Value of sharing and networking among birth defects surveillance programs: an ICBDSR perspective.

Birth defects (BD), also known as congenital anomalies, are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth as a result of abnormal prenatal development. Their cause can be broadly categorized as genetic, environmental, or a combination of both. It is estimated that approximately 3-6% of newborn infants worldwide are affected by BD, many of which are associated with serious morbidity, mortality, and lifelong disabilities.

Global seroprevalence of rubella among pregnant and childbearing age women: a meta-analysis.

We conducted a meta-analysis of articles published between January 2000 and July 2016 with the aim of defining the proportion of rubella seronegative women of childbearing age (WCBA), providing the best information available on the seroprevalence of rubella in this population. We selected articles published in the time period between 2000 and 2016. The pooled prevalence of rubella seronegative women was calculated by a fixed effect model and a random effect model, according to the heterogeneity among studies.

Gestational age and hospital utilization: three-years follow-up of an area-based birth cohort.

Objective: To investigate differences by gestational age in emergency department visits and re-hospitalizations during the three years following childbirth discharge.

Methods: We performed a historical cohort study in Lazio Region, Italy, for infants born in 2007-2008 to resident mothers. Health administrative data were used.

Work environment, volume of activity and staffing in neonatal intensive care units in Italy: results of the SONAR-nurse study.

Background: Neonatal units' volume of activity, and other quantitative and qualitative variables, such as staffing, workload, work environment, care organization and geographical location, may influence the outcome of high risk newborns. Data about the distribution of these variables and their relationships among Italian neonatal units are lacking.

Methods: Between March 2010-April 2011, 63 neonatal intensive care units adhering to the Italian Neonatal Network participated in the SONAR Nurse study.

Web-based surveillance of public information needs for informing preconception interventions.

Background: The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes can be minimized through the adoption of healthy lifestyles before pregnancy by women of childbearing age. Initiatives for promotion of preconception health may be difficult to implement. Internet can be used to build tailored health interventions through identification of the public's information needs.

Folic acid supplementation and interpregnancy interval.

Background: Maternal folic acid supplementation between subsequent pregnancies may be important to reduce the risk of low folate status associated with short interpregnancy intervals. We examined how the prevalence of preconception folic acid use for a given pregnancy in Norwegian women varied according to the time interval from the previous pregnancy.

Methods: Analysis was based on 48 855 pairs of pregnancies with the second pregnancy included in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (birth years 1999-2009).

Health promotion for children, mothers and families: here's why we should "think about it before conception".

About 90,000 preterm infants or babies with birth defects are born in Italy every year, nearly 250 per day. These congenital conditions and their outcomes represent the most important burden of disease affecting the health status and the quality of life during infancy, childhood and beyond. In many cases they are fostered by the presence of maternal and/or paternal preconception risk factors whose effects can be modified by primary prevention.

More folic acid, the five questions: why, who, when, how much, and how.

In recent years, a number of studies have been performed to evaluate the possible health benefits of an increased intake of folic acid (FA) on human health. However, the only well-documented benefit emerging from randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized interventions trials, and observational studies is the risk reduction of neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are congenital malformations that include anencephaly, encephalocele, and spina bifida caused by the failure of fusion of the neural tube that normally closes between 22nd and 28th day since conception (on an average 40-42th day after the first day of last menstrual period).