Our findings provide further understanding of the association between maternal hepatitis B or C carrier status and perinatal outcomes. Infants born to women with hepatitis C infection appear to be at risk for poor birth outcomes, including preterm birth, LBW and congenital anomaly.

Research investigating the role of paternal age in adverse birth outcomes is limited. This population-based retrospective cohort study used the Missouri maternally linked data set from 1989 to 2005 to assess whether paternal age affects fetal birth outcomes: low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), stillbirth, and small size for gestational age (SGA). We examined these outcomes among infants across seven paternal age-groups (<20, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-45, and >45 years) using the generalized estimating equation framework. Compared with infants born to younger fathers (25-29 years), infants born to fathers aged 40 to 45 years had a 24% increased risk of stillbirth but a reduced risk of SGA. A 48% increased risk of late stillbirth was observed in infants born to advanced paternal age (>45 years). Moreover, advanced paternal age (>45 years) was observed to result in a 19%, 13%, and 29% greater risk for LBW, PTB, and VPTB (very preterm birth) infants, respectively. Infants born to fathers aged 30 to 39 years had a lower risk of LBW, PTB, and SGA, whereas those born to fathers aged 24 years or younger had an elevated likelihood of experiencing these same adverse outcomes. These findings demonstrate that paternal age influences birth outcomes and warrants further investigation.

Although prior bariatric surgery is associated with multiple negative maternal and fetal outcomes, it is protective against infant macrosomia in obese mothers. Our findings support the need for preconception/interconception services tailored for former bariatric surgery patients to improve maternal and feto-infant health outcomes.

Objective To determine whether female genital mutilation (FGM) is a risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV) and its subtypes (physical, sexual and emotional).Design Population-based cross-sectional study.Setting The study used the 2006 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Mali. Methods Multivariable logistic regression was used to compute adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to measure risk for IPV.Main outcome measures The outcomes of interest were IPV and its subtypes.Results Women with FGM were at heightened odds of IPV (aOR 2.71, 95% CI 2.17-3.38) and IPV subtypes: physical (aOR 2.85, 95% CI 2.22-3.66), sexual (aOR 3.24, 95% CI 1.80-5.82), and emotional (aOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.68-3.11). The odds of IPV increased with ascending FGM severity (P for trend <0.0001). The most elevated odds were observed among women with severe FGM, who were nearly nine times as likely to experience more than one IPV subtype (aOR 8.81, 95% CI 5.87-13.24).Conclusions Study findings underscore the need for multi-tiered strategies, incorporating policy and education, to reduce FGM and IPV, potentially improving the holistic health and wellbeing of Malian women.

Although the overall prevalence rate of HBV increased over the past decade, black women still had a noticeably higher rate of infection. Similarly, white women and those with HIV co-infection had noticeably higher rates of HCV infection over the study period. Our findings call for improved and increased HBV/HCV prevention, screening, and immunization programs among minority women of childbearing age.