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To use the Robson Ten Group Classification (RTGC) to analyze cesarean section (CS) rates in a Honduran maternity hospital, with focus in groups that consider induction of labor. Cross-sectional study. Women admitted for childbirth (August 2017 to October 2018) were classified according to the RTGC. The CS rate for each group and the contribution to the overall CS rate was calculated, with further analyses of the induction of labor among term primiparous (group 2a), term multiparous (group 4a), and cases with one previous CS (group 5.1). A total of 4,356 women were considered, with an overall CS rate of 26.1%. Group 3 was the largest group, with 38.6% (1,682/4,356) of the cases, followed by Group 1, with 30.8% (1,342/4,356), and Group 5, with 10.3% (450/4,356). Considering the contribution to overall CS rates per group, Group 5 contributed with 30.4% (345/1,136) of the CSs and within this group, 286/345 (82.9%) had 1 previous CS, with a CS rate 70%. Groups 1 and 3, with 26.6% (291/1,136) and 13.5% (153/1,136), respectively, were the second and third larger contributors to the CS rate. Groups 2a and 4a had high induction success, with low CS rates (18.4 and 16.9%, respectively). The RTGC is a useful tool to assess CS rates in different healthcare facilities. Groups 5, 1, and 3 were the main contributors to the CS rate, and groups 2 and 4 showed the impact and importance of induction of labor. These findings may support future interventions to reduce unnecessary CS, especially among primiparous and in women with previous CS. Utilizar a Classificação de Dez Grupos de Robson (RTGC, na sigla em inglês) para analisar as taxas de cesárea (CS, na sigla em inglês) em uma maternidade hondurenha. MéTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal em uma maternidade em Honduras. As mulheres internadas para o parto (agosto de 2017 a outubro de 2018) foram classificadas segundo a RTGC. Calculou-se a taxa de CS para cada grupo e a contribuição para a taxa geral de CS, com análises adicionais da indução do trabalho de parto entre as primíparas a termo (grupo 2a), multíparas a termo (grupo 4a) e casos com uma CS anterior (grupo 5.1). foram consideradas 4.356 mulheres, com uma taxa geral de CS de 26.1%. O Grupo 3 foi o maior grupo, com 38,.6% (1.682/4.356) dos casos; seguido pelo Grupo 1, com 30,8% (1.342/4.356), e pelo Grupo 5, com 10,3% (450/4,356). Considerando a contribuição para as taxas globais de CS por grupo, o Grupo 5 contribuiu com 30,4% (345/1,136) das CS, dos quais 286 (82.9%) tinha uma CS anterior, com um índice de CS 70%. Os grupos 1 e 3, com 291/1.136 (26.6%) e 153/1.136 (13,5%), respectivamente, foram o segundo e terceiro maiores contribuintes para a taxa de CS. Os grupos 2a e 4a tiveram alto sucesso de indução, com baixas taxas de CS (18.4 e 16.9%, respectivamente). CONCLUSãO: O RTGC é uma ferramenta útil para avaliar as taxas de CS em diferentes unidades de saúde. Os grupos 5, 1 e 3 foram os principais contribuintes para a taxa de CS. Estes achados podem apoiar intervenções futuras para reduzir as CS desnecessárias, especialmente entre primíparas e em mulheres com uma CS anterior.

Background: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic corroborated a state of mental stress worldwide, in health students like health professionals, so it is essential to analyze the emotional stability of these students. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate depression and anxiety among undergraduate healthcare students using validated scales, in addition to knowing their reactions and perceptions about the implementation of emergency remote education (ERS) in this period of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We invited by institutional e-mail, healthcare students regularly enrolled at the University of Campinas. After agreement and consent, a google form link was sent to access the data collection form. RESULTS: We sent 1204 invitations and 270 (22.4%) students agreed to participate (medicine 17.4%, nursing 19.3%, pharmacy 36.3%, and phonoaudiology 27%). Most participants were female (83%), up to 22 years of age (63%), white (69%), and between the first and third years of the course (64. 5%). Regarding remote education, 51.1% of participants reported having some degree of difficulty to follow up. Regarding the perception of social relationships, 37.8% considered themselves to be compromised, and 72.2% reported not feeling able to act in the COVID pandemic. Regarding mental health, 74% had high levels of anxiety, and 37% had moderate or severe depression. CONCLUSION: Healthcare students had high levels of severe anxiety and moderate/severe depression. Dissatisfaction with remote education contributed to the increase in depression rates in all courses. Healthcare students’ needs future strategies for mental health during pandemic conditions.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to assess the associated factors for selective mediolateral episiotomy at a tertiary, academic hospital. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis between 2017 and 2019 was performed. The primary outcome was the prevalence of selective mediolateral episiotomy. Independent variables were maternal, intrapartum, and neonatal characteristics. A significance level of 5% was established, and univariate and multivariate analyses with logistic regression models were performed. RESULTS: From 2,761 vaginal deliveries eligible for inclusion during this period, the prevalence of selective mediolateral episiotomy was 18.7%. Univariate analysis has shown that non-white women were protective factors (OR=0.77 [0.63–0.96]; p=0.02) for episiotomy; primiparity (OR=2.61 [2.12–3.21]; p

Objective To evaluate the impact of pre-eclampsia on cesarean delivery by using Robson classification. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study including all women who delivered in a referral maternity hospital in southeast Brazil from January 2017 to February 2018. Women were classified into 1 of 10 Robson groups and then further subdivided into pre-eclampsia (PE) and non-PE (NPE) groups. Frequency of cesarean was determined for each group and compared by using □2 and prevalence ratio. Results Overall, 3102 women were included, of whom 1578 (50.9%) delivered by cesarean. Classification in Robson group 5 was the most frequent among all women (n=727, 23.4%). In the PE group (n=258, 8.3%), group 10 was the most frequent classification (n=120, 46.5%); in NPE, Robson group 5 was the most frequency (n=682, 24.0%). Pre-eclampsia was associated with a higher occurrence of cesarean (77.5% vs 48.4%; prevalence ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.82-2.82), owing to higher rates in Robson groups 1, 5, and 10. Conclusion Pre-eclampsia was associated with a higher occurrence of cesarean delivery in some Robson groups. Robson classification may be used to evaluate the impact of specific conditions at a facility level to help plan future interventions to optimize the use of cesarean.

Pregnant women may be at higher risk of severe complications associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which may lead to obstetrical complications. We performed a case control study comparing pregnant women with severe coronavirus disease 19 (cases) to pregnant women with a milder form (controls) enrolled in the COVI-Preg international registry cohort between March 24 and July 26, 2020. Risk factors for severity, obstetrical and immediate neonatal outcomes were assessed. A total of 926 pregnant women with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 were included, among which 92 (9.9%) presented with severe COVID-19 disease. Risk factors for severe maternal outcomes were pulmonary comorbidities [aOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.9-9.5], hypertensive disorders [aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0-7.0] and diabetes [aOR2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5]. Pregnant women with severe maternal outcomes were at higher risk of caesarean section [70.7% (n = 53/75)], preterm delivery [62.7% (n = 32/51)] and newborns requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit [41.3% (n = 31/75)]. In this study, several risk factors for developing severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant women were identified including pulmonary comorbidities, hypertensive disorders and diabetes. Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes appear to be influenced by the severity of maternal disease. ispartof: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS vol:11 issue:1 ispartof: location:England status: published

Background: Pregnant women represent a vulnerable population at higher risk of complications of infectious diseases. Data regarding the consequences of the emerging pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during pregnancy are scarce. Recent evidence suggests that pregnant women might be at higher risk of severe disease, while exposed fetuses and newborns could suffer from preterm birth, growth restriction and neonatal infections. Methods: We developed an international web registry to allow structured data collection. Pregnant women at any stage during gestation tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. Maternal, obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Findings: 1033 pregnant women tested for SARS-CoV-2 were included, among which 926 tested positive and 107 tested negative. Positive pregnant women were at higher risk of severe maternal outcomes compared to negative women [aRR 5.6, 95% CI 1.4-22.7]. Risk factors for severe maternal outcomes among positive women were pulmonary comorbidities [aOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.9-9.5], hypertensive disorders [aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0-7.0] and diabetes [aOR2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5]. No difference in term of obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were observed between positive and negative women. Positive pregnant women with severe maternal outcomes were at higher risk of cesarean sections [70.7% (n=53/75)], preterm deliveries [62.7% (n= 32/51)] and newborns requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit [41.3% (n=31/75)]. A positive neonatal SARS-CoV-2 test was observed in 2.9% (n=11/384) of newborns with an available test at birth. Interpretation: Pregnant women, particularly those with associated comorbidities, seem to be at higher risk of severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Preliminary data regarding obstetrical and neonatal outcomes among women with a mild disease are reassuring. Funding Statement: None. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that we have no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by both the Swiss Ethical Board (CER-VD-2020-00548) and the local ethics boards at each participating center.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that pregnant women might be at higher risk of severe disease associated with the emerging pandemic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), while exposed fetuses/newborns could suffer from preterm birth, growth restriction and neonatal infections. The magnitude of this increased risk and specific risk factors for severity remains unclear. Methods: We performed a case control study comparing pregnant women with severe coronavirus disease 19 (case) to pregnant women with a milder form (controls) enrolled in COVI-Preg international registry cohort between from March 24 to July 26, 2020. Risk factors for severity, obstetrical, fetal and neonatal outcomes were assessed. Findings: A total of 926 pregnant women with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 were included, among which 92 (9.9%) presented a severe COVID-19 disease. Risk factors for severe maternal outcomes were pulmonary comorbidities [aOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.9-9.5], hypertensive disorders [aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0-7.0] and diabetes [aOR2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5]. Pregnant women with severe maternal outcomes were at higher risk of cesarean sections [70.7% (n=53/75)], preterm deliveries [62.7% (n= 32/51)] and newborns requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit [41.3% (n=31/75)]. Interpretation: Pregnant women, particularly those with associated comorbidities, seem to be at higher risk of severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes appear to be influenced by the severity of maternal disease; complications include cesarean sections, prematurity and neonatal admission to the intensive care unit. Funding Statement: None. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by both the Swiss Ethical Board (CER-VD- 2020-00548) and the local ethics boards at each participating center.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:01:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-01-01 Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Objective. To assess quality of care of women with severe maternal morbidity and to identify associated factors. Method. This is a national multicenter cross-sectional study performing surveillance for severe maternal morbidity, using the World Health Organization criteria. The expected number of maternal deaths was calculated with the maternal severity index (MSI) based on the severity of complication, and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for each center was estimated. Analyses on the adequacy of care were performed. Results. 17 hospitals were classified as providing adequate and 10 as nonadequate care. Besides almost twofold increase in maternal mortality ratio, the main factors associated with nonadequate performance were geographic difficulty in accessing health services (P < 0.001), delays related to quality of medical care (P = 0.012), absence of blood derivatives (P = 0.013), difficulties of communication between health services (P = 0.004), and any delay during the whole process (P = 0.039). Conclusions. This is an example of how evaluation of the performance of health services is possible, using a benchmarking tool specific to Obstetrics. In this study the MSI was a useful tool for identifying differences in maternal mortality ratios and factors associated with nonadequate performance of care. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), R. Alexander Fleming 101, P.O. Box 6030 Centre for Research on Reproductive Health of Campinas (Cemicamp), R. Vital Brasil 200 Federal University of Amazonas CISAM, School of Medical Sciences Federal University of Ceará Federal University of Bahia Hospital Geral Cesar Cals Hospital Geral de Fortaleza Maternidade Odete Valadares Hospital Materno Infantil IMIP Federal University of Pernambuco Federal University of Campina Grande Federal University of Maranhão Federal University of Paraná Federal University of Paraíba Hospital Maternidade Fernando Magalhães Federal University of Rio Grande Do sul Hospital Maternidade Celso Pierro Instituto Fernandes Figueira Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein University of the State of São Paulo Jundiaí School of Medicine University of São Paulo Santa Casa de Limeira Santa Casa de São Carlos Maternidade Leonor Mendes de Barros Federal University of São Paulo Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche: 402702/2008-5

Background Auditing of sentinel health events based on best-practice protocols has been recommended. This study describes a population-based investigation on adverse perinatal events including severe acute maternal morbidity (near-miss), maternal and perinatal mortality, as a health intervention to help improve the surveillance system. Methods From October to December 2005, all cases of maternal death (MD), near-miss (NM), fetal deaths (FD), and early neonatal deaths (END), occurring in Campinas, Brazil, were audited by maternal mortality committees. Results A total of 4,491 liveborn infants (LB) and 159 adverse perinatal events (35.4/1000 LB) were revised, consisting of 4 MD (89/100.000 LB) and 95 NM (21.1/1000 LB), 23.7 NM for each MD. In addition, 32 FD (7.1/1000 LB) and 28 END (6.2/1000 LB) occurred. The maternal death/near miss rate was 23.7:1. Some delay in care was recognized for 34%, and hypertensive complications comprised 57.8% of the NM events, followed by postpartum hemorrhage. Conclusion Auditing near miss cases expanded the understanding of the spectrum from maternal morbidity to mortality and the importance of promoting adhesion to clinical protocols among maternal mortality committee members. Hypertensive disorders and postpartum hemorrhage were identified as priority topics for health providers training, and organization of care.

OBJETIVO: avaliar a prevalência e os fatores de risco associados à morbidade materna grave numa maternidade terciária. MÉTODOS: trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal dos casos de morbidade materna grave atendidos no Hospital e Maternidade Celso Pierro entre outubro de 2005 e julho de 2006, identificados a partir dos livros de controle das unidades de internação, pronto atendimento e centro obstétrico. Foram estudadas gestantes e puérperas que apresentavam condições definidoras de morbidade materna grave a partir dos diagnósticos clínicos segundo critérios propostos por Waterstone. Posteriormente, os casos de maior gravidade clínica, chamados de morbidade extremamente grave, foram reclassificados utilizando-se os critérios definidores de Mantel, baseados em disfunção orgânica e manejo. RESULTADOS: foram identificadas 114 mulheres com morbidade materna grave entre 2.207 partos, com razão de outra morbidade grave e morbidade extremamente grave de 44,9 e 6,8 casos por 1.000 partos, respectivamente. A média da idade gestacional no parto foi de 35 semanas e 87% das mulheres vieram de área de cobertura da maternidade no município. A hipertensão (pré-eclâmpsia grave) representou 96% de outras morbidades graves e a hemorragia esteve presente em 60% dos casos de morbidade extremamente grave, seguida de hipertensão. A prevalência de morbidade extremamente grave entre os casos de morbidade grave não se associou com estado marital, escolaridade, idade materna, tipo de parto, gestações, idade gestacional e distrito de saúde de moradia. CONCLUSÕES: as outras morbidades graves foram 6,6 vezes mais freqüentes que os casos extremamente graves, sem diferenças entre os grupos por fatores de risco epidemiológicos. PURPOSE: to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with near miss and other severe maternal morbidity at a reference tertiary maternity. METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study on severe maternal morbidity at the Hospital e Maternidade Celso Pierro, Campinas, São Paulo, between October 2005 and July 2006, identified from infirmary, admission and delivery unit logbooks. Pregnant and post-partum women with severe maternal morbidity were identified according to clinical criteria proposed by Waterstone. Later, cases with more severe morbidity, called extremely severe maternal morbidity, were reclassified using Mantel criteria, based on organic dysfunction and clinical management. RESULTS: there were 114 severe maternal morbidity cases among 2,207 birth deliveries, with a ratio of other severe morbidity and extremely severe morbidity near miss of 44.9 and 6.8 cases/1,000 live births, respectively. Mean gestational age at delivery was 35 weeks, and 87% came from the reference area for the maternity service. Hypertension (severe pre-eclampsia) represented 96% of other severe morbidity, while hemorrhage represented 60% of all extremely severe cases, followed by hypertension. The prevalence of extremely severe morbidity among the severe morbidity cases was not associated with marital status, schooling, maternal age, type of delivery, parity, gestational age at birth and home place. CONCLUSIONS: the other morbidities were 6.6 times more frequent than near miss, and it was not possible to differentiate both groups by epidemiological risk factors.

to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with near miss and other severe maternal morbidity at a reference tertiary maternity.this is a cross-sectional study on severe maternal morbidity at the Hospital e Maternidade Celso Pierro, Campinas, São Paulo, between October 2005 and July 2006, identified from infirmary, admission and delivery unit logbooks. Pregnant and post-partum women with severe maternal morbidity were identified according to clinical criteria proposed by Waterstone. Later, cases with more severe morbidity, called extremely severe maternal morbidity, were reclassified using Mantel criteria, based on organic dysfunction and clinical management.there were 114 severe maternal morbidity cases among 2,207 birth deliveries, with a ratio of other severe morbidity and extremely severe morbidity near miss of 44.9 and 6.8 cases/1,000 live births, respectively. Mean gestational age at delivery was 35 weeks, and 87% came from the reference area for the maternity service. Hypertension (severe pre-eclampsia) represented 96% of other severe morbidity, while hemorrhage represented 60% of all extremely severe cases, followed by hypertension. The prevalence of extremely severe morbidity among the severe morbidity cases was not associated with marital status, schooling, maternal age, type of delivery, parity, gestational age at birth and home place.the other morbidities were 6.6 times more frequent than near miss, and it was not possible to differentiate both groups by epidemiological risk factors.

No Brasil, onde 90% dos partos ocorrem em hospitais, 67,1% das mortes são devidas a causas obstétricas diretas, predominando transtornos hipertensivos, enquanto as causas obstétricas indiretas são responsáveis por um quarto do total. Como a morte materna é um evento incomum, estimado em 76/100.000, o estudo da morbidade materna grave, seguindo a tendência da literatura, pode contribuir para qualificar o cuidado obstétrico. A morbidade materna é um continuum que termina na morte, podendo-se reconhecer um grupo de extrema gravidade, conhecido como "near miss". Embora os conceitos sejam claros, não há consenso na literatura quanto aos critérios definidores dos casos de morbidade grave ou mesmo morbidade extremamente grave ou near miss. Sua prevalência pode variar, de 0,80-8,23%, a depender dos critérios de definição utilizados e da assistência à saúde oferecida na região. A caracterização da morbidade grave e, particularmente, do near miss, permite o monitoramento do processo de atenção obstétrica e pode qualificar o tratamento das urgências e emergências maternas, interrompendo o processo que pode levar ao óbito. In Brazil, where 90% of the childbirths occur in hospitals, 67.1% of the cases of maternal death are due to direct obstetric causes, mainly hypertensive disorders, but a quarter of the deaths are due to indirect obstetric causes. As maternal death is a rare event, estimated in 76/100,000, the study of severe maternal morbidity, following international literature, can contribute to qualify obstetrical care. Maternal morbidity is a continuum that ends with death, but there is a separate group, with extreme severity, known as near miss. From the literature review, there are the difficulties to obtain an operational definition of the cases of extremely severe morbidity or near miss. The prevalence ranged from 0.80-8.23%, according to the defining criteria and health care provided at the region. The characterization of severe maternal morbidity and near miss allows for monitoring the process of obstetrical care and could help to qualify treatment of maternal urgencies and emergencies, interrupting the process that can lead to death.

Orientador: Eliana Martorano Amaral Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas Resumo: Objetivo: Rever a literatura sobre prevalência, definições e experiências de utilização de auditorias para morbidade materna grave e morbidade extremamente grave, e descrever prevalência e identificar fatores que diferenciam este último grupo das outras morbidades graves em uma maternidade de referência de um grande centro urbano. Métodos: Foi elaborado um artigo de revisão sobre morbidade materna grave. Também foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal entre mulheres internadas no HMCP-PUC-Campinas durante o período gravídico-puerperal. Os dados foram coletados dos prontuários médicos, em período de 10 meses. Identificaram-se os casos de morbidade materna grave pelos critérios de Waterstone. Um subgrupo de morbidade materna extremamente grave, com falência orgânica e demandas especiais para manejo, foi identificado utilizandose critérios de Mantel. Os casos de severidade extrema e os outros casos de morbidade grave foram comparados quanto às suas condições clínicas e fatores associados, utilizando-se razão de prevalência e seu respectivo intervalo de confiança a 95%. Resultados: Na revisão bibliográfica, observou-se prevalência de morbidade materna grave variando de 0,4% até 12%, de acordo com os critérios definidores. Também se verificou a dificuldade em apenas utilizar os critérios de Mantel que identificam os casos extremamente graves ou near miss porque estes excluem quadros clínicos graves e comuns, como os associados a síndromes hipertensivas. Constatou-se o interesse crescente no uso da morbidade, particularmente no extremo da gravidade, em auditorias clínicas visando qualificar a assistência. No estudo realizado, foram encontrados 99 casos de outras morbidade grave (44,9/1000 partos) e 15 de morbidade materna extremamente grave (6,8/1000 partos) em 2.207 nascimentos. Não houve diferença entre os dois grupos com relação à idade materna, paridade, idade gestacional no parto, estado marital e local de moradia. Os casos de morbidade extremamente grave (near miss) foram identificados predominantemente por internação em UTI e hemorragia, mas nos outros casos predominou hipertensão, seguida por hemorragia. Conclusão: Apesar da ausência de consenso sobre definições operacionais, parece viável e promissor utilizar o potencial dos eventos de morbidade materna grave na qualificação da assistência obstétrica. A prevalência dos casos de extrema gravidade e outros casos de morbidade grave não diferiu da literatura, sendo o último grupo quase sete vezes mais freqüente que o primeiro na maternidade de referência municipal de um grande centro urbano. Exceto a condição clínica de base, com hemorragia predominando nos casos extremos e hipertensão nos outros, não houve diferenças em potenciais fatores de risco para ocorrência de situações mais severas Abstract: Objectives: to review the literature regarding prevalence, definitions of near miss, and previous experiences on auditing severe maternal morbidity and near miss events; also to describe prevalence and identify risk factors for near miss at a reference municipal maternity from an urban area. Methods: We prepared a literature review on severe maternal morbidity. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the HMCP-PUC-Campinas, among women admitted during pregnancy and post-partum. Cases on severe maternal morbidity by Waterstone criteria were identified, at admission from logbooks and ward rounds, and data was retrospectively after discharge during a 10-months period. A sub-group of extreme severe morbidity, with organ failure and requiring special interventions, including intensive care unit admission (Mantel criteria), was also identified. Near miss cases and other severe morbidity cases were compared for clinical conditions and demographic risk factors, including prevalence ratio and its 95% confidence interval. Results: From the literature review, the prevalence ranged from 0.4 to 12%, according to the defining criteria. It was also observed the difficulties utilizing the most used operational definition for near miss, by Mantel criteria, which excludes common clinical conditions during pregnancy or post-partum as hypertensive disorders. It was evident the growing interest in using these events for auditing with the purpose of qualifying care. In the study conducted, 99 cases of other severe maternal morbidity (44.9/1000 births) and 15 cases of extremely severe cases or near miss (6.8/1000 births) were identified among 2,207 births. Both groups were similar regarding maternal age, parity, gestational age at birth, marital status and home place. Hypertension and hemorrhage were the predominant clinical complications for other severe morbidity, while near miss was related to ICU admission and hemorrhage. Conclusions: Regardless the absence of consensus on operational definitions, it is feasible and promising to use the great potential of extreme cases of severe morbidity to qualify obstetrical care. The prevalence of the cases of extreme morbidity and other cases of severe maternal morbidity didn't differ of the literature, being the last group almost 7 times more frequent than the first in this reference municipal maternity from a great urban center. Except the underlying clinical condition, with hemorrhage prevailing in the extreme cases and hypertension in the other ones, there were no differences in potentials risk factors for occurrence of more severe situations Mestrado Tocoginecologia Mestre em Tocoginecologia

Background The Brazilian Network for the Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity was developed in Brazil with the participation of 27 centers in different regions of the country. The objective of the network project was to evaluate the frequency of severe maternal morbidity (near-miss and potentially life-threatening conditions) and the factors involved with these clinical conditions. Over the data collection period, this project implemented a surveillance system to identify these cases in the participating institutions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the perspective of the professionals who participated in this network regarding the surveillance of cases of severe maternal morbidity, the facilities and difficulties encountered in involving colleagues in the process, and participants’ proposals to give continuity to this practice of qualifying maternal healthcare. Methods A descriptive study with a qualitative approach was conducted in which coordinators, investigators and managers at all the 27 obstetric units participating in the network were interviewed. Data were collected at 6 and 12 months after implementation of the network during semi-structured telephone interviews that were recorded following verbal informed consent. Thematic content analysis was performed of the responses to the open questions in the interviews. Results In the opinion of 60% of the participants, involving their colleagues in the surveillance process proved difficult, principally because these professionals were not very interested in the research project, but also because they found it difficult to review concepts and professional practices, because they had an excessive workload or due to operational and technical difficulties. The great majority considered that support from government agencies providing financial resources would be crucial to enable surveillance to be maintained or expanded and also to train a larger number of professionals and improve work conditions. The majority of participants found it difficult to define the ideal time interval at which surveillance should be conducted. Conclusion The investigators, coordinators and managers involved in the Brazilian network project mentioned several problems that had to be confronted during this process; however, in their opinion the project should be maintained and even expanded in view of its potential to contribute towards improving obstetric care.

Background The Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity was established in 27 centers in different regions of Brazil to investigate the frequency of severe maternal morbidity (near-miss and potentially life-threatening conditions) and associated factors, and to create a collaborative network for studies on perinatal health. It also allowed interventions aimed at improving the quality of care in the participating institutions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of the professionals involved regarding the effect of participating in such network on the quality of care provided to women. Methods A mixed quantitative and qualitative study interviewed coordinators, investigators and managers from all the 27 obstetric units that had participated in the network. Following verbal informed consent, data were collected six and twelve months after the surveillance period using structured and semi-structured interviews that were conducted by telephone and recorded. A descriptive analysis for the quantitative and categorical data, and a thematic content analysis for the answers to the open questions were performed. Results The vast majority (93%) of interviewees considered it was important to have participated in the network and 95% that their ability to identify cases of severe maternal morbidity had improved. They also considered that the study had a positive effect, leading to changes in how cases were identified, better organization/standardization of team activities, changes in routines/protocols, implementation of auditing for severe cases, dissemination of knowledge at local/regional level and a contribution to local and/or national identification of maternal morbidity. After 12 months, interviewees mentioned the need to improve prenatal care and the scientific importance of the results. Some believed that there had been little or no impact due to the poor dissemination of information and the resistance of professionals to change practice. In this second interview, a lack of systematic surveillance after the end of the study, difficulty in referring cases and changes in the leadership of the unit were mentioned. Conclusion In the opinion of these professionals, participating in a network for the surveillance of severe maternal morbidity represented a good strategy for improving services, even in reference centers.