Objectives: The question of benefit of screening for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy to prevent impairment in the infant has not been settled. Despite this, it is believed that such testing is common. The aim of this study was to describe the test routines and to identify factors associated with testing in primary antenatal care.
Setting: Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Methods: All women who gave birth at Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, in May 2000 were included. The number of antibody tests during pregnancy was obtained from the patient registry at the department of microbiology at the same hospital.
Results: 81% (361/446) had been tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy. Women attending primary antenatal care at a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology were most likely to be tested. Among women with no signs of prior toxoplasmosis, 35% (110/317) were tested only once.
Discussion: The majority of pregnant women are being tested for toxoplasmosis even though such testing has no documented preventive effect and has not been recommended.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/096914103771773258 | DOI Listing |
Women Birth
January 2025
Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Women's and Children's Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, Sydney, Australia.
Background: The World Health Organisation has suggested antenatal education be integrated within standard antenatal care. However, evidence for the impact of antenatal education varies. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated randomised controlled trial evidence regarding the influence of antenatal education on labour and birth outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Open
January 2025
Population Council, New Delhi, India.
Objective: This study examined economic inequality in coverage of selected maternal and child healthcare (MCH) indicators in India and its states over the last 15 years.
Design: The study analysed last three rounds of the National Family Health Survey data, conducted during 2005-2006, 2015-2016 and 2019-2021. Bivariate analyses, ratio of richest to poorest, slope index of inequality (SII) and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine the coverage as well as inequalities in the outcome indicators for India and its states and at district level.
Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol
January 2025
Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Background: Mother's own milk (MOM) is important as the first nutrition for preterm infants, but mothers often struggle to initiate milk production right after preterm birth. If antenatal breastmilk expression (aBME) does not induce preterm labor when performed before term age, it could promote nutrition with MOM right after preterm birth. In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate whether aBME induces preterm labor among healthy nulliparous women from week 34 of pregnancy, to examine if aBME promotes the availability of MOM right after birth and affects breastfeeding outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWest Afr J Med
August 2024
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria Email:
Introduction: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) has consistently been associated with adverse obstetric and gynaecological outcomes. It is a common vaginal condition. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with BV among pregnant women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
November 2024
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Batterjee Medical College for Science and Technology, Jeddah, SAU.
The increase in cesarean section (CS) rates, whether they are classified as unnecessary or elective, has globally raised significant concerns due to the associated risks involving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Although CS can be a lifesaving operation in specific medical cases, its overuse is exposing mothers and neonates to complications like hemorrhage, infections, and long-term consequences such as uterine scarring, infertility, and future pregnancy problems. The contributing factors include maternal preferences for convenience, fear of labor, and financial incentives within the healthcare systems that favor surgical interventions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!