scholarly journals Clinical Outcomes of Submicroscopic Infections and Correlates of Protection of VAR2CSA Antibodies in a Longitudinal Study of Pregnant Women in Colombia

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Gavina ◽  
Sedami Gnidehou ◽  
Eliana Arango ◽  
Chloe Hamel-Martineau ◽  
Catherine Mitran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Mixed Infections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Delivery Outcomes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

ABSTRACTMalaria in pregnancy can cause serious adverse outcomes for the mother and the fetus. However, little is known about the effects of submicroscopic infections (SMIs) in pregnancy, particularly in areas wherePlasmodium falciparumandPlasmodium vivaxcocirculate. A cohort of 187 pregnant women living in Puerto Libertador in northwest Colombia was followed longitudinally from recruitment to delivery. Malaria was diagnosed by microscopy, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and placental histopathology. Gestational age, hemoglobin concentration, VAR2CSA-specific IgG levels, and adhesion-blocking antibodies were measured during pregnancy. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of SMIs on birth weight and other delivery outcomes. Twenty-five percent of women (45/180) were positive for SMIs during pregnancy. Forty-seven percent of infections (21/45) were caused byP. falciparum, 33% were caused byP. vivax, and 20% were caused by mixedPlasmodiumspp. Mixed infections ofP. falciparumandP. vivaxwere associated with lower gestational age at delivery (P= 0.0033), while other outcomes were normal. Over 60% of women had antibodies to VAR2CSA, and there was no difference in antibody levels between those with and without SMIs. The anti-adhesion function of these antibodies was associated with protection from SMI-related anemia at delivery (P= 0.0086). SMIs occur frequently during pregnancy, and while mixed infections of bothP. falciparumandP. vivaxwere not associated with a decrease in birth weight, they were associated with significant risk of preterm birth. We propose that the lack of adverse delivery outcomes is due to functional VAR2CSA antibodies that can protect pregnant women from SMI-related anemia.

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.

scholarly journals The Impact of Microorganisms in Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-38
Author(s):  
Nastaran Ghandali ◽  
Hoda Sabati ◽  
Ali Emami ◽  
Masumeh Dadashaliha
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Recent Outbreak ◽  
Immune Changes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

The pregnancy process involves many physiological changes, including weight gain, hormonal, metabolic and immune changes. One of the effective factors in this process is infection caused by microorganisms. Originally, before the advent of antibiotics, pregnancy was known as a risk factor for severe complications of pneumococcal pneumonia. Among viral infections, the 2009 flu pandemic issued a newer warning that some infections may disproportionately affect pregnant women and cause miscarriage and its complications during pregnancy. Generalization of pregnancy as a condition of suppression of the general immune system or increased risk is misleading and prevents the establishment of adequate guidelines for the treatment of pregnant women during epidemics. Viral infection has also become an important factor in pregnancy conditions. The recent outbreak of Ebola and other viral outbreaks and epidemics shows how pregnant women show worse outcomes (such as preterm delivery and fetal adverse outcomes) than the general population and non-pregnant women. The purpose of this article is studying pathogenesis of microorganisms and the risks which pose to the mother and the fetus. In order to investigate these factors, from 120 article prepared from google scholar and Pub med, Elsevier database. Knowing these factors can increase the ability to treat the infections in a timely manner and prevent their effects on the fetus and the patient.

Antibiotic Use in Pregnancy, Abnormal Fetal Growth, and Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (03) ◽  
pp. 243-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Catov ◽  
Tiffany Deihl ◽  
Maisa Feghali ◽  
Christina Scifres ◽  
John Mission
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

Objective Antibiotics are commonly used in pregnancy. Prior studies have indicated that antibiotic use in pregnancy may affect birth weight, whereas data in nonpregnant individuals suggest that antibiotic exposure may increase diabetes risk. We evaluated the impact of antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy on the prevalence of small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) birth weight and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Study Design This retrospective cohort study of 12,551 women who delivered at a large academic medical center between 2012 and 2014 assessed the number and type of antibiotic prescriptions prior to GDM testing using the electronic medical record. SGA and LGA birth weight and GDM rates were compared among women who were or were not prescribed antibiotics. Results Overall, 3,991 (31.8%) of 12,551 patients received at least one antibiotic prescription. After covariate adjustment, no differences existed in risk of SGA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88–1.15; p = 0.94), LGA (aOR: 1; 95% CI: 0.86–1.17; p = 0.97), or GDM (aOR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.72–1.13; p = 0.36) between women who were or were not prescribed antibiotics. Conclusion Antibiotic use does not affect the risk of SGA or LGA birth weight or GDM in pregnant women. These results provide reassurance regarding the use of antibiotics when clinically indicated in pregnancy.

Factors influencing foetal growth in pregnancy complicated by diabetes

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 2136
Author(s):  
Sathish Kumar S. ◽  
Anandhi A. ◽  
Luke Ravi Chelliah ◽  
Karthick A. R.
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Abdominal Circumference ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
In Pregnancy

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus represents a metabolically altered fetal environment due to an increased maternal supply of carbohydrates. It leads to fetal hyperinsulinemia and stimulates insulin-sensitive tissue, predominantly of the abdomen, resulting in increased fetal growth and delivering large-for-gestational-age newborns. Implications of fetal hyperinsulinemia reach far beyond delivery. Children of mothers with diabetes in pregnancy are predisposed to develop obesity and glucose intolerance through a non-genetic “fuel-mediated” mechanism. The objective of the present study was to study the “fetal growth pattern at different periods of pregnancy complicated by diabetes” and to identify the factors that influence the fetal growth pattern in pregnancy complicated by diabetesMethods: 69 pregnant women with diabetes and 34 pregnant women without diabetes were included in the study by random sampling. Maternal parameters such as age, parity, height, weight at registration, and weight gain during pregnancy, BMI at the time of registration of pregnancy and at the time of delivery, detailed diabetic profile and management including meal plan, insulin administration and dosage were recorded. The fetuses were monitored for Biparietal diameter, abdomen circumference, femur length by 2 ultrasound examinations, one at 18-22 weeks and another at 28-32 weeks were performed. Soon after delivery, sex, gestational age, birth weight, length, head circumference and chest circumference of the newborn were recorded and infants were classified as LGA/SGA/AGA.Results: Maternal age, parity, BMI at the time of delivery and maternal weight gain had significant influence on the birth weight. The abdominal circumference of the fetus detected at 18-20 and 28-32 ultrasound scans had a very significant correlation with neonatal mean birth weight percentile. Conclusions: Not all babies born to diabetic mothers are macrosomic. SGA babies were not uncommon in pregnancies with diabetes especially in those who did not have significant micro vasculopathy. Maternal nutrition plays a significant key role in determining birth weight of babies even in pregnancies complicated by diabetes.

Psychological adversity in pregnancy: what works to improve outcomes?

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivette Glover ◽  
Jane Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Prenatal Stress ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Social Adversity ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

Purpose – Foetal programming is one of the key mechanisms by which physical and social adversity is biologically embedded during pregnancy. While early interest in such programming focused on the long-term impact of the mother's nutritional state on the child's later physical health, more recent research has identified an increased risk of psychopathology in children of women who have experienced stress, anxiety and depression during pregnancy. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature addressing the impact of stress in pregnancy and the implications for practice. Design/methodology/approach – An overview of the literature has been provided. Findings – Both anxiety and depression in pregnancy are common, with a prevalence in the region of 20 per cent. Exposure in pregnancy to anxiety, depression and stress from a range of sources (e.g. bereavement, relationship problems, external disasters and war), is associated with a range of physical (e.g. congenital malformations, reduced birthweight and gestational age), neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and emotional and behavioural (e.g. ADHD, conduct disorder) problems. The magnitude is significant, with the attributable risk of childhood behaviour problems due to prenatal stress being between 10 and 15 per cent, and the variance in cognitive development due to prenatal stress being around 17 per cent. A range of methods of intervening are effective in improving both maternal anxiety and depression, and in the longer term should improve outcomes for the infant and child. Research limitations/implications – This research highlights the importance of intervening to support the psychological wellbeing of pregnant women to improve outcomes for infants and children, and points to the need for further research into innovative ways of working, particularly with high-risk groups of pregnant women. Originality/value – The paper provides an update of earlier overviews.

scholarly journals Relationships between maternal characteristics and infant birth weight

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 688-697
Author(s):  
Maryam Javadi ◽  
Sima Rafiei ◽  
Fariba Zahedifar ◽  
Ameneh Barikani
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Maternal Weight ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Infant Birth

Purpose Nowadays, the importance of infant birth weight (IBW) as a key factor in determining the future of physical and mental development of children is a growing concern. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between maternal characteristics and IBW among pregnant women who were referred to health centers in Qazvin city in the year 2016. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive-analytical study was conducted among pregnant women in 28–36 weeks of gestation who referred to healthcare centers and facilities affiliated by the Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in April–June 2016. The associations between maternal physical activity, mothers’ socioeconomic status and birth weight were examined by SPSS Software Package version 16 through linear and logistic regression tests. Findings Linear regression modeling suggested that maternal weight (p=0.001), income (p=0.04), gestational age of delivery (p=0.00) and pre-pregnancy BMI (p=0.02) were positively associated with birth weight, while occupational and heavy physical activity (p=0.003 and 0.008, respectively) were negatively associated with IBW. In this study, low birth weight infants are compared to those with normal weight belonged to mothers who have spent more time in doing heavy physical activities (OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.23). Also infants with low birth weight compared to others in the normal weight category were born from mothers with lower pre-pregnancy BMI (OR=0.65, 95% CI 0.62–0.78), gestational age of delivery (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.79–0.86), maternal weight (OR=0.86, 95% CI 0.84–0.88) and income (OR=0.79, 95% CI 0.69–0.83). Practical implications The study findings revealed that certain maternal characteristics could play a significant role in IBW. Despite the importance, in most of developing countries (particularly Iran), future mothers are not advised about an appropriate weight gain during pregnancy or the optimal level of physical activity in such a period of time. Therefore, counseling pregnant women and giving them proper information on appropriate perinatal care would be helpful in order to have pregnancies with optimal outcomes. Originality/value The authors applied several statistical methods to analyze IBW among mothers with different maternal characteristics and predict birth weight based on contributing factors.

HPV Prevalence and its Association with Perinatal Outcomes among Singleton Mothers: Analysis of Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS) Data, 2004-2011

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harpriya Kaur ◽  
Delf Schmidt-Grimminger ◽  
Baojiang Chen ◽  
K.M. Monirul Islam ◽  
Steven W. Remmenga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Hpv Infection ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
P Value ◽  
Pregnancy Risk

Background: Pregnancy may increase the risk of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection because of pregnancy induced immune suppression. The objective of this study was to use a large population-based dataset to estimate the prevalence of HPV infection and its association with adverse outcomes among pregnant women. Methods: We analyzed Pregnancy Risk Monitoring System data from 2004-2011 (N=26,085) to estimate the self-reported HPV infection. Survey logistic procedures were used to examine the relationship between HPV infection and adverse perinatal outcomes. Results: Approximately 1.4% of women were estimated to have HPV infection during their pregnancy. The prevalence of adverse outcomes in this sample was preterm birth (8.4%), preeclampsia (7.5%), low birth weight (6.3%) and premature rupture of membranes (2.8%). Compared to women without HPV infection, HPV infection positive women were much more likely to have had other infections such as chlamydia (9.23% vs. 2.12%, p-value <.0001), Group B Strep (21.7% vs. 10.04%, p-value <.0001), and herpes (7.17% vs. 1.07%, p-value <.0001). After adjusting for other risk factors including other infections, HPV infection was significantly associated with low birth weight (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.14-3.30). Conclusion: The study indicated a potential association between HPV infection and low birth weight. Because pregnant women with HPV infection are at higher risk of other infections, future research may focus on the roles of co-infection in the development of adverse perinatal effects.

scholarly journals Ovarian Dysgerminoma in Pregnant Women with Viable Fetus: A Rare Case Report

2021 ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
Reda Youssef ◽  
Gamal Sayed Ahmed ◽  
Samir Alhyassat ◽  
Sanaa Badr ◽  
Ahmed Sabry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Ovarian Neoplasms ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Ovarian Dysgerminoma ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy

Dysgerminoma is an uncommon malignant tumor arising from the germ cells of the ovary. Its association with pregnancy is extremely rare, with a reported incidence of about 0.2–1 per 100,000 pregnancies. Women in the reproductive age group are more commonly affected. It can be extremely rare to conceive naturally, without assisted reproductive interventions, in cases with ovarian dysgerminoma. If a pregnancy does occur with a concurrent dysgerminoma, it is even more unusual to carry the pregnancy to viability or childbirth without fetal or maternal compromise. We report a case of right ovarian dysgerminoma in a young female with a viable intrauterine pregnancy at 10 weeks, which is rarely diagnosed and managed at this gestational age. Numerous factors played a role in her favorable outcome, including early suspicion by ultrasound and presenting history, surgery, histopathological assessment, imaging, and involvement of the multidisciplinary oncology team. Ovarian neoplasms may rapidly increase in size within a short period with little or no symptoms. This poses a diagnostic challenge for obstetricians and oncologists. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the role of imaging in pregnancy using ultrasound as an imaging modality for both early detection of ovarian neoplasms and for follow-up. In conclusion, patients with ovarian dysgerminoma in pregnancy can have favorable outcomes. Treatment should be individualized on a case-to-case basis, depending on many factors; cancer stage, previous reproductive history, the impact of imaging in staging or follow-up of tumor on the fetus, fetal gestational age, and whether termination of the pregnancy can improve survival or morbidity for the mother.

scholarly journals Biomarkers for a histological chorioamnionitis diagnosis in pregnant women with or without group B streptococcus infection: a case-control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Ren ◽  
Zhe Qiang ◽  
Yuan-yuan Li ◽  
Jun-na Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Group B Streptococcus ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Chorioamnionitis may cause serious perinatal and neonatal adverse outcomes, and group B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most common bacteria isolated from human chorioamnionitis. The present study analyzed the impact of GBS infection and histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) on pregnancy outcomes and the diagnostic value of various biomarkers. Methods Pregnant women were grouped according to GBS infection and HCA detection. Perinatal and neonatal adverse outcomes were recorded with a follow-up period of 6 weeks. The white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil ratio, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level from peripheral blood and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels from cord blood were assessed. Results A total of 371 pregnant women were included. Pregnant women with GBS infection or HCA had a higher risk of pathological jaundice and premature rupture of membranes and higher levels of sICAM-1, IL-8, and TNF-α in umbilical cord blood. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis revealed that sICMA-1, IL-8, TNF-α, WBC, and CRP were significantly related to an increased HCA risk. For all included pregnant women, TNF-α had the largest receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area (area: 0.841; 95% CI: 0.778–0.904) of the biomarkers analyzed. TNF-α still had the largest area under the ROC curve (area: 0.898; 95% CI: 0.814–0.982) for non-GBS-infected pregnant women, who also exhibited a higher neutrophil ratio (area: 0.815; 95% CI: 0.645–0.985) and WBC (area: 0.849; 95% CI: 0.72–0.978), but all biomarkers had lower value in the diagnosis of HCA in GBS-infected pregnant women. Conclusion GBS infection and HCA correlated with several perinatal and neonatal adverse outcomes. TNF-α in cord blood and WBCs in peripheral blood had diagnostic value for HCA in non-GBS-infected pregnant women but not GBS-infected pregnant women.

scholarly journals Perinatal Outcomes of Small for Gestational Age in Twin Pregnancies: Twin vs. Singleton Charts

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 643
Author(s):  
Veronica Giorgione ◽  
Corey Briffa ◽  
Carolina Di Fabrizio ◽  
Rohan Bhate ◽  
Asma Khalil
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Perinatal Death ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Twin Pregnancies

Twin pregnancies are commonly assessed using singleton growth and birth weight reference charts. This practice has led to a significant number of twins labelled as small for gestational age (SGA), causing unnecessary interventions and increased risk of iatrogenic preterm birth. However, the use of twin-specific charts remains controversial. This study aims to assess whether twin-specific estimated fetal weight (EFW) and birth weight (BW) charts are more predictive of adverse outcomes compared to singleton charts. Centiles of EFW and BW were calculated using previously published singleton and twin charts. Categorical data were compared using Chi-square or McNemar tests. The study included 1740 twin pregnancies, with the following perinatal adverse outcomes recorded: perinatal death, preterm birth <34 weeks, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and admissions to the neonatal unit (NNU). Twin-specific charts identified prenatally and postnatally a smaller proportion of infants as SGA compared to singleton charts. However, twin charts showed a higher percentage of adverse neonatal outcomes in SGA infants than singleton charts. For example, perinatal death (SGA 7.2% vs. appropriate for gestational age (AGA) 2%, p < 0.0001), preterm birth <34 weeks (SGA 42.1% vs. AGA 16.4%, p < 0.0001), HDP (SGA 21.2% vs. AGA 13.5%, p = 0.015) and NNU admissions (SGA 69% vs. AGA 24%, p < 0.0001), when compared to singleton charts (perinatal death: SGA 2% vs. AGA 1%, p = 0.029), preterm birth <34 weeks: (SGA 20.6% vs. AGA 17.4%, p = 0.020), NNU admission: (SGA 34.5% vs. AGA 23.9%, p < 0.000). There was no significant association between HDP and SGA using the singleton charts (p = 0.696). In SGA infants, according to the twin charts, the incidence of abnormal umbilical artery Doppler was significantly more common than in SGA using the singleton chart (27.0% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, singleton charts misclassify a large number of twins as at risk of fetal growth restriction. The evidence suggests that the following twin-specific charts could reduce unnecessary medical interventions prenatally and postnatally.

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