In less than four months, the total of confirmed cases of COVID-19 was 1,684,833 worldwide. Outcomes among the public of pregnant women with COVID-19 are still unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze whether COVID-19 in pregnant women is related to premature birth and birth weight, and to summarize the diagnostic results of neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 for investigating the possibility of vertical transmission. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Preprints, bioRxiv, and medRxiv. We used the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) as measure of analysis. Summary estimates were calculated using random effects models. 38 studies were included; data from 279 women were analyzed; 60 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. The meta-analysis showed no significant association between COVID-19 and preterm delivery (OR = 2.25; 95%CI: 0.96, 5.31; p = 0.06; I² = 0%). No significant relationship was found between birth weight and COVID-19 (MD = -124.16; 95%CI: -260.54, 12.22; p = 0.07; I² = 0%). Among 432 newborns, 10 were reported with positive results for early SARS-CoV-2. Due to the characteristics of the studies, the level of evidence of this meta-analysis was considered very low. COVID-19 in pregnant women may not be associated with the occurrence of preterm deliveries or the birth weight of the newborn children, however the evidence to date is very uncertain. A few reports suggest vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to newborn is possible, but evidence is still uncertain.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global public health emergency with lethality ranging from 1% to 5%. This study aimed to identify active high-risk transmission clusters of COVID-19 in Sergipe. Methods: We performed a prospective space-time analysis using confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the first 7 weeks of the outbreak in Sergipe. Results: The prospective space-time statistic detected "active" and emerging spatio-temporal clusters comprising six municipalities in the south-central region of the state. Conclusions: The Geographic Information System (GIS) associated with spatio-temporal scan statistics can provide timely support for surveillance and assist in decision-making.

Background Despite visceral leishmaniasis (VL) being epidemic in most Brazilian regions, the Northeast region is responsible for the highest morbidity and mortality outcomes within the country. Objective To analyse the spatiotemporal dynamics of VL cases to identify the temporal trends and high-risk areas for VL transmission, as well as the association of the disease with social vulnerability in Brazilian Northeast. Methods We carried out an ecological time series study employing spatial analysis techniques using all VL confirmed cases of 1,794 municipalities of Brazilian Northeast between the years 2000 to 2017. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was used to represent the social vulnerability. Incidence rates were standardized and smoothed by the Local Empirical Bayesian Method. Time trends were examined through segmented linear regression. Spatiotemporal analysis consisted of uni- and bivariate Global and Local Moran indexes and space-time scan statistics. Results Incidence rate remained stable and ranged from 4.84 to 3.52 cases/100,000 inhabitants. There was higher case prevalence between males (62.71%), children and adolescents (63.27%), non-white (69.75%) and urban residents (62.58%). Increasing trends of new cases were observed among adult male subjects (≥ 40 years old) and urban residents. Importantly, VL incidence showed a direct spatial dependence. Spatial and space-time clusters were identified in sertão and meio-norte sub-regions, overlapping with high social vulnerability areas. Conclusions VL is a persistent health issue in Brazilian Northeast and associated with social vulnerability. Space-time clustering of VL cases in socially vulnerable municipalities demands intersectoral public policies of surveillance and control, with focus on reducing inequalities and improving living conditions for regional inhabitants.

O presente artigo mostra a distribuição espacial da esquistossomose, correlacionando focos de caramujos com os casos humanos, por meio de análise espacial. As localidades estudadas foram Merepe III, Pantanal, Salinas e Socó, que representam 70% da área habitada de Porto de Galinhas. No inquérito realizado em 2000, foram identificados 15 focos do vetor Biomphalaria glabrata; os casos humanos foram diagnosticados e registrados por quarteirão de residência. A análise espacial foi realizada no programa TerraView, utilizando-se o estimador de intensidade kernel. Com relação aos focos de moluscos vetores, as taxas de infecção total variaram entre 15% e 32,4%. Os resultados da análise indicam a existência de uma forte tendência espacial para o risco de transmissão nas localidades de Salinas e Socó. Em Merepe, ocorreu o maior número de focos, mas as taxas de infecção dos moluscos foram as mais baixas e a análise espacial evidenciou menor concentração de risco em relação às outras localidades estudadas. Com relação aos casos humanos, observaram-se duas áreas em que os aglomerados de maior intensidade são representados por tons mais escuros.

Uncontrolled peripheral urbanisation coupled with environmental degradation has affected the status of schistosomiasis in Pernambuco (PE), Brazil. This endemic disease continues to perpetuate its transmission in rural areas and has also become a cause for concern in coastal towns of the state. The lack of basic infrastructure (sanitation and health programmes) to support the new urban areas leads to faecal contamination of natural aquatic environments, resulting in consequent infection of vector snails and the emergence of new sources of schistosomiasis transmission. In the present paper, we discuss the current epidemiological status of schistosomiasis in PE. We have consolidated and analysed information from parasitological, malacological and morbidity surveys undertaken by the group of researchers at the Laboratory of Schistosomiasis, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães-Fiocruz. The results of our analysis show: (i) the maintenance of the levels of schistosomiasis in the rural Zona da Mata, PE, (ii) the record of the human cases of schistosomiasis and the foci of infected snails detected along the coast of PE through 2007, (iii) the high record of the severe clinical form of schistosomiasis in the metropolitan region of Recife (RMR) and (iv) new breeding sites of schistosomiasis vector snails that were identified in a 2008 survey covering the RMR and the coastal localities of PE.

ResumoIntrodução: A dor no período neonatal é motivo de inúmeros estudos, sendo fundamental para a sua abordagem uma avaliação criteriosa e adequada.Objetivo: Comparar as variáveis fisiológicas com as comportamentais para a avaliação da dor em recém-nascido (RN) prematuro. Métodos: Estudo realizado entre fevereiro de 2003 e maio de 2004, com recém-nascidos de idade gestacional (IG) abaixo de 34 semanas e peso de nascimento menor que 1500 g, submetidos à ventilação mecânica e não sedados. As variáveis fisiológicas estudadas foram as freqüências cardíaca (FC) e respiratória (FR) e a saturação de oxigênio (SatO 2 ); as variáveis comportamentais foram avaliadas por meio da escala de dor do recém-nascido -Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). Todas as variáveis foram controladas no terceiro dia de vida do RN, antes, imediatamente após e cinco minutos após o procedimento de aspiração endotraqueal. Resultados: Foram estudados 50 RNs com IG média ao nascimento de 29,98 ± 2,24 semanas e peso médio de nascimento de 1087,20 ± 350,06 g, sendo 28 (56%) RN do sexo feminino e a doença das membranas hialinas foi diagnosticada em todos os RNs estudados. Pelo teste t-Student verificou-se diferença significante na SatO 2 nos momentos estudados, sendo o mesmo não observado em relação a FC e FR. A mediana da NIPS foi maior nos momentos pós aspiração. As variáveis fisiológicas mostraram-se pouco sensíveis à detecção da dor (FC: 40,7%, FR: 24,1%, SatO 2 : 6,6%), e a escala NIPS mostrou-se mais específica para a mesma avaliação (86,6%). Conclusão: As variáveis fisiológicas apresentaram pouca sensibilidade e especificidade para a avaliação da dor no RN prematuro, quando avaliadas isoladamente. Palavras-chave:Recém-nascido; dor; avaliação da dor. AbstractIntroduction: Pain in the neonatal period is the objective of several studies, being important for its approach an adequate evaluation. Objective: To compare the physiological and behavioral variables with the behavior for assessment of pain in premature newborns (NB). Methods: Prospective study carried out from February/2003 to May/2004, including premature infants with gestational age (GA) below 34 weeks and birth weight less than 1.500 g, submitted to mechanical ventilation and not sedation. The physiological variables studied were: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and oxygen saturation (SatO 2 ); the behavioral variables were evaluated by NIPS. All the variables have been controlled in the third day of life of NB, immediately after and five minutes after the procedure of endotracheal suction. Results: Fifty premature infants were studied with GA at birth of 29.98 ± 2.24 weeks and birth weight 1087.20 ± 350.06 g and the respiratory distress syndrome was diagnosed in all NB studied. Using t-Student test, it was verified significant difference on SatO 2 at the different moments studied; however, there was no statistical significant difference in relation to HR and RR. The median of NIPS was high on moments following suction. The physiological variables showed: low sensitivity on detec...

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyse the clinical and epidemiological indicators, temporal trends and the spatial distribution of leprosy in patients under 15 years old in an endemic area of Northeast Brazil.DesignRegional surveillance study of all reported cases.SettingState of Sergipe, endemic area of Northeast Brazil.MethodsAn ecological and time series study was conducted, based on secondary data reported by the Brazilian Information System on Notifiable Diseases for leprosy cases diagnosed in Sergipe state (2002–2015). The analysis of temporal trends was performed using the Joinpoint Regression Programme through Poisson regression. We performed spatial analysis by Kernel estimator and Moran index.ResultsThe incidence rate was reduced from 6.29 to 3.78 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in 2002 and 2015, respectively. However, Sergipe was still classified as highly endemicity in 2015. The mean number of household contacts (HHC) examined was significantly lower than those registered. Clinical data indicated that 21.4% of the patients developed leprosy reactions, and 31.3% presented with some physical disability in the multibacillary groups. Patients diagnosed by examination within the HHC presented better indicators, such as lower percentage of leprosy reaction and physical disability. Spatial analysis showed the most risk areas distributed on the northeast and cities around the capital, Aracaju.ConclusionThe data indicate that there is a persistence of activeMyobacterium lepraetransmission and a delay in disease detection, following a pattern of high endemicity in many municipalities. The early detection by HHC examination is important to stop transmission and also to detect the cases in a less severe state.

This study aimed to analyse the trend and spatial–temporal clusters of risk of transmission of COVID-19 in northeastern Brazil. We conducted an ecological study using spatial and temporal trend analysis. All confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Northeast region of Brazil were included, from 7 March to 22 May 2020. We used the segmented log-linear regression model to assess time trends, and the local empirical Bayesian estimator, the global and local Moran indexes for spatial analysis. The prospective space–time scan statistic was performed using the Poisson probability distribution model. There were 113 951 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The average incidence rate was 199.73 cases/100 000 inhabitants. We observed an increasing trend in the incidence rate in all states. Spatial autocorrelation was reported in metropolitan areas, and 178 municipalities were considered a priority, especially in the states of Ceará and Maranhão. We identified 11 spatiotemporal clusters of COVID-19 cases; the primary cluster included 70 municipalities from Ceará state. COVID-19 epidemic is increasing rapidly throughout the Northeast region of Brazil, with dispersion towards countryside. It was identified high risk clusters for COVID-19, especially in the coastal side.