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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Jun 2024The prevalence of maternal obesity rapidly increases, which represents a major public health concern worldwide. Maternal obesity is characteristic by metabolic... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of maternal obesity rapidly increases, which represents a major public health concern worldwide. Maternal obesity is characteristic by metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation. It is associated with health problems in both mother and offspring. Increasing evidence indicates that the placenta is an axis connecting maternal obesity with poor outcomes in the offspring. In this brief review, we have summarized the current data regarding deregulated placental function in maternal obesity. The data show that maternal obesity induces numerous placental defects, including lipid and glucose metabolism, stress response, inflammation, immune regulation and epigenetics. These placental defects affect each other and result in a stressful intrauterine environment, which transduces and mediates the adverse effects of maternal obesity to the fetus. Further investigations are required to explore the exact molecular alterations in the placenta in maternal obesity, which may pave the way to develop specific interventions for preventing epigenetic and metabolic programming in the fetus.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Placenta; Obesity, Maternal; Epigenesis, Genetic; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Inflammation; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy Complications; Obesity
PubMed: 38494514
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-024-07462-w -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023To quantify the association between prophylactic radiologic interventions and perioperative blood loss in women with risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorder...
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the association between prophylactic radiologic interventions and perioperative blood loss in women with risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorder (PAS).
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective nationwide cohort study of women with risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorder who underwent planned cesarean section in 69 Dutch hospitals between 2008 and 2013. All women had two risk factors for PAS: placenta previa/anterior low-lying placenta and a history of cesarean section(s). Women with and without ultrasonographic signs of PAS were studied as two separate groups. We compared the total blood loss of women with prophylactic radiologic interventions, defined as preoperative placement of balloon catheters or sheaths in the internal iliac or uterine arteries, with that of a control group consisting of women without prophylactic radiologic interventions using multivariable regression. We evaluated maternal morbidity by the number of red blood cell (RBC) units transfused within 24 h following childbirth (categories: 0, 1-3, >4), duration of hospital admission, and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
RESULTS
A total of 350 women with placenta previa/anterior low-lying placenta and history of cesarean section(s) were included: 289 with normal ultrasonography, of whom 21 received prophylactic radiologic intervention, and 61 had abnormal ultrasonography, of whom 22 received prophylactic intervention. Among women with normal ultrasonography without prophylactic intervention ( = 268), the median blood loss was 725 mL (interquartile range (IQR) 500-1500) vs. 1000 mL (IQR 550-1750) in women with intervention ( = 21); the adjusted difference in blood loss was 9 mL (95% confidence interval (CI) -315-513), = .97). Among women with abnormal ultrasonography, those without prophylactic intervention ( = 39) had a median blood loss of 2500 mL (IQR 1200-5000) vs. 1750 mL (IQR 775-4000) in women with intervention ( = 22); the adjusted difference in blood loss was -1141 mL (95% CI -1694- -219, = .02). Results of outcomes on maternal morbidity were comparable among women with and without prophylactic intervention.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that prophylactic radiologic interventions prior to planned cesarean section may help to limit perioperative blood loss in women with clear signs of placenta accreta spectrum disorder on ultrasonography, but there was no evidence of a difference within the subgroup without such ultrasonographic signs. The use of these interventions should be discussed in a multidisciplinary shared decision-making process, including discussions of potential benefits and possible complications.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Netherlands Trial Registry, https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/en/trial/28238, identifier NL4210 (NTR4363).
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Cesarean Section; Blood Loss, Surgical; Cohort Studies; Placenta Accreta; Placenta Previa; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37673791
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2251076 -
Placenta Nov 2021The reported effects of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy outcomes are conflicting; studies frequently overlook the placenta, which is critical for the health of the mother and...
INTRODUCTION
The reported effects of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy outcomes are conflicting; studies frequently overlook the placenta, which is critical for the health of the mother and infant(s). This study aimed to determine the effect of pandemic stress ± SARS CoV-2 infection on placental histopathology.
METHODS
Women were recruited in Canada (n = 69); France (n = 21) or in the UK (n = 25), between March and October 2020. Historic controls (N = 20) were also included. Placenta and fetal membrane samples were collected rapidly after delivery and were fixed and stained for histopathological analysis. Maternal demographical data and obstetric outcomes were recorded.
RESULTS
Over 80% of the placentas from SARS-CoV-2+ pregnancies had histopathological abnormalities: predominantly structural (71-86%) or inflammatory (9-22%), depending on geographical location. Excessive fibrin was seen in all sites, whereas deciduitis (Canada), calcifications (UK), agglutinations and chorangiosis (France) predominated in different locations. The frequency of abnormalities was significantly higher than in SARS-CoV-2 negative women (50%, p < 0.05). Demographic and obstetric data were similar in the SARS-CoV-2+ women across all sites - characterised by predominantly Black/Middle Eastern women, and women with elevated body mass index.
DISCUSSION
Overall, the frequency of placental abnormalities is increased in SARS-CoV-2+ women, but the incidence of placental abnormalities is also higher in SARS-CoV-2- women that gave birth during the pandemic, which highlights the importance of appropriate control groups to ascertain the roles of pandemic stress and SARS-CoV-2 infection on the placenta and pregnancy outcomes.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; COVID-19; Canada; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Female; France; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Male; Maternal-Fetal Relations; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Psychological Distress; SARS-CoV-2; Stress, Psychological; United Kingdom; Young Adult
PubMed: 34537470
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.09.007 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... May 2024Increasing placental thickness is associated with adverse outcomes including earlier gestational age at delivery, lower birthweight, and lower umbilical artery pH. We...
OBJECTIVE
Increasing placental thickness is associated with adverse outcomes including earlier gestational age at delivery, lower birthweight, and lower umbilical artery pH. We aim to determine whether mid-trimester placenta previa thickness is associated with persistence of previa at time of delivery.
STUDY DESIGN
Single-center retrospective cohort study of singleton gestations with previa diagnosed at 18-24 weeks delivering between 2015 and 2019. The thickest portion of the placenta was measured in a longitudinal plane on transabdominal imaging to determine placental thickness. We defined three cohorts: 1) thick placenta (>1 standard deviation above the mean), 2) thin placenta (>1 standard deviation below the mean), and 3) average placenta (within 1 standard deviation above or below the mean). Primary outcome was previa persistence at time of delivery. Secondary outcomes included postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, placenta accreta spectrum, and maternal morbidity composite (use of Bakri balloon, B-lynch, or O'Leary, peripartum hysterectomy, blood transfusion, ICU admission, or death). In all analyses, average thickness was used as the base comparator.
RESULTS
Of 239 pregnancies with mid-trimester previa there were 34 thin, 166 average, and 39 thick placentas. Patients with thick placenta were older, more likely to have prior cesarean delivery, fibroid uterus, and delivery at an earlier gestational age. After adjusting for confounders, thick placenta was associated with persistent previa (aOR 6.85 [3.13-15.00]) and cesarean delivery (aOR 2.76 [1.26-6.08]).
CONCLUSION
At diagnosis of mid-trimester previa, thick placenta is associated with persistence at time of delivery and delivery by cesarean section. This suggests placental thickness may assist with risk stratification and coordination of care.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Cesarean Section; Placenta Previa; Retrospective Studies; Placenta; Ultrasonography; Placenta Accreta
PubMed: 38401448
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.02.033 -
Indian Journal of Pathology &... 2022SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a major pandemic of the century and little is known about the impact of maternal infection on placental histopathology. Histopathologic...
BACKGROUND
SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a major pandemic of the century and little is known about the impact of maternal infection on placental histopathology. Histopathologic examination of placental tissue can contribute to significant information regarding the pathophysiology of the disease and how it affects the fetal outcome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Pathology, Government Doon Medical College and Hospital, Dehradun, on the placenta of 50 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive pregnant females confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from August 2020 to October 2020. Fifty term historical placentas were taken as control. Placenta sections were fixed in formalin, processed into paraffin blocks, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain, and visualized for any abnormality.
RESULTS
The most prominent histological finding in the placenta of pregnant women affected by COVID-19 was chorangiosis, which is a feature of fetal vascular malperfusion seen in 28 (56%) cases. Other features included maternal vascular malperfusions (MVM) such as villous crowding and agglutination in 12 (24%) cases. Tenney-Parker change was seen in 13 (26%) patients. Intervillous fibrinoid deposition and intervillous hemorrhage were seen in 37 (74%) patients and 7 (14%) patients showed significant calcification. Other findings observed were less common.
CONCLUSION
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 may be associated with a significant impact on fetal and maternal circulation causing features of fetal and maternal malperfusion such as chorangiosis, villous crowding, and agglutination. Indicating that the infection could cause a potential rise in the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes such as intrauterine fetal growth retardation, preterm birth, or stillbirth.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2; Placenta; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Premature Birth; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Fetal Growth Retardation; Placenta Diseases
PubMed: 36308194
DOI: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_528_21 -
International Journal of Infectious... Jul 2019A novel conceptual framework to describe the relationship between placental malaria and adverse infant neurodevelopmental outcomes is proposed. This conceptual framework... (Review)
Review
A novel conceptual framework to describe the relationship between placental malaria and adverse infant neurodevelopmental outcomes is proposed. This conceptual framework includes three distinct stages: (1) maternal and environmental risk factors for the development of placental malaria; (2) placental pathology and inflammation associated with placental malaria infection; and (3) postnatal impacts of placental malaria. The direct, indirect, and bidirectional effects of these risk factors on infant neurodevelopment across the three stages were critically examined. These factors ultimately culminate in an infant phenotype that not only leads to adverse birth outcomes, but also to increased risks of neurological, cognitive, and behavioural deficits that may impact the quality of life in this high-risk population. Multiple risk factors were identified in this conceptual framework; nonetheless, based on current evidence, a key knowledge gap is the uncertainty regarding which are the most important and how exactly they interact.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Inflammation; Malaria; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Quality of Life; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31028878
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2019.04.019 -
Placenta Nov 2023The placenta remains the key organ to pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, contrarily the pathophysiology underlying the placental dysfunctions remains...
The placenta remains the key organ to pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, contrarily the pathophysiology underlying the placental dysfunctions remains elusive. Here, we present our Disease Map "NaviCenta", which is an online resource based on the interactions between tissues, cellular compartments, and molecules that mediate disease-related processes in the placenta. We built cellular and molecular interaction networks based upon manual curation and annotation of publicly available information in the scientific literature, pathways resources, and Omics data. NaviCenta (Navigate the plaCenta) serves as an open access, spatio-temporal, multi-scale knowledge base, and analytical tool for enhanced interpretation and hypothesis testing on various placental disease phenotypes.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy Complications; Pre-Eclampsia
PubMed: 37793322
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.09.007 -
Placenta Nov 2020Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity, and in vitro biomarkers are highly desired in clinic. This study enrolled...
Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity, and in vitro biomarkers are highly desired in clinic. This study enrolled three phases of 186 pregnant women, including controls, PAS patients, placenta previa (PP) patients, and pre-eclamptic (PE) patients. Initial miRNA array screened 42 out of 768 serum miRNAs in the screening phase, and then validated four miRNAs by quantitative RT-PCR in the training phase and validation phase. Their performance for PAS prenatal screening was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity, and specificity. Data validated that four miRNAs (miR-139-3p, miR-196a-5p, miR-518a-3p, and miR-671-3p) were down-regulated in PAS group comparing with controls in three phases of subjects. Except for miR-518a-3p, the expression levels of these miRNAs also were significantly different between the PAS and the group including PP and PE. In addition, these biomarkers demonstrated modest screening efficiency, as the AUC ranged from 0.59 to 0.74, sensitivity 0.54 to 0.80, and specificity 0.62 to 0.76. However, the AUC and specificity can improve greatly (AUC 0.91, specificity 0.92) using a 'diagnostic signature' that combined the four miRNAs and four clinical parameters into one panel. GO and KEGG signaling pathway analysis indicated their target genes were involved in angiogenesis, embryonic development, cell migration and adhesion, and tumor-related pathways. In conclusion, the four miRNAs discovered in this study not only can be used for future non-invasive prenatal PAS screening, but also provide a new experimental basis for future research on PAS etiology.
Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Female; Humans; MicroRNAs; Placenta Accreta; Pregnancy; Young Adult
PubMed: 33017714
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.09.068 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023Patients with suspected placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder are often referred to specialized medical centers for antepartum management and definitive treatment...
OBJECTIVE
Patients with suspected placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder are often referred to specialized medical centers for antepartum management and definitive treatment cesarean hysterectomy. In 2019, our institution formed the only multidisciplinary team for the management of PAS within two of the largest counties in California. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the multidisciplinary team on patient volume and surgical outcomes for patients with PAS.
METHODS
This was a single center retrospective cohort study, based in the only tertiary referral center within two of the largest counties in California. Patients who underwent cesarean hysterectomy for suspected PAS from January 2014 to April 2021 were included and divided into two groups, based on management by the multidisciplinary team from January 2019 and onward or routine care prior to that time. The outcomes of interest were quantitative blood loss, total units of packed red blood cell transfusion, referral volume, and diagnostic accuracy as well as ICU admission, bladder injury, and postoperative length of stay. Furthermore, we wanted to determine if patient's distance to the hospital impacted outcomes. Normally distributed variables were compared between groups using the -test. Categorical variables were compared between the two groups using the chi square test.
RESULTS
A total of 114 patients were included in the cohort, 59 patients were from January 2014 to December 2018 and 55 patients were from January 2019 to April 2021. Since the establishment of the multidisciplinary center, there was a 2.5-fold increase in the total patient volume (0.8 case/month to 2 cases/month) and a 2.8-fold increase in the referred patient volume. Patients undergoing cesarean hysterectomy since the establishment of the multidisciplinary team had less quantitative blood loss (1500 mL vs 2000 mL, = .005) and required less units of packed red blood cell transfusion (2 vs 4 units, < .001). In addition, blood loss of ≥2000 mL decreased from 57.6% to 38.2% ( = .04) and diagnostic accuracy improved from 35.6% to 83.6% ( < .001). Furthermore, we found that patient distance to the hospital did not significantly impact surgical outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Since the establishment of the multidisciplinary team, our center experienced an increase in PAS volume and was able to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in patient outcomes.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Placenta Accreta; Erythrocyte Transfusion; Tertiary Care Centers; Patient Care Team
PubMed: 36927241
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2190840 -
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