Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(12):585-592
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320150005481
To assess attitudes about eating, weight gain and body image of pregnant adolescents.
Pregnant adolescents (n=67) were assessed using the Body Image Questionnaire, the Attitude towards Weight Gain during Pregnancy scale (AWGP) and questions about risk behaviors for eating disorders and unhealthy weight control practices. Associations between variables were analyzed by ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson and Spearman tests. The influence of the independent variables regarding skipping meals, body satisfaction and binge eating was evaluated by logistic regression.
The average age of the adolescents was 15.3 years (SD=1.14) and their average gestational age was 21.9 weeks (SD=6.53). The average AWGP score was 52.6 points, indicating a positive attitude towards weight gain, and 82.1% of the pregnant girls were satisfied with their bodies. Obese girls had more body dissatisfaction (p=0.001), and overweight girls thought more about food (p=0.02) and eating (p=0.03). The frequency of reported binge eating was 41.8%, and the frequency of skipping meals was 19%. Regression analysis showed that the current Body Mass Index (p=0.03; OR=1.18) and the importance of body awareness and fitness before pregnancy (p=0.03; OR=4.63) were predictors of skipping meals. Higher socioeconomic level (p=0.04; OR=0.55) and greater concern with weight gain (p=0.03; OR=0.32) predicted binge eating.
Even though the majority of the pregnant adolescents had positive attitudes toward weight gain and body satisfaction, those heavier and more concerned with weight gain had a higher risk of unhealthy attitudes, while those of lower social class, less concerned with weight gain and less embarrassed about their bodies during pregnancy, had a lower risk of unhealthy attitudes.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(12):571-577
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320150005419
To evaluate the nutritional and psychological factors associated with the occurrence of the practice of pica in pregnant women attending a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The study was based on a descriptive design with exploratory features, and conducted on 13 adult and adolescent pregnant women aged 16 to 40 years with a diagnosis of pica in the current pregnancy. Pica was diagnosed by a nutritionist in a standardized interview situation, when questions about the occurrence and frequency of pica, and types of substance ingestion were investigated. After signing the Informed Consent Form (ICF), all participants were evaluated by a nutritionist and seven of them were submitted to psychological assessment with standardized instruments to evaluate stress and anxiety, and to assess coping strategies.
The type of pica most frequently reported was pagophagia (30.8%) and the consumption of fruit with salt (30.8%). The most prevalent coping strategies were "religious practice-focused" and "seeking social support", both presented by 42% of the pregnant women. We observed the occurrence of some degree of stress and anxiety in all pregnant women, as well as comorbidities (69.2%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (84.6%).
Considering that pica may be associated with increased perinatal risk, it is very important to investigate this disorder during prenatal care, and to dopt obstetric, psychological and nutritional preventive practices to reduce the complications for mother and fetus.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(12):565-570
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005488
To determine the influence of breastfeeding on the results of a postpartum oral glucose tolerance test in women recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus.
The data were obtained from the electronic medical records of the Endocrinopathy Sector during pregnancy, HCMED laboratory system ofHospital das Clínicas of São Paulo , and by telephone. According to the inclusion criteria adopted, 132 patients were eligible for the study. For statistical analysis, the patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not they breastfed. The results were analyzed by the Student t-test and by the Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, depending on the variable analyzed, with the level of significance set at p<0.05.
Of the 132 patients included in the study, 114 breastfed and 18 did not. Most of the patients in both groups were overweight or obese. The breastfeeding group had a lower pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index than the non-breastfeeding group (p=0.006). Insulin was introduced earlier in the group that did not breastfeed (23.21±4.33 versus 28.84±6.17; p=0.04). The group that did not breastfeed had a higher mean postpartum fasting glucose value in the oral glucose tolerance test than the group that breastfed (91.3±8.7 versus 86.5±9.3; p=0.01). Breastfeeding acted as a protective factor against the development of glucose intolerance in the postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OR=0.27; 95%CI 0.09-0.8). By logistic regression, breastfeeding was shown to be an independent protective factor.
There was a statistically significant relationship between breastfeeding and a decreased risk of developing glucose intolerance. Breastfeeding should be encouraged because it is an effective, low cost intervention easily accessible to all patients during the postpartum period.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(11):505-511
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005400
To evaluate the factors associated with anemia among pregnant women receiving public health care in a capital city in Northeastern Brazil.
This was a cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 428 patients obtained on the basis of the estimated prevalence of anemia during pregnancy (50%), a 95% confidence interval (95%CI), an error of 5% and a sample loss of 20%. Pregnant women who lived in the city and were served by the municipal public health network were considered to be eligible for the study. Socioeconomic, lifestyle, clinical and anthropometric data and dietary iron intake were obtained, and capillary hemoglobin was determined. Anemia was identified as a hemoglobin level <11 g/dL, and its association with risk factors was tested using multivariate Poisson regression analysis, with the results expressed as the Prevalence Ratio (PR) and 95%CI.
The prevalence of anemia was 28.3% and was higher among women with more members in the household (PR=1.49; 95%CI 1.01-2.22; p=0.046) and those living with food insecurity (PR=1.43; 95%CI 1.00-2.04; p=0.047).
The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women receiving care from the public health system of the city is a moderate public health problem, requiring the planning of effective measures for its control.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(11):498-504
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005286
To evaluate the risk factors for morbidity and mortality in an obstetric intensive care unit at a university hospital.
Observational cross-sectional study with 492 pregnant/puerperal women. Patients were admitted to the obstetric intensive care unit over a period of one year, being informed about the proposals of the study and a questionnaire was applied. The analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and GraphPad Prism 6. To evaluate risk factors, χ2 tests were used.
The main risk factors to near miss were: non-white race (OR=2.5; PR=2.3); marital status (married women) (OR=7.9; PR=7.1), schooling (primary) (OR=3.1; PR=2.8), being from the countryside (OR=4.6; PR=4.0), low income (OR=70; PR=5.5), gestational hypertensive disorders (OR=16.3; PR=13.2), receiving prenatal care (OR=5.0; PR=4.254) and C-section before labor (OR=39.2; PR=31.2).
The prevalence of near miss was associated with socioeconomic/clinical factors and care issues, revealing the importance of interventions to improve these indicators. Additionally, we suggest a better curriculum insertion of this subject in the discipline of the medical course due to the importance of avoiding the near miss using adequate medical education. The importance of correct prenatal care is emphasized in order to identify potential risks, to provide nutritional support to pregnant women, to treat potential diseases and to establish a maternal immunization program, as well as providing better care regarding the clinical features of the patients, in order to reduce obstetrical and neonatal risk.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(11):520-525
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005438
To translate, to adapt and to validate the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) for the Brazilian population.
Women in the climacteric phase, residents in the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, located in the Brazilian Northeast, were randomly selected. UQOL and SF-36 questionnaires were used, and the translation from English to Portuguese was made by three teachers, while the adaptation stage of the translated version was made by applying the questionnaire to 35 women, which could mark the answer choice "I did not understand the question"; reproducibility measurements (test-retest) and construct validity were used to validate, following international methodological standards.
The Brazilian version was fully recognized by the target population, which was comprised of 151 women, as no question showed a percentage of "non-understanding" equal to or greater than 20%. The results for intra and interobserver reproducibility demonstrated significant agreement on all the questionnaire items. This version showed consistency above the required criteria (>70), demonstrating its accuracy, while the construct validity was obtained by statistically significant correlations between the domains occupation, health and emotional of UQOL and the SF-36 domains. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the whole instrument was 0.82, representing good accuracy. Item-total correlation analysis showed the scale homogeneity
From the steps taken, the UQOL questionnaire was translated and adapted for its use in Brazil, with high reproducibility and validity. Thus, it can be included and used in Brazilian studies that aim at evaluating the quality of life of women during the peri- and postmenopausal.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(10):467-472
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005440
The administration of a single-course antenatal corticosteroid treatment is recommended for pregnant women between 24 and 34 weeks with risk of premature birth. The maximum effect is achieved when antenatal corticosteroids are administered between 24h and 7 days before delivery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of birth within seven days of corticosteroid therapy in major obstetric situations with risk of preterm birth
Retrospective cohort study including 209 pregnant women hospitalized in risk of preterm delivery, submitted to corticosteroid therapy for fetal lung maturation. The study was carried out between January 2012 and March 2014 at a university hospital. Main outcome measure was the number of women who delivered within 7 da ys after antenatal corticosteroid administration. Two groups were defined according to the reason for starting corticosteroids: threatened preterm labour (Group APPT) and other indications for corticosteroid therapy (Group RPPT). A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
46.4% (n=97) of pregnant women gave birth in the seven days following corticosteroid administration. Delivery within 7 days occurred more frequently on group 2 in comparison to group 1 (57.3 versus42.4%; p=0.001). There is a statistically significant difference between the survival curve for groups 1 and 2, with a hazard ratio for delivery within 7 days 1.71 times higher for group 2 (95%CI 1.23-2.37; p<0.001)
It can be concluded that the probability of an event (birth within 7 days after corticosteroids) is smaller in the group of pregnant women admitted in the context of threatened preterm labor than for other indications. The use of corticosteroids in pregnant women admitted for suspected preterm labor should be subject to rigorous clinical evaluation
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(10):460-466
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005361
To evaluate the effectiveness of an illustrated home exercise guide targeting the pelvic floor muscles in promoting urinary continence during pregnancy.
A randomized clinical trial was performed with 87 participants, evaluated six times during pregnancy and divided into three groups: Gsup, supervised; Gobs, not supervised, and Gref, women who did not perform the home exercises program. A miction diary and perineometry were used to evaluate urinary incontinence (primary outcome) and pelvic floor muscle strength (secondary outcome), respectively. The Kruskal-Wallis test with post hoc Dunn's and chi-square and Z tests with Bonferroni correction were used for continuous variables and proportions, respectively, with the level of significance set at 5%.
At the end of the study, 6.9% of pregnant women in the Gsup and Gobs had urinary incontinence, while 96.6% of Gref women were incontinent. Regarding pelvic floor muscle function, Gsup and Gobs had mean contractions of 10 and 8.9 cmH2O, respectively, while Gref had a value of 4.7 cmH2O. Both results were significant.
An illustrated home exercise guide targeting the pelvic floor muscles is effective in promoting urinary continence during pregnancy, even without permanent supervision.