Background. Infant and under-5 childhood mortality rates in developing countries have declined significantly in the past 2 to 3 decades. However, 2 critical indicators, maternal and newborn mortality, have hardly changed. World leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000 agreed on a critical goal to reduce deaths of children Objective. This review of community-based antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal intervention trials in developing countries aimed to identify (1) key behaviors and interventions for which the weight of evidence is sufficient to recommend their inclusion in community-based neonatal care programs and (2) key gaps in knowledge and priority areas for future research and program learning. Methods. Available published and unpublished data on the impact of community-based strategies and interventions on perinatal and neonatal health status outcomes were reviewed. Evidence was summarized systematically and categorized into 4 levels of evidence based on study size, location, design, and reported impact, particularly on perinatal or neonatal mortality. The evidence was placed in the context of biological plausibility of the intervention; evidence from relevant developed-country studies; health care program experience in implementation; and recommendations from the World Health Organization and other leading agencies. Results. A paucity of community-based data was found from developing-country studies on health status impact for many interventions currently being considered for inclusion in neonatal health programs. However, review of the evidence and consideration of the broader context of knowledge, experience, and recommendations regarding these interventions enabled us to categorize them according to the strength of the evidence base and confidence regarding their inclusion now in programs. This article identifies a package of priority interventions to include in programs and formulates research priorities for advancing the state of the art in neonatal health care. Conclusions. This review emphasizes some new findings while recommending an integrated approach to safe motherhood and newborn health. The results of this study provide a foundation for policies and programs related to maternal and newborn health and emphasizes the importance of health systems research and evaluation of interventions. The review offers compelling support for using research to identify the most effective measures to save newborn lives. It also may facilitate dialogue with policy makers about the importance of investing in neonatal health.

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Community-Based Interventions for Improving Perinatal and Neonatal Health Outcomes in Developing Countries: A Review of the Evidence

Neighborhood economic disadvantage, violent crime, group density, and pregnancy outcomes in a diverse, urban population

Preterm premature rupture of membranes is the rupture of membranes during pregnancy before 37 weeks' gestation. It occurs in 3 percent of pregnancies and is the cause of approximately one third of preterm deliveries. It can lead to significant perinatal morbidity, including respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal sepsis, umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, and fetal death. Appropriate evaluation and management are important for improving neonatal outcomes. Speculum examination to determine cervical dilation is preferred because digital examination is associated with a decreased latent period and with the potential for adverse sequelae. Treatment varies depending on gestational age and includes consideration of delivery when rupture of membranes occurs at or after 34 weeks' gestation. Corticosteroids can reduce many neonatal complications, particularly intraventricular hemorrhage and respiratory distress syndrome, and antibiotics are effective for increasing the latency period.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes: diagnosis and management.

Early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis: A current assessment

Objective: Neutrophil elastase (NE), a multifunctional serine protease stored in azurophilic granules of mature neutrophils, is capable of intracellular degradation of proteins during phagocytosis and extracellular degradation of connective tissue during an inflammatory process. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a natural NE inhibitor present in amniotic fluid, fetal membranes and cervical mucus. An imbalance between NE and SLPI has been implicated as a mechanism of abnormal tissue destruction in chronic inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine if parturition, premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity are associated with changes in amniotic fluid concentrations of NE and SLPI. Study design: Amniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 380 patients in the following groups: (1) preterm labor and intact membranes without microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity who delivered at term (n = 13) or prematurely (n = 26), ...

Reyes PEña R

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Premature rupture of membranes