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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jan 2021Chorangiosis is a vascular change involving the terminal chorionic villi in the placenta. It results from longstanding, low-grade hypoxia in the placental tissue, and is...
BACKGROUND
Chorangiosis is a vascular change involving the terminal chorionic villi in the placenta. It results from longstanding, low-grade hypoxia in the placental tissue, and is associated with such conditions as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), diabetes, and gestational hypertension in pregnancy. Chorangiosis rarely occurs in normal pregnancies. However, its prevalence is 5-7% of all placentas from infants admitted to newborn intensive care units. The present study was aimed at determining the association of chorangiosis with pregnancy complications and perinatal outcomes.
METHODS
In this case-control study, 308 chorangiosis cases were compared with 308 controls (with other diagnoses in pathology) in terms of maternal, placental, prenatal, and neonatal characteristics derived from the medical records of participants retrospectively. R and SPSS version 22 software tools were used, and the statistical significance level was considered 0.05 for all the tests.
RESULTS
Preeclampsia, diabetes mellitus, maternal hemoglobin, maternal hematocrit, C/S, oligohydramnios, fetal anomaly, dead neonates, NICU admissions were significantly higher in the chorangiosis group OR = 1.6, 3.98, 1.68, 1.92, 2.1, 4.47, 4.22, 2.9, 2.46, respectively (p-value< 0.05 for all). Amniotic fluid index, birth weight, cord PH amount, 1st, and 5th Apgar score was lower in the chorangiosis group OR = 0.31, 1, 0.097, 0.83, 0.85, respectively (p-value< 0.05 for all). Moreover, fundal placenta, retro placental hemorrhage, perivillous fibrin deposition, calcification, and acute chorioamnionitis were higher in the chorangiosis group OR = 2.1, 11.8, 19.96, 4.05, and 6.38 respectively, (p-value< 0.05). There was a high agreement between the two pathologists, and the power of the study was estimated at 99%.
CONCLUSION
Although chorangiosis is an uncommon condition, it is associated with a higher incidence of perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it should be considered an important clinical sign of adverse pregnancy outcomes and should be reported in the pathology evaluation.
Topics: Adult; Apgar Score; Case-Control Studies; Chorioamnionitis; Chorionic Villi; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Mortality; Infant, Newborn; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 33516193
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-03576-0 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Dec 2022Placental complication arises due to various risk factors occurring during the pregnancy period, leading to an increased morbidity rate. Placenta related disorders are... (Review)
Review
Placental complication arises due to various risk factors occurring during the pregnancy period, leading to an increased morbidity rate. Placenta related disorders are one of primary reason for pregnancy related complications and the clinical incidences are seen to be on the rise. Most of the common disorders associated with placenta are pre-eclampsia, recurrent spontaneous abortions, intra-uterine growth restriction etc. Several studies have been done to understand the genetics and immunological attributes leading to the development of placenta associated complications. In the recent years, studies were able to establish and identify ncRNAs found specifically in foetal tissues such as the placenta. The aberrant expression patterns of ncRNA associated with placenta has been linked to disorders such as pre-eclampsia. Since ncRNA play a major role in regulating biological processes like trophoblast growth, migration and invasion, their aberrant expression could very well lead to complications like spontaneous pregnancy loss. This review article focuses on the association of ncRNAs - miRNAs, lncRNAs, CircRNAs in placenta associated complications as well as the different ncRNA based therapies. Deciphering the exact mechanism involved in the regulation and development of placenta through ncRNA will help in using it as a biomarker for early diagnosis. Understanding the therapeutic opportunities of ncRNAs in placental disorders will result in better treatment strategies.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Pre-Eclampsia; Placenta; Abortion, Spontaneous; RNA, Untranslated; RNA, Long Noncoding; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 36411641
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113964 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Mar 2023Many couples experience difficulties to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term due to unknown causes. Here we define pre-pregnancy complications as having prior...
BACKGROUND
Many couples experience difficulties to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to term due to unknown causes. Here we define pre-pregnancy complications as having prior recurrent pregnancy loss, prior late miscarriages, time to pregnancy more than one year, or the use of artificial reproductive technologies. We aim to identify factors associated with pre-pregnancy complications and poor well-being in early pregnancy.
METHODS
Online questionnaire data from 5330 unique pregnancies in Sweden were collected from November 2017 - February 2021. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to investigate potential risk factors for pre-pregnancy complications and differences in early pregnancy symptoms.
RESULTS
Pre-pregnancy complications were identified in 1142 participants (21%). Risk factors included diagnosed endometriosis, thyroid medication, opioids and other strong pain medication, body mass index > 25 kg/m and age over 35 years. Different subgroups of pre-pregnancy complications had unique risk factors. The groups also experienced different pregnancy symptoms in early pregnancy, where women that had experienced recurrent pregnancy loss were at higher risk of depression in their current pregnancy.
CONCLUSION
We report one of the largest pregnancy cohorts with high frequency of pre-pregnancy complications compared to the Swedish population. Prescribed drug use and body weight were the top potentially modifiable risk factors in all groups. Participants that experienced pre-pregnancy complications also had higher risk of depression and pregnancy problems in early pregnancy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Adult; Cohort Studies; Sweden; Pregnancy Complications; Abortion, Habitual; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36890460
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05479-8 -
PloS One 2022We aimed to assess women's perceptions on the long-term risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) after major pregnancy complications.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to assess women's perceptions on the long-term risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD) after major pregnancy complications.
METHODS
Women who experienced major pregnancy complications and those who experienced uncomplicated pregnancies were invited to participate in a qualitative study. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and self-administered questionnaires were used to explore: The knowledge of long-term sequelae after experiencing a major pregnancy complication; Importance of education on heart health; The practicality of referral to a clinic after pregnancy complications; Willingness for regular postpartum clinic visits after pregnancy complications. A thematic qualitative analysis was undertaken.
RESULTS
26 women participated in four FGDs. The majority of women did not know of the association between major pregnancy complications and CVD. The main views expressed were: Women who experience pregnancy complications should receive education on improving heart health; An appointment for the first CVD risk screening visit needs to be made prior to discharge from the delivery suite; Women will benefit by having the option to select between a hospital and a general-practitioner based model of follow up.
CONCLUSIONS
These views are important in developing postpartum strategies to reduce CVD risk among women who experience pregnancy complications.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Humans; Perception; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 35862420
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271722 -
Malaria Journal Apr 2021Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria infections, increasing the risk of maternal-fetal complications, mainly in high-endemicity areas. However, few...
BACKGROUND
Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria infections, increasing the risk of maternal-fetal complications, mainly in high-endemicity areas. However, few studies of malaria in pregnancy (MiP) have been carried out in Latin America, a region with low endemicity and transmission of both, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Despite the high malaria burden in Venezuela in the last years, no recent studies of MiP have been conducted. Hence, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pregnant women with malaria in southern Venezuela are described herein.
METHODS
A retrospective study in pregnant women attending at the "Ruíz y Páez" University Hospital Complex, Bolivar state, Venezuela, was carried out between February and October, 2019. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory information was analysed.
RESULTS
Thirty-seven out of 52 pregnant women analysed were infected with P. vivax. Age ranged between 15 and 39 years, and adolescent pregnancies were common. Malaria infection was diagnosed mainly during the third trimester of pregnancy (63.4%). The distribution of symptoms and signs as well as clinical laboratory values was similar among Plasmodium spp. Although uncomplicated malaria was most frequent, 30% (13/52) had severe anaemia. A high proportion of studied women (44%) presented at least one complication during the pregnancy or delivery. Spontaneous abortion was recorded in four women, and three fetal deaths were observed. Six women had preterm delivery without any further complication.
CONCLUSIONS
A high prevalence of maternal-fetal complications was found in the studied population, highlighting the requirement for a careful medical follow up during the prenatal check-ups, which should include routinary malaria tests. Preventive measures as distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito net for pregnant women at risk should also be implemented. Those measures can help to reduce the negative impact of malaria on the newborn and mother.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Malaria, Vivax; Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Retrospective Studies; Venezuela; Young Adult
PubMed: 33858446
DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03728-9 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Oct 2023Pain during pregnancy affects women's well-being, causes worry and is a risk factor for the child and the mother during labor. The aim was to investigate the relative...
INTRODUCTION
Pain during pregnancy affects women's well-being, causes worry and is a risk factor for the child and the mother during labor. The aim was to investigate the relative importance of an extensive set of pregnancy-related physiological symptoms and psychosocial factors assessed in the first trimester compared with the occurrence of pregnancy-related pain symptoms later in the pregnancy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Included were all women who booked an appointment for a first prenatal visit in one of 125 randomly selected general practitioner practices in Eastern Denmark from April 2015 to August 2016. These women answered an electronic questionnaire containing questions on the occurrence of five pregnancy-related pain symptoms: back pain, leg cramps, pelvic cavity pain, pelvic girdle pain and uterine contractions. The questionnaire also included sociodemographic questions and questions on chronic diseases, physical symptoms, mental health symptoms, lifestyle and reproductive background. The questionnaire was repeated in each trimester. The relative importance of this set of factors from the first trimester on the five pregnancy-related pain symptoms compared with the second and third trimesters was assessed in a dominance analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 1491 women were included. The most important factor for pregnancy-related pain in the second trimester and third trimester is the presence of the corresponding pain in the first trimester. Parity was associated with pelvic cavity pain and uterine contractions in the following pregnancies. For back pain and pelvic cavity pain, the odds increased as the women's estimated low self-assessed fitness decreased and had low WHO-5 wellbeing scores.
CONCLUSIONS
When including physical risk factors, sociodemographic factors, psychological factors and clinical risk factors, women's experiences of pregnancy-related pain in the first trimester are the most important predictors for pain later in pregnancy. Beyond the expected positive effects of pregnancy-related pain, notably self-assessed fitness, age and parity were predictive for pain later in pregnancy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Child; Female; Humans; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Pelvic Pain
PubMed: 37771202
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14670 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Jan 2023Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension), diabetes mellitus, and placental dysfunction confer an increased...
BACKGROUND
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and chronic hypertension), diabetes mellitus, and placental dysfunction confer an increased risk of long-term maternal cardiovascular disease. Preeclampsia is also associated with acute atherosis that involves lesions of uteroplacental spiral arteries, resembling early stages of atherosclerosis. Serum amyloid A1 is involved in hypercoagulability and atherosclerosis and may aggregate into amyloid-aggregations of misfolded proteins. Pregnancy zone protein may inhibit amyloid aggregation. Amyloid is involved in Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease; it has been identified in preeclampsia, but its role in preeclampsia pathophysiology is unclear.
OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that serum amyloid A1 would be increased and pregnancy zone protein decreased in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and diabetic pregnancies and that serum amyloid A1 and pregnancy zone protein would correlate with placental dysfunction markers (fetal growth restriction and dysregulated angiogenic biomarkers) and acute atherosis.
STUDY DESIGN
Serum amyloid A1 is measurable in both the serum and plasma. In our study, plasma from 549 pregnancies (normotensive, euglycemic controls: 258; early-onset preeclampsia: 71; late-onset preeclampsia: 98; gestational hypertension: 30; chronic hypertension: 9; diabetes mellitus: 83) was assayed for serum amyloid A1 and pregnancy zone protein. The serum levels of angiogenic biomarkers soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor were available for 547 pregnancies, and the results of acute atherosis evaluation were available for 313 pregnancies. The clinical characteristics and circulating biomarkers were compared between the pregnancy groups using the Mann-Whitney U, chi-squared, or Fisher exact test as appropriate. Spearman's rho was calculated for assessing correlations.
RESULTS
In early-onset preeclampsia, serum amyloid A1 was increased compared with controls (17.1 vs 5.1 µg/mL, P<.001), whereas pregnancy zone protein was decreased (590 vs 892 µg/mL, P=.002). Pregnancy zone protein was also decreased in diabetes compared with controls (683 vs 892 µg/mL, P=.01). Serum amyloid A1 was associated with placental dysfunction (fetal growth restriction, elevated soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor ratio). Pregnancy zone protein correlated negatively with soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 to placental growth factor ratio in all study groups. Acute atherosis was not associated with serum amyloid A1 or pregnancy zone protein.
CONCLUSION
Proteins involved in atherosclerosis, hypercoagulability, and protein misfolding are dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia and placental dysfunction, which links them and potentially contributes to future maternal cardiovascular disease.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Atherosclerosis; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Fetal Growth Retardation; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Placenta Growth Factor; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy Complications; Thrombophilia; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; Amyloid
PubMed: 36334725
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100794 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Sep 2019The impact of a chronic disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on sexual functioning and body image can significantly impair the quality of life of patients.... (Review)
Review
The impact of a chronic disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on sexual functioning and body image can significantly impair the quality of life of patients. This review considers the sexual and fertility aspects of IBD patients and their daily management. Modern IBD healthcare management should include appropriate communication on sexuality and consider psychological, physiological, and biological issues. Patients with IBD have less children than the general population, and voluntary childlessness is frequent. The most influential factors reported by IBD patients who experience fertility alteration are psychological and surgery-related problems. Pregnancy is a major concern for patients, and any pregnancy for IBD patients should be closely followed-up to keep the chronic disease in a quiescent state. Preconceptional consultation is of great help.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Female; Fertility; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Quality of Life; Reproductive Behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Sexual Health; Symptom Flare Up
PubMed: 31576090
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i36.5423 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Dec 2023Asthma is the most common chronic medical condition in pregnancy. Asthma exacerbations in pregnancy are unpredictable, and are associated with adverse maternal and fetal... (Review)
Review
Asthma is the most common chronic medical condition in pregnancy. Asthma exacerbations in pregnancy are unpredictable, and are associated with adverse maternal and fetal perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth and low birthweight. Goals of asthma management in pregnancy are to establish effective asthma control and prevent exacerbations. Optimising the management of asthma in pregnancy is an important goal of practice and future research.Treatable traits is a precision medicine paradigm proposed for the management of airways diseases, which holistically addresses the complexity and heterogeneity of airways disease. It is an individualised treatment approach that aims to improve outcomes. This makes treatable traits well suited for pregnant women with asthma, who have a high prevalence of obesity, mental health conditions, poor symptom perception and suboptimal asthma management skills including low treatment adherence. These traits are measurable and treatable. In this review, we explore current knowledge on the burden of asthma, maternal and perinatal consequences of asthma during pregnancy, the treatable traits paradigm, the prevalence of treatable traits in pregnant women with asthma, and consider how the treatable traits paradigm can be integrated into the management of asthma in pregnancy.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Female; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Asthma; Chronic Disease; Phenotype; Precision Medicine; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 38123232
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0105-2023 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Oct 2019Are reproductive characteristics associated with genome-wide DNA methylation and epigenetic age?
STUDY QUESTION
Are reproductive characteristics associated with genome-wide DNA methylation and epigenetic age?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Our data suggest that increasing parity is associated with differences in blood DNA methylation and small increases in epigenetic age.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
A study of 397 young Filipino women (ages 20-22) observed increasing epigenetic age with an increasing number of pregnancies.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
We used data from 2356 non-Hispanic white women (ages 35-74) enrolled in the Sister Study cohort.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Data on reproductive history were ascertained via questionnaire. Of the 2356 women, 1897 (81%) reported at least one live birth. Among parous women, 487 (26%) women reported ever experiencing a pregnancy complication. Three epigenetic clocks (i.e. Hannum, Horvath and Levine) and genome-wide methylation were measured in DNA from whole blood using Illumina's HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. We estimated association β-values and 95% CIs using linear regression.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
All three epigenetic clocks showed weak associations between number of births and epigenetic age (per live birth; Hannum: β = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.29, P = 0.03; Horvath: β = 0.12, 95% CI = -0.04, 0.27, P = 0.14; Levine: β = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.08, 0.45, P = 0.01); however, additional adjustment for current BMI attenuated the associations. Among parous women, a history of abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy was associated with increased epigenetic age by the Hannum clock (β = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.10, 1.81; P = 0.03) and Levine clocks (β = 1.69; 95% CI = 0.54, 2.84; P < 0.01). In epigenome-wide analysis, increasing parity was associated with methylation differences at 17 CpG sites (Bonferroni corrected P≤ 1.0 × 10-7).
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
We relied on retrospective recall to ascertain reproductive history and pregnancy complications.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Our findings suggest that parity is associated with small increases in epigenetic age and with DNA methylation at multiple sites in the genome.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This research was supported by the Intramural Research program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Z01-ES049033, Z01-ES049032 and Z01-ES044055). None of the authors have a conflict of interest.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
Not applicable.
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aging; Body Mass Index; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Female; Humans; Live Birth; Middle Aged; Parity; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prospective Studies; Puerto Rico; Retrospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States
PubMed: 31600381
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez149