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Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Mar 2018Women with a history of placenta-related pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction or preterm delivery, have an increased risk for... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Women with a history of placenta-related pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction or preterm delivery, have an increased risk for recurrence of such complications. This recurrence is likely the result of underlying endothelial dysfunction that leads to abnormal placentation, especially in complications with an early onset. This study provides an overview of biomarkers of placental development and function in pregnancies from women with a history of placenta-related complications.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted limited to human studies and including keywords related to a history of placenta-related complications and markers of placental development and function. Two independent reviewers assessed eligibility and quality of 1553 retrieved unique articles.
RESULTS
Five articles reporting on placental development and function in women with an obstetric history of preeclampsia (n = 3), intrauterine growth restriction (n = 1) and preterm delivery (n = 2) were eligible for quality assessment. We identified associations between a history of preeclampsia and abnormal placental histological findings at term in the current pregnancy, but found contradictory results regarding presence of uterine artery notching. In women with a history of very preterm delivery (<32 weeks), one study showed associations with abnormal placental histology.
CONCLUSION
Literature on the association between a history of placenta-related complications and placental development and function in subsequent pregnancies is scarce and studies are heterogeneous. However, literature shows that placenta-related pregnancy complications are associated with subsequent placental histology.
Topics: Biomarkers; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Humans; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Recurrence
PubMed: 29125627
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13259 -
Placenta Sep 2021Impaired placentation is an important contributing factor to intra-uterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia in fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHD). These...
Impaired placentation is an important contributing factor to intra-uterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia in fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHD). These pregnancy complications occur more frequently in pregnancies with fetal CHD. One of the most important factors influencing the life of children with CHD is neurodevelopmental delay, which seems to start already in utero. Delayed neurodevelopment in utero may be correlated or even (partly) explained by impaired placentation in CHD cases. This systematic review provides an overview of published literature on placental development in pregnancies with fetal CHD. A systematic search was performed and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to access data quality. Primary outcomes were placenta size and weight, vascular and villous architecture, immunohistochemistry, angiogenic biomarkers and/or placental gene expression. A total of 1161 articles were reviewed and 21 studies were included. Studies including CHD with a genetic disorder or syndrome and/or multiple pregnancies were excluded. Lower placental weight and elevated rates of abnormal umbilical cord insertions were found in CHD. Cases with CHD more frequently showed microscopic placental abnormalities (i.e. abnormal villous maturation and increased maternal vascular malperfusion lesions), reduced levels of angiogenic biomarkers and increased levels of anti-angiogenic biomarkers in maternal serum and umbilical cord blood. Altered gene expression involved in placental development and fetal growth were found in maternal serum and CHD placentas. In conclusion, abnormal placentation is found in CHD. More extensive studies are needed to elucidate the contribution of impaired placentation to delayed neurodevelopment in CHD cases.
Topics: Biomarkers; Female; Fetal Development; Heart Defects, Congenital; Humans; Placenta; Placentation; Pregnancy
PubMed: 34388551
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.297 -
BMC Pediatrics Nov 2023Congenital abnormalities, as one of the fetal complications of placenta previa, may cause health problems or disability of the child throughout life. This study aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Congenital abnormalities, as one of the fetal complications of placenta previa, may cause health problems or disability of the child throughout life. This study aimed to determine the relationship between placenta previa and congenital abnormalities.
METHODS
Potential articles were retrieved from three electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Sciences) up to 21 May 2023 without limit of time and language. A random effect model was applied for meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was calculated based on I statistic and Cochrane Q-test. All analyses were conducted at the significance level of 0.05 using STATA software, version 14. The quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the improved Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
In the initial search, 829 articles were retrieved. Finally, according to the inclusion criteria, eight studies were analyzed in the meta-analysis. A significant association was reported between placenta previa and risk of congenital abnormalities based on crude form (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.34 to 2.28) and adjusted studies (OR = 6.38, 95% CI = 1.47 to 11.30). The high heterogeneity was observed among the studies reported based on adjusted and crude form, respectively (I = 97.9%, P = 0.000) (I = 80.6%, P = 0.000). Therefore, publication bias was not observed among studies. Seven studies of the included studies were of high quality.
CONCLUSION
Our study provides evidence that there is a positive and significant association between placenta previa and congenital malformations, including all structural anomalies, chromosomal defects, and congenital hypothyroidisms. Therefore, monitoring congenital abnormalities in the fetus of a mother with placenta previa is necessary.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Child; Humans; Placenta Previa; Network Meta-Analysis; Mothers
PubMed: 38031046
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04433-z -
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... Jun 2023This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the relationship of endometrial thickness (EMT) with obstetric and neonatal outcomes in assisted reproductive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the relationship of endometrial thickness (EMT) with obstetric and neonatal outcomes in assisted reproductive cycles.
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for eligible studies through April 2023. Obstetric outcomes include placenta previa, placental abruption, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and cesarean section (CS). Neonatal outcomes include birthweight, low birth weight (LBW), gestational age (GA), preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA). The effect size was estimated as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Inter-study heterogeneity was assessed by the chi-square homogeneity test. One-study removal method was used to determine the sensitivity of the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies involving 76,404 cycles were included. The pooled results revealed significant differences between the thin endometrium group and the normal group in placental abruption (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.11-5.38, P = 0.03; I = 0%), HDP (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.44-2.05, P < 0.0001; I = 0%), CS (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.06-1.67, P = 0.01; I = 77%), GA (MD = -1.27 day, 95% CI: -2.41- -1.02, P = 0.03; I = 73%), PTB (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.34-1.81, P < 0.0001; I = 33%), birthweight (MD = -78.88 g, 95% CI: -115.79- -41.98, P < 0.0001; I = 48%), LBW (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.52-2.22, P < 0.00001; I = 3%) and SGA (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.17-1.70, P = 0.0003; I = 15%). No statistical differences were found in placenta previa, GDM, and LGA.
CONCLUSION
Thin endometrium was associated with lower birthweight or GA and higher risks of placental abruption, HDP, CS, PTB, LBW and SGA. Therefore, these pregnancies need special attention and close follow-up by obstetricians. Due to the limited number of included studies, further studies are needed to confirm the results.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Birth Weight; Abruptio Placentae; Cesarean Section; Placenta; Placenta Previa; Premature Birth; Diabetes, Gestational
PubMed: 37312205
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01105-6 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Dec 2021A systematic review was conducted to determine placental outcomes following prenatal alcohol exposure in women. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
A systematic review was conducted to determine placental outcomes following prenatal alcohol exposure in women.
DATA SOURCES
The search terms "maternal OR prenatal OR pregnant OR periconception" AND "placenta" AND "alcohol OR ethanol" were used across 5 databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and CINAHL) from inception until November 2020.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Articles were included if they reported placental outcomes in an alcohol exposure group compared with a control group. Studies were excluded if placentas were from elective termination before 20 weeks' gestation, animal studies, in vitro studies, case studies, or coexposure studies.
METHODS
Study quality was assessed by 2 reviewers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Title and abstract screening was conducted by 2 reviewers to remove duplicates and irrelevant studies. Remaining full text articles were screened by 2 reviewers against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Placental outcome data were extracted and tabulated separately for studies of placentation, placental weight, placental morphology, and placental molecular studies. Meta-analyses were conducted for outcomes reported by >3 studies.
RESULTS
Database searching retrieved 640 unique records. Screening against inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in 33 included studies. The quality assessment identified that 61% of studies were high quality, 30% were average quality, and 9% were low quality. Meta-analyses indicated that prenatal alcohol exposure increased the likelihood of placental abruption (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-1.60) but not placenta previa (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.34) and resulted in a reduction in placental weight of 51 g (95% confidence interval, -82.8 to -19.3). Reports of altered placental vasculature, placental DNA methylation, and gene expression following prenatal alcohol exposure were identified. A single study examined placentas from male and female infants separately and found sex-specific placental outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Prenatal alcohol exposure increases the likelihood of placental abruption and is associated with decreased placental weight, altered placental vasculature, DNA methylation, and molecular pathways. Given the critical role of the placenta in determining pregnancy outcomes, further studies investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced placental dysfunction are required. Sex-specific placental adaptations to adverse conditions in utero have been well documented; thus, future studies should examine prenatal alcohol exposure-associated placental outcomes separately by sex.
Topics: Abruptio Placentae; Alcohol Drinking; Female; Humans; Placenta Previa; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 34181895
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.06.078 -
Current Environmental Health Reports Jun 2023Despite increasing awareness of the ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in our environments, little is known about their risk of developmental toxicity. Even less is known... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Despite increasing awareness of the ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in our environments, little is known about their risk of developmental toxicity. Even less is known about the environmental distribution and associated toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs). Here, we review the current literature on the capacity for MPs and NPs to be transported across the placental barrier and the potential to exert toxicity on the developing fetus.
RECENT FINDINGS
This review includes 11 research articles covering in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo models, and observational studies. The current literature confirms the placental translocation of MPs and NPs, depending on physicochemical properties such as size, charge, and chemical modification as well as protein corona formation. Specific transport mechanisms for translocation remain unclear. There is emerging evidence of placental and fetal toxicity due to plastic particles based on animal and in vitro studies. Nine out of eleven studies examined in this review found that plastic particles were capable of placental translocation. In the future, more studies are needed to confirm and quantify the existence of MPs and NPs in human placentas. Additionally, translocation of different plastic particle types and heterogenous mixtures across the placenta, exposure at different periods of gestation, and associations with adverse birth and other developmental outcomes should also be investigated.
Topics: Animals; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Placenta; Plastics; Microplastics; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 36848019
DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00391-x -
Human Reproduction Update 2015Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a family of auto-antibodies that are associated with an increased risk of recurrent miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a family of auto-antibodies that are associated with an increased risk of recurrent miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth. The placenta is a major target of aPL and it is likely that these antibodies promote pregnancy morbidity by affecting trophoblast function. Numerous studies have investigated the effect of aPL on trophoblast function in vitro. However, different trophoblast models and a variety of culture conditions have been employed, resulting in a myriad of different reported findings. This review systematically summarized those published studies that have investigated the effect of aPL on trophoblast function in vitro. In addition, the reported effects of pharmacological treatment on trophoblast function in the presence of aPL were also systematically reviewed.
METHODS
PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched using the keywords 'placenta OR trophoblast' AND 'antiphospholipid antibody OR antiphospholipid syndrome' up to 25 April 2014. Studies were excluded based on the absence of appropriate controls. The effects of aPL on trophoblast proliferation, death, syncytialization, invasion, hormone production, cytokine production, coagulation and complement activation were recorded. The effects of different treatments on the function of trophoblasts in the presence of aPL were also recorded.
RESULTS
A total of 1071 records were retrieved from the four databases. After removing duplicates, the titles and abstracts of 529 articles were reviewed. Of those, 48 articles were read and relevant experimental results were extracted from 47 articles.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review provides an overview of all the studies performed to date on the effects of aPL on trophoblast function in vitro. There is considerable support for aPL decreasing trophoblast viability, syncytialization and invasion in vitro. Some work has also suggested that aPL may affect the production of hormones and signalling molecules by trophoblasts, and may stimulate coagulation and complement activation in vitro. Current reports of the in vitro effects of therapeutic treatments on trophoblast function in the presence of aPL are inconclusive. This systematic review has highlighted many gaps in our knowledge of how aPL work and may direct future research in this area.
Topics: Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Blood Coagulation; Cells, Cultured; Complement Activation; Female; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Placenta; Pregnancy; Trophoblasts
PubMed: 25228006
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu049 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2023Quantification of fetal drug exposure remains challenging since sampling from the placenta or fetus during pregnancy is too invasive. Currently existing in vivo (e.g.,... (Review)
Review
Placenta-on-a-Chip as an In Vitro Approach to Evaluate the Physiological and Structural Characteristics of the Human Placental Barrier upon Drug Exposure: A Systematic Review.
Quantification of fetal drug exposure remains challenging since sampling from the placenta or fetus during pregnancy is too invasive. Currently existing in vivo (e.g., cord blood sampling) and ex vivo (e.g., placenta perfusion) models have inherent limitations. A placenta-on-a-chip model is a promising alternative. A systematic search was performed in PubMed on 2 February 2023, and Embase on 14 March 2023. Studies were included where placenta-on-a-chip was used to investigate placental physiology, placenta in different obstetric conditions, and/or fetal exposure to maternally administered drugs. Seventeen articles were included that used comparable approaches but different microfluidic devices and/or different cultured maternal and fetal cell lines. Of these studies, four quantified glucose transfer, four studies evaluated drug transport, three studies investigated nanoparticles, one study analyzed bacterial infection and five studies investigated preeclampsia. It was demonstrated that placenta-on-a-chip has the capacity to recapitulate the key characteristics of the human placental barrier. We aimed to identify knowledge gaps and provide the first steps towards an overview of current protocols for developing a placenta-on-a-chip, that facilitates comparison of results from different studies. Although models differ, they offer a promising approach for in vitro human placental and fetal drug studies under healthy and pathological conditions.
PubMed: 37445348
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134315 -
Systematic Reviews Dec 2017Abnormal placental cord insertion (PCI) includes marginal cord insertion (MCI) and velamentous cord insertion (VCI). VCI has been shown to be associated with adverse... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Abnormal placental cord insertion (PCI) includes marginal cord insertion (MCI) and velamentous cord insertion (VCI). VCI has been shown to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the association of abnormal PCI and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS
Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Databases were searched in December 2016 (from inception to December 2016). The reference lists of eligible studies were scrutinized to identify further studies. Potentially eligible studies were reviewed by two authors independently using the following inclusion criteria: singleton pregnancies, velamentous cord insertion, marginal cord insertion, and pregnancy outcomes. Case reports and series were excluded. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Outcomes for meta-analysis were dichotomous and results are presented as summary risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review, all of which were assessed as good quality. Normal PCI and MCI were grouped together as non-VCI and compared with VCI in seven studies. Four studies compared MCI, VCI, and normal PCI separately. Two other studies compared MCI with normal PCI, and VCI was excluded from their analysis. Studies in this systematic review reported an association between abnormal PCI, defined differently across studies, with preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), low birthweight (< 2500 g), emergency cesarean delivery, and intrauterine fetal death. Four cohort studies comparing MCI, VCI, and normal PCI separately were included in a meta-analysis resulting in a statistically significant increased risk of emergency cesarean delivery for VCI (pooled RR 2.86, 95% CI 1.56-5.22, P = 0.0006) and abnormal PCI (pooled RR 1.77, 95% CI 1.33-2.36, P < 0.0001) compared to normal PCI.
CONCLUSIONS
The available evidence suggests an association between abnormal PCI and emergency cesarean delivery. However, the number of studies with comparable definitions of abnormal PCI was small, limiting the analysis of other adverse pregnancy outcomes, and further research is required.
Topics: Cesarean Section; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; Umbilical Cord
PubMed: 29208042
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-017-0641-1 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Feb 2020To explore the strength of association between different maternal and pregnancy characteristics and the occurrence of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). Pubmed,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
To explore the strength of association between different maternal and pregnancy characteristics and the occurrence of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL databases were searched. The risk factors for AIP explored were: obesity, age >35 years, smoking before or during pregnancy, placenta previa, prior cesarean section (CS), placenta previa and prior CS, prior uterine surgery, abortion and uterine curettage, fertilization (IVF) pregnancy and interval between a previous CS, and a subsequent pregnancy. Random-effect head-to-head meta-analyses were used to analyze the data. Forty-six were included in the systematic review. Maternal obesity (Odd ratio, OR: 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-1.8), advanced maternal age (OR: 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-7.0) and parity (OR: 2.5, 95% CI 1.7-3.6), but not smoking were associated with a higher risk of AIP. The presence of placenta previa in women with at least a prior CS was associated with a higher risk of AIP compared to controls, with an OR of 12.0, 95% CI 1.6-88.0. Furthermore, the risk of AIP increased with the number of prior CS (OR of 2.6, 95% CI 1.6-4.4 and 5.4, 95% CI 1.7-17.4 for two and three prior CS respectively). Finally, IVF pregnancies were associated with a high risk of AIP, with an OR of 2.8 (95% CI 1.2-6.8). A prior CS and placenta previa are among the strongest risk factors for the occurrence of AIP.
Topics: Cesarean Section; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Placenta Accreta; Placenta Previa; Pregnancy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29938551
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1493453