Association between Total and Individual PCB Congener Levels in Maternal Serum and Birth Weight of Newborns: Results from the Chiba Study of Mother and Child Health Using Weighted Quantile Sum Regression

Maternal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) during pregnancy is associated with a low birth weight; however, the congener-specific effects of PCB congeners are not well defined. In this study, we used maternal serum samples from the Chiba Study of Mother and Child Health (C-MACH) cohort, collected at 32 weeks of gestational age, to analyze the effects of PCB congener exposure on birth weight by examining the relationship between newborn birth weight and individual PCB congener levels in maternal serum (n = 291). The median total PCB level in the serum of mothers of male and female newborns at approximately 32 weeks of gestation was 39 and 37 ng g−1 lipid wt, respectively. The effect of the total PCB levels and the effects of PCB congener mixtures were analyzed using a linear regression model and a generalized weighted quantile sum regression model (gWQS). The birth weight of newborns was significantly associated with maternal exposure to PCB mixtures in the gWQS model. The results suggest that exposure to PCB mixtures results in low newborn birth weight. However, specific impacts of individual PCB congeners could not be related to newborn birth weight.

“PerConcept” study: provider opinions about integrating preconception care into family planning services

The importance of preconception care for the mother and child health has long been demonstrated, but the practical realization of this prophylactic activity remains insignificant. Th e article presents the “PerConcept” study results – a survey on “Family Planning” concept perceptions among physicians, whose activity is related to reproductive health. Th e study was conducted based on a unified questionnaire in three cities from three countries: Chisinau (Republic of Moldova), Irkutsk (the Russian Federation) and Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico). Th e survey involved 1.012 family physicians, obstetricians gynecologists, urologists, andrologists, but also doctors of other specialties. A number of 991 questionnaires were validated and analyzed. About 79.5% of all respondents (788) reported that the term of “family” is associated with the birth of children. About 96.0% of respondents (951) believed that pregnancy should be planned by the couple/woman. From a professional perspective, 862 physicians (94.5%), consider that the concept of family planning should also really include a component of preconception care, simultaneous with contraception. Th e majority of participants – 91.1%, (831) had the opinion that strategies and programs in the field of family planning should be revised, in order to include preconception health services. Although the “PerConcept” study had some limitations, the authors consider that the results are interesting because doctors from 3 regions of the world: Europe, Asia, and North America had a similar opinion about the need to expand the family planning concept, which should really include the preconception care, with an equal approach as another component – contraception.

TO STUDY OF ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL PROFILE WITH SERUM VITAMIN B12 AND FOLATE LEVEL IN CHILDREN WITH INFANTILE TREMOR SYNDROME

Background-We planned the present study with objective of to find out correlation in vitamin B and folate levels with 12 clinical profile in children with ITS Methods- This Hospital based cross sectional observational study was conducted in, Sir Padampat Mother and Child Health Institute (SPMCHI),SMS Medical College,Jaipur. Results- Vitamin B and folate were reduced in children with generalized tremors, psychomotor retardation, delayed 12 milestones,presence of hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Conclusion- All children with Infantile Tremor Syndrome should be screened for vitamin B and folate levels,high risk 12 children should be supplemented B and folic acid.

Mothers’ perceptions on and learning from infant and young child feeding videos displayed in Mother and Child Health Centers in Kenya - a qualitative and quantitative approach

Objective The objective was to explore mothers’ perceptions of educational videos on infant and young child feeding practices, and to assess whether viewing frequencies would influence maternal knowledge, attitudes and feeding practices (KAPs). Design A set of 47 videos were displayed in health centers for 6 months. At three months, we conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers and at six months, administered KAP-questionnaire-based interviews to mothers. Using a quasi-experimental design we compared groups according to video viewing frequencies. Setting The study was conducted in a slum in Nairobi and a rural area in Machakos, Kenya. We installed TV screens in waiting rooms of six Mother and Child Health Centers, where mothers could choose to watch them. Participants Forty-three mothers with children aged 0 to 48 months participated in six FGDs and 547 mothers of children aged 0 to 23 months in KAP interviews. Results The mothers from the FGDs found the videos acceptable and beneficial. Videos enhanced mothers’ learning and empowered them to support others in learning. The KAP data showed that after adjustments, breastfeeding (p=0.06) and complementary feeding knowledge (p=0.01), complementary feeding attitudes (p=0.08), as well as hygiene knowledge and practices (p=0.003) were better among mothers who had seen videos three to four times, or five or more times, compared to mothers who had seen the videos once or twice. Conclusions Videos were an accepted form of education and were beneficial when watched repeatedly. The videos could be a good addition to current IYCF education efforts in Kenya.

Midwives Complience, Mother And Child Health Book, And Mother’s Health

The Maternal and Child Health Book (MCH Handbook) contains maternal (pregnant, childbirth and postpartum) health records and children (newborns to 6 year old children) as well as various information on how to maintain and care for the health of mothers and children. Based on the 2012 Indonesia Demographic Health Survey (IDHS), the maternal mortality rate (related to pregnancy, childbirth and childbirth) was 359 per 100,000 live births. This study aims to determine the compliance of the MCH handbook by midwives in early detection of high risk of pregnancy in the Kasihan 1 Health Center, Bantul Regency. This study used a descriptive quantitative research design. The variable in this study consisted of one variable, namely compliance with the book of MCH handbook by Midwife in early detection of high risk of pregnancy. The sampling technique in this study was total sampling, with a sample of 9 midwives. The results showed that the compliance of midwives in completing MCH handbooks at the Puskesmas Kasihan 1 Bantul District was mostly obedient with 6 KIA midwives with a percentage of 66.7% and not complying with 3 midwives with a percentage of 33.3%. The suitability of midwives in filling MCH books at the Puskesmas Kasihan 1 Bantul Regency was mostly according to 41 MCH books with a percentage of 68.3% and not according to 19 MCH books with a percentage of 31.7%. The next researcher is expected to be able to conduct a complete research thoroughly the factors that influence the completeness of the MCH handbook by observing and interviewing midwives.