Objective 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, and up to 10% of clinically diagnosed pregnancies, and recurrent pregnancy loss is 5% among couples of childbearing ages. Although there are several known causes of pregnancy loss in the first half, including recurrent pregnancy loss, including parental chromosomal abnormalities, uterine malformations, endocrinological disorders, and immunological […] Abstract Objective 26% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, and up to 10% of clinically diagnosed pregnancies, and recurrent pregnancy loss is 5% among couples of childbearing ages. Although there are several known causes of pregnancy loss in the first half, including recurrent pregnancy loss, including parental chromosomal abnormalities, uterine malformations, endocrinological disorders, and immunological […]

Background/Objectives: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, are leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide and in Kazakhstan. This study aims to assess the burden of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and main maternal disorders in Almaty, Kazakhstan, using the disability adjusted life years (DALY) methodology. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of women aged 18 and above in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 2018 to 2020. The medical claim data were retrieved from the Almaty city branch of the Republican Center for Electronic Health Care. Incidence-based DALY were calculated. Results: The total DALY increased for severe pre-eclampsia from 109.3 in 2018 to 187.2 in 2020 per 100,000 population and eclampsia from 3.1 in 2018 to 159.3 in 2020 per 100,000 population. Also, the 25–29 years age group had the largest increase in percent change (5.8) in the total DALY for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In addition, the 20–24 years age groups had the largest increase in percent change in the total DALY for severe pre-eclampsia (25.8) and eclampsia (80.5). Conclusions: Our findings highlight an increase in the burden of maternal disorders, especially for severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 2018 to 2020. Younger women bear a significant share of this burden, compounded by the pandemic’s impact on healthcare services.

Background/Objectives: Delayed umbilical cord clamping (DCC) is widely recommended for neonatal benefit; however, concerns persist among professionals that DCC may increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. There is a higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). We aimed to evaluate the association between umbilical cord clamping timing and maternal blood loss in term pregnancies, including those complicated by HDP. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of women delivering at three major hospitals in Almaty, Kazakhstan (August 2020–March 2021). The primary outcome was maternal blood loss. Secondary outcomes included hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC) change from pre-delivery to discharge. Multivariable models were adjusted for maternal age, parity and hypertension category. Results: Two hundred and seven women were analyzed (early cord clamping ≤ 60 (ECC) n = 21; delayed cord clamping 60–119 s (DCC60s) n = 161; delayed cord clamping ≥ 120 s (DCC120s) n = 25). Baseline characteristics were similar across groups except for hypertension distribution. Median blood loss did not differ significantly (255–260 mL; p = 0.9128). Adjusted models confirmed no association between clamping category and blood loss (RoM: ECC vs. DCC60s 0.97; 95% CI 0.93–1.01; DCC120s vs. DCC60s 1.01; 95% CI 0.96–1.07). Conclusions: Among term births in Almaty, including HDP-affected pregnancies, delayed umbilical cord clamping was not associated with increased maternal blood loss or hematologic decline. These findings indicate that DCC does not appear to increase maternal bleeding risk in high-risk obstetric populations and are broadly in line with current international recommendations. Further prospective research is warranted to evaluate specific subgroups, including severe preeclampsia.

Acute intestinal infections remain one of the leading causes of morbidity among children under five years of age and represent an important public health challenge in both developed and developing countries. Although these infections often share similar clinical manifestations, their etiological structure, severity, diagnostic accessibility, treatment approaches, and prevention strategies differ considerably depending on socioeconomic conditions, sanitation, healthcare infrastructure, and vaccination coverage. Aim: This review aims to summarize current data on the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute intestinal infections in children aged 1–5 years, as well as to provide a comparative analysis of approaches in countries with different income levels. Methods: A review of scientific literature focused on acute intestinal infections in young children was conducted. Source selection included full-text assessment. The extracted data were summarized descriptively according to pathogen groups: viral, bacterial, and protozoal infections. A PRISMA flow diagram was used to present the source selection process. Results: The reviewed literature indicates that viral pathogens, particularly rotavirus and norovirus, are among the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis in children under five years of age. According to Global Burden of Disease 2021 estimates, approximately 392.8 million diarrhoeal episodes and 0.34 million deaths occurred among children under five years of age globally in 2021, with mortality disproportionately concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Bacterial infections, including Shigella and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, are less frequent but are more often associated with invasive disease, severe diarrhea, and systemic complications. Protozoal infections, including Giardia lamblia, may contribute to prolonged diarrhea, especially in children with malnutrition or weakened immune status. Substantial regional differences were identified in pathogen distribution, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic capacity, access to healthcare, and vaccination coverage. In developing countries, the disease burden remains strongly associated with limited access to safe water, sanitation, timely diagnosis, and appropriate medical care, whereas in developed countries acute intestinal infections more commonly contribute to outbreaks, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Conclusions: Acute intestinal infections in children aged 1–5 years remain an important global health burden with substantial regional disparities. Effective prevention and control require context-specific strategies combining high vaccination coverage, improved water, sanitation and hygiene, timely pathogen-specific diagnosis, rational antimicrobial use, and strengthened surveillance, with particular priority given to high-burden and resource-limited settings.