Publications

Alberta reproductive health, pregnancies and births

Description

Provides a statistical view of various topics related to pregnancies and births in the province of Alberta.

Tags

Prenatal HIV: Public health guidelines for the management and follow-up of HIV positive pregnant women and their infants

Description

In September 1998, Alberta Health and Wellness introduced a Prenatal HIV Screening Program. Key components of the program include routine testing for HIV and offering HIV positive pregnant women... More ≫

Description

In September 1998, Alberta Health and Wellness introduced a Prenatal HIV Screening Program. Key components of the program include routine testing for HIV and offering HIV positive pregnant women appropriate antiretroviral drugs to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to the baby. The purpose of this document is to describe guidelines and reporting processes for the prenatal HIV program, and to describe the roles and responsibilities of the key participants in the delivery of the current HIV program and proposed responsibilities for follow-up of HIV positive mothers and their infants.

Tags

Physicians for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention Project report

Description

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the leading cause of preventable birth defects and one of the leading causes of developmental delay in children in Canada. The Physicians for FASD... More ≫

Description

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the leading cause of preventable birth defects and one of the leading causes of developmental delay in children in Canada. The Physicians for FASD Prevention project, whose findings are presented in this report, provided valuable insight into the disparities between research findings and recommendations for FASD screening and prevention, and the realities of primary care physicians providing those services in every day clinical practice. This project attempted to develop and implement supports for physicians to improve FASD screening and prevention services they deliver to all women of childbearing age.

Tags

Alberta prenatal screening program for selected communicable diseases : public health guidelines

Description

The broad goal of prenatal screening tests is to identify selected communicable diseases and to provide suitable interventions to protect and enhance the health of pregnant women and their... More ≫

Description

The broad goal of prenatal screening tests is to identify selected communicable diseases and to provide suitable interventions to protect and enhance the health of pregnant women and their infants. This document: describes current and future public health practice for prenatal screening of selected communicable diseases in Alberta; provides a historical description of past prenatal screening practices; describes the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders in the prenatal screening process; and describes the targets and target measurements of the Alberta Prenatal Screening Program for selected communicable diseases.

Tags

Predictors of multiple births and infant deaths in Alberta

Description

Records of multiple births and infant deaths in the province of Alberta between 1997 and 2004 were analyzed. Multiple births are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Infant death is among... More ≫

Description

Records of multiple births and infant deaths in the province of Alberta between 1997 and 2004 were analyzed. Multiple births are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Infant death is among the most devastating possible events in the lifetime of a family. Close scrutiny of factors related to infant death may help discern strategies to prevent some deaths. Associations between a number of maternal and infant indicators and these two outcomes were considered. The goal was to understand the differing influences of the maternal and infant indicators, with a particular emphasis on potentially modifiable factors.

Tags

Predictors of preterm and small-for-gestational-age births in Alberta

Description

The births of early or small babies are a major public health concern, because preterm birth and low birth weight are the primary causes of infant morbidity and mortality. Infants born too early... More ≫

Description

The births of early or small babies are a major public health concern, because preterm birth and low birth weight are the primary causes of infant morbidity and mortality. Infants born too early or too small potentially face huge emotional, social, health and financial burdens. This study analyzed records of live singleton births occurring in Alberta between 1997 and 2004 and associations between a number of maternal and infant indicators and preterm or low-birth-weight outcomes were considered. The goal was to understand the differing influences of the maternal and infant indicators on birth outcomes, with a particular emphasis on potentially modifiable factors. Reducing the rate of maternal prenatal smoking and delayed childrearing, in concert with promoting regular prenatal visits and prenatal education, are found to be the most likely routes to reducing adverse birth outcomes.

Tags

Newborn metabolic screening in Alberta 2002-2005

Description

This report provides an overview of the Newborn Metabolic Screening (NMS) Program in Alberta from 2002 to 2005. A brief history and an overview of the roles of stakeholders in the current... More ≫

Description

This report provides an overview of the Newborn Metabolic Screening (NMS) Program in Alberta from 2002 to 2005. A brief history and an overview of the roles of stakeholders in the current operation of the program are provided. Data from the NMS application are used to report on key program indicators. During this period, the Alberta NMS program screened for three conditions: phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and biotinidase deficiency. Results from this analysis indicate that the program is functioning effectively. Greater than 99 per cent of infants born in Alberta receive an initial screen. More than 98 per cent of infants have the initial screen collected in the target period. Approximately one out of every 2,200 infants (74 in total) have screened positive for one of the three conditions since January 1, 2002.

Tags

Quick facts for pregnant women with HIV

Description

Presents some quick answers to questions women may have regarding HIV and pregnancy.

Tags

Alberta reproductive health, pregnancy outcomes

Description

Provides a statistical view of various topics related to pregnancies and births in the province of Alberta.

Tags

Maternal risk factors in relationship to birth outcome

Description

This report describes how maternal behaviours such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs among Alberta’s women impacts the risk of pre-term birth and low birth weight. As well, the... More ≫

Description

This report describes how maternal behaviours such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs among Alberta’s women impacts the risk of pre-term birth and low birth weight. As well, the report highlights regional variations in maternal and infant characteristics, the understanding of which may be useful in the design and implementation of targeted intervention programs.

Tags