POTENTIAL RISK OF BRAIN DAMAGE AND POOR DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN PRENATALLY EXPOSED TO SARS-COV-2: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

ABSTRACT Objective: To perform a systematic literature review to analyze existing data on the neurological effects of coronavirus on newborns. Data sources: We followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P), and searched the PubMed and Embase platforms for the keywords [brain damage OR pregnancy OR developmental outcomes] and [coronavirus OR SARS-CoV-2 OR SARS-CoV OR MERS-CoV] between January 1, 2000 and June 1, 2020. Data synthesis: Twenty-three reports described the course of pregnant women exposed to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, or MERS-CoV during the gestational period, eight to SARS-CoV-2, eight to SARS-CoV, and seven to MERS-CoV. No data were found on abnormalities in brain development or on a direct link between the virus and neurological abnormalities in the human embryo, fetus, or children. Spontaneous miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination of pregnancy were some complications connected with SARS/MERS-CoV infection. SARS-CoV-2 is not currently associated with complications in the gestational period. Conclusions: The literature has no data associating exposure to coronavirus during pregnancy with brain malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders. However, despite the lack of reports, monitoring the development of children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 is essential given the risk of complications in pregnant women and the potential neuroinvasive and neurotropic properties found in previous strains.

Histological Changes of Wistar Rats' Hippocampus and Entorhinal Cortex After Prenatal Exposure to Mosquito Coil Smoke

Background: The structural integrity of the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex appears to be a prerequisite for normal acquisition of information about relational and contextual representation. Increased exposures to pyrethroids by pregnant women and children have raised concerns over their potentials as developmental neurotoxicants. Objectives: We studied the histological changes on the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of adolescent Wistar rats prenatally exposed to mosquito coil smoke (MCS). Methods: 30 adult Wistar rats (20 females, 10 males) were used for the study. Mating was induced, and pregnancy was confirmed. Pregnant animals were grouped into four, 3 animals per group. Group I was exposed to fresh air. Groups II, III, and IV were exposed to mosquito coil smoke for 4, 6 and 8 hours daily respectively throughout gestation period. On Post-natal day (PND) 29, experimental animals were humanely sacrificed and regions of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex were processed for histological studies using H & E stain. Results and Conclusion: Our results showed that prenatal exposure to mosquito coil smoke caused neuronal degeneration, distortion in cytoarchitecture of cellular layers and vacuolations in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of prenatally exposed groups.

Political Violence and Child Height: Evidence from the 2003 Casablanca Bombings

This article examines how inutero exposure to political violence affects early childhood health within the context of the 2003 Casablanca bombings in Morocco. Exploiting the variation across districts and birth months–years within a difference-in-differences framework, we uncover the detrimental association between inutero exposure to the bombings and child height. Prenatally exposed children are 0.743 standard deviations shorter for their age. Children who were prenatally exposed to the bombings are 0.743 standard deviations shorter for their age. When examining the relative importance of exposure timing, we found that being exposed to the bombings during the first trimester has the most impact on a child’s height.

The Effect of Low Alcohol Consumption during Pregnancy on the Metabolic Processes of Women and Their Alcohol-Exposed Babies

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of low or very low amounts of alcohol consumption on the LPO-AOD systems of pregnant women and their infants after birth, and the effect of that exposure on infant, growth, health, and development. Methods and Results: A sample of 201 pregnant women (mother-child dyads) was recruited for the study. Pregnant women were categorized into three groups according to the amount of alcohol they consume: 1) non-drinking, 2) very low drinking, and 3) low drinking. Small amounts of alcohol consumption caused dysfunction of the LPO-AOD system and the development of OS in women, and had negative effects on infants. The biomarkers of potentially harmful LPO, such as TBARs, were higher in very low and low drinking mothers. The activity of the AOD system was lower among mothers who drank alcohol. Alcohol consumption decreased levels of retinol, SOD activity, GSH, and GR activity. Higher rates of pathological conditions, delayed development, and slower growth were observed among infants who were prenatally exposed to alcohol. Conclusion: Identification and preventive interventions are needed for pregnant women who use alcohol in any amount.

Prenatal Exposure to Triclocarban Impairs ESR1 Signaling and Disrupts Epigenetic Status in Sex-Specific Ways as Well as Dysregulates the Expression of Neurogenesis- and Neurotransmitter-Related Genes in the Postnatal Mouse Brain

Triclocarban is a highly effective and broadly used antimicrobial agent. Humans are continually exposed to triclocarban, but the safety of prenatal exposure to triclocarban in the context of neurodevelopment remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that mice that had been prenatally exposed to environmentally relevant doses of triclocarban had impaired estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) signaling in the brain. These mice displayed decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of ESR1 as well as hypermethylation of the Esr1 gene in the cerebral cortex. Prenatal exposure to triclocarban also diminished the mRNA expression of Esr2, Gper1, Ahr, Arnt, Cyp19a1, Cyp1a1, and Atg7, and the protein levels of CAR, ARNT, and MAP1LC3AB in female brains and decreased the protein levels of BCL2, ARNT, and MAP1LC3AB in male brains. In addition, exposure to triclocarban caused sex-specific alterations in the methylation levels of global DNA and estrogen receptor genes. Microarray and enrichment analyses showed that, in males, triclocarban dysregulated mainly neurogenesis-related genes, whereas, in females, the compound dysregulated mainly neurotransmitter-related genes. In conclusion, our data identified triclocarban as a neurodevelopmental risk factor that particularly targets ESR1, affects apoptosis and autophagy, and in sex-specific ways disrupts the epigenetic status of brain tissue and dysregulates the postnatal expression of neurogenesis- and neurotransmitter-related genes.

Trabecular Bone Parameters, TIMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-13, VEGF Expression and Immunolocalization in Bone and Cartilage in Newborn Offspring Prenatally Exposed to Fumonisins

Fumonisins are protein serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitors and potent inhibitors of sphingosine N-acyltransferase (ceramide synthase) disrupting de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fumonisins (FB) exposure from the 7th day of pregnancy to parturition on offspring bone development. The rats were randomly allocated to either a control group (n = 6), not treated with FBs, or to one of the two groups intoxicated with FBs (either at 60 mg FB/kg b.w. or at 90 mg FB/kg b.w. Numerous negative, offspring sex-dependent effects of maternal FB exposure were observed with regards to the histomorphometry of trabecular bone. These effects were due to FB-inducted alterations in bone metabolism, as indicated by changes in the expression of selected proteins involved in bone development: tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The immunolocalization of MMPs and TIMP-2 was performed in trabecular and compact bone, as well as articular and growth plate cartilages. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the exposure of pregnant dams to FB negatively affected the expression of certain proteins responsible for bone matrix degradation in newborns prenatally exposed to FB in a dose- and sex-dependent manner.