The Seropositivity of Toxocara spp. Antibodies in Pregnant Women Attented at the University Hospital in Southern Brazil and the Factors Associated with Infection

AbstractToxoplasmosis causes complications during pregnancy that have serious effects on fetal development. Thus far, toxocariasis has been reported to spread only via vertical transmission. Nonetheless, the population of pregnant women is also exposed to this infection. Co-infection with both Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. has been reported in children, but there are no reports of co-infection in the population of pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of co-infection with T. gondii and Toxocara spp. in pregnant women at a university hospital in southern Brazil, and to identify the risk factors associated with infection by both parasites. Two hundred pregnant women were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii and anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies and were asked to complete an epidemiological questionnaire. In this study, the co-infection rate observed in the total population of pregnant women was 8%. In addition, women with a positive result for a serology test for Toxocara spp. were at increased risk of infection by T. gondii (P = 0.019). Co-infection with both parasites in pregnant women was associated with low birth weights in neonates. The similar modes of transmission of both parasites could explain the co-infection. Only a few previous studies have investigated this phenomenon. The findings of the present study emphasize the importance of serological diagnosis during prenatal care and further research in this area to identify risk factors associated with this co-infection, and the possible implications of this co-infection during pregnancy and on the health of newborns.

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Influence of Socioeconomic Status on SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Spanish Pregnant Women. The MOACC-19 Cohort

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105133 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5133

Author(s):

Javier Llorca ◽

Carolina Lechosa-Muñiz ◽

Lorena Lasarte-Oria ◽

Rocío Cuesta-González ◽

Marcos López-Hoyos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

University Hospital ◽

Past Infection ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Housing Characteristics ◽

The University ◽

Educational Variables ◽

The Relationship ◽

Socio Economic Factors

Little is known on socio-economic factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women. Here, we analyze the relationship between educational, occupational, and housing variables with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of 988 pregnant women in Spain. Pregnant women were recruited at the University Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain, among those delivering from 23 March 2020 onwards or consulting for their 12th week of pregnancy from 26 May 2020 onwards. Information on occupational variables and housing characteristics was self-reported. Pregnant women were tested for a current or past infection of SARS-CoV-2 using both PCR and antibodies detection (ELISA). Logistic regression models were used to analyze factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, adjusting for age and country of origin. Infection by SARS-CoV-2 was not associated with educational level or occupational variables, except for where the pregnant woman was a healthcare worker (odds ratio (OR) = 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84–9.79). Housing with four or more rooms (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 0.96–4.47), four or more people in the household (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 0.89–4.14), lack of heating (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.24–6.34) and less than 23 square meters per person (OR = 3.97, 95% CI: 1.43–11.1) were the housing characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Housing characteristics, but not occupational or educational variables, were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Guidelines on the prevention of COVID-19 should reinforce household measures to prevent pregnant women from becoming infected by their relatives.

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Aleitamento materno exclusivo em prematuros de hospitais Amigo da Criança: estudo comparativo

Online Brazilian Journal of Nursing ◽

10.17665/1676-4285.20175627 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 319

Author(s):

Ariane Thaise Alves Monteiro ◽

Edilaine Giovanini Rossetto ◽

Kauana Olanda Pereira ◽

Mariana Charif Lakoski ◽

Marcela Maria Birolim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Comparative Study ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Premature Infants ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

University Hospital ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The University

Aim: to compare the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and to verify the factors associated with its interruption in premature infants hospitalized at Baby-Friendly hospitals. Method: this is a comparative study performed with 107 premature infants admitted to the neonatal unit of two hospitals in Paraná. Data were obtained through interviews with mothers and analysis of infant records at hospital discharge and 15 days after delivery. Results: the prevalence of EBF was 29.2% in the University Hospital and 15.3% in the Philanthropic Hospital. At hospital discharge, associations with clinical characteristics of infants predominated, and 15 days after discharge there was a greater association with the socio-demographic characteristics of the parents. Conclusion: the prevalence of EBF, which was shown to be low at the time of hospital discharge in both hospitals, decreased after discharge, reinforcing the need for other strategies, in addition to those provided at Baby-Friendly hospitals, for the promotion and support of EBF in preterm infants.

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Obesity in Pregnancy – Implications on Pregnancy Events

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2020.5075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (B) ◽

pp. 1157-1161

Author(s):

Lilia Koleva ◽

Victoria Spasova ◽

Marieta Popova ◽

Valentina Petkova ◽

Milen Dimitrov

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Preterm Births ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Normal Limits ◽

The University ◽

Maternal Overweight

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are serious health problems in most developed countries. The percentage of young women with excessive weight who get pregnant continues to grow every year. This raises a concern about the risks of the mother and the baby during pregnancy and after birth. AIM: This study aims to determine health risk for overweight mothers and especially the risk for preterm birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective and retrospective study taking place in the outpatient clinic of the University Hospital “Maichin Dom”. Our study included 105 pregnant women with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 as a case group and 91 pregnant women with BMI within normal limits as a control group. RESULTS: Mean BMI in the case group was 34.79 ± 3.71 kg/m2 and 20.20 ± 2.24 kg/m2 in the control group. Among 105 women in the case group, we registered 24.8% (n = 26) who gave birth before term. Preterm births among 91 women in the control group were registered in 17.6% (n = 16) patients. We found a significant correlation between increased BMI and the risk of increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, we found comorbidities in 43.8% of cases and 24.2% of controls. CONCLUSION: Maternal overweight and obesity during pregnancy are associated with increased risks of preterm delivery and complications of pregnancy. Extra efforts should be made to help women lose weight before this important period of life.

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Frequency of Toxocara spp. antibodies in umbilical cords of newborns attended atthe University Hospital in Southern Brazil and factors associated with infection

Acta Tropica ◽

10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.02.003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 170 ◽

pp. 43-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paula Costa Santos ◽

Paula Lima Telmo ◽

Lis Maurente Lehmann ◽

Carolina Lorenzi ◽

Carolina Hirsch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

University Hospital ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Umbilical Cords

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Epidemiological Profile of HIV Pregnant Women at the University Hospital Centre for Mother and Child Lagoon (Benin)

Clinics in Mother and Child Health ◽

10.4172/2090-7214.1000291 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Lokossou MSHS ◽

Ogoudjobi OM ◽

Aboubacar M ◽

Tognifode v ◽

Bagnan AT ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

University Hospital ◽

Mother And Child ◽

Epidemiological Profile ◽

The University

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Factors associated with balance impairments amongst stroke survivors in northern Benin: A cross-sectional study

South African Journal of Physiotherapy ◽

10.4102/sajp.v77i1.1559 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 77 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Oyéné Kossi ◽

Mendinatou Agbetou ◽

Sènadé I. Noukpo ◽

Lisa T. Triccas ◽

Daniel-Eude Dossou-Yovo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Stroke Survivors ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Male Predominance ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Severity Of Disability ◽

The University

Background: Balance impairment is the predominant risk factor for falls in stroke survivors. A fear of falling after stroke can contribute to sedentary lifestyles, increased disability and risk of recurrence, leading to poor quality of life.Objective: To determine the frequency and factors associated with balance impairments amongst stroke survivors at the University Hospital of Parakou.Method: This cross-sectional study included adult stroke survivors. Stroke survivors after discharge were enrolled at the University Hospital of Parakou between 01 January 2020 and 30 September 2020. Balance impairments were measured by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the Get Up and Go (GUG) tests.Results: A total of 54 stroke survivors were included, with a mean age of 58.37 ± 12.42 years and a male predominance of 68.52%. The mean BBS score was 36.87 ± 14.34 with a minimum and a maximum of 10 and 56, respectively. Thirteen (24.07%) had balance impairments (BBS score ≤ 20), 34 (62.96%) had a TUG score ≥ 14 s (abnormal), 9 (16.67%) presented a moderate risk of falling and 6 (11.11%) presented high risk of fall with the GUG test. Post-stroke duration (odds ratio [OR] = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.04–0.30; p 0.01), severity of disability (OR = 8.33; 95% CI: 1.03–67.14; p = 0.03) and the number of physiotherapy sessions (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.03–0.93; p = 0.02) were significantly associated with balance impairments.Conclusion: Our results showed that almost one quarter of stroke survivors after discharge at the University Hospital of Parakou had balance impairments. Post-stroke duration, severity of disability and the number of physiotherapy sessions were significantly associated with balance impairments.Clinical implications: [AQ1] Balance should be regularly assessed in people post-stroke. Further studies should document the content of rehabilitation and any rehabilitative efforts to improve balance in people post-stroke in Benin.

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Malaria and intestinal parasites in pregnant and non-pregnant women: a comparative study at the University Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences ◽

10.4314/jmbs.v4i3.5 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 31-35

Author(s):

E. Agboli ◽

S.C.K. Tay ◽

C. Obirikorang ◽

E.Y. Aidoo

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Intestinal Parasite ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Plasmodium Species ◽

University Hospital ◽

Personal Hygiene ◽

Intestinal Helminth ◽

African Countries ◽

The University

In sub-Sahara African countries, both malaria and intestinal helminth infections are endemic and co-infection commonly occurs. It is estimated that over a third of the world’s population, mainly in the tropics and sub-tropics are infected with parasitic helminths and Plasmodium species thus often leading to co-infections. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of malaria and intestinal parasites in a sample of 760 study participants comprising 380 pregnant women and 380 non-pregnant women attending the University Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. Blood and stool samples were analyzed for malaria and intestinal parasites using Giemsa staining technique and direct wet mount method respectively. The overall prevalence of malaria infection, intestinal parasite infection and malaria-intestinal parasite co-infection was 73 (9.6%), 43 (5.6%) and 10 (1.3%) respectively. Malaria infection was higher in pregnant women (12.6%) compared to non-pregnant women (6.6%). Non-pregnant women recorded higher intestinal helminth infection (10%) than pregnant women (1.3%). No case of co-infection was recorded among the pregnant women. The study suggests a higher susceptibility to malaria infection when compared to their non-pregnant counterpart with an association between malaria parasite and intestinal helminths in non-pregnant women.Journal of Medical and Biomedical Sciences (2015) 4(3), 31-35Keywords: Ante-natal, infection, personal hygiene, maternal screening, hospital

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