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Prenatal Diagnosis Jan 2022The acronym 'TORCH' refers to well-recognised causes of perinatal infections: toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). A TORCH...
BACKGROUND
The acronym 'TORCH' refers to well-recognised causes of perinatal infections: toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). A TORCH serology panel is often used to test for maternal primary infection following detection of ultrasound abnormalities in pregnancy.
AIM
This review aims to estimate the diagnostic yield of maternal TORCH serology in pregnancy following fetal ultrasound abnormalities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Primary studies published since 2000 that assessed maternal TORCH serology for suspected fetal infection and included information on indications for testing, definition of positive TORCH serology results, and perinatal outcomes were included.
RESULTS
Eight studies with a total of 2538 pregnancies were included. The main indications for testing were polyhydramnios, fetal growth restriction and hyperechogenic bowel. There were 26 confirmed cases of congenital CMV, of which 15 had multiple ultrasound abnormalities. There were no cases of congenital toxoplasmosis, rubella or HSV confirmed in any of the eight studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The clinical utility of TORCH serology for non-specific ultrasound abnormalities such as isolated fetal growth restriction or isolated polyhydramnios is low. It is time to retire the TORCH acronym and the reflex ordering of 'TORCH' panels, as their continued use obscures, rather than illuminates, appropriate investigation for fetal ultrasound abnormalities.
Topics: Adult; Female; Fetus; Humans; Infections; Noninvasive Prenatal Testing; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Serology
PubMed: 34893980
DOI: 10.1002/pd.6073 -
Environmental Research May 2017Season and vitamin D are indirect and direct correlates of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and are associated with pregnancy outcomes. Further to producing vitamin D, UV has... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Season and vitamin D are indirect and direct correlates of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and are associated with pregnancy outcomes. Further to producing vitamin D, UV has positive effects on cardiovascular and immune health that may support a role for UV directly benefitting pregnancy.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the effects of UV exposure on pregnancy; specifically fetal growth, preterm birth and hypertensive complications.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of Medline, EMBASE, DoPHER, Global Health, ProQuest Public Health, AustHealth Informit, SCOPUS and Google Scholar to identify 537 citations, 8 of which are included in this review. This review was registered on PROSPERO and a. narrative synthesis is presented following PRISMA guidance.
RESULTS
All studies were observational and assessed at high risk of bias. Higher first trimester UV was associated with and improved fetal growth and increased hypertension in pregnancy. Interpretation is limited by study design and quality. Meta-analysis was precluded by the variety of outcomes and methods.
DISCUSSION
The low number of studies and risk of bias limit the validity of any conclusions. Environmental health methodological issues are discussed with consideration given to design and analytical improvements to further address this reproductive environmental health question.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence for UV having benefits for pregnancy hypertension and fetal growth is limited by the methodological approaches utilized. Future epidemiological efforts should focus on improving the methods of modeling and linking widely available environmental data to reproductive health outcomes.
Topics: Animals; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 28264782
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.02.026 -
Pituitary Jun 2022To evaluate the association between acromegaly and pregnancy in terms of disease activity, maternal and fetal outcomes. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
To evaluate the association between acromegaly and pregnancy in terms of disease activity, maternal and fetal outcomes.
METHODS
This systematic review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of etiology and risk. We focused on observational studies that included pregnant women with acromegaly. The outcomes were acromegaly activity, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, hypertension, eclampsia/preeclampsia, miscarriage, perinatal mortality, low birthweight, small for gestational age, and congenital malformations. Embase, Medline, LILACS, and CENTRAL were our source databases. To perform proportional meta-analyses, we used Stata Statistical Software 17.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies were included encompassing a total of 273 pregnancies in 211 women with acromegaly. The overall frequency of control of acromegaly during pregnancy was 62%, and of tumor growth was 9%. No fetal or maternal deaths were reported. The overall frequency of worsening of previous diabetes or development of gestational diabetes was 9%, and of previous hypertension or preeclampsia/eclampsia was 6%. The overall frequency of premature labor was 9% [from 17 studies of 263 pregnancies; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5-13%]; of spontaneous miscarriage was 4% (from 19 studies of 273 pregnancies; 95% CI, 2-11%); of small for gestational age was 5% (from 15 studies of 216 newborns; 95% CI, 3-9%); and of congenital malformations was 1% (from 18 studies of 240 newborns; 95% CI, 0-7%).
CONCLUSION
Pregnancy in women with acromegaly is frequently associated with disease control and is safe in relation to fetal and maternal outcomes, as in women without acromegaly.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Acromegaly; Diabetes, Gestational; Eclampsia; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Infant, Newborn; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth
PubMed: 35098440
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-022-01208-0 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Oct 2020Traditionally, pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The aim of this study to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Traditionally, pulmonary hypertension during pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The aim of this study to systematically analyze the published literature mentioning pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension in recent decades.
STUDY METHODS
A Comprehensive electronic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library was done to find studies published in English literature from 1 Jan 1990 to 31 May 2018. Prospective and retrospective observational studies describing pregnancy outcomes in at least 4 women with pulmonary hypertension were included in this study. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The primary outcomes included maternal mortality and any pregnancy loss. The analysis included absolute risks and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for adverse outcomes using the DerSimonian-Laird random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed by I statistic and visual plot.
RESULTS
Twenty studies captured data from 589 parturient describing 610 pregnancies. The pooled unadjusted data yielded maternal mortality of 11.5 (95% CI; 7.6-17.2) and the total pregnancy loss was 22.8 (95% CI; 16.2-31.1). Prematurity and IUGR/SGA were reported by 7 and 8 studies and had pooled estimates of 51.7 (95% CI; 37.6-65.7) and 29.3 (95% CI; 20.9-39.5), respectively. The pooled estimates of cesarean delivery and general anesthesia were 72.1 (95% CI; 60.6-81.93) and 40.1 (95% CI; 26.4-55.5), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Fetomaternal outcomes have improved in recent decades in parturient with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension. These findings have implications for preconceptional counselling and risk stratifications.
Topics: Female; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 32862030
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.08.028 -
The American Journal of Emergency... Jun 2022The purpose of this study was to compare and determine whether there were any differences in clinical outcomes between pregnant and non-pregnant women who had been... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to compare and determine whether there were any differences in clinical outcomes between pregnant and non-pregnant women who had been infected with COVID-19.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in 9 databases on November 20, 2021. The relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to estimate the effect of pregnancy on COVID-19 outcomes. The I square value was used to assess heterogeneity, and the random or the fixed-effects model were adopted. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses were performed.
RESULTS
This study included 8 published studies with 859,278 COVID-19 female patients. The incidences of fever and cough among pregnant women with COVID-19 were 19.07% and 28.79%, respectively. Pregnancy was associated with significantly increased risks of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.58-3.16) and ventilation (RR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.06-4.28), but was not associated with a statistically significant increase in mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that pregnant women with COVID-19 have a significantly higher probability of being hospitalized to the ICU and ventilation than non-pregnant women with COVID-19. To avoid these adverse outcomes, pregnant women should take precautions (for example, reduce going out, maintain social distance, and wear a mask) to avoid COVID-19 infection. Finally, additional research into the fetal outcomes is required to better investigate the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy.
Topics: COVID-19; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35413655
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.03.060 -
Joint Bone Spine Dec 2023Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV), namely granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV), namely granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis constitute a group of rare systemic vasculitides, affecting small vessels. Genders are equally affected, with symptoms most commonly presenting during and/or after the fifth decade of life, but AAV may also present in younger individuals. As advanced maternal age is becoming common and safe over the last decades, it is now more feasible for middle-aged women suffering from AAV to get pregnant. Although adverse pregnancy outcomes have been thoroughly investigated in other systemic diseases, the exact prevalence of pregnancy complications and unfavorable outcomes in pregnant women with AAV has not been systematically evaluated.
METHODS
We researched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Cinahl databases until September, 2022. Three blinded investigators extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. A random effects model was used for the analysis. The outcomes studied were pre-term delivery, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) neonates and disease flare.
RESULTS
We included six studies with 92 pregnancies in patients with AAV. The prevalence of pre-term delivery, IUGR neonates and disease flare were 18% (CI: 0.10-0.30, P=non-significant), 20% (CI: 0.11-0.33, P=non-significant) and 28% (CI: 0.09-0.59, P<0.01), respectively.
CONCLUSION
The analysis demonstrated higher occurrence of adverse outcomes in pregnant women suffering from AAV accompanied by an increased risk of disease flare during pregnancy. These findings underline the importance of preconception counseling and the necessity of close monitoring in these patients similarly to other systemic inflammatory diseases.
Topics: Middle Aged; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Male; Pregnancy; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis; Churg-Strauss Syndrome; Pregnancy Outcome; Symptom Flare Up; Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
PubMed: 37419307
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2023.105609 -
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and... Nov 2023Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) has been associated with the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) has been associated with the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of TAI on subsequent pregnancy outcome of women with RPL.
METHODS
A systematic search of Medline, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted to identify studies evaluating the influence of TAI on subsequent risk of pregnancy loss (PL) in women with RPL. Study quality was evaluated via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model was utilized to pool the results, accounting for heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Ten observational studies were included. Compared to women without thyroid autoantibodies, RPL women with TAI had a higher risk of PL in their subsequent pregnancy (risk ratio [RR]: 1.46. 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20 to 1.78, p < 0.001; I = 35%). Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results in studies with thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.23 to 1.82) and in studies with TAI assessed before pregnancy (RR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.53). Subgroup analyses showed that the results were not significantly different in prospective and retrospective studies, in RPL defined as at least two or three PL, in euthyroid women and women with euthyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism, in women with and without levothyroxine treatment, in studies reporting first-trimester or overall PL, and in studies with different quality scores (p for subgroup difference all > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In women with RPL, positive for TAI may be related to a higher risk of PL in subsequent pregnancy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pregnancy Outcome; Thyroid Gland; Autoimmunity; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Abortion, Habitual; Thyroxine
PubMed: 37770816
DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02933-6 -
Maternal and Child Health Journal Dec 2022A conflicting body of evidence suggests localized periodontal inflammation spreads systemically during pregnancy inducing adverse pregnancy outcomes. This systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
A conflicting body of evidence suggests localized periodontal inflammation spreads systemically during pregnancy inducing adverse pregnancy outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to specifically evaluate the relationship between periodontitis and preeclampsia.
METHODS
Electronic searches were carried out in Medline, Pubmed, Embase, Lilacs, Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trial Register, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar with no restrictions on the year of publication. We identified and selected observational case-control and cohort studies that analyzed the association between periodontal disease and preeclampsia. This meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA checklist and MOOSE checklist. Pooled odds ratios, mean difference, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the random effect model. Heterogeneity was tested with Cochran's Q statistic.
RESULTS
Thirty studies including six cohort- and twenty-four case-control studies were selected. Periodontitis was significantly associated with increased risk for preeclampsia (OR 3.18, 95% CI 2.26 - 4.48, p < 0.00001), especially in a subgroup analysis including cohort studies (OR 4.19, 95% CI 2.23 - 7.87, p < 0.00001). The association was even stronger in a subgroup analysis with lower-middle-income countries (OR 6.70, 95% CI 2.61 - 17.19, p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Periodontitis appears as a significant risk factor for preeclampsia, which might be even more pronounced in lower-middle-income countries. Future studies to investigate if maternal amelioration of periodontitis prevents preeclampsia might be warranted.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Periodontitis; Pregnancy Outcome; Periodontal Diseases; Odds Ratio
PubMed: 36209308
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-022-03556-6 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... May 2022The new SARS-CoV-2 originated from Wuhan, China is spreading rapidly worldwide. A number of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women have been reported. However, more... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The new SARS-CoV-2 originated from Wuhan, China is spreading rapidly worldwide. A number of SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women have been reported. However, more information is still needed on the pregnancy outcome and the neonates regarding COVID-19 pneumonia.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A systematic search was done and nine articles on COVID-19 pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women were extracted. Some maternal-fetal characteristics were extracted to be included in the meta-analysis
RESULTS
The present meta-analysis was conducted on 87 SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women. Almost 65% of the patients reported a history of exposure to an infected person, 78% suffered from mild or moderate COVID-19, 99.9% had successful termination, 86% had cough, and 68% had fever ( = .022 and < .001). The overall proportions of vertical transmission, still birth, and neonatal death were zero, 0.002, and, 0.002, respectively ( = 1, = .86, and = .89, respectively). The means of the first- and fifth-minute Apgar scores were 8.86 and 9, respectively ( < .001 for both). The confounding role of history of underlying diseases with an estimated overall proportion of 33% ( = .03) resulted in further investigations due to sample size limitation. A natural history of COVID-19 pneumonia in the adult population was presented, as well.
CONCLUSION
Currently, no evidence of vertical transmission has been suggested at least in late pregnancy. No hazards have been detected for fetuses or neonates. Although pregnant women are at an immunosuppressive state due to the physiological changes during pregnancy, most patients suffered from mild or moderate COVID-19 pneumonia with no pregnancy loss, proposing a similar pattern of the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 pneumonia to that of other adult populations.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32429786
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1763952 -
Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Nov 2023Currently, more and more infertility couples are opting for combined acupuncture to improve success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, evidence from... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Currently, more and more infertility couples are opting for combined acupuncture to improve success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, evidence from acupuncture for improving IVF pregnancy outcomes remains a matter of debate.
OBJECTIVE
To quantitatively summarized the evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture among women undergoing IVF by means of systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
Four English (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Register of Controlled Clinical Trials) and Four Chinese databases (Wanfang Databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and SinoMed) were searched from database inception until July 2, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the acupuncture's effects for women undergoing IVF were included. The subgroup analysis was conducted with respect to the age of participants, different acupuncture types, type of control, acupuncture timing, geographical origin of the study, whether or not repeated IVF failure, and acupuncture sessions. Sensitivity analyses were predefifined to explore the robustness of results. The primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR), and the secondary outcomes were ongoing pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate. Random effects model with I statistics were used to quantify heterogeneity. Publication bias was estimated by funnel plots and Egger's tests.
RESULTS
A total of 58 eligible RCTs representing 10,968 women undergoing IVF for pregnant success were identifified. Pooled CPR and LBR showed a signifificant difference between acupuncture and control groups [69 comparisons, relative risk (RR) 1.19, 95% confifidence intervals (CI) 1.12 to 1.25, I=0], extremely low evidence; 23 comparisons, RR 1.11, 95%CI 1.02 to 1.21, I=14.6, low evidence, respectively). Only transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation showed a positive effect on both CPR (16 comparisons, RR 1.17, 95%CI 1.06 to 1.29; I=0, moderate evidence) and LBR (9 comparisons, RR 1.20, 95%CI 1.04 to 1.37; I=8.5, extremely low evidence). Heterogeneity across studies was found and no studies were graded as high-quality evidence.
CONCLUSION
Results showed that the convincing evidence levels on the associations between acupuncture and IVF pregnant outcomes were relatively low, and the varied methodological design and heterogeneity might inflfluence the fifindings. (Registration No. PROSPERO CRD42021232430).
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Live Birth; Fertilization in Vitro; Pregnancy Outcome; Abortion, Spontaneous; Acupuncture Therapy
PubMed: 37815728
DOI: 10.1007/s11655-023-3748-3