What is the impact of birth weight corrected for gestational age on later onset asthma: a meta-analysis

Background Asthma is a common multifactorial disease affecting millions worldwide. The Barker hypothesis postulates an association between later onset disease risk and energy exposure in utero. Birth weight corrected for gestational age is better for measuring the infant size, which reflects energy exposure in utero. Findings on asthma and birth weight corrected for gestational age have been inconclusive. We conducted a meta-analysis to further clarify the relationship between birth weight corrected for gestational age and later onset asthma. Methods A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases up to January 2021 was conducted. The subject terms were used as follows: “asthma”, “allerg*”, “respiratory”, “birth weight”, “gestational age”, “birth outcomes”, “intrauterine growth retardation”, and “fetal growth restriction”. Results We included 12 articles with data from a total of 6,713,596 people. Compared with non-SGA infants, infants small for gestation age (SGA) were not associated with an increased risk of asthma (OR = 1.07; 95% CI 0.94–1.21). However, in the subgroup analysis, we found an increased risk of later onset asthma among SGA in studies conducted in Asia, with a large sample size, and defined asthma through medical records rather than questionnaires. Large for gestational age (LGA) was not associated with an increased risk of asthma when non-LGA or appropriated for gestational age (AGA) infants were used as the reference (OR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.90–1.16; OR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.88–1.15). Conclusion These results indicated that neither SGA nor LGA was associated with an increased risk of asthma. However, considering the limitations of the research, these results should be interpreted with caution.

Determination of Gestational Age in Shami Goats Based on Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Measurements of Placentomes and Uterine Diameter

The study was aimed to estimate the gestational age of Shami does by transabdominal ultrasonographic measurement of maternal parameters. Thirty-three Shami does aged 2-2.5 years with confirmed conception dates were used. The does were examined in a standing position using a transabdominal 3.5 MHz convex sector probe of real-time ultrasonography. The does were examined weekly starting from 21 days of pregnancy until parturition. Measurements of the maternal parameters that include; the uterine diameter, placental width, and placental height were obtained from the ultrasonographic images using the software Screen Calipers. Results showed that the gestational sac and embryos were observed early on 21 and 35 days of pregnancy. The litter size of Shami does was 2-3 kids. Uterine diameter ranged between 27±1.4 and 136.9±4.2 mm between 21-130 days, placentomes width was 17.6±0.6 – 38.5±2.1 mm, placentomes height was 9.5 ± 1.8 – 24.5 ± 1.4 mm on 51-150 days of gestation. The highest positive correlations were obtained between the gestational age and the measurements of uterine diameter (r=0.943). The least positive correlations were between the gestational age and the values of placenta width (r=0.715) and placentom height (r=0.615). In conclusion, transabdominal ultrasonography is a practical method for pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring of embryo in Shami goats. Also, it is reliable to estimate gestation age from 21 days of pregnancy. The uterine diameter was the best maternal parameter that can be used for the longest period for estimation of Shami goats gestational age.

Application of vessel endothelium growth factor inhibitor ranibizumab in complex therapy of retinopathy of prematurity

AIM: To conduct a retrospective study of the application of vessel endothelium growth factor inhibitor ranibizumab in complex therapy of retinopathy of prematurity in Ural State children`s ophthalmological center at State Autonomic Health Institution of the Sverdlovsk Region Multiprofile Clinical Medical Center BONUM in Yekaterinburg. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 17 patients (33 eyes). The gestation age was from 23 to 30 weeks (mean: 26.51.7 weeks), birth weight was from 600 to 1850 g (mean: 867229 g). 8 patients (47%) had APROP, and 9 patients (53%) had ROP stage III, type 1, plus disease. Laser coagulation of the avascular areas of the retina as the start in ROP therapy was performed in three patients with APROP (4 eyes, 12.1%). Intravitreal injection of the anti-VEGF ranibizumab was performed in 17 patients (33 eyes), including patients with previous laser coagulation. The age of the patients at the time of injection was from 7.7 to 15.6 weeks (10.51.9 weeks), PCA from 32.3 to 39.6 weeks (37.01.8 weeks). Patients with stage IVa ROP (5 patients, 6 eyes) underwent 25G or 27G lens sparing vitrectomy. RESULTS: As a result of the complex treatment of ROP, the following results were obtained: complete regression in 13 patients (28 eyes, 84.8%). Partial regression in two patients (2 eyes, 6.1%). ROP progression to stage V in two patients (3 eyes, 9.1%). CONCLUSION: Complex treatment of severe stages of active ROP with laser treatment, IVI injections, ranibizumab, and vitrectomy made it possible to preserve vision in 90.9% of patients.

TREATMENT OF NEWLY DIAGNOSED ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA IN A PREGNANT WOMAN

Описан клинический случай впервые выявленного острого промиелоцитарного лейкоза у 36-летней беременной женщины при сроке 16-17 нед. До родов ей проведены 2 курса химиотерапии по схеме AIDA: индукция ремиссии даунорубицин из расчета 60 мг/м - 2, 4, 6, 8 дни, АТRA 45мг/м с 1 по 15 дни, дексаметазон 2,5 мг/м х 2 р в день с 1- по 15 дни. Ремиссия достигнута после 1-го курса индукционной терапии. После завершения 2-го курса ХТ в периоде полной ремиссии острого промиелоцитарного лейкоза на сроке беременности 25 недель проведено кесарево сечение в условиях городского родильного дома. Через 2 нед после родоразрешения в условиях гематологического отделения проведены еще два курса консолидации ремиссии. Далее пациентка переведена на поддерживающую терапию согласно протоколу AIDA: АТRA 45мг/м с 1 по 15 дни каждые 3 месяца, Метотрексат 15 мг/м/сут еженедельно, 6-Меркаптопурин 50 мг/м/сут. В контрольных анализах миелограммы констатируется полная ремиссия - 2.5% бластных клеток при нормальном соотношении всех ростков кроветворения. The case of de novo acute promyelocyte leukemia in a 36 year old pregnant woman (gestation age 16-17 weeks) is described. Two courses of “AIDA” chemotherapy were performed. Remission was achieved after the first induction chemotherapy. A month after the second consolidation chemotherapy at gestation age 25 weeks a living premature fetus was delivered by means of Cesarean delivery. After the delivery two more consolidation courses and supportive chemotherapy were performed. The woman now has been on remission.

Ultrasound fetal biometry in third trimester in urban Nepalese population

INTRODUCTION: Fetal biometry is an important component of fetal growth surveillance and can detect small for gestation age fetuses. However, we use growth curves from studies done in other high-income countries and do not have a standard of our own. This study aims to study the deviation of biometry and expected fetal weight from these curves in pregnancy with normal birth weight term deliveries. METHODS: The study was a retrospective hospital record-based study including term delivery from 2018 May to 2020 January. All lowrisk patients visiting ultrasound OPD in our hospital in 3rd trimester were retrieved and included in the study. Patient with low AFI, major fetal anomaly, abnormal fetal heart rate, preterm delivery, birth weight less than 2500 gm (low birth weight), intrauterine fetal demise, preeclampsia or other complications were excluded from the study. Fetal biometry and expected fetal weight were evaluated. Data was entered in predesigned performa and analysis was performed with IBM SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: A total of 590 ultrasound examinations done in 372 patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 30.78+/-3.98 years, median age was 30 years (IQ range-5). Approximately 316(53.6%) patients were under 30 years of age, 198(33.6%) patients were between 30-35 and 76(12.9%) patients were above 35 years. Median gestational age at birth was 39 weeks and median birth weight was 3120 grams. Median and percentile for various biometry was calculated. EFW was below 50th percentile in 424(71.9%) according to WHO chart. The median percentile for EFW was 30.6 (IQ-33.6). CONCLUSION: Expected fetal weight in Nepalese population is smaller than that predicted by WHO chart. Development of country specific fetal growth curve is recommended for accurate fetal growth surveillance.

Maternal Serum Copeptin As a Biomarker For Intrauterine Growth Restriction

In obstetrical world, Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) occupies second slot as a cause of small for gestation neonates, first being premature birth, both of which result in potential neonatal morbidities and mortalities. IUGR is defined as an estimated fetal weight at one point in time at or below 10th percentile for gestational age. Annually about thirty million babies suffer from IUGR and out of these about 75% are Asians. IUGR has been found to be associated with increased levels of Copeptin. As copeptin is a marker of endogenous stress, so increased copeptin levels can indicate fetal and maternal stress in IUGR Objectives: The objectives of this study were to the compare maternal serum copeptin levels in pregnancies with IUGR and pregnancies with adequate for gestational age fetuses and to establish the significance of copeptin as a biomarker for IUGR. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional comparative study in which maternal serum copeptin levels were measured and compared in 60 patients divided in two groups, pregnancies with IUGR and normal pregnancies with adequate for gestation age fetuses between 28-35 weeks of gestation Results: Maternal serum copeptin levels were raised in pregnant women with IUGR as compared to that in pregnant women with adequate for gestational age fetuses. Mean ± SD maternal serum copeptin levels were 97.5 ± 6 pg/ml in pregnant women with AGA fetuses and 121 ± 7.8 pg/ml in pregnant women with IUGR. Conclusions: Maternal serum copeptin levels are raised in pregnancies with IUGR as compared to pregnancies with adequate for age fetuses which can represent as a possible clinical biomarker for identification of IUGR.

Prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity: a 3-year retrospective study

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative disease of premature infants which leads to permanent blindness. Early screening is needed to diagnose ROP and prevent blindness.Methods: Retrospective study was conducted in 225 neonates from January 2018 to December 2020. All neonates with birth weight <2000 gm and/or gestational age <38 weeks were included. History of oxygen given to neonates and presence of sepsis in neonates was noted. The infant’s pupil were dilated. Fundus examination was done. All the data was entered in MS-Excel 2016 and analyzed by SPSS (version 19). Chi-square test was done to calculate p value.Results: Out of total of 225 neonates, 137 (60.88%) were males and 88 (39.12%) were females. The gestation age of neonates (in weeks) ranged from 25 to 40 (mean: 32.35). The birth weight of neonates (in grams) ranged from 570 to 2500 (mean: 1460). 21 (9.33%) were found to have ROP. The male neonates found with ROP were 16 (11.67%) while females were 5 (5.68%) (p>0.05). Out of 148 neonates who were given oxygen 19 (12.83%) developed ROP (odds ratio: 5.52). Out of 42 neonates who had sepsis, 2 (4.76%) developed ROP (odds ratio: 0.43).Conclusions: The prevalence of ROP was 9.33%. The prevalence is showing a decreasing trend. ROP is not affected by gender. Oxygen given to neonates is associated with greater ROP. But sepsis in neonates is not associated with development of ROP.

“Early Screening Test for High Risk Pregnancies by Second Trimester Color Doppler Imaging Of the Feto-Placental Circulation”

Objective: To examine the diagnostic value of umbilical artery velocity waveforms for the early detection of pregnancy induced hypertension and fetal growth restriction. To determine the utility of color Doppler Sonography of the fetoplacetal circulation for early detection of high risk pregnancies. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sir Sallimullah Medical Collage & Mitford Hospital Dhaka in collaboration with radiology and imaging department of Dhaka hospital in 1st July, 2006 to 30 June, 2008. 126 randomly selected patients from 17-35 years of ages whose umbilical artery Doppler sonography was done between 16-22 weeks of gestation. All the patient were taken umbilical artery Doppler ultrasonography. Informed consent was taken from all patients. Results: A total 126 subjects of 16 to 22 weeks of gestation were included in this series. On application of the student‘t’ test for S/D ratio between normal and abnormal waveforms of the umbilical artery was found significant difference (P<.0001). Distribution of patient according to umbilical artery systolic / diastolic ratio (n=126). Normal UA waveform 76 (60%), abnormal UA waveform 50(40%), Age (Mean ±SD) in year, normal UA waveform 25.63 ± 4.47 and abnormal UA waveform 25.86±3.75. Para: Primiparous normal UA waveform 36 (60%) & abnormal UA waveform 24 (40%), multiparous normal UA waveform 40 (60.6%) & abnormal UA waveform 26 (39.4%). Gestation age at scan in weeks (Mean± SD), normal UA waveform 19.5 ±2.5, abnormal UA waveform 19±2.0. Gestation age at delivery in weeks (Mean± SD), normal UA waveform 39.03±1.61, abnormal UA waveform 35.78 ±1.53, P value 0.0001. Birth wt. in Kg. (Mean ±SD), normal UA waveform 3.10 ±0.38, abnormal UA waveform 2.42 ±0.53, P value 0.0001. S/D ratio (Mean ±SD), normal UA waveform 2.40 ±0.31, abnormal UA waveform 5.46±1.62, P value 0.0001. Cases with an abnormal outcome in relation to whether the umbilical artery waveform was classified as normal or abnormal (n=126). Abnormal outcome in PIH normal UA waveform (n=76) 4%, PIH abnormal UA waveform (n=50) 14%, P value 0.001. In PIH/FGR, normal UA waveform (n=76) 1% & abnormal UA waveform (n=50) 5%, P value 0.024. FGR normal UA waveform (n=76) 5% & abnormal UA waveform (n=50) 13%, P value 0.002. Asphyxia normal UA waveform (n=76) 0% & abnormal UA waveform (n=50) 3%, P value 0.017. PIH /IUD normal UA waveform (n=76) 0% & abnormal UA waveform (n=50) 1%. A significant association was found when the Chi Square (X 2) test was used to examine the relationship between umbilical artery blood flow and the outcome of patient (i.e FGR, PIH, fetal asphyxia). The screening test had a sensitivity of 78.26% & specificity of 82.5% and accuracy 80.95%. The predictive value of a positive test was 72% and of a negative test 86.84%. Conclusion : A close linear relationship between diagnosis of high risk pregnancy & umbilical artery Doppler velocity waveforms was observed .As umbilical artery Doppler is easy to perform and it is done in between 16 to 22 weeks of gestation can be done along with anomaly scan which is also done at 20-22 week of gestation. So, UA Doppler does not cause additional USG scan. Along with anomaly scan UA Doppler will help to screen out high risk pregnancy.

Risk factors for perinatal loss - reality or fiction?

Aim: to identify factors predisposing to perinatal losses, assessment of which is available at the first (only) visit of pregnant woman in antenatal clinic.Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 964 women who performed delivery in 2009-2019 in 15 obstetric facilities was carried out. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the main group included 457 women with perinatal losses (stillbirth - 328 children, and 129 children with early neonatal death); the control group consisted of 507 women, whose children survived 7 days during postnatal period. We analyzed parameters routinely determined by an obstetrician-gynecologist at the first visit of woman during within ongoing pregnancy (regardless of gestation age), namely, social status, anamnesis, data of initial examination.Results. The following significant differences were revealed in pregnant women from the main group: a younger age of pregnancy; no registered marriage and permanent job as well as primary and secondary education; smoking, alcohol and drug use; concurrent diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders, blood contact infections, obesity; older menarche age and younger sexual debut age; medical history contains infectious genital pathology, more often pregnancies and childbirths, two or more abortions before repeated childbirth, premature births.Conclusion. Thus, the anamnestic indicators noted above can be used to create prognostic statistical systems and models to determine high risk of perinatal losses of any nature.