Khadije Rezaie-Kheikhaie; Marie Hastings-Tolsma; Mohammadreza Firouzkouhi; Abdolghani Abdollahimohammad; Fatemeh Mirzaie; Sanaz Nehbandani
Abstract
Background: Pregnant women represent a vulnerable demographic to COVID-19. In addition to the physical health risks posed to both the mother and fetus, COVID-19 engenders intricate and unique post-recovery experiences among pregnant women. This study explored the lived experiences of pregnant women who ...
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Background: Pregnant women represent a vulnerable demographic to COVID-19. In addition to the physical health risks posed to both the mother and fetus, COVID-19 engenders intricate and unique post-recovery experiences among pregnant women. This study explored the lived experiences of pregnant women who have recovered from COVID-19.Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed for this research, conducted in southeastern Iran from January to May 2021. A purposive sampling method was utilized to select 12 participants, and data collection was accomplished through semi-structured interviews. The Colaizzi approach was employed for data analysis.Results: The study initially generated 278 codes, from which three principal themes aligned with the research objective. These primary themes encompass health risks, maternal responsibilities, and challenges associated with recovery.Conclusion: Pregnant women in the process of recovering from COVID-19 confront various health-related challenges, as well as those about child health. Policymakers, obstetricians, and midwives must provide support to enhance these individuals’ postrecovery quality of health.
Ilaf Jasim Mohammed; Ibrahim Abdulqader Naqid; Huseyin Kaya Süer
Abstract
Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) are known to be a major cause of uropathogen among women globally. Urinary tract infection in pregnant women continues to pose clinical problems, which is a big burden for physicians. The emergence of antibiotic resistance to E. coli is inevitable and one of the ...
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Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) are known to be a major cause of uropathogen among women globally. Urinary tract infection in pregnant women continues to pose clinical problems, which is a big burden for physicians. The emergence of antibiotic resistance to E. coli is inevitable and one of the critical health-associated problems. The present study aimed to determine the E. coli isolates, risk factors, and antibiotic resistance profile of the UTI among pregnant women. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study on pregnant women who attended maternity hospital in Zakho City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. From October 2020 to January 2021, 196 subjects were recruited in the present experiment. Uropathogenic E. coli were detected from mid-stream urine of the participants. Subsequently, we performed antibiotic sensitivity test using microbiological standard tests. Through the use of designed questionnaires, the required data were collected, processed, and analysed via the Fisher’s exact test and Chi-square. Results: Out of a total of 196 subjects, 34 (17.34%) were culture positive for E. coli infection among pregnant women. A high rate of infection was detected in the age group of between 25-34 years (21.6%). Additionally, the highest rate of E. coli belonged to illiterate people (19.4%), followed by those with higher education (18.9%). The assessment of the risk factors associated with E. coli indicated that diabetes (P=0.028), a history of UTI infection (P=0.049), and the presence of symptoms during infection (P=0.001) were statistically significantly different. The antibiotics sensitivity profile in urine samples of pregnant women showed that E. coli were extremely sensitive to Nitrofurantoin (82.4%), Meropenem (79.4%), and around 67.6% for both Amikacin and Ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of E. coli infection is quite lower among pregnant women compared to that in non-pregnant ones. The major risk factors associated with E. coli during pregnancy were diabetes mellitus, a history of UTI, and the presence of symptoms during infection. E. coli isolated from urine samples seem to be different concerning antibiotic sensitivity pattern. During their regular follow-up, pregnant women should also be examined for major risk factors and antibiotic susceptibility.
Ibrahim A. Naqid; Shivan H. Yousif; Nawfal R. Hussein
Abstract
Background: In pregnant women, primary infection with rubella and herpes virus may lead to serious complications, including abortion, stillbirth, and severe birth defect. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of rubella and herpes IgG and IgM antibodies in pregnant women. ...
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Background: In pregnant women, primary infection with rubella and herpes virus may lead to serious complications, including abortion, stillbirth, and severe birth defect. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of rubella and herpes IgG and IgM antibodies in pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Zakho city, Kurdistan, Iraq. A total of 200 women aged 18-45 years with a history of miscarriage and stillbirth were recruited. Samples were collected from Private Clinical Health Centre at Zakho City between January 2015 and December 2018. All samples were then tested by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) (VIDAS instrument) for detection of rubella and herpes specific IgG and IgM classes of antibodies. Results: Of the total study participants, 166 (83%) were seropositive for anti-rubella IgG antibodies while nine (4.5%) were positive for anti-rubella IgM antibodies. In addition, seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to Herpes simplex virus was observed in 154 (77%) and 10 (5%) subjects, respectively. As far as age is concerned, the highest seropositivity of specific IgG and IgM antibodies to Rubella and Herpes was found in participants younger than 30 years, but statistically not significant differences were found. Conclusion: This study provided pilot data on Rubella and Herpes virus infections among women in Zakho city, Kurdistan, Iraq. Data from the present study showed a high anti-Rubella and Herpes IgG and a low IgM positivity in the recruited subjects. Screening women with miscarriage or stillbirth might be conducive to specifying the causes of abortion or stillbirth.
Ibrahim Abdulqader Naqid; Shivan Hassan Yousif; Nawfal Rasheed Hussein
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause a range of diseases in pregnant women and may lead to adverse fetal outcomes. Therefore, the detection of these infections is necessary during pregnancy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma ...
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Background: Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause a range of diseases in pregnant women and may lead to adverse fetal outcomes. Therefore, the detection of these infections is necessary during pregnancy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma and Cytomegalovirus infections among the pregnant women with history of abortion in Zakho city, Iraq. Methods: Over a period of five years (2014-2018), blood samples were collected from 500 subjects aged 16-45 years old and tested to identify the presence of specific IgG and IgM to Toxoplasma and CMV infections by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) method. Results: Of 500 pregnant women, 145 (29%) and 7 (1.8%) were seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM, respectively. IgG seropositivityto T. gondii infection varied significantly between age groups (P=0.05). Additionally, the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies for CMV was 475 (95%) and 9 (1.8%), respectively. Estimation of age specific subgroups showed high CMV IgG seropositivity rates for all age groups with no significant difference between them. Altogether, 145 cases were verified seropositive for specific IgG antibody against both pathogens and only 2 cases were positive for specific IgM against both agents. Conclusion: Anti-Toxoplasma and CMV IgG and IgM antibodies positivity rates among pregnant women determined in the present study are quite similar as compared to other studies reported in Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Though, infection with those pathogens is not a major cause of abortion; it is useful to screen women with recurrent abortion for such infections in order to avoid undesirable fetal outcomes and other serious complications.
Roxana Sharifian; Elham Fallahnejad; Fatemeh Niknam
Mohsen Taghizadeh; Sabihe-Alsadat Alizadeh; Zatollah Asemi
Abstract
Background: To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of synbiotics on pregnancy outcomes and maternal biochemical indices in pregnant women.
Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of a synbiotic food on pregnancy outcomes and maternal ...
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Background: To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of synbiotics on pregnancy outcomes and maternal biochemical indices in pregnant women.
Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of a synbiotic food on pregnancy outcomes and maternal biochemical indices among Iranian pregnant women.
Patients and Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted among 52 pregnant women, primigravida, aged from 18 to 35 years with singleton pregnancy at their third trimester. After a 2-week run-in period, pregnant women were divided into two groups to receive either a synbiotic (n = 26) or control food (n = 26) for 9 weeks randomly. The synbiotic food contained a probiotic viable and heat-resistant Lactobacillus sporogenes(1 × 10 7CFU) and 0.04 g inulin (HPX)/g as the prebiotic. Subjects were requested to consume the synbiotic food two times a day in 9 g portions, followed by checking for newborn’s weight, height, head circumference, Apgar score, and hyperbilirubinemia. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and 9 weeks after the intervention to measure serum calcium, iron, and magnesium and liver enzymes.
Results: Supplementation with synbiotic food for 9 weeks among pregnant women did not affect any significant differences in the cesarean section rate, gestational age, newborn birth size and Apgar score. Synbiotic-supplemented women had a significant rise in serum calcium levels (+0.2 ± 1.0 vs. -0.5 ± 0.8 mg/dL, P = 0.005) compared to women in the control group, while no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of their effects on serum iron, magnesium and liver enzymes levels.
Conclusions: Taken together, consumption of synbiotic food among pregnant women for 9 weeks has resulted in increased levels of serum calcium compared to the control food, but did not affect pregnancy outcomes, serum iron, magnesium and liver enzymes.
Maryam Karamali; Zatollah Asemi
Abstract
Background: Increased metabolic profiles during pregnancy are associated with an increasing risk for maternal and fetal morbidity and remain a significant medical challenge. To our knowledge there are no reports on the favorable effects of calcium supplementation plus aspirin on metabolic profiles among ...
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Background: Increased metabolic profiles during pregnancy are associated with an increasing risk for maternal and fetal morbidity and remain a significant medical challenge. To our knowledge there are no reports on the favorable effects of calcium supplementation plus aspirin on metabolic profiles among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia.
Objectives: This study was designed to determine the favorable effects of taking calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin on metabolic profiles among Iranian pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia.
Patients and Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 54 primigravida pregnant women, aged from aged 18 to 40 years with gestational age of 27 weeks and positive roll-over test. The population under study was randomly divided into two groups each including 27 subjects. The case group received 500 mg calcium supplement plus 80 mg aspirin for 9 weeks, compared with untreated placebo control group. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after intervention period to measure fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and serum lipid profiles.
Results: As compared to the placebo, consumption of calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin resulted in a significant difference in serum triglycerides levels (8.8 vs.51.7 mg/dL, P = 0.03). However, no significant differences were found between case and the placebo groups regarding fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and serum total, HDL, LDL cholesterol levels. As for the placebo group, significant increases were observed in serum total cholesterol (+ 12.4 mg/dL, P = 0.01) and triglycerides levels (+ 51.7 mg/dL, P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The consumption of calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin for 9 weeks in pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia resulted in significant reduction in serum triglycerides levels compared to the placebo group, but did not affect FPG and other lipid profiles.
Monire Toosi; Marzieh Akbarzadeh; Farkhondeh Sharif; Najaf Zare
Abstract
Background: Anxiety is among the pregnancy complications affecting maternal mental and physical health and attachment to the fetus and newborn. Relaxation training is an effective, simple and available method to address this dismal condition.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect ...
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Background: Anxiety is among the pregnancy complications affecting maternal mental and physical health and attachment to the fetus and newborn. Relaxation training is an effective, simple and available method to address this dismal condition.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of relaxation training on anxiety and maternal attachment to fetus and neonate in primigravida women.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial comprised 84 primigravida pregnant woman including 42 experimental and 42 controls from a population of pregnant women referred to Shushtari and Hafez hospitals in the summer of 2010. Before the beginning of the study, anxiety and attachment levels of mothers to the fetus were assessed in both groups. In addition to the routine prenatal cares, the experimental group underwent four weekly 90-minutes of relaxation training for one month. The control group received only standard care during pregnancy. At the end of one month intervention, the anxiety and attachment levels of mothers to the fetus were assessed in both groups. The researcher visited mothers, while breastfeeding, on the first day after delivery, and recorded the mothers-neonates attachment behaviors.
Results: The two groups were homogeneous in terms of age, sex and attachment and anxiety levels before the intervention. There were no significant differences in mean score of anxiety (P = 0.618) and attachment (P = 0.897) levels before the intervention in both groups. However, significant differences were observed in the anxiety (P = 0.017) and attachment (P = 0.005) mean scores after the intervention between both groups. Also, the mean score of maternal attachment after the first breastfeeding in the two groups showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that relaxation training reduces anxiety in pregnant women and improves maternal attachment to the newborn.
