Implementing the Robson Classification for caesarean sections in Pakistan: experience, challenges, and lessons learned.

The Robson Classification System is recognised as a first step for optimising the use of caesarean section and as a strategy for continuous quality improvement in maternal and newborn health. This Viewpoint provides a detailed account of the strategy adopted and lessons learned from a collaborative initiative to institutionalise the Robson Classification into Pakistan's health system. We developed a training package which emphasised capacity building of senior clinicians to act as master trainers.

Access to mifepristone, misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in eight countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: descriptive analyses of country-level assessments.

Background: Despite their importance in reducing maternal mortality, information on access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is limited.

Methods: A standardized assessment tool measuring access to Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines included in the WHO essential medicines list (EML) was implemented in eight countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Pakistan, and Somalia) between 2020-2021. The assessment focused on five access measures: 1) the inclusion of medicines in national family planning guidelines; 2) inclusion of medicines in comprehensive abortion care guidelines; 3) inclusion of medicines on national essential medicines lists; 4) medicines registration; and 5) procurement and forecasting of Mifepristone, Misoprostol, and contraceptive medicines.

A study protocol for integrating outpatient services at the primary health care level as part of the universal health coverage benefit package within the national health insurance program of Pakistan through private health facilities.

Introduction And Aim: Pakistan has a mixed-health system where up to 60% of health expenditures are out of pocket. Almost 80% of primary healthcare (PHC) facilities are in the private sector, which is deeply embedded within the country's health system and may account for the unaffordability of healthcare. Since 2016, the existing national health insurance program or Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP), has provided invaluable coverage and financial protection to the millions of low-income families living in Pakistan by providing inpatient services at secondary and tertiary levels.

Genetic Predisposition to Adverse Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether there are genetic variants associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

Study Design: We conducted a candidate gene association study in two well-defined cohorts of ELBW infants (<1,000 g). One cohort was for discovery and the other for replication.

PROMPT: Prospective Meta-analysis for Pessary Trials Study Protocol.

Objective: Preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, is a leading cause of perinatal and infant mortality throughout the world. Preterm birth is also associated with long-term neurological disabilities and other significant health issues in children. A short cervix in the second trimester has been noted to be one of the strongest predictors of subsequent spontaneous preterm birth in both singleton and multiple pregnancies.

An assessment of facility readiness for comprehensive abortion care in 12 districts of Pakistan using the WHO Service Availability and Readiness Assessment tool.

Although Pakistan's Essential Package of Health Services was recently updated to include therapeutic and post-abortion care, little is known about current health facility readiness for these services. This study assessed the availability of comprehensive abortion care, and readiness of health facilities to deliver these services, within the public sector in 12 districts of Pakistan. A facility inventory was completed in 2020-2021 using the WHO Service Availability and Readiness Assessment, with a newly developed abortion module.

Hydrocephalus and school-age neurodevelopmental outcomes in the management of myelomeningocele prenatal surgery trial: a secondary analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this secondary analysis was to assess the role of hydrocephalus on neurodevelopmental outcomes in a cohort of school-age children enrolled in the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) clinical trial.

Methods: The sample analyzed in this report consisted of 150 of 183 children aged 5-10 years (mean ± SD 7 years 8 months ± 1.2) who were randomly assigned between 20 and 26 weeks of gestational age to undergo either prenatal or postnatal surgery and were enrolled in the school-age follow-up study of MOMS.

Advancing maternal and perinatal health in low- and middle-income countries: A multi-country review of policies and programmes.

The Sustainable Development Goals prioritize maternal mortality reduction, with a global average target of < 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Current pace of reduction is far short of what is needed to achieve the global target. It is estimated that globally there are 300,000 maternal deaths, 2.

The effects of betamethasone on the amplitude integrated EEG of infants born at 34- or 35-weeks gestation.

Objective: Assess if maternal betamethasone administration at 34-35 weeks accelerated neonatal amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG) maturation.

Study Design: Nested, observational cohort in 7 centers participating in the Antenatal Late Preterm Steroid randomized trial. Up to 2 aEEGs were obtained in neonates born from 34-35 weeks gestation before 72 h (aEEG 1) and at 5-7 days (aEEG 2) if hospitalized.

Amniocentesis to diagnose congenital cytomegalovirus infection following maternal primary infection.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection following maternal primary cytomegalovirus infection affects approximately 0.4% of newborns in the United States but may be hard to diagnose prenatally.

Objective: To evaluate the current sensitivity and specificity of amniocentesis in detecting congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Maternal Depressive Risk in Prenatal versus Postnatal Surgical Closure of Myelomeningocele: Associations with Parenting Stress and Child Outcomes.

Introduction: Depressive risk is higher for mothers of infants with chronic medical conditions. The present study examined maternal depressive risk and associations with parent and child outcomes among mothers of young children who were randomized to either prenatal or postnatal surgical closure for myelomeningocele.

Methods: Using the Management of Myelomeningocele Study database, maternal depressive risk was examined at 3 time points as follows: prior to birth, 12 months, and 30 months post birth.

Interventions to prevent preterm delivery in women with short cervix before fetoscopic laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Objective: Preoperative short cervical length (CL) remains a major risk factor for preterm birth after laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), but the optimal intervention to prolong pregnancy remains elusive. The objective of this study was to compare secondary methods for the prevention of preterm birth in twin pregnancies with TTTS undergoing fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP), in the setting of a short cervix at the time of FLP, in five North American Fetal Treatment Network (NAFTNet) centers.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of data collected prospectively at five NAFTNet centers, conducted from January 2013 to March 2020.

The role of partners in promoting self-care for misoprostol and subcutaneous DMPA in Pakistan.

Background: Pakistan is among a number of countries facing protracted challenges in addressing maternal mortality with a concomitant weak healthcare system complexed with inequities. Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) self-care interventions offer the best solution for improving access to quality healthcare services with efficiency and economy. This manuscript documents country experience in introducing and scaling up two selected SRHR self-care interventions.

Prenatal Repair and Physical Functioning Among Children With Myelomeningocele: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS), a randomized clinical trial of prenatal vs standard postnatal repair for myelomeningocele, found that prenatal repair reduced hydrocephalus and hindbrain herniation and improved motor function in children aged 12 to 30 months. The Management of Myelomeningocele Study Follow-up (MOMS2) was conducted in children at ages 5 to 10 years. The primary (neurocognitive) outcome has already been reported.

Attenuated early pregnancy weight gain by prenatal lifestyle interventions does not prevent gestational diabetes in the LIFE-Moms consortium.

Aims: To examine the effect of lifestyle (diet and physical activity) interventions on the prevalence of GDM, considering the method of GDM ascertainment and its association with early pregnancy characteristics and maternal and neonatal outcomes in the LIFE-Moms consortium.

Methods: LIFE-Moms evaluated the effects of lifestyle interventions to optimize gestational weight gain in 1148 pregnant women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m and without known diabetes at enrollment, compared with standard care. GDM was assessed between 24 and 31-weeks gestation by a 2-hour, 75-gram OGTT or by local clinical practice standards.

Customized Probability of Vaginal Delivery With Induction of Labor and Expectant Management in Nulliparous Women at 39 Weeks of Gestation.

Objective: To develop models to predict vaginal delivery in low-risk, nulliparous women contemplating elective induction of labor or expectant management at 39 weeks of gestation.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of planned elective induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation compared with expectant management for low-risk nulliparous women. Two groups were included for this analysis: 1) women who were randomized to the induction of labor group and underwent elective induction at 39 0/7-39 4/7 weeks of gestation and 2) women who were randomized to the expectant management group who experienced spontaneous labor or medically indicated delivery (including postterm).

Elective Labor Induction at 39 Weeks of Gestation Compared With Expectant Management: Factors Associated With Adverse Outcomes in Low-Risk Nulliparous Women.

Objective: To evaluate characteristics associated with adverse outcomes in low-risk nulliparous women randomized to elective labor induction at 39 weeks of gestation or expectant management.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of women randomized during the 38th week to induction at 39 weeks of gestation or expectant management. Deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation and those not adherent to study protocol or with fetal anomalies were excluded.

The Management of Myelomeningocele Study: Short-Term Neonatal Outcomes.

Introduction: The Management of Myelomeningocele Study was a multicenter randomized trial to compare prenatal and standard postnatal repair of myelomeningocele (MMC). Neonatal outcome data for 158 of the 183 randomized women were published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2011.

Objective: Neonatal outcomes for the complete trial cohort (N = 183) are presented outlining the similarities with the original report and describing the impact of gestational age as a mediator.

Integral Roles of Specific Proteoglycans in Hair Growth and Hair Loss: Mechanisms behind the Bioactivity of Proteoglycan Replacement Therapy with Nourkrin® with Marilex® in Pattern Hair Loss and Telogen Effluvium.

Follicular proteoglycans are key players with structural, functional, and regulatory roles in the growth and cycling behaviour of the hair follicles. The expression pattern of specific proteoglycans is strongly correlated with follicular phase transitions, which further affirms their functional involvement. Research shows that bioactive proteoglycans, e.

Effect of Thyroxine Therapy on Depressive Symptoms Among Women With Subclinical Hypothyroidism.

Objective: To estimate the effect of antenatal treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism on maternal depressive symptoms.

Methods: We conducted an ancillary study to a multicenter trial in women with singleton pregnancies diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism randomized to antenatal thyroxine therapy or placebo. Treatment was discontinued at the end of pregnancy.

Prenatal Repair of Myelomeningocele and School-age Functional Outcomes.

Background And Objectives: The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS), a randomized trial of prenatal versus postnatal repair for myelomeningocele, found that prenatal surgery resulted in reduced hindbrain herniation and need for shunt diversion at 12 months of age and better motor function at 30 months. In this study, we compared adaptive behavior and other outcomes at school age (5.9-10.