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Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Iodine serves as a crucial precursor for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and plays an import role in both pregnant women and their offspring. The relationships between...
INTRODUCTION
Iodine serves as a crucial precursor for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and plays an import role in both pregnant women and their offspring. The relationships between iodine nutritional status and maternal thyroid function and neonatal outcomes remain inconclusive in areas with adequate iodine nutrition. This study aims to investigate their correlations.
METHODS
Blood, morning urine and 24-hour urine were collected from the pregnant women to measure thyroid functions, serum iodine concentration (SIC), morning urine iodine concentration (UIC) and 24-hour urine iodine excretion (24-hour UIE). Indicators of their offspring's neonatal indexes were recorded.
RESULTS
A total of 559 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The iodine indicators including Tg, 24-hour UIE and morning UIC were significantly different among the euthyroid pregnant women and those with different thyroid disorders. The levels of FT3, FT4, and SIC exhibited a gradual decline and the concentration of TSH exhibited a gradual increase trend throughout the progression of pregnancy in euthyroid pregnant women. There were no significant differences in neonatal outcomes and neonatal TSH values among euthyroid pregnant women and thyroid disorders pregnant women. SIC had a significant impact on maternal FT4 levels throughout all three trimesters, with varying degrees of importance observed in each trimester. TSH level emerged as the primary determinant of FT4 during the first trimester, while SIC exerted a predominant influence on FT4 levels in the second and third trimesters. The prevalence of thyroid disorders in pregnant women was the lowest when the SIC of pregnant women was probable in the range of 60~70 μg/L, 24-hours UIE was in the range of 250~450 μg, and Tg was in the range of 9~21 μg/L. Maternal TSH exhibited a notable influence on neonatal TSH levels, particularly at the and quantiles. Among the iodine nutritional indicators, SIC and morning UIC demonstrated higher AUC values for abnormal FT4 and TSH, respectively.
DISCUSSION
The iodine nutrition status of pregnant women exerts an impact on their thyroid function and prevalence of thyroid disorders, and neonatal TSH was affected by maternal TSH. SIC may be a better indicator for iodine nutritional assessment than other indexes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Iodine; Nutritional Status; Thyrotropin; Infant, Newborn; Adult; Thyroid Function Tests; Thyroid Gland; Pregnancy Complications; Thyroid Diseases; Young Adult
PubMed: 38883600
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1394306 -
Journal of Pregnancy 2024There is insufficient evidence to assess the risk of the production of clinically important alloimmune irregular red blood cell (RBC) antibodies in first-time pregnant... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Comparison of the Detection Rate and Specificity of Irregular Red Blood Cell Antibodies Between First-Time Pregnant Women and Women With a History of Multiple Pregnancies Among 18,010 Chinese Women.
There is insufficient evidence to assess the risk of the production of clinically important alloimmune irregular red blood cell (RBC) antibodies in first-time pregnant women. Using the microcolumn gel antiglobulin method, 18,010 Chinese women with a history of pregnancy and pregnant women were screened for irregular RBC antibodies, and for those with positive test results, antibody specificity was determined. The detection rate and specificity of irregular RBC antibodies in women with a history of multiple pregnancies (two or more) and first-time pregnant women were determined. In addition to 25 patients who passively acquired anti-D antibodies via an intravenous anti-D immunoglobulin injection, irregular RBC antibodies were detected in 121 (0.67%) of the 18,010 women. Irregular RBC antibodies were detected in 93 (0.71%) of the 13,027 women with a history of multiple pregnancies, and antibody specificity was distributed mainly in the Rh, MNSs, Lewis, and Kidd blood group systems; irregular RBC antibodies were detected in 28 (0.56%) of the 4983 first-time pregnant women, and the antibody specificity was distributed mainly in the MNSs, Rh, and Lewis blood group systems. The difference in the percentage of patients with irregular RBC antibodies between the two groups was insignificant ( = 1.248, > 0.05). Of the 121 women with irregular RBC antibodies, nine had anti-Mur antibodies, and one had anti-Di antibodies; these antibodies are clinically important but easily missed because the antigenic profile of the reagent RBCs that are commonly used in antibody screens does not include the antigens that are recognized by these antibodies. Irregular RBC antibody detection is clinically important for both pregnant women with a history of multiple pregnancies and first-time pregnant women. Mur and Di should be included in the antigenic profile of reagent RBCs that are used for performing antibody screens in the Chinese population.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Erythrocytes; China; Adult; Pregnancy, Multiple; Isoantibodies; Rho(D) Immune Globulin; Sensitivity and Specificity; Antibody Specificity; MNSs Blood-Group System; Asian People; Kidd Blood-Group System; East Asian People
PubMed: 38883212
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5539776 -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2024Syphilis, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, poses severe risks, especially during pregnancy. This study aimed to elucidate the trends and impacts of syphilis...
BACKGROUND
Syphilis, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, poses severe risks, especially during pregnancy. This study aimed to elucidate the trends and impacts of syphilis in Guangxi, China, focusing on prevalence, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes in pregnant women and newborns. The objectives included understanding the demographic characteristics of affected pregnant women, analysing the clinical manifestations in newborns, and assessing the effectiveness of the treatment protocol.
METHODS
Conducted in adherence to ethical guidelines, a retrospective cohort study from January 2013 to December 2023 included 54,048 pregnant women tested for . Diagnosis involved a comprehensive approach, utilizing tests like the Toluidine Red Unheated Serum Test (TRUST) and the Particle Agglutination (TPPA) assay. Infant diagnosis and clinical manifestations were evaluated through a decade-long follow-up. Treatment protocols, including Benzathine penicillin, were implemented. Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS version 9.4.
RESULTS
Among 54,048 pregnant women, 0.10% were syphilis positive, correlating with a rise in hospitalizations. Newborns exhibited varied clinical manifestations, with neonatal pneumonia and jaundice being prevalent. The treatment protocol, especially with Benzathine penicillin, achieved a remarkable 100% cure success rate. The study noted a significant reduction in mother-to-child transmission. Syphilis in mothers and babies was diagnosed at different clinical stages, including primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary.
CONCLUSION
This study underscores the escalating impact of syphilis on pregnant women and newborns in Guangxi, China. The findings highlight the necessity for robust preventive measures, early diagnosis, and effective treatment strategies. The observed 100% cure success rate with Benzathine penicillin emphasizes the importance of strict treatment protocols in mitigating the adverse effects of congenital syphilis and reducing its transmission.
PubMed: 38882653
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S467426 -
Journal of Medical Ultrasound 2024Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy account for 15%-20% maternal and 20%-25% perinatal mortality. There is interest in predicting preeclampsia (PE) early in pregnancy to...
BACKGROUND
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy account for 15%-20% maternal and 20%-25% perinatal mortality. There is interest in predicting preeclampsia (PE) early in pregnancy to reduce PE and its subsequent complications. There is no cheap and easily available, reliable predictor for PE. Some studies have shown that the lateral location of placenta is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes due to PE. The lateral placenta is yet to be proven as a strong predictor of PE to initiate preventive measures. Placental localization can be easily done on routine ultrasonography during pregnancy. In the light of these observations, a prospective study was done to study any association between PE and placental location by ultrasound in third trimester. Research Question: Is there any association between placental location on ultrasound and preeclampsia in third trimester? The objective is to study association between location of placenta and preeclampsia and compare placental location in normotensive pregnancies with that in PE in third trimester.
METHODS
A prospective comparative, case-control, observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at North DMC Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India, from August 2019 to April 2020. The study population included 200 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy in third trimester, without any medical disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, renal disease, cardiac disease, and coagulation disorder or smoking. One hundred women had preeclampsia and 100 were normotensive controls. Ultrasound was done after filling F form as per the Government of India guidelines to rule out sex determination, and placenta was localized by ultrasound. Placenta was classified as central when it was equally distributed between the right and left sides of the uterus irrespective of anterior, posterior, or fundal position and lateral when 75% or more of the placental mass was on one side of the midline. Placental location was compared in hypertensive and normotensive pregnancies.
RESULTS
Out of the total 200 women, 152 (76%) had central and 48 (24%) had lateral placenta. Ninety-two percent of controls and 60% of cases had central placenta. Forty percent of cases and only 8% normotensive women had lateral placenta. Lateral placenta was five times more frequent in presence of PE as compared to normotensive controls. Out of 152 women with central placenta, 92 (60.5%) women were normotensive but with lateral placenta, only 8 (16.7%) had normal blood pressure. PE was present in 83% of women with lateral placenta and in only 39.47% with central placenta. This difference was statistically significant as < 0.0001 as per Chi-square test. This reflects a significant association between lateral position of placenta and occurrence of PE. As per odds ratio (0.1304) patients without lateral placenta had 90% protection against preeclampsia.
CONCLUSION
Central placenta is more common than lateral placenta. Lateral placenta is seen five times more frequently among hypertensive women and this difference is statistically significant. The absence of lateral placenta provides 90% protection against PE but the severity of PE was not affected by placental location..
PubMed: 38882611
DOI: 10.4103/jmu.jmu_39_23 -
Biochemia Medica Jun 2024Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent pregnancy morbidity or thrombosis in combination with the persistent... (Review)
Review
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare systemic autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent pregnancy morbidity or thrombosis in combination with the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) in plasma/serum. Antiphospholipid antibodies are a heterogeneous, overlapping group of autoantibodies, of which anti-β2-glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI), anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies and antibodies that prolong plasma clotting time in tests known as lupus anticoagulant (LAC) are included in the laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of APS. The presence of LAC antibodies in plasma is indirectly determined by measuring the length of coagulation in two tests - activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and diluted Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT). The concentration of aβ2GPI and aCL (immunglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) isotypes) in serum is directly determined by solid-phase immunoassays, either by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fluoroimmunoassay (FIA), immunochemiluminescence (CLIA) or multiplex flow immunoassay (MFIA). For patient safety, it is extremely important to control all three phases of laboratory testing, preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical phase. Specialists in laboratory medicine must be aware of interferences in all three phases of laboratory testing, in order to minimize these interferences. The aim of this review was to show the current pathophysiological aspects of APS, the importance of determining aPLs-a in plasma/serum, with an emphasis on possible interferences that should be taken into account when interpreting laboratory findings.
Topics: Humans; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; Female; Pregnancy; Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
PubMed: 38882589
DOI: 10.11613/BM.2024.020504 -
Journal of Dental Research, Dental... 2024Preterm birth is a heterogeneous condition with multiple underlying causes, and periodontal diseases are one of them. Approximately 900000 preterm births are reported in...
BACKGROUND
Preterm birth is a heterogeneous condition with multiple underlying causes, and periodontal diseases are one of them. Approximately 900000 preterm births are reported in Pakistan each year. Oral infections such as periodontitis during pregnancy are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight and preterm births. However, different studies have reported contradictory findings. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the association of preterm birth with oral infection in pregnancy.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study on 400 postpartum pregnant women in Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Only women within the age bracket of 18‒40 years were recruited. Data were collected by an interview-based structured questionnaire. The extent and severity index were used to assess the periodontal health of participants. Frequency tables were generated, and the chi-squared test was used to determine associations between different categorical variables.
RESULTS
The mean age of the participants was 25.8±4.9 years. Approximately 87.5% of the women had generalized periodontitis. Approximately 68% of mothers had moderate severity of periodontitis. The extent index showed no notable difference between the preterm and full-term birth groups. In contrast, the severity index displayed a statistically significant difference between the preterm and full-term birth groups.
CONCLUSION
The majority of women had generalized periodontitis. The severity index demonstrated a significant association between maternal periodontitis and preterm births. There was no association between the age of mothers and preterm births. Complications in pregnancy were not associated with preterm births.
PubMed: 38881641
DOI: 10.34172/joddd.40860 -
Journal of Diabetes and Its... Jun 2024Aim The efficacy of hybrid closed-loop systems (HCLs) in managing glycemic control in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes remains inadequately characterized. We...
UNLABELLED
Aim The efficacy of hybrid closed-loop systems (HCLs) in managing glycemic control in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes remains inadequately characterized. We evaluated the use of the Medtronic Minimed 780G HCLs.
METHODS
The retrospective observational study analyzed the glycemic and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women using the HCLs, followed at our tertiary centre. Independent t-tests were employed to compare data among trimesters based on pre-pregnancy HbA. The associations between glycemic parameters and perinatal outcomes were explored using Spearman rho.
RESULTS
Among the 21 women (age: 33.5 ± 4.2 years, diabetes duration: 21.2 ± 7.6 years, pre-pregnancy HbA 7.0 ± 1.1 % (52.9 ± 11.9 mmol/mol)) time in range (pTIR, 63-140 mg/dl; 3.5-7.8 mmol/l) increased progressively throughout pregnancy (trimesters: first: 64.0 ± 9.0 %; second:71.3 ± 11.8 %; third: 75.7 ± 8.1 %). Simultaneously, mean sensor glucose decreased (trimesters: first: 130 ± 10.4 mg/dl (7.2 ± 0.6 mmol/l); second: 120.9 ± 13.4 mg/dl (6.7 ± 0.7 mmol/l); third: 117.3 ± 9.1 mg/dl (6.5 ± 0.5 mmol/l)). Although a majority of women achieved the target pTIR until the third trimester, this did not consistently prevent the delivery of a large-for-gestational-age baby. Notably, one ketoacidosis event occurred, and there were no reported instances of severe hypoglycemia.
CONCLUSION
Use of the Minimed 780G HCLs enabled the attainment of recommended pregnancy glycemic targets for most women with type 1 diabetes in a real-world setting.
PubMed: 38878423
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2024.108795 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2024It is currently unknown whether adjunctive azithromycin prophylaxis at the time of non-elective cesarean has differential effects on neonatal outcomes in the context of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
It is currently unknown whether adjunctive azithromycin prophylaxis at the time of non-elective cesarean has differential effects on neonatal outcomes in the context of prematurity. The objective of this study was to compare whether neonatal outcomes differ in term and preterm infants exposed to adjunctive azithromycin prophylaxis before non-elective cesarean delivery.
STUDY DESIGN
A planned secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized controlled trial that enrolled women with singleton pregnancies ≥24 weeks gestation undergoing non-elective cesarean delivery (during labor or ≥4 h after membrane rupture). Women received standard antibiotic prophylaxis and were randomized to either adjunctive azithromycin (500 mg) or placebo. The primary composite outcome was neonatal death, suspected or confirmed neonatal sepsis, and serious neonatal morbidities (NEC, PVL, IVH, BPD). Secondary outcomes included NICU admission, neonatal readmission, culture positive infections and prevalence of resistant organisms. Odds ratios (OR) for the effect of azithromycin versus placebo were compared between gestational age strata (preterm [less than 37 weeks] versus term [37 weeks or greater]). Tests of interaction examined homogeneity of treatment effect with gestational age.
RESULTS
The analysis includes 2,013 infants, 226 preterm (11.2%) and 1,787 term. Mean gestational ages were 34 and 39.5 weeks, respectively. Within term and preterm strata, maternal and delivery characteristics were similar between the azithromycin and placebo groups. There was no difference in the odds of composite neonatal outcome between those exposed to azithromycin versus placebo in preterm neonates (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.48-1.41) and in term neonates (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.77-1.46), with no difference between gestational age strata ( = 0.42). Analysis of secondary outcomes also revealed no differences in treatment effects within or between gestational age strata.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to adjunctive azithromycin antibiotic prophylaxis for non-elective cesarean delivery does not increase neonatal morbidity or mortality in term or preterm infants.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01235546.
Topics: Humans; Azithromycin; Female; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Cesarean Section; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Infant, Premature; Adult; Gestational Age; Term Birth; Infant, Newborn, Diseases
PubMed: 38873885
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2367082 -
Extracellular Vesicle Jun 2024Pregnant women and their fetuses are often excluded from clinical trials due to missing drug-related pre-clinical trial information at the human feto-maternal interface...
Pregnant women and their fetuses are often excluded from clinical trials due to missing drug-related pre-clinical trial information at the human feto-maternal interface (FMi). The two interfaces-placenta/decidua and fetal membranes/decidua are gatekeepers of drug transport; however, testing their functions is impractical during pregnancy. Limitations of current / models have hampered drug development and testing during pregnancy. Hence, major complications like preterm births and maternal and neonatal mortalities remain high. Advancements in organ-on-chip (OOC) platforms to test drug kinetics and efficacy and novel extracellular vesicle-based fetal drug delivery are expected to accelerate preclinical trials related to pregnancy complications. Here we report the development and testing of a humanized multi-organ fetal membrane/placenta (fetal)-decidua (maternal) interface OOC (FMi-PLA-OOC) that contains seven cell types interconnected through microchannels to maintain intercellular interactions as seen . Cytotoxicity, propagation, mechanism of action, and efficacy of engineered extracellular vesicles containing anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 (eIL-10) were evaluated to reduce FMi inflammation associated with preterm birth. A healthy and disease model (lipopolysaccharide-infectious inflammation) of the FMi-PLA-OOC was created and co-treated with eIL-10. eIL-10 propagated from the maternal to fetal side within 72-hours, localized in all cell types, showed no cytotoxicity, activated IL-10 signaling pathways, and reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation (minimized NF-kB activation and proinflammatory cytokine production). These data recapitulated eIL-10s' ability to reduce inflammation and delay infection-associated preterm birth in mouse models, suggesting FMi-PLA-OOC as an alternative approach to using animal models. Additionally, we report the utility of eIL-10 that can traverse through FMis to reduce inflammation-associated pregnancy complications.
PubMed: 38872854
DOI: 10.1016/j.vesic.2024.100035 -
PloS One 2024Human milk is optimal for infant nutrition. However, many mothers cease breastfeeding because of low milk supply (LMS). It is difficult to identify mothers at risk for...
Human milk is optimal for infant nutrition. However, many mothers cease breastfeeding because of low milk supply (LMS). It is difficult to identify mothers at risk for LMS because its biologic underpinnings are not fully understood. Previously, we demonstrated that milk micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) may be related to LMS. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) also plays an important role in mammary involution and may contribute to LMS. We performed a longitudinal cohort study of 139 breastfeeding mothers to test the hypothesis that milk levels of TGFβ would identify mothers with LMS. We explored whether TGFβ impacts the expression of LMS-related miRNAs in cultured human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). LMS was defined by maternal report of inadequate milk production, and confirmed by age of formula introduction and infant weight trajectory. Levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were measured one month after delivery. There was a significant relationship between levels of TGF-β1 and LMS (X2 = 8.92, p = 0.003) on logistic regression analysis, while controlling for lactation stage (X2 = 1.28, p = 0.25), maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (X2 = 0.038, p = 0.84), and previous breastfeeding experience (X2 = 7.43, p = 0.006). The model accounted for 16.8% of variance in the data (p = 0.005) and correctly predicted LMS for 84.6% of mothers (22/26; AUC = 0.72). Interactions between TGF-β1 and miR-22-3p displayed significant effect on LMS status (Z = 2.67, p = 0.008). Further, incubation of HMECs with TGF-β1 significantly reduced mammary cell number (t = -4.23, p = 0.003) and increased levels of miR-22-3p (t = 3.861, p = 0.008). Interactions between TGF-β1 and miR-22-3p may impact mammary function and milk levels of TGF-β1 could have clinical utility for identifying mothers with LMS. Such information could be used to provide early, targeted lactation support.
Topics: Humans; Female; Milk, Human; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; MicroRNAs; Adult; Breast Feeding; Lactation; Transforming Growth Factor beta2; Longitudinal Studies; Epithelial Cells; Infant; Mothers; Infant, Newborn; Mammary Glands, Human
PubMed: 38870243
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305421