Objectives To determine the prospective risk of IUFD ≥ 34 weeks’ gestation for monochorionic (MC) and dichorionic (DC) twins receiving intensive antenatal fetal surveillance. The secondary objective is to calculate the incidence of prematurity-related neonatal morbidity/mortality, stratified by gestational week and chorionicity. Study Design A retrospective cohort study of all twins ≥ 34 weeks delivered at MUSC (1987–2010) was performed. Twins were cared for in a longstanding Twin Clinic with standardized management and surveillance protocols; supervised by a consistent Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist. Gestational age specific fetal/neonatal mortality and composite neonatal morbidity rates were compared by chorionicity. A generalized linear mixed model was used to identify variables associated with increased composite neonatal morbidity. Results Among 768 twin gestations (601 DC and 167 MC), only one dichorionic IUFD occurred. The prospective risk of IUFD ≥34 weeks was 0.17% for DC twins and 0% for MC twins. Composite neonatal morbidity decreased with each gestational week (p<0.0001). Morbidity was increased by white race, gestational diabetes and elective indication for delivery. The nadir of composite neonatal morbidity occurred at 36/0-36/6 weeks for MC twins and 37/0-37/6 weeks for DC twins. Conclusions Our data do not support concern for an increased risk of stillbirth in uncomplicated intensively managed MC twins ≥34 weeks’ gestation. However, our data do show significantly increased rates of neonatal morbidity in late preterm MC twins that cannot be justified by a corresponding reduction in the risk of stillbirth. We feel that our data support delivery of uncomplicated MC twins at 37 weeks’ gestation.

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We developed and applied tools to evaluate HH resources and practices in a large African hospital. These assessments were undertaken to guide future efforts to improve HH at this hospital but can also serve as a model of the way to perform a systematic assessment at acute care hospitals in developing countries.

IPS-LITE is equally effective to IPS and only minimal extra employment is gained by persisting beyond 9 months. If released capacity is utilised with similar outcomes, IPS-LITE results in an increase by 17% in numbers gaining employment within 18 months compared to IPS and will increase with prolonged follow-up. IPS-LITE may be more cost-effective and should be actively considered as an alternative within public services.

ThE EnGAGEMEnT oF EArly ChIlDhooD teachers with curriculum initiatives reflects the decisions and factors surrounding an educator's relationship with a single curriculum initiative or across multiple curriculum initiatives. Factors such as the available form of professional development and workload intensity may influence decisions teachers make. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the decisions early childhood teachers made about their engagement with state government curriculum initiatives. A teacher's response to a curriculum initiative can be evidenced in attitude, training attendance and the adoption of ideas from an initiative. Critically, for change in early childhood education, the initial decisions teachers make about a curriculum initiative may act as personal gatekeepers as they may lead to engagement or to irretrievable rejection.