Effects of maternal exposure to acute stress on birth outcomes: a quasi-experiment study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Asma Ahmed ◽  
Suzanne King ◽  
Guillaume Elgbeili ◽  
David P. Laplante ◽  
Seungmi Yang
Keyword(s):  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Maternal Stress ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Maternal Exposure ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Ice Storm ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Numerous studies have shown associations between maternal stress and poor birth outcomes, but evidence is unclear for causal inference. Natural disasters provide an opportunity to study effects of quasi-randomized hardship with an accurate measure of onset and duration. In a population-based quasi-experimental study, we examined the effect of maternal exposure to the January 1998 Québec ice storm on birth outcomes by comparing pregnant mothers who lived in an area hard hit by the ice storm with those in two unaffected regions. In a total of 147,349 singleton births between 1995 and 2001, we used a difference-in-differences method to estimate the effects of the ice storm on gestational age at delivery (GA), preterm birth (PTB), weight-for-gestational-age z-scores (BWZ), large for gestational age (LGA), and small for gestational age (SGA). After adjusting for maternal and sociodemographic characteristics, there were no differences between the exposed and the unexposed mothers for birth outcomes. The estimated differences (exposed vs. unexposed) were 0.01 SDs (95% CI: −0.02, 0.05) for BWZ; 0.10% point (95% CI: −0.95%, 1.16%) for SGA; 0.25% point (95% CI: −0.78%, 1.28%) for LGA; −0.01 week (95% CI: −0.07, 0.05) for GA; and 0.16% point (95% CI: −0.66%, 0.97%) for PTB. Neither trimester-specific nor dose–response associations were observed. Overall, exposure to the 1998 Québec ice storm as a proxy for acute maternal stress in pregnancy was not associated with poor birth outcomes. Our results suggest that acute maternal hardship may not have a substantial effect on adverse birth outcomes.

scholarly journals Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Preterm and Early Term Births: A Population-Based Register Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5865
Author(s):  
Salma Younes ◽  
Muthanna Samara ◽  
Rana Al-Jurf ◽  
Gheyath Nasrallah ◽  
Sawsan Al-Obaidly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Early Term ◽  
Incidence Risk

Preterm birth (PTB) and early term birth (ETB) are associated with high risks of perinatal mortality and morbidity. While extreme to very PTBs have been extensively studied, studies on infants born at later stages of pregnancy, particularly late PTBs and ETBs, are lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and feto-maternal outcomes of PTB and ETB births in Qatar. We examined 15,865 singleton live births using 12-month retrospective registry data from the PEARL-Peristat Study. PTB and ETB incidence rates were 8.8% and 33.7%, respectively. PTB and ETB in-hospital mortality rates were 16.9% and 0.2%, respectively. Advanced maternal age, pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), assisted pregnancies, and preterm history independently predicted both PTB and ETB, whereas chromosomal and congenital abnormalities were found to be independent predictors of PTB but not ETB. All groups of PTB and ETB were significantly associated with low birth weight (LBW), large for gestational age (LGA) births, caesarean delivery, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)/or death of neonate in labor room (LR)/operation theatre (OT). On the other hand, all or some groups of PTB were significantly associated with small for gestational age (SGA) births, Apgar <7 at 1 and 5 minutes and in-hospital mortality. The findings of this study may serve as a basis for taking better clinical decisions with accurate assessment of risk factors, complications, and predictions of PTB and ETB.

scholarly journals Maternal exposure to airborne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and risk of adverse birth outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ane Bungum Kofoed ◽  
Laura Deen ◽  
Karin Sørig Hougaard ◽  
Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen ◽  
Harald William Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Maternal Exposure ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Secondary Sex Ratio

AbstractHuman health effects of airborne lower-chlorinated polychlorinated biphenyls (LC-PCBs) are largely unexplored. Since PCBs may cross the placenta, maternal exposure could potentially have negative consequences for fetal development. We aimed to determine if exposure to airborne PCB during pregnancy was associated with adverse birth outcomes. In this cohort study, exposed women had lived in PCB contaminated apartments at least one year during the 3.6 years before conception or the entire first trimester of pregnancy. The women and their children were followed for birth outcomes in Danish health registers. Logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) for changes in secondary sex ratio, preterm birth, major congenital malformations, cryptorchidism, and being born small for gestational age. We performed linear regression to estimate difference in birth weight among children of exposed and unexposed mothers. All models were adjusted for maternal age, educational level, ethnicity, and calendar time. We identified 885 exposed pregnancies and 3327 unexposed pregnancies. Relative to unexposed women, exposed women had OR 0.97 (95% CI 0.82, 1.15) for secondary sex ratio, OR 1.13 (95% CI 0.76, 1.67) for preterm birth, OR 1.28 (95% CI 0.81, 2.01) for having a child with major malformations, OR 1.73 (95% CI 1.01, 2.95) for cryptorchidism and OR 1.23 (95% CI 0.88, 1.72) for giving birth to a child born small for gestational age. The difference in birth weight for children of exposed compared to unexposed women was − 32 g (95% CI—79, 14). We observed an increased risk of cryptorchidism among boys after maternal airborne LC-PCB exposure, but due to the proxy measure of exposure, inability to perform dose–response analyses, and the lack of comparable literature, larger cohort studies with direct measures of exposure are needed to investigate the safety of airborne LC-PCB exposure during pregnancy

scholarly journals Maternal lipid profile in early pregnancy is associated with foetal growth and the risk of a child born large-for-gestational age: a population-based prospective cohort study

BMC Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria C. Adank ◽  
Laura Benschop ◽  
Alet W. Kors ◽  
Kelly R. Peterbroers ◽  
Anna M. Smak Gregoor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Lipid Levels ◽  
Foetal Growth ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Remnant Cholesterol

Abstract Background Lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides play an important role in both maternal and foetal energy metabolism. Little is known about maternal lipid levels in pregnancy and their effect on foetal growth. The aim of this study was to assess maternal lipid levels, foetal growth and the risk of small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA). Methods We included 5702 women from the Generation R Study, a prospective population-based cohort. Maternal lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c]) were measured in early pregnancy (median 13.4 weeks, 90% range [10.5 to 17.2]). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), remnant cholesterol and non-HDL-c were calculated. Foetal growth was measured repeatedly by ultrasound. Information on birth anthropometrics was retrieved from medical records. A birth weight below the 10th percentile was defined as SGA and above the 90th percentile as LGA. Results Maternal triglyceride and remnant cholesterol levels were associated with increased foetal head circumference and abdominal circumference growth rates. Triglycerides and remnant cholesterol were positively associated with the risk of LGA (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.01 to 1.22] and OR 1.11, 95% CI [1.01 to 1.23], respectively). These associations were independent of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, but not maternal glucose levels. We observed no association between maternal lipids in early pregnancy and SGA. Conclusions Our study suggests a novel association of early pregnancy triglyceride and remnant cholesterol levels with foetal growth, patterns of foetal growth and the risk of LGA. Future studies are warranted to explore clinical implication possibilities.

scholarly journals Is maternal weight gain between pregnancies associated with risk of large-for-gestational age birth? Analysis of a UK population-based cohort

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e026220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nida Ziauddeen ◽  
Sam Wilding ◽  
Paul J Roderick ◽  
Nicholas S Macklon ◽  
Nisreen A Alwan
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
Overweight Women ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Maternal Overweight

ObjectiveMaternal overweight and obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of large-for-gestational age (LGA) birth and childhood obesity. We aimed to investigate the association between maternal weight change between subsequent pregnancies and risk of having a LGA birth.DesignPopulation-based cohort.SettingRoutinely collected antenatal healthcare data between January 2003 and September 2017 at University Hospital Southampton, England.ParticipantsHealth records of women with their first two consecutive singleton live-birth pregnancies were analysed (n=15 940).Primary outcome measureRisk of LGA, recurrent LGA and new LGA births in the second pregnancy.ResultsOf the 15 940 women, 16.0% lost and 47.7% gained weight (≥1 kg/m2) between pregnancies. A lower proportion of babies born to women who lost ≥1 kg/m2(12.4%) and remained weight stable between −1 and 1 kg/m2(11.9%) between pregnancies were LGA compared with 13.5% and 15.9% in women who gained 1–3 and ≥3 kg/m2, respectively. The highest proportion was in obese women who gained ≥3 kg/m2(21.2%). Overweight women had a reduced risk of recurrent LGA in the second pregnancy if they lost ≥1 kg/m2(adjusted relative risk (aRR) 0.69, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.97) whereas overweight women who gained ≥3 kg/m2were at increased risk of new LGA after having a non-LGA birth in their first pregnancy (aRR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.75). Normal-weight women who gained weight were also at increased risk of new LGA in the second pregnancy (aRR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.50 with gain of 1–3 kg/m2and aRR 1.34, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.65 with gain of ≥3 kg/m2).ConclusionsLosing weight after an LGA birth was associated with a reduced LGA risk in the next pregnancy in overweight women, while interpregnancy weight gain was associated with an increased new LGA risk. Preventing weight gain between pregnancies is an important measure to achieve better maternal and offspring outcomes.

scholarly journals Maternal Glycemia and Risk of Large-for-Gestational-Age Babies in a Population-Based Screening

Diabetes Care ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 2200-2205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Kerenyi ◽  
G. Tamas ◽  
M. Kivimaki ◽  
A. Peterfalvi ◽  
E. Madarasz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Large For Gestational Age

scholarly journals No Strings Attached: The Impact of an Unconditional Prenatal Income Supplement on First Nations Birth and Early Childhood Outcomes

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marni Brownell ◽  
Mariette Chartier ◽  
Nathan Nickel ◽  
Rhonda Campbell ◽  
Jennifer Enns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Breastfeeding Initiation ◽  
Early Childhood Outcomes

IntroductionIn Manitoba, low-income pregnant women are eligible for the Healthy Baby Prenatal Benefit (HBPB), an unconditional income supplement provided during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. HBPB is associated with improved birth outcomes for Manitoba women; its association with birth outcomes for First Nations (Indigenous) women is unknown. Objectives and ApproachTo determine the association between HBPB and First Nations’ (FN) newborn and early childhood outcomes, we linked whole-population data from health, public health, family services and education. We included only FN women receiving income assistance during pregnancy (n=7074) to develop comparable treatment (received HBPB; n=5283) and comparison (no HBPB; n=1791) groups. Propensity score weighting adjusted for differences in maternal characteristics between groups. Multi-variable regressions compared groups on breastfeeding initiation, low birth weight, preterm birth, small- and large-for-gestational age, Apgar scores, complete immunizations at 1 and 2 years, and developmental vulnerability in kindergarten measured with the Early Development Instrument (EDI). ResultsReceipt of the HBPB was associated with reductions in low birth weight births (adjusted Relative Risk (aRR): 0.77; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.93) and preterm births (aRR: 0.78 (0.68, 0.90)), and increases in breastfeeding initiation (aRR: 1.05 (1.00, 1.09)) and large-for-gestational age births (aRR: 1.11 (1.01, 1.23)). HBPB receipt during pregnancy was also associated with increases in 1- and 2-year immunizations for FN children (aRR: 1.14 (1.09, 1.19), and aRR: 1.28 (1.19, 1.36), respectively). Reductions in the risk of being developmentally vulnerable in the language and cognitive domain of the EDI were also found for FN children whose mothers had received the HBPB during pregnancy (aRR: 0.85 (0.74, 0.97). Conclusion/ImplicationsA modest unconditional income supplement during pregnancy was associated with improved birth outcomes, increased immunization rates, and improved language and cognitive development at kindergarten for children born to low-income First Nations women. Long-term strategies to address structural inequities and the ongoing effects of colonization are also needed.

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