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- Högberg, Ulf, 1949-, et al.
(author)
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Infant abuse diagnosis associated with abusive head trauma criteria : incidence increase due to overdiagnosis?
- 2018
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In: European Journal of Public Health. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1101-1262 .- 1464-360X. ; 28:4, s. 641-646
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The hypothesis of this study is that the diagnosis of infant abuse is associated with criteria for shaken baby syndrome (SBS)/abusive head trauma (AHT), and that that changes in incidence of abuse diagnosis in infants may be due to increased awareness of SBS/AHT criteria.Methods: This was a population-based register study. Setting: Register study using the Swedish Patient Register, Medical Birth Register, and Cause of Death Register. The diagnosis of infant abuse was based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th revision. Participants: All children born in Sweden during 1987-2014 with a follow-up until 1 year of age (N = 2 868 933). SBS/AHT criteria: subdural haemorrhage, cerebral contusion, skull fracture, convulsions, retinal haemorrhage, fractures rib and long bones. Outcomes: Incidence, rate ratios, aetiologic fractions and Probit regression analysis.Results: Diagnosis of infant abuse was strongly associated with SBS/AHT criteria, but not risk exposure as region, foreign-born mother, being born preterm, multiple birth and small for gestational age. The incidence of infant abuse has increased tenfold in Sweden since the 1990s and has doubled since 2008, from 12.0 per 100 000 infants during 1997-2007 to 26.5/100 000 during 2008-2014, with pronounced regional disparities.Conclusions: Diagnosis of infant abuse is related to SBS/AHT criteria. The increase in incidence coincides with increased medical preparedness to make a diagnosis of SBS/AHT. Hidden statistics and a real increase in abuse are less plausible. Whether the increase is due to overdiagnosis cannot be answered with certainty, but the possibility raises ethical and medico-legal concerns.
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- Högberg, Ulf, 1949-, et al.
(author)
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Medical diagnoses among infants at entry in out-of-home care : A Swedish population-register study
- 2019
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In: Health Science Reports. - : Wiley. - 2398-8835. ; 2:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims: Identification of child abuse involves a medical investigation and assessment of problems related to social environment and upbringing and might necessitate out-of-home care. The objective of this study was to analyse infants placed in out-of-home care in Sweden by incidence, medical diagnoses, and perinatal factors.Methods: This was a population-based register study of infants born in Sweden 1997 to 2014. Data were retrieved from registers at the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare and Statistics Sweden. Outcome measures were out-of-home care categories: (a) "Problems Related to Social Environment/Upbringing", (b) "Abuse diagnoses without SDH (subdural haemorrhage), RH (retinal haemorrhage), rib fracture, or long bone fracture", and (c) "SDH, RH, rib fracture, or long bone fracture." As a reference population, we randomly selected infants without medical diagnoses born the same year.Results: Overall incidence of out-of-home care was 402 per 100 000. For subcategories (a), (b), and (c), the incidences were 14.8 (n = 273), 3.77 (n = 70), and 9.83 (n = 182) per 100 000, respectively. During the study period, the first remained unchanged; the latter two have been increasing. Compared with other reasons for out-of-home care, children in category (c), "SDH, RH, rib fracture, or long bone fracture", had increased odds of being boys (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.38) and decreased odds of having a mother being single (aOR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32-0.75) and a smoker (aOR 0.60; 95% CI, 0.37-0.96). Compared with the reference population, children in this category were more often twin born (7.7% versus 2.8%), preterm (18.5% versus 5.5%), and small-for-gestational age (5.2% versus 2.1%).Conclusion: SDH, RH, rib fracture, or long bone fracture constitute a minor part of medical diagnoses for infants entered in out-of-home care, but have been increasing, both in numbers and proportion. Overdiagnosis of abuse might be a possible reason but cannot be ascertained by this study design.
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3. |
- Högberg, Ulf, 1949-, et al.
(author)
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Metabolic bone disease risk factors strongly contributing to long bone and rib fractures during early infancy : A population register study
- 2018
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In: PLOS ONE. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1932-6203. ; 13:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of fractures in infancy, overall and by type of fracture, its association with accidents, metabolic bone disease risk factors, and abuse diagnosis.Methods: The design was a population-based register study in Sweden. Participants: Children born 1997-2014,0-1 years of age diagnosed with fracture-diagnosis according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD10) were retrieved from the National Patient Register and linked to the Swedish Medical Birth Register and the Death Cause Register. Main outcome measures were fractures of the skull, long bone, clavicle and ribs, categorized by age (younger or older than 6 months), and accident or not.Findings: The incidence of fractures during infancy was 251 per 100 000 infants (n = 4663). Major fracture localisations were long bone (44.9%), skull (31.7%), and clavicle (18.6%), while rib fractures were few (1.4%). Fall accidents were reported among 71-4%. One-third occurred during the first 6 months. Metabolic bone disease risk factors, such as maternal obesity, pre-term birth, vitamin D deficiency, rickets, and calcium metabolic disturbances, had increased odds of fractures of long bones and ribs in early infancy (0-6 months): birth 32-36 weeks and long bone fracture [AOR 2.13 (95%CI 1.67-2.93)] and rib fracture [AOR 4.24 (95%Cl 1.40-12.8)]. Diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency/rickets/disorders of calcium metabolism had increased odds of long bone fracture [AOR 49.5 (95%CI 18.3-134)] and rib fracture [AOR 617 (95%CI 162-2506)]. Fractures without a reported accident had higher odds of metabolic risk factors than those with reported accidents. Abuse diagnosis was registered in 105 infants, with overrepresentation of preterm births, multiple births and small-for-gestational age.Interpretation: Metabolic bone disease risk factors are strongly associated with fractures of long bone and ribs in early infancy. Fracture cases with abuse diagnosis had a metabolic bone risk factor profile.
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4. |
- Högberg, Ulf, 1949-, et al.
(author)
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Preventable harm and child maltreatment diagnosis (eLetter)
- 2019
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In: The BMJ. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1756-1833. ; 366
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To systematically quantify the prevalence, severity, and nature of preventable patient harm across a range of medical settings globally.Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources: Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Cinahl and Embase, WHOLIS, Google Scholar, and SIGLE from January 2000 to January 2019. The reference lists of eligible studies and other relevant systematic reviews were also searched.Review methods: Observational studies reporting preventable patient harm in medical care. The core outcomes were the prevalence, severity, and types of preventable patient harm reported as percentages and their 95% confidence intervals. Data extraction and critical appraisal were undertaken by two reviewers working independently. Random effects meta-analysis was employed followed by univariable and multivariable meta regression. Heterogeneity was quantified by using the I2 statistic, and publication bias was evaluated.Results: Of the 7313 records identified, 70 studies involving 337 025 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence for preventable patient harm was 6% (95% confidence interval 5% to 7%). A pooled proportion of 12% (9% to 15%) of preventable patient harm was severe or led to death. Incidents related to drugs (25%, 95% confidence interval 16% to 34%) and other treatments (24%, 21% to 30%) accounted for the largest proportion of preventable patient harm. Compared with general hospitals (where most evidence originated), preventable patient harm was more prevalent in advanced specialties (intensive care or surgery; regression coefficient b=0.07, 95% confidence interval 0.04 to 0.10).Conclusions: Around one in 20 patients are exposed to preventable harm in medical care. Although a focus on preventable patient harm has been encouraged by the international patient safety policy agenda, there are limited quality improvement practices specifically targeting incidents of preventable patient harm rather than overall patient harm (preventable and non-preventable). Developing and implementing evidence-based mitigation strategies specifically targeting preventable patient harm could lead to major service quality improvements in medical care which could also be more cost effective.
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- Adolphson, Katja, et al.
(author)
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Midwives' experiences of working conditions, perceptions of professional role and attitudes towards mothers in Mozambique
- 2016
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In: Midwifery. - : Elsevier BV. - 0266-6138 .- 1532-3099. ; 40, s. 95-101
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: low- and middle-income countries still have a long way to go to reach the fifth Millennium Development Goal of reducing maternal mortality. Mozambique has accomplished a reduction of maternal mortality since the 1990s, but still has among the highest in the world. A key strategy in reducing maternal mortality is to invest in midwifery. AIM: the objective was to explore midwives' perspectives of their working conditions, their professional role, and perceptions of attitudes towards mothers in a low-resource setting. SETTING: midwives in urban, suburban, village and remote areas; working in central, general and rural hospitals as well as health centres and health posts were interviewed in Maputo City, Maputo Province and Gaza Province in Mozambique. METHOD: the study had a qualitative research design. Nine semi-structured interviews and one follow-up interview were conducted and analysed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: two main themes were found; commitment/devotion and lack of resources. All informants described empathic care-giving, with deep engagement with the mothers and highly valued working in teams. Lack of resources prevented the midwives from providing care and created frustration and feelings of insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: the midwives perceptions were that they tried to provide empathic, responsive care on their own within a weak health system which created many difficulties. The great potential the midwives possess of providing quality care must be valued and nurtured for their competency to be used more effectively.
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7. |
- Bergman, Lina, 1982-
(author)
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Cerebral biomarkers in women with preeclampsia
- 2017
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Preeclampsia and eclampsia are among the most common causes of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity worldwide. There are no reliable means to predict eclampsia or cerebral edema in women with preeclampsia and knowledge of the brain involvement in preeclampsia is still limited. S100B and neuron specific enolase (NSE) are two cerebral biomarkers of glial- and neuronal origin respectively. They are used as predictors for neurological outcome after traumatic brain injuries and cardiac arrest but have not yet been investigated in preeclampsia.This thesis is based on one longitudinal cohort study of pregnant women (n=469, Paper I and III), one cross sectional study of women with preeclampsia and women with normal pregnancies (n=53 and 58 respectively, Paper II and IV) and one experimental animal study of eclampsia (Paper V).In Paper I and III, plasma concentrations of S100B and NSE were investigated throughout pregnancy in women developing preeclampsia (n=16) and in women with normal pregnancies (n=36) in a nested case control study. Plasma concentrations were increased in women developing preeclampsia in gestational week 33 and 37 for S100B and in gestational week 37 for NSE compared to women with normal pregnancies.In Paper II and IV, increased plasma concentrations of S100B and NSE were confirmed among women with preeclampsia compared to women with normal pregnancies. Furthermore, increased plasma concentrations of S100B correlated to visual disturbances among women with preeclampsia (Paper II) and plasma concentrations of S100B and NSE remained increased among women with preeclampsia one year after delivery (Paper IV).In Paper V, an experimental rat model of preeclampsia and eclampsia demonstrated increased serum concentrations of S100B after seizures in normal pregnancy (n=5) and a tendency towards increased plasma concentrations of S100B in preeclampsia (n=5) compared to normal pregnancy (n=5) without seizures. Furthermore, after seizures, animals with magnesium sulphate treatment demonstrated increased serum concentrations of S100B and NSE compared to no treatment.In conclusion; plasma concentrations of S100B and NSE are increased in preeclampsia during late pregnancy and postpartum and S100B correlates to visual disturbances in women with preeclampsia. The findings are partly confirmed in an animal model of eclampsia.
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8. |
- Björkesten, Johan, 1988-
(author)
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Dried blood sampling and digital readout to advance molecular diagnostics
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- A drastically increased capacity to measure large sets of molecular features in numerous patient samples in great detail will be required to fulfill the vision of precision medicine and wellness, which may characterize molecular diagnostics in the 21st century. Also sampling procedures need a renaissance to permit continuous sampling at population levels at reasonable cost.Blood sampling is typically performed via venipuncture to draw several milliliters of blood for plasma isolation. This is inconvenient, time-consuming and costly, as well as hard to standardize. The effect on plasma protein profiles by pre-centrifugation delay was investigated in Paper II, demonstrating time- and temperature-dependent release of proteins from blood cells upon delayed plasma isolation, but almost no protein degradation as analyzed by two 92-plex protein panels (Olink® Proteomics). An alternative sampling method, where blood drops from a finger stick are collected dried on paper, is relatively non-invasive, potentially home-based and cheap. Dried blood spots can also be shipped via regular mail and compactly stored. The effect of drying and long term storage stability of a large set of proteins from dried blood spots was investigated in Paper I using Olink® technology. The main findings were that drying slightly but consistently influenced the recorded levels of blood proteins, and that long-term storage decreased the detected levels of some of the proteins with half-lives of decades.Some molecular diagnostic investigations require great accuracy to be useful, arguing for digital enumeration of individual molecules. Digital PCR is the gold standard but Paper III presents an alternative approach based on rolling circle amplification of single molecules. Another instance where extreme assay performance is required is for rare mutation detection from liquid biopsies. Paper V presents a new method offering essentially error-free genotyping of individual molecules by majority-vote decisions for counting rare mutant DNA in blood. Yet other diagnostic investigations require very simple assays. Paper IV presents a novel one-step method to detect nucleic acid sequences by combining the power of rolling circle amplification and the specificity of DNA strand displacement in a format simple enough to be used at the point of care. Altogether, the thesis spans technologies for advanced molecular diagnostics, from sample collection over assay techniques to an improved readout.
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- Blom, Helena, 1970-, et al.
(author)
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Multiple violence victimisation associated with sexual ill health and sexual risk behaviours in Swedish youth
- 2016
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In: European journal of contraception & reproductive health care. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1362-5187 .- 1473-0782. ; 21:1, s. 49-56
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To address the associations between emotional, physical and sexual violence, specifically multiple violence victimisation, and sexual ill health and sexual risk behaviours in youth, as well as possible gender differences.Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey among sexually experienced youth using a questionnaire with validated questions on emotional, physical, and sexual violence victimisation, sociodemographics, health risk behaviours, and sexual ill health and sexual risk behaviours. Proportions, unadjusted/adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.Results: The participants comprised 1192 female and 1021 male students aged 15 to 22 years. The females had experienced multiple violence (victimisation with two or three types of violence) more often than the males (21% vs. 16%). The associations between multiple violence victimisation and sexual ill health and sexual risk behaviours were consistent for both genders. Experience of/involvement in pregnancy yielded adjusted ORs of 2.4 (95% CI 1.5-3.7) for females and 2.1 (95% CI 1.3-3.4) for males, and early age at first intercourse 2.2 (95% CI 1.6-3.1) for females and 1.9 (95% CI 1.2-3.0) for males. No significantly raised adjusted ORs were found for non-use of contraceptives in young men or young women, or for chlamydia infection in young men.Conclusions: Several types of sexual ill health and sexual risk behaviours are strongly associated with multiple violence victimisation in both genders. This should be taken into consideration when counselling young people and addressing their sexual and reproductive health.
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10. |
- Blom, Helena, 1970-
(author)
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Violence exposure among Swedish youth
- 2015
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- BackgroundViolence is a global public health problem and violence among youth is a matter of high priority. Adolescence and young adulthood are important periods for the foundation of future health. Youth victimization may have serious health consequences, making it important to address the occurrence and socio-medical context for possible interventions against violence.AimsTo analyze prevalence, risk patterns and gender differences in emotional, physical, sexual, and multiple-violence victimizations and the associations between violence victimization and sexual ill health, sexual risk behaviors and mental health in Swedish youth.MethodsA cross sectional study using two samples, a national sample from nine youth health centers in Sweden and a population-based sample from a middle-sized Swedish city. The questionnaire included standardized instruments addressing violence exposure (NorAQ), socio-demographics, mental and sexual ill-health and sexual risk behaviors, alcohol and substance use. Proportions and crude and adjusted odds ratios with a 95% CI were calculated.ResultsA total of 2,250 young women and 920 men, aged 15-23, answered the questionnaire at the youth health centers. In upper secondary school, 1,658 women and 1,589 men, aged 15-22, answered the questionnaire.High prevalence rates with gendered differences both in rates and in co-occurrence of different types of violence were found. Women were more often exposed to emotional violence and sexual violence than men, while men were more often physically victimized. For both women and men, violence victimization before the age of 15 was strongly associated with all types of violence victimizations during the past year.Strong associations were found between multiple-violence victimization and poor mental health in both genders. Among the sexually experienced students, consistent associations between lifetime multiple-violence victimization and various sexual ill-health and sexual risk behaviors were found in both genders, except for non-contraceptive use.ConclusionsHigh prevalence of violence victimization in youth and strong associations between victimization, especially multiple victimization, and poor mental and sexual health were found. This needs to be recognized and addressed in social and medical settings.
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