonged stay is needed in order to adapt therapeutic measures and available resources, and to improve treatment efficiency., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. y SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.)

Background: Perinatal hospice is an option for women who learn during pregnancy that their fetuses are affected by terminal conditions and choose to continue their affected pregnancies. These women face emotional pain and the impending loss of their fetuses or infants. The aims of this study were to explore the experiences of perinatal hospice mothers, to gather knowledge useful to health professionals, and to guide future research., Methods:   Narrative analysis was performed using the personal stories of 15 women who continued pregnancies affected by lethal fetal anomalies., Results: The participants identified themselves as mothers and their fetuses or newborns as babies. Mothers valued caring for and interacting with their babies. Health professionals who affirmed their status as mothers, the value of their babies, and the significance of their losses were perceived as supportive. Invalidating attitudes and behavior caused significant distress among mothers., Conclusions: Optimal care of perinatal hospice mothers supports the development of maternal identity and contact between mothers and newborns when desired. Professionals who care for perinatal hospice mothers can affirm their motherhood through their behavior and attitudes., (© 2011, Copyright the Authors. Journal compilation © 2011, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

SENTIERI Project is the first comprehensive study of the health impact of residence in Italian polluted sites (IPSs). The present Chapter examines the main validity aspects of the present mortality investigation and the evaluation of causality of the observed associations; in addition, some recommendations for public health intervention and research priorities in epidemiological studies on environment and health are given. Exposure ascertainment is a key aspect when an ecological study design is adopted in environmental epidemiology, therefore any exposure potentially affecting the population at study should be described in detail. This is here discussed. SENTIERI is an ecological study, based on a priori hypotheses, in which each IPS's types of exposure were described with specific attention to human exposure. Though, when commenting the results, the problem of concurrent air pollution exposure and/or industrial activities implying occupational risk, if present in the IPSs, was taken into account. Socioeconomic status is a determinant of health and disease, therefore in SENTIERI the Standardized Mortality Ratios were computed both crude and adjusted for an ad hoc deprivation index. About 60% versus an expected 40% of IPSs residents are in the two most deprived quintiles of the index. This hints to a possible problem of environmental justice that should be taken into account when planning remediation intervention. The mortality results here presented are a first step in the epidemiological IPSs' characterization, and some developments have been made or planned. Firstly, a mortality analysis was performed combining mortality data in IPSs presenting similar pollution, i.e. asbestos, or industrial hazardous wastes or dumping sites; secondly, the mortality analysis will be extended beyond 2002, namely the year when ICD X started to be in use in Italy. In addition, disease prevalence will be investigated using hospital discharge records; cancer incidence and congenital anomalies incidence will be studied in IPSs in which a Cancer Register or a Congenital Anomalies Register are active. The above described activities will lead to a more valid estimate of the disease burden of IPSs residents, and allow to identify priorities of remediation activities. The method adopted in SENTIERI, specifically the ecological design and the use of mortality data at municipal level, in general does not grant the evaluation of the causal association between environmental exposure and adverse health effects. However, it allows etiological observations that make unacceptable the delay of remediation intervention.

The methods of mortality analysis in Italian polluted sites (IPS) are described. The study concerned 44 IPSs; each one included one or more municipalities. Mortality at municipality level was studied in the period 1995-2002, using the following indicators: crude rate, standardized rate, standardized mortality ratio (SMR), and SMR adjusted for an ad hoc deprivation index. Regional populations were used as reference for indirect standardization. The deprivation index was constructed using the 2001 national census variables representing the following socioeconomic domains: education, unemployment, dwelling ownership, overcrowding. Mortality indicators were computed for 63 single or grouped causes. The results for all the 63 analysed causes of death are available for each IPS, and in this Chapter the results for each IPS for causes selected on the basis of a priori evidence of risk from local sources of environmental pollution are presented. The procedures and results of the evidence evaluation have been published in the 2010 Supplement of Epidemiology & Prevention devoted to SENTIERI.

SENTIERI Project has assessed the overall mortality profile in all the IPSs combined, and performed IPS-specific analyses. The epidemiological evidence of the causal association between cause of death and exposure was classified into one of these three categories: Sufficient (S), Limited (L) and Inadequate (I). The procedures and results of the evidence evaluation have been presented in a 2010 Supplement of Epidemiology & Prevention devoted to SENTIERI. Mortality for causes of death with a priori Sufficient or Limited evidence of association with the environmental exposure exceeds the expected figures, with a SMR of 115.8 for men (90%CI 114.4-117.2; 2 439 extra deaths) and 114.4 for women (90% CI 112.4-116.5; 1 069 extra deaths). These excesses are also observed when analysis is extended to all the causes of death (i.e. with no restriction to the ones with a priori Sufficient or Limited evidence): for a total of 403 692 deaths (men and women combined), an excess of 9 969 deaths is observed, with an average of around 1 200 extra deaths per year. Most of these excesses are observed in IPSs located in Southern and Central Italy. The distribution of the causes of deaths shows that the excesses are not evenly distributed: cancer mortality accounts for 30%of all deaths, but is 43.2%of the excess deaths (4 309 cases of 9 969). Conversely, the percentage of excesses in non cancer causes, 19%, is lower than their share of total mortality (42%). Consistently with previous studies, the results suggest that the health status of populations living in the IPSs is worse than what regional averages show. Compared to previous studies, the analysis of the causes selected in SENTIERI, on the basis of a priori Sufficient or Limited evidence of association with the environmental exposures, provides additional information on their role, though some limitations, due to methodology and data used, should be considered.

SENTIERI Project (Mortality study of residents in Italian polluted sites) studies mortality of residents in 44 sites of national interest for environmental remediation (Italian polluted sites, IPS). The epidemiological evidence of the causal association between causes of death and exposures was a priori classified into one of these three categories: Sufficient (S), Limited (L) and Inadequate (I). In these sites various environmental exposures are present. Asbestos (or asbestiform fibres as in Biancavilla) has been the motivation for defining six sites as IPSs (Balangero, Emarese, Casale Monferrato, Broni, Bari-Fibronit, Biancavilla). In five of these, increases in malignant neoplasm or pleura mortality are detected; in four of them, results are consistent in both genders. In six other sites (Pitelli, Massa Carrara, Aree del Litorale Vesuviano, Tito, "Aree industriali della Val Basento", Priolo), where other sources of environmental pollution in addition to asbestos are reported, mortality from malignant neoplasm of pleura is increased in both genders in Pitelli, Massa Carrara, Priolo, "Litorale vesuviano". In the time span 1995-2002, a total of 416 extra cases of malignant neoplasm of pleura are detected in the twelve asbestos-polluted sites. Asbestos and pleural neoplasm represent an unique case. Unlike mesothelioma, most causes of death analyzed in SENTIERI have multifactorial etiology; furthermore, in most IPSs multiple sources of different pollutants are present, sometimes concurrently with air pollution from urban areas: in these cases, drawing conclusions on the association between environmental exposures and specific health outcomes might be complicated. Notwithstanding these difficulties, in a number of cases an etiological role could be attributed to some environmental exposures. The attribution could be possible on the basis of increases observed in both genders and in different age classes, and the exclusion of a major role of occupational exposures was thus allowed. For example, a role of emissions from refineries and petrochemical plants was hypothesized for the observed increases in mortality from lung cancer and respiratory diseases in Gela and Porto Torres; a role of emissions from metal industries was suggested to explain increased mortality from respiratory diseases in Taranto and in Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese. An etiological role of air pollution in the raise in congenital anomalies and perinatal disorders was suggested in Falconara Marittima, Massa-Carrara, Milazzo and Porto Torres. A causal role of heavy metals, PAH's and halogenated compounds was suspected for mortality from renal failure in Massa Carrara, Piombino, Orbetello, "Basso bacino del fiume Chienti" and Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese. In Trento-Nord, Grado and Marano, and "Basso bacino del fiume Chienti" increases in neurological diseases, for which an etiological role of lead, mercury and organohalogenated solvents is possible, were reported. The increase for non-Hodgkin lymphomas in Brescia was associated with the widespread PCB pollution. Mortality for causes of death with a priori Sufficient or Limited evidence of association with the environmental exposure exceeds the expected figures, with a SMR of 115.8% for men (90% IC 114.4-117.2; 2 439 extra deaths) and 114.4% for women (90% CI 112.4-116.5; 1 069 extra deaths). These excesses are also observed when analysis is extended to all the causes of death (i.e. with no restriction to the ones with a priori Sufficient or Limited evidence): for a total of 403 692 deaths (both men and women), an excess of 9 969 deaths is observed, with an average of about 1 200 extra deaths per year. Most of these excesses are observed in IPSs located in Southern and Central Italy. The procedures and results of the evidence evaluation are presented in a 2010 Supplement of Epidemiology & Prevention devoted to SENTIERI.

In the United States, different racial and ethnic groups have very different infant mortality patterns. When assessing the relative contribution of the percentage of preterm births and gestational age-specific infant mortality rates to racial and ethnic infant mortality differences, we found that for non-Hispanic black women, 78 percent of their elevated infant mortality rate compared with non-Hispanic white women was due to their higher percentage of preterm births, while 22 percent was due to higher gestational age-specific infant mortality rates (primarily at 34 weeks of gestation or more). For Puerto Rican women, their elevated infant mortality rate compared with non-Hispanic white women was entirely due to their higher percentage of preterm births. However, AIAN women had a very different infant mortality pattern: 76 percent of their higher infant mortality rate compared with non-Hispanic white women was due to their higher gestational age-specific infant mortality rates (primarily at 34 weeks or more), and only 24 percent was due to their higher percentage of preterm births.These findings are consistent with the cause-of-death analysis, which found that for bothnon-Hispanic black and Puerto Rican women, most of their higher infant mortality rate compared with non-Hispanic white women was due to preterm-related causes. In contrast, for AIAN women, the infant mortality rate from SIDS was 2.4 times, and the rate from unintentional injuries was 2.3 times, the non-Hispanic white rate. Infant mortality rates for non-Hispanic black women would be reduced by 71 percent, those for AIAN women by 64 percent, and those for Puerto Rican women by 67 percent if rates from preterm-related causes, congenital malformations, SIDS, and unintentional injuries could be reduced to non-Hispanic white levels.The different infant mortality patterns for non-Hispanic black, Puerto Rican, and AIAN women suggest different prevention strategies (6,7). In addition, because the percentage of preterm births for all U.S. racial and ethnic groups is higher than in other developed countries, all U.S. racial and ethnic groups might benefit from prematurity prevention efforts (8,9)., (All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.)

Unlabelled: To evaluate cases with unclassified multiple congenital abnormalities including microtia and anotia as component congenital abnormalities in order to reveal the characteristic pattern of other associated component congenital abnormalities and to make an attempt to establish a registry diagnosis on the pattern of associated congenital abnormalities and to stimulate the establishment of an international registry of cases with unclassified multiple congenital abnormalities comprising of microtia and anotia., Methods: The large population-based dataset of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities, 1980-1996., Results: A total of 156 cases with unclassified multiple congenital abnormalities including microtia and anotia were analyzed according to the number of 2-9 component congenital abnormalities. The comparison of the distribution and frequency of component congenital abnormalities in these cases showed significant differences from the data of other unclassified multiple congenital abnormalities. Of the 156 cases, registry diagnosis was possible in 48 (30.8%) cases., Conclusions: The evaluation of available dataset of unclassified multiple anotia and microtia may help the delineation of new syndromes and associations with better prognosis and recurrence risk estimation, thus finally a better chance for their prevention.

Objectives: To investigate socioeconomic inequalities in outcome of pregnancy and neonatal mortality associated with congenital anomalies., Design: Retrospective population based registry study., Setting: East Midlands and South Yorkshire regions of England (representing about 10% of births in England and Wales)., Participants: All registered cases of nine selected congenital anomalies with poor prognostic outcome audited as part of the United Kingdom's fetal anomaly screening programme with an end of pregnancy date between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2007., Main Outcome Measures: Socioeconomic variation in the risk of selected congenital anomalies; outcome of pregnancy; incidence of live birth and neonatal mortality over time. Deprivation measured with the index of multiple deprivation 2004 at super output area level., Results: There were 1579 fetuses registered with one of the nine selected congenital anomalies. There was no evidence of variation in the overall risk of these anomalies with deprivation (rate ratio for the most deprived 10th with the least deprived 10th: 1.05, 95% confidence interval 0.89 to 1.23). The rate ratio varied with type of anomaly and maternal age (deprivation rate ratio adjusted for maternal age: 1.43 (1.17 to 1.74) for non-chromosomal anomalies; 0.85 (0.63 to 1.15) for chromosomal anomalies). Of the nine anomalies, 86% were detected in the antenatal period, and there was no evidence that this varied with deprivation (rate ratio 0.99, 0.84 to 1.17). The rate of termination after antenatal diagnosis of a congenital anomaly was lower in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived areas (63% v 79%; rate ratio 0.80, 0.65 to 0.97). Consequently there were significant socioeconomic inequalities in the rate of live birth and neonatal mortality associated with the presence of any of these nine anomalies. Compared with the least deprived areas, the most deprived areas had a 61% higher rate of live births (1.61, 1.21 to 2.15) and a 98% higher neonatal mortality rate (1.98, 1.20 to 3.27) associated with a congenital anomaly., Conclusions: Antenatal screening for congenital anomalies has reduced neonatal mortality through termination of pregnancy. Socioeconomic variation in decisions regarding termination of pregnancy after antenatal detection, however, has resulted in wide socioeconomic inequalities in liveborn infants with a congenital anomaly and subsequent neonatal mortality.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the etiology and risk factors of perinatal mortality in Rafsanjan, Iran., Materials and Methods: This case-control prospective study was conducted on 321 perinatal deaths (as case group) and 321 live births who were alive until 28 days after birth (as control group) during a 2-year period. Data about demographic characteristics of mother, fetus, and newborn and also mother's obstetrics and clinical status was recorded in a questionnaire., Results: The most important causes of newborn death were prematurity (63.24%), cardiac arrest (11.49%), and septicemia (5.75%) as well as premature rupture of membrane, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placenta decolman, and congenital abnormality for stillbirth. A significant association was found among the fetal weight, gestational age, and amniotic fluid volume with stillbirth., Conclusion: Prematurity, cardiac arrest, and septicemia were the most important causes of neonatal mortality. It is concluded that attention to the following points is very important: adopting program for pregnancy care improvement, finding and removing risk factors of premature birth, control of infection in mother's and newborn's wards, examining of personnel skill about correct newborn resuscitation methods, and arrangement of training courses., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) to compare age at death and the intensity and cost of medical treatment for infants diagnosed prenatally or postnatally with congenital anomalies considered to be lethal. (2) To determine whether greater treatment intensity is associated with longer life., Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of all fetuses and neonates with congenital anomalies classified as lethal who were diagnosed or treated at the University of North Carolina Hospitals from January 1998 to December 2003., Result: The cohort consisted of 192 fetuses and infants: 160 were diagnosed prenatally, 2 were diagnosed perinatally, and 30 were diagnosed postnatally. In all, 115 (72%) pregnancies were terminated. Of the liveborn infants, 75% died before 10 days of age and 90% before 4 months of age. Compared with postnatally diagnosed infants, prenatally diagnosed infants received less intense treatment (median average daily Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System score 8.3 versus 14.0; P=0.02), at less cost (median direct cost of hospitalization $1550 versus $8474; P=0.03) and died sooner (median age at death <1 day versus 4 days; P=0.01). Greater treatment intensity did not correlate with longer survival (r=-0.04; P=0.66)., Conclusion: Although some kinds of medical therapy may be appropriate for newborns with lethal congenital anomalies, highly aggressive interventions did not prolong survival and should not be offered. Even when pregnancy termination is not elected, infants diagnosed prenatally receive less intense care.

Objective: The ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is used to secure fetal airway, cannulate for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), or resect a tumor during partial delivery in a modified cesarean section. This is a retrospective study of placental pathology from EXIT procedures., Methods: Placental reports and glass slides from 36 placentas delivered by EXIT procedure (study group SG) and 36 placentas from pregnancies without perinatal mortality and delivered by cesarean sections and matched for gestational age were blindly reviewed. Indications for EXIT procedures were: 11 cervical teratomas, 9 diaphragmatic hernias, 4 pulmonary airway malformations, 4 micrognathias, 3 vascular malformations, 3 CHAOS, and 2 aortic stenoses. 22 clinical and 43 gross and histological placental features were compared using the analysis of variance or Yates χ(2) with Holm-Bonferroni correction, where appropriate., Results: The average gestational age in the SG and the CG was 34.9 weeks. Histological features of fetal thrombotic vasculopathy were more frequently seen in the SG. Of the placental features, statistically significant differences were found in, partial fibrosis of chorionic villi (9.7 ± 7.9 vs. 6.1 ± 5.3 villi per placental section) [p = 0.035], clusters of at least 3 avascular chorionic villi (33 v. 6%) [p = 0.042], and abnormal umbilical cord insertion (8% vs. 0% (p = 0.045), in the SG and the CG respectively., Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the placentas from EXIT procedures. The presence of increased frequency of fetal thrombotic vasculopathy on histology indicates an underlying chronic and on-going stasis in fetal circulation due to the presence of conditions which were indications for the EXIT procedures. The possibility of coagulopathy should be considered in management of the fetuses and neonates undergoing EXIT procedure. Detailed examination of the placenta is of utmost importance in order to recognize and treat potentially life-threatening complications., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To identify the spatial-geographical relationship between local priority birth defect (BD) mortality in children under five years of age with demographic and economic variables representing megalopolization: urban localities,municipalities with larger populations and population density, and units and total gross output of agriculture, manufacturing and transportation., Material and Methods: Thematic maps were produced in the form of polygons and point to their juxtaposition and analysis of spatial correspondence., Results: Priority municipality concentrations: 98.6% of the localities of 50,000 to 99,999, 100% of the cities of 100,000 inhabitants or more; 84.3% of the total population; the activity and productivity of agricultural (62.7 and 82.2%), manufacturing (83.4 and 96.9%) and of transport (92.2 and 96.8%)., Conclusions: Priority municipalities concur with those where the processes of urbanization and megalopolization have a more intense effect. There is scientific evidence in the medical literature on the relationship between megalopolization,pollution, and BD. It is proposed that more should be found out about this relationship in Mexico.