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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021Gestational diseases are associated with altered intestinal microbiota in pregnant women. Characterizing the gut microbiota of gestational anemia (GA) may describe a...
Gestational diseases are associated with altered intestinal microbiota in pregnant women. Characterizing the gut microbiota of gestational anemia (GA) may describe a novel role of gut microbial abnormality in GA. In this study, we investigated differences in gut microbiota between GA patients and healthy pregnant women from the first trimester (n = 24 54) and the third trimester (n = 30 56) based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. No statistically significant differences in α-diversity were identified between GA patients and controls in the first trimester of pregnancy, whereas the Shannon index and observed OTUs were significantly lower in GA patients than in healthy controls in the third trimester. Distance-based redundancy analysis revealed striking differences in microbial communities in the third trimester between GA patients and controls. Four genera were significantly different in relative abundance between GA patients and healthy controls, while 12 genera differentiated significantly between GA patients and healthy controls in the third trimester. At the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) level, 17 OTUs and 30 OTUs were identified to be different between GA patients and healthy controls in the first and third trimesters, respectively. Changes in gut microbial composition of GA patients suggest a potential relation with GA, and provide insights into the prediction and intervention of gestational anemia.
Topics: Anemia; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Microbiota; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 33718259
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.549678 -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Oct 2021According to the theory of fetal-derived adult diseases, abnormal fetal development might affect the occurrence of diseases in adulthood, and appropriate fetal growth...
BACKGROUND
According to the theory of fetal-derived adult diseases, abnormal fetal development might affect the occurrence of diseases in adulthood, and appropriate fetal growth status intrauterine might have a beneficial effect on it. To adapt properly for fetal development, there are numerous changes in the maternal physiology during pregnancy, including blood lipid metabolism. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between lipid profiles in the second and third trimesters of normal pregnancy and fetal birth weight.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study population was derived from 5695 pregnant women, who maintained routine prenatal care at the women's hospital of Zhejiang University, School of medicine January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014. The pregnant women in this study all carried uncomplicated singleton pregnancies to at least 37 weeks.
RESULTS
The mean (standard deviation) birth weight was 3361.00 (385.94) g; 413 (7.3%) of the infants were large for gestational age, and 330 (5.8%) were macrosomia. On multiple linear regression analysis, positive determinants of birth weight were gravidity, parity, gestational age at delivery, male infant, maternal height, and weight before pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, second-trimester cholesterol (TC) and third-trimester triglyceride (TG), gestational albumin (ALB), and third-trimester high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) levels were each negatively associated with birth weight. On logistic regression analysis, the significant metabolic lipid predictors of delivering a large-for-gestational-age infant were second- and third-trimester TG (aOR = 1.178, 95% CI 1.032-1.344, p = 0.015; aOR = 1.106, 95% CI 1.043-1.173, p = 0.001, respectively) and second- and third-trimester HDL-C level (aOR = 0.655, 95% CI 0.491-0.874, p = 0.004; aOR = 0.505, 95% CI 0.391-0.651, p < 0.001, respectively). Third-trimester TG and HDL-C were stable predictors of large-for-gestational-age infants in stratification analysis. High TG and low HDL-C level during third trimester could be considered as indicators of a high risk of large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia, regardless of infant gender.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that future lifestyle programs in women of reproductive age with a focus on lowering TG levels (i.e., diet, weight reduction, and physical activity) may help to reduce the incidence of LGA and macrosomia.
Topics: Adult; Birth Weight; Diabetes, Gestational; Female; Fetal Macrosomia; Gestational Age; Humans; Lipids; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Weight Gain
PubMed: 33651156
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-021-06010-0 -
American Journal of Reproductive... Mar 2023Dysregulation of factors vital to the survival B cells and/or plasma cells, such as BAFF and APRIL, could be detrimental to a pregnancy.
PROBLEM
Dysregulation of factors vital to the survival B cells and/or plasma cells, such as BAFF and APRIL, could be detrimental to a pregnancy.
METHOD OF STUDY
Serially collected first-, second-, and third-trimester serum samples were measured for BAFF and APRIL by ELISA from 150 pregnant women (71 healthy + 79 with a chronic medical disease) at a single medical center. Postpartum serum samples were also collected from the majority of these women. Matched third-trimester and cord blood samples were collected from 168 women (86 healthy + 82 with a chronic medical disease). Data were analyzed by chi-square statistic, unpaired t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney rank sum test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Spearman rank order correlation, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses as appropriate.
RESULTS
Maternal serum BAFF levels declined as the pregnancies progressed and rebounded postpartum, whereas serum APRIL levels remained relatively flat throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Cord BAFF and APRIL levels correlated positively with gestation age and were considerably greater than the corresponding maternal third-trimester serum BAFF and APRIL levels, respectively. In women who developed preeclampsia, third-trimester BAFF levels were greater, rather than lower, than their corresponding second-trimester BAFF levels. ROC curve analysis suggested a potential role for third-trimester serum BAFF level as a biomarker of preeclampsia.
CONCLUSIONS
BAFF and APRIL are differentially regulated in the mother during and following pregnancy, whereas each is upregulated in the developing fetus. An increase in third-trimester serum BAFF level may portend development of preeclampsia.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Fetal Blood; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Biomarkers
PubMed: 36398594
DOI: 10.1111/aji.13654 -
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology May 2021Shorter gestation or smaller birth size are indicators of a suboptimal fetal environment and negatively impact short- and long-term offspring health. Understanding how...
BACKGROUND
Shorter gestation or smaller birth size are indicators of a suboptimal fetal environment and negatively impact short- and long-term offspring health. Understanding how modifiable maternal behaviours, such as moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary behaviour (SED), improve fetal outcomes could inform strategies to improve health across the lifespan.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to examine the association of MVPA and SED across pregnancy trimesters on gestational age at delivery and newborn anthropometrics.
METHODS
The MoM Health Study measured SED (thigh-mounted activPAL3 micro) and MVPA (waist-worn Actigraph GTX3) in each trimester of pregnancy. Birth outcomes (gestational age at delivery, birthweight, birth length, and head circumference) were abstracted from medical records and used to calculate ponderal index (grams*100/cm ) and size-for-gestational age percentiles. Associations of group-based trajectories and trimester-specific SED and MVPA with birth outcomes were analysed using regression models.
RESULTS
Low, medium, and high trajectory groups were generated SED and MVPA in 103 and 99 pregnant women, respectively. High vs low SED trajectory was associated with earlier gestational age at delivery (β -1.03 weeks, 95% CI -2.01, -0.06), larger head circumference (β 0.83 cm, 95% CI 0.24, 1.63), longer birth length (β 1.37 cm, 95% CI 0.09, 2.64), and lower ponderal index (β -0.24 g*100/cm , 95% CI -0.42, -0.06), after adjustment for demographics, pre-pregnancy BMI, and (for newborn anthropometric outcomes) gestational age. The association of high SED with lower ponderal index was the most robust across progressively adjusted models (β -0.25 g*100/cm , 95% CI -0.44, -0.07). SED trajectory was not associated with birthweight or size-for-gestational age. High vs low MVPA trajectory was only associated with smaller head circumference (β -0.86 cm, 95% CI -1.70, -0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
Higher SED during pregnancy may result in shorter gestation and inhibited fetal growth. Further research evaluating the effect of reducing SED during pregnancy on birth outcomes is warranted.
Topics: Birth Weight; Exercise; Female; Humans; Parturition; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Sedentary Behavior
PubMed: 33124060
DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12731 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2019Sexual activity during pregnancy is determined by emotional, psychosocial, hormonal, and anatomical factors and varies during trimesters. This work aimed to establish...
Sexual activity during pregnancy is determined by emotional, psychosocial, hormonal, and anatomical factors and varies during trimesters. This work aimed to establish women's sexual activity during each trimester of pregnancy. A total of 624 women were included in the study and filled in the questionnaire three times, once during each trimester of pregnancy. The first part of the survey included questions about socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, and medical details of a given pregnancy. The second part was the Polish version of the female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaire. Comparison of the mean scores for the overall sexual function of each trimester revealed clinically relevant sexual dysfunction in the second and third trimesters (mean values 25.9 ± 8.7 and 22.7 ± 8.7, respectively; < 0.01). Women were most sexually active during their second trimester. In the first trimester of pregnancy, women were most likely to choose intercourse in the missionary position. Women with vocational education were characterized by the lowest and homogenous FSFI values. Total FSFI score depended on the martial status-the highest value pertained to married women (25.2 ± 6.9; = 0.02).
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emotions; Female; Humans; Libido; Marriage; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Reproductive History; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 31671702
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214216 -
Journal of Exposure Science &... Nov 2023There has been limited research considering the effects of prenatal exposure to multiple heavy metals on early childhood size and growth.
BACKGROUND
There has been limited research considering the effects of prenatal exposure to multiple heavy metals on early childhood size and growth.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated prenatal exposures to 15 heavy metals in association with measures of weight, length, and head circumference (HC) measured at birth, and 1, 3 and 6 months of age in a study of 358 mother-child pairs.
METHODS
Urinary concentrations were measured in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and examined, using sex-stratified general linear models, in association with average standardized size and changes in size (growth) over the first 6 months of life. Confounding effects among metals were explored.
RESULTS
Increased first trimester Hg and V were associated with decreased average HC among males and weight among females, respectively. Increased first trimester V was associated with a decline in weight among females over time. Increased third trimester Cs, Rb and Tl were associated with increased average weight and HC among males. Increased third trimester Se was associated with increased HC among females over time. Evidence for confounding was observed between Cs, Rb and Tl in association with weight and HC.
SIGNIFICANCE
We observed multiple biologically plausible associations between prenatal heavy metal exposures and postnatal size and growth.
IMPACT
We have taken a comprehensive and novel approach to evaluating the impacts of prenatal heavy metal exposures on size and growth during early childhood. Our detailed analyses consider exposures to 15 different heavy metals at two time points during pregnancy, as well as multiple metrics of size and growth collected at birth and 1, 3 and 6 months of age.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Male; Female; Humans; Child, Preschool; Metals, Heavy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Postpartum Period; Maternal Exposure; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 35490160
DOI: 10.1038/s41370-022-00443-8 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023The objective of this study was to identify the predictive value of the first-trimester serum SHARP1 level and the second-trimester uterine artery Doppler in singleton...
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to identify the predictive value of the first-trimester serum SHARP1 level and the second-trimester uterine artery Doppler in singleton pregnancy for the prediction of preeclampsia.
METHODS
A prospective study including singleton pregnancy presenting at an antenatal clinic, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University from 2019-March 2020 was conducted. Serum SHARP1 was collected at the gestational age (GA) of 11-13weeks, and transabdominal uterine artery Doppler ultrasound was performed at GA of 18-24 weeks. Serum SHARP1 level and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) were combined to calculate the predictive value for preeclampsia detection.
RESULTS
288 pregnant women were enrolled in the first trimester, but only 249 participants completed the study. Thirteen patients had preeclampsia (5.2%), which three cases (1.2%) had early-onset preeclampsia. The median serum SHARP1 level in the first trimester of pregnant women with preeclampsia was lower than the normal pregnancy group (1392 pg/ml vs. 1941 pg/ml, = 0.046). The second-trimester uterine artery PI and prevalence of early diastolic notching were higher in the preeclampsia group than in the normal pregnancy group ( = 0.029 and = 0.001, respectively). When the first-trimester serum SHARP1 level is combined with the second-trimester uterine artery PI, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for preeclampsia prediction were 84.6%, 47.5%, 8.2%, and 98.3%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that serum SHARP1 level in the first trimester combined with the uterine artery PI in the second trimester had good sensitivity to predict preeclampsia.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pre-Eclampsia; Prospective Studies; Uterine Artery; Ultrasonography, Doppler
PubMed: 37654106
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2253348 -
Environmental Research Mar 2022Studies have shown that increased maternal cortisol level is associated with child adverse health outcomes. Hair cortisol (HC) is suitable for assessing long-term...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Studies have shown that increased maternal cortisol level is associated with child adverse health outcomes. Hair cortisol (HC) is suitable for assessing long-term circulating cortisol concentration. Only two previous studies reported beneficial associations between cortisol and residential greenness during pregnancy and no study focused on the first trimester. Our aim was to evaluate the association between residential greenness and first trimester HC levels among pregnant women in Israel.
METHODS
Women were recruited during second and third trimesters. Hair samples were collected from the scalp and retrospective HC levels during the first trimester were quantified for 217 women. HC levels were natural log transformed and outliers were excluded. Based on geocoded birth address, small area sociodemographic status (SES) and mean residential surrounding greenness were calculated using high-resolution satellite-based Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data at 100, 300 and 500-m buffers in a cross-sectional approach. In addition, longitudinal exposure to mean greenness during a week preconception and during the first trimester were calculated. Missing covariates were imputed and linearity of the associations were evaluated. Generalized linear models were used to estimate the crude and adjusted associations controlled for the relevant covariates.
RESULTS
After exclusion of outliers, for 211 women, crude and adjusted beneficial associations between exposure to higher mean NDVI and HC levels were observed for all the exposure measures. An increase in 1 interquartile range of greenness (100 m buffer) was associated with a statistically significant lower estimated natural log mean HC level (-0.27 95% CI: -0.44; -0.11). The associations were robust to adjustment for covariates. The findings were consistent for different buffers, for the longitudinal approach, when all observations were included in the analysis and slightly stronger associations were observed for women with addresses geocoded at the home or street level. For most of the exposure measures, stronger associations were observed among those of lower sociodemographic status.
CONCLUSION
Our findings that more greenness associated with reduced maternal cortisol levels measured in the hair during the first trimester, could have substantial implications for urban planners and public health professional. If our observations will be replicated, it may present a useful avenue for public-health intervention to promote health through the provision of greenness exposure during early pregnancy, specifically to disadvantage populations.
Topics: Built Environment; Child; Environment; Female; Hair; Health Promotion; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Israel; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34780787
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112378 -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... Feb 2024Sonographic sonolucencies are anechoic areas surrounded by tissue of normal echogenicity, commonly found in the placental parenchyma during the second and third... (Review)
Review
Sonographic sonolucencies are anechoic areas surrounded by tissue of normal echogenicity, commonly found in the placental parenchyma during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The ultrasound appearance of lakes and lacunae derives from the low echogenicity of villous-free areas within the placental parenchyma, filled with maternal blood of varying velocities. In normal placentation, lakes usually start appearing as soon as maternal blood begins to flow freely within the intervillous space at the end of the first trimester, whereas, in accreta placentation, lacunae develop progressively during the second trimester. Larger lakes are found mainly in areas of lower villous density under the fetal plate or in the marginal areas, but can also be found in the center of a lobule above the entry of a spiral artery. Lakes of variable size, position and shape are of no clinical significance, except if they transform into echogenic cystic lesions, which have been associated with poor fetal growth and placental malperfusion. Lacunae are formed by the distortion of one or more placental lobules developing inside a uterine scar, resulting from high-volume, high-velocity flows from the radial/arcuate arteries, and are associated with a high probability of placenta accreta spectrum at birth. They often present with ultrasound signs of uterine remodeling following scarring. Lakes and lacunae can coexist within the same placenta and both will change in size and shape as pregnancy advances. Better understanding of the etiopathology of placental sonolucent spaces and associated morphological changes is necessary to identify patients at risk of subsequent complications during pregnancy and/or at delivery. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Placenta; Lakes; Placentation; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Placenta Accreta; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 37592837
DOI: 10.1002/uog.27453 -
Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical... 2020Thyroid disease in pregnancy can have devastating effect on the fetus. In Harbin, China, there is insufficient knowledge about the incidence of and contributing factors...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Thyroid disease in pregnancy can have devastating effect on the fetus. In Harbin, China, there is insufficient knowledge about the incidence of and contributing factors to thyroid disease in pregnancy. This study investigates whether urine iodine concentration (UIC), as a proxy for iodine intake, affects the thyroid structure and/or function during each trimester.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN
Data of 24000 pre-pregnant women were collected from January 2017 to August 2019. Serum thyroid hormone levels were measured, and thyroid ultrasonography was performed. If thyroid ultrasonography and thyroid function findings were normal before pregnancy and were abnormal after pregnancy, the current gestational age was recorded and the UIC was measured. Finally, a total of 500 participants were included in the study.
RESULTS
There were significant differences in the incidence of abnormal thyroid structure and function between trimester groups (p<0.05). Thyroid nodular lesions were the most common abnormal ultrasound finding, and positive thyroid peroxide antibodies (TPOAb) were the most common abnormal thyroid function test results. There were significant differences in the median UIC between trimester groups (p<0.001); the median UIC decreased with increasing gestational age. The incidence of abnormal thyroid structure or function was not significantly different across UIC groups (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In women from Harbin, thyroid structural or functional abnormalities commonly occur in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Thyroid nodular lesions and positive TPOAb are the commonest thyroid abnormalities. The median UIC significantly declines with increasing gestational age. Pregnant women in Harbin have iodine-deficient states.
Topics: China; Female; Humans; Iodine; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Thyroid Function Tests; Thyroid Gland
PubMed: 33377373
DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202012_29(4).0014