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Appetite Jun 2024The aim of this review is to provide an overview of parental communication patterns during mealtimes, with a special emphasis being placed on the differences between...
Parental verbal communication and modeling behavior during mealtimes shape offspring eating behavior - a systematic review with a focus on clinical implications for eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to provide an overview of parental communication patterns during mealtimes, with a special emphasis being placed on the differences between families with and without a history of eating disorders.
METHODS
The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed, PubPsych and PsycINFO and the results were assessed for eligibility by two independent raters using the PICOS criteria. Only studies that included a mealtime observation were considered suitable for analysis of both explicit and implicit parental communication.
RESULTS
The results of the review suggest that mothers communicate more, with more complexity, and with a greater variety of words with their children during mealtimes compared to fathers. The intention and type of communication is diverse and heterogeneous. In general, parents often tried to encourage their children to eat. Verbal modeling and co-eating appeared to be common behaviors. Mothers with a history of eating disorders expressed more negative emotions during eating than mothers without eating disorders. Findings regarding the use of positive comments and controlling speech are contradicting.
DISCUSSION
The review outlines major fields of parent-child communication and modeling behavior around family meals which might be relevant to investigate and integrate into models of intergenerational transmission of eating behavior and disordered eating.
PubMed: 38944057
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107584 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. According to recent studies, alterations in the microbiota and epigenetic modulations are risk... (Review)
Review
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. According to recent studies, alterations in the microbiota and epigenetic modulations are risk factors for this disease. This systematic review aims to determine the possible associations between the intestinal and mammary microbial populations, epigenetic modifications, and breast cancer. To achieve this objective, we conducted a literature search in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases following the PRISMA guidelines. Although no results are yet available in humans, studies in mice suggest a protective effect of maternal dietary interventions with bioactive compounds on the development of breast tumors in offspring. These dietary interventions also modified the gut microbiota, increasing the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing taxa and preventing mammary carcinogenesis. In addition, short-chain fatty acids produced by the microbiota act as epigenetic modulators. Furthermore, some authors indicate that stress alters the gut microbiota, promoting breast tumor growth through epigenetic and gene expression changes in the breast tumor microenvironment. Taken together, these findings show the ability of epigenetic modifications and alterations of the microbiota associated with environmental factors to modulate the development, aggressiveness, and progression of breast cancer.
PubMed: 38929688
DOI: 10.3390/life14060705 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Jun 2024To evaluate the association between cannabis use during pregnancy and the risk for long-term neuropsychiatric pathology in the offspring. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between cannabis use during pregnancy and the risk for long-term neuropsychiatric pathology in the offspring.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched until January 22, 2024, with no language or date restrictions.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported quantitative data on any long-term neuropsychiatric outcome in offspring whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy for medical or recreational use, by any route and at any trimester, in comparison to offspring of women who abstained from cannabis use during pregnancy. All observational study designs were included in the analysis.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. The data was extracted independently by two reviewers. The following offspring outcomes were of interest: attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, as well as cannabis and other substance use. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled for each neuropsychiatric outcome in the offspring of women exposed to cannabis during pregnancy compared with non-exposed. Data were pooled using random-effects models.
RESULTS
Eighteen eligible observational studies were included in the systematic review, and seventeen were included in the final quantitative analysis, representing 534,445 participants. After adjusting for confounders, the pooled OR for ADHD was 1.13 (95% CI 1.01-1.26); for ASD, the pooled OR was 1.04 (95% CI 0.74-1.46); for psychotic symptoms, the pooled OR was 1.29 (95% CI 0.97-1.72); for anxiety, the pooled OR was 1.34 (95% CI 0.79-2.29); for depression, the pooled OR was 0.72 (95% CI 0.11-4.57); and for offspring's cannabis use the pooled OR was 1.20 (95% CI 1.01-1.42).
CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal cannabis exposure is not associated with an increased risk of ASD, psychotic symptoms, anxiety, or depression in offspring. However, it may slightly elevate the risk of ADHD and predispose offspring to cannabis consumption. Despite these findings, caution is warranted regarding cannabis use during pregnancy. Further research is imperative, especially given the increasing potency of cannabis in recent years.
PubMed: 38908654
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.06.014 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jun 2024It is currently unclear whether cesarean section increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.
BACKGROUND
It is currently unclear whether cesarean section increases the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between cesarean section and the risk of allergic diseases in offspring.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies up to October 12, 2023. Observational studies comparing the risk of allergic diseases in offspring delivered by cesarean section versus those delivered vaginally were included. Most-adjusted estimates from individual studies were synthesized by meta-analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 113 studies were included, 70 of which had a low risk of bias. Compared with offspring delivered vaginally, offspring delivered by cesarean section had significantly greater risks of asthma (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.25), allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis (OR 1.15, CI 1.09 to 1.22), atopic dermatitis/eczema (OR 1.08, CI 1.04 to 1.13), food allergies (OR 1.35, CI 1.18 to 1.54), and allergic sensitization (OR 1.19, CI 1.10 to 1.28). Cesarean section did not significantly increase urticaria risk. Sensitivity analyses including only studies with a low risk of bias, adjusted estimates, prospective data collection, large sample sizes, or outcomes from medical records generally supported these findings. Offspring age, study region latitude, economy type, and cesarean section rate accounted for some of the clinical heterogeneity. No data on allergic purpura were found.
CONCLUSION
Most-adjusted estimates suggest that cesarean section is associated with increased risks of asthma, allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis/eczema, food allergies, and allergic sensitization in offspring. The impact of cesarean section on urticaria and purpura remains uncertain.
PubMed: 38908434
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.06.022 -
International Journal of Obesity (2005) Jun 2024Preconception or antenatal lifestyle interventions in women with obesity may prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the child, including cardiac remodelling. We...
BACKGROUND
Preconception or antenatal lifestyle interventions in women with obesity may prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the child, including cardiac remodelling. We undertook a systematic review of the existing data to examine the impact of randomised controlled trials of lifestyle interventions in pregnant women with obesity on offspring cardiac remodelling and related parameters of cardiovascular health.
METHODS
This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023454762) and aligns with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and previous reviews were systematically searched. Follow-up studies from randomised trials of lifestyle interventions in pregnant women with obesity, which included offspring cardiac remodelling or related cardiovascular parameters as outcome measures, were included based on pre-defined inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Eight studies from five randomised controlled trials were included after screening 3252 articles. Interventions included antenatal exercise (n = 2), diet and physical activity (n = 2), and preconception diet and physical activity (n = 1). Children were <2-months to 3-7-years-old, with sample sizes ranging between n = 18-404. Reduced cardiac remodelling, with reduced interventricular septal wall thickness, was consistently reported. Some studies identified improved systolic and diastolic function and a reduced resting heart rate. Risk of bias analyses rated all studies as 'fair' (some risk of bias). A high loss-to-follow-up was a common limitation.
CONCLUSION
Although there is some evidence to suggest that lifestyle interventions in women with obesity may limit offspring cardiac remodelling, further high-quality longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these observations and to determine whether these changes persist to adulthood. Child offspring cardiovascular health benefits of preconception and antenatal lifestyle interventions in women with obesity.
PubMed: 38898228
DOI: 10.1038/s41366-024-01536-0 -
Environment International Jun 2024To inform radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure guidelines the World Health Organization (WHO) is bringing together evidence on RF-EMF in relation to...
BACKGROUND
To inform radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure guidelines the World Health Organization (WHO) is bringing together evidence on RF-EMF in relation to health outcomes prioritised for evaluation by experts in this field. Given this, a network of topic experts and methodologists have conducted a series of systematic reviews collecting, assessing, and synthesising data of relevance to these guidelines. Here we present a systematic review of the effect of RF-EMF exposure on adverse pregnancy outcomes in human observational studies which follows the WHO handbook for guideline development and the COSTER conduct guidelines.
METHODS
We conducted a broad, sensitive search for potentially relevant records within the following bibliographic databases: MEDLINE; Embase; and the EMF Portal. Grey literature searches were also conducted through relevant databases (including OpenGrey), organisational websites and via consultation of RF-EMF experts. We included quantitative human observational studies on the effect of RF-EMF exposure in adults' preconception or pregnant women on pre-term birth, small for gestational age (SGA; associated with intrauterine growth restriction), miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight (LBW) and congenital anomalies. In blinded duplicate, titles and abstracts then full texts were screened against eligibility criteria. A third reviewer gave input when consensus was not reached. Citation chaining of included studies was completed. Two reviewers' data extracted and assessed included studies for risk of bias using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool. Random effects meta-analyses of the highest versus the lowest exposures and dose-response meta-analysis were conducted as appropriate and plausible. Two reviewers assessed the certainty in each body of evidence using the OHAT GRADE tool.
RESULTS
We identified 18 studies in this review; eight were general public studies (with the general public as the population of interest) and 10 were occupational studies (with the population of interest specific workers/workforces). General public studies. From pairwise meta-analyses of general public studies, the evidence is very uncertain about the effects of RF-EMF from mobile phone exposure on preterm birth risk (relative risk (RR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97-1.34, 95% prediction interval (PI): 0.83-1.57; 4 studies), LBW (RR 1.14, 95% CI: 0.96-1.36, 95% PI: 0.84-1.57; 4 studies) or SGA (RR 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.24, 95% PI: 0.99-1.28; 2 studies) due to very low-certainty evidence. It was not feasible to meta-analyse studies reporting on the effect of RF-EMF from mobile phone exposure on congenital anomalies or miscarriage risk. The reported effects from the studies assessing these outcomes varied and the studies were at some risk of bias. No studies of the general public assessed the impact of RF-EMF exposure on stillbirth. Occupational studies. In occupational studies, based on dose-response meta-analyses, the evidence is very uncertain about the effects of RF-EMF amongst female physiotherapists using shortwave diathermy on miscarriage due to very low-certainty evidence (OR 1.02 95% CI 0.94-1.1; 2 studies). Amongst offspring of female physiotherapists using shortwave diathermy, the evidence is very uncertain about the effects of RF-EMF on the risk of congenital malformations due to very low-certainty evidence (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.32; 2 studies). From pairwise meta-analyses, the evidence is very uncertain about the effects of RF-EMF on the risk of miscarriage (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.18; very low-certainty evidence), pre-term births (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.32 to 4.37; 3 studies; very low-certainty evidence), and low birth weight (RR 2.90, 95% CI: 0.69 to 12.23; 3 studies; very low-certainty evidence). Results for stillbirth and SGA could not be pooled in meta-analyses. The results from the studies reporting these outcomes were inconsistent and the studies were at some risk of bias.
DISCUSSION
Most of the evidence identified in this review was from general public studies assessing localised RF-EMF exposure from mobile phone use on female reproductive outcomes. In occupational settings, each study was of heterogenous whole-body RF-EMF exposure from radar, short or microwave diathermy, surveillance and welding equipment and its effect on female reproductive outcomes. Overall, the body of evidence is very uncertain about the effect of RF-EMF exposure on female reproductive outcomes. Further prospective studies conducted with greater rigour (particularly improved accuracy of exposure measurement and using appropriate statistical methods) are required to identify any potential effects of RF-EMF exposure on female reproductive outcomes of interest.
PubMed: 38880062
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108816 -
Endocrine Practice : Official Journal... Jun 2024Data is scant on impact of metformin use in gestational diabetes (GDM)/ diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) on long-term outcomes in children and mothers beyond 5-years of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Data is scant on impact of metformin use in gestational diabetes (GDM)/ diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) on long-term outcomes in children and mothers beyond 5-years of child-birth. This systematic-review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of metformin use in pregnancy on children and their mothers.
METHODS
Electronic databases were searched for studies evaluating metformin as compared to insulin for managing GDM/DIP. Primary outcome was to evaluate changes in body-mass index (BMI) in children at 5-11 years age. Secondary outcomes were to assess alterations in other anthropometric measures, obesity, changes in lipids and adipo-cytokines in children and mothers.
RESULTS
Children at 9-years age, born to mothers who were treated with metformin during pregnancy had similar BMI [MD1.09kg/m(95%CI:-0.44-2.62);P=0.16;I=16%], waist-circumference to height-ratio [MD0.13(95%CI:-0.05-0.30);P=0.16;I=94%], dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) total fat-mass [MD0.68kg(95%CI:-2.39-3.79);P=0.66;I=70%], DXA-total fat-percent [MD 0.04%(95%CI:-3.44-3.51);P=0.98;I=56%], DXA-total fat-free mass [MD 0.81kg (95%CI:-0.96-2.58);P=0.37;I=55%], MRI visceral adipose tissue [MD 80.97cm(95%CI:-136.47-298.41); P=0.47;I=78%] and magnetic-resonance spectroscopy liver-fat percentage [MD 0.27%(95% CI:-1.26-1.79);P=0.73;I=0%], compared to those born to mothers who were treated with insulin. Serum adiponectin, leptin, alanine-aminotransferase and ferritin were comparable among groups. In children between 9-11 years age, occurrence of obesity, diabetes or challenges in motor and social development were comparable between the 2 groups. After 9 years of childbirth, BMI and risk of developing diabetes were similar in the two groups of women.
CONCLUSION
Metformin use in pregnancy did not show any adverse effects when compared to insulin on long-term outcomes in children and their mothers.
PubMed: 38876183
DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2024.05.017 -
American Journal of Obstetrics &... Jun 2024Mental health affects maternal well-being and indirectly the development of fetal brain structures and motor and cognitive skills of the offspring up to adulthood. Main... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Mental health affects maternal well-being and indirectly the development of fetal brain structures and motor and cognitive skills of the offspring up to adulthood. Main objective is to find specific characteristics of music interventions that improve validated maternal outcomes.
DATA SOURCES
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews investigating music interventions during pregnancy were identified from the start of data sources up to December 2023 using MEDLINE, CENTRAL, or WEB OF SCIENCE.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Using COVIDENCE two reviewers screened for RCTs with ≥3 music interventions during pregnancy which applied either Perceived Stress Scales (PSS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scales (EPDS), or blood pressure (BP) as outcomes.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB2), the Checklist to assess Trustworthiness in RCTs (TRACT), and the reversed Cohen's d were applied. The review was registered via PROSPERO CRD42022299950.
RESULTS
From 251 detected records, 14 RCTs and 2375 pregnancies were included. Music interventions varied from in total 3 to 84 active or passive sessions with either patient- or pre-selected music and a duration of 10 to 60 minutes per session. Thereby, 2/4 studies observed a significant decrease in PSS, 8/9 a significant decrease in STAI, and 3/4 a significant decrease in EPDS; BP was significantly reduced in 3/4 RCTs. RoB2 was "high" in 5/14, or "with concerns" in 9/14 studies. Stratifying the Cohen's d in 14 intervention arms suggested a big effect in 234/469 mothers on BP and in 244/489 mothers on maternal anxiety and a medium effect in 284/529 mothers on maternal anxiety. Small or very small effects on BP were observed in 35/70, on EPDS in 136/277, and on PSS in 374/784 mothers-to-be.
CONCLUSIONS
We found a general positive impact of music interventions on maternal stress resilience. This was independent of the music itself but rather influenced by the frequency and empathy of performances. In how far music interventions may improve postnatal development and skills of the offspring should be increasingly evaluated with follow-ups to interrupt vicious epigenetic circles in times of global pandemics, violent conflicts, and natural catastrophes.
PubMed: 38866136
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101400 -
Nutrition & Diabetes May 2024Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with several adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with several adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the effects of vitamin D deficiency and of vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy on maternal and offspring health-related outcomes.
METHODS
Prior to conducting this umbrella review, we registered the protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42022368003). We conducted searches in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on vitamin D in pregnancy, from database inception to October 2, 2023. All outcomes related to vitamin D in pregnancy obtained from the systematic reviews and meta-analyses were extracted.
DATA EXTRACTION
Two reviewers independently chose studies and collected information on health outcomes. The quality of the included articles' methodology was assessed using AMSTAR 2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2).
RESULTS
We identified 16 eligible systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which included 250,569 women. Our results demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of preterm birth, small-for gestational age/low birth weight infants, recurrent miscarriage, bacterial vaginosis and gestational diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy increases birth weight, and reduces the risk of maternal pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, and vitamin D deficiency, fetal or neonatal mortality, as well as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder in childhood. In women with gestational diabetes mellitus, vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy can reduce the risk of maternal hyperbilirubinemia, polyhydramnios, macrosomia, fetal distress, and neonatal hospitalization.
CONCLUSION
Due to the association with adverse maternal and offspring health outcomes, we recommend the vitamin D status in pregnancy should be monitored, particularly in women at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. It is suggested that pregnant women take a dose of >400 IU/day of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy to prevent certain adverse outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin D; Pregnancy Complications; Dietary Supplements; Pregnancy Outcome; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Infant, Newborn; Premature Birth
PubMed: 38816412
DOI: 10.1038/s41387-024-00296-0 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024Q fever is a disease caused by that affects many animal species and humans. In ruminants, the disease is responsible for several reproductive disorders (such as... (Review)
Review
Q fever is a disease caused by that affects many animal species and humans. In ruminants, the disease is responsible for several reproductive disorders (such as abortions, stillbirths, premature births, weak offspring, retained foetal membranes and infertility). An inactivated vaccine based on a phase I antigen of is available for cattle, goats and sheep. This review aims to summarise the scientific literature regarding the efficacy and safety of this vaccine to control the infection in these three domestic ruminant species. Forty-five publications and one experimental veterinary thesis reporting on experimental studies, case reports, mathematical modelling and intervention studies were selected according to the PRISMA guidelines. Although some studies lack control groups or statistical analyses, for all three species, published data show that vaccination often results in a reduction in abortions and an improvement in reproductive performance in comparison with absence of vaccination. There is also evidence, including in infected herds and animals, that vaccination is associated with a reduction in bacterial shedding, both in intensity and duration in comparison with absence of vaccination. For these reasons, in case of human outbreaks, vaccination is one of the pillars of control measures. Vaccination is generally well tolerated, despite the rare occurrence of mild, transient side-effects, such as hyperthermia and reduction in milk yield.
PubMed: 38791700
DOI: 10.3390/ani14101484