The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Aug 2015
A retrospective review of stillbirths at the national hospital in Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste has high maternal and infant mortality rates. Estimates of stillbirths are unreliable and limited by poor collection of vital health statistics. Lack of accurate data impedes the development of interventions to address local determinants of stillbirth. ⋯ This study highlights the need for standardised recording and coding of perinatal deaths at HNGV. The high proportion of antenatal death transfers from community health centres demonstrates the need for community and hospital staff training to improve the quality of antenatal and intrapartum obstetric care. A prospective study of stillbirths is recommended to obtain reliable data on the determinants of stillbirths in Timor-Leste. These data would inform evidence-based interventions for the improvement of maternity and obstetric care in community and hospital settings.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Aug 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomised controlled trial of oral zinc sulphate for primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescent females.
Primary dysmenorrhoea, the most common gynaecologic problem of adolescent females, is commonly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or oral contraceptive pills. ⋯ Both pain duration and pain severity were decreased by taking oral zinc. The results of our interventional study suggests that zinc may be used to treat primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescents.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Jun 2015
ReviewProbiotics in neonatal intensive care - back to the future.
Survival of extremely preterm and critically ill neonates has improved significantly over the last few decades following advances in neonatal intensive care. These include antenatal glucocorticoids, surfactant, continuous positive airway pressure support, advanced gentle modes of ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide. Probiotic supplementation is a recent significant milestone in the history of neonatal intensive care. ⋯ Probiotics also have a potential to benefit neonates with surgical conditions with significant gastrointestinal morbidity. Current evidence for the benefits of probiotic supplementation for neonates in an intensive care unit is reviewed. The mechanisms for the benefits of probiotics in this population are discussed, and guidelines for clinicians are provided in the context of the regulatory framework in Australia.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Apr 2015
Incisional hernia repair after caesarean section: a population-based study.
Incisional hernias occur at surgical abdominal incision sites, but the association with caesarean section (CS) has not been examined. ⋯ There was a strong association between maternal CS and subsequent incisional hernia repair, which increased as the number of CSs increased, but the absolute risk of incisional hernia repair was low.
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Apr 2015
Predictors of maternal drinking trajectories before and after pregnancy: evidence from a longitudinal study.
Little is known about patterns of change in alcohol consumption and predictors of these patterns over the prenatal to postnatal period. ⋯ Women who consume higher levels of alcohol prior to their pregnancy reduce their consumption once pregnant, but tend to increase their alcohol consumption shortly after the birth. A public health campaign dealing with predictors associated with heavier alcohol consumption and safe breastfeeding targetted at these women is needed.