Sonographic correlation of foetal neck circumference and area with gestational age among pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 1025-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obinna Everistus Abonyi ◽  
Charles Ugwoke Eze ◽  
Sobechukwu W. I. Onwuzu
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Neck Circumference ◽  
Port Harcourt

Association between gestational glycemic profile and delivery with a large for gestational age baby in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterine Inashvili ◽  
Natalia Asatiani ◽  
Ramaz Kurashvili ◽  
Elena Shelestova ◽  
Mzia Dundua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Glycemic Profile

Is there a Need for Own Median Calculation in the Second Trimester Biochemical Markers Screening?

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1070-1072
Author(s):  
Dan Navolan ◽  
Mirela Nicolov ◽  
Simona Vladareanu ◽  
Ioana Ciohat ◽  
Marius Craina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Biochemical Markers ◽  
Biochemical Marker ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Established Method ◽  
Crown Rump Length ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Fetal Aneuploidies ◽  
Singleton Pregnancies

Screening of fetal aneuploidies in early pregnancy is a well-established method in the materno-fetal medicine. The aim of our study was to analyze if the medians recommended by the manufacturers are adequate to perform an accurate screening or if there is a need for own laboratory medians calculation in second trimester biochemical marker screening.Sera were collected between 14 wp and 22 wp from 3374 singleton pregnancies. We analyzed three second trimester biochemical markers (AFP, hCG and free Estriol) concentration in all pregnant women and in a subgroup of pregnant women in which gestational age was determined based on crown-rump length. Our results showed that for all biochemical markers the difference between the manufacturer and the own calculated median was lower than 10% excepting the hCG value in the group of pregnant women in which the gestational age was determined on basis of crown-rump-length. Our results show it is recommended to replace the values of the median for hCG measurement with the own laboratory calculated medians. This does not seem to be necessary in the case of AFP and free Estriol measurement.

The sFlt-1 to PlGF Ratio in Pregnant Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Impact of Disease Activity and Sulfasalazine Use

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rugina I Neuman ◽  
Hieronymus T W Smeele ◽  
A H Jan Danser ◽  
Radboud J E M Dolhain ◽  
Willy Visser
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Low Disease Activity ◽  
The Third ◽  
Observational Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Plgf Ratio

Abstract Objectives An elevated sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio has been validated as a significant predictor of preeclampsia, but has not been established in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We explored whether the sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio could be altered due to disease activity in RA, and could be applied in this population to predict preeclampsia. Since sulfasalazine has been suggested to improve the angiogenic imbalance in preeclampsia, we also aimed to examine whether sulfasalazine could affect sFlt-1 or PlGF levels. Methods Making use of a nationwide, observational, prospective cohort study on pregnant women with RA, sFlt-1 and PlGF were measured in the third trimester. A total of 221 women, aged 21–42 years, were included, with a median gestational age of 30 + 3 weeks. Results No differences in sFlt-1 or PlGF were observed between women with high, intermediate or low disease activity (p= 0.07 and p= 0.41), whereas sFlt-1 and PlGF did not correlate with DAS28-CRP score (r=-0.01 and r=-0.05, respectively). Four (2%) women with a sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio ≤38 developed preeclampsia in comparison to three (43%) women with a ratio > 38, corresponding to a negative predictive value of 98.1%. Sulfasalazine users (n = 57) did not show altered levels of sFlt-1 or PlGF in comparison to non-sulfasalazine users (n = 164, p= 0.91 and p= 0.11). Conclusion Our study shows that in pregnant women with RA, the sFlt-1/PlGF-ratio is not altered due to disease activity and a cut-off ≤38 can be used to exclude preeclampsia. Additionally, sulfasalazine use did not affect sFlt-1 or PlGF levels in this population.

Establishment of Early Pregnancy Related Thyroid Hormone Models and Reference Intervals for Pregnant Women in China Based on Real World Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (04) ◽  
pp. 272-279
Author(s):  
Chaochao Ma ◽  
Xiaoqi Li ◽  
Lixin Liu ◽  
Xinqi Cheng ◽  
Fang Xue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Reference Intervals ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Free Thyroxine ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

AbstractThyroid hormone reference intervals are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy, and the dynamic change trend of thyroid hormones during pregnancy can assist clinicians to assess the thyroid function of pregnant women. This study aims to establish early pregnancy related thyroid hormones models and reference intervals for pregnant women. We established two derived databases: derived database* and derived database#. Reference individuals in database* were used to establish gestational age-specific reference intervals for thyroid hormones and early pregnancy related thyroid hormones models for pregnant women. Individuals in database# were apparently healthy non-pregnant women. The thyroid hormones levels of individuals in database# were compared with that of individuals in database* using nonparametric methods and the comparative confidence interval method. The differences in thyroid stimulating hormone and free thyroxine between early pregnant and non-pregnant women were statistically significant (p<0.0001). The reference intervals of thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine for early pregnant women were 0.052–3.393 μIU/ml, 1.01–1.54 ng/dl, and 2.51–3.66 pg/ml, respectively. Results concerning thyroid stimulating hormone and free thyroxine reference intervals of early pregnancy are comparable with those from other studies using the same detection platform. Early pregnancy related thyroid hormones models showed various change patterns with gestational age for thyroid hormones. Early pregnancy related thyroid hormones models and reference intervals for pregnant women were established, so as to provide accurate and reliable reference basis for the diagnosing and monitoring of maternal thyroid disfunction in early pregnancy.

scholarly journals Evaluation of prenatal changes in fetal cardiac morphology and function in maternal diabetes mellitus using a novel fetal speckle-tracking analysis: a prospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Wang ◽  
Caixia Liu ◽  
Xinyu Liu ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Yu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Speckle Tracking ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Cardiac Morphology ◽  
Sphericity Index ◽  
And Function

Abstract Background Due to metabolic changes in the second trimester and the increasing number of pregnant women with obesity and advanced maternal age, the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains high. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GDM on fetal cardiac morphology and function, and to determine whether these changes increase with increasing estimated fetal weight (EFW). Methods Fifty-eight women with GDM (GDM group) and 58 women with a healthy pregnancy (control group) were included in this prospective observational cohort study. Each group included subgroups of 31 pregnant women with a gestational age between 24+0 weeks and 27+6 weeks as well as 27 pregnant women with a gestational age between 28+0 weeks and 40+0 weeks. For all fetuses, a cine of 2–3 s in the four-chamber view was obtained, and online speckle-tracking analysis was performed using the GE Automatic Fetal Heart Assessment Tool (fetal HQ; General Electric Healthcare Ultrasound, Zipf, Austria) to measure the global sphericity index (GSI), global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional area change (FAC), 24-segment sphericity index (SI), and 24-segment end-diastolic diameter of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV). Data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, as applicable. Results The GDM group (mean HbA1c value was 5.3 ± 0.57 mmol/L) showed a lower GSI value than the control group (1.21 vs. 1.27, P = 0.000), which indicated a rounder shape of the heart. In addition, fetuses in the GDM group demonstrated significant impairment in cardiac function compared to those in the control group (LV-GLS: -18.26% vs. -22.70%, RV-GLS: -18.52% vs. -22.74%, LV-FAC: 35.30% vs. 42.36%, RV-FAC: 30.89% vs. 36.80%; P = 0.000 for all). Subgroup analyses according to gestational age (24+0–27+6 weeks and 28+0–40+0 weeks) showed that the statistical differences were retained between the GDM and control groups in each subgroup. Conclusions Fetuses of women with GDM present with signs of biventricular systolic dysfunction according to deformation analysis using fetal HQ. Additionally, the heart had a rounder shape in the GDM group than in the control group. This study showed that fetal HQ can be used to assess fetal cardiac morphology and function easily and quickly, and the effects of GDM on fetal cardiac morphology and function appeared from the second trimester. Thus, whether earlier and stricter clinical intervention was necessary remained to be further studied. Furthermore, future studies will need to supplement the effects of blood glucose levels on GLS, FAC, GSI, and 24-segment SI. Additionally, the long-term follow-up after birth should also be improved to observe the influence of changes in the indicators on the prognosis.

scholarly journals Clinical Stratification of Pregnant COVID-19 Patients based on Severity: A Single Academic Center Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (05) ◽  
pp. 515-522
Author(s):  
Marissa Berry ◽  
Amanda Wang ◽  
Shannon M. Clark ◽  
Hassan M. Harirah ◽  
Sangeeta Jain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
P Value ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Maternal And Neonatal Outcomes

Objective This study aimed to describe baseline characteristics of a cohort of pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and determine if these correlate with disease severity and perinatal outcomes. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort trial conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Texas. All pregnant women presented to our medical center, who were screened and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus, were included. We stratified our study population in three groups: asymptomatic, symptomatic not requiring oxygen therapy, and patients requiring oxygen support to maintain oxygen saturation >94%. Relevant population characteristics, laboratory data, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were abstracted. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Between March and July 2020, 91 women tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 upon admission to our labor and delivery unit. Among these, 61.5% were asymptomatic, 34.1% were symptomatic, and 4.4% required oxygen support. Our population was mainly Hispanic (80.2%), multiparous (76.9%), obese (70.3%), and with a median age of 27 years. Median gestational age at symptom onset or diagnosis was 36 weeks. Significant differences were found between gestational age and disease severity. Maternal characteristics including age, body mass index (BMI), and presence of comorbid conditions did not appear to influence severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Significant laboratory findings associated with increasing disease severity included decreasing hemoglobin and white blood cell count, lymphopenia, and increasing levels of inflammatory markers including CRP, ferritin, and procalcitonin. Maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ among groups. No SARS-CoV-2 was detected by polymerase chain reaction testing in neonates of mothers with COVID-19. Conclusion Pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection are predominantly asymptomatic. Patients appear to be at increased risk for more severe infection requiring oxygen support later in pregnancy. Key Points

scholarly journals Serum Concentrations of Selected Organochlorines in Pregnant Women and Associations with Pregnancy Outcomes. A Cross-Sectional Study from Two Rural Settings in Cambodia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7652
Author(s):  
Margit Steinholt ◽  
Shanshan Xu ◽  
Sam Ol Ha ◽  
Duong Trong Phi ◽  
Maria Lisa Odland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Maternal Serum ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural Settings

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 194 pregnant women from two low-income settings in Cambodia. The inclusion period lasted from October 2015 through December 2017. Maternal serum samples were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The aim was to study potential effects on birth outcomes. We found low levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP), except for heptachlors, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), heptachlor epoxide, and p,p’-DDE. There were few differences between the two study locations. However, the women from the poorest areas had significantly higher concentrations of p,p’-DDE (p < 0.001) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (p = 0.002). The maternal factors associated with exposure were parity, age, residential area, and educational level. Despite low maternal levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, we found significant negative associations between the PCB congeners 99 (95% CI: −2.51 to −0.07), 138 (95% CI: −1.28 to −0.32), and 153 (95% CI: −1.06 to −0.05) and gestational age. Further, there were significant negative associations between gestational age, birth length, and maternal levels of o,p’-DDE. Moreover, o,p’-DDD had positive associations with birth weight, and both p,p’-DDD and o,p’-DDE were positively associated with the baby’s ponderal index. The poorest population had higher exposure and less favorable outcomes.

scholarly journals Fish Oil Supplementation in Pregnancy Increases Gestational Age, Size for Gestational Age, and Birth Weight in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 149 (4) ◽  
pp. 628-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Kofod Vinding ◽  
Jakob Stokholm ◽  
Astrid Sevelsted ◽  
Bo L Chawes ◽  
Klaus Bønnelykke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
In Pregnancy

ABSTRACT Background Randomized trials have reported that supplementation with n–3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in pregnancy can prolong pregnancy and thereby increase birth weight. Objective We aimed to examine the relations of n–3 LCPUFA supplementation in pregnancy with duration of pregnancy, birth weight, and size for gestational age (GA). Methods This was a double-blind randomized controlled trial conducted in 736 pregnant women and their offspring, from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood2010cohort. They were recruited between weeks 22 and 26 in pregnancy and randomly assigned to either of 2.4 g n–3 LCPUFA or control (olive oil) daily until 1 wk after birth. Exclusion criteria were endocrine, cardiovascular, or nephrologic disorders and vitamin D supplementation intake >600 IU/d. In this study we analyzed secondary outcomes, and further excluded twin pregnancies and extrauterine death. The primary outcome for the trial was persistent wheeze or asthma. Results The random assignment ran between 2008 and 2010. Six hundred and ninety-nine mother-infant pairs were included in the analysis. n–3 LCPUFA compared with control was associated with a 2-d prolongation of pregnancy [median (IQR): 282 (275–288) d compared with 280 (273–286) d, P = 0.02], a 97-g higher birth weight (mean ± SD: 3601 ± 534 g compared with 3504 ± 528 g, P = 0.02), and an increased size for GA according to the Norwegian population-based growth curves-Skjærven (mean ± SD: 49.9 ± 28.3 percentiles compared with 44.5 ± 27.6 percentiles, P = 0.01). Conclusion Supplementing pregnant women with n–3 LCPUFAs during the third trimester is associated with prolonged gestation and increased size for GA, leading to a higher birth weight in this randomized controlled trial. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00798226.

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