scholarly journals Treatment of Pregnant Women with Ivermectin during Mass Drug Distribution: Time to Investigate Its Safety and Potential Benefits

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1588
Author(s):  
Astrid Christine Erber ◽  
Esther Ariyo ◽  
Piero Olliaro ◽  
Patricia Nicolas ◽  
Carlos Chaccour ◽  
...  

To date, pregnant women are excluded from programmes delivering community-directed treatment of ivermectin (CDTI) for onchocerciasis and preventive chemotherapy of other helminthiases because of concerns over ivermectin safety during pregnancy. This systematic exclusion sustains an infection reservoir at the community level and deprives a vulnerable population from known benefits—there are indications that treating O. volvulus infected women may improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce the risk that their children develop onchocerciasis-associated morbidities. Furthermore, teratogenic effects are seen in non-clinical experiments at doses that far exceed those used in CDTI. Lastly, early, undetected and undeclared pregnancies are being systematically exposed to ivermectin in practice. Treatment of this population requires appropriate supporting evidence, for which we propose a three-pronged approach. First, to develop a roadmap defining the key steps needed to obtain regulatory clearance for the safe and effective use of ivermectin in all pregnant women who need it. Second, to conduct a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial to evaluate the safety and benefits of ivermectin treatment in O. volvulus infected pregnant women. Such a trial should evaluate the possible effects of ivermectin in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes and neonatal mortality, as well as in reducing the incidence of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy. Third, to establish a pregnancy registry for women who inadvertently received ivermectin during pregnancy. This situation is not unique to ivermectin. Access to valuable therapies is often limited, delayed, or denied to pregnant women due to a lack of evidence. Concerns over protecting vulnerable people may result in harming them. We need to find acceptable ways to build robust evidence towards providing essential interventions during pregnancy.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110343
Author(s):  
Sewitemariam Desalegn Andarge ◽  
Abriham Sheferaw Areba ◽  
Robel Hussen Kabthymer ◽  
Miheret Tesfu Legesse ◽  
Girum Gebremeskel Kanno

Background Indoor air pollution from different fuel types has been linked with different adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study aimed to assess the link between indoor air pollution from different fuel types and anemia during pregnancy in Ethiopia. Method We have used the secondary data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. The anemia status of the pregnant women was the dichotomous outcome variable and the type of fuel used in the house was classified as high, medium, and low polluting fuels. Logistic regression was employed to determine the association between the exposure and outcome variables. Adjusted Odds Ratio was calculated at 95% Confidence Interval. Result The proportion of anemia in the low, medium, and high polluting fuel type users was 13.6%, 46%, 40.9% respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the use of either kerosene or charcoal fuel types (AOR 4.6; 95% CI: 1.41-18.35) and being in the third trimester (AOR 1.72; 95% CI: 1.12-2.64) were significant factors associated with the anemia status of the pregnant women in Ethiopia. Conclusion According to our findings, the application of either kerosene or charcoal was associated with the anemia status during pregnancy in Ethiopia. An urgent intervention is needed to reduce the indoor air pollution that is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as anemia.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 445-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Mozaffari ◽  
AH Abdolghaffari ◽  
S Nikfar ◽  
M Abdollahi

Several studies have indicated the harmful effect of flare-up periods in pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on their newborns. Therefore, an effective and safe medical treatment during pregnancy is of great concern in IBD patients. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis on the outcomes of thiopurines use and a systematic review of antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs used during pregnancy in women with IBD. The results of cohorts evaluating the safety of anti-TNF drugs during pregnancy up to July 2013 were collected and analyzed. In the meta-analysis, a total of 312 pregnant women with IBD who used thiopurines were compared with 1149 controls (women with IBD who were not treated with any medication and women who were exposed to drugs other than thiopurines) to evaluate the drug effect on different pregnancy outcomes, including prematurity, low birth weight, congenital abnormalities, spontaneous abortion, and neonatal adverse outcomes. Results of statistical analysis demonstrated that congenital abnormalities were increased significantly in thiopurine-exposed group in comparison with control group who did not receive any medicine for IBD treatment. The summary odds ratio was 2.95 with 95% confidence interval = 1.03–8.43 ( p = 0.04). We observed no significant differences in occurrence of other adverse pregnancy outcomes between compared groups. The results of cohorts evaluated the safety of anti-TNF drugs during pregnancy demonstrated no increase in occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in comparison with controls except for the significant decrease in gestational age of newborns of drug-exposed mothers in one trial. In conclusion, a benefit–risk ratio should be considered in prescribing or continuing medicinal therapy during pregnancy of IBD patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. e0009390
Author(s):  
Jamille Gregório Dombrowski ◽  
André Barateiro ◽  
Erika Paula Machado Peixoto ◽  
André Boler Cláudio da Silva Barros ◽  
Rodrigo Medeiros de Souza ◽  
...  

Background Malaria in Brazil represents one of the highest percentages of Latin America cases, where approximately 84% of infections are attributed to Plasmodium (P.) vivax. Despite the high incidence, many aspects of gestational malaria resulting from P. vivax infections remain poorly studied. As such, we aimed to evaluate the consequences of P. vivax infections during gestation on the health of mothers and their neonates in an endemic area of the Amazon. Methods and findings We have conducted an observational cohort study in Brazilian Amazon between January 2013 and April 2015. 600 pregnant women were enrolled and followed until delivery. After applying exclusion criteria, 329 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Clinical data regarding maternal infection, newborn’s anthropometric measures, placental histopathological characteristics, and angiogenic and inflammatory factors were evaluated. The presence of plasma IgG against the P. vivax (Pv) MSP119 protein was used as marker of exposure and possible associations with pregnancy outcomes were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that P. vivax infections during the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with adverse gestational outcomes such as premature birth (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.12, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 2.69–24.54, p < 0.0001) and reduced head circumference (aOR 3.58, 95%CI 1.29–9.97, p = 0.01). Histopathology analysis showed marked differences between placentas from P. vivax-infected and non-infected pregnant women, especially regarding placental monocytes infiltrate. Placental levels of vasomodulatory factors such as angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) and complement proteins such as C5a were also altered at delivery. Plasma levels of anti-PvMSP119 IgG in infected pregnant women were shown to be a reliable exposure marker; yet, with no association with improved pregnancy outcomes. Conclusions This study indicates that P. vivax malaria during the first trimester of pregnancy represents a higher likelihood of subsequent poor pregnancy outcomes associated with marked placental histologic modification and angiogenic/inflammatory imbalance. Additionally, our findings support the idea that antibodies against PvMSP119 are not protective against poor pregnancy outcomes induced by P. vivax infections.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin-Yu Cai ◽  
Yin Yang ◽  
Ling-Ling Ruan ◽  
Dang-Dang Wang ◽  
Han-Lin Cui ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims: This study was to evaluate the effects of the home quarantine on pregnancy outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.Methods: Thecomplete electronic medical records of GDM patients with home quarantine history were collected and classified into the home quarantine group from 24 February 2020 to 24 November 2020. The same period of GDM patients without home quarantine historywas included in the control group from 2018 and 2019.Results: A total of 1358 GDM patients were included in the analysis, including 484 in 2018, 468 in 2019, and 406 in 2020. GDM patients with home quarantine in 2020 had higher glycemic levels and worse pregnancy outcomes than 2018 and 2019, including higher cesarean section rate,lower Apgar scores, and higher incidence of macrosomia and nuchal cord. More importantly, the second trimester of home quarantine had brought a broader impactto pregnant women and fetuses.Conclusion: Home quarantine has aggravated the condition of GDM pregnant women and brought more adverse pregnancy outcomes during the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, we suggested that governments and hospitals should strengthen lifestyle guidance, glucose management, and antenatal care for GDM patients with home quarantine during public health emergencies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi-Hao Huang ◽  
Ting-Ting Peng ◽  
Sheng-Guang Yan ◽  
Dong-Dong Yu ◽  
Jun-Chao Qiu ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Aim to the relationship between adverse pregnant outcomes with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women. Simultaneously, assess the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) among different serum HBV status in pregnant women. Method: From 2017 to 2019, we studied HBsAg (+) pregnant women and HBsAg (-) who gave birth at our hospital in Guangzhou City, China. We compared of the incidence of pregnant women with HBsAg(+) or HBsAg(-). Further, among HBsAg(+) pregnant women, We compared of the incidence of pregnant women with HBeAg(+) group or HBeAg(-) group, high HBV DNA loads (HBV DNA≥2×10^5IU/mL) group or low HBV DNA loads (HBV DNA<2×10^5IU/mL) group, respectively. Finally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent association between HBV infection and the risk of developing APO.Result: First, Our research Indicates that the rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), premature rupture of membrane (PROM), Fetal distress (FD), Oligohydramnios, Premature delivery (PD), Low birth weight (LBW), Meconium contamination (MC), Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia(NH) in HBsAg(+) group were higher than those in HBsAg(-) group (P<0.05). Second, among 711 HBsAg(+) pregnant women, the rates of GDM and ICP in high loads of HBV DNA were higher than those in low loads of HBV DNA group (P<0.05). Similarly, The rates of ICP in HBeAg(+) group were higher than those in HBeAg(-) group. Further, through multivariable logistical regression model analysis, we observed maternal HBsAg carrier (OR, 6.758; 95% CI, 2.358-19.369) had an independent risk for ICP. Similarly, HBsAg carrier(OR, 1.101; 95% CI, 1.066-1.137) ,advanced age (OR, 1.407; 95% CI,1.016-1.137) and abortion(OR,1.446; 95% CI, 1.062-1.969) had independent risk for GDM. Conclusions: Chronic HBV infection can increase the rate of host adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). The maternal viral load and HBeAg status were significantly associated with the incidence of GDM and ICP. Maternal HBsAg carrier had an independent risk for GDM and ICP.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Sandya Devi S Patil ◽  
Madhu K ◽  
Rachna Thakur ◽  
Santhosh T Paul ◽  
Mihir Nayak

Pregnancy is characterized by complex physiological changes which may adversely affect the oral health and pregnancy outcomes. This study reports a survey on assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice behaviours of gynaecologists and oral health care professionals towards prenatal oral care and barriers limiting the utilization of prenatal oral care health care to pregnant women. The study population comprised of 3 groups: A- Gynaecologists, B- oral health care professionals and C – Pregnant women, 100 in each group. The prevalidated questionnaire included questions about their knowledge, attitude, beliefs and practices regarding oral health care for pregnant women. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA test and Pearson’s correlation test. The response rate was 100%. Regarding the association of periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, Group A (75%) have high degree of knowledge than B (61%) and C (36%) but the attitude and practice behaviors were significantly high in Group B as compared to Group A and Group C Two-thirds of respondents in both Group A and B (75%) were interested in receiving continuing dental education (CDE) regarding the care of pregnant women.The self-assessed maternal barriers evaluated in this study were lack of knowledge, lack of perceived need.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 611-618
Author(s):  
Eviatar Naamany ◽  
Irit Ayalon-Dangur ◽  
Eran Hadar ◽  
Iftach Sagy ◽  
Dafna Yahav ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The association between bacteriuria and adverse pregnancy outcomes has been extensively described. The current practice of screening all pregnant women for bacteriuria is challenged by recent studies. We aimed to evaluate pregnancy outcomes among women with a positive urine culture, to assess the significance of positive urinary nitrites in this setting. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study at the emergency department (ED) of the Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Israel, during 2014–2018. This included all gravida women >18 years old within the 20th week of pregnancy or above, admitted to the ED with diverse complains, who had urinalysis collected and subsequently had a positive urine culture. Clinical and obstetric characteristics were stratified by positive vs. negative nitrites in urinalysis. The primary outcome was premature delivery, and the secondary outcomes were a composite outcome of all recorded pregnancy complications and the significance of urinalysis in predicting urinary tract infection (UTI). Results Overall, 874 pregnant women with a positive urine culture were included. Of them, 721 (79%) patients had a negative nitrite in their urine exam (NNU-group) and 153 (21%) had a positive nitrite in their urine exam (PNU-group). Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen, with significantly higher rates of growth in the PNU-group vs. NNU-group [129 (84.3%) vs. 227 (38.4%), P < 0.001]. Premature delivery was recorded with no association of symptomaticity or nitrite status. Among symptomatic women with classic symptoms of UTI, PNU was significantly associated with decreased risk for major peripartum complications [odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.22 (0.05–0.94)]. Conclusion Our findings support that PNU among symptomatic pregnant women with UTI-related symptoms was associated with lower risk of developing major adverse obstetrical outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3441
Author(s):  
Ramy Abou Ghayda ◽  
Han Li ◽  
Keum Hwa Lee ◽  
Hee Won Lee ◽  
Sung Hwi Hong ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Until now, several reports about pregnant women with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been published. However, there are no comprehensive systematic reviews collecting all case series studies on data regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially association with treatment modalities. (2) Objective: We aimed to synthesize the most up-to-date and relevant available evidence on the outcomes of pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed infection with COVID-19. (3) Methods: PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, Google scholar, and Embase were explored for studies and papers regarding pregnant women with COVID-19, including obstetrical, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes and complications published from 1 January 2020 to 4 May 2020. Systematic review and search of the published literature was done using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). (4) Results: In total, 11 case series studies comprising 104 pregnant women with COVID-19 were included in our review. Fever (58.6%) and cough (30.7%) were the most common symptoms. Other symptoms included dyspnea (14.4%), chest discomfort (3.9%), sputum production (1.0%), sore throat (2.9%), and nasal obstruction (1.0%). Fifty-two patients (50.0%) eventually demonstrated abnormal chest CT, and of those with ground glass opacity (GGO), 23 (22.1%) were bilateral and 10 (9.6%) were unilateral. The most common treatment for COVID-19 was administration of antibiotics (25.9%) followed by antivirals (17.3%). Cesarean section was the mode of delivery for half of the women (50.0%), although no information was available for 28.8% of the cases. Regarding obstetrical and neonatal outcomes, fetal distress (13.5%), pre-labor rupture of membranes (9.6%), prematurity (8.7%), fetal death (4.8%), and abortion (2.9%) were reported. There are no positive results of neonatal infection by RT-PCR. (5) Conclusions: Although we have found that pregnancy with COVID-19 has significantly higher maternal mortality ratio compared to that of pregnancy without the disease, the evidence is too weak to state that COVID-19 results in poorer maternal outcome due to multiple factors. The number of COVID-19 pregnancy outcomes was not large enough to draw a conclusion and long-term outcomes are yet to be determined as the pandemic is still unfolding. Active and intensive follow-up is needed in order to provide robust data for future studies.


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