Iodine is the main constituent of thyroid hormones, which in turn are required for fetal brain development. However, the relation between iodine intake during pregnancy, thyroid function, and child neurodevelopment needs further evaluation. The authors assessed the association of maternal iodine intake from diet and supplements during pregnancy and of maternal and neonatal thyroid function with infant neurodevelopment. The Mental Development Index and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) for 691 children were obtained between 2005 and 2007 using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at age 1 year in a prebirth cohort in Valencia, Spain. In multivariate analyses, a maternal thyrotropin level >4 μU/mL was associated with an increased risk of a PDI <85 (odds ratio = 3.5, P = 0.02). Maternal intake of ≥150 μg/day, compared with <100 μg/day, of iodine from supplements was associated with a 5.2-point decrease in PDI (95% confidence interval: -8.1, -2.2) and a 1.8-fold increase in the odds of a PDI <85 (95% confidence interval: 1.0, 3.3). When analyses were stratified by sex, this association was intensified for girls but was not observed for boys. Further evidence on the safety and effectiveness of iodine supplementation during pregnancy is needed before it is systematically recommended in iodine-sufficient or mildly deficient areas.

Most predictor factors of depression during pregnancy are similar for both sexes but a gender-different impact of social support and partner depression on pregnancy depression was appreciated. Health professionals should be aware of potentially vulnerable groups for early diagnosis of pregnancy depression and to provide effective interventions.

No abstract

This study describes the results of the health programme implemented in the Valencian Community (Spain) to achieve an early diagnosis of Chagas disease in pregnant Latin American women and their newborns. During 2009 and 2010, 1975 women living in the health districts of three university hospitals were enrolled via midwives or at the time of delivery. Diagnosis of disease was performed using two serological tests with different antigens. Congenital infection was diagnosed by parasitological, molecular or serological methods from blood samples obtained at birth or in subsequent controls. The overall seroprevalence of Chagas infection in pregnant women from 16 different endemic countries was 11·4%. Infection was higher in those from countries in the Gran Chaco Region (Bolivia, 34·1%; Paraguay, 7·4%; Argentina, 5·3%). Eight newborn infants from Bolivian mothers had congenital Chagas which represents a vertical transmission rate of 3·7%. In conclusion, this work supports the benefits of offering an early diagnosis to pregnant women and newborns during routine prenatal healthcare.

We compared perinatal mortality rates (PMRs) and the risk from certain causes among immigrant and native population in the Valencian Community (Spain). Using data from the Perinatal Mortality Registry, crude and age standardized mortality ratios were obtained in the different groups of mothers. Mortality rate ratios were calculated to compare the causes of death resulting from prematurity, congenital anomalies, infectious diseases and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome between Spanish and foreign women. PMRs were higher among all the immigrant groups compared with the native population, with a statistical significance in Eastern European and sub-Saharan mothers. Neonatal mortality rates in North African and Latin American mothers were similar to those of native women. Babies of immigrant mothers were at a significant higher risk of dying from late infectious diseases and from causes resulting from being premature. More research is needed on the risk factors which contribute to generating differences in our setting.

No abstract

This scale is a useful instrument to measure women's satisfaction with the experience of childbirth, adapted to our context and with good psychometric properties.

The lack of homogeneous and reliable epidemiological data on domestic violence greatly limits public decision making on the help that should be provided to victims of this form of abuse. Health professionals are obliged to report cases of domestic violence in adults to the judicial authorities and a unified, easily completed model for reporting injuries from domestic violence has been established in the Autonomous Community of Valencia. From June to October 2005, 500 cases of domestic violence were received and processed, most of which were reported by primary care physicians (68%). Cases of domestic violence occurred mainly in young women (aged, 20-39 years), either married or cohabiting, and with primary or secondary level education. The most frequent findings were physical injury or psychological damage (62%). Eighty-three percent of victims had at least one antecedent of abuse.