Antenatal Infection Research Articles

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Adherence of Nutritional Supplement Amongst Pregnant Women in Rural Ethiopia

ObjectivesProviding balanced protein energy (BEP) supplementation to pregnant women in low-and-middle income countries has been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and adherence of a proposed BEP product among pregnant women in rural Ethiopia prior to initiation of a clinical effectiveness study. MethodsThis formative study was conducted from October-November 2018 among pregnant women in the rural Amhara region of Ethiopia, prior to the “Enhancing Nutrition and Antenatal Infection Treatment (ENAT)” study [ISRCTN15116516]. Questionnaires to assess acceptability of a micronutrient fortified corn soy blend (CSB) BEP supplement were administered using a 7-point Likert scale (0 = strongly disagree, to 7 = strongly agree) after 2 and 4 weeks of utilization. Acceptability domains included: color, taste, texture, odor, portion size, ease of use, and adult favorability. Women were also given weekly provisions of daily sachets of the supplement and monitored weekly for adherence over one month. Results39 women participated in the study and 33 completed the study at 4 weeks. Quantitative results demonstrated high acceptability (mean Likert score >6 of 7) for the following domains: color, odor and perceived adult favorability at mid and end point. Scores on acceptability and perception of the product remained generally stable through the duration of use. The average number of sachets consumed was 6.4 in week 1, 6.6 in week 2, 7 in week 3, and 6.9 in week 4. 43% of women consumed the portion in one sitting, whereas 57% of women split up the portion to consume throughout the day. The majority (66%) of women reported consuming the full daily serving. 26% of respondents reported sharing the supplement with family members. ConclusionsThese findings show that most women in rural Amhara, Ethiopia, found the BEP supplement acceptable and had positive perceptions of the product. Sharing of the product and completion of the full daily serving were important considerations. Overall, the BEP supplement demonstrated good feasibility of implementation in our study population. Future studies should consider utilizing such strategies to understand factors that may affect uptake and adherence of nutritional supplements. Funding SourcesBill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Ocular Findings and Visual Function in Children Examined during the Zika Health Brigade in the US Virgin Islands, March 2018.

Among children born with laboratory-confirmed Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, visual impairment (VI) can occur despite normal ocular structure. The objective of this report is to describe ocular findings and visual function among children examined during the Department of Health Zika Health Brigade (ZHB) in the United States Virgin Islands in March 2018. This analysis is based on a retrospective chart review of children eligible to participate in the ZHB (i.e., part of the US Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry) and who were examined by ophthalmologists. Eighty-eight children attended the ZHB. This report includes 81 children [48 (59.3%) males] whose charts were located [average gestational age = 37.6 weeks (range: 27.6–41.3) and average adjusted age at examination = 9.1 months (range: 0.9–21.9)]. Of those examined, 5/81 (6.2%) had microcephaly at birth, 2/81 (2.5%) had a structural eye abnormality, and 19/72 (26.4%) had VI. Among children with normal ocular structure and neurologic examination, 13/51 (25.5%) had VI. Despite a low incidence of abnormal ocular structure and microcephaly, about a quarter of children examined had VI. Our findings emphasize that ophthalmological examinations should be performed in all children with suspicion for antenatal ZIKV infection, even children with normal ocular structure and neurologic examination.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Maternal and Newborn Disease and Related Control for COVID-19.

The maternal-fetal/newborn unit is established at risk for COVID-19 infection. This narrative review summarizes the contemporary and cumulative publications which detail maternal infection, antenatal and newborn infections, and maternal/fetal/newborn management and prevention. There is a wide spectrum of maternal disease, but the potential for severe disease albeit in a minority is confirmed. COVID-19 carries risk for preterm delivery. Pregnant females can suffer multisystem disease, and co-morbidities play a significant role in risk. Congenital infection has been supported by several anecdotal reports, but strong confirmatory data are few. No typical congenital dysmorphisms are evident. Nevertheless, placental vascular compromise must be considered a risk for the fetus during advanced maternal infections. Clinical manifestations of newborn infection have been mild to moderate and relatively uncommon. Proven antiviral therapy is of yet lacking. The mode of delivery is a medical decision that must include patient risk assessment and patient directives. Both presymptomatic and asymptomatic mothers and offspring can complicate infection control management with the potential for spread to others in several regards. In the interim, infections of the maternal-fetal-newborn unit must be taken seriously both for the disease so caused and the potential for further dissemination of disease.

Sequential Exposure to Antenatal Microbial Triggers Attenuates Alveolar Growth and Pulmonary Vascular Development and Impacts Pulmonary Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells.

Perinatal inflammatory stress is strongly associated with adverse pulmonary outcomes after preterm birth. Antenatal infections are an essential perinatal stress factor and contribute to preterm delivery, induction of lung inflammation and injury, pre-disposing preterm infants to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Considering the polymicrobial nature of antenatal infection, which was reported to result in diverse effects and outcomes in preterm lungs, the aim was to examine the consequences of sequential inflammatory stimuli on endogenous epithelial stem/progenitor cells and vascular maturation, which are crucial drivers of lung development. Therefore, a translational ovine model of antenatal infection/inflammation with consecutive exposures to chronic and acute stimuli was used. Ovine fetuses were exposed intra-amniotically to Ureaplasma parvum 42 days (chronic stimulus) and/or to lipopolysaccharide 2 or 7 days (acute stimulus) prior to preterm delivery at 125 days of gestation. Pulmonary inflammation, endogenous epithelial stem cell populations, vascular modulators and morphology were investigated in preterm lungs. Pre-exposure to UP attenuated neutrophil infiltration in 7d LPS-exposed lungs and prevented reduction of SOX-9 expression and increased SP-B expression, which could indicate protective responses induced by re-exposure. Sequential exposures did not markedly impact stem/progenitors of the proximal airways (P63+ basal cells) compared to single exposure to LPS. In contrast, the alveolar size was increased solely in the UP+7d LPS group. In line, the most pronounced reduction of AEC2 and proliferating cells (Ki67+) was detected in these sequentially UP + 7d LPS-exposed lambs. A similar sensitization effect of UP pre-exposure was reflected by the vessel density and expression of vascular markers VEGFR-2 and Ang-1 that were significantly reduced after UP exposure prior to 2d LPS, when compared to UP and LPS exposure alone. Strikingly, while morphological changes of alveoli and vessels were seen after sequential microbial exposure, improved lung function was observed in UP, 7d LPS, and UP+7d LPS-exposed lambs. In conclusion, although sequential exposures did not markedly further impact epithelial stem/progenitor cell populations, re-exposure to an inflammatory stimulus resulted in disturbed alveolarization and abnormal pulmonary vascular development. Whether these negative effects on lung development can be rescued by the potentially protective responses observed, should be examined at later time points.

ZIKA Virus Neutralizing Antibody Kinetics in Antenatally Exposed Infants.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is associated with severe congenital abnormalities and laboratory diagnosis of antenatal infection is difficult. Here we evaluated ZIKV neutralizing antibody (nAb) kinetics in infants born to mothers with PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection during pregnancy. Neonates (n = 98) had serum specimens tested repeatedly for ZIKV nAb over the first 2 years of life using virus neutralization test (VNT). ZIKV neonatal infection was confirmed by RT-PCR in blood or urine and/or presence of ZIKV IgM antibodies, and results were correlated with infant clinical features. Postnatal laboratory evidence of ZIKV vertical transmission was obtained for 60.2% of children, while 32.7% exhibited clinical abnormalities. Congenital abnormalities were found in 37.3% of children with confirmed ZIKV infection and 31.0% of children without confirmed infection (P = .734). All but 1 child displayed a physiologic decline in ZIKV nAb, reflecting maternal antibody decay, despite an early ZIKV-IgM response in one-third of infants. Infants with antenatal ZIKV exposure do not develop ZIKV nAb despite an early IgM response. Therefore, ZIKV VNT in children is not useful for diagnosis of congenital infection. In light of these findings, it remains to be determined if children infected in utero are potentially susceptible to reinfection.

Post-Infective Hydrocephalus

Post-infective hydrocephalus (PIH) arises as a complication of any CNS infection, and can be either communicating or noncommunicating. The aim of this article is to study the various causes of PIH and its pathophysiology and treatment. The literature was searched for articles describing the causes of PIH. Common causes of PIH are CNS tuberculosis (TB), neurocysticercosis, and perinatal or neonatal infection. TBM is most likely to result in hydrocephalus out of all these manifestations of CNS TB, and hydrocephalus is more likely to occur early in the course, typically 4-6 weeks after the onset of TBM, and is more common among children as compared to adults. A trial of medical management (antitubercular therapy, steroids, and decongestants) can be given to patients with communicating hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is the most employed method of CSF diversion in these patients. Though traditionally considered contraindicated, many recent studies have found ETV to be a reasonable option in patients with PIH. HCP in patients with neurocysticercosis can be associated with intraventricular cysts and racemose cysts in the basal subarachnoid cisterns. Surgical intervention is required either for cyst removal or CSF diversion. Endoscopic approaches can be used to remove the intraventricular cysts, which takes care of the HCP. PIH in infants can result either from antenatal infections (TORCH infections) or postnatal infections such as meningitis. Management of PIH can be challenging. Management has to be individualized.

Changes in physicobiochemical properties of nasopharyngeal aspirate in newborns with congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Aim . To study the change in the physico-biochemical properties of the nasopharyngeal aspirate in newborns with congenital cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI). Materials and methods . The pH, the concentration of medium molecular weight peptides, seromucoid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the nasopharyngeal aspirate in 59 full-term infants with intrauterine development, uncomplicated and complicated by congenital CMVI, who died at 2-5 days of life, were studied. The first group included 25 children of early neonatal age (control group), whose mothers did not have moderate and severe obstetric and somatic pathologies during pregnancy, as well as respiratory viral infections and sexually transmitted infections. The second group was represented by 18 newborns (comparison group) from mothers with exacerbation of CMVI in the second trimester of gestation, which does not lead to antenatal infection of their offspring. The third group consisted of 16 newborns (main group) with diagnosed intrauterine CMVI. Results . In the nasopharyngeal aspirate in the newborns of the second group, in comparison with the first one, there were no statistically significant differences in pH (7.02±0.016 and 7.05±0.016, respectively, p>0.05). At the same time, there was a decrease in the concentration of total cholesterol (0.196±0.006 and 0.238±0.003 mmol/L, respectively, p<0.001), an increase in the concentration of medium molecular weight peptides (0.595±0.032 and 0.345±0.005 mmol/L, respectively, p<0.001), seromucoid (0.112±0.002 and 0.098±0.001 optical density units, respectively, p<0.001), triglycerides (0.160±0.005 and 0.145±0.004 mmol/L, respectively, p<0.05) and lactate dehydrogenase activity (345,0±14.16 and 287.6±10.23 IU/L, respectively, p<0.01). In the third group, in comparison with the second one, a decrease in pH by 1.01 times (p<0.01) and in total cholesterol by 1.35 times (p<0.001), an increase in the concentration of medium molecular weight peptides by 1.32 times (p<0,05), seromucoid – 1.13 times (p<0.001), triglycerides – 1.24 times (p<0.001) and the level of lactate dehydrogenase – 1.15 times (p<0.05). Conclusion . In dead newborns with intrauterine CMVI, a change in the physico-biochemical properties of the nasopharyngeal aspirate in the first minutes after birth indicates an antenatal direct and indirect negative effect of the infection on the state of the amniotic membrane, placenta and organs of the intrauterine fetus.

Antenatal thymus volumes in fetuses that delivered

Infection and inflammation have been implicated in the etiology and subsequent morbidity associated with preterm birth. At present, there are no tests to assess for fetal compartment infection. The thymus, a gland integral in the fetal immune system, has been shown to involute in animal models of antenatal infection, but its response in human fetuses has not been studied. This study aims: (a) to generate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -derived fetal thymus volumes standardized for fetal weight; (b) to compare standardized thymus volumes from fetuses that delivered before 32weeks of gestation with fetuses that subsequently deliver at term; (c) to assess thymus size as a predictor of preterm birth; and (d) to correlate the presence of chorioamnionitis and funisitis at delivery with thymic volumes in utero in fetuses that subsequently deliver preterm. Women at high-risk of preterm birth at 20-32weeks of gestation were recruited. A control group was obtained from existing data sets acquired as part of three research studies. A fetal MRI was performed on a 1.5T or 3T MRI scanner: T2 weighted images were obtained of the entire uterine content and specifically the fetal thorax. A slice-to-volume registration method was used for reconstruction of three-dimensional images of the thorax. Thymus segmentations were performed manually. Body volumes were calculated by manual segmentation and thymus:body volume ratios were generated. Comparison of groups was performed using multiple regression analysis. Normal ranges were created for thymus volume and thymus:body volume ratios using the control data. Receiver operating curves (ROC) curves were generated for thymus:body volume ratio and gestation-adjusted thymus volume centiles as predictors of preterm birth. Placental histology was analyzed where available from pregnancies that delivered very preterm and the presence of chorioamnionitis/funisitis was noted. Normative ranges were created for thymus volume, and thymus volume was standardized for fetal size from fetuses that subsequently delivered at term, but were imaged at 20-32weeks of gestation. Image data sets from 16 women that delivered <32weeks of gestation (ten with ruptured membranes and six with intact membranes) and 80 control women that delivered >37weeks were included. Mean gestation at MRI of the study group was 28+4 weeks (SD 3.2) and for the control group was 25+5 weeks (SD 2.4). Both absolute fetal thymus volumes and thymus:body volume ratios were smaller in fetuses that delivered preterm (P<.001). Of the 16 fetuses that delivered preterm, 13 had placental histology, 11 had chorioamnionitis, and 9 had funisitis. The strongest predictors of prematurity were the thymus volume Z-score and thymus:body volume ratio Z-score (ROC areas 0.915 and 0.870, respectively). We have produced MRI-derived normal ranges for fetal thymus and thymus:body volume ratios between 20 and 32weeks of gestation. Fetuses that deliver very preterm had reduced thymus volumes when standardized for fetal size. A reduced thymus volume was also a predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery. Thymus volume may be a suitable marker of the fetal inflammatory response, although further work is needed to assess this, increasing the sample size to correlate the extent of chorioamnionitis with thymus size.

How could we suspect life-threatening perinatal group A streptococcal infection?

AimPerinatal group A streptococcal infection is a rare but life‐threatening condition. Few reports have focused on its clinical characteristics and how to prevent deterioration. We report our experience with two antenatal fatal cases and reviewed 96 cases in the literature to assess the clinical characteristics of group A streptococcal infection.MethodsEnglish‐language clinical reports of antenatal and postnatal group A streptococcal infection in 1974–2019 were retrieved and examined. Relationships between clinical characteristics and maternal outcomes were assessed.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed that antenatal group A streptococcal infection was significantly associated with an age of ≤19 or ≥ 35 years, cesarean section, sore throat as an initial symptom, positive throat culture, maternal death and fetal death. Multivariate analysis revealed that antenatal onset (odds ratio = 7.922, 95% confidence interval = 1.297–48.374; P = 0.025) and a quick sepsis‐related organ‐failure assessment score (qSOFA; low blood pressure, high respiratory rate or altered mental status) of ≥2 (odds ratio = 6.166, 95% confidence interval = 1.066–35.670; P = 0.042) were significantly related to maternal death.ConclusionPer our findings, antenatal group A streptococcal infection was significantly associated with maternal and fetal death. Further, the antenatal infection was revealed as a more critical risk factor. We suggest that the presence of any sign related to the qSOFA is a potential clue suspecting perinatal group A streptococcal infection in primary obstetric facilities.

Antenatal Infections and Respiratory Outcome in Preterm Infants.

Fetal exposure to infection and inflammation can result in accelerated lung maturation and simultaneously altered lung development. This alteration is characterized by reduced alveolar and vascular formation that is one of the hallmarks of the changes observed in animal models and in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). These opposite effects on maturation and on lung development can explain the reduced severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) but increased incidence of BPD observed in infants exposed to antenatal infections. This also explains why infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis or colonized with ureaplasma urealitycum have an increased risk of lung injury and BPD. Despite the negative effects of infection on lung development, there is no clear evidence that antibiotic therapy improves the respiratory course in these infants. While the administration of azithromycin to ureaplasma colonized infants is effective in eradicating airway colonization, the effect on BPD is inconclusive. One of the few interventions that have been shown to improve respiratory outcome and reduce BPD in infants with severe RDS is the modulation of inflammation by the administration of systemic or intratracheal steroids early after birth. KEY POINTS: · Antenatal infection can reduce RDS.. · Fetal exposure to infection can alter lung development and increase BPD.. · The detrimental effect of infection is enhanced by mechanical ventilation..

Diagnosis of Infections in Fetus: Ultrasound and Invasive Techniques

AbstractInfections in pregnancy may lead to fetal morbidity and mortality. The major infections which can be transmitted from the mother to the fetus and can probably result in adverse consequences in the prenatal period include toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), syphilis, parvovirus, and varicella. Factors determining the risks of transplacental transmission and associated fetal adverse events include the period of gestation at which transmission occurs and the immunity status of the mother. No single modality can diagnose all fetal infections and consequently prenatal diagnosis of fetal manifestations of infections is frequently made by fetal sonography and serology to identify the specific infectious agent. Ultrasound is now considered the safest and least invasive primary tool for the detection and monitoring of antenatal infection. Major findings in cases of fetal infection are observed in the central nervous system and heart with parenchymal calcifications, pleural/pericardial effusions, ascites, fetal growth restriction, oligo-/polyhydramnios and placentomegaly being frequently seen. Various diagnostic interventions are also performed under ultrasound guidance such as amniocentesis to determine underlying etiology and cordocentesis to detect fetal anemia. Knowledge of the various diagnostic modalities is required for appropriate counseling of the couple and for optimal treatment.

Congenital Anomaly of Central Nervous System Associated with Antenatal Coinfection with Cytomegalovirus and Toxoplasma: Clinical Case

Background . The development of central nervous system (CNS) malformations may occur due to antenatal infection. Specific pathomorphological changes in CNS structures require further study. Clinical Case Description . The autopsy morphological study of the brain of a child who had antenatal toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus infections and who died at the age of 2 years was performed. Thickening of the pia mater with cloudy surface due to edema and focal sclerosis, generalized thrombosis of superior sagittal sinus, sinus rectus and sinus transverses, absence of corpus callosum, major commissural fibers, opened third ventricle and vermis of cerebellum agenesia, as well as mixed forms of obstructive hydrocephalus were revealed. Diffuse gliosis with glial cysts in the periventricular zones were revealed at histological examination of the alba. Pseudocysts filled with toxoplasms were identified in the cysts’ wall. Signs of productive vasculitis were noted. Comparison of pathomorphological changes in the brain and internal organs with anamnestic data of the patient (toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus infection during recent pregnancy, brain abnormality of the fetus on the second ultrasound screening at 21–22 weeks of gestation) and the results of histological examination of placenta was carried out to prove the correlation of antenatal infection with the development of brain anomalies. Pathognomonic signs of cytomegalovirus infection and toxoplasmosis were revealed in the placenta: cytomegalic cells, vascular thrombosis, white infarcts, fibrinoid necrosis of basal lamina, placental hypoplasia. Toxoplasmic cysts were detected in chorionic villae stroma, parietal thophoblast, amnion, decidual tissue. Conclusion . Antenatal viral-parasitic infection may be the cause of brain anomalies of the fetus. However, the child had no specific signs of cytomegalovirus infection (such as cytomegalic cells — owl eye cells), even when the placenta had pathomorphological changes typical for this infection. It can be assumed that the development of brain anomaly in this child could be associated with toxoplasma infection.

Preterm Brain Injury, Antenatal Triggers, and Therapeutics: Timing Is Key.

With a worldwide incidence of 15 million cases, preterm birth is a major contributor to neonatal mortality and morbidity, and concomitant social and economic burden Preterm infants are predisposed to life-long neurological disorders due to the immaturity of the brain. The risks are inversely proportional to maturity at birth. In the majority of extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks’ gestation), perinatal brain injury is associated with exposure to multiple inflammatory perinatal triggers that include antenatal infection (i.e., chorioamnionitis), hypoxia-ischemia, and various postnatal injurious triggers (i.e., oxidative stress, sepsis, mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic instability). These perinatal insults cause a self-perpetuating cascade of peripheral and cerebral inflammation that plays a critical role in the etiology of diffuse white and grey matter injuries that underlies a spectrum of connectivity deficits in survivors from extremely preterm birth. This review focuses on chorioamnionitis and hypoxia-ischemia, which are two important antenatal risk factors for preterm brain injury, and highlights the latest insights on its pathophysiology, potential treatment, and future perspectives to narrow the translational gap between preclinical research and clinical applications.

Enhanced Serum Levels of sFlt1: Impact on Materno–Fetal CMV Transmission

Background: Antenatal Cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) can be associated with severe fetal symptoms and newborn outcome. The current prenatal diagnosis is based on amniocentesis (AC). No reliable biomarker for fetal infection is available. Methods: We measured Placenta-derived growth factor (PlGF), and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1), concentrations in maternal serum and amniotic fluid (AF) in context of maternal CMV primary infection. Blood sampling was carried out at the time of AC for detection of fetal CMV infection. The study cohort was divided into four subcohorts according to the presence or absence of fetal infection and preemptive hyperimmunoglobulin (HIG) treatment during the time interval between diagnosis of the CMV primary infection and AC. Results: The study cohort involved 114 pregnancies. In the non-transmitting subcohorts (NT) with and without prior HIG treatment, the median sFlt1 concentrations were 1.5 ng/mL (NT, HIG+) and 1.4 ng/mL (NT, HIG−), respectively. In the two transmitting groups (T) the concentrations were 1.3 ng/mL (T, HIG+) and 2.3 ng/mL (T, HIG−), respectively (NT, HIG− vs. T, HIG−, p < 0.001). The corresponding PlGF levels and the sFlt1/PlGF ratios showed no significant differences between the cohorts. The empirical cut-off values <1504 pg/mL sFlt1 and <307 pg/mL PlGF, were associated with the exclusion of CMV transmission (p < 0.001). Conclusion: sFlt1 concentration in the maternal blood could be a predictive biomarker for maternofetal CMV transmission.

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) expression in very preterm human lungs: potential relevance for stem cell therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Background: The axis formed by CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), expressed on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), expressed in recipient organs, is a critical mediator of MSC migration in non-pulmonary injury models. The role and regulation of SDF-1 expression in preterm lungs, of potential relevance for MSC-based cell therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the spatiotemporal pattern of CXCR4/SDF-1 expression in lungs of extremely preterm infants at risk for BPD.Methods: Postmortem lung samples were collected from ventilated extremely preterm infants who died between 23 and 29 wks (“short-term ventilated”) or between 36 and 39 wks (“long-term ventilated”) corrected postmenstrual age. Results were compared with age-matched infants who had lived <12 h or stillborn infants (“early” and “late” controls). CXCR4 and SDF-1 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence/confocal microscopy, and qRT-PCR analysis.Results: Compared with age-matched controls without antenatal infection, lungs of early control infants with evidence of intrauterine infection/inflammation showed significant upregulation of SDF-1 expression, localized to the respiratory epithelium, and of CXCR4 expression, localized to stromal cells. Similarly, pulmonary SDF-1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in long-term ventilated ex-premature infants with established BPD than in age-matched controls. The pulmonary vasculature was devoid of SDF-1 expression at all time points. Endogenous CXCR4-positive stromal cells were preferentially localized along the basal aspect of SDF-1-positive bronchial and respiratory epithelial cells, suggestive of functionality of the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis.Conclusions: Incipient and established neonatal lung injury is associated with upregulation of SDF-1 expression, restricted to the respiratory epithelium. Knowledge of the clinical associations, time-course and localization of pulmonary SDF-1 expression may guide decisions about the optimal timing and delivery route of MSC-based cell therapy for BPD.

Association of induced abortion with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy risk among nulliparous women in China: a prospective cohort study

The relationship between induced abortion(IA) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy(HDP) is inconclusive. Few studies have been conducted in China. In order to clarify the association between previous IA and risk of HDP, including gestational hypertension(GH) and pre-eclampsia(PE), we performed a community-based prospective cohort study enrolling 5191 eligible nulliparous women in selected 2 districts and 11 towns of Liuyang from 2013 to 2015. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine whether IA was associated with HDP, GH and PE. Of the gravidea, 1378(26.5%) had a previous IA and 258(5.0%) diagnosed with HDP, including 141(2.7%) GH and 117(2.3%) PE. The difference in the incidence of GH and PE between gravidae having one versus those with two or more IAs was minimal. After adjustment for maternal age, body mass index at first antenatal visit, education, virus infection and history of medical disorders, previous IA was significantly associated with HDP (OR = 0.67, 95%CI = 0.49 to 0.91) and PE (OR = 0.61, 95%CI = 0.38 to 0.97), but not with GH (OR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.49 to 1.10). Additional adjustment for occupation, living area, anemia, gestational diabetes mellitus, psychological stress, conception climate and infant sex, multivariable analysis provided similar results. In conclusion, previous IA was associated with a lower risk of PE among nulliparous women.

SAT-429 CMV-ASSOCIATED CONGENITAL NEPHROTIC SYNDROME: CORRELATION OF CLINICAL, HISTOPATHOLOGICAL AND GENETIC FINDINGS

Congenital nephrotic syndrome (cNS), defined by onset during the first three months of life, is a rare clinical disorder with traditionally poor renal outcome. It is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations of a growing number of genes affecting podocyte and/or glomerular basement membrane integrity, with or without syndromic features. Other potential etiologies include antenatal or perinatal infections, or (other) systemic disorders. Case description and systematic review of the literature in PubMed using the key words "CMV", "congenital” or "infant", and "nephrotic” or "glomerulonephritis". This report describes an ex-preterm baby who had been referred at two weeks corrected gestational age for suspected surgical abdomen in view of progressive abdominal distention, scrotal edema and vomiting. The patient was found to have full-blown nephrotic syndrome with urine protein-to-creatinine ratio of > 6 g/g, hypoalbuminemia <10 g/L, hypercholesterolemia and anemia, and elevated liver transaminases. He had syndromic features. Diagnostic workup revealed an active CMV infection, based on CMV-specific IgM and positive CMV PCR from blood and urine. Routine pregnancy screen for intrauterine infections had been negative. Subsequent maternal diagnostic revealed high maternal anti-CMV IgG (IgM negative) and positive CMV PCR. The infant’s kidney biopsy showed focal mesangial proliferation and sclerosing glomerulonephritis with cellular or fibro-cellular crescents in less than 5% of glomeruli, while global or segmental sclerosis associated with older fibrous crescents was noted in 10% of glomeruli, in addition to interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Routine immune fluorescence was negative. Electron microscopy revealed diffuse podocyte foot process effacement, but no immune complexes or endothelial tubule-reticular inclusions. Infiltrating (interstitial) lymphocytes stained positive for CD3 and CD20, respectively. Results of the genetic mutation screen are pending. After 6 weeks of treatment with valganciclovir, the CMV PCR has become negative, but the infant continues to demonstrate severe proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia. Review of the available literature reveals an important overlap between cNS due to known monogenic causes and CMV infection. Although the number of defined cases in the literature is scarce, we noted divergent histopathological features in CMV-associated cNS, dependent on the presence or absence of cognate genetic mutations as shown in the Table. CMV is a rare cause of nephrotic syndrome presenting soon after birth. Screening for relevant mutations is essential since congenital infections can complicate or mask an underlying genetic etiology leading to the failure of CMV-directed antiviral therapy and poor renal outcome.

Enhancing Nutrition and Antenatal Infection Treatment for Maternal and Child Health in Ethiopia

Enhancing Nutrition and Antenatal Infection Treatment for Maternal and Child Health in Ethiopia

Maternal Zika Virus Infection: Association With Small-for-Gestational-Age Neonates and Preterm Birth.

To evaluate whether antenatal Zika virus infection is associated with risk of having a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate, risk of preterm birth, and lower mean birth weight of term neonates. For this retrospective observational study, we linked birth record data for women who delivered liveborn singleton neonates in New York City in 2016 to data for pregnant women with Zika virus infection reported to the New York City Health Department. We restricted the analysis to nonsmoking, nonwhite women and adjusted for maternal characteristics. Among women with antenatal Zika virus infection, we used modified Poisson regression to assess risks of having an SGA neonate and of delivering preterm, and linear regression to assess the association of infection with mean birth weight of term neonates. Of 116,034 deliveries of singleton neonates in New York City in 2016, 251 (0.2%) were to women with antenatal Zika virus infection. A higher percentage of women with Zika virus infection delivered an SGA neonate compared with those without (11.2% vs 5.8%; adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.8; 95% CI 1.3-2.6). There was no difference in preterm birth prevalence for women with and without Zika virus infection (adjusted RR 1.0; 95% CI 0.69-1.6). Mean birth weight of term neonates born to women with Zika virus infection was 47 g less (95% CI -105 to 11 g); this difference was not statistically significant in crude or adjusted analyses. For a cohort of New York City women, antenatal Zika virus infection was associated with an increased risk of having an SGA neonate, but not preterm birth or lower mean birth weight of term neonates. This supports a putative association between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and SGA.

Epidemiology of Cytomegalovirus among pregnant women in Africa.

Vertical transmission of Cytomegalovirus (CMV), resulting in congenital CMV (cCMV) infection could have disabling and potentially fatal effects on the foetus or neonate. Although primary infection probably has a higher risk of leading to cCMV, in highly seropositive populations, a significant risk of vertical transmission is thought to be due to CMV reactivation and or reinfection during pregnancy. In this narrative review, we summarise the prevalence of CMV infection and associated risk factors among pregnant African women, in a setting where primary CMV infection usually occurs during infancy. A systematic search of literature published between January 2000 and January 2019, retrieved on five bibliographic databases was performed. Search for relevant articles was performed using the following keywords: cytomegalovirus, CMV, infection, antenatal infections, pregnancy, pregnant women, gravidity, developing countries and Africa, with appropriate qualifiers such as OR, AND. Systematic searching retrieved 11 relevant original research papers. Prevalence of anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies ranged from 60-100% and 0-15.5%, respectively. Prevalence of CMV DNA ranged from 0-29%, depending on the specimen used. However, there was no geographic trend for CMV seroprevalence or CMV DNA prevalence across the African continent. Overall, a substantial percentage of women of reproductive-age were CMV seronegative and at risk of primary infection. Associations of sociodemographic factors with CMV infection were inconsistent across all reviewed studies. The limited data and inconsistency of findings from the few studies carried out in Africa calls for prospective studies comparing prevalence and outcomes of cCMV in infants born to women with both primary and reactivated CMV in Africa.