scholarly journals Racial and ethnic representation in epigenomic studies of preterm birth: a systematic review

Epigenomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-ris Y Collier ◽  
Rachel Ledyard ◽  
Diana Montoya-Williams ◽  
Maylene Qiu ◽  
Alexandra E Dereix ◽  
...  

Aim: We conducted a systematic review evaluating race/ethnicity representation in DNA methylomic studies of preterm birth. Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE, CINHAL, Scopus and relevant citations from 1 January 2000 to 30 June 2019. Study appraisal & synthesis methods: Two authors independently identified abstracts comparing DNA methylomic differences between term and preterm births that included race/ethnicity data. Results: 16 studies were included. Black and non-Hispanic Black deliveries were well represented (28%). However, large studies originating from more than 95% White populations were excluded due to unreported race/ethnicity data. Most studies were cross-sectional, allowing for reverse causation. Most studies were also racially/ethnically homogeneous, preventing direct comparison of DNA methylomic differences across race/ethnicities. Conclusion: In DNA methylomic studies, Black women and infants were well represented. However, the literature has limitations and precludes drawing definitive conclusions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 030006052110346
Author(s):  
Techane Sisay Tuji ◽  
Addisu Dabi Wake ◽  
Gezahegn Badeg Adere ◽  
Aselefu Beka Wedajo ◽  
Batu Dekeba Obole ◽  
...  

Objective To assess the prevalence of spontaneous preterm births and to identify the associated risk factors. Methods This single-centre cross-sectional study enrolled women that experienced a preterm birth as registered on the neonatal log-book between 30 December 2019 and 30 December 2020. A pre-tested structured checklist was used to collect data (sociodemographic characteristics; obstetric-related factors; medical history; and pregnancy-related factors). Bivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth. A multivariate model identified significant independent risk factors. Results A total of 310 patients participated in the study. The prevalence of spontaneous preterm birth in this population was 67.1% (208 of 310; 95% confidence interval [CI] 61.5, 71.9). Patients without a partner (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.470, 95% CI 1.23, 4.42), patients residing in a rural area (AOR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.123, 5.513) and those with a history of PIH during their current pregnancy (AOR = 0.104, 95% CI 0.053, 0.014) were significantly more likely to have a spontaneous preterm birth. Conclusion The prevalence of spontaneous preterm birth in in this study was high. Healthcare providers and all stakeholders should focus on screening pregnant women at the risk of spontaneous preterm birth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 653-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangmi Kim ◽  
Eun-Ok Im ◽  
Jianghong Liu ◽  
Connie Ulrich

Abstract Background Despite the suggested contribution of cumulative chronic stress to the racial/ethnic disparities in preterm birth (PTB), it is unclear how chronic stress, maternal age, and race/ethnicity are linked underlying PTB. Purpose We investigated the moderating effect of chronic stress on the maternal age–PTB association among non-Hispanic (N-H) White, N-H Black, Hispanic, and Asian women. Methods We analyzed the Washington State’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data linked with birth certificates. The sample included women aged 18 years or older who birthed the first, singleton baby without birth defects. Chronic stress was measured by race/ethnicity-specific chronic stress indices. A maternal age–chronic stress interaction was modeled to predict PTB by logistic regression stratified by race/ethnicity. In subanalysis, the moderating role of racism was investigated in the maternal age–chronic stress interaction among three minority groups combined. Results Women’s maternal age trajectory of PTB varied by their race/ethnicity and chronic stress level. N-H White and N-H Black women showed a steeper maternal age-related increase in PTB (weathering) under higher chronic stress, indicating a chronic stress’ cumulative effect with maternal age. Besides, the extent of weathering was amplified by racism on top of chronic stress, particularly among N-H Black women. Conclusions These results show that both chronic stress and racism may develop accelerated PTB risk among minority women. Future research should use more objective and accurate chronic stress measures to ascertain the complex relationships among chronic stress, racial discrimination, and maternal age underlying the racial/ethnic differentials in PTB.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
bin Yi ◽  
Rui-han Lian ◽  
Ping-an Qi ◽  
Tao Yuan ◽  
Pei-jing Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Current studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can produce a certain effect for preterm birth, but there is no research showing whether vitamin D deficiency has a consistent effect in different pregnancies; thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 24 observational studies, grouping them according to the gestational age at the time of serum sampling, to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency in different periods of gestation has different effects on preterm birth and to provide an evidence-based basis for pregnant women to measure and supplement vitamin D. Methods: The databases PubMed-Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCO, CBM, and CNKI were searched until July 2019. Two researchers independently assessed the eligibility and quality of studies, and STATA 12.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Result: Seven cohort studies, 13 case-control studies, and four cross-sectional studies were included from 2500 articles by inclusion and exclusion criteria. After adjusting for age, race, and other confounding factors, meta-analysis results showed that vitamin D deficiency in the first trimester, the second trimester and the third trimester did not increase the risk of preterm birth (odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.88, 1.16), P = 0.867; OR = 1.12, 95%CI (0.92, 1.37), P = 0.249; OR = 1.05, 95%CI (0.87, 1.27), P = 0.602). However, there was moderate heterogeneity in the study of vitamin D deficiency in the second trimester, and subgroup analysis suggested that vitamin D deficiency in the second trimester may increase the risk of preterm birth (OR = 1.33, 95%CI (1.15, 1.54), P = 0.000). A sensitivity analysis of the second trimester showed that excluding any one study did not significantly change the results. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency in early and late pregnancy may not be associated with preterm birth, while vitamin D deficiency in middle pregnancy is likely to have an important effect on preterm birth. Vitamin D levels should be measured in the second trimester of pregnancy, and vitamin D supplements should be provided if necessary.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-41
Author(s):  
Ikrama Hassan ◽  
◽  
Surajudeen Bello ◽  
Michael Anazodo ◽  
Abdulmumuni Ahmed Lawal ◽  
...  

Background: Preterm birth has been on the increase globally and accounting for morbidities and mortalities. Preterm delivery referred to the birth of a newborn prior to thirty seven completed gestational weeks. There is dearth of knowledge on the burden of preterm birth in this state. This study therefore determined the burden of preterm deliveries in Nasarawa State, evaluate the risk factors and identify the outcome of such deliveries. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of all preterm delivered from the 1st of January 2014 to the 31st of December 2013 at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) Lafia, General Hospital Akwanga and Medical Centre Mararaba Gurku in the Southern, Northern and Western senatorial zones of Nasarawa State respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The mean age of mothers of preterm in this study is 26.5±5.7 years. More than three-quarter of preterm birth in Nasarawa State were at the DASH Lafia. The prevalence of preterm birth and admissions were 1.5% and 10.8% respectively. One in four of the preterm were either late preterm or extreme preterm. Singleton gestation accounted for 82.1% of the preterm births while 75.6% of such deliveries where through the vaginal mode of deliveries. Risk factors for preterm deliveries were multiple gestation, antepartum haemorrhage (placenta previa), premature rupture of membrane and previous preterm delivery. Deaths among the preterm was 11% in this study. Conclusion: The burden of preterm births in this study is comparable to other centre in same region. Half of the preterm were either late or extreme preterm. Risk factors for preterm deliveries were placenta previa, premature rupture of membrane, multiple gestation and previous preterm child birth. Death was recorded in one out of every nine preterm


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexios-Fotios A. Mentis ◽  
Efthimios Dardiotis ◽  
Athanassios G. Papavassiliou

ABSTRACTBackgroundPIWI proteins, which interact with piRNAs, are implicated in stem cell and germ cell regulation, but have been detected in various cancers, as well.ObjectivesIn this systematic review, we explored, for the first time in the literature (to our knowledge), the association between prognosis in patients with cancer and intratumoral expression of PIWI proteins.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for the relevant cohort studies.Study eligibility criteriaProspective or retrospective cohort studies investigating the association of intratumoral mRNA or protein expression of different types of PIWI proteins with survival, metastasis or recurrence of various types of cancers in the systematic review. Exclusion of cross-sectional studies, of studies on the prognostic value of genetic polymorphism of PIWI genes, of studies re-analyzed previously published databases, and of conference abstracts and non-English articles.ParticipantsTwenty-six studies with 4,299 participants were included in the systematic review.InterventionsPooled Hazard Ratios (HRs) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated for different PIWI proteins separately, by pooling of log of the calculated HRs using the random-effects model.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsData extraction was performed using a pre-designed form and quality of the studies was assessed using REMARK criteria. Heterogeneity assessed using the I2 index and the Cochran Q test. Publication bias assessed using funnel plots and Egger’s regression.ResultsThe pooled HR of mortality in high compared to low expression of HIWI, HILI and PIWIL4 was 1.87 (CI95%: 1.31-2.66, p < 0.05), 1.09 (CI95%: 0.58-2.07, p = 0.79) and 0.44 (CI95%: 0.25-0.76, p < 0.05), respectively. The pooled HR of recurrence in in high compared to low expression of HIWI and HILI was 1.72 (CI95%: 1.20-2.49, p < 0.05) and 1.98 (CI95%: 0.65-5.98, p = 0.23), respectively.LimitationsExclusion of studies not in English; Discrepancy between mRNA and protein levels, and the respective analytical methods; Only one cancer site – PIWI protein pair investigated in three or more studies.Conclusions and Implications of Key FindingsThe prognosis of cancer patients is worse with higher HIWI and lower PIWIL4 expression, although the results are highly variable for different cancers. The expression of these proteins can be used for personalized prognostication and treatment of individual patients.Systematic review registration numberNot registered.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saurav Das ◽  
Arjun Padalia ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Ozan Akca ◽  
Andria L Ford ◽  
...  

Introduction: The need for recruitment of neurologists from underrepresented communities has been emphasized to maintain workforce diversity in academic neurology practice. The objective of the study is to describe the racial and ethnic diversity of neurology residents (NR) pursuing vascular neurology (VN) fellowship. Methods: Cross-sectional study of race/ethnicity of NR and VN fellows using published Graduate Medical Education (GME) census reports from 2006, when race/ethnicity data were first included, to 2018. Proportions were compared using chi-square test. Non-Accreditation Council of GME fellowship data was unavailable for analysis. Results: A total of 24450 NR were included in the sample of which 12718 (52%) were White, 993 (4.1%) Black, 1973(8%) Hispanics, 8232(33%) Asians. Of 910 NR who pursued VN fellowship, 413 (49.2%, SD 12.5%) were White, 27 Black (3%, SD 2.1%), 333 Asians (34%, SD 10.7%) and 78 Hispanics (10%, SD 5%). When comparing periods 2006-10 vs 2016-18, the proportion of White NR has increased by 2% (p=0.014), however, the increase in Black NR is 0.1% and not statistically significant. The proportion of Asian VN fellows significantly increased to 43% in 2016-20 compared to 24% over the entire period (p=0.039). Conclusion: There are racial disparities among NR and fellowship trainees. Even though there is diversity among VN fellows, continued efforts should be made to promote underrepresented ethnic groups.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina J. Weckend ◽  
Loukia M. Spineli ◽  
Susanne Grylka-Baeschlin ◽  
Mechthild M. Gross

Abstract Background Worldwide, 14.9 million infants (11%) are born preterm each year. Up to 40% of preterm births (PTBs) are associated with genital tract infections. The vaginal pH can reflect changes in the vaginal milieu and, if elevated, indicates an abnormal flora or infection. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate whether an increased antenatal vaginal pH >4.5 in pre-labour pregnant women is associated with an increased PTB rate <37 completed weeks gestation. Search strategy Key databases included SCOPUS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, complemented by hand search, up to January 2017. Selection criteria Primary research reporting vaginal pH assessment in pre-labour pregnant women and PTB rate. Data collection and analysis Data extraction and appraisal were carried out in a pre-defined standardised manner, applying the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) and Cochrane risk of bias tool. Analysis included calculation of risk difference (RD) and narrative synthesis. It was decided to abstain from pooling of the studies due to missing information in important moderators. Main results Of 986 identified records, 30 were included in the systematic review. The risk of bias was considered mostly high (40%) or moderate (37%). Fifteen studies permitted a calculation of RD. Of these, 14 (93%) indicated a positive association between increased antenatal vaginal pH and PTB (RD range: 0.02–0.75). Conclusion An increased antenatal vaginal pH >4.5 may be associated with a higher risk for PTB. It is recommended to conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effectiveness of antenatal pH screening to prevent PTB. Tweetable abstract Pregnant women with an increased vaginal pH >4.5 may be at higher risk to experience preterm birth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 791-795
Author(s):  
Meghan C. Zimmer ◽  
Veronica Rubio ◽  
Kristina W. Kintziger ◽  
Cristina Barroso

Purpose: To examine racial/ethnic differences in dietary intake of women in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants: Women 19 to 50 years of age living in WIC-participating households. Measures: Nutrient/food group intake from one 24-hour dietary recall. Analysis: Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between race/ethnicity and nutrient/food group intake. Results: Compared to non-Hispanic white women, Hispanic women had lower dietary energy density (1.7 ± 0.1 vs 2.2 ± 0.1 kcal/g, P < .001), and better nutrient intake, including more folate (429 ± 20 vs 364 ± 29 µg, P = .024), fiber (20.1 ± 0.9 vs 13.6 ± 0.9 g, P ≤ .001), and potassium (2575 ± 78 vs 2251 ± 66 mg, P = .012). This may be related to greater consumption of total vegetables (1.67 ± 0.16 vs 1.17 ± 0.17 cup equivalents [c-eq], P = .029), including more red and orange vegetables (0.64 ± 0.11 vs 0.32 vs 0.09 c-eq, P = .013) and more legumes (0.17 ± 0.04 vs 0.07 ± 0.02 c-eq, P = .006). Both Hispanic and non-Hispanic black women consumed more sodium (Hispanic: P = .015; non-Hispanic black: P = .008), but less added sugars (Hispanic: P ≤ .001; non-Hispanic black: P = .015), than non-Hispanic white women. Conclusion: These findings highlight differences in dietary intake by race/ethnicity and can inform nutrition messages of WIC nutrition educators and dietitians.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashad Issah ◽  
Rosanna Diacci ◽  
Kimberley P. Williams ◽  
Anne-Marie Aubin ◽  
Liam McAuliffe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of death in children under five years. Spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) is the major cause of preterm delivery. The key risk factors for SPTB are women who have a short cervix and women who have had previous preterm birth. Cervical cerclage has been used for several decades and has shown to decrease rates of preterm birth. The most commonly used cerclage techniques were described by Shirodkar and McDonald, with no current consensus on the preferred technique. The objective of this review is to determine and compare the effectiveness of both techniques. Methods Studies will be sourced from six electronic databases, as well as from experts in the field, reference lists, and grey literature. Eligible studies will include pregnant women, with a singleton or twin pregnancy, requiring a cervical cerclage, using either the Shirodkar or McDonald technique and run comparative analyses between the two techniques. Randomized control trials (RCT)s, non-randomized control trials, and cohort studies will be eligible. Two independent reviewers will conduct study screening at abstract and full-text level, data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Discrepancies will be resolved by a consensus third reviewer if required. Fixed-effects or random-effects models will be used where appropriate to synthesize results. Alternative synthesis methods will be investigated in instances where a meta-analysis is not appropriate, such as summarizing effect estimates, combining P values, vote counting based on direction of effect, or synthesis in narrative form. Discussion This review will synthesize the evidence on both the Shirodkar and McDonald cerclage method, and will help clinicians and health services to determine and deliver best practice antenatal care that has the potential to make an impact on preterm birth. Systematic review registration PROSPERO on 25 of May, 2020 with registration number CRD42020177386


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