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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Nov 2016Most European and North American clinical practice guidelines recommend screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) as a routine pregnancy test. Antibiotic treatment of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Most European and North American clinical practice guidelines recommend screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) as a routine pregnancy test. Antibiotic treatment of ASB in pregnant women is supposed to reduce maternal upper urinary tract infections (upper UTIs) and preterm labour. However, most studies supporting the treatment of ASB were conducted in the 1950s to 1980s. Because of subsequent changes in treatment options for ASB and UTI, the applicability of findings from these studies has come into question. Our systematic review had three objectives: firstly, to assess the patient-relevant benefits and harms of screening for ASB versus no screening; secondly, to compare the benefits and harms of different screening strategies; and thirdly, in case no reliable evidence on the overarching screening question was identified, to determine the benefits and harms of treatment of ASB.
METHODS
We systematically searched several bibliographic databases, trial registries, and other sources (up to 02/2016) for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective non-randomised trials. Two authors independently reviewed abstracts and full-text articles and assessed the risk of bias of the studies included. As meta-analyses were not possible, we summarised the results qualitatively.
RESULTS
We did not identify any eligible studies that investigated the benefits and harms of screening for ASB versus no screening or that compared different screening strategies. We identified four RCTs comparing antibiotics with no treatment or placebo in 454 pregnant women with ASB. The results of 2 studies published in the 1960s showed a statistically significant reduction in rates of pyelonephritis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.21, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.59) and lower UTI (OR = 0.10, 95 % CI 0.03-0.35) in women treated with antibiotics. By contrast, event rates reported by a recent study were not statistically significantly different, neither regarding pyelonephritis (0 % vs. 2.2 %; OR = 0.37, CI 0.01-9.25, p = 0.515) nor regarding lower UTI during pregnancy (10 % vs. 18 %; Peto odds ratio [POR] = 0.53, CI 0.16-1.79, p = 0.357). Data were insufficient to determine the risk of harms. As three of the four studies were conducted several decades ago and have serious methodological shortcomings, the applicability of their findings to current health care settings is likely to be low. The recent high-quality RCT was stopped early due to a very low number of primary outcome events, a composite of preterm delivery and pyelonephritis. Therefore, the results did not show a benefit of treating ASB.
CONCLUSIONS
To date, no reliable evidence supports routine screening for ASB in pregnant women.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Asymptomatic Infections; Bacteriuria; Female; Humans; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Prenatal Diagnosis
PubMed: 27806709
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-016-1128-0 -
Health Psychology Open 2021This review examines the factors that affect the decision-making process of parental couples evaluating prenatal screening and diagnostic tests. A systematic search was... (Review)
Review
This review examines the factors that affect the decision-making process of parental couples evaluating prenatal screening and diagnostic tests. A systematic search was performed using PubMed and PsycInfo databases. The 46 included studies had to: investigate the decision-making process about prenatal testing; focus on tests detecting trisomy 21, 18, 13, and abnormalities of sex chromosomes; be published in English peer-reviewed journals. The decision-making process seems composed of different levels: an individual level with demographic, clinical, and psychological aspects; a contextual level related to the technical features of the test and the information received; a relational level involving family and society.
PubMed: 33489303
DOI: 10.1177/2055102920987455 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Jan 2022To examine the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and the risk for preeclampsia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and the risk for preeclampsia.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, POPLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, and the World Health Organization COVID-19, Chinese, and preprint databases (all from December 1, 2019, to May 31, 2021). Google Scholar, bibliographies, and conference proceedings were also searched.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Observational studies that assessed the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and preeclampsia and that reported unadjusted and/or adjusted risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals or data to calculate them.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
The primary outcome was preeclampsia. Secondary outcomes included preeclampsia with severe features, preeclampsia without severe features, eclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. Two reviewers independently reviewed studies for inclusion, assessed their risk of bias, and extracted data. Pooled unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, and 95% prediction interval were calculated. Heterogeneity was quantified using the І statistic, for which І≥30% indicated substantial heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the overall findings.
RESULTS
A total of 28 studies comprising 790,954 pregnant women, among which 15,524 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of unadjusted odds ratios showed that the odds of developing preeclampsia were significantly higher among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection than among those without SARS-CoV-2 infection (7.0% vs 4.8%; pooled odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-1.82; P<.00001; І=17%; 26 studies; 95% prediction interval of the odds ratio, 1.28-2.05). The meta-analysis of adjusted odds ratios also showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy was associated with a significant increase in the odds of preeclampsia (pooled odds ratio, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-1.80; P<.0001; І=0%; 11 studies). There was a statistically significant increase in the odds of preeclampsia with severe features (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-2.63; І=58%; 7 studies), eclampsia (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.84; І=0%, 3 studies), and HELLP syndrome (odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-2.97; 1 study) among pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection when compared to those without the infection. Overall, the direction and magnitude of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on preeclampsia was consistent across most prespecified subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Both asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections significantly increased the odds of developing preeclampsial; however, it was higher among patients with symptomatic illness (odds ratio, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-2.81) than among those with asymptomatic illness (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.10).
CONCLUSION
SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy is associated with higher odds of preeclampsia.
Topics: COVID-19; Female; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Public Health; Risk; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34302772
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.07.009 -
International Journal of Endocrinology... Jul 2022Findings from studies evaluating adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism are conflicting and inconclusive.
CONTEXT
Findings from studies evaluating adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism are conflicting and inconclusive.
OBJECTIVES
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, our aim was to evaluate the pooled odds ratio (OR) of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with subclinical hyperthyroidism, compared to euthyroid women.
DATA SOURCES
Scopus, PubMed (including Medline), and Web of Science databases were systemically searched for regaining published studies to January 2022 examining adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with subclinical hyperthyroidism.
STUDY SELECTION
Outcomes of interest were classified into seven composite outcomes, including hypertensive disorders, preterm delivery, macrosomia/large for gestational age (LGA), pregnancy loss, adverse maternal outcomes, adverse neonatal outcomes, and adverse fetal outcomes.
DATA EXTRACTION
In this meta-analysis, both fixed and random effect models were used. Publication bias was also evaluated by Egger test and the funnel plot, and the trim and fill method was conducted in case of a significant result, to adjust the bias.
RESULTS
Of 202 records retrieved through searching databases, 11 studies were selected for the final analyses. There were no significant differences in pooled ORs of hypertensive disorders, preterm delivery, macrosomia/LGA, and pregnancy loss in pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism, compared to the euthyroid controls. The pooled OR of adverse maternal, neonatal, and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism was not statistically significantly different from that of the euthyroid control group.
CONCLUSIONS
The current meta-analysis demonstrated that subclinical hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is not related with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Therefore, clinicians should be avoided unnecessary treatments for pregnant women with subclinical hyperthyroidism.
PubMed: 36425270
DOI: 10.5812/ijem-120949 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Dec 2022We aimed to determine the association between maternal infections during pregnancy with risk of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
We aimed to determine the association between maternal infections during pregnancy with risk of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed utilizing the online databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences up to July 2020. Random-effects meta-analyses were applied to estimate pooled relative risk (RR). Heterogeneity, study quality and publication bias were assessed through I value, Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) and Egger's test, respectively.
RESULTS
Thirteen articles involving 1401904 mother-child pairs were included. The result of meta-analysis showed that the risk of ADHD increased by 30% among children whose mothers took any infections during pregnancy (pooled RR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.14-1.49; I=85.5, P<0.001). Overall, the included studies were good in quality and no publication bias was found (=0.23, Egger's test).
CONCLUSION
Maternal infections during pregnancy might be associated with an increased risk of ADHD in children.
PubMed: 36742242
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v51i12.11458 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Several studies report the role of Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in the pathophysiology of pregnancy adverse outcomes. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Several studies report the role of Regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in the pathophysiology of pregnancy adverse outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine whether there is an association between regulatory T cell levels and pregnancy adverse outcomes (PAOs), including pre-eclampsia and preterm birth (PTB).
METHOD
Literature searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases. Inclusion criteria were original articles (clinical trials, case-control studies and cohort studies) comparing Tregs, sampled from the decidua or maternal blood, in healthy pregnant women women with pre-eclampsia or PTB. The outcome was standardised mean difference (SMD) in Treg numbers. The tau-squared (Tau²), inconsistency index (I²), and chi-squared (χ²) test quantified heterogeneity among different studies. Analyses were performed in RevMan software V.5.4.0 for Mac using a random-effects model with outcome data reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). This study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020205469). PRISMA guidelines were followed.
RESULTS
From 4,085 unique studies identified, 36 were included in qualitative synthesis, and 34 were included in quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis). In total, there were 1,783 participants in these studies: healthy controls=964, pre-eclampsia=759, PTB=60. Thirty-two studies compared Tregs in healthy pregnant women and women with pre-eclampsia, and 30 of these sampled Tregs from peripheral blood showing significantly higher Treg numbers in healthy pregnancies (SMD; 1.46; 95% CI, 1.03-1.88; I²=92%). Four studies sampled Tregs from the maternal decidua showing higher Tregs in healthy pregnancies (SMD, 0.76; 95% CI, -0.13-1.65; I²=84%). No difference was found in the number of Tregs between early late pre-eclampsia (SMD,-1.17; 95% CI, -2.79-0.44; I²=94%). For PTB, two studies compared Tregs sampled from the peripheral blood with a tendency for higher Tregs in healthy pregnancies but this did not reach significance (SMD, 2.18; 95% CI, -1.34-5.70; I²=96%). Subcohort analysis using Treg analysis (flow cytometry qPCR immunofluorescence tissue staining) showed similar associations.
CONCLUSION
Lower Tregs in pregnancy, sampled from the maternal peripheral blood, are associated with pre-eclampsia. There is a need for further studies to confirm a relationship between low Tregs and PTB. As the precise mechanisms by which Tregs may mediate pre-eclampsia and PTB remain unclear, further fundamental research is necessary to elucidate the underlying processes and highlight the causative link.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO, identifier CRD42020205469.
Topics: Adult; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Female; Humans; Phenotype; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
PubMed: 34777347
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.737862 -
The Lancet. Global Health Nov 20172·6 million stillbirths occur annually worldwide. The association between malaria in pregnancy and stillbirth has yet to be comprehensively quantified. We aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
2·6 million stillbirths occur annually worldwide. The association between malaria in pregnancy and stillbirth has yet to be comprehensively quantified. We aimed to quantify the association between malaria in pregnancy and stillbirth, and to assess the influence of malaria endemicity on the association.
METHODS
We did a systematic review of the association between confirmed malaria in pregnancy and stillbirth. We included population-based cross-sectional, cohort, or case-control studies (in which cases were stillbirths or perinatal deaths), and randomised controlled trials of malaria in pregnancy interventions, identified before Feb 28, 2017. We excluded studies in which malaria in pregnancy was not confirmed by PCR, light microscopy, rapid diagnostic test, or histology. The primary outcome was stillbirth. We pooled estimates of the association between malaria in pregnancy and stillbirth using meta-analysis. We used meta-regression to assess the influence of endemicity. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, protocol number CRD42016038742.
FINDINGS
We included 59 studies of 995 records identified, consisting of 141 415 women and 3387 stillbirths. Plasmodium falciparum malaria detected at delivery in peripheral samples increased the odds of stillbirth (odds ratio [OR] 1·81 [95% CI 1·42-2·30]; I=26·1%; 34 estimates), as did P falciparum detected in placental samples (OR 1·95 [1·48-2·57]; I=33·6%; 31 estimates). P falciparum malaria detected and treated during pregnancy was also associated with stillbirth, but to a lesser extent (OR 1·47 [95% CI 1·13-1·92]; 19 estimates). Plasmodium vivax malaria increased the odds of stillbirth when detected at delivery (2·81 [0·77-10·22]; three estimates), but not when detected and treated during pregnancy (1·09 [0·76-1·57]; four estimates). The association between P falciparum malaria in pregnancy and stillbirth was two times greater in areas of low-to-intermediate endemicity than in areas of high endemicity (ratio of ORs 1·96 [95% CI 1·34-2·89]). Assuming all women with malaria are still parasitaemic at delivery, an estimated 20% of the 1 059 700 stillbirths in malaria-endemic sub-Saharan Africa are attributed to P falciparum malaria in pregnancy; the population attributable fraction decreases to 12%, assuming all women with malaria are treated during pregnancy.
INTERPRETATION
P falciparum and P vivax malaria in pregnancy both increase stillbirth risk. The risk of malaria-associated stillbirth is likely to increase as endemicity declines. There is a pressing need for context-appropriate, evidence-based interventions for malaria in pregnancy in low-endemicity settings.
FUNDING
Australian Commonwealth Government, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council.
Topics: Female; Humans; Malaria; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stillbirth
PubMed: 28967610
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30340-6 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2017Pulmonary embolism is a leading cause of pregnancy-related death. An accurate diagnosis in pregnant patients is crucial to prevent untreated pulmonary embolism as well... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary embolism is a leading cause of pregnancy-related death. An accurate diagnosis in pregnant patients is crucial to prevent untreated pulmonary embolism as well as unnecessary anticoagulant treatment and future preventive measures. Applied imaging techniques might perform differently in these younger patients with less comorbidity and altered physiology, who largely have been excluded from diagnostic studies.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), lung scintigraphy and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism during pregnancy.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched MEDLINE and Embase until July 2015. We used included studies as seeds in citations searches and in 'find similar' functions and searched reference lists. We approached experts in the field to help us identify non-indexed studies.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included consecutive series of pregnant patients suspected of pulmonary embolism who had undergone one of the index tests (computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography, lung scintigraphy or MRA) and clinical follow-up or pulmonary angiography as a reference test.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors performed data extraction and quality assessment. We contacted investigators of potentially eligible studies to obtain missing information. In the primary analysis, we regarded inconclusive index test results as a negative reference test, and treatment for pulmonary embolism after an inconclusive index test as a positive reference test.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 11 studies (four CTPA, five lung scintigraphy, two both) with a total of 695 CTPA and 665 lung scintigraphy results. Lung scintigraphy was applied by different techniques. No MRA studies matched our inclusion criteria.Overall, risk of bias and concerns regarding applicability were high in all studies as judged in light of the review research question, as was heterogeneity in study methods. We did not undertake meta-analysis. All studies used clinical follow-up as a reference standard, none in a manner that enabled reliable identification of false positives. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were therefore the only valid test accuracy measures.The median negative predictive value for CTPA was 100% (range 96% to 100%). Median sensitivity was 83% (range 0% to 100%).The median negative predictive value for lung scintigraphy was 100% (range 99% to 100%). Median sensitivity was 100% (range 0% to 100%).The median frequency of inconclusive results was 5.9% (range 0.9% to 36%) for CTPA and 4.0% (range 0% to 23%) for lung scintigraphy. The overall median prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 3.3% (range 0.0% to 8.7%).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Both CTPA and lung scintigraphy seem appropriate for exclusion of pulmonary embolism during pregnancy. However, the quality of the evidence mandates cautious adoption of this conclusion. Important limitations included poor reference standards, necessary assumptions in the analysis regarding inconclusive test results and the inherent inability of included studies to identify false positives. It is unclear which test has the highest accuracy. There is a need for direct comparisons between diagnostic methods, including MR, in prospective randomized diagnostic studies.
Topics: Angiography; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Positron-Emission Tomography; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Pulmonary Embolism; Radionuclide Imaging; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 28124411
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011053.pub2 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Apr 2021Does psychosocial intervention affect pregnancy outcomes in women and couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment?. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Does psychosocial intervention affect pregnancy outcomes in women and couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment?.
DESIGN
A systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of psychosocial intervention on pregnancy outcomes in women and couples undergoing ART treatment. The primary outcome was Pregnancy Rates. Secondary outcomes were Live Birth Rate (LBR) and Abortion Rate (AR).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Databases searched were Pubmed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library. 1439 records were screened, 15 were eligible and included in the meta-analyses (N = 2434). Data was extracted using the Covidence software. Effect sizes were reported as relative risks with 95% confidence-intervals and p-values.
RESULTS
A positive association was found between psychosocial intervention and pregnancy rates (RR = 1.12 CI=(1.01;1.24), p = 0.033). Long-duration interventions and mind-body intervention types were found to be associated with increased pregnancy rates (RR 1.21, CI= (1.04;1.43), p = 0.017) and (RR = 1.25, CI= (1.00;1.55), p = 0.046) respectively. Q and Itests suggested no to low heterogeneity. Funnel plots, Trim and Fill analyses and Fail-safe numbers were applied to adjust for possible publication bias.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest a positive association between psychosocial interventions, particularly long-duration interventions, and pregnancy rate in infertile women and couples in ART treatment. The findings are in line with findings from other reviews and meta-analyses exploring the same topic. More good quality RCTs need to be performed to increase the quality of guidance for infertile women and couples. The effect of psychosocial interventions on LBR and AR remain to be examined.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Live Birth; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Rate; Psychosocial Intervention; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
PubMed: 33677371
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.02.012 -
Medicine Oct 2023Being overweight or obese is closely related to adverse pregnancy outcomes and harms both pregnant women and neonates, increasing complications during pregnancy and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Being overweight or obese is closely related to adverse pregnancy outcomes and harms both pregnant women and neonates, increasing complications during pregnancy and leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Consequently, a meta-analysis was done to investigate exercise therapy impact on the complications and outcomes of pregnant women who are obese or overweight.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The computer system searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, EMBASE, and CNKI databases. The search duration extended from the database establishment until October 2022. A thorough search was carried out for pertinent studies investigating exercise therapy impact on pregnancy complications and outcomes in obese or overweight pregnant women. The heterogeneity test was carried out using Cochrane Q and Chi-square tests. The combined findings from the meta-analysis were examined for reliability and robustness using sensitivity and publication bias analyses. All statistics used RevMan 5.3 software.
RESULTS
This meta-analysis included data from 8026 patients from 22 randomized controlled trials. The results demonstrated that exercise therapy might successfully decrease the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-0.96, P = .01) and macrosomia (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.68-0.89, P < .001), and control weight gain during pregnancy (SMD = -0.2, 95% CI: -0.31 to -0.08, P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Exercise therapy can control weight gain during pregnancy, lower the incidence of GDM and the macrosomia rate, and improve adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Overweight; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnant Women; Fetal Macrosomia; Reproducibility of Results; Exercise; Obesity; Weight Gain; Diabetes, Gestational; Pregnancy Complications; Exercise Therapy
PubMed: 37800765
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034804