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ARP Rheumatology 2022Takayasu arteritis (TA), a form of vasculitis affecting large-and medium-sized vessels; it mainly affects women of reproductive age. Although cardiovascular and... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Takayasu arteritis (TA), a form of vasculitis affecting large-and medium-sized vessels; it mainly affects women of reproductive age. Although cardiovascular and hemodynamic changes during pregnancy represent a potential risk for TA, findings regarding risk in maternal and fetal outcomes are inconsistent. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and outcomes of pregnancies in patients with TA, along with a literature review of comparable studies on the subject matter.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2020. We evaluated 20 women diagnosed with TA according to clinical and angiographic findings.
RESULTS
The median age of the participants was 38 years. The median age at TA diagnosis was 26 years. Thirteen of the 20 participants reported at least one pregnancy. There were 38 pregnancies, including 26 deliveries (20 vaginal and six cesarean deliveries) and 12 abortions. The most common obstetric complication was spontaneous abortion (25%), followed by prematurity (7.89%), and eclampsia/preeclampsia (5.26%). Only one of our patients gave birth without any complications after being diagnosed with TA. In this case, the disease remained inactive throughout the pregnancy and postpartum periods.
CONCLUSIONS
The most common obstetric complication encountered was spontaneous abortion. The maternal and fetal outcome findings were similar to those of previously published studies. The literature shows that patients with stable pregestational TA generally have a good prognosis.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Adult; Pregnancy Outcome; Abortion, Spontaneous; Cross-Sectional Studies; Takayasu Arteritis; Retrospective Studies; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular
PubMed: 36617313
DOI: No ID Found -
Genes Aug 2020Chromosomal mosaicism is at high occurrence in early developmental-stage embryos, but much lower in those at prenatal stage. Recent studies provided evidence on the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Chromosomal mosaicism is at high occurrence in early developmental-stage embryos, but much lower in those at prenatal stage. Recent studies provided evidence on the viability of mosaic embryos by reporting pregnancy outcomes. Expanded research is warranted to evaluate its clinical significance. This is a multi-center prospective cohort study on 137 mosaic, 476 euploid and 835 non-preimplantation genetic testing (non-PGT) embryos from three in vitro fertilization (IVF) providers of three countries in Asia, applying the same preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) reporting criteria. Mosaic embryo transfers (METs) resulted in a significantly lower clinical pregnancy rate (40.1% versus 59.0% versus 48.4%), lower ongoing/live birth rate (27.1% versus 47.0% versus 35.1%) and higher miscarriage rate (33.3% versus 20.5% versus 27.4%) than euploid and non-PGT transfers, respectively. Pregnancy losses after METs were different between embryos carrying numerical and segmental chromosomal abnormalities ( = 0.04). Our meta-analysis concluded that METs gave rise to pregnancies but were associated with a reduced ongoing/live birth rate and a higher miscarriage rate. All 37 MET live births were confirmed viable, among which 8 completed prenatal genetic testing with normal results. Longitudinal investigation on one MET pregnancy evidenced the aneuploidy depletion hypothesis. This is the first multi-center prospective study reporting a full MET pregnancy outcome with complementary information from prenatal genetic testing as compared to euploid and non-PGT cohorts.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Abortion, Spontaneous; Aneuploidy; Blastocyst; Case-Control Studies; Embryo Implantation; Embryo Transfer; Live Birth; Mosaicism; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Rate; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 32825792
DOI: 10.3390/genes11090973 -
JAMA Dermatology Jul 2023Evidence regarding fertility trends and obstetric outcomes among patients with psoriasis is limited by studies of small sample sizes, noninclusion of comparators, and...
IMPORTANCE
Evidence regarding fertility trends and obstetric outcomes among patients with psoriasis is limited by studies of small sample sizes, noninclusion of comparators, and the lack of accurate pregnancy records.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate fertility rates and obstetric outcomes of pregnancies in female patients with psoriasis compared with age- and general practice-matched comparators without psoriasis.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This population-based cohort study used data from 887 primary care practices that contributed to the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD database between 1998 and 2019, linked to a pregnancy register and Hospital Episode Statistics. There were 6 223 298 patients of common childbearing ages (15-44 years), and 63 681 patients with psoriasis had at least 1 year of follow-up data prior to the diagnosis of psoriasis. For each patient with psoriasis, 5 patients were matched by age from the same general practice. The median follow-up duration was 4.1 years. Data analysis was performed in 2021.
EXPOSURES
Patients with psoriasis were identified using clinical diagnostic codes from consultations.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Fertility rates were calculated as the number of pregnancies per 100 patient-years. The outcomes of each pregnancy recorded in the pregnancy register or Hospital Episode Statistics were screened to identify obstetric outcomes. A negative binomial model was used to examine the association between psoriasis and the fertility rate. Logistic regression was applied to compare the association between psoriasis and obstetric outcomes.
RESULTS
A total of 63 681 patients with psoriasis and 318 405 matched comparators were included in the analysis (median [IQR] age, 30 [22-37] years). Lower fertility rates (rate ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69-0.83) were found in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Compared with matched comparators without psoriasis, pregnancies in patients with psoriasis had a higher risk of loss (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10); however, there was no increase in the risks of antenatal hemorrhage, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes.
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE
In this cohort study, patients with moderate to severe psoriasis had a lower fertility rate, and the risk of pregnancy loss was higher than in matched comparators without psoriasis. Future research should identify the mechanism of increased risk of pregnancy loss among patients with psoriasis.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Adult; Pregnancy Outcome; Cohort Studies; Fertility; Abortion, Spontaneous; Psoriasis; United Kingdom
PubMed: 37285130
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.1400 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2024Maternal high blood pressure (BP) was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between high BP prior to or... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Maternal high blood pressure (BP) was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between high BP prior to or in early pregnancy with maternal and fetal complications.
METHODS
We searched the cohort studies assessing the effect of high BP in the Medline, Embase, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Internet databases. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The protocol was registered in PROSPERRO (CRD 42023414945).
RESULTS
23 eligible studies were identified. High BP prior to or in early pregnancy was associated with higher odds of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.91-3.89), gestational hypertension (2.56, 2.01-3.12), preeclampsia (3.20, 2.66-3.74), gestational diabetes mellitus (1.71, 1.36-2.06), preterm birth (1.66, 1.39-1.93), stillbirth (2.01, 1.45-2.58) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (1.22, 1.08-1.37). Subgroup analyses indicated that pre-hypertension could significantly increase the odds of these outcomes except for stillbirth, though the odds were lower than hypertension.
CONCLUSIONS
High BP prior to or in early pregnancy was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and this association increased with hypertension severity. The findings emphasized an urgent need for heightened surveillance for maternal BP, especially pre-hypertensive status.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Stillbirth; Premature Birth; Pregnancy Outcome; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Pre-Eclampsia
PubMed: 38151254
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2296366 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Mar 2023In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration amended existing regulations to increase access to donated embryos for reproductive use. Current information regarding the...
BACKGROUND
In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration amended existing regulations to increase access to donated embryos for reproductive use. Current information regarding the characteristics and outcomes of embryo donation cycles could benefit patients and providers during counseling and decision making.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine the trends in the utilization of embryo donation, pregnancy rates, and live birth rates per transfer between 2004 and 2019 and to describe the recipients of donated embryos and outcomes of frozen donated embryo transfer cycles during the most recent time period, that is, 2016 to 2019.
STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study of frozen donated embryo transfer cycles in United States fertility clinics reporting to the National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System during 2004 to 2019. The trends in the annual number and proportion of frozen donated embryo transfers, pregnancy rates, and live birth rates from 2004 to 2019 were described. During 2016 to 2019, the rates of cycle cancellation, pregnancy, miscarriage, live birth, singleton birth, and good perinatal outcome (delivery ≥37 weeks, birthweight ≥2500 g) of frozen donated embryo transfers were also calculated. Transfer and pregnancy outcomes stratified by oocyte source age at the time of oocyte retrieval were also described.
RESULTS
From 2004 to 2019, there were 21,060 frozen donated embryo transfers in the United States, resulting in 8457 live births. During this period, the annual number and proportion of frozen donated embryo transfers with respect to all transfers increased, as did the pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Among all initiated cycles during 2016 to 2019, the cancellation rate was 8.2%. Among 8773 transfers with known outcomes, 4685 (53.4%) resulted in pregnancy and 3820 (43.5%) in live birth. Among all pregnancies, 814 (17.4%) resulted in miscarriage. Among all live births, 3223 (84.4%) delivered a singleton, of which 2474 (76.8%) had a good perinatal outcome. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate per frozen donated embryo transfer decreased with increasing age of oocyte source.
CONCLUSION
The outcomes of embryo donation cycles reported in this national cohort may aid patients and providers when considering the use of donated embryos.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; United States; Abortion, Spontaneous; Embryo Disposition; Retrospective Studies; Cohort Studies; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Rate; Live Birth; Fertilization in Vitro
PubMed: 36368430
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.10.045 -
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi =... Mar 2020To study the association between maternal age and adverse pregnancy outcome in twin pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To study the association between maternal age and adverse pregnancy outcome in twin pregnancy.
METHODS
The clinical data of 2 363 women with twin pregnancy from January 2006 to June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. According to the age, the women were divided into six groups: <20 years (n=15), 20-24 years (n=158), 25-29 years (n=894), 30-34 years (n=936), 35-39 years (n=320), and ≥40 years group (n=40). The above groups were compared in terms of related baseline features and incidence rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes (preterm birth, birth defect, stillbirth in late pregnancy and small-for-gestational-age birth). A generalized estimating equation was used to investigate the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in different age groups.
RESULTS
After control for the factors including place of residence, primipara, pregnancy pattern, and gestational diseases, the incidence rates of very preterm birth and moderately preterm birth in the ≥40 years group were 2.60 and 1.99 times than those in the 25-29 years group respectively (P<0.05). The incidence rates of very preterm birth and late preterm birth in the 20-24 years group were 1.99 and 1.33 times than those in the 25-29 years group respectively (P<0.05). The incidence rates of stillbirth in late pregnancy in the <20 years group, the 20-24 years group, and the ≥40 years group were 9.10, 2.88 and 3.97 times than those in the 25-29 years group respectively (P<0.05). The incidence rates of small-for-gestational-age birth in the <20 years group and the 35-39 years group were 2.70 and 0.73 times than those in the 25-29 years group respectively (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
In twin pregnancy, pregnant women, aged <20 years, have a higher risk of smaller-for-gestational-age birth and stillbirth in late pregnancy, those aged ≥40 years have a higher risk of very preterm birth, moderately preterm birth and stillbirth in late pregnancy, and those aged 20-24 years have a higher risk of very preterm birth, late preterm birth and stillbirth in late pregnancy.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Age; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy, Twin; Premature Birth; Retrospective Studies; Stillbirth; Young Adult
PubMed: 32204760
DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2020.03.011 -
Population Health Metrics Feb 2021Risks of neonatal death, stillbirth and miscarriage are highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where data has most gaps and estimates rely on household...
BACKGROUND
Risks of neonatal death, stillbirth and miscarriage are highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where data has most gaps and estimates rely on household surveys, dependent on women reporting these events. Underreporting of pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) is common, but few studies have investigated barriers to reporting these in LMICs. The EN-INDEPTH multi-country study applied qualitative approaches to explore barriers and enablers to reporting pregnancy and APOs in surveys, including individual, community, cultural and interview level factors.
METHODS
The study was conducted in five Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites in Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, Uganda, Bangladesh and Ghana. Using an interpretative paradigm and phenomenology methodology, 28 focus group discussions were conducted with 82 EN-INDEPTH survey interviewers and supervisors and 172 women between February and August 2018. Thematic analysis was guided by an a priori codebook.
RESULTS
Survey interview processes influenced reporting of pregnancy and APOs. Women found questions about APOs intrusive and of unclear relevance. Across all sites, sociocultural and spiritual beliefs were major barriers to women reporting pregnancy, due to fear that harm would come to their baby. We identified several factors affecting reporting of APOs including reluctance to speak about sad memories and variation in recognition of the baby's value, especially for APOs at earlier gestation. Overlaps in local understanding and terminology for APOs may also contribute to misreporting, for example between miscarriages and stillbirths. Interviewers' skills and training were the keys to enabling respondents to open up, as was privacy during interviews.
CONCLUSION
Sociocultural beliefs and psycho-social impacts of APOs play a large part in underreporting these events. Interviewers' skills, careful tool development and translation are the keys to obtaining accurate information. Reporting could be improved with clearer explanations of survey purpose and benefits to respondents and enhanced interviewer training on probing, building rapport and empathy.
Topics: Bangladesh; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Perinatal Death; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Stillbirth; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33557858
DOI: 10.1186/s12963-020-00228-x -
BMJ Open Oct 2022The COVID-19 pandemic has led to concerns about potential adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with infection, resulting in intensive research. Numerous studies have...
INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to concerns about potential adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with infection, resulting in intensive research. Numerous studies have attempted to examine whether COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss. However, studies and reviews to date have drawn differing conclusions. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a summary of all quantitative research on the relationship between pregnancy loss and COVID-19 infection and, if appropriate, to synthesise the evidence into an overall effect estimate.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Three publication databases (Embase, PubMed and Cochrane) and four preprint databases (medRxiv, Lancet Preprint, Gates Open Research and Wellcome Open Research) will be searched. Boolean logic will be used to combine terms associated with pregnancy loss and COVID-19. The population of interest are pregnant women. Retrieved results will be assessed in two phases: (1) abstract screening and (2) full text evaluation. All studies which compare pregnancy loss outcomes in women who had COVID-19 versus those who did not quantitatively will be included. Narrative and non-English studies will be excluded. Two reviewers will screen independently, with results compared and discrepancies resolved by the study team. Study quality and risk of bias will be assessed using a quality appraisal tool. Results will be summarised descriptively and where possible synthesised in a meta-analysis.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This systematic review requires no ethical approval. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and provide an important update in a rapidly evolving field of research.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022327437.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Pandemics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Research Design; Stillbirth; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 36192094
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065588 -
Animal Reproduction Science Oct 2023High progesterone concentrations in the early luteal phase support pregnancy, whereas subphysiological progesterone concentrations delay embryonic development at least...
High progesterone concentrations in the early luteal phase support pregnancy, whereas subphysiological progesterone concentrations delay embryonic development at least until placentation. In this study, fetal growth and development of pregnancy was investigated in pregnancies with prostaglandin F-induced low progesterone concentrations (PGF) in the early luteal phase and control pregnancies (CON) in the same mares (n = 12). Mares were inseminated and in PGF pregnancies received the prostaglandin F analogue cloprostenol (62.5 µg) on days 0-3 after ovulation to induce subphysiological progesterone concentrations; CON pregnancies remained untreated. Mares were assigned to PGF or CON treatments in alternating order and received the opposite treatment in the following year. Blood was collected and conceptus size determined repeatedly by transrectal (≤day 101) and transabdominal (>day 101) ultrasonography. After birth, foals were weighed, measured and submitted to a clinical examination. Treatment PGF resulted in fewer pregnancies than CON treatment. All foals born from CON pregnancies were healthy and mature, whereas 4/7 PGF pregnancies were either lost (one embryonic death, one abortion) or resulted in the birth of compromised foals (P = 0.018). Size of the conceptus (e.g., diameter day 49: PGF 6.6 ± 0.7, CON 7.7 ± 0.7 cm, P = 0.006) and embryo proper (e.g., crown rump length day 54; PGF 4.4 ± 0.8, CON 5.8 ± 0.6 cm, P = 0.015) differed between treatments. These size differences decreased over time and at birth PGF foals did not differ significantly from CON foals. In conclusion, reduced progesterone concentration in the early luteal phase leads to delayed conceptus growth beyond placentation and increased pregnancy loss.
Topics: Pregnancy; Horses; Animals; Female; Progesterone; Pregnancy Outcome; Ovulation; Prostaglandins F; Cloprostenol
PubMed: 37725863
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107334 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jul 2022Adolescent pregnancy is a public health issue with well-defined causes and health risks with social and economic implications. Aim of this review was to examine adverse... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Adolescent pregnancy is a public health issue with well-defined causes and health risks with social and economic implications. Aim of this review was to examine adverse pregnancy outcomes and risk factors associated with adolescent pregnancy in Africa.
METHOD
PubMed Central, Science Direct and JSTOR were the main databases for the literature review. Other online sources and experts were consulted for relevant studies. In all, 11,574 records were identified and 122 were considered as full-text studies for evaluation after thorough screening and removal of duplicates. Finally, 53 studies were included in this review for thematic synthesis.
RESULTS
The 53 studies sampled 263,580 pregnant women, including 46,202 adolescents (< 20 years) and 217,378 adults (> 20 years). Adolescent pregnancy was associated with higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Factors of poor pregnancy outcomes included low socioeconomic and educational status, poor utilization of antenatal care, risky lifestyles such as alcohol consumption, and unattractive health care factors. Maternal health care utilization was identified as an important factor to improve pregnancy outcomes among adolescents in Africa.
CONCLUSION
To prevent adolescent pregnancy, stakeholders need to help lower socioeconomic inequalities, poor utilization of antenatal care, alcohol consumption, and improve adolescents' health care and their educational status. Issues such as child marriage, abortion, poor health care infrastructure and non-adolescent friendly health facilities need to be addressed.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Africa; Child; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Health Services; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Prenatal Care
PubMed: 35896998
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04821-w