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American Journal of Obstetrics and... Aug 2023This study aimed to describe the characteristics of fetal demise after SARS-CoV-2 infections and clarify whether it is associated with clinical severity, placental... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to describe the characteristics of fetal demise after SARS-CoV-2 infections and clarify whether it is associated with clinical severity, placental lesions, or malformations or due to actual fetal infections.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched between December 1, 2019, and April 30, 2022.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies and case series or case reports describing stillbirths or late miscarriages (ie, pregnancy loss occurring between 14 and 22 weeks of gestation, before and after the onset of labor) from mothers with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy (demonstrated by at least 1 positive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal swabs and/or SARS-CoV-2 placental infection). No language restriction was applied; cases with other causes possibly explaining the fetal demise were excluded.
METHODS
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were followed. The quality of the case series and case reports was evaluated using the specific Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Practice Center tool. Maternal and clinical fetal data and placental and fetal virology and histology findings were collected. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics using the World Health Organization criteria to classify disease severity and fetal-neonatal infections.
RESULTS
Data from 184 mothers and 190 fetuses were analyzed. No clear link to maternal clinical severity or fetal malformation was evident. Approximately 78% of fetal demise cases occurred during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, approximately 6 to 13 days after the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection or the onset of symptoms. Most placentas (88%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 or presented the histologic features of placentitis (massive fibrin deposition and chronic intervillositis) previously observed in transplacentally transmitted infections (85%-91%). Of note, 11 fetuses (5.8%) had a confirmed in utero transmitted SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 114 fetuses (60%) had a possible in utero transmitted SARS-CoV-2 infection.
CONCLUSION
The synthesis of available data showed that fetal demise generally occurs a few days after the infection with histologic placental inflammatory lesions associated with transplacental SARS-CoV-2 transmission and eventually causing placental insufficiency.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Abortion, Spontaneous; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fetal Death; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Placenta; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; SARS-CoV-2; Stillbirth
PubMed: 36706855
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.01.019 -
BMC Cancer Apr 2021Over than one third (28-58%) of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) cases are characterized by positive epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2)...
BACKGROUND
Over than one third (28-58%) of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) cases are characterized by positive epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2) expression. Trastuzumab anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody is still the benchmark treatment of HER2-positive breast tumors. However, FDA has categorized Trastuzumab as a category D drug for pregnant patients with breast cancer. This systemic review aims to synthesize all currently available data of trastuzumab administration during pregnancy and provide an updated view of the effect of trastuzumab on fetal and maternal outcome.
METHODS
Eligible articles were identified by a search of MEDLINE bibliographic database and ClinicalTrials.gov for the period up to 01/09/2020; The algorithm consisted of a predefined combination of the words "breast", "cancer", "trastuzumab" and "pregnancy". This study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
A total of 28 eligible studies were identified (30 patients, 32 fetuses). In more than half of cases, trastuzumab was administered in the metastatic setting. The mean duration of trastuzumab administration during gestation was 15.7 weeks (SD: 10.8; median: 17.5; range: 1-32). Oligohydramnios or anhydramnios was the most common (58.1%) adverse event reported in all cases. There was a statistically significant decrease in oligohydramnios/anhydramnios incidence in patients receiving trastuzumab only during the first trimester (P = 0.026, Fisher's exact test). In 43.3% of cases a completely healthy neonate was born. 41.7% of fetuses exposed to trastuzumab during the second and/or third trimester were born completely healthy versus 75.0% of fetuses exposed exclusively in the first trimester. All mothers were alive at a median follow-up of 47.0 months (ranging between 9 and 100 months). Of note, there were three cases (10%) of cardiotoxicity and decreased ejection fraction during pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, treatment with trastuzumab should be postponed until after delivery, otherwise pregnancy should be closely monitored.
Topics: Adult; Amniotic Fluid; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Breast Neoplasms; Cardiotoxicity; Female; Fetus; Humans; Middle Aged; Oligohydramnios; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic; Pregnancy Trimesters; Receptor, ErbB-2; Time Factors; Trastuzumab; Young Adult
PubMed: 33902516
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08162-3 -
AIDS (London, England) Jul 2017There is inconsistent evidence that zidovudine use during pregnancy increases overall, cardiac, and male genital malformations. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
There is inconsistent evidence that zidovudine use during pregnancy increases overall, cardiac, and male genital malformations.
DESIGN
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of zidovudine use and malformations and, using Bayesian methods, combined it with data from a cohort study of mother-infant pairs in the nationwide Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX).
METHODS
Using MAX data (2000-2010), we identified pregnant women with HIV treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Women with at least one zidovudine dispensing during the first trimester were compared to women receiving ART without zidovudine in the first trimester. Malformation outcomes were defined using diagnosis/procedure codes. To adjust for confounding, we performed 1 : 1 propensity score matching. Bayesian methods require specification of a prior, which we developed in the meta-analysis. Logistic regression models combined MAX data with the prior, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% credible intervals.
RESULTS
Fourteen articles contributed information on overall malformations, seven on cardiac malformations, and five on male genital malformations. In MAX, matching led to a sample of 735 women each in the zidovudine and comparator groups. When comparing first trimester zidovudine use to other ART, the Bayesian procedure yielded OR estimates slightly above the null for overall [OR = 1.11, 95% credible interval (0.80-1.55)] and cardiac [OR = 1.30 (0.63-2.71)] malformations. There were no zidovudine-exposed cases of male genital malformations in MAX, but the meta-analysis yielded elevated OR estimates [OR = 2.57 (1.26-5.24)].
CONCLUSION
For most malformations, first-trimester zidovudine was not associated with increased risk. The potential increase in male genital malformations was small in absolute terms, and should be evaluated further.
Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-HIV Agents; Child; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Young Adult; Zidovudine
PubMed: 28537936
DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001549 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2023This systematic review aimed to analyze the characteristics of different diagnostic techniques for micrognathia, summarize the consistent diagnostic criteria of each... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This systematic review aimed to analyze the characteristics of different diagnostic techniques for micrognathia, summarize the consistent diagnostic criteria of each technique, and provide a simple and convenient prenatal diagnosis strategy for micrognathia.
METHODS
In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the search was undertaken in three international databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). The three reviewers assessed all papers and extracted the following variables: author's name and year of publication, country, study design, number of participants, gestational age, equipment for prenatal examination, biometric parameters related to micrognathia, main results.
RESULTS
A total of 25 articles included in the analysis. Nineteen articles described cross-sectional studies (76 percent), 4 (16 percent) were case-control studies, and 2 (8 percent) were cohort studies. Fifteen studies (60 percent) had a prospective design, 9 (36 percent) had a retrospective design, and one (4 percent) had both prospective and retrospective design. Thirty-two percent of the studies ( = 8) were performed in USA, and the remaining studies were performed in China ( = 4), Israel ( = 3), Netherlands ( = 3), UK ( = 1), France ( = 1), Italy ( = 1), Belgium( = 1), Germany ( = 1), Spain ( = 1), and Austria ( = 1). The prenatal diagnosis of micrognathia can be performed as early as possible in the first trimester, while the second and third trimester of pregnancy were the main prenatal diagnosis period. The articles that were included in the qualitative synthesis describe 30 biometric parameters related to the mandible.
CONCLUSION
Of the 30 biometric parameters related to the mandible, 15 can obtain the simple and convenient diagnostic criteria or warning value for micrognathia. Based on these diagnostic criteria or warning value, clinicians can quickly make a preliminary judgment on facial deformities, to carry out cytologic examination to further clarify the diagnosis of micrognathia.
PubMed: 37124181
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1161421 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2015Pre-eclampsia (PE) complicates 2%-8% of all pregnancies and is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In order to reduce these complications... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Pre-eclampsia (PE) complicates 2%-8% of all pregnancies and is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In order to reduce these complications and to develop possible treatment modalities, it is important to identify women at risk of developing PE. The use of biomarkers in early pregnancy would allow appropriate stratification into high and low risk pregnancies for the purpose of defining surveillance in pregnancy and to administer interventions. We used formal methods for a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the accuracy of all biomarkers that have been evaluated so far during the first and early second trimester of pregnancy to predict PE. We found low predictive values using individual biomarkers which included a disintegrin and metalloprotease 12 (ADAM-12), inhibin-A, pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), placental growth factor (PlGF) and placental protein 13 (PP-13). The pooled sensitivity of all single biomarkers was 0.40 (95% CI 0.39-0.41) at a false positive rate of 10%. The area under the Summary of Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve (SROC) was 0.786 (SE 0.02). When a combination model was used, the predictive value improved to an area under the SROC of 0.893 (SE 0.03). In conclusion, although there are multiple potential biomarkers for PE their efficacy has been inconsistent and comparisons are difficult because of heterogeneity between different studies. Therefore, there is an urgent need for high quality, large-scale multicentre research in biomarkers for PE so that the best predictive marker(s) can be identified in order to improve the management of women destined to develop PE.
Topics: ADAM Proteins; ADAM12 Protein; Biomarkers; Female; Galectins; Humans; Inhibins; Membrane Proteins; Placenta Growth Factor; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A
PubMed: 26404264
DOI: 10.3390/ijms160923035 -
The Primary Care Companion For CNS... Sep 2017To evaluate data on birth outcomes following bupropion use during pregnancy. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate data on birth outcomes following bupropion use during pregnancy.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic literature review of PubMed and PsycINFO was performed through June 2017 for clinical studies published in English. The following keywords were used: bupropion, pregnancy, depression, smoking cessation, birth outcomes, miscarriage, and spontaneous abortion. References and related articles were also searched to yield additional publications. With the exception of limiting the search to human subjects, no other limitations were applied in an effort to capture all relevant published studies.
STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION
No studies were excluded. A total of 8 studies were included in this review.
RESULTS
Bupropion's use in the first trimester has been linked with a small elevation in the risk of cardiovascular defects, although the absolute risk was low and confounding by indication (eg, use for smoking cessation) cannot be excluded. While the risk of miscarriage following prenatal bupropion exposure was higher than that of a control group of women in one study, it remained within the general population rate.
CONCLUSIONS
While more studies are needed, research to date suggests that bupropion may be a reasonable treatment option for depressed pregnant women who require pharmacotherapy, particularly when they also are attempting to reduce nicotine use during pregnancy.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Bupropion; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Smoking Cessation
PubMed: 28973846
DOI: 10.4088/PCC.17r02160 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Apr 2016Gestational weight gain within the recommended range produces optimal pregnancy outcomes, yet many women exceed the guidelines. Official recommendations to increase... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Gestational weight gain within the recommended range produces optimal pregnancy outcomes, yet many women exceed the guidelines. Official recommendations to increase energy intake by ∼ 1000 kJ/day in pregnancy may be excessive.
OBJECTIVE
To determine by metaanalysis of relevant studies whether greater increments in energy intake from early to late pregnancy corresponded to greater or excessive gestational weight gain.
DATA SOURCES
We systematically searched electronic databases for observational and intervention studies published from 1990 to the present. The databases included Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, Excerpta Medica DataBASE (EMBASE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Science Direct. In addition we hand-searched reference lists of all identified articles.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies were included if they reported gestational weight gain and energy intake in early and late gestation in women of any age with a singleton pregnancy. Search also encompassed journals emerging from both developed and developing countries.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
Studies were individually assessed for quality based on the Quality Criteria Checklist obtained from the Evidence Analysis Manual: Steps in the academy evidence analysis process. Publication bias was plotted by the use of a funnel plot with standard mean difference against standard error. Identified studies were meta-analyzed and stratified by body mass index, study design, dietary methodology, and country status (developed/developing) by the use of a random-effects model.
RESULTS
Of 2487 articles screened, 18 studies met inclusion criteria. On average, women gained 12.0 (2.8) kg (standardized mean difference = 1.306, P < .0005) yet reported only a small increment in energy intake that did not reach statistical significance (∼475 kJ/day, standard mean difference = 0.266, P = .016). Irrespective of baseline body mass index, study design, dietary methodology, or country status, changes in energy intake were not significantly correlated to the amount of gestational weight gain (r = 0.321, P = .11).
CONCLUSION
Despite rapid physiologic weight gain, women report little or no change in energy intake during pregnancy. Current recommendations to increase energy intake by ∼ 1000 kJ/day may, therefore, encourage excessive weight gain and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Topics: Diet; Dietary Supplements; Energy Intake; Female; Humans; Micronutrients; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Weight Gain
PubMed: 26739796
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.12.049 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023The majority of expectant mothers report sleep alterations during pregnancy and almost 40% report poor sleep quality. There is growing evidence that sleep quality (SQ)... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The majority of expectant mothers report sleep alterations during pregnancy and almost 40% report poor sleep quality. There is growing evidence that sleep quality (SQ) during pregnancy influences maternal health. This review focuses on how SQ during pregnancy relates to maternal health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The review also aims to identify whether this relation varies between pregnancy trimesters, and for different subdomains of HRQoL.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines and registered on Prospero in August 2021 with ID no: CRD42021264707. Pubmed, Psychinfo, Embase, Cochrane, and trial registries were searched up to June 2021. Studies with any design that investigated the relation between SQ and quality of life/HRQoL in pregnant women, published in English, and peer-reviewed, were included. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, and extracted data from the included papers. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
RESULTS
Three hundred and thirteen papers were identified in the initial search, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria. Data included 7330 participants from six different countries. The studies had longitudinal ( = 1) or cross-sectional designs ( = 9). In nine studies SQ was reported subjectively by self-report questionnaires. Actigraphic data was available from two studies. HRQoL was assessed by validated questionnaires in all studies. Due to high levels of clinical and methodological heterogeneity in included studies, a narrative synthesis was employed. Nine studies found that poor sleep quality was related to a lower overall HRQoL during pregnancy. Effect sizes were low to medium. This relation was reported most during the third trimester. Especially sleep disturbances and subjective low SQ seemed to be related consistently to lower HRQoL. Furthermore, an indication was found that SQ might have a relation with the mental and physical domain of HRQoL. The social and environmental domain may also be associated with overall SQ.
CONCLUSION
Despite the scarcity of studies available, this systematic review found evidence that low SQ is related to low HRQoL during pregnancy. An indication was found that the relationship between SQ and HRQoL during the second trimester might be less prominent.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Quality of Life; Sleep Quality; Cross-Sectional Studies; Pregnant Women; Sleep; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
PubMed: 37197986
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2212829 -
Environment International Aug 2023Maternal pesticide exposure might be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes through triggering inflammation and oxidative stress and disrupting endocrine functions.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Maternal pesticide exposure might be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes through triggering inflammation and oxidative stress and disrupting endocrine functions. Yet the association between prenatal pesticide exposure and risk of preterm birth remains inconclusive.
OBJECTIVES
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of human observational studies using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) framework to explore the association of per ten-fold increase of pesticide concentrations in maternal biological samples during pregnancy with risk of preterm birth and length of gestational age at birth.
DATA SOURCE
Five English (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus) and 3 Chinese databases (China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM)) were searched till Jan 18th, 2023.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS
To be included, pesticide exposure should be measured in maternal biological samples during pregnancy and in log-transformed forms. The primary outcome was preterm birth and the secondary outcome was gestational age at birth.
STUDY APPRAISAL, SYNTHESIS METHODS AND CONFIDENCE ASSESSMENT
Quality of studies was evaluated using OHAT Risk of Bias Tool. Evidence was quantitatively synthesized with Correlated and Hierarchical Effects (CHE) model. The confidence rating in the body of evidence was done using OHAT.
RESULTS
A total of 21 studies reported by 18 papers were included, with 7 studies for preterm birth and 19 for gestational age at birth. The meta-analysis found a ten-fold increase of pesticide concentrations was potentially associated with risk of preterm birth (pooled OR = 1.28; 95%CI: 0.93, 1.78) and shortened gestational age at birth (β = -0.10; 95%CI: -0.21, 0.01). Sampling biospecimens in different trimesters was identified as a potential modifier in the association between pesticide exposure and length of gestational age (F = 2.77, P < 0.05). For studies that collected samples at any time during pregnancy, pesticide exposure was found to be associated with shortened length of gestational age (β = -0.43; 95%CI: -0.81, -0.06). The confidence rating in the body of evidence was "moderate" and "very low" for preterm birth and gestational age at birth, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Our result suggested moderate evidence of an association between pesticide exposure and higher risk of preterm birth. Yet more studies are still needed with larger sample size and careful considerations of confounders and accuracy of outcome measurements. Attention is also required on other pesticide compounds in addition to organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides, and on windows of susceptibility.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Premature Birth; Pesticides; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pregnancy Outcome; Gestational Age
PubMed: 37364307
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108043