BACKGROUNDSpinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder that is caused by an insufficient level of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide drug that modifies pre-messenger RNA splicing of the SMN2 gene and thus promotes increased production of full-length SMN protein. METHODSWe conducted a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, phase 3 efficacy and safety trial of nusinersen in infants with spinal muscular atrophy. The primary end points were a motor-milestone response (defined according to results on the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination) and event-free survival (time to death or the use of permanent assisted ventilation). Secondary end points included overall survival and subgroup analyses of event-free survival according to disease duration at screening. Only the first primary end point was tested in a prespecified interim analysis. To control the overall type I error rate at 0.05, a hierarchical testing strategy was used for the second primary end point and the secondary end points in the final analysis. RESULTSIn the interim analysis, a significantly higher percentage of infants in the nusinersen group than in the control group had a motor-milestone response (21 of 51 infants [41%] vs. 0 of 27 [0%], P<0.001), and this result prompted early termination of the trial. In the final analysis, a significantly higher percentage of infants in the nusinersen group than in the control group had a motor-milestone response (37 of 73 infants [51%] vs. 0 of 37 [0%]), and the likelihood of event-free survival was higher in the nusinersen group than in the control group (hazard ratio for death or the use of permanent assisted ventilation, 0.53; P = 0.005). The likelihood of overall survival was higher in the nusinersen group than in the control group (hazard ratio for death, 0.37; P = 0.004), and infants with a shorter disease duration at screening were more likely than those with a longer disease duration to benefit from nusinersen. The incidence and severity of adverse events were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONSAmong infants with spinal muscular atrophy, those who received nusinersen were more likely to be alive and have improvements in motor function than those in the control group. Early treatment may be necessary to maximize the benefit of the drug. (Funded by Biogen and Ionis Pharmaceuticals; ENDEAR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02193074.)

Background:Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and muscle atrophy. Nusinersen acts as a splicing modifier and has recently been approved for intrathecal treatment of SMA.Objective:Prior to approval, nusinersen was provided to patients with SMA type 1 in Germany within an Expanded Access Program (EAP). In contrast to previous clinical trials, children of different age groups and different stages of the disease were treated with nusinersen.Methods:We conducted a prospective, longitudinal data collection of patients treated with nusinersen within the EAP in seven neuromuscular centers in Germany. Standardized assessments including CHOP-INTEND and HINE-2 motor milestones were performed at baseline and 60 and 180 days after start of treatment.Results:Data from 61 SMA type 1 patients (mean age 21.08 months, range 1–93) were available for analysis. After six months of treatment, 47 children (77.0%) improved by ≥4 points in CHOP INTEND score. Mean change in CHOP INTEND score was 9.0±8.0 points. Nineteen patients (31.1%) improved by ≥2 points in HINE-2 motor milestones. Regression analysis revealed age at onset of treatment as major determinant of change in CHOP INTEND from baseline.Conclusion:When analyzing a broad spectrum of SMA type 1 patients, many children showed an improvement of motor function after six months of treatment with nusinersen, which is generally not expected within the natural course of the disease. Long-term observation and follow-up of patients with later onset types of SMA are crucial to understand the clinical impact of treatment with nusinersen.

OBJECTIVETo compare collaborative and traditional childbirth care models.METHODSCross-sectional study with 655 primiparous women in four public health system hospitals in Belo Horizonte, MG, Southeastern Brazil, in 2011 (333 women for the collaborative model and 322 for the traditional model, including those with induced or premature labor). Data were collected using interviews and medical records. The Chi-square test was used to compare the outcomes and multivariate logistic regression to determine the association between the model and the interventions used.RESULTSPaid work and schooling showed significant differences in distribution between the models. Oxytocin (50.2% collaborative model and 65.5% traditional model; p < 0.001), amniotomy (54.3% collaborative model and 65.9% traditional model; p = 0.012) and episiotomy (collaborative model 16.1% and traditional model 85.2%; p < 0.001) were less used in the collaborative model with increased application of non-pharmacological pain relief (85.0% collaborative model and 78.9% traditional model; p = 0.042). The association between the collaborative model and the reduction in the use of oxytocin, artificial rupture of membranes and episiotomy remained after adjustment for confounding. The care model was not associated with complications in newborns or mothers neither with the use of spinal or epidural analgesia.CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that collaborative model may reduce interventions performed in labor care with similar perinatal outcomes.

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BackgroundSurvival and quality of life for patients affected by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are thought to have improved over the last decade due to changes in care. In addition, targeted treatments for SMA have been developed based on a better understanding of the molecular pathology. In 2016 and 2017, nusinersen was the first drug to be approved for treatment of all types of SMA in the United States and in Europe based on well-controlled clinical trials in a small subgroup of pediatric SMA patients. Systems are required to monitor treated and untreated SMA patients in a real-life environment to optimize treatment and care, and to provide outcome data to regulators, payers, and the SMA community.MethodsWithin SMArtCARE, we conduct a prospective, multicenter non-randomized registration and outcome study. SMArtCARE collects longitudinal data on all available SMA patients independent of their actual treatment regime as disease-specific SMA registry. For this purpose, we provide an online platform for SMA patients seen by health-care providers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. All data are collected during routine patient visits. Items for data collection are aligned with the international consensus for SMA registries. Data analysis is carried out independent of commercial partners.ConclusionA prospective monitoring of all SMA patients will lead to a better understanding of the natural history of SMA and the influence of drug treatment. This is crucial to improve the care of SMA patients. Further, we will establish a network for neuromuscular centers to share experience with SMA patients and to promote research projects on SMA.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register (“Deutsches Register klinischer Studien”) DRKS00012699. Registered 09 August 2018. https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00012699.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-019-0998-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This cross-sectional study of 831 low-risk pregnancies compared the management of labor and delivery in a birthing center, a hospital that had previously won the "Galba de Araújo" Award (for excellence in obstetric and neonatal care), and a standard-protocol maternity facility. The rates for use of ocytocin during labor were 27. 9%, 59.5%, and 40.1%, while amniotomy was performed in 67.6%, 73.6%, and 82.2% IntroduçãoA assistência obstétrica no Brasil é caracterizada pelo emprego inapropriado de intervenções no processo fisiológico do trabalho de parto, cujo uso abusivo pode levar a efeitos danosos para mãe e filho 1,2,3 . Além de desconfortos físicos para a mulher e dos riscos associados às altas taxas de partos cirúrgicos, de episiotomias e do uso rotineiro da ocitocina e da amniotomia, acumulamse evidências sobre uma epidemia de prematuridade tardia causada pela interrupção eletiva e sem indicação clínica precisa da gravidez 4,5 .A taxa de cesárea, indicador importante do modelo de atenção chamado de "tecnicista" que está em vigor no Brasil 1,2,6 , alcançou em 2006 uma média nacional de 43,8% 7 . Essa tendência foi concomitante ao aumento da prematuridade que variou entre 3,4% e 15% em diferentes regiões do país 4 . A episiotomia, outro indicador importante, apresenta média nacional de 71,6% 7 , e estudos no Rio de Janeiro mostraram uso de ocitocina entre 39,3% e 64,4% 8,9 .Apesar do acesso praticamente universal ao pré-natal e ao parto hospitalar em todo país e dos avanços importantes no conhecimento científico, observa-se um paradoxo na assistência obstétri-ca brasileira: as mulheres e seus recém-nascidos adoecem e morrem tanto pela falta quanto pelo uso inapropriado e inseguro da tecnologia 2 .Entendendo-se como modelo de atenção a forma de organização das práticas assistenciais, ARTIGO ARTICLE Vogt SE et al.

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Objective: to analyze factors associated with Apgar of 5 minutes less than 7 of newborns of women selected for care at the Center for Normal Birth (ANC). Method: a descriptive crosssectional study with data from 9,135 newborns collected between July 2001 and December 2012. The analysis used absolute and relative frequency frequencies and bivariate analysis using Pearson's chi-square test or the exact Fisher. Results: fifty-three newborns (0.6%) had Apgar less than 7 in the 5th minute. The multivariate analysis found a positive association between low Apgar and gestational age less than 37 weeks, gestational pathologies and intercurrences in labor. The presence of the companion was a protective factor. Conclusion: the Normal Birth Center is a viable option for newborns of low risk women as long as the protocol for screening low-risk women is followed. RESUMOObjetivo: analisar os fatores associados ao Apgar de quinto minuto menor do que sete de recém-nascidos de mulheres selecionadas para a assistência no Centro de Parto Normal (CPN). Método: estudo descritivo transversal com dados de 9.135 recém-nascidos, coletados entre julho de 2001 e dezembro de 2012. Na análise foi utilizada a apuração de frequências absolutas e relativas das variáveis e análise bivariada mediante o cálculo dos testes de quiquadrado de Pearson ou exato de Fisher. Resultados: 53 recém-nascidos (0,6%) tiveram Apgar menor que sete no quinto minuto. A análise multivariada encontrou associação positiva entre baixo Apgar e idade gestacional menor que 37 semanas, patologias na gestação e intercorrências no trabalho de parto. A presença do acompanhante foi um fator protetor. Conclusão: o CPN é uma opção viável para recém-nascidos de mulheres de baixo risco desde que o protocolo de seleção das mulheres de baixo risco seja seguido. Descritores: Índice de Apgar; Parto Normal; Enfermagem Obstétrica; Parto Humanizado; Trabalho de Parto. RESUMENObjetivo: analizar los factores asociados al Apgar de quinto minuto menor que siete de los recién nacidos de mujeres, seleccionadas para la asistencia en el Centro de Parto Normal (CPN). Método: estudio descriptivo transversal con datos de 9.135 recién nacidos, recogidos entre julio de 2001 y diciembre de 2012. En el análisis se utilizaron el escrutado de frecuencias absolutas y relativas de las variables y el análisis bivariado mediante el cálculo de la prueba de Chi-cuadrado de Pearson o prueba exacta de Pearson Fisher. Resultados: cincuenta y tres recién nacidos (0,6%) tuvieron Apgar menor que siete en el quinto minuto. El análisis multivariado encontró asociación positiva entre bajo Apgar y edad gestacional menor que 37 semanas, patologías en la gestación e interocurrencias en el trabajo de parto. La presencia del acompañante fue un factor protector. Conclusión: el CNP es una opción viable para los recién nacidos de mujeres de bajo riesgo desde que siga el protocolo de selección de las mujeres de bajo riesgo. Descriptores: Puntaje de Apgar; Parto Normal; Enfermería Obstétrica; Parto Humanizado; Trabajo de Parto. ...