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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Items in this list may be obtained from the sources cited. Contact information reflects the most current data about the source that has been provided to the MCH Digital Library.


Displaying records 1 through 20 (38 total).

Henderson JT, Vesco KK, Senger CA, Thomas RG, Redmond N. 2021. Aspirin use to prevent preeclampsia and related morbidity and mortality: Updated systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 157 pp. (Evidence synthesis; no. 205; AHRQ publication; no. 21-05274-EF-1)

Annotation: This systematic review was conducted to support the United States Preventive Services Task Force in updating its 2014 recommendation on daily low dose aspirin use during pregnancy for individuals at increased risk for preeclampsia. The report reviewed updated evidence on the effectiveness and potential harms of daily aspirin use during pregnancy to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with preeclampsia. Data sources included MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Collaboration Registry of Controlled Trials; results were limited to studies published between January 2013 and July 2019. The reviewed studies showed that daily aspirin use in pregnancy for individuals at increased risk for preeclampsia consistently led to beneficial effects on perinatal mortality, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia diagnosis.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Telephone: (301) 427-1104 Secondary Telephone: (301) 427-1364 Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov

Keywords: Pregnant women, Drugs, Evidence based medicine, High risk groups, Literature reviews, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcomes, Preventive health services

Pillay J, Donovan L, Guitard S, Zakher B, Korownyk C, Gates M, Gates A, Vandermeer B, Bougatsos C, Chou R, Hartling L. 2021. Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review to update the 2014 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 462 pp. (Evidence synthesis; no. 204; AHRQ publication; no. 21-05273-EF-1)

Annotation: This systematic review updates the 2012 evidence review used to inform the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendations on the benefits and harms of screening for gestational diabetes mellitus. Since gestational diabetes mellitus is mostly asymptomatic, screening for it during pregnancy could identify women who could benefit from treatments to reduce the adverse consequences of this condition. Data sources included MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL between 2010 and May 2020; other sources included ClinicalTrials.gov, reference lists of primary studies and systematic reviews through June 2021. The results of this review showed that screening tests can identify women with gestational diabetes at or after 24 weeks of gestation and treatment is associated with improvement in various maternal and neonatal outcomes without serious harms.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Telephone: (301) 427-1104 Secondary Telephone: (301) 427-1364 Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Evidence based medicine, Gestational diabetes, Literature reviews, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcomes, Pregnant women, Screening

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2020. Healthy women, healthy pregnancies, healthy futures: Action plan to improve maternal health in America. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 184 pp.

Annotation: This action plan lays out specific steps that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking to address the high maternal mortality rate in the United States. The document targets the following actions: reduce the maternal mortality rate by 50 percent in five years; reduce the low-risk cesarean delivery rate by 25 percent in five years; achieve blood pressure control in 80 percent of women of reproductive age with hypertension. In addition to describing the challenges of maternal mortality and the specific action steps, the report also provides a detailed list of current maternal health programs and initiatives with links for more information.

Contact: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20201, Telephone: (202) 619-0257 Secondary Telephone: (877) 696-6775 Web Site: http://www.hhs.gov Available from the website.

Keywords: Cesarean section, Childbirth, Hypertension, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcomes, Pregnant women, Public policy

Community Preventive Services Task Force. 2019. Pregnancy health: Exercise programs to prevent gestational hypertension. Atlanta, GA: Community Preventive Services Task Force, multiple items

Annotation: This resource presents the Community Preventive Services Task Force recommendations on exercise programs for pregnant women to reduce the development of gestational hypertension. In addition to describing interventions aimed to engage women in regular exercise during pregnancy, the website offers information from a systematic review that included 17 studies published through February 2017. The review assessed the effectiveness of exercise programs in preventing gestational hypertensive disorders, defined as new onset high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Contact: Community Preventive Services Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Community Guide Branch, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., MSE69, Atlanta, GA 30329, Telephone: (404) 498-6595 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/task-force/community-preventive-services-task-force-members

Keywords: Exercise, Hypertension, Maternal health, Physical fitness, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy induced hypertension, Pregnancy outcomes, Pregnant women, Prevention

Eisenherg A, Murkoff HE. 2016. What to expect when you're expecting (5th ed.). New York, NY: Workman Publishing, 640 pp.

Annotation: This book provides a monthly overview of the pregnancy period from the first signs of pregnancy to postpartum care. Part one describes general principles about pregnancy and nutrition during pregnancy. Part two provides a detailed description of the pregnancy processes month by month. Part three discusses special cases and complications, such as gestational diabetes and hypertension, that may occur during pregnancy. Part four covers postpartum care, first weeks at home, lactation, and infant health. Spanish version also available.

Contact: Workman Publishing, 225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014, Telephone: (212) 254-5900 Fax: (212) 254-8098 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.workman.com/ Available in libraries.

Keywords: Childbirth, Infant health, Lactation, Nutrition, Postnatal care, Postpartum care, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Spanish language materials

National Child and Maternal Health Education Program. 2013. Initiative to Reduce Elective Deliveries Before 39 weeks of Pregnancy: Is it worth it?. [Rockville, MD]: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 1 video (4 min., 10 sec.).

Annotation: This video for consumers explains why it's important to mother and baby's health to wait at least 39 weeks of pregnancy to deliver if the mother or child's health is not in danger. The video is available in a full-length version (4 min.,10 seconds), as well as 60-and 30-second versions. The initiative web page provides additional information for moms to be and for health professionals, including tools to help spread the word such as an infographic, ecards, and badges to put on a personal web site, blog, or organizational web site.

Contact: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, P.O. Box 3006, Rockville, MD 20847, Telephone: (800) 370-2943 Secondary Telephone: (888) 320-6942 Fax: (866) 760-5947 Web Site: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/Pages/index.aspx Available from the website.

Keywords: Childbirth, Gestational age, Induced labor, National initiatives, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome, Risk factors

Reid D. 2013. Using the Affordable Care Act and other opportunities to address maternal mortality. Washington, DC: National Health Law Program, 14 pp.

Annotation: This brief summarizes evidence that women of color disproportionately experience pregnancy or childbirth-related complications that ultimately end in their death, in particular African American women (regardless of their income level). Topics also include documenting maternal mortality to determine maternity performance measures and best practices and how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care and other health care financing opportunities can assist in improving maternal health,

Contact: National Health Law Program, 1441 I Street, N.W., Suite 1105, Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 289-7724 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.healthlaw.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Access to health care, Blacks, Childbirth, Health care financing, Maternal mortality, Medicaid, Minority health, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pregnancy complications, Pregnant women, Women', s health

National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. 2012. NPHIC webinar: Oklahoma Infant Alliance's later preterm infant toolkit. Alexandria, VA: National Healthy Mother, Healthy Babies Coalition, 1 podcast (49 min., 50 sec.). (Maternal and child health webinar series: Webinar 15)

Annotation: This webinar discusses the Oklahoma Infant Alliance Late Preterm Infant Toolkit and its role in addressing the high rate of preterm deliveries in the state. The toolkit is meant for hospitals and agencies who work with the late preterm infant and discusses the development of a clinical practice guideline based on current evidence-based resources and research in reducing morbidities associated with late preterm birth.

Contact: National Coalition for Infant Health, Alliance for Patient Access, 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100A, Washington, DC 20004, Telephone: (202) 499-4114 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.infanthealth.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Audiovisual materials, Guidelines, Infant health, Oklahoma, Pregnancy complications, Prematurity, Preterm birth, State initiatives

Elixhauser A, Wier LM. 2011. Complicating conditions of pregnancy and childbirth, 2008. Rockville, MD: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 12 pp. (HCUP statistical brief; no. 13)

Annotation: This brief presents data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample on pregnancy and childbirth hospitalizations with complicating conditions in 2008. The brief provides information on hospital and client characteristics for the following types of hospital stays: complicated pregnancy during which no delivery occurred, delivery with complicated pregnancy or delivery, and delivery without any mention of complicated pregnancy or delivery. In addition, the report provides information on specific types of complicating conditions of pregnancy and delivery.

Contact: U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Telephone: (301) 427-1104 Secondary Telephone: (301) 427-1364 Web Site: http://www.ahrq.gov Available from the website.

Keywords: Childbirth, Hospitalization, Pregnancy complications, Statistical data, Women', s health

Linden DW, Paroli ET, Doron MW. 2010. Preemies: The essential guide for parents of premature babies. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Pocket Books, 633 pp.

Annotation: This book is written for expecting or new parents of premature babies. It is divided into the following sections: before birth, in the hospital, a life together, and other considerations. Before birth outlines some known causes of premature labor and birth and how to prevent them. Topics discussed in the second part include the premature delivery, the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital, testing and possible complications that occur in the first week, settling down in the hospital, and if baby needs surgery. Part three covers decisions and preparations for taking baby home, what to expect and watch for during early development and possible consequences of prematurity. Part four talks about losing a premature baby and ways of coping with grief and what special arrangements should be expected. Also discussed are examples of famous premature babies that thrived. The appendices include conversion charts, growth charts, a schedule for multiples, cardiopulmonary resuscitation - birth to one year, and resources. A glossary and an index conclude the text.

Contact: March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, Telephone: (914) 997-4488 Secondary Telephone: Web Site: http://www.marchofdimes.com Available in libraries. Document Number: ISBN 0-671-03491-X.

Keywords: Consumer education materials, Infant death, Infant development, Infant health, Low birthweight, Neonatal intensive care units, Neonatal screening, Parent education, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome, Premature infant diseases, Premature infants, Premature labor, Preterm birth

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010. Diabetes and pregnancy: Gestational diabetes. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 pp.

Annotation: This booklet was developed for women who have been diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy and want to learn how to take care of themselves during and after pregnancy. Topics include what gestational diabetes is, how it can affect the health of mom and baby, and how it can be controlled. A log for monitoring blood sugar and diet is included.

Contact: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, Telephone: (800) 232-4636 Secondary Telephone: (888) 232-6348 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd Available from the website.

Keywords: Consumer education materials, Gestational diabetes, Low literacy materials, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women, Self care, Women', s health promotion

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010. Got diabetes? Thinking about having a baby?. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 pp.

Annotation: This booklet was developed for women who have diabetes and are thinking about getting pregnant. Topics include potential health complications in and self-care during and after pregnancy. A log for monitoring blood sugar and diet is included. A Spanish-language booklet is also available.

Contact: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, Telephone: (800) 232-4636 Secondary Telephone: (888) 232-6348 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd Available at no charge (limit 500); also available from the website.

Keywords: Consumer education materials, Diabetes, Low literacy materials, Preconception, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome, Self care, Spanish language materials, Women, Women', s health promotion

Center for HIV Law and Policy. 2009. HIV and pregnancy: Medical and legal considerations for women and their advocates. New York, NY: Center for HIV Law and Policy, 30 pp.

Annotation: This guide outlines the legal, ethical, and medical issues surrounding HIV and pregnancy in the United States. It addresses considerations for women and their advocates before, during, and after pregnancy, including HIV testing, treatment options for HIV-positive patients, and the legal rights of the expectant mother. It also discusses child birthing options and infant care practices that may help to reduce the risk of transmission from mother to child. The guide also underscores the public health advantage of treating women as active partners in their own and their newborn's treatment, and recognizing their right to appropriate counseling and medical care that accommodates their reproductive options. The guide includes an appendix of Web-based resources.

Contact: Center for HIV Law and Policy, 65 Broadway, Suite 832, New York, NY 10006, Telephone: (212) 430-6733 Fax: (212) 430-6734 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.hivlawandpolicy.org Available from the website.

Keywords: HIV, Health care delivery, Legal issues, Medical ethics, Newborn infants, Pregnancy complications, Pregnant women, Reproductive rights

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. 2008. Miscarriage. [White Plains, NY]: March of Dimes, (Quick reference and fact sheets)

Annotation: This fact sheet provides a description of miscarriage, outlines what is known about why it occurs, symptoms, treatment, tests, causes of repeat miscarriage, recovery times, and how long a woman should wait before attempting another pregnancy. References are provided.

Contact: March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, Telephone: (914) 997-4488 Secondary Telephone: Web Site: http://www.marchofdimes.com .

Keywords: Fetal death, Fetal mortality, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy loss, Spontaneous abortion

Behrman RE, Butler AS, eds; Board on Health Sciences Policy, Committee on Understanding Premature Birth and Assuring Healthy Outcomes. 2007. Preterm birth: Causes, consequences, and prevention. Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 772 pp.

Annotation: This books assesses the problem of preterm birth in the United States with respect to both its causes and outcomes. It addresses the need for research involving clinical, basic, behavioral, and social science disciplines. It is organized into sections including a summary of preterm birth in America, measurement of fetal and infant maturity, causes of preterm birth, diagnosis and treatment of preterm labor, consequences of preterm birth, and research and policy. Each section contains recommendations. References are provided and appendices include data sources and methods, several essays on prematurity and geographic variation, ethical issues, costs associated with preterm birth, and slected programs funding research. Biographies for the authoring committee and staff are provided along with an index.

Contact: National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, N.W., Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001, Telephone: (202) 334-3313 Secondary Telephone: (888) 624-8373 Fax: (202) 334-2451 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.nap.edu Available in libraries. Document Number: ISBN 0-309-10159-X; ISBN 13: 978-0-309-10159-2.

Keywords: Infant health, MCH research, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome, Premature infants, Premature labor, Prematurity, Prenatal diagnosis, Prenatal health, Preterm birth

Pollit, K, Kopfman M, Salgancoff A. 2007. Maternity care and consumer-driven health plans. Menlo Park, CA: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 35 pp.

Annotation: This report compares out-of-pocket maternity care costs under 12 consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) from the group and individual markets to the costs under a traditional health insurance plan. The report discusses the costs of maternity care, the features of private health insurance affecting maternity coverage, and the issues raised by the development of CDHPs. The report, which includes an executive summary, contains the following sections: (1) how does health insurance cover pregnancy?, (2) what are CDHPs?, (3) what does a typical pregnancy cost?, (4) how does maternity coverage under CDHPs compare to traditional insurance?, and (5) CDHP information resources to support consumer decision-making. A conclusion and endnotes are included. Statistical information is presented in tables throughout the report as well as in several appendix tables.

Contact: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2400 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, Telephone: (650) 854-9400 Secondary Telephone: (202) 347-5270 Fax: (650) 854-4800 Web Site: http://www.kff.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Cesarean section, Costs, Health insurance, Labor complications, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Prenatal care, Preterm birth, Vaginal birth

American Institute for Preventive Medicine. 2006. Healthy life: Prenatal self-care guide. (5th ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: American Institute for Preventive Medicine, 96 pp.

Annotation: This self-care guide has two parts: one providing information about pregnancy, labor, and delivery and the other about health problems and common complaints during pregnancy. The sections present the problem or complaint, list the causes, list the treatments, present a list of questions to ask when visiting a health care provider, list symptoms when a health care provider should be called, and list self care tips. The guide ends with a glossary of necessary terms. It is illustrated with drawings.

Contact: American Institute for Preventive Medicine, 30445 Northwestern Highway, Suite 350, Farmington Hills, MI 48334-3102 , Telephone: (800) 345-2476 Secondary Telephone: (810) 539-1800 Fax: (810) 539-1808 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.healthylife.com/ $5.95, plus shipping and handling.

Keywords: Childbirth, Exercise, Labor, Nutrition, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Prenatal care, Prenatal development, Prenatal education, Therapeutics

Edelstein BL, VanLandeghem K. 2006. Public and private-sector efforts to improve the oral health of pregnant women: Policies, programs, and practices (Final draft). No place: No publisher, 28 pp.

Annotation: This paper describes a sampling of policies, programs, and practices in the public and private sectors that typify how some agencies have built upon the putative relationship between periodontal disease during pregnancy and unfavorable birth outcomes. This review provides information on how academics, insurers, state governments, policy organizations, professional societies, practitioners, and others have featured this oral-systemic connection in their efforts to address the oral health of pregnant women. This paper was commissioned for the "Research to Policy and Practice: Periodontal Health and Birth Outcomes" forum held on December 11-12, 2006, in Washington, DC.

Contact: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.mchoralhealth.org Available from the website.

Keywords: MCH research, Oral health, Periodontal diseases, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women

Savitz DA, Singer PC, Hartmann KE, Herring AJ, Weinberg HS. 2005. Drinking water disinfection by-products and pregnancy outcome. Denver, CO: Awwa Research Foundation, 212 pp.

Annotation: This report describes a study to address the question of whether exposure to elevated levels of drinking water disinfection by-products is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome such as pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and reduced fetal growth. The report, which includes an executive summary, is divided into the following chapters: (1) background to study, (2) study methodology, (3) methods for assignment of exposure, (4) pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes assessment, (5) statistical methods, (6) results, (7) interpretation, (8) analyses of live birth outcomes, and (9) blood biomarker study. An appendix, references, and a list of abbreviations are included.

Contact: Awwa Research Foundation, 6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver, CO 80235-3098, Telephone: (303) 347-6100 Fax: (303) 730-0851 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.awwarf.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Disinfection, Environmental influences, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy loss, Pregnancy outcome, Teratology, Water pollution

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. 2005. Caffeine in pregnancy. [White Plains, NY]: March of Dimes, (Quick reference and fact sheets)

Annotation: This brief focuses on the possible effects of caffeine consumption during pregnancy and on birth outcomes. It describes what food and beverages contain caffeine and in what amounts, medication that can contain caffeine, how caffeine affects the body, how caffeine may affect fertility and miscarriage, how caffeine may affect newborns and whether it enters breastmilk. References are provided.

Contact: March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, Telephone: (914) 997-4488 Secondary Telephone: Web Site: http://www.marchofdimes.com Available from the website.

Keywords: Adverse effects, Caffeine, Consumer education materials, Maternal fetal exchange, Pregnancy complications, Pregnancy outcome

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This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.