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Mary E Hannah

Publications and source records attributed to Mary E Hannah.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth among women at increased risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether progestational agents, initiated in the second trimester of pregnancy, reduce the risk of delivery less than 37 weeks, among women at increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: Medline, pre-Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Randomized controlled trials with less than 20% lost to follow-up were included. RESULTS: Three trials were eligible for inclusion. There was a significant reduction in risk of delivery less than 37 weeks with progestational agents (relative risk [95% CI] = 0.57 [0.36-0.90]). There was no significant effect on perinatal mortality or serious neonatal morbidity. CONCLUSION: Progestational agents, initiated in the second trimester of pregnancy, may reduce the risk of delivery less than 37 weeks' gestation, among women at increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth, but the effect on neonatal outcome is uncertain. Larger randomized controlled trials are required to determine whether this treatment reduces perinatal mortality or serious neonatal morbidity.

Drug Administration Schedule↗

The costs of planned cesarean versus planned vaginal birth in the Term Breech Trial.

BACKGROUND: The Term Breech Trial compared the safety of planned cesarean and planned vaginal birth for breech presentations at term. The combined outcome of perinatal or neonatal death and serious neonatal morbidity was found to be significantly lower among babies delivered by planned cesarean section. In this study we conducted a cost analysis of the 2 approaches to breech presentations at delivery. METHODS: We used a third-party-payer (i.e., Ministry of Health) perspective. We included all costs for physician services and all hospital-related costs incurred by both the mother and the infant. We collected health care utilization and outcomes for all study participants during the trial. We used only the utilization data from countries with low national rates of perinatal death (< or = 20/1000). Seven hospitals across Canada (4 teaching and 3 community centres) were selected for unit cost calculations. RESULTS: The estimated mean cost of a planned cesarean was significantly lower than that of a planned vaginal birth (7165 dollars v. 8042 dollars per mother and infant; mean difference -877 dollars, 95% credible interval -1286 dollars to -473 dollars). The estimated mean cost of a planned cesarean was lower than that of a planned vaginal birth for both women having a first birth (7255 dollars v. 8440 dollars) and women having had at least one prior birth (7071 dollars v. 7559 dollars). Although the treatment effect was largest in the subgroup of women having their first child, there was no statistically significant interaction between treatment and parity since the 95% credible intervals for difference in treatment effects between parity equalling zero and parity of one or greater all include zero. INTERPRETATION: Planned cesarean section was found to be less costly than planned vaginal birth for the singleton fetus in a breech presentation at term in the Term Breech Trial.

Adult↗

Mothers' views of their childbirth experiences 2 years after planned Caesarean versus planned vaginal birth for breech presentation at term, in the international randomized Term Breech Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare mothers' views at 2 years postpartum after participation in a randomized trial of planned Caesarean and planned vaginal birth for a singleton fetus in breech presentation at term. STUDY DESIGN: In selected centres in the Term Breech Trial, mothers completed a structured questionnaire at approximately 2 years postpartum to assess their likes and dislikes about their childbirth experiences and their views about their intrapartum care and care providers. RESULTS: Of 1159 mothers from 85 centres, 917 (79.1%) completed a follow-up questionnaire at 2 years postpartum. Baseline information was similar for both the planned Caesarean and planned vaginal birth groups. Planned Caesarean was associated with less worry about the baby's health (P < 0.001). While other differences were noted in likes and dislikes about their childbirth experiences, women's evaluations of the quality of intrapartum care, the helpfulness of staff, and their involvement in decision-making did not differ in the planned Caesarean delivery and planned vaginal birth groups. CONCLUSION: Planned mode of delivery influences aspects of women's evaluations of their childbirth experiences but does not affect evaluations of the quality of intrapartum care, support from care providers, or amount of involvement in decision-making.

Breech Presentation↗

Antibiotics for bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis in pregnancy: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis during pregnancy decreases the risk of preterm birth and associated adverse outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Pre-MEDLINE and MEDLINE (1966-2003), EMBASE (1980-2003), and the Cochrane Library were searched using the keywords "bacterial vaginosis", "Trichomonas", "Trichomonas vaginalis", "Trichomonas vaginitis", "Trichomonas infections", "pregnancy", "pregnant", "antibiotics", and "antibiotic prophylaxis". METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: The search produced 1,888 titles, of which 1,256 abstracts were reviewed further. Of these, 1,217 were ineligible. Inclusion criteria were the following: randomized controlled trials in which antibiotics were compared with no antibiotic or placebo, for women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy with symptomatic or asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis, intact membranes, and not in labor. Exclusion criteria were as follows: published in a language other than English, dropout rate of more than 20% of women in either group, and lack of usable outcomes. Of the 39 papers reviewed in detail, 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: One of the authors reviewed titles obtained from the searches, and 2 reviewers independently reviewed the abstracts, excluded those that were ineligible, identified eligible papers, and abstracted the data. For women with bacterial vaginosis, antibiotics reduced the risk of persistent infection but did not reduce the risk of preterm birth or the incidence of associated adverse outcomes for the general population or for any subgroup analyzed. For women with Trichomonas vaginalis, metronidazole reduced the risk of persistent infection but increased the incidence of preterm birth. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the conclusions of 3 recent systematic reviews, we found no evidence to support the use of antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis or Trichomonas vaginalis in pregnancy to reduce the risk of preterm birth or its associated morbidities in low- or high-risk women.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Risk of stroke in women exposed to low-dose oral contraceptives: a critical evaluation of the evidence.

BACKGROUND: Use of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) has been reported to be associated with stroke. With current OCPs containing less than 50 micro g of ethinyl estradiol, and many earlier studies reporting the association between OCPs and stroke, subjected to biases, we determined whether such an association exists and, if so, the magnitude of the risk. METHODS: Two independent searches were conducted to obtain relevant articles from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation (1970 to June 2000). Eligible articles published in English describing OCP use and stroke outcomes were retrieved, and relevant data were abstracted. Pooling of results from these studies was performed using odds ratios (ORs) provided, and heterogeneity was calculated using chi(2) analysis. RESULTS: From 779 potential articles, 36 eligible studies describing 20 distinct populations were retrieved (4 cohort and 16 case-control studies). The pooled OR from the cohort studies demonstrated no increased stroke risk with OCP use (0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-1.78; P =.01); the pooled OR from the case-control studies showed a significant association (2.13; 95% CI, 1.59-2.86; P<.001). The risk of stroke with OCP use, however, was significant only with thrombotic stroke (2.74; 95% CI, 2.24-3.35; P =.009) and not with hemorrhagic stroke or stroke death. There was statistically significant heterogeneity among these studies, and potential biases and confounders were not adequately addressed. CONCLUSIONS: These results cast doubt on a true association between low-dose OCPs and stroke because of the low absolute magnitude of the ORs, the severe methodological limitations, and the ORs of less than 1.0 in the cohort studies. The association is tenuous at best and perhaps nonexistent.

Adult↗

Randomized controlled trial of misoprostol for second-trimester pregnancy termination associated with fetal malformation.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the effectiveness, women's views of the termination procedure, and success of umbilical cord culture for vaginal and oral misoprostol versus intra-amniotic prostaglandin PGF(2alpha) for second-trimester pregnancy termination (STPT). STUDY DESIGN: We randomized 217 women, 15 to 24 weeks' gestation, into 3 groups. Oral (OM) and vaginal (VM) misoprostol groups received 400 microg of misoprostol every 4 hours for 24 hours. The intra-amniotic PGF(2alpha) (IAPG) group received 40 mg of PGF(2alpha) followed by oxytocin infusion. Women completed self-administered questionnaires 3 weeks after the termination procedure. Umbilical cord samples were collected at delivery for karyotype analysis. The primary outcome was the time from start of the procedure to placental delivery. Secondary outcomes were maternal complications, women's acceptance of the termination procedure, and success rates of umbilical cord culture. RESULTS: The time was longer for the OM group (30.5+/-14.4 hours) compared with the VM group (18.3+/-8.2 hours) and the IAPG group (21.1+/-10.2 hours), P<.001 for both comparisons. Women in the VM group reported being more willing to repeat the termination method in the future and reported fewer side effects than those in the other groups, P<.001. Failure rates for umbilical cord cultures were 9.6%, 17.0%, and 45.6% for the VM, OM, and IAPG groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Oral misoprostol is less effective than intra-amniotic PGF(2alpha) or vaginal misoprostol for STPT. Women report vaginal misoprostol more acceptable than other methods. Umbilical cord culture failure rate is highest in the IAPG group.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

Outcomes of children at 2 years after planned cesarean birth versus planned vaginal birth for breech presentation at term: the International Randomized Term Breech Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether planned cesarean delivery for the singleton fetus in breech presentation at term reduces the risk of death or neurodevelopmental delay at 2 years of age. STUDY DESIGN: In selected centers in the Term Breech Trial, children were screened for abnormalities at > or =2 years of age with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, followed by a neurodevelopmental assessment if the Ages and Stages Questionnaire score was abnormal. RESULTS: A total of 923 of 1159 children (79.6%) from 85 centers were followed to 2 years of age. The risk of death or neurodevelopmental delay was no different for the planned cesarean than for the planned vaginal birth groups (14 children [3.1%] vs 13 children [2.8%]; relative risk, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.52- 2.30; P = .85; risk difference, +0.3%; 95% CI, -1.9%, +2.4%). CONCLUSION: Planned cesarean delivery is not associated with a reduction in risk of death or neurodevelopmental delay in children at 2 years of age.

Breech Presentation↗

Maternal outcomes at 2 years after planned cesarean section versus planned vaginal birth for breech presentation at term: the international randomized Term Breech Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare maternal outcomes at 2 years postpartum after planned cesarean section and planned vaginal birth for the singleton fetus in breech presentation at term. STUDY DESIGN: In selected centers in the Term Breech Trial, mothers completed a structured questionnaire at 2 or more years postpartum to determine their health in the previous 3 to 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 917 of 1159 (79.1%) mothers from 85 centers completed a follow-up questionnaire at 2 years postpartum. There were no differences between groups in breast feeding, relationship with child or partner, pain, subsequent pregnancy, incontinence, depression, urinary, menstrual or sexual problems, fatigue, or distressing memories of the birth experience. Planned cesarean section was associated with a higher risk of constipation (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Maternal outcomes at 2 years postpartum are similar after planned cesarean section and planned vaginal birth for the singleton breech fetus at term.

Adult↗

Cerclage for the short cervix demonstrated by transvaginal ultrasound: current practice and opinion.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To elucidate the views of obstetricians with respect to the use of transvaginal ultrasound in general, and, specifically, for determining cervical length, and the conditions under which obstetricians would employ cervical cerclage based on a sonographically revealed shortened cervix; and (2) to determine the possibility of a randomized controlled trial on the use of cervical cerclage in this situation. METHODS: A 7-item questionnaire in French and English was designed and pretested. Questionnaires were mailed to 1421 physicians identified in the Canadian Medical Directory as practising obstetricians/gynaecologists in Canada. Returned questionnaires were scanned into an Access database for simple descriptive analyses. RESULTS: Responses were received from 766 physicians. Of these 766 respondents, 604 physicians indicated they continued to practise obstetrics and supplied information that was usable in the analysis. The majority of the 604 respondents (85.6%) reported that they would recommend transvaginal ultrasound only in pregnant women with 1 or more risk factors for preterm birth. Respondents were most likely to recommend a cerclage, and least unsure of their decision to do so, if the gestational age was less than 23 weeks, the cervical length was less than 1 cm, and additional risk factors for preterm birth were present. As gestational age and cervical length increased, respondents were less likely to recommend cerclage and more unsure of their decision to do so. The pattern of responses was similar for singleton and multiple pregnancies. The McDonald technique was favoured over the Shirodkar technique by 70.4% of the respondents who performed cervical cerclage procedures. Adjunctive antibiotics were used with cerclage by 52.5% and adjunctive tocolytics were employed by 37.4%. The majority (68.8%) of the respondents who performed cervical cerclage procedures stated that they would participate in a randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of cerclage for a sonographically revealed short cervix. CONCLUSION: In the case of a short cervix determined by ultrasound, there is significant uncertainty surrounding the decision whether to place a cerclage and considerable variation in the clinical practice on its placement. In the absence of good evidence to guide clinical practice, a randomized controlled trial is being planned.

Cerclage, Cervical↗

Factors affecting academic promotion in obstetrics and gynaecology in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To determine if women faculty members in departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were less likely than men to achieve promotion; and (2) to assess gender differences in attitudes towards promotion. METHODS: Department chairs at the 16 medical schools in Canada were approached to participate in this study. A questionnaire was mailed to the obstetricians/gynaecologists in faculties of medicine at the 15 Canadian medical schools that agreed to participate. Likelihood of promotion for women and men was compared using survival analysis, controlling for other factors. Survival (event) time was the time in years between completion of residency and achieving promotion. RESULTS: The response rate was 72% (376/522). Overall, 37% of respondents were women, and 63% were men. The women respondents were younger than the men, with a mean age of 43.4 +/- 7.9 years compared to 52.8 +/- 8.9 years. Of those in an academic stream, 39% of women (29/75) and 62% of men (90/145) had attained senior academic ranks. Completing residency more recently was associated with a higher likelihood of promotion to Assistant Professor (hazard ratio [HR], 1.05; P <0.001). The likelihood of promotion to Professor was lower for women than for men (HR, 0.40; P = 0.05). Having a mentor was associated with a higher likelihood of promotion to Professor (HR, 2.33; P = 0.002). Women were more likely to perceive barriers to promotion, such as family care responsibilities (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Independent of the respondent's gender, recent completion of residency and having a mentor were the most significant factors increasing the likelihood of promotion in Canadian medical school departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. As women were found to be less likely than men to achieve promotion to Professor, mentoring and strategies that focus on facilitating promotion for women should be encouraged to ensure there are academic leaders in obstetrics and gynaecology in the future.

Achievement↗

Planned caesarean section decreases the risk of adverse perinatal outcome due to both labour and delivery complications in the Term Breech Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the decreased risk of adverse perinatal outcome, with a policy of planned caesarean, in the Term Breech Trial, was due to a reduction of problems of labour, problems of delivery or unrelated problems. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from the Term Breech Trial, a randomised controlled trial of planned caesarean versus planned vaginal birth for the singleton fetus in frank or complete breech presentation at term. SETTING: Women were recruited from 121 centres in 26 countries. POPULATION: Women who were enrolled in the Term Breech Trial. METHODS: Adverse perinatal outcome was classified as due to labour, due to delivery, due to neither labour nor delivery or unexplained by an experienced obstetrician who was masked to allocation group. The risk of an adverse outcome in each category was compared according to intention to treat and also by actual method of delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adverse perinatal outcome (excluding lethal congenital anomalies) that was due to labour, due to delivery, due to neither labour nor delivery or unexplained. RESULTS: Planned caesarean was associated with a lower risk of adverse outcome due to both labour (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.04-0.45, P < 0.001) and delivery (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.87, P= 0.03), compared with planned vaginal birth. Prelabour caesarean and caesarean during early labour were associated with the lowest risk and vaginal birth was associated with the highest risk of adverse outcome due to both labour (0%, 0.4% and 2.2%, respectively) and delivery (0.2%, 0% and 3.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Planned caesarean decreases the risk of adverse perinatal outcome due to both problems of labour and problems of delivery for the singleton fetus in breech presentation at term, compared with planned vaginal birth.

Adult↗

Effectiveness of cervical cerclage for a sonographically shortened cervix: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cerclage for a shortened cervix on transvaginal ultrasound scanning in terms of the rates of preterm delivery and adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Pre-MEDLINE and MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for human studies that compared cerclage placement to no cerclage on the basis of transvaginal ultrasound findings of a short cervix (< or =2.5 cm). Two authors independently determined eligibility and abstracted data. Meta-analyses were conducted when possible. RESULTS: Thirty-five studies were reviewed; 6 studies were eligible and were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant effect of cerclage on the rates of preterm delivery (<37, <34, <32, and <28 weeks of gestation), preterm labor, neonatal mortality or morbidity, gestational age at delivery, or time to delivery. Birth weight was significantly higher with than without cerclage (P=.004). CONCLUSION: The available evidence does not support cerclage for a sonographically detected short cervix. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine whether this intervention will reduce adverse neonatal outcomes.

Adolescent↗

Impact of the international term breech trial on clinical practice and concerns: a survey of centre collaborators.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine what impact the International Term Breech Trial had had in different settings and to elicit any concerns among collaborators regarding the implementation of a policy of planned Caesarean section for term breech babies. METHODS: We mailed a questionnaire to all Term Breech Trial collaborators. The questionnaire asked 3 open-ended questions about the impact of the trial, about concerns with implementing planned Caesarean section for term breech babies, and about whether information as to the relative costs of planned Caesarean section versus planned vaginal birth would be helpful. Frequencies of responses were calculated for centres in countries classified as having a low or a high national perinatal mortality rate (< or = 20/1000 vs. > 20/1000, respectively) according to the figures published by the World Health Organization in 1996. RESULTS: We received responses from 80 centres in 23 countries. Most centres (92.5%) stated that clinical practice had changed to planned Caesarean section for most or all term breech babies. The majority of centres (66.3%) had no difficulties or concerns with implementing a policy of planned Caesarean section for term breech babies. Most centres (85.0%) indicated that an analysis of relative costs would not affect clinical practice in their setting. CONCLUSION: Clinical practice has changed to planned Caesarean section in most collaborating centres, given the results of the Term Breech Trial.

Breech Presentation↗

Breech vaginal delivery at or near term.

Three percent to 4% of term fetuses will be breech at delivery. Evidence from randomized controlled trials has found a policy of planned cesarean section to be significantly better for the singleton fetus in breech presentation at term compared to a policy of planned vaginal birth. However, some women may wish to avoid cesarean section and for others, cesarean section may not be possible. We undertook this review to identify factors associated with higher and lower risk of adverse fetal or neonatal outcome at term during vaginal breech delivery. We searched MEDLINE from 1966 to 2002 using the search terms vaginal breech delivery and breech presentation and retrieved all relevant articles. We also reviewed personal references and reference lists of articles retrieved. Women who are older or who have a fetus that is either in footling presentation, has a hyperextended head or is estimated to weigh <2500 g or >4000 g may be at higher risk of adverse fetal outcome. Prolonged labor or not having an experienced clinician at vaginal breech birth may also increase the risk. Women with a fetus in breech presentation at term should be offered the option of delivery by planned cesarean section and should be informed that this will reduce their risk of adverse fetal or neonatal outcome. Practitioners should develop and maintain skills at vaginal breech delivery for those women not wishing or not able to be delivered by cesarean section.

Breech Presentation↗

External cephalic version beginning at 34 weeks' gestation versus 37 weeks' gestation: a randomized multicenter trial.

OBJECTIVE: In about 3% to 4% of all pregnancies at term, the fetal presentation will be noncephalic. External cephalic version (ECV) at term has been shown to decrease the rate of noncephalic presentation at birth and to decrease the rate of cesarean section associated with breech presentation. However, success rates for ECV are low. We did a randomized trial to compare a policy of beginning ECV early, at between 34 and 36 weeks' gestation, and beginning ECV at 37 to 38 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: At 25 centers in seven countries, 233 women with a singleton breech fetus were randomly assigned to having an ECV procedure done early (at between 34 weeks 0 days and 36 weeks 0 days), or delayed (at between 37 weeks 0 days and 38 weeks 0 days). An experienced practitioner undertook the ECV procedure, and repeat ECV procedures were allowed. Tocolytics and use of epidural analgesia were included as part of the protocol. The primary outcome was the rate of noncephalic presentation at birth. An intention-to-treat analysis was used. RESULTS: Data were received for 232 women, with 116 women in each of the early and delayed ECV groups. Of these, 86.2% in the early ECV group and 67.2% in the delayed ECV group had at least one ECV performed. The rate of noncephalic presentation at birth in the early ECV group was 66 of 116 (56.9%) and 77 of 116 (66.4%) in the delayed ECV group (relative risk [RR] [95% CI] 0.86 [0.70-1.05], P =.09). The rate of serious fetal complications and the rate of preterm birth at <37 weeks were not significantly increased in the early ECV group compared with the delayed ECV group (6.9% vs 7.8%, RR [95% CI] 0.89 [0.36-2.22], P =.69 and 8.6% vs 6.1%, RR [95% CI] 1.42 [0.56-3.59], P =.31, respectively). The rate of cesarean section in the early ECV group was 75 of 116 (64.7%) and 83 of 116 (71.6%) in the delayed ECV group (RR [95% CI] 0.90 [0.76-1.08], P =.32). Neonatal outcomes were comparable in the two groups. The rate of reversion to noncephalic was low in both groups. The majority of women in both groups indicated that they would consider having an ECV in another pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Early ECV performed at 34 to 36 weeks compared with 37 to 38 weeks may reduce the risk of noncephalic presentation at delivery. A large pragmatic trial of early ECV is now required to assess this approach further in terms of cesarean section rates and neonatal outcomes before changes in clinical practice.

Breech Presentation↗

Cesarean delivery for twins: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether a policy of planned cesarean section or vaginal delivery is better for twins. STUDY DESIGN: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from 1980 through May 2001 using combinations of the following terms: twin, delivery, cesarean section, vaginal birth, birth weight, and gestational age. Studies that compared planned cesarean section to planned vaginal birth for babies weighing at least 1500 g or reaching at least 32 weeks' gestation were included. We computed pooled odds ratios for perinatal or neonatal mortality, low 5-minute Apgar score, neonatal morbidity, and maternal morbidity. The infant was the unit of statistical analysis. Results were considered statistically significant if the 95% CI did not encompass 1.0. RESULTS: We retrieved 67 articles, 63 of which were excluded. Four studies with a total of 1932 infants were included in the analysis. A low 5-minute Apgar score occurred less frequently in twins delivered by planned cesarean section (odds ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.26-0.88) principally because of a reduction among twins if twin A was in breech position (odds ratio, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.17-0.65). Twins delivered by planned cesarean section spent significantly longer in the hospital (mean difference, 4.01 days; 95% CI, 0.73-7.28 days). There were no significant differences in perinatal or neonatal mortality, neonatal morbidity, or maternal morbidity. CONCLUSION: Planned cesarean section may decrease the risk of a low 5-minute Apgar score, particularly if twin A is breech. Otherwise, there is no evidence to support planned cesarean section for twins.

Apgar Score↗