MyMedR

Displaying publications 1881 - 1900 of 2448 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext A review of maternal mortality in Malaysia

Yadav H

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2012;6(10):0-0.
MyJurnal

There has been a significant decline in maternal mortality from 540 per 100,000 live births
in I957 to 28 per 100,000 in 2010. This decline is due to several factors. Firstly the introduction of the rural health infrastructure which is mainly constructing health centres and midwife clinics for the rural population. This provided the accessibility and availability of primary health care and specially, antenatal care for the women. This also helped to increase the antenatal coverage for the women to 98% in 2010 and it increased the average number of antenatal visits per women from6 in 1980 to 12 visits in 2010 for pregnant women. Along with the introduction of health centres, another main feature was the introduction of specific programmes to address the needs of the women and children. In the 1950s the introduction of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programme was an important
step. Later in the late 1970s there was the introduction of the High Risk Approach in MCH care and Safe Motherhood in the 1980s. In 1990, an important step was the introduction of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (CEMD). Another significant factor in the reduction is the identification of high risk mothers and this is being done by the introduction of the colour coding system in the health centres. Other factors include the increase in the number of safe deliveries by skilled personnel and the reduction in the number of deliveries by the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). The reduction in fertility rate from 6.3 in 1960 to 3.3 in 2010 has been another important factor. To achieve the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to further reduce maternal deaths by 50%, more needs to be done especially to identify maternal deaths that are missed by omission or misclassification and also to capture the late maternal deaths.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Second stage fetal heart rate patterns and neonatal acid-base status

Faridah Hanim Zam Zam, Nazimah Idris, Tham, Seng Woh

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2012;6(2):18-23.
MyJurnal

Background: Fetal surveillance in labour is performed mostly to identify fetuses at risk of hypoxia in order to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality by initiating timely intervention. While normal and abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) patterns have been well recognised and characterized for the first stage of labour, FHR patterns during the second stage of labour commonly showed some forms of abnormalities leading to problems in interpretation, particularly in predicting fetal hypoxia and acidosis. This study aims to identify patterns of FHR tracing during the second stage of labour associated with neonatal acidosis. Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted in the Labour Ward of a state referral hospital. The study population were patients with low-risk
singleton pregnancies between 37 to 42 weeks gestation who had normal cardiotocograph (CTG) tracing in the first stage of labour. CTG was recorded during the second stage of labour and neonatal umbilical cord blood was obtained for acid-base analysis immediately after birth prior to the delivery of placenta. FHR patterns were grouped according to modified Melchior and Barnard’s
classification and matched with neonatal acid-base status. Patients with normal FHR pattern in the second stage acted as control. Results: A total of 111 matched pairs were analysed. Ninety nine (89.2%) second stage FHR tracings showed abnormal features when compared to control. There were significantly more neonatal acidosis and hypercapnia in type 1b, type 2a, type 2b and type 3 CTG patterns compared to control, in increasing order of severity. In addition, types 2b and 3 showed significant difference in the base excess. Conclusion: Certain second stage fetal heart rate
patterns were found to be associated with neonatal acidosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext The role of blood transfusion in HCV infection: a study testing Ab: RNA & genotype

Al-Kubaisy, Waqar A., Niazi, Amjad D.

Int J Public Health Res, 2011;1(2):72-78.
MyJurnal

Introduction Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) recently was identified as a major cause of post transfusion hepatitis world wide. To evaluate the role of blood transfusion on the prevalence of HCV infection, by testing antibody and RNA as well as the genotypes of HCV .Also to detect if Blood transfusion acts as unconfounding risk factor for HCV infection.
Methods Sera from 3491 pregnant women were investigated for the presence of HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) by using third generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA-3) as screening test, followed by immunoblot assay (Lia Tek-III). In addition 94 sera of studied women were subjected to molecular analysis (at laboratories of Sorin BioMedica - Italy) for the detection of viral RNA and genotypes of HCV. Using RT-PCR & DNA Enzyme immunoassay (DEIA) method.
Results Our study revealed, that seroprevalence rate of HCV specific Ab & RNA were significantly higher (16.32 %, 80% respectively) among women with a history of blood transfusion, compared to those (2.53%, 56.5%) with no such history P=0.0001, P=0.01. And there is a significant direct linear correlation between number of blood transfused and the seropositive rate of anti-HCV (r=0.7, p=0.046). Based on multivariate analysis, interestingly, this study confirmed that, blood transfusion significantly acting as unconfounding risk factor for acquiring HCV infection (Adjusted OR=1.938,95% C.I=1.646-2.28). And the risk of exposure is increases with increased number of blood transfused. Although, we found no significant association between, HCV genotypic distribution and history of blood transfusion. However, high proportion of women with a history of blood transfusion were harboring HCV genotype -4 or 1b, 50%,40%, resepctively.
Conclusions Our study shows, evidence that, blood transfusion acts as unconfounding risk factor for acquiring and in a mode of transmission of HCV infection. Therefore strict screening of blood donor for HCV-Abs and / or RNA is highly recommended.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Improving the knowledge and practice on early detection of neonatal jaundice by nurses in Kuching district

Abai G, Henry J, Lian CB, Wee ASF, Bili H, Ratu I

Int J Public Health Res, 2011;1(2):92-99.
MyJurnal

Introduction Neonatal jaundice occurs in about 60% of newborns. If not managed properly, it can progress to severe neonatal jaundice (SNNJ) leading to death or permanent disability. The incidence of SNNJ in Kuching District increased from 119.3 per 100,000 live births in 2005 to 123.3 per 100,000 live births in 2008, which was above the Standard National QAP Indicator of 100 per 10,000 live births. SNNJ can be prevented by early detection and proper management of neonatal jaundice. The objective is to increase the knowledge and practise of early detection of neonatal jaundice by nurses in Kuching District. Methods This was an interventional study covering a period of six months. The sample comprised 113 nurses of all categories working in urban and rural maternal and child health clinics in Kuching District. Tools used in the study were self-administered questionnaires in English and Bahasa Malaysia. The preintervention survey started in July 2009 while the post-intervention survey was done in January 2010. The interventions were done through Continuing Nursing Education sessions and included new nursing formats and new reporting procedures. New vehicles were also provided for home nursing. Data was collected and analyzed using MS Excel program. Results The pre-intervention survey on nurses showed that only 56.6% were able to identify the risk of factors causing jaundice; 94.6% able to define jaundice; 41.5% able to detect jaundice while 70.8% knew sign of Kernicterus. In term of recommended post natal nursing schedule only 40.7% able to practice the schedule while only 69.0% able to give advice on management of jaundice. Post intervention; 63.2% of nurses were able to identify the risk factors causing jaundice; 97.2% able to define jaundice while 97.2% were able to detect jaundice and 88.6% know sign of Kernicterus. On recommended post natal nursing schedule, 49.9 % practice the recommended schedule while 92.0% were able to give advice to mother on management of jaundice. The incident of jaundice of Severe Neonatal Jaundice dropped to 78 per 100,000 live births in 2010.
Conclusions The study shows that the interventions taken helped to improve the knowledge and practice of recommended measures to detect neonatal jaundice early. Stronger emphasis must be placed on using the new reporting procedures and new nursing sheets. Continuous monitoring through regular nursing audits by clinic supervisors is also essential to reduce the incidence of SNNJ. Provision of vehicles for all busy maternal and child health clinics for home nursing care is highly recommended.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Decision making in hyperglycaemia seen in pregnancy

Kavitha Nagandla, Sivalingam Nalliah

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2014;8(1):8-18.
MyJurnal

Delay in childbearing, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity in childbearing years increases a possibility of glucose intolerance or overt diabetes in pregnancy which may remain unrecognised unless an oral glucose tolerance test is done.The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG, 2010) recommended the detection and diagnosis of hyperglycaemic disorders in pregnancy at two stages of pregnancy, the first stage looking for ‘overt diabetes’ in early pregnancy based on risk factors like age, past history of gestational diabetes and obesity and the second stage where ‘gestational diabetes’ at 24-28 weeks with 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Although the one step approach with 75 g of glucose offers operational convenience in diagnosing gestational diabetes, there are concerns raised by the National Institute of Health in the recent consensus statement, supporting the two step approach (50-g, 1-hour loading test screening 100-g, 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test) as the recommended approach for detecting gestational diabetes. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) with well-designed meal plan and appropriate exercise achieves normoglycemia without inducing ketonemia and weight loss in most pregnant women with glucose intolerance. Rapidly acting insulin analogues, such as insulin lispro and aspart are safe in pregnancy and improve postprandial glycemic control in women with pre-gestational diabetes. The long acting analogues (Insulin detemir and glargine) though proven to be safe in pregnancy, do not confer added advantage if normoglycemia is achieved with intermediate insulin (NPH). Current evidence indicates the safe use of glyburide and metformin in the management of Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes as other options. However, it is prudent to communicate to the women that there is no data available on the long-term health of the offspring and the safety of these oral hypoglycemic drugs are limited to the prenatal period.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Uncomplicated hyperemesis gravidarum does not alter the course of cardiovascular changes during pregnancy

Sheila Rani Kovil George, Sivalingam Nalliah

International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2014;8(1):34-43.
MyJurnal

The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to investigate the maternal cardiac haemodynamic and structural changes that occur
in pregnancies with uncomplicated hyperemesis gravidarum in a selected Malaysian population. Nine women underwent serial echocardiography beginning at 12 weeks of gestation and throughout pregnancy at monthly intervals. Their echocardiograms were repeated at 6 and 12 weeks following delivery to reflect the pre-pregnancy haemodynamic state. Cardiac output was measured by continuous wave Doppler at the aortic valve. Interventricular septum thickness was determined by M- mode echocardiography and ventricular diastolic function by assessing flow at the mitral valve with Doppler recording. Cardiac output showed an increase of 32.9% at 36 weeks and maintained till 40 weeks of gestation. Heart rate increased from 79 ± 6 to 96 ± 8 beats/min at 36 weeks. Stroke volume increased by 16.4 % at 40 weeks of gestation when compared to the baseline
value. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not appreciably change but showed a lower reading during the mid-trimester period. Early inflow velocity of left ventricle did not show a rise while peak atrial velocity showed an increasing trend; thus the ratio of early inflow to peak atrial transport showed a declining trend from early pregnancy to term. End diastolic dimension of left ventricle and interventricular septum thickness showed an increased value at term. Uncomplicated hyperemesis gravidarum did not alter the haemodynamic changes throughout pregnancy and concur with established data for normal pregnancy.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Trend of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) from 2004-2010

Haslina Hassan, Rosnah Sutan, Nursazila Asikin Mohd Azmi, Shuhaila Ahmad, Rohana Jaafar

Int J Public Health Res, 2013;3(1):241-248.
MyJurnal

The aim of the Fourth Millennium Developmental Goal is to reduce mortality among children less than 5 years by two thirds between 1990 and 2015. Efforts are more focus on improving children's health. The aim of this study was to describe the trend of stillbirth and neonatal deaths in University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre from 2004 to 2010. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using hospital data on perinatal mortality and monthly census delivery statistics. There were 45,277 deliveries with 526 stillbirths and neonatal deaths. More than half of the stillborn cases were classified as normally formed macerated stillbirth and prematurity was common in neonatal deaths. The trend of SB and NND was found fluctuating in this study. However, by using proportionate test comparing rate, there was a transient significant decline of stillbirth but not neonatal deaths rates between 2004 and 2006. On the other hand, the neonatal deaths rate showed significant increment from 2006 to 2008. When both mortality rates were compared using proportionate test, from the start of the study, year 2004 with end of the study, year 2010, there was no significant decline noted. Trends of stillbirth and neonatal death rates in University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre within 7 years study period did not show the expected outcome as in Millennium Developmental Goal of two thirds reduction.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Clinical pathways: development and implementation at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia

Aniza Ismail, Saperi Sulung, Syed Mohamed AlJunid, Nor Hamdan Mohd Yahaya, Husyairi Harunarashid, Oteh Maskon, et al.

Int J Public Health Res, 2012;2(2):153-160.
MyJurnal

Clinical pathways have been implemented in many healthcare systems with mix results in improving the quality of care and controlling the cost. CP is a methodology used for mutual decision making and organization of care for a well-defined group of patients within a well-defined period. In developing the CPs for a medical centre, several meetings had been carried out involving expert teams which consist of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists. The steps used to develop the pathway were divided into 5 phases. Phase 1: the introduction and team development, Phase II: determining the cases and information gathering, Phase III: establishing the draft of CP, Phase IV: is implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of CP while Phase V: evaluating, improving and redesigning of the CP. Four CPs had been developed: Total Knee Replacement (TKR), ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Chronic Obstructive Airways Diseases (COAD) and elective Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS). The implementation of these CPs had supported the evidence-based medicine, improved the multidisciplinary communication, teamwork and care planning. However, the rotation of posts had resulted in lack of document ownership, lack of direction and guidance from senior clinical staff, and problem of providing CPs prior to admission. The development and implementation of CPs in the medical centre improved the intra and inter departmental communication, improved patient outcomes, promote patient safety and increased patient satisfaction. However, accountability and understanding of the CPs must be given more attention.

Study site: Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM)

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Unheard voices : womens’ inner experiences during the Johore flood

Zabedah, B., Badrul Hisham, A.S.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2009;15(3):98-103.
MyJurnal

Introduction : Human displacement during disaster would cause women and their dependent children to be particularly vulnerable. Yet, women failed to make their voices heard. Thus their needs, priorities and perceptions would not be identified which in turn could hinder an effective emergency response and a full recovery process.
Objective : This paper provides a general overview of problems and issues experienced by women and their dependent children during the Johore flood disaster. With this information, relevant agencies shall focus, among other considerations, on the special needs of women and children in planning and carrying out emergency responses in the future.
Methodology : This paper was written based on data and information obtained from the Johore Flood Disaster Report and observations made by the health teams on the flood victims throughout the flood period.
Findings and Discussions : Pregnant mothers with 36 weeks of gestation or more were evacuated from their homes to the health centres or hospitals when the Johore flood disaster struck. Regular maternal and child health (MCH) services were conducted at the flood relief centres. Despite the efforts by health care providers, we observed women facing some unique issues and problems. These include: 1) Effects of loss of security and protection; 2) Disruption of social relations and privacy; 3) Inadequate supply of basic items and; and 4) Economic disruption. Recommendations for future relief work are: i) Predisaster planning for emergency response must engage and involve women representatives. Women must also be recruited as emergency and relief workers; ii) Assessment of predetermined capacity of identified relief centres with gender consideration for evacuees must be done; iii) All relief centres shall have physical partition between families. Breast feeding room with access to clean water should also be provided; iv) Gender, cultural and religious sensitivity with regards to social protection and relations shall be observed at all times; v) Women should engage and be made occupied with suitable activities to encourage healthy social interaction thus avoiding feelings of boredom and helplessness; vi) Basic personal items for women and adolescent girls, such as sanitary towel and undergarments, and places to wash and hang them in privacy must be provided; vii) Elderly women may have to temporarily stay at unaffected relatives’ or old folk homes throughout the disaster period, and; viii) No smoking policy shall be enforced at all times in flood relief centres.
Conclusion : Women and their dependent children have been recognised as one of the vulnerable groups during disasters. Thus, women shall be empowered as partners in formulating any emergency response plan so that together they would be able to complement all disaster mitigation, relief and recovery efforts in amore effective manner.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Postnatal urinary incontinence: prevalence and factors associated with it in a Malaysian population

Dariah, M.Y., Paterson, J., Se, Ho, Ho, Christopher CK, Lily, X., Belan, I.

Medicine & Health, 2014;9(1):22-32.
MyJurnal

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of postnatal urinary incontinence (PNUI), the risk factors associated with it and postnatal women’s (PN) level of engagement in practicing traditional Malay confinement care (TMCC) in Kelantan, Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 362 postnatal women aged between 18 – 45 years and who were between three to five months post-delivery. Participants were selected through convenience sampling at six Maternal and Child Health Clinics located in comparatively similar districts. Descriptive and inferential analyses including, factor analysis, Pearson chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regressions analysis were used for data analysis. Overall, PNUI was reported by 80 women (22.1%). Vaginal delivery was associated with PNUI. All PN women within the study context practiced TMCC. The findings revealed that women who had PNUI were more likely to engage in a higher level of the ‘Body care’ component of TMCC. UI is prevalent among PN women in Kelantan, Malaysia. Further research into the impact of the ‘body care’ component of TMCC on PNUI is required.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Perceived knowledge and awareness of periodontal health amongst ante-natal mothers

Nurul Asyikin, Y., Nor Shaida, A., Nur Amirah, Z.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2010;16(2):57-65.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Physiological changes in the oral cavity and dental-related complications may occur during pregnancy. These intraoral changes that occur during pregnancy combined with lack of routine dental check-ups and delays in treatment for oral disease, place pregnant women at higher risk for dental infections. The objectives of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of pregnant women on periodontal disease and its effect on pregnancy, to investigate the relationship of their knowledge and awareness with level of education and the barriers of oral healthcare utilization among pregnant women.
Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire with an introductory letter and consent form were given to pregnant women who came for their routine maternity check-up at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Data entry and analysis was done using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 12.
Result: Ninety-two pregnant women responded to the questionnaire. Only 23.9% answered correctly to the question on what is plaque. However, 45.7% knew that plaque can cause gum disease and a majority of the respondents 72.8% also knew that bleeding gum is an indication to inflamed gums. The result shows that, although 59.8% of the respondents were aware that it is necessary to brush their teeth frequently during pregnancy, only less than half of the respondents (44.6%) were aware that dental plaque and poor plaque control may cause periodontal disease among pregnant women. The majority (33.7%) feels that the long waiting time in the clinic would be their main barrier in seeking dental treatment.
Conclusion: A majority of pregnant women have limited knowledge and poor awareness on periodontal disease and its effect on pregnancy.

Study site: Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Kuala Lumpur Hospital

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Ferous pills intake and its associated factors among pregnant mothers in Johor Bahru. [Pengambilan pil ferus dan faktor-faktor yang berkaitan dalam kalangan ibu mengandung di Johor Bahru]

Siti Khatijah, A.R., Rosnah, S.

Malaysian Journal of Community Health, 2009;15(2):60-66.
MyJurnal

Background : Anemia in pregnancy is a worldwide problem. Ministry of Health Malaysia has conducted prophylaxis program to distribute hematinic pills to pregnant women since 3 decades ago.
Methodology : A cross sectional study was conducted among pregnant women who attended government health clinics in Johor Bahru district to assess the prevalence of taking iron tablet and factors associated with it by using a structured questionnaire.
Result : Prevalence of respondents taking ferrous pill daily was 68.6%. Anemia prevalence found in this study was 37.5%. Majority of the respondents did not take pills regularly said their reason as forgotten(54.0%), side effects caused by taking pill (39.3%) and did not like the taste (6.7%). The haemoglobin mean was directly inclined with frequency of ferrous pill intake. The significant associated factor in taking iron pill was only frequency of drinking tea. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that drinking tea was the only factor that contributing to iron pills consumption.
Conclusion : Education is the most important factor in improving adherence to iron pill. Besides that, motivation and behaviour modification of pregnant women also needs to be taken into account.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Fulltext Maternal Dexamethasone Exposure Alters Synaptic Inputs to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in the Early Postnatal Rat

Lim WL, Idris MM, Kevin FS, Soga T, Parhar IS

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2016;7:117.
PMID: 27630615 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2016.00117

Maternal dexamethasone [(DEX); a glucocorticoid receptor agonist] exposure delays pubertal onset and alters reproductive behavior in the adult offspring. However, little is known whether maternal DEX exposure affects the offspring's reproductive function by disrupting the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal function in the brain. Therefore, this study determined the exposure of maternal DEX on the GnRH neuronal spine development and synaptic cluster inputs to GnRH neurons using transgenic rats expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of GnRH promoter. Pregnant females were administered with DEX (0.1 mg/kg) or vehicle (VEH, water) daily during gestation day 13-20. Confocal imaging was used to examine the spine density of EGFP-GnRH neurons by three-dimensional rendering and synaptic cluster inputs to EGFP-GnRH neurons by synapsin I immunohistochemistry on postnatal day 0 (P0) males. The spine morphology and number on GnRH neurons did not change between the P0 males following maternal DEX and VEH treatment. The number of synaptic clusters within the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT) was decreased by maternal DEX exposure in P0 males. Furthermore, the number and levels of synaptic cluster inputs in close apposition with GnRH neurons was decreased following maternal DEX exposure in the OVLT region of P0 males. In addition, the postsynaptic marker molecule, postsynaptic density 95, was observed in GnRH neurons following both DEX and VEH treatment. These results suggest that maternal DEX exposure alters neural afferent inputs to GnRH neurons during early postnatal stage, which could lead to reproductive dysfunction during adulthood.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Realizing the promise of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

Fassil H, Borrazzo J, Greene R, Jacobs T, Norton M, Stanton ME, et al.

Health Policy Plan, 2017 Sep 01;32(7):1072-1076.
PMID: 28407108 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czx018

Reflecting on Storeng and Béhague ("Lives in the balance": the politics of integration in the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Health Policy and Planning Storeng and Béhague (2016).) historical ethnography of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), this commentary provides a more current account of PMNCH's trajectory since its inception in 2005. It highlights PMNCH's distinct characteristics and how it is positioned to play an instrumental role in the current global health landscape.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Automated detection of premature delivery using empirical mode and wavelet packet decomposition techniques with uterine electromyogram signals

Acharya UR, Sudarshan VK, Rong SQ, Tan Z, Lim CM, Koh JE, et al.

Comput Biol Med, 2017 06 01;85:33-42.
PMID: 28433870 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.04.013

An accurate detection of preterm labor and the risk of preterm delivery before 37 weeks of gestational age is crucial to increase the chance of survival rate for both mother and the infant. Thus, the uterine contractions measured using uterine electromyogram (EMG) or electro hysterogram (EHG) need to have high sensitivity in the detection of true preterm labor signs. However, visual observation and manual interpretation of EHG signals at the time of emergency situation may lead to errors. Therefore, the employment of computer-based approaches can assist in fast and accurate detection during the emergency situation. This work proposes a novel algorithm using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) combined with wavelet packet decomposition (WPD), for automated prediction of pregnant women going to have premature delivery by using uterine EMG signals. The EMD is performed up to 11 levels on the normal and preterm EHG signals to obtain the different intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). These IMFs are further subjected to 6 levels of WPD and from the obtained coefficients, eight different features are extracted. From these extracted features, only the significant features are selected using particle swarm optimization (PSO) method and selected features are ranked by Bhattacharyya technique. All the ranked features are fed to support vector machine (SVM) classifier for automated differentiation and achieved an accuracy of 96.25%, sensitivity of 95.08%, and specificity of 97.33% using only ten EHG signal features. Our proposed algorithm can be used in gynecology departments of hospitals to predict the preterm or normal delivery of pregnant women.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Acupressure as adjuvant treatment for the inpatient management of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Adlan AS, Chooi KY, Mat Adenan NA

J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2017 Apr;43(4):662-668.
PMID: 28418209 DOI: 10.1111/jog.13269

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of acupressure at the Neiguan point (Pericardium [P]6) as adjuvant treatment during inpatient management of severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
METHODS: Low risk, spontaneously conceived singleton pregnancies were randomly assigned to a treatment group, who received an acupressure band placed at the Neiguan point (P6) or a placebo group who received an otherwise identical non-stimulating wristband. Participants wore the band for 12 h daily for the first three days of admission. The primary outcome measure was the severity of symptoms of nausea, vomiting and retching, recorded according to Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea score.
RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea scores from day 1 until day 3 of admission in the treatment group compared with the placebo. Patients who received Neiguan point acupressure also showed a significant improvement in their ketonuria scores. The treatment group required a shorter hospital stay compared with the placebo. The only reported side effect of the acupressure band was redness on the wrist.
CONCLUSIONS: The use of the acupressure band at the Neiguan point (P6) for 12 h daily for three days for inpatients with hyperemesis gravidarum significantly reduced the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and retching and ketonuria and led to a reduction in hospital stay. We recommend the use of the acupressure band at the Neiguan point (P6) as an adjunct/supplementary therapy to co-exist with the standard care of management for hyperemesis gravidarum, particularly in low-risk pregnant women.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
A clinician looks at the placenta

Sen DK

Med J Malaysia, 1977 Sep;32(1):96-9.
PMID: 609354
Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
East Asia Review, 1973. To sum up

Keeny SM

Stud Fam Plann, 1974 May;5(5):174-6.
PMID: 4828075 DOI: 10.2307/1965310

PIP: Observations are made related to the review of family planning activities in East Asia in 1973. The number of new acceptors for the region increased from 2.7 million in 1972 to 3.4 million in 1973. The leaders were Indonesia, which almost doubled its achievement of calendar year 1972, the Philippines, and Korea. In Thailand, the number of new acceptors dropped by about 10%. South Vietnam is the only country in the region without an official policy. Most couples still think that the ideal number of children is 4, with at least 2 sons. Some religious opposition does exist, particularly with reference to sterlization and abortion. More attention is being paid to women in their 20s. Sterilization and condoms are becoming more popular. Korea reports a sharp increase in vasectomies. Better methods and continuation rates should be stressed. In Taiwan a couple who start with 1 method and continue to practice some method lower their reproduction rate by 80%. More responsibility is being delegated to nurses and midwives, but too slowly. In Indonesia, the number of field workers rose from 3774 in 1972 to 6275 in 1973. The Philippines and Thailand are experimenting to see what kind of workers get best results and under what kind of salary and incentive arrangements. In-service training tends to be neglected, but preservice training is improving. Costs, in general, have risen, though in Korea the cost per acceptor has dropped from US$8.00 to US$7.80. Korea and Taiwan have reduced their annual population growth rates by more than 1/3 in 10 years, from 30 to 19-20 per 1000 each. Singapore's rate is 17 and Hong Kong's 14 (exclusive of inmigration). The number of couples currently practicing contraception in Singapore is 71%. Target systems assigning quotas to clinics are generally used except in Thailand and Malaysia, where programs emphasize maternal and child health, rather than population planning. Most programs require about 10 years to get the annual growth rate down to 2% by voluntary family planning. To get it down to 1.5% will probably take another 10 years.

Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
East Asia Review, 1973. 5. Malaysia

Bin Abdul Rahman S, Tan Boon Ann, Subbiah M, Loh Sow Khin, Baker Y

Stud Fam Plann, 1974 May;5(5):158-9.
PMID: 4828069 DOI: 10.2307/1965315
Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy
Oral prostaglandin e2 and amniotomy for induction of labour

Adeeb N, Fong TN

Med J Malaysia, 1974 Jun;28(4):263-6.
PMID: 4278401
Matched MeSH terms: Pregnancy

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links