2nd International Conference on Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Medicine

Early motherhood risk & Unsafe Abortion Complexity during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in young women aged 15 to 19 in developing countries, warned a report published last week. Many adolescent mothers die each year because they have children before they are physically not ready for parenthood, Overall, a third of women from developing countries gave birth before the age of 20—ranging from 8% in east Asia to 55% in west Africa. Analysis of the most recent and best quality data from government statistics for different countries or from international surveys showed that complications from pregnancy and childbirth were the leading cause of death for girls aged 15 to 19 years in poorer countries. Adolescent women face a high risk of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, with devastating consequences for their lives and health. Around   world, every minute, nearly 40 desperate women undergo an unsafe abortion; at least one-fourth...

Preconception Health: Preconception health refers to the health before pregnancy. Maternal lifestyle in the period prior to conception, as well as during pregnancy, is an important determinant of healthy pregnancy and normal fetal development. By the time most women have realised that they are pregnant and have taken the first contact with antenatal care, the fetal organs have already been developed. Interventions aiming to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes related to organogenesis are thus often too late. Risk factors include insufficient nutrition, low levels of folate, overweight/obesity, medical conditions and its treatments, alcohol and tobacco use, and high age. Maternal nutrition both preconception and during pregnancy can affect growth, development and later health outcomes of the fetus. To reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the fetus, women are advised an intake of 400 μg folic acid daily in good time before conception and up to 12 weeks after. ...