Integrated 2D Doppler indices of uteroplacental and fetal blood flow in diagnosis of intrauterine hypoxia

Relevance . Intrauterine hypoxia associated with placental disorders is a significant factor of ante-, intra- and postnatal fetal and newborn death. Despite clinical examination of pregnant women using ultrasound and cardiotocography, cases of intrauterine hypoxia often remain undetected prenatally. Clinical manifestation of placental disorders and intrauterine hypoxia are associated with pathological changes of blood flow resistance in the uterine, placental and fetal vessels. A combined Doppler assessment of blood flow in the uterine, placental and fetal vessels could improve detection of intrauterine hypoxia. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic significance of integrated 2D Doppler indices of uteroplacental and fetal blood flow for the detection of fetal hypoxia in the 3rd trimester and to predict unfavorable perinatal outcomes. Materials and Methods. The outcomes of pregnancy of 48 women with fetal hypoxia delivered at 29 - 40 gestational weeks (study group), and 21 women who gave birth to healthy full-term infants (control group) were retrospectively analyzed. On the eve of delivery all women had 2D Doppler assessment of the uterine arteries, umbilical arteries, and fetal middle cerebral artery with an assessment of the cerebro-placental ratio, umbilical-cerebral ratio and cerebro-placental-uterine ratio. Results and Discussion . Analysis of the obtained values of cerebro-placental-uterine ratio, cerebro-placental ratio and umbilical-cerebral ratio showed the benefit from use of integrated 2D Doppler indices in the diagnosis of fetal hypoxia at 29 - 40 gestations weeks and in predicting complications in newborns. The high sensitivity of the cerebro-placental-uterine ratio (90.5%) makes it possible to effectively use this index for the diagnosis of intrauterine hypoxia. Conclusion. Pathological cerebro-placental-uterine ratio 2.44 is a clinically significant 2D Doppler criterion that predicts a high risk of asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome, hypotrophy, and perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Lower values of the cerebro-placental ratio and umbilical-cerebral ratio sensitivity (77.1% and 81.3%, respectively) limit their use for the diagnosis of fetal hypoxia as compared with cerebro-placental-uterine ratio.

Clinical significance of predictive and diagnostic indices of fetal pathology associated with placental insufficiency in women with endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Modern achievements of pharmacology, surgery and reproductive medicine have determined an increase in the implementation of reproductive function in endometriosis of various localization. The onset of pregnancy in presence of impaired endometrial receptivity and progesterone resistance, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic status, abnormal functioning of the immune system, structural changes in the reproductive organs leads to impaired formation of the embryo (feto) placental system, early reproductive losses, complicated pregnancy and adverse perinatal outcomes. In this regard, the endometriosis and pregnancy issue requires close study and specific proposals to optimize pregnancy management. AIM: The aim of this study was to develop predictive (PIs) and diagnostic (DIs) indices of placenta-associated fetal pathology in pregnant women with endometriosis, to determine their prognostically and diagnostically significant parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study in the dynamics of gestation included a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination of 175 pregnant women with endometriosis (100 subjects with adenomyosis and 75 subjects with ovarian endometriosis). To develop PIs and DIs, two comparison groups with fetal pathology due to placental insufficiency were retrospectively identified, depending on the location of endometriosis. Group I consisted of 49 pregnant women with adenomyosis and placental insufficiency isolated from other pregnancy complications, accompanied by growth retardation and/or chronic fetal hypoxia; Group II comprised 29 pregnant women with ovarian endometriosis and placental insufficiency isolated from other pregnancy complications, accompanied by growth retardation and/or chronic fetal hypoxia. The control group (Group III) included 30 healthy pregnant women with a normal course of gestation. The examination was performed at 10-14 weeks, 20-24 weeks, and 28-34 weeks of gestation and included an assessment of placental insufficiency markers such as placental growth factor (PlGF), placental -1-microglobulin (PAMG-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphocytes with membrane receptor FasR (L CD95+), C-reactive protein, placental alkaline phosphatase (PAPh), and fetal hemoglobin (HbF). The information value of individual parameters and indices was determined by ROC analysis, odds ratio, and clinical epidemiology tests. RESULTS: Pregnancy in presence of endometriosis in 100% of cases was complicated by placental insufficiency of varying severity (with fetal pathology in 81.5% of cases), the frequency of which had statistically significant differences between the groups of pregnant women with adenomyosis and ovarian endometriosis (2 = 4.06, p = 0.04). To predict growth retardation and / or chronic fetal hypoxia, we have developed PI I (PlGF / TNF 100) and PI II (PAMG-1 / PlGF 100), which characterize the state of placental angio-and vasculogenesis depending on systemic inflammatory response level. For early diagnosis of fetal pathology, we have proposed DI I (CRP / PAPh 100), DI II (HbF / PlGF 100) and DI III (L CD95+ / PAPh 100), which allow for diagnosing placental alterations with impaired placental energy supply due to an increase in inflammatory status. Evaluation of prognostic and diagnostic significance of PIs and DIs showed that the most informative tools are PI I (Se = 86.1%, Sp = 80.5%) and DI I (Se = 88.3%, Sp = 83.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of PIs allows for risk stratification of pregnant women from the 1st trimester of gestation to address the issue of the prevention method. The clinical capabilities of DIs optimize obstetric tactics for the timely prescription of therapy for placental insufficiency and targeted diagnosis of fetal pathology. Pregnant women with endometriosis should be classified as a high perinatal risk group, and therefore the proposed PIs and DIs should be included in the dynamic examination complex.

Late-Pregnancy Fetal Hypoxia Is Associated With Altered Glucose Metabolism and Adiposity in Young Adult Offspring of Women With Type 1 Diabetes

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between exposure to fetal hypoxia and indicators of metabolic health in young adult offspring of women with type 1 diabetes (OT1D).Methods156 OT1D born between 7/1995 and 12/2000 at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, were invited for follow-up between 3/2019 and 11/2019. A control group of 442 adults born from non-diabetic pregnancies, matched for date and place of birth, was obtained from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. In total, 58 OT1D and 86 controls agreed to participate. All OT1D had amniotic fluid (AF) sampled for erythropoietin (EPO) measurement within two days before delivery in order to diagnose fetal hypoxia. In total, 29 OTID had an AF EPO concentration <14.0 mU/l, defined as normal, and were categorized into the low EPO (L-EPO) group. The remaining 29 OT1D had AF EPO ≥14.0 mU/ml, defined as fetal hypoxia, and were categorized into the high EPO (H-EPO) group. At the age of 18-23 years, participants underwent a 2-h 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in addition to height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, blood pressure, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-sensitivity CRP and leisure-time physical activity measurements.ResultsTwo OT1D were diagnosed with diabetes and excluded from further analyses. At young adult age, OT1D in the H-EPO group had a higher BMI than those in the L-EPO group. In addition, among female participants, waist circumference and body fat percentage were highest in the H-EPO group. In the OGTTs, the mean (SD) 2-h post-load plasma glucose (mmol/L) was higher in the H-EPO [6.50 (2.11)] than in the L-EPO [5.21 (1.10)] or control [5.67 (1.48)] offspring (p=0.009). AF EPO concentrations correlated positively with 2-h post-load plasma glucose [r=0.35 (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.62)] and serum insulin [r=0.44 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.69)] concentrations, even after adjusting for maternal BMI, birth weight z-score, gestational age at birth and adult BMI. Control, L-EPO and H-EPO groups did not differ with regards to other assessed parameters.ConclusionsHigh AF EPO concentrations in late pregnancy, indicating fetal hypoxia, are associated with increased adiposity and elevated post-load glucose and insulin concentrations in young adult OT1D.

Breath of Life: Heart Disease Link to Developmental Hypoxia

Heart disease remains one of the greatest killers. In addition to genetics and traditional lifestyle risk factors, we now understand that adverse conditions during pregnancy can also increase susceptibility to cardiovascular disease in the offspring. Therefore, the mechanisms by which this occurs and possible preventative therapies are of significant contemporary interest to the cardiovascular community. A common suboptimal pregnancy condition is a sustained reduction in fetal oxygenation. Chronic fetal hypoxia results from any pregnancy with increased placental vascular resistance, such as in preeclampsia, placental infection, or maternal obesity. Chronic fetal hypoxia may also arise during pregnancy at high altitude or because of maternal respiratory disease. This article reviews the short- and long-term effects of hypoxia on the fetal cardiovascular system, and the importance of chronic fetal hypoxia in triggering a developmental origin of future heart disease in the adult progeny. The work summarizes evidence derived from human studies as well as from rodent, avian, and ovine models. There is a focus on the discovery of the molecular link between prenatal hypoxia, oxidative stress, and increased cardiovascular risk in adult offspring. Discussion of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant therapy offers potential targets for clinical intervention in human pregnancy complicated by chronic fetal hypoxia.

Derajat Anemia pada Kehamilan dengan Kejadian Asfiksia Bayi Baru Lahir

The exchange of oxygen in the blood is influenced by red blood cells. If there is interference in pregnant women can cause anemia. Anemia in pregnancy results in fetal hypoxia. Hypoxia in the fetus can cause asphyxia in the newborn. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the degree of anemia and the incidence of asphyxia in newborns at the Sumatra Island Regional General Hospital. The research design used was case-control with analytical survey techniques. Sampling was done by random sampling technique on 80 respondents. The study was conducted for one month. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test. The results showed that asphyxiated babies were born to mothers with moderate levels of anemia, while mothers with mild anemia gave birth to non-asphyxiated babies. The results of the chi-square obtained = 0,000 < 0,005, meaning that the hypothesis is accepted. It was concluded that there was a significant relationship between the degree of anemia and the incidence of asphyxia in newborns at the Sumatra Island Regional General Hospital.

Doppler Ultrasonography of the Fetal Tibial Artery in High-Risk Pregnancy and Its Value in Predicting and Monitoring Fetal Hypoxia in IUGR Fetuses

Background and Objectives: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is the term used to describe a fetus whose estimated weight is less than the 10th percentile of its age growth curve. IUGR is the second most common cause of perinatal death. In many cases there is a deficiency in the standardization of optimal management, prenatal follow-up and timing of delivery. Doppler examination is the most sensitive test that can assess the condition of the fetus and indicate fetal intrauterine hypoxia. Numerous studies of the fetal intrauterine state focus on the umbilical artery and the fetal cerebral blood vessels, while the peripheral arteries have so far received insufficient attention. Materials and Methods: We present a case of an IUGR fetus monitored with a non-stress test (NST) and a Doppler examination of the fetal arteries (tibial, umbilical, middle cerebral and uterine) and the ductus venosus. In this case the first early sign of fetal hypoxia was revealed by blood flow changes in the tibial artery. Results: We hypothesize that peripheral vascular changes (in the tibial artery) may more accurately reflect the onset of deterioration in the condition of the IUGR fetus, such that peripheral blood flow monitoring ought to be employed along with other techniques already in use. Conclusion: This paper describes the clinical presentation of an early detection of late IUGR hypoxia and claims that blood flow changes in the tibial artery signal the worsening of the fetus’s condition.

Miniaturized Electrochemical Sensors to Monitor Fetal Hypoxia and Acidosis in a Pregnant Sheep Model

Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of severe brain damage and death. For its prenatal identification, Doppler ultrasound has been used as a surrogate marker of fetal hypoxia. However, Doppler evaluation cannot be performed continuously. We have evaluated the performance of a miniaturized multiparametric sensor aiming to evaluate tissular oxygen and pH changes continuously in an umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) sheep model. The electrochemical sensors were inserted in fetal hindlimb skeletal muscle and electrochemical signals were recorded. Fetal hemodynamic changes and metabolic status were also monitored during the experiment. Additionally, histological assessment of the tissue surrounding the sensors was performed. Both electrochemical sensors detected the pO2 and pH changes induced by the UCO and these changes were correlated with hemodynamic parameters as well as with pH and oxygen content in the blood. Finally, histological assessment revealed no signs of alteration on the same day of insertion. This study provides the first evidence showing the application of miniaturized multiparametric electrochemical sensors detecting changes in oxygen and pH in skeletal muscular tissue in a fetal sheep model.

Liver diseases at new coronavirus infection in pregnant women of Samara region

The new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is a life-threatening condition. The features of the treatment of COVID-19 in pregnant women are not sufficiently studied and contradictory, therefore, research in this area is relevant.Objective. Assess the presence of liver disease in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and after childbirth, taking into account the treatment.Methods. A retrospective analysis of medical records of 43 pregnant women aged 19 to 39 years (mean age 29.1 ± 5.4 years) who were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection was performed. The selection was carried out by the method of continuous sampling.Results. 17 women (39.5%) had an acute respiratory viral disease, 26 people (60.5%) were diagnosed with bilateral polysegmental pneumonia with pulmonary tissue damage from 5 to 25%. In the structure of extragenital pathology, 46.5% of women had anemia and 23.3% of diseases of the hepatobiliary system, including chronic non-calculous cholecystitis (4.7%), biliary dysfunction (7%), chronic viral hepatitis B (2.3%) and chronic viral hepatitis C (9.3%). 6.9% were diagnosed with cholestatic hepatosis of pregnant women before admission to the hospital. An increase in the level of transaminases above the upper normal values was noted in 69.8% of cases, alkaline phosphatase – in 76.7%. In the structure of pregnancy complications in women with COVID-19 infection, fetal hypoxia prevailed in 15 women (34.9%). In second place is premature rupture of amniotic fluid (16.3%) and fetal malnutrition (16.3%).Conclusions. Pregnant women with diseases of the hepatobiliary system and anemia are most susceptible to new coronavirus infection. They have an increase in the level of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, which can be caused by liver damage due to the increased tropism of the virus to cholangiocytes and hepatocytes, as well as hepatotoxic drugs. The most common complications of pregnancy in women with a new infection are premature birth, fetal hypoxia, and antenatal death.

Features of Laboratory Diagnostics CMVI by IFA Method (IgM, IgG) for the Period 2014-2020 in Kyrgyzstan

This article discusses the problem of informing students of medical universities in Kyrgyzstan about CMVI, as well as an analysis of the population survey by ELISA for the detection of specific immunoglobulins of class M and G for 7 years (2014–2020). The article provides an analysis of the surveyed by sex of all ages, which allows us to conclude that the bulk of the surveyed are women of childbearing age. Thus, cytomegalovirus infection poses a particular danger to the fetus, up to its intrauterine death. The work is interdisciplinary in nature, written at the intersection of medical microbiology, epidemiology and public health and health care. Considerable attention in the work is paid to the fact that those examined by the ELISA method for specific IgM are ten times less than for the detection of specific IgG. Although it is the detection of specific IgM that poses a particular danger to the fetus — it can lead to its especially life-threatening complications such as: heart disease, retinopathy, which can lead to blindness, deafness and even mental retardation, intrauterine hypotrophy, immaturity, prematurity, chronic intrauterine fetal hypoxia. The idea is substantiated how important it is for future and practicing doctors to inform the population about this infection, which will help in the future to timely detect IgM and possibly save the fetus from intrauterine death. Using the results of an ELISA test for the detection of specific IgM and IgG, which today is one of the most reliable and affordable ways to detect a disease, the author proves in his studies the huge problem of informing and examining the population. The topic under consideration will be of particular interest to specialists in the field of public health and health care, since this is a truly national problem. The presented work indicates that CMVI is currently a serious medical and social problem. This problem is extremely poorly understood and requires further study.