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American Journal of Perinatology May 2024
Erratum: Maternal Hemodynamics from Preconception to Delivery: Research and Potential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications: Position Statement by Italian Association of Pre-Eclampsia and Italian Society of Perinatal Medicine.
PubMed: 38698598
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786746 -
Current Rheumatology Reviews Apr 2024To provide evidence-based clinical practice recommendations for managing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
To provide evidence-based clinical practice recommendations for managing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Saudi Arabia.
METHODS
This EULAR-adapted national guideline in which a multidisciplinary task force utilized the modified Delphi method to develop 31 clinical key questions. A systematic literature review was conducted to update the evidence since the EULAR publication. After reaching a consensus agreement, two rounds of voting and group discussion were conducted to generate consolidated recommendations/statements.
RESULTS
A significant number of patients in Saudi Arabia experience delays in accessing rheumatologists, highlighting the significance of timely referral to SLE specialists or rheumatologists to ensure accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. The primary goal of Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy in SLE patients is to establish disease control with a minimum dose and duration. Steroid-sparing agent utilization facilitates steroid-sparing goals. Hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all SLE patients, though physicians must carefully monitor toxicity and prioritize regular medication adherence assessment. SLE management during pregnancy starts from preconception time by assessing disease activity, major organ involvement, hypercoagulability status, and concomitant diseases that may negatively impact maternal and fetal outcomes. Multidisciplinary care with close monitoring may optimize both maternal and fetal outcomes. For patients with antiphospholipid antibodies, low-dose aspirin prophylaxis is recommended. Also, Long-term anticoagulant medications are fundamental to prevent secondary antiphospholipid syndrome due to high thrombosis recurrence.
CONCLUSION
This Saudi National Clinical Practice guidelines for SLE management provide evidence-based recommendations and guidance for healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia who are managing patients with SLE. These guidelines will help to standardize healthcare service, improve provider education, and perhaps lead to better treatment outcomes for SLE patients.
PubMed: 38693734
DOI: 10.2174/0115733971275638240429063041 -
Journal of Occupational Health Jan 2024Despite the recent increase in infertility and perinatal complications, preconception care is not commonly available in Japan. Working women are considered to have the...
OBJECTIVES
Despite the recent increase in infertility and perinatal complications, preconception care is not commonly available in Japan. Working women are considered to have the greatest need for preconception care, as increasingly they marry and have children later in life. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of preconception check-ups in the workplace.
METHODS
We provided 51 female employees aged 18-39 years with free preconception check-ups, including additional blood tests and an online medical questionnaire, during mandatory health check-ups at their workplace. A doctor provided online counseling based on the check-up results. We assessed fertility knowledge using the Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J) and childbearing desire pre- and postintervention.
RESULTS
Preconception check-ups revealed various potential risk factors for future pregnancies, including underweight (12%), obesity (20%), Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibody positivity (22%), low rubella IgG antibody levels (47%), iron deficiency (12%), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels <30 ng/mL (98%). Postintervention, the participants reported high satisfaction with the check-ups and significantly advanced their reproductive plans (P = .008). Furthermore, 95% of the participants indicated an intention to seek medical attention or make lifestyle changes. The postintervention CFKS-J score (mean [SD]) was higher than the preintervention score (71.7 [19.3] vs 63.0 [22.0]; P = .006).
CONCLUSIONS
We developed a preconception check-up package that can be integrated into workplace health examinations, complemented by tailored counseling. This novel check-up package is a feasible and effective approach for improving preconception health and fertility awareness.
Topics: Humans; Female; Japan; Adult; Preconception Care; Feasibility Studies; Young Adult; Adolescent; Workplace; Pregnancy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Occupational Health; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38684110
DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae021 -
Journal of Primary Care & Community... 2024Primary healthcare providers have an important role in helping people manage their reproductive health and fertility by assessing pregnancy intentions to inform the...
OBJECTIVES
Primary healthcare providers have an important role in helping people manage their reproductive health and fertility by assessing pregnancy intentions to inform the provision of contraception and/or preconception care. This study explores how women navigating fertility decisions perceived and experienced interactions with their healthcare providers around their fertility.
METHODS
We conducted in-depth interviews (N = 17) and focus groups (N = 17 groups) with 65 women aged 18 to 35 years about fertility, infertility, and reproductive planning. Two researchers coded 2 transcripts using thematic and inductive methods and met to develop a structured codebook. We then applied the codebook to the remaining transcripts.
RESULTS
In all interviews and focus groups, participants discussed their interactions with healthcare providers around fertility. Three central themes emerged in the data, including a desire for more information from healthcare providers about fertility; experiences of having fertility concerns dismissed by healthcare providers (eg, ability to become pregnant when desired); and, feelings that healthcare providers lacked sensitivity in discussing fertility related issues. Notably, these themes were present, even among participants who were not trying to become pregnant or who did not wish to become pregnant.
CONCLUSION
Participants wanted information about fertility from their primary healthcare providers that they felt was lacking. Moreover, participants wanted their healthcare providers to engage with them as multifaceted individuals with current needs as well as future plans regarding fertility. While healthcare providers regularly assess pregnancy intentions, they may need to make a concerted effort to address fertility concerns among both those who want to pursue pregnancy those who do not wish to become pregnant immediately.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Young Adult; Adolescent; Focus Groups; Health Personnel; Fertility; Pregnancy; Interviews as Topic; Decision Making; Infertility; Family Planning Services; Reproductive Health; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 38682555
DOI: 10.1177/21501319241249405 -
European Journal of Preventive... Apr 2024Improved survival rates for patients with a Fontan circulation has allowed more women with this complex cardiac physiology to contemplate pregnancy. However, pregnancy...
Improved survival rates for patients with a Fontan circulation has allowed more women with this complex cardiac physiology to contemplate pregnancy. However, pregnancy in women with a Fontan circulation is associated with a high risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, high rates of miscarriage and preterm delivery. Factors associated with a successful pregnancy outcome are: younger age, normal body weight, absence of significant functional limitation, no Fontan-related complications, and well-functioning single ventricle physiology. Appropriate care with timely preconception counselling and regular, frequent clinical reviews by a multidisciplinary team based at a tertiary centre, improves the chance of a successful pregnancy. Empowerment of patients with education on their specific congenital cardiac condition and its projected trajectory, helps them make informed choices regarding their health, reproductive choices and assists them to achieve their life goals.
PubMed: 38669446
DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae157 -
Journal of Diabetes May 2024The study aimed to compare glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using multiple daily injection therapy (MDI) and... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
INTRODUCTION
The study aimed to compare glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using multiple daily injection therapy (MDI) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and to compare outcomes of women treated with long-acting insulin or neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH).
METHODS
This multicenter prospective cohort study involved women with pregestational T1DM treated with MDI and CSII. Primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) before and during pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal outcomes and quality of life.
RESULTS
Of the 121 studied women, the average age was 28.48 years, and the average body mass index was 21.29 kg/m at conception and 26.32 kg/m at delivery. Of the studied women, 78.51% had planned pregnancy. Women treated with MDI and CSII had comparable HbA1c before pregnancy or in the first and second trimesters. In the third trimester, women on CSII therapy had significantly lower HbA1c (6.07 ± 0.62 vs 6.20 ± 0.88%, p = .017), higher HbA1c on-target rate (71.43% vs 64.62%, p = .030), and greater decline of HbA1c from preconception to the third trimester (-0.65 vs -0.30%, p = .047). Fewer daily insulin requirements were observed in those used CSII compared with MDI-treated women (0.60 ± 0.22 vs 0.73 ± 0.25 U/kg/day, p = .004). Newborns born of mothers treated with the CSII method were more likely to have neonatal jaundice (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-6.57) and neonatal intensive care unit (adjusted OR 3.73, 95%CI 1.24-11.16), and women on CSII had lower scores in patient-reported quality of life (p = .045). In the MDI group, those receiving long-acting insulin had nonsignificant lower HbA1c and higher HbA1c on-target rate in the second and third trimesters, compared with those treated with NPH.
CONCLUSIONS
Insulin pump users may achieve better glycemic control than multiple daily insulin injections, which did not substantially improve pregnancy outcome.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Adult; Insulin; Insulin Infusion Systems; Prospective Studies; Hypoglycemic Agents; Pregnancy in Diabetics; Injections, Subcutaneous; Glycated Hemoglobin; Pregnancy Outcome; Infusions, Subcutaneous; Blood Glucose; Quality of Life; Glycemic Control
PubMed: 38664886
DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13558 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Apr 2024Undernutrition and underweight are osteoporosis risk factors. Therefore, improving the health of underweight young women in Japan is an important medical issue. However,...
BACKGROUND
Undernutrition and underweight are osteoporosis risk factors. Therefore, improving the health of underweight young women in Japan is an important medical issue. However, few studies have evaluated the association between being preconception underweight and postnatal osteoporotic fractures in young women.
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study used a Japanese nationwide claims database (JMDC Inc.) to evaluate the effect of preconception underweight on the incidence of osteoporotic fracture within two years after delivery. Data from 16,684 mothers who delivered their first singleton babies between January 2006 and December 2020 were analysed. The combination of disease codes of fractures at sites associated with osteoporosis and medical procedures for fractures was defined as the incidence of osteoporotic fractures, whereas the body mass index (BMI) recorded 12-36 months before delivery was used as the exposure. We estimated the incidence of osteoporotic fractures by BMI category using a Kaplan-Meier curve and examined the fracture risk using Cox hazard regression analyses.
RESULTS
Fifty-one women (0.31%) were affected by osteoporotic fractures within two years of delivery. More than 80% of these were rib fractures, and approximately 65% of fractures occurred after the first year postpartum. Preconception underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m) was significantly associated with the incidence of postpartum osteoporotic fractures. There was no significant association between low BMI and postnatal fractures, as analysed via multiple categorical logistic regression analysis.
CONCLUSION
Appropriate control of preconception weight might be critical to improving the postpartum quality of life, subsequent bone health, and neonatal care environment.
Topics: Humans; Female; Osteoporotic Fractures; Retrospective Studies; Japan; Thinness; Adult; Incidence; Body Mass Index; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Postpartum Period; Databases, Factual; Young Adult; East Asian People
PubMed: 38664710
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06514-y -
Nature Reviews. Urology Apr 2024The prevalence of substance use globally is rising and is highest among men of reproductive age. In Africa, and South and Central America, cannabis use disorder is most... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of substance use globally is rising and is highest among men of reproductive age. In Africa, and South and Central America, cannabis use disorder is most prevalent and in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Central America, Canada and the USA, opioid use disorder predominates. Substance use might be contributing to the ongoing global decline in male fertility, and emerging evidence has linked paternal substance use with short-term and long-term adverse effects on offspring development and outcomes. This trend is concerning given that substance use is increasing, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preclinical studies have shown that male preconception substance use can influence offspring brain development and neurobehaviour through epigenetic mechanisms. Additionally, human studies investigating paternal health behaviours during the prenatal period suggest that paternal tobacco, opioid, cannabis and alcohol use is associated with reduced offspring mental health, in particular hyperactivity and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The potential effects of paternal substance use are areas in which to focus public health efforts and health-care provider counselling of couples or individuals interested in conceiving.
PubMed: 38664544
DOI: 10.1038/s41585-024-00868-w -
The Lancet Regional Health. Western... May 2024Mental health conditions prior to or during pregnancy that are not addressed can have adverse consequences for pregnancy and birth outcomes. This study aimed to...
Association between maternal mental health-related hospitalisation in the 5 years prior to or during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes: a population-based retrospective cohort data linkage study in the Northern Territory of Australia.
BACKGROUND
Mental health conditions prior to or during pregnancy that are not addressed can have adverse consequences for pregnancy and birth outcomes. This study aimed to determine the extent to which women's mental health-related hospitalisation (MHrH) prior to or during pregnancy was associated with a risk of adverse birth outcomes.
METHODS
We linked the perinatal data register for all births in the Northern Territory, Australia, from the year 1999 to 2017, to hospital admissions records to create a cohort of births to women aged 15-44 years with and without MHrH prior to or during pregnancy. We used Modified Poisson Regression and Latent Class Analysis to assess the association between maternal MHrH and adverse birth outcomes (i.e., stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and short birth length). We explored a mediation effect of covariates on theoretical causal paths. We calculated the adjusted Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) and Preventive Fractions for the Population (PFP) for valid associations.
FINDINGS
From 72,518 births, 70,425 births (36.4% for Aboriginal women) were included in the analysis. The Latent Class Analys identified two classes: high (membership probability of 10.5%) and low adverse birth outcomes. Births to Aboriginal women with MHrH were around two times more likely to be in the class of high adverse birth outcomes. MHrH prior to or during pregnancy increased the risk of all adverse birth outcomes in both populations with risk ranging from 1.19 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.35) to 7.89 (1.17, 53.37). Eight or more antenatal care visits and intrauterine growth restriction mostly played a significant mediation role between maternal MHrH and adverse birth outcomes with mediation effects ranging from 1.04 (1.01, 1.08) to 1.39 (1.14, 1.69). MHrH had a low to high population impact with a PAF ranging from 16.1% (5.1%, 25.7%) to 87.3% (14.3%, 98.1%). Eight or above antenatal care visits avert extra adverse birth outcomes that range from 723 (332-765) stillbirths to 3003 (1972-4434) preterm births.
INTERPRETATION
Maternal MHrH is a modifiable risk factor that explained a low to moderate risk of adverse birth outcomes in the Northern Territory. The knowledge highlights the need for the development and implementation of preconception mental health care into routine health services.
FUNDING
The Child and Youth Development Research Partnership (CYDRP) data repository is supported by a grant from the Northern Territory Government.
PubMed: 38659431
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101063 -
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue... Apr 2024Existing studies, in mostly male samples such as veterans and athletes, show a strong association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental illness. Yet, while an...
Mental Illness in the 2 Years Prior to Pregnancy in a Population With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study: La maladie mentale dans les deux ans précédant une grossesse dans une population souffrant de lésion cérébrale traumatique : une étude transversale.
OBJECTIVE
Existing studies, in mostly male samples such as veterans and athletes, show a strong association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental illness. Yet, while an understanding of mental health before pregnancy is critical for informing preconception and perinatal supports, there are no data on the prevalence of active mental illness before pregnancy in females with TBI. We examined the prevalence of active mental illness ≤2 years before pregnancy (1) in a population with TBI, and (2) in subgroups defined by sociodemographic, health, and injury-related characteristics, all compared to those without TBI.
METHOD
This population-based cross-sectional study was completed in Ontario, Canada, from 2012 to 2020. Modified Poisson regression generated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) of active mental illness ≤2 years before pregnancy in 15,585 females with TBI versus 846,686 without TBI. We then used latent class analysis to identify subgroups with TBI according to sociodemographic, health, and injury-related characteristics and subsequently compared them to females without TBI on their outcome prevalence.
RESULTS
Females with TBI had a higher prevalence of active mental illness ≤2 years before pregnancy than those without TBI (44.1% vs. 25.9%; aPR 1.46, 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to 1.49). There were 3 TBI subgroups, with Class 1 (low-income, past assault, recent TBI described as intentional and due to being struck by/against) having the highest outcome prevalence.
CONCLUSIONS
Females with TBI, and especially those with a recent intentional TBI, have a high prevalence of mental illness before pregnancy. They may benefit from mental health screening and support in the post-injury, preconception, and perinatal periods.
PLAIN LANGUAGE TITLE
Mental illness in the 2 years before pregnancy in a population with traumatic brain injury.
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY
Research has shown a strong association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental illness. Most previous studies have been conducted in primarily male samples, like veterans and professional athletes. Understanding mental health before pregnancy is important for deciding what supports people need before and during pregnancy. However, there are no studies on the frequency of mental illness in females with TBI before a pregnancy. We examined the frequency of mental illness 2 years before pregnancy in a population with TBI, and in subgroups defined by different social, health, and injury-related characteristics, compared to those without TBI. We undertook a population-wide study of all females with and without TBI in Ontario, Canada, with a birth in 2012-2020. We used statistical models to compare these groups on the presence of mental illness in the 2 years before pregnancy, before and after accounting for social and health characteristics. We also identified subgroups with TBI according to their social (e.g., poverty), health (e.g., chronic conditions), and injury-related characteristics (e.g., cause of injury) and subsequently compared them to females without TBI on their frequency of mental illness in the 2 years before pregnancy. Forty-four percent of females with TBI had mental illness in the 2 years before pregnancy compared to 25% of those without TBI. There were 3 TBI subgroups. Females with low-income, past assault, and injuries that were described as being intentional had the highest frequency of mental illness in the 2 years before pregnancy. Females with TBI may benefit from mental health screening and support post-injury and around the time of pregnancy.
PubMed: 38659409
DOI: 10.1177/07067437241249957