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PloS One 2017There is growing evidence that breastfeeding has short- and long-term cardiovascular health benefits for mothers. The objectives of this systematic review were to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is growing evidence that breastfeeding has short- and long-term cardiovascular health benefits for mothers. The objectives of this systematic review were to examine the association between breastfeeding and maternal cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes that have not previously been synthesized systematically, including metabolic syndrome, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
This systematic review meets PRISMA guidelines. The MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases were systematically searched for relevant publications of any study design from the earliest publication date to March 2016. The reference lists from selected articles were reviewed, and forward and backward referencing were conducted. The methodological quality of reviewed articles was appraised using validated checklists. Twenty-one studies meeting the inclusion criteria examined the association between self-reported breastfeeding and one or more of the following outcomes: metabolic syndrome/metabolic risk factors (n = 10), inflammatory markers/adipokines (n = 2), hypertension (n = 7), subclinical cardiovascular disease (n = 2), prevalence/incidence of cardiovascular disease (n = 3) and cardiovascular disease mortality (n = 2). Overall, 19 studies (10 cross-sectional/retrospective, 9 prospective) reported significant protective effects of breastfeeding, nine studies (3 cross-sectional/retrospective, 5 prospective, 1 cluster randomized controlled trial) reported non-significant findings and none reported detrimental effects of breastfeeding. In most studies reporting significant associations, breastfeeding remained associated with both short- and long-term maternal cardiovascular health risk factors/outcomes, even after covariate adjustment. Findings from several studies suggested that the effects of breastfeeding may diminish with age and a dose-response association between breastfeeding and several metabolic risk factors. However, further longitudinal studies, including studies that measure exclusive breastfeeding, are needed to confirm these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence from this review suggests that breastfeeding is associated with cardiovascular health benefits. However, results should be interpreted with caution as the evidence gathered for each individual outcome was limited by the small number of observational studies. Additional prospective studies are needed.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42016047766.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Humans; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29186142
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187923 -
Journal of Public Health (Oxford,... Sep 2016Maternal obesity is emerging as a public health problem, recently highlighted together with maternal under-nutrition as a 'double burden', especially in African... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Maternal obesity is emerging as a public health problem, recently highlighted together with maternal under-nutrition as a 'double burden', especially in African countries undergoing social and economic transition. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the current evidence on maternal obesity in Africa.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched (up to August 2014) and identified 29 studies. Prevalence, associations with socio-demographic factors, labour, child and maternal consequences of maternal obesity were assessed. Pooled risk ratios comparing obese and non-obese groups were calculated.
RESULTS
Prevalence of maternal obesity across Africa ranged from 6.5 to 50.7%, with older and multiparous mothers more likely to be obese. Obese mothers had increased risks of adverse labour, child and maternal outcomes. However, non-obese mothers were more likely to have low-birthweight babies. The differences in measurement and timing of assessment of maternal obesity were found across studies. No studies were identified either on the knowledge or attitudes of pregnant women towards maternal obesity; or on interventions for obese pregnant women.
CONCLUSIONS
These results show that Africa's levels of maternal obesity are already having significant adverse effects. Culturally adaptable/sensitive interventions should be developed while monitoring to avoid undesired side effects.
Topics: Africa; Age Factors; Female; Humans; Mothers; Obesity; Parity; Prevalence; Risk Factors
PubMed: 26487702
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdv138 -
BJOG : An International Journal of... Jan 2017Although pregnant women are considered at high risk for severe influenza disease, comparative studies of maternal influenza and birth outcomes have not been... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although pregnant women are considered at high risk for severe influenza disease, comparative studies of maternal influenza and birth outcomes have not been comprehensively summarised.
OBJECTIVE
To review comparative studies evaluating maternal influenza disease and birth outcomes.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched bibliographic databases from inception to December 2014.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Studies of preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth or fetal death, comparing women with and without clinical influenza illness or laboratory-confirmed influenza infection during pregnancy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two reviewers independently abstracted data and assessed study quality.
MAIN RESULTS
Heterogeneity across 16 studies reporting preterm birth precluded meta-analysis. In a subgroup of the highest-quality studies, two reported significantly increased preterm birth (risk ratios (RR) from 2.4 to 4.0) following severe 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza illness, whereas those assessing mild-to-moderate pH1N1 or seasonal influenza found no association. Five studies of SGA birth showed no discernible patterns with respect to influenza disease severity (pooled odds ratio 1.24; 95% CI 0.96-1.59). Two fetal death studies were of sufficient quality and size to permit meaningful interpretation. Both reported an increased risk of fetal death following maternal pH1N1 disease (RR 1.9 for mild-to-moderate disease and 4.2 for severe disease).
CONCLUSIONS
Comparative studies of preterm birth, SGA birth and fetal death following maternal influenza disease are limited in number and quality. An association between severe pH1N1 disease and preterm birth and fetal death was reported by several studies; however, these limited data do not permit firm conclusions on the magnitude of any association.
TWEETABLE ABSTRACT
Comparative studies are limited in quality but suggest severe pandemic H1N1 influenza increases preterm birth.
Topics: Adult; Female; Fetal Death; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza, Human; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; United Kingdom
PubMed: 27264387
DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.14143 -
Cadernos de Saude Publica Feb 2018This study aimed to investigate the existence and magnitude of the association between advanced maternal age (AMA) and occurrence of placenta praevia (PP) and placental... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This study aimed to investigate the existence and magnitude of the association between advanced maternal age (AMA) and occurrence of placenta praevia (PP) and placental abruption (PA) among nulliparous and multiparous women, by a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched articles published between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015, in any language, in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS. Women were grouped into two age categories: up to 34 years old and 35 years or older. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. A meta-analysis was conducted for the PP and PA outcomes, using a meta-regression model to find possible covariates associated with heterogeneity among the studies and Egger's test to assess publication bias. The protocol of this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) system (CRD42016045594). Twenty-three studies met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. For both outcomes, an increase in age increased the magnitude of association strength, and PP (OR = 3.16, 95%CI: 2.79-3.57) was more strongly associated with AMA than PA (OR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.35-1.54). For parity, there was no difference between nulliparous and multiparous women considered older for the PP and PA outcomes. Our review provided very low-quality evidence for both outcomes, since it encompasses observational studies with high statistical heterogeneity, diversity of populations, no control of confounding factors in several cases, and publication bias. However, the confidence intervals were small and there is a dose-response gradient, as well as a large magnitude of effect for PP.
Topics: Abruptio Placentae; Adult; Female; Humans; Maternal Age; Odds Ratio; Parity; Placenta Previa; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29489954
DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00206116 -
Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal... Mar 2017Post-term birth is a preventable cause of perinatal mortality and severe morbidity. This review examined the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Post-term birth is a preventable cause of perinatal mortality and severe morbidity. This review examined the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and post-term birth at ≥42 and ≥41 weeks' gestation. Five databases, reference lists and citations were searched from May to November 2015. Observational studies published in English since 1990 were included. Linear and nonlinear dose-response meta-analyses were conducted by using random effects models. Sensitivity analyses assessed robustness of the results. Meta-regression and sub-group meta-analyses explored heterogeneity. Obesity classes were defined as I (30.0-34.9 kg m ), II (35.0-39.9 kg m ) and III (≥40 kg m ; IIIa 40.0-44.9 kg m , IIIb ≥ 45.0 kg m ). Searches identified 16,375 results, and 39 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 4,143,700 births). A nonlinear association between maternal BMI and births ≥42 weeks was identified; odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for obesity classes I-IIIb were 1.42 (1.27-1.58), 1.55 (1.37-1.75), 1.65 (1.44-1.87) and 1.75 (1.50-2.04) respectively. BMI was linearly associated with births ≥41 weeks: odds ratio is 1.13 (95% confidence interval 1.05-1.21) for each 5-unit increase in BMI. The strength of the association between BMI and post-term birth increases with increasing BMI. Odds are greatest for births ≥42 weeks among class III obesity. Targeted interventions to prevent the adverse outcomes associated with post-term birth should consider the difference in risk between obesity classes.
Topics: Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Databases, Factual; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Postmature; Mothers; Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Obesity; Observational Studies as Topic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Socioeconomic Factors
PubMed: 28085991
DOI: 10.1111/obr.12489 -
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice Apr 2020The objective of the present analysis was to evaluate and quantify the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to maternal age. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIMS
The objective of the present analysis was to evaluate and quantify the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to maternal age.
METHODS
Three electronic databases were searched for publications from inception to July 2018. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. A dose-response analsis was performed using generalised least squares regression. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted to explore the source of identified heterogeneity among studies.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The ORs and 95% CIs for women aged <20 years vs 25-29 years, 30-34 years, 35-39 years and ≥40 years were 0.60 (95% CI = 0.50-0.72), 1.69 (95% CI = 1.49-1.93), 2.73 (95% CI = 2.28-3.27), 3.54 (95% CI = 2.88-4.34) and 4.86 (95% CI = 3.78-6.24), respectively. Dose-response analysis showed that GDM risk exhibited a linear relationship with maternal age (P < 0.001). For each one-year increase in maternal age from 18 years, GDM risk for the overall population, Asian, and Europid increased by 7.90%, 12.74%, and 6.52%, respectively. Subgroup analyses indicated that from the age of 25, Asian women had a significantly higher risk of developing GDM than Europid women (all P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis demonstrates that the risk of GDM increases linearly with successive age-groups.
Topics: Adult; Diabetes, Gestational; Female; Humans; Maternal Age; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 32017960
DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108044 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2023This systematic review aimed to understand the impact of advanced maternal age (AMA) on the neonatal morbidity, based on the available scientific evidence. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aimed to understand the impact of advanced maternal age (AMA) on the neonatal morbidity, based on the available scientific evidence.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted on 22 November 2021, using the PubMed and Scopus databases to identify studies that compared the morbidity of neonates delivered to AMA mothers with that of neonates delivered to non-AMA mothers.
RESULTS
Sixteen studies that evaluated the effect of AMA on the neonatal morbidity were included in this review. Nine of these studies found some association between AMA and increased neonatal morbidity (with two of them only reporting an increase in asymptomatic hypoglycemia, and one only reporting an association in twins), six found no association between AMA and neonatal morbidity and one study found a decrease in morbidity in preterm neonates. The studies that found an increase in overall neonatal morbidity with AMA considered older ages for the definition of AMA, particularly ≥40 and ≥45 years.
CONCLUSION
The current evidence seems to support a lack of association between AMA and the neonatal morbidity of the delivered neonates. However, more studies focusing on the neonatal outcomes of AMA pregnancies are needed to better understand this topic.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Maternal Age; Mothers; Morbidity
PubMed: 38016703
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2287981 -
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) Feb 2024The Mediterranean diet is a global, well-known healthy dietary pattern. This review aims to synthesize the existing evidence on the relationship between the maternal... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The Mediterranean diet is a global, well-known healthy dietary pattern. This review aims to synthesize the existing evidence on the relationship between the maternal Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies. PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 10 March, 2023, supplemented by manual screening. A random-effect model was used to estimate pooled sizes with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for specific outcomes of interest. Data from 5 RCTs and 18 cohort studies with 107,355 pregnant participants were synthesized. In RCTs, it was observed that the maternal Mediterranean diet significantly reduced the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus [odds ratio (OR), 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.93], as well as small for gestational age (0.55; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.88). In cohort studies, the highest adherence score to the maternal Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with a lower risk of various adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus (OR, 0.82; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.00), pregnancy-induced hypertension (0.73; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.89), pre-eclampsia (0.77; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.93), preterm delivery (0.67; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.91), low birth weight (0.70; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.78), intrauterine growth restriction (0.46; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.91), and increased gestational age at delivery (weighted mean difference, 0.11 wk; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.20). Meta-regression analyses did not identify the adjustment for confounders and geographical location as predictive factors for heterogeneity. The results suggest that adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy appears to be beneficial for perinatal outcomes. Future, larger, and higher-quality RCTs and cohort studies are warranted to confirm the present findings. PROSPERO registration no.: CRD42023406317.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Diabetes, Gestational; Diet, Mediterranean; Pregnancy Outcome; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Pre-Eclampsia; Fetal Growth Retardation
PubMed: 38042258
DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.100159 -
International Breastfeeding Journal Jun 2023Global estimates of calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breastmilk are lacking. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the calcium, zinc, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Global estimates of calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breastmilk are lacking. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the calcium, zinc, and vitamin D content in breast milk.
METHODS
A systematic search of the online databases Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL was conducted in November 2022 and complemented by searches of the African Journals Online database and the LILACS database, and reference lists. Studies reporting the calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breast milk of apparently healthy mothers and infants were included. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted. The effect of influencing factors were investigated with sub-group analyses and meta-regressions.
RESULTS
A total of 154 studies reporting on breast milk calcium were identified, with a mean calcium concentration in breast milk of 261 mg/L (95% CI: 238, 284). Calcium concentration was influenced by maternal health and decreased linearly over the duration of lactation. Calcium concentration at a specific time during lactation could be estimated with the equation: calcium concentration [mg/L] = 282 - 0.2331 ✕ number of days since birth. A total of 242 studies reporting on breast milk zinc were identified, with a mean zinc concentration of 2.57 mg/L (95% CI: 2.50, 2.65). Zinc concentration was influenced by several factors, such as maternal age, gestational age, and maternal diet. Zinc concentration started high in the first weeks post-partum followed by a rapid decrease over the first months. Zinc concentration at a specific time during lactation could be estimated with the equation: zinc concentration [mg/L] = 6 + 0.0005 ✕ days - 2.0266 ✕ log(days). A total of 43 studies reporting on breast milk vitamin D were identified, with a mean total antirachitic activity of breast milk of 58 IU/L (95% CI: 45, 70), which consisted mostly of 25OHD3, and smaller amounts of vitamin D3, 25OHD2 and vitamin D2. Vitamin D concentration showed wide variations between studies and was influenced by vitamin D supplementation, continent and season.
CONCLUSIONS
This review provides global estimates of calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breast milk, as well as indications on changes over time and depending on influencing factors.
Topics: Infant; Female; Humans; Milk, Human; Calcium; Breast Feeding; Zinc; Vitamin D; Vitamins; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37264448
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-023-00564-2 -
European Review For Medical and... Jan 2022Current evidence of the maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies among mothers with advanced age is unclear, especially for mothers with age above... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Current evidence of the maternal, perinatal and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies among mothers with advanced age is unclear, especially for mothers with age above 40 years.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Studies that were observational in design or analysed retrospective data were considered for inclusion. The included studies had to be conducted in twin pregnancies and should have documented the effect of maternal age on obstetric and/or neonatal outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA software.
RESULTS
A total of 20 studies were considered for inclusion. All the studies were based on retrospective data. Compared to mothers aged under 40 years, those with advanced age (≥40 years) had increased risk of caesarean delivery [RR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.37], gestational hypertension [RR 2.71, 95% CI: 1.72, 4.27], gestational diabetes mellitus [RR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.28, 3.21], preterm birth [RR 2.47, 95% CI: 1.09, 5.80], neonatal admission to intensive care unit [RR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.21, 2.64] and perinatal and/or neonatal mortality [RR 5.76, 95% CI: 1.11, 29.7]. The risk of gestational diabetes mellitus [RR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.90] and having caesarean delivery [RR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.28] was higher in mothers with ≥35 years of age, compared to those <35 years. There were no significant differences in the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes among the mothers with age ≥35 years. However, in these mothers, the risk of perinatal/neonatal mortality [RR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.88] was comparatively lower than in mothers under 35 years of age. There appeared no significant risk of advanced maternal age for postpartum haemorrhage, hospitalization during pregnancy and premature rupture of membranes.
CONCLUSIONS
The increased risk of maternal, neonatal and perinatal outcomes in mothers with advanced age highlights the need for close follow-up, early detection and management of medical complications in twin pregnancies.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Age; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Twin; Premature Birth; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35049025
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202201_27753