Placental malperfusion as a possible mechanism of preterm birth in patients with Müllerian anomalies

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jovana Lekovich ◽  
Joshua Stewart ◽  
Sarah Anderson ◽  
Erin Niemasik ◽  
Nigel Pereira ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:Müllerian anomalies are associated with increased risk of miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm birth. While a commonly implicated cause is restricted expansion of endometrial cavity, alternatively it could be due to abnormal placentation. We sought to examine clinical and histopathologic factors associated with preterm delivery in women with Müllerian anomalies.Study design:One hundred and eleven singleton pregnancies in 85 women were analyzed retrospectively. There were 42 pregnancies with bicornaute, 24 with unicornuate, 24 with septate, 19 with didelphys and one each with arcuate and T-shaped uterus. Primary outcomes included gestational age at delivery, placental histopathology, placenta previa and accreta.Results:Twenty-eight (25.2%) of pregnancies were delivered prior to term. Of those, only 14 (50%) were due to preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Histological evidence of placental malperfusion was present in 22% of all pregnancies and those delivered at an earlier median gestational age [34 (IQR 31–37) vs. 37 weeks (IQR 34–39); P=0.001]. Malperfusion was more common in preterm than in full term births (46% vs. 14%; P=0.04). Conversely, inflammation was not more common in preterm compared to term deliveries (17.9% vs. 16.9%; P=0.89). Five pregnancies had placenta previa, three of which were complicated by accreta.Conclusion:Placental malperfusion, rather than inflammation, was more commonly associated with preterm births in women with uterine anomalies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma V. Preston ◽  
Victoria Fruh ◽  
Marlee R. Quinn ◽  
Michele R. Hacker ◽  
Blair J. Wylie ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Prenatal endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure has been associated with increased risk of preterm birth. Non-Hispanic Black women have higher incidence of preterm birth compared to other racial/ethnic groups and may be disproportionately exposed to EDCs through EDC-containing hair products. However, research on the use of EDC-associated hair products during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth is lacking. Therefore, the objective of this pilot study was to estimate associations of prenatal hair product use with gestational age at delivery in a Boston, Massachusetts area pregnancy cohort. Methods The study population consisted of a subset of participants enrolled in the Environmental Reproductive and Glucose Outcomes (ERGO) Study between 2018 and 2020. We collected self-reported data on demographics and hair product use using a previously validated questionnaire at four prenatal visits (median: 12, 19, 26, 36 weeks’ gestation) and abstracted gestational age at delivery from medical records. We compared gestational age and hair product use by race/ethnicity and used linear regression to estimate covariate-adjusted associations of product use and frequency of use at each study visit with gestational age at delivery. Primary models were adjusted for maternal age at enrollment and delivery method. Results Of the 154 study participants, 7% delivered preterm. Non-Hispanic Black participants had lower mean gestational age at delivery compared to non-Hispanic White participants (38.2 vs. 39.2 weeks) and were more likely to report ever and more frequent use of hair products. In regression models, participants reporting daily use of hair oils at visit 4 had lower mean gestational age at delivery compared to non-users (β: -8.3 days; 95% confidence interval: -14.9, -1.6). We did not find evidence of associations at earlier visits or with other products. Conclusions Frequent use of hair oils during late pregnancy may be associated with shorter gestational duration. As hair oils are more commonly used by non-Hispanic Black women and represent potentially modifiable EDC exposure sources, this may have important implications for the known racial disparity in preterm birth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-177
Author(s):  
Iv. Todorov ◽  
N. Tododrov ◽  
M. Angelova ◽  
K. Peeva

Introduction: Children born prematurely are at higher risk of mortality, morbidity, and impaired motor and cognitive development in childhood than prematurely born babies. Aim: To establish the relationship between the corresponding levels of pregnancy-related plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and the frequency of premature birth. Materials and methods: The study is prospective. The data was collected through monitoring patients through a questionnaire and sonographic examination at 11-13 gestational weeks. The study excluded all known risk factors for preterm birth, such as previous preterm births, pregnant women with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension, placenta previa, hydramnion, multiple pregnancies, smoking, structural and chromosomal abnormalities of the fetus and planned preterm birth. The data from the measured values of PAPP-A and the frequency of premature birth in 636 pregnant women were analyzed. Conclusions: PAPP-A levels are a statistically significant factor for preterm birth. It is expected with a 95% probability in the population with PAPP-A values below 0,515 that the cases with premature birth will be from 7 to 14 times more. Pregnant women with PAPP-A level less than 10th per cent are significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth.


2015 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Midory Higa Diez ◽  
Takashi Yorifuji ◽  
Yoko Kado ◽  
Satoshi Sanada ◽  
Hiroyuki Doi

ObjectiveTo analyse the effect of different preterm birth categories on behavioural outcomes.DesignProspective cohort design.SettingsThe Japanese Longitudinal Survey of Babies in the 21st Century was used for the study.SubjectsNeonates born in 2001 in Japan (n=34 163) and followed up at the age of 8 years. Post-term births were excluded and the sample was divided into four groups according to gestational age: <34 weeks, 34–36 weeks, 37–38 weeks and 39–41 weeks.Outcome measuresSeven behavioural outcomes were examined: three attention problems and four delinquent/aggressive behaviours.ResultsLogistic regression was used to estimate adjusted ORs and 95% CIs for each outcome. Positive associations were found between preterm birth (<37 weeks) and adverse behavioural outcomes compared with full-term birth (39–41 weeks). For attention problems, the OR for ‘inability to wait his/her turn’ was increased by 1.72 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.43) for gestational age <34 weeks and by 1.28 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.59) for 34–36 weeks’ gestation. For delinquent/aggressive behaviour, the OR for the outcome ‘destroying books/toys’ was increased by 1.46 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.99) for gestational age <34 weeks, while the outcome ‘disturbance in public’ was increased by 1.20 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.38) for 34–36 weeks’ gestation.ConclusionsChildren who are born <34 weeks, but also between 34 and 36 weeks, are at increased risk of behavioural problems related to attention and delinquent/aggressive behaviour when 8 years old.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohyun Shim ◽  
Yoon-Mi Hur ◽  
Da Hee Kim ◽  
Seok Ju Seong ◽  
Mi-La Kim ◽  
...  

The present article aimed to evaluate the impact of congenital Müllerian anomalies (MA) on twin pregnancy after 24 gestational weeks in Korean women. All records of twin pregnancies in a large maternity hospital in Korea between January 2005 and July 2013 were analyzed. Patients with monochorionic monoamniotic (MCMA) twins, non-Korean patients, patients with twins delivered prior to 24 gestational weeks, and patients with miscarriage of one fetus or intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) before 24 gestational weeks were excluded from data analysis. In total, 1,422 women with twin pregnancy were eligible for data analysis, including 17 (1.2%) who had a known congenital MA (septate uterus, bicornuate uterus, arcuate uterus, and unicornuate uterus). Except for the mode of conception, baseline demographics were similar between women with MA and those without MA. No significant differences were found in pregnancy outcomes of gestational age at delivery (p = .86), birth weight of smaller and larger twins (p = .54 and p = .65), and number of twins with birth weight <5th percentile for gestational age (p = .43).The rates of obstetrical complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), placenta previa, cerclage, IUFD, and postpartum hemorrhage were not significantly different between the two groups either. We concluded that the presence of congenital MA may not increase obstetrical risks in outcomes of pregnancy of twins delivered after 24 gestational weeks.


Author(s):  
D. Ware Branch ◽  
John M. VanBuren ◽  
T. Flint Porter ◽  
Calla Holmgren ◽  
Richard Holubkov ◽  
...  

Objective The study aimed to determine if a program of mid-trimester serum proteomics screening of women at low risk for spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) and the use of a PTB risk-reduction protocol in those whose results indicated an increased risk of sPTB would reduce the likelihood of sPTB and its sequelae. Study Design Prospective comparison of birth outcomes in singleton pregnancies with mid-trimester cervical length ≥2.5 cm and at otherwise low risk for sPTB randomized to undergo or not undergo mid-trimester serum proteomics screening for increased risk of sPTB (NCT 03530332). Screen-positive women were offered a group of interventions aimed at reducing the risk of spontaneous PTB. The primary outcome was the rate of sPTB <37 weeks, and secondary outcomes were gestational age at delivery, total length of neonatal stay, and NICU length of stay (LOS). Unscreened and screen-negative women received standard care. The adaptive study design targeted a sample size of 3,000 to 10,000 women to detect a reduction in sPTB from 6.4 to 4.7%. Due to limited resources, the trial was stopped early prior to data unblinding. Results A total of 1,191 women were randomized. Screened and unscreened women were demographically similar. sPTB <37 weeks occurred in 2.7% of screened women and 3.5% of controls (p = 0.41). In the screened compared with the unscreened group, there were no between-group differences in the gestational age at delivery, total length of neonatal stay, and NICU LOS. However, the NICU LOS among infants admitted for sPTB was significantly shorter (median = 6.8 days, interquartile range [IQR]: 1.8–8.0 vs. 45.5 days, IQR: 34.6–79.0; p = 0.005). Conclusion Mid-trimester serum proteomics screening of women at low risk for sPTB and the use of a sPTB risk-reduction protocol in screen-positive patients did not significantly reduce the rate of sPTB compared with women not screened, though the trial was underpowered thus limiting the interpretation of negative findings. Infants in the screened group had a significantly shorter NICU LOS, a difference likely due to a reduced number of infants in the screened group that delivered <35 weeks. Key Points


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Guo ◽  
Xiaoqiong Li ◽  
Tingting Qi ◽  
Zhaojun Pan ◽  
Xiaoqin Zhu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite 15–17 millions of annual births in China, there is a paucity of information on prevalence and outcome of preterm birth. We characterized the outcome of preterm births and hospitalized preterm infants by gestational age (GA) in Huai’an in 2015, an emerging prefectural region of China. Methods Of 59,245 regional total births, clinical data on 2651 preterm births and 1941 hospitalized preterm neonates were extracted from Huai’an Women and Children’s Hospital (HWCH) and non-HWCH hospitals in 2018–2020. Preterm prevalence, morbidity and mortality rates were characterized and compared by hospital categories and GA spectra. Death risks of preterm births and hospitalized preterm infants in the whole region were analyzed with multivariable Poisson regression. Results The prevalence of extreme, very, moderate, late and total preterm of the regional total births were 0.14, 0.53, 0.72, 3.08 and 4.47%, with GA-specific neonatal mortality rates being 44.4, 15.8, 3.7, 1.5 and 4.3%, respectively. There were 1025 (52.8% of whole region) preterm admissions in HWCH, with significantly lower in-hospital death rate of inborn (33 of 802, 4.1%) than out-born (23 of 223, 10.3%) infants. Compared to non-HWCH, three-fold more neonates in HWCH were under critical care with higher death rate, including most extremely preterm infants. Significantly all-death risks were found for the total preterm births in birth weight <  1000 g, GA < 32 weeks, amniotic fluid contamination, Apgar-5 min < 7, and birth defects. For the hospitalized preterm infants, significantly in-hospital death risks were found in out-born of HWCH, GA < 32 weeks, birth weight <  1000 g, Apgar-5 min < 7, birth defects, respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis and ventilation, whereas born in HWCH, antenatal glucocorticoids, cesarean delivery and surfactant use decreased the death risks. Conclusions The integrated data revealed the prevalence, GA-specific morbidity and mortality rate of total preterm births and their hospitalization, demonstrating the efficiency of leading referral center and whole regional perinatal-neonatal network in China. The concept and protocol should be validated in further studies for prevention of preterm birth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Kjerstine Breintoft ◽  
Regitze Pinnerup ◽  
Tine Brink Henriksen ◽  
Dorte Rytter ◽  
Niels Uldbjerg ◽  
...  

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the evidence for the association between endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcome, including gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, and small for gestational age, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, stillbirth, postpartum hemorrhage, spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy, and spontaneous bowel perforation in pregnancy. Methods: We performed the literature review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), by searches in PubMed and EMBASE, until 1 November 2020 (PROSPERO ID CRD42020213999). We included peer-reviewed observational cohort studies and case-control studies and scored them according to the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, to assess the risk of bias and confounding. Results: 39 studies were included. Women with endometriosis had an increased risk of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, and stillbirth, compared to women without endometriosis. These results remained unchanged in sub-analyses, including studies on spontaneous pregnancies only. Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy and bowel perforation seemed to be associated with endometriosis; however, the studies were few and did not meet the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: The literature shows that endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, placenta previa, placental abruption, cesarean section, and stillbirth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 643
Author(s):  
Veronica Giorgione ◽  
Corey Briffa ◽  
Carolina Di Fabrizio ◽  
Rohan Bhate ◽  
Asma Khalil

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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Aung ◽  
Pahriya Ashrap ◽  
Deborah Watkins ◽  
Bhramar Mukherjee ◽  
Zaira Rosario ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Lipidome-wide metabolites may be useful biomarkers of pregnancy outcomes. We sought to characterize maternal lipidomic signatures associated with preterm birth and neonatal anthropometric parameters. Methods: Plasma samples were collected 24-28 weeks gestation, and lipidomic profiling was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Lipid metabolites were analyzed individually and as whole lipid classes and subgroups based on degree of hydrocarbon chain saturation. Associations were estimated using linear and logistic regression.Results: After false discovery adjustment (q<0.15), four plasmenyl-phosphatidylethanolamines and three free fatty acids associated with increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth. Five phosphatidylinositols, two phosphatidylglycerols, and one phosphatidic acid were associated with large for gestational age neonates. The saturated plasmenyl-phosphatidylethanolamines held the association with increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth. Both the mono- and poly-unsaturated free fatty acids held the association for increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth. Mono- and poly-unsaturated phosphatidylinositols were associated with large for gestational age neonates. Whole lipid classes (plasmenyl-phophatidylcholines and plasmenyl-phosphatidylethanolamines) were associated with increased risk for large for gestational age at delivery.Conclusions: This study provides evidence that finer omics-scale analysis of the maternal lipidome may be more informative biomarkers of pregnancy outcomes compared to whole class level lipid analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-219
Author(s):  
Varvara A. Berezhna ◽  
Tetiana V. Mamontova ◽  
Antonina M. Gromova

The aim: To elucidate the possible involvement of M1 and M2 macrophages in the placentas of women, whose pregnancies were complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR) and resulted in term births after 37 weeks of gestation and preterm births up to 37 weeks of gestation. Materials and methods: CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages were studied by immunohistochemical method, placental morphology in the placentas of 16 women whose pregnancies were complicated by FGR and resulted in term births at a gestational age after 37 weeks (1-st group, n = 7) or resulted in preterm births at a gestational age up to 37 weeks (2-nd group, n = 9). The control group consisted of 10 placentas of women with physiological pregnancies and births. Results: Women 2-nd group showed significantly low weight of the placenta, a short gestation period at the time of delivery, and a prolonged labor period than women of the control group (p <0.001; p <0.001; p <0.05, respectively). The level of CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages in the placentas of women 2-nd group was significantly higher than in woman 1-st group (p <0.001, p <0.001, respectively). A significant correlation was found between the expression level of CD68+ monocytes in the intervillous space and the weight of a newborn (r = – 0.765; p = 0.016) in women 2-nd group. Conclusions: These studies suggest that in the placentas of women whose pregnancies were complicated by FGR and resulted in preterm births, the increased activation of CD68+ macrophages of the pro-inflammatory pool may be associated with disorders of the vascular and stromal component of the villous chorion with the development of involutive and dystrophic changes. In general, this fact probably determines the progress of chronic placental insufficiency and aggravates the development of fetal growth restriction.


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