scholarly journals The mystery of COVID-19 reinfections: A global systematic review and meta-analysis of 577 cases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubaid Azhar Dhillon ◽  
Mohammad Aadil Qamar ◽  
Omar Irfan ◽  
Jaleed Ahmed Gilani ◽  
Usama Waqar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Time Duration ◽  
Disease Spectrum ◽  
Meta Analyses

Background As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, reports on disparities in vaccine roll out alongside reinfection and reactivation from previously recovered cases have been emerging. With newer waves and variants of COVID-19, we conducted a systematic review to assess the determinants and disease spectrum of COVID-19 reinfection. Methods A comprehensive search covering relevant databases was conducted for observational studies reporting Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmed infection and reinfection cases. Quality assessment tool developed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) for assessment of case series was used. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 for pooled proportions of findings in first infection and reinfection with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Eighty-one studies reporting 577 cases were included from 22 countries. The mean age of patients was 46.2±18.9 years with males accounting for 45.8% of the study population while 179 (31.0%) cases of comorbidities were reported. The average time duration between first infection and reinfection was 63.6±48.9 days. During first infection and reinfection, fever was the most common symptom (41.4% and 36.4%,respectively) whilst anti-viral therapy was the most common treatment regimen administered (44.5% and 43.0%, respectively). Overall, comparable odds of symptomatic presentation and management were reported in the two infections. However, a higher Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission rate was observed in reinfection compared to first infection (10 vs 3). Ten deaths were reported with 565 patients fully recovering. Respiratory failure was the most common cause of death (7/10 deaths). Seventy-two studies were determined to be of good quality whilst nine studies were of fair quality. Conclusion As the first global-scale systematic review of its kind, our findings support immunization practices given increased ICU admissions and mortality in reinfections. Our cohort serves as a guide for clinicians and authorities for devising an optimal strategy for controlling the pandemic.

scholarly journals Seizures in supratentorial meningioma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 1552-1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario J. Englot ◽  
Stephen T. Magill ◽  
Seunggu J. Han ◽  
Edward F. Chang ◽  
Mitchel S. Berger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Peritumoral Edema ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Tumor Types

OBJECT Meningioma is the most common benign intracranial tumor, and patients with supratentorial meningioma frequently suffer from seizures. The rates and predictors of seizures in patients with meningioma have been significantly under-studied, even in comparison with other brain tumor types. Improved strategies for the prediction, treatment, and prevention of seizures in patients with meningioma is an important goal, because tumor-related epilepsy significantly impacts patient quality of life. METHODS The authors performed a systematic review of PubMed for manuscripts published between January 1980 and September 2014, examining rates of pre- and postoperative seizures in supratentorial meningioma, and evaluating potential predictors of seizures with separate meta-analyses. RESULTS The authors identified 39 observational case series for inclusion in the study, but no controlled trials. Preoperative seizures were observed in 29.2% of 4709 patients with supratentorial meningioma, and were significantly predicted by male sex (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.30–2.34); an absence of headache (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.04–3.25); peritumoral edema (OR 7.48, 95% CI 6.13–9.47); and non–skull base location (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.04–3.25). After surgery, seizure freedom was achieved in 69.3% of 703 patients with preoperative epilepsy, and was more than twice as likely in those without peritumoral edema, although an insufficient number of studies were available for formal meta-analysis of this association. Of 1085 individuals without preoperative epilepsy who underwent resection, new postoperative seizures were seen in 12.3% of patients. No difference in the rate of new postoperative seizures was observed with or without perioperative prophylactic anticonvulsants. CONCLUSIONS Seizures are common in supratentorial meningioma, particularly in tumors associated with brain edema, and seizure freedom is a critical treatment goal. Favorable seizure control can be achieved with resection, but evidence does not support routine use of prophylactic anticonvulsants in patients without seizures. Limitations associated with systematic review and meta-analysis should be considered when interpreting these results.

scholarly journals LO075: Clinical exam for acute aortic dissection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S56-S56
Author(s):  
R. Ohle ◽  
H. Kareemi ◽  
J.J. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Neurological Deficit ◽  
Acute Aortic Dissection ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Clinical Exam ◽  
Meta Analyses

Introduction: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is difficult to diagnose and if missed carries a significant mortality rate. Our aim was to assess the accuracy of history, physical exam and plain radiographs compared to advanced imaging in the diagnosis of AAD in adults presenting to the ED with a clinical suspicion of AAD. Methods: We conducted a librarian assisted systematic review. Databases searched: Pubmed, Medline, Embase and the Cochrane database from 1968 to January 2016. No restrictions for language were imposed. Studies were reviewed and data extracted by two independent reviewers. AAD was defined by CTA, MRI or TEE Prospective and retrospective studies of patients presenting with a clinical suspicion of AAD were included. Case series were excluded. Studies were combined if low clinical and statistical heterogeonity (I2<30%). Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS tool. Bivariate random effects meta analyses using Revman 5 and SAS 9.3 was performed. Results: We identified 792 records: 61 selected for full text review, 13 included and a further 7 from reference searches. 20 studies with 4721 participants were included (mean QUADAS score 12/14 SD 1.2, Kappa 0.8). Prevalence of AAD ranged from 9.6-76.1% (mean 39.1% SD 17.1%). Mean diagnosis in those without AAD varied between studies with ACS (30.3% SD 30.1%), Anuerysm(12.4% SD 9.8%), Chest wall pain(18.1% SD 13.3%) and PE(7.9% SD 7.85%) being the most common. The clinical findings most suggestive of AAD were, neurological deficit (specificity 94% LR 4.1 [95% CI, 3.1-5.2], I2 0%, n=9), hypotension(specificity 94% LR 2.6 [95% CI 1.6-4.2], I2 0%, n=8), pulse deficit (specificity 92% LR 3.4 [95% CI 1.8-6.4], I2 0%, n=9) and syncope (specificity 92% LR 1.4 [95% CI 1.1-1.8], I2 10%, n=6). The most useful for identifying patients less likely to have AAD were an absence of a widened mediastinum (sensitivity 80% LR 0.3 [95% CI 0.2-0.5], I2 20%, n=13) and an AHA Aortic dissection risk score <1 (n=2 sensitivity 91%,99% LR 0.02,0.22, [95% CI 0.003-0.128, 95%CI 0.2-0.3]). Conclusion: Suspicion for AAD should be raised with syncope, hypotension and pulse or neurological deficit in the appropriate clinical setting. Conversely the absence of a widened mediastinum and a low ADD score decreases likelihood. Clinical exam alone cannot rule out acute aortic dissection but it can help risk stratify for further testing.

scholarly journals Effect of periodontal therapy on the systemic inflammation and metabolic  markers in patients undergoing hemodialysis or/and peritoneal dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Yue ◽  
Xinxin Xu ◽  
Qin Liu ◽  
Xiaozhi Li ◽  
Yiting Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Periodontal Treatment ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Metabolic Markers ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Background: This systematic review aimed to investigate whether periodontal treatment can reduce the systemic inflammatory levels and improve the metabolic levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) or/and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, NCKI, and WFPD) were searched up to July 2019. The risk of bias within studies was assessed through the Cochrane Collaboration' s risk assessment tool. The systemic inflammatory and metabolic measures were the highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a), the albumin (Alb), and lipid metabolic levels. Meta-analyses (MAs) were performed to calculate the overall effect size where appropriate. Results: Five studies were eligible for this systematic review. The result of four studies revealed a significant difference in the CRP level after periodontal treatment in patients receiving HD or/and PD. Two studies reported the IL-6 and the Alb level after periodontal treatment but revealed no significant difference. No MAs could be performed on the TNF- a level and the lipid metabolic markers. Conclusions: Periodontal treatment may moderately reduce the serum of CRP levels in HD or/and PD patients. For the TNF-a, IL-6, Alb levels and lipid metabolic markers, no sufficient evidence supports the difference after periodontal treatment. Therefore, larger scales and high-quality randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) are required to assess the effect of periodontal treatment on systemic inflammatory and metabolic parameters in HD or/and PD patients.

scholarly journals Efficacy and harms of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Piscoya ◽  
Luis Fernando Ng-Sueng ◽  
Angela Parra del Riego ◽  
Renato Cerna-Viacava ◽  
Vinay Pasupuleti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Invasive Ventilation ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Meta Analyses

AbstractBackgroundWe evaluated the efficacy and safety of remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19.MethodsSystematic review in five engines, pre-print webpages and RCT registries until May 22, 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies evaluating remdesivir on confirmed, COVID-19 adults with pneumonia and/or respiratory insufficiency. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, clinical improvement or recovery, need for invasive ventilation, and serious adverse events (SAE). Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, progression of pneumonia, and adverse events (AE). Inverse variance random effects meta-analyses were performed.ResultsTwo placebo-controlled RCTs (n=1300) and two case series (n=88) were included. All studies used remdesivir 200mg IV the first day and 100mg IV for 9 more days, and followed up until 28 days. Wang et al. RCT was stopped early due to AEs; ACTT-1 was preliminary reported at 15-day follow up. Time to clinical improvement was not decreased in Wang et al. RCT, but median time to recovery was decreased by 4 days in ACTT-1. Remdesivir did not decrease all-cause mortality (RR 0.71, 95%CI 0.39 to 1.28) and need for invasive ventilation at 14 days (RR 0.57, 95%CI 0.23 to 1.42), but had fewer SAEs (RR 0.77, 95%CI 0.63 to 0.94). AEs were similar between remdesivir and placebo arms. Risk of bias ranged from some concerns to high risk in RCTs.InterpretationThere is paucity of adequately powered and fully reported RCTs evaluating effects of remdesivir in adult, hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Remdesivir should not be recommended for the treatment of severe COVID-19.

scholarly journals The global molecular epidemiology of microsporidia infection in sheep and goats with focus on Enterocytozoon bieneusi: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Saeed Bahadory ◽  
Ehsan Javanmard
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Global Estimate ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Background Microsporidia is a zoonotic pathogen with health consequences in immunocompromised patients. Small ruminants are a potential reservoir of microsporidia for humans in their vicinity. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the molecular prevalence of microsporidian infections with emphasis on Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes among sheep and goats at a global scale through systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Methods The standard protocol of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Eligible prevalence studies on small ruminant microsporidiosis, published from 1 January 2000 until 15 April 2021 were gathered using systematic literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. The point estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effects model. The variance between studies (heterogeneity) was quantified by I2 index. Results In total, 25 articles (including 34 datasets) were included for final meta-analysis. The pooled molecular prevalence of microsporidia in sheep and goats was estimated to be 17.4% (95% CI: 11.8–25%) and 16% (95% CI: 11.2–22.4%), respectively. Likewise, the overall prevalence of E. bieneusi was estimated to be 17.4% (95% CI: 11.8–25%) for sheep and 16.3% (95% CI: 11.3–22.8%) for goats. According to internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene analysis, E. bieneusi with genotypes BEB6 (15 studies) and COS-1 (nine studies) in sheep, and CHG3 (six studies) and BEB6 (five studies) in goats were the highest reported genotypes. Conclusion The present results highlight the role of sheep and goats as reservoir hosts for human-infecting microsporidia. Therefore, this global estimate could be beneficial on preventive and control measures.

Perilunate Injury Timing and Treatment Options: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J.W. van der Oest ◽  
Liron S. Duraku ◽  
Madina Artan ◽  
Caroline A. Hundepool ◽  
Dominic M. Power ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Closed Reduction ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Control Series

Abstract Introduction Perilunate injuries are uncommon yet challenging and often missed injuries, representing 7% of all carpal traumas. Two types of injuries can be identified as follows: perilunate dislocations (PLD) and perilunate fracture-dislocations (PLFD). The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to establish which surgical treatment is superior for patients with perilunate injuries and the significance of delayed treatment. Methods A total of 2056 articles were screened, and 16 articles were included. Risk of bias for case-control series and case series were assessed through the National Institute of Health study quality assessment tool. Qualitative outcomes of clinical scores for hand function were compared between different time points (acute, < 7 days; delayed 7–45 days; chronic > 45 days), open and closed reduction, and PLD and PLFD. Results Overall, the clinical outcome scores of patients treated within 7 days are good. The results suggest that closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) offers slightly better outcomes than open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for PLFD. Patients treated 6 weeks or more after the initial injury seem to have the worst overall outcomes than patients in the acute or delayed setting. The results suggest that patients with chronic PLD have even worse outcomes than patients with chronic PLFD. Conclusions Timing of surgery is essential for an optimal outcome. When there is a delay of treatment, the outcomes are inferior to those treated acutely. Early referral to centralized treatment units for perilunate injuries would allow for targeted treatment and facilitate research on this difficult wrist injury.

Parent–Infant Interventions to Promote Parental Sensitivity During NICU Hospitalization: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 105381512199192
Author(s):  
Andréane Lavallée ◽  
Gwenaëlle De Clifford-Faugère ◽  
Ariane Ballard ◽  
Marilyn Aita
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Parental Sensitivity ◽  
Assessment Development ◽  
Implementation Failure ◽  
Meta Analyses

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of parent–infant interventions for parents of preterm infants on parental sensitivity compared to standard care or active comparators. This review follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration ID: CRD42016047083). Database searches were performed from inception to 2020 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials. Two review authors independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and quality of evidence using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. A total of 19 studies ( n = 2,111 participants) were included and 14 were suitable to be pooled in our primary outcome meta-analysis. Results show no significant effect of parent–infant interventions over standard care or basic educational programs, on parental sensitivity. Results may not necessarily be due to the ineffectiveness of the interventions but rather due to implementation failure or high risk of bias of included studies.

scholarly journals Survival Rate and Prosthetic and Sinus Complications of Zygomatic Dental Implants for the Rehabilitation of the Atrophic Edentulous Maxilla: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 601
Author(s):  
David Gutiérrez Muñoz ◽  
Caterina Obrador Aldover ◽  
Álvaro Zubizarreta-Macho ◽  
Héctor González Menéndez ◽  
Juan Lorrio Castro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Dental Implants ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
P Value ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Prosthetic Complications

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze and compare the survival rate and prosthetic and sinus complications of zygomatic dental implants for the rehabilitation of the atrophic edentulous maxilla. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, of clinical studies that evaluated the survival rate and prosthetic and sinus complications of zygomatic dental implants for the rehabilitation of the atrophic edentulous maxilla. Four databases were consulted during the literature search: Pubmed–Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. After eliminating duplicate articles and applying the inclusion criteria, 46 articles were selected for the qualitative analysis and 32 for the quantitative analysis. Results: Four randomized controlled trials, 19 prospective clinical studies, 20 retrospective studies, and 3 case series were included in the meta-analysis. Conventional dental implants failure (n = 3549) were seen in 2.89% (IC-95% 1.83–3.96%), while zygomatic dental implants failure (n = 1895) were seen in 0.69% (IC-95% 0.21–1.16%). The measure of the effect size used was the Odds Ratio, which was estimated at 2.05 with a confidence interval of 95% between 1.22 and 3.44 (z test = 2.73; p-value = 0.006). The failure risk of conventional dental implants is 2.1 times higher than that of zygomatic dental implants. Slight heterogeneity was determined in the meta-analysis between 23 combined studies (Q test = 32.4; p-value = 0.070; I2 = 32.1%). Prosthetic complications were recorded in 4.9% (IC-95% 2.7–7.3%) and mild heterogeneity was observed in a meta-analysis of 28 combined studies (Q test = 88.2; p-value = 0.001; I2 = 69.4%). Sinus complications were seen in 4.7% (IC-95% 2.8–6.5%) and mild heterogeneity was observed in a meta-analysis of 32 combined studies (Q test = 75.3; p-value = 0.001; I2 = 58.8%). Conclusions: The high survival rate and low prosthetic and sinus complications related to zygomatic dental implants suggest the use of zygomatic dental implants for the rehabilitation of the atrophic edentulous maxilla.

scholarly journals Association between components of the delirium syndrome and outcomes in hospitalised adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoë Tieges ◽  
Terence Quinn ◽  
Lorn MacKenzie ◽  
Daniel Davis ◽  
Graciela Muniz-Terrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Symptom Domains ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Psychotic Features ◽  
Quality Evidence

Abstract Background Delirium is a heterogeneous syndrome with inattention as the core feature. There is considerable variation in the presence and degree of other symptom domains such as altered arousal, psychotic features and global cognitive dysfunction. Delirium is independently associated with increased mortality, but it is unclear whether individual symptom domains of delirium have prognostic importance. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in hospitalised adults in general settings to identify the relationship between symptom domains of delirium and outcomes. (PROSPERO: CRD42018093935). Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, clinicaltrials.gov and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to November 2019. We included studies of hospitalised adults that reported associations between symptom domains of delirium and 30-day mortality (primary outcome), and other outcomes including mortality at other time points, length of stay, and dementia. Reviewer pairs independently screened articles, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias (Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies) and quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. We performed random-effects meta-analyses stratified by delirium domain where possible. Results From 7092 citations we included 6 studies (6002 patients, 1112 with delirium). Higher mortality (ranging from in-hospital to follow-up beyond 12 months) was associated with altered arousal (pooled Odds Ratio (OR) 2.80, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.33–3.37; moderate-quality evidence), inattention (pooled OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.74–3.80; low-quality evidence), and in single studies with disorientation, memory deficits and disorganised thoughts. Risk of bias varied across studies but was moderate-to-high overall, mainly due to selection bias, lack of blinding of assessments and unclear risk of selective outcome reporting. We found no studies on the association between psychotic features, visuospatial deficits or affective disturbances in delirium and outcomes, or studies reporting non-mortality outcomes. Conclusions Few studies have related symptom domains of delirium to outcomes, but the available evidence suggests that altered arousal and inattention in delirium are associated with higher mortality than normal arousal and attention in people with or without delirium. Measurable symptom domains of delirium may have value in predicting survival and stratifying patients for treatment. We recommend that future delirium studies report outcomes by symptom domain.

scholarly journals Epidural-Related Fever and Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Neonatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Jansen ◽  
Enrico Lopriore ◽  
Christiana Naaktgeboren ◽  
Marieke Sueters ◽  
Jacqueline Limpens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

<b><i>Background:</i></b> While epidural analgesia (EA) is associated with maternal fever during labor, the impact on the risk for maternal and/or neonatal sepsis is unknown. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of epidural-related intrapartum fever on maternal and neonatal outcomes. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> OVID MEDLINE, OVID Embase, the Cochrane Library, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, and clinical trial registries were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational cohort studies from inception to November 2018. A total of 761 studies were identified with 100 eligible for full-text review. Only articles investigating the relationship between EA and maternal fever during labor were eligible for inclusion. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool and National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tool. Two meta-analyses – one each for the RCT and observational cohort groups – were performed using the random-effects model of Mantel-Haenszel to produce summary risk ratios (RR) with 95% CI. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Twelve RCTs and 16 observational cohort studies involving 579,157 parturients were included. RRs for maternal fever for the RCT and cohort analyses were 3.54 (95% CI 2.61–4.81) and 5.60 (95% CI 4.50–6.97), respectively. Meta-analyses of RR for maternal infection in both groups were infeasible given few occurrences. Meta-analysis of data from observational studies showed an increased risk for maternal antibiotic treatment in the epidural group (RR 2.60; 95% CI 1.31–5.17). For both analyses, neonates born to women with an epidural were not evaluated more often for suspected sepsis. Neither analysis reported an increased rate of neonatal bacteremia or neonatal antibiotic treatment after EA, although data precluded conclusiveness. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> EA increases the risk of intrapartum fever and maternal antibiotic treatment. However, a definite conclusion on whether EA increases the risk for a proven maternal and/or neonatal bacteremia cannot be drawn due to the low quality of data. Further research on whether epidural-related intrapartum fever is of infectious origin or not is therefore needed.

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