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BMJ Open Apr 2022To determine the accuracy of metabolomics in predicting hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of metabolomics in predicting hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
DESIGN
Systematic review of observational studies.
DATA SOURCES AND STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
An electronic literature search was performed in June 2019 and February 2022. Two researchers independently selected studies published between 1998 and 2022 on metabolomic techniques applied to predict the condition; subsequently, they extracted data and performed quality assessment. Discrepancies were dealt with a third reviewer. The primary outcome was pre-eclampsia. Cohort or case-control studies were eligible when maternal samples were taken before diagnosis of the hypertensive disorder.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
Data on study design, maternal characteristics, how hypertension was diagnosed, metabolomics details and metabolites, and accuracy were independently extracted by two authors.
RESULTS
Among 4613 initially identified studies on metabolomics, 68 were read in full text and 32 articles were included. Studies were excluded due to duplicated data, study design or lack of identification of metabolites. Metabolomics was applied mainly in the second trimester; the most common technique was liquid-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Among the 122 different metabolites found, there were 23 amino acids and 21 fatty acids. Most of the metabolites were involved with ammonia recycling; amino acid metabolism; arachidonic acid metabolism; lipid transport, metabolism and peroxidation; fatty acid metabolism; cell signalling; galactose metabolism; nucleotide sugars metabolism; lactose degradation; and glycerolipid metabolism. Only citrate was a common metabolite for prediction of early-onset and late-onset pre-eclampsia. Vitamin D was the only metabolite in common for pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension prediction. Meta-analysis was not performed due to lack of appropriate standardised data.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Metabolite signatures may contribute to further insights into the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and support screening tests. Nevertheless, it is mandatory to validate such methods in larger studies with a heterogeneous population to ascertain the potential for their use in clinical practice.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42018097409.
Topics: Case-Control Studies; Female; Humans; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Mass Spectrometry; Metabolomics; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35470187
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054697 -
Human Reproduction Update Mar 2024Pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are more likely to experience preterm birth and their neonates are more likely... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are more likely to experience preterm birth and their neonates are more likely to be stillborn or admitted to a neonatal unit. The World Health Organization declared in May 2023 an end to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as a global health emergency. However, pregnant women are still becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 and there is limited information available regarding the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in early pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
We conducted this systematic review to determine the prevalence of early pregnancy loss in women with SARS-Cov-2 infection and compare the risk to pregnant women without SARS-CoV-2 infection.
SEARCH METHODS
Our systematic review is based on a prospectively registered protocol. The search of PregCov19 consortium was supplemented with an extra electronic search specifically on pregnancy loss in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 up to 10 March 2023 in PubMed, Google Scholar, and LitCovid. We included retrospective and prospective studies of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection, provided that they contained information on pregnancy losses in the first and/or second trimester. Primary outcome was miscarriage defined as a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation, however, studies that reported loss up to 22 or 24 weeks were also included. Additionally, we report on studies that defined the pregnancy loss to occur at the first and/or second trimester of pregnancy without specifying gestational age, and for second trimester miscarriage only when the study presented stillbirths and/or foetal losses separately from miscarriages. Data were stratified into first and second trimester. Secondary outcomes were ectopic pregnancy (any extra-uterine pregnancy), and termination of pregnancy. At least three researchers independently extracted the data and assessed study quality. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and risk differences (RDs) with corresponding 95% CI and pooled the data using random effects meta-analysis. To estimate risk prevalence, we performed meta-analysis on proportions. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2.
OUTCOMES
We included 120 studies comprising a total of 168 444 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection; of which 18 233 women were in their first or second trimester of pregnancy. Evidence level was considered to be of low to moderate certainty, mostly owing to selection bias. We did not find evidence of an association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and miscarriage (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.81-1.48; I2 = 0.0%; RD 0.0012, 95% CI -0.0103 to 0.0127; I2 = 0%; 9 studies, 4439 women). Miscarriage occurred in 9.9% (95% CI 6.2-14.0%; I2 = 68%; 46 studies, 1797 women) of the women with SARS CoV-2 infection in their first trimester and in 1.2% (95% CI 0.3-2.4%; I2 = 34%; 33 studies; 3159 women) in the second trimester. The proportion of ectopic pregnancies in women with SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.4% (95% CI 0.02-4.2%; I2 = 66%; 14 studies, 950 women). Termination of pregnancy occurred in 0.6% of the women (95% CI 0.01-1.6%; I2 = 79%; 39 studies; 1166 women).
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Our study found no indication that SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first or second trimester increases the risk of miscarriages. To provide better risk estimates, well-designed studies are needed that include pregnant women with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection at conception and early pregnancy and consider the association of clinical manifestation and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection with pregnancy loss, as well as potential confounding factors such as previous pregnancy loss. For clinical practice, pregnant women should still be advised to take precautions to avoid risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Abortion, Spontaneous; COVID-19; Premature Birth; Prevalence
PubMed: 38016805
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad030 -
Women's Health (London, England) 2023Regular exercise performed during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of developing perinatal gestational hypertensive conditions. Further evidence on the exact... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Regular exercise performed during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the risk of developing perinatal gestational hypertensive conditions. Further evidence on the exact parameters of exercise needed to explain these beneficial responses is required, within both uncomplicated and at-risk pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on blood pressure during pregnancy.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES AND METHODS
An online search of six search engines was conducted up to February 2023. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, cohort, and longitudinal studies were included. Studies included an acute exercise bout or intervention of land-based aerobic and/or resistance exercise during any trimester in uncomplicated and at-risk pregnancies. Outcomes included mean arterial pressure (MAP), or systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
RESULTS
Following the removal of duplicates, 1538 articles were screened with 59 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for the review (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) n = 34, clinical trials n = 19, cohort n = 5 and cross-sectional n = 2), and 21 studies included in the meta-analysis. A random effects model was used with mean difference calculated in mmHg. Overall, there were no statistically significant effects of exercise on resting blood pressure (BP) outcomes in pregnant women with normal blood pressure compared to control/usual care populations following intervention (SBP mean diff -1.54 mmHg (favours intervention), p = 0.38; DBP mean diff -2.25 mmHg (favours intervention), p = 0.1; MAP mean diff -1.75 mmHg (favours intervention), p = 0.31). In at-risk pregnant women, both aerobic and combination exercise significantly reduced BP outcomes compared to control (SBP mean diff -3.91 mmHg, p < 0.01; DBP mean diff -2.9 mmHg, p = 0.01; MAP mean diff -2.38 mmHg, p = 0.01). Twenty-seven studies reported an acute increase in SBP and DBP during aerobic exercise, with no difference found between uncomplicated and at-risk pregnancies.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared to usual care, aerobic and/or resistance exercise performed throughout uncomplicated pregnancy had no influence on blood pressure. Pregnant women with no diagnosed complications should be encouraged to exercise regularly due to the multitude of known benefits. In women who are at risk of, or diagnosed, with gestational hypertensive conditions during pregnancy, moderate to vigorous exercise during pregnancy improves blood pressure outcomes. Higher risk pregnancies may reduce their risk of future cardiovascular complications through regular exercise training during pregnancy.
REGISTRATION
CRD42020159998.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Blood Pressure; Resistance Training; Hypertension; Exercise
PubMed: 37455490
DOI: 10.1177/17455057231183573 -
BMJ Open Mar 2023The use of medications among pregnant women has been rising over the past few decades but the reporting of polypharmacy has been sporadic. The objective of this review...
OBJECTIVES
The use of medications among pregnant women has been rising over the past few decades but the reporting of polypharmacy has been sporadic. The objective of this review is to identify literature reporting the prevalence of polypharmacy among pregnant women, the prevalence of multimorbidity in women taking multiple medications in pregnancy and associated effects on maternal and offspring outcomes.
DESIGN
MEDLINE and Embase were searched from their inception to 14 September 2021 for interventional trials, observational studies and systematic reviews reporting on the prevalence of polypharmacy or the use of multiple medications in pregnancy were included.Data on prevalence of polypharmacy, prevalence of multimorbidity, combinations of medications and pregnancy and offspring outcomes were extracted. A descriptive analysis was performed.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies met the review criteria. The prevalence of women being prescribed two or more medications during pregnancy ranged from 4.9% (4.3%-5.5%) to 62.4% (61.3%-63.5%), with a median of 22.5%. For the first trimester, prevalence ranged from 4.9% (4.7%-5.14%) to 33.7% (32.2%-35.1%). No study reported on the prevalence of multimorbidity, or associated pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to polypharmacy.
CONCLUSION
There is a significant burden of polypharmacy among pregnant women. There is a need for evidence on the combinations of medications prescribed in pregnancy, how this specifically affects women with multiple long-term conditions and the associated benefits and harms.
TWEETABLE ABSTRACT
Our systematic review shows significant burden of polypharmacy in pregnancy but outcomes for women and offspring are unknown.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021223966.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Male; Prevalence; Polypharmacy; Family; MEDLINE; Multimorbidity
PubMed: 36878655
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067585 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Jan 2021This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the current literature to determine estimates of vertical transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 based on early RNA... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the current literature to determine estimates of vertical transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 based on early RNA detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 after birth from various neonatal or fetal sources and neonatal serology.
DATA SOURCES
Eligible studies published until May 28, 2020, were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, medRxiv, and bioRxiv collection databases.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
This systematic review included cohort studies, case series, and case reports of pregnant women who received a coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis using severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral RNA test and had reported data regarding the testing of neonates or fetuses for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 immediately after birth and within 48 hours of birth. A total of 30 eligible case reports describing 43 tested neonates and 38 cohort or case series studies describing 936 tested neonates were included.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
The methodological quality of all included studies was evaluated by a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Quantitative synthesis was performed on cohort or case series studies according to the neonatal biological specimen site to reach pooled proportions of vertical transmission.
RESULTS
Our quantitative synthesis revealed that of 936 neonates from mothers with coronavirus disease 2019, 27 neonates had a positive result for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral RNA test using nasopharyngeal swab, indicating a pooled proportion of 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.2-4.3) for vertical transmission. Of note, the pooled proportion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positivity in neonates by nasopharyngeal swab in studies from China was 2.0% (8/397), which was similar to the pooled proportion of 2.7% (14/517) in studies from outside of China. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral RNA testing in neonatal cord blood was positive in 2.9% of samples (1/34), 7.7% of placenta samples (2/26), 0% of amniotic fluid (0/51), 0% of urine samples (0/17), and 9.7% of fecal or rectal swabs (3/31). Neonatal serology was positive in 3 of 82 samples (3.7%) (based on the presence of immunoglobulin M).
CONCLUSION
Vertical transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is possible and seems to occur in a minority of cases of maternal coronavirus disease 2019 infection in the third trimester. The rates of infection are similar to those of other pathogens that cause congenital infections. However, given the paucity of early trimester data, no assessment can yet be made regarding the rates of vertical transmission in early pregnancy and potential risk for consequent fetal morbidity and mortality.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Female; Global Health; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
PubMed: 32739398
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.07.049 -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Jan 2024The aetiology of gastroschisis is considered multifactorial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether the use of medications during... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
The aetiology of gastroschisis is considered multifactorial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether the use of medications during pregnancy, is associated with the risk of gastroschisis in offspring.
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched from 1st January 1990 to 31st December 2020 to identify observational studies examining the association between medication use during pregnancy and the risk of gastroschisis. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for the quality assessment of the individual studies. We pooled adjusted measures using a random-effect model to estimate relative risk [RR] and the 95% confidence interval [CI]. I statistic for heterogeneity and publication bias was calculated.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies providing data on 751,954 pregnancies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled RRs showed significant associations between aspirin (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.16-2.38; I = 58.3%), oral contraceptives (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21-1.92; I = 22.0%), pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.16-1.97; I = 33.2%), ibuprofen (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.26-1.60; I = 0.0%), and gastroschisis. No association was observed between paracetamol and gastroschisis (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.96-1.41; I = 39.4%).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the exposure in the first trimester of pregnancy to over the counter medications (OTC) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine as well as to oral contraceptives, was associated with an increased risk of gastroschisis. However, these associations are significant only in particular subgroups defined by geographic location, adjustment variables and type of control. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate them as potential risk factors for gastroschisis, to assess their safety in pregnancy and to develop treatment strategies to reduce the risk of gastroschisis in offspring. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021287529.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Aspirin; Contraceptives, Oral; Gastroschisis; Ibuprofen; Phenylpropanolamine; Pseudoephedrine; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38287353
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02992-z -
European Journal of Obstetrics &... Jul 2021We aimed to review and analyze studies focusing on the efficacy of metronidazole in reducing the risk of preterm birth and the safety of metronidazole taking into... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to review and analyze studies focusing on the efficacy of metronidazole in reducing the risk of preterm birth and the safety of metronidazole taking into account the different doses, duration of treatment and routes of administration.
STUDY DESIGNS
Embase, Cochrane Library and PubMed were searched up to 29 July 2019 to identify studies assessing metronidazole exposure during pregnancy. Additional studies were identified from reference lists of retrieved papers. Measured outcomes were preterm births (<37 weeks of gestation) and associated delivery outcomes such as spontaneous abortions (≤ 20 weeks of gestation), stillbirths (≥20 weeks of gestation) and low birth weight (<2500 g) irrespective of the period of exposure and major malformations after first-trimester exposure. Overall effect estimates for RCTs and observational studies were calculated using the random-effects model and pooled using Risk Ratios (RR) and Odds Ratios (OR) respectively. ROB-2 and ROBINS-I tool were used to assess Risk of Bias for RCTs and observational studies, respectively.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies (17 observational studies and 7 RCTs) were selected. Pooled RR was 1.10 (95 % CI 0.78-1.55; n = 7; I = 72 %) for preterm birth. Subgroup analysis found RR 1.67; 95 % CI 1.07-2.62; n = 3; I² = 32 %) for treatment duration of ≤3 days among women with a previous preterm delivery. Pooled OR for spontaneous abortion was 1.72 (95 % CI 1.40-2.12; n = 5; I = 72 %) and 1.15 (95 % CI 0.98-1.34; n = 12; I = 25 %) for major malformations. After exclusion of studies with critical risk of bias, pooled OR were 1.7 (1.42-2.04; n = 3; I = 19 %) and 1.13 (0.93-1.36; n = 9; I = 28 %) respectively. Among several specific malformations analyzed, only congenital hydrocephaly was significantly increased at 4.06 (95 % CI 1.75-9.42; n = 2; I² = 0%).
CONCLUSIONS
Data do not confirm the efficacy of metronidazole in reducing the risk of preterm birth and associated delivery outcomes. Further research is required to confirm the effect of high dose and short duration of metronidazole treatment on preterm birth among the high-risk group. Regarding the increased odds of spontaneous abortion, RCTs are required to assess the role of the underlying infection. The need for further studies to confirm the risk of congenital hydrocephaly is paramount.
PubMed: 34136799
DOI: 10.1016/j.eurox.2021.100128 -
Open Medicine (Warsaw, Poland) 2023Today, in the modern world, people are often exposed to electromagnetic waves, which can have undesirable effects on cell components that lead to differentiation and... (Review)
Review
Today, in the modern world, people are often exposed to electromagnetic waves, which can have undesirable effects on cell components that lead to differentiation and abnormalities in cell proliferation, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, chromosomal abnormalities, cancers, and birth defects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of electromagnetic waves on fetal and childhood abnormalities. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched on 1 January 2023. The Cochran's -test and statistics were applied to assess heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR), standardized mean difference (SMD), and mean difference for different outcomes, and a meta-regression method was utilized to investigate the factors affecting heterogeneity between studies. A total of 14 studies were included in the analysis, and the outcomes investigated were: change in gene expression, oxidant parameters, antioxidant parameters, and DNA damage parameters in the umbilical cord blood of the fetus and fetal developmental disorders, cancers, and childhood development disorders. Totally, the events of fetal and childhood abnormalities were more common in parents who have been exposed to EMFs compared to those who have not (SMD and 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25 [0.15-0.35]; , 91%). Moreover, fetal developmental disorders (OR, 1.34; CI, 1.17-1.52; , 0%); cancer (OR, 1.14; CI, 1.05-1.23; , 60.1%); childhood development disorders (OR, 2.10; CI, 1.00-3.21; , 0%); changes in gene expression (mean difference [MD], 1.02; CI, 0.67-1.37; , 93%); oxidant parameters (MD, 0.94; CI, 0.70-1.18; , 61.3%); and DNA damage parameters (MD, 1.01; CI, 0.17-1.86; , 91.6%) in parents who have been exposed to EMFs were more than those in parents who have not. According to meta-regression, publication year has a significant effect on heterogeneity (coefficient: 0.033; 0.009-0.057). Maternal exposure to electromagnetic fields, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, due to the high level of stem cells and their high sensitivity to this radiation, the biochemical parameters of the umbilical cord blood examined was shown increased oxidative stress reactions, changes in protein gene expression, DNA damage, and increased embryonic abnormalities. In addition, parental exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation can lead to the enhancement of different cell-based cancers and developmental disorders such as speech problems in childhood.
PubMed: 37197358
DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0697 -
Nutrients Mar 2021Elevated inflammation in pregnancy has been associated with multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes and potentially an increased susceptibility to future chronic disease....
Elevated inflammation in pregnancy has been associated with multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes and potentially an increased susceptibility to future chronic disease. How maternal dietary patterns influence systemic inflammation during pregnancy requires further investigation. The purpose of this review was to comprehensively evaluate studies that assessed dietary patterns and inflammatory markers during pregnancy. This review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses. Included studies were sourced from EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus and evaluated using The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Inclusion criteria consisted of human studies published in English between January 2007 and May 2020 that addressed associations between dietary patterns and inflammatory markers during pregnancy. Studies focused on a single nutrient, supplementation, or combined interventions were excluded. A total of 17 studies were included. Despite some inconsistent findings, maternal diets characterized by a higher intake of animal protein and cholesterol and/or a lower intake of fiber were shown to be associated with certain pro-inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α), IL-8, serum amyloid A (SAA), and glycoprotein acetylation (GlycA)). Future studies that explore a broader range of inflammatory markers in the pregnant population, reduce measurement errors, and ensure adequate statistical adjustment are warranted.
Topics: Acetylation; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Diet; Female; Glycoproteins; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Prenatal Care; Serum Amyloid A Protein; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 33806342
DOI: 10.3390/nu13030834 -
Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic... Dec 2020Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications in pregnancy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications in pregnancy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between vitamin E and GDM.
METHODS
Relevant articles from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases up to December 2019 were searched. The inclusion criteria were observational full-text articles. The fixed and random effect models were used to analyze the pooled data using Review Manager 5.3.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies, including 596 participants, of whom 285 were diagnosed with GDM were included in the meta-analysis. The vitamin E level was significantly lower in women with GDM (MD: - 0.10; 95% CI: [-0.15, - 0.05]). The level of vitamin E was not different between overweight women with GDM and healthy pregnant women (MD: 0.03; 95% CI: [-0.08, 0.013]). The level of vitamin E was significantly lower in the third trimester of pregnancy in GDM women in comparison to the healthy pregnant women(MD: -0.09; 95% CI: [-0.12, -0.06]).
CONCLUSION
This study showed that the level of vitamin E is significantly lower in GDM women compared to healthy pregnant women.
PubMed: 33553044
DOI: 10.1007/s40200-020-00582-5