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Viruses May 2024Infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) in pregnancy are associated with the development of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction...
Infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) in pregnancy are associated with the development of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR). Recently, preeclampsia was linked to impaired maternal hemodynamic function. This retrospective study evaluated singleton pregnancies with COVID-19 during pregnancy and healthy pregnant controls matched for gestational age from November 2020 to March 2022. Non-invasive assessment of maternal hemodynamics by continuous wave Doppler ultrasound measurements (USCOM-1A Monitor) and oscillometric arterial stiffness (Arteriograph) was performed. Overall, 69 pregnant women were included-23 women after COVID-19 during pregnancy and 46 healthy controls. While two women (8.7%) were admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19-related symptoms, none required intensive care unit admission or non-invasive/invasive ventilation. There were no statistically significant differences in the majority of hemodynamic parameters between the two cohorts. The prevalence of FGR was significantly higher in the COVID-19 during pregnancy group (9.5% vs. healthy controls: 0.0%; = 0.036), especially in nulliparous women. No difference in angiogenic markers and neonatal outcomes were observed between pregnant women after COVID-19 and healthy controls. In conclusion, no significant differences in hemodynamic parameters or neonatal outcome were observed in women with COVID-19 during pregnancy. However, an increased prevalence of FGR could be described.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; COVID-19; Adult; Hemodynamics; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Fetal Growth Retardation; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy Outcome; Pre-Eclampsia; Biomarkers
PubMed: 38932160
DOI: 10.3390/v16060868 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in the plasma of pregnant women with hyperglycemia, potentially inducing oxidative stress and fetal developmental...
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in the plasma of pregnant women with hyperglycemia, potentially inducing oxidative stress and fetal developmental abnormalities. Although intrauterine hyperglycemia has been implicated in excessive fetal growth, the effects of maternal AGEs on fetal development remain unclear. We evaluated the differentiation regulators and cellular signaling in the skeletal muscles of infants born to control mothers (ICM), diabetic mothers (IDM), and diabetic mothers supplemented with either cis-palmitoleic acid (CPA) or trans-palmitoleic acid (TPA). Cell viability, reactive oxygen species levels, and myotube formation were assessed in AGE-exposed C2C12 cells to explore potential mitigation by CPA and TPA. Elevated receptors for AGE expression and decreased Akt and AMPK phosphorylation were evident in rat skeletal muscles in IDM. Maternal palmitoleic acid supplementation alleviated insulin resistance by downregulating RAGE expression and enhancing Akt phosphorylation. The exposure of the C2C12 cells to AGEs reduced cell viability and myotube formation and elevated reactive oxygen species levels, which were attenuated by CPA or TPA supplementation. This suggests that maternal hyperglycemia and plasma AGEs may contribute to skeletal muscle disorders in offspring, which are mitigated by palmitoleic acid supplementation. Hence, the maternal intake of palmitoleic acid during pregnancy may have implications for fetal health.
Topics: Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; Glycation End Products, Advanced; Female; Animals; Pregnancy; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; Rats; Muscle, Skeletal; Reactive Oxygen Species; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Mice; Dietary Supplements; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Oxidative Stress; Insulin Resistance; Humans; Phosphorylation; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Pregnancy in Diabetics; Male; Fetal Development
PubMed: 38931253
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121898 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Breast milk contains numerous factors that are involved in the maturation of the immune system and development of the gut microbiota in infants. These factors include...
Breast milk contains numerous factors that are involved in the maturation of the immune system and development of the gut microbiota in infants. These factors include transforming growth factor-β1 and 2, immunoglobin A, and lactoferrin. Breast milk factors may also affect epidermal differentiation and the stratum corneum (SC) barrier in infants, but no studies examining these associations over time during infancy have been reported. In this single-center exploratory study, we measured the molecular components of the SC using confocal Raman spectroscopy at 0, 1, 2, 6, and 12 months of age in 39 infants born at our hospital. Breast milk factor concentrations from their mothers' breast milk were determined. Correlation coefficients for the two datasets were estimated for each molecular component of the SC and breast milk factor at each age and SC depth. The results showed that breast milk factors and molecular components of the SC during infancy were partly correlated with infant age in months and SC depth, suggesting that breast milk factors influence the maturation of the SC components. These findings may improve understanding of the pathogenesis of skin diseases associated with skin barrier abnormalities.
Topics: Humans; Milk, Human; Infant; Female; Prospective Studies; Infant, Newborn; Male; Epidermis; Longitudinal Studies; Lactoferrin; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Transforming Growth Factor beta1
PubMed: 38931252
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121897 -
Nutrients Jun 2024The maternal microbiome plays a vital role in shaping pregnancy outcomes, but there remains a substantial gap in understanding its precise relationships to maternal... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The maternal microbiome plays a vital role in shaping pregnancy outcomes, but there remains a substantial gap in understanding its precise relationships to maternal health, particularly in relation to potential effects of body mass index (BMI) on gut microbial diversity. The aim of this observational study was to assess maternal characteristics in association with pre-pregnancy BMI and to further assess microbial diversity in association with specific maternal characteristics. Eighty-four pregnant women were recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy from various prenatal clinics across the state of Michigan. The participants completed an enrollment questionnaire including self-reported pre-pregnancy BMI; stool samples were collected to assess the fecal microbial community composition. Pre-pregnancy obesity (BMI 30+) was associated (univariably) with antibiotic use before pregnancy, ever smoked, lower education level, and being unmarried. The gut microbiota alpha diversity was significantly different for pregnant women by pre-pregnancy BMI category (normal, overweight, obese). The beta diversity was unique for the gut microbiotas of pregnant women within each BMI category, by education level, and by marital status. Multivariable models revealed that pre-pregnancy BMI, maternal education, marital status, and maternal age were associated with the microbial diversity of the gut microbiota during pregnancy. These results give new insight into the relationship between a woman's microbiome during pregnancy and their prenatal health, along with an understanding of the relationships between socioeconomic factors and microbial diversity.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Body Mass Index; Adult; Feces; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Obesity; Michigan; Young Adult; Educational Status; Socioeconomic Factors; Pregnancy Trimester, Third
PubMed: 38931236
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121881 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Low levels of vitamin D in maternal and cord blood have been associated with neonatal sepsis. This study assessed the association of vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D,...
Low levels of vitamin D in maternal and cord blood have been associated with neonatal sepsis. This study assessed the association of vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D, 3-epi-25(OH)D, and 24,25(OH)D) levels in maternal and cord blood with newborn sepsis evaluation in Nigerian mother-infant dyads. Maternal and cord blood from 534 mothers and 536 newborns were processed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Spearman correlation was used to compare continuous variables, Mann-Whitney for dichotomous variables, and Kruskal-Wallis for two or more groups. High cord percent 3-epi-25(OH)D levels were positively associated with newborn evaluation for sepsis ( = 0.036), while maternal and cord 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH)D levels were not. Being employed was positively associated with maternal and newborn 3-epi-25(OH)D concentrations ( = 0.007 and = 0.005, respectively). The maternal 3-epi-25(OH)D and percent 3-epi-25(OH)D were positively associated with vaginal delivery ( = 0.013 and = 0.012, respectively). Having a weight-for-age Z-score ≤ -2 was positively associated with newborn percent 3-epi-25(OH)D levels ( = 0.004), while a weight-for-length Z-score ≤ -3 was positively associated with maternal and newborn percent 3-epi-25(OH)D levels ( = 0.044 and = 0.022, respectively). Our study highlights the need to further investigate the biological role of 3-epi-25(OH)D and its clinical significance in fetal growth and newborn outcome.
Topics: Humans; Female; Nigeria; Infant, Newborn; Adult; Fetal Blood; Vitamin D; Pregnancy; Vitamin D Deficiency; Young Adult; Neonatal Sepsis; Mothers; Male; Tandem Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38931212
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121857 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Maternal obesity and/or Western diet (WD) is associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in offspring, driven,...
Maternal obesity and/or Western diet (WD) is associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in offspring, driven, in part, by the dysregulation of the early life microbiome. Here, using a mouse model of WD-induced maternal obesity, we demonstrate that exposure to a disordered microbiome from WD-fed dams suppressed circulating levels of endogenous ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR; indole, indole-3-acetate) and TMAO (a product of AHR-mediated transcription), as well as hepatic expression of (an AHR target), in offspring at 3 weeks of age. This signature was recapitulated by fecal microbial transfer from WD-fed pregnant dams to chow-fed germ-free (GF) lactating dams following parturition and was associated with a reduced abundance of in GF offspring. Further, the expression of was downregulated in liver myeloid cells and in LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) in adult offspring, suggestive of a hypo-responsive, or tolerant, innate immune response. BMDMs from adult mice lacking AHR in macrophages exhibited a similar tolerogenic response, including diminished expression of . Overall, our study shows that exposure to maternal WD alters microbial metabolites in the offspring that affect AHR signaling, potentially contributing to innate immune hypo-responsiveness and progression of MASLD, highlighting the impact of early life gut dysbiosis on offspring metabolism. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between maternal diet, gut microbial function, and the development of neonatal innate immune tolerance and potential therapeutic interventions targeting these pathways.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Female; Pregnancy; Diet, Western; Immunity, Innate; Tryptophan; Mice; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Interleukin-10; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Obesity, Maternal; Liver; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Male; Macrophages; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38931163
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121808 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024The Angelman Syndrome Registry (RISA) was developed as a retrospective study with the following objectives: to evaluate the clinical history of individuals with...
The Angelman Syndrome Registry (RISA) was developed as a retrospective study with the following objectives: to evaluate the clinical history of individuals with Angelman Syndrome (AS) in Italy and compare it with the existing literature; to investigate the feasibility of gathering data by directly involving participants in the data collection process; and to explore the relationship between different symptoms and genotypes. Established in 2018, RISA enrolled a total of 82 participants, with 62 (75.6%) providing complete data. Demographic, clinical, and genetic information was collected using electronic case report forms. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample, while associations between genotype and clinical characteristics were examined. Descriptive analysis revealed a median participant age of 8.0 years, with males comprising 48.8% of the sample. Deletion (58.1%) was the most common genotype. The majority (82.2%) experienced epilepsy, with seizures typically onset before 3 years of age. Most patients (86.2%) required multiple anti-epileptic drugs for control, with generalized tonic-clonic seizures and atypical absence seizures being most prevalent. The deletion group exhibited more severe developmental delays and a trend towards higher seizure severity. Sleep problems affected 69.4% of participants, characterized by difficulties in sleep onset and maintenance. This study offers valuable insights into the clinical history and genetic characteristics of AS in Italy, consistent with the prior literature. Additionally, it underscores the efficacy of patient registries in capturing comprehensive data on rare diseases such as AS, highlighting their potential to advance research and enhance patient care.
PubMed: 38930051
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123520 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: This study evaluated early childhood comorbidities of cerebral palsy (CP) in low birth weight (LBW) children and assessed the impact of maternal bio-psychosocial...
The Prevalence and Risk Analysis of Cerebral Palsy and Other Neuro-Psychological Comorbidities in Children with Low Birth Weight in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.
: This study evaluated early childhood comorbidities of cerebral palsy (CP) in low birth weight (LBW) children and assessed the impact of maternal bio-psychosocial factors on CP risk in preterm infants of varying birth weights (BWs). : Data from 15,181 preterm infants (2009-2013) and 151,810 controls were analyzed using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. CP prevalence and LBW-associated comorbidities were examined, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. : This study confirmed increasing prematurity and LBW rates in Taiwan, with LBW infants showing higher CP prevalence. Significant maternal risk factors included age extremes (<20 and >40 years). LBW infants exhibited higher risks for respiratory, circulatory, nervous system, and psycho-developmental comorbidities compared with controls, with the lowest BW having even higher ORs. Maternal factors such as family income, the number of hospital admissions, and length of hospital stay were remarkably correlated with BW and subsequent complications. Each additional gestational week crucially reduced the risk of complications in premature infants. : LBW infants are at a higher risk for CP and various comorbidities, with maternal bio-psychosocial factors playing a critical role. Addressing these factors in prenatal care and interventions is essential to improve outcomes for premature infants.
PubMed: 38930008
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123480 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women of childbearing age. Pregnancy in SLE patients poses unique... (Review)
Review
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women of childbearing age. Pregnancy in SLE patients poses unique challenges due to the potential impact on maternal and fetal outcomes. We provide an overview of the management of SLE during pregnancy, including preconception risk stratification and counseling, treatment, and disease activity monitoring. These assessments are critical to minimize maternal and fetal adverse events in pregnant patients with SLE. Disease flares, preeclampsia, antiphospholipid syndrome complications, and maternal mortality are the major risks for a woman with SLE during gestation. Timely treatment of SLE relapse, differentiation of preeclampsia from lupus nephritis, and tailored management for antiphospholipid syndrome are essential for a successful pregnancy. Fetal outcomes include neonatal lupus (NL), preterm birth, cesarean delivery, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. We focused on NL, linked to maternal anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B antibodies, which can lead to various manifestations, particularly cardiac abnormalities, in newborns. While there is a common consensus regarding the preventive effect of hydroxychloroquine, the role of echocardiographic monitoring and fluorinated steroid treatment is still debated. Finally, close postpartum monitoring and counseling for subsequent pregnancies are crucial aspects of care.
PubMed: 38929983
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123454 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024The purpose of this study was to report on the menarcheal age in girls of Greek origin and assess its potential associations with their demographic and perinatal data,...
The purpose of this study was to report on the menarcheal age in girls of Greek origin and assess its potential associations with their demographic and perinatal data, as well as their maternal menarcheal age. In this case-control study, adolescent girls were recruited between September 2021 and September 2022 from two Pediatric Endocrinology Units, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Eligible participants included Greek girls up to the age of 18 years, with menarche and the absence of chronic disease or chronic medication use. Participants were divided into two groups, the early menarche group and the control group (menarche before or after 11 years of age, respectively). Data included participants' maternal menarcheal age, their chronological age, place of residence, anthropometric data (at recruitment) and perinatal data (birth order, gestational age, type of delivery, birth weight/length). A total of 100 girls aged 7-17 years (mean age ± SD 12.51 ± 2.59 years) were included in this study. The mean ± SD menarcheal age of the total sample was 11.47 ± 1.55 years (median 11.20 years; range 7.50-16.25 years); 43% had early menarche (median menarcheal age 10.50 years; range 7.50-10.91 years), and 57% had menarche after age 11 (median menarcheal age 12.08 years; range 11.00-16.25 years). The caesarean section rate was significantly ( < 0.001) higher in girls with early menarche (83.7%) than controls, whereas other variables did not differ significantly between groups. This Greek sample demonstrated a relatively young age at menarche with a significant proportion of girls with early menarche; in the latter group, the rate of caesarian sections was significantly higher than controls.
PubMed: 38929980
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123452