Pregnancy Complications Research Articles

Understanding the role of immune-mediated inflammatory disease related cytokines interleukin 17 and 23 in pregnancy: A systematic review.

Pregnancy requires a careful immune balance between tolerance for the semi-allogenic fetus and protection against pathogens. Women with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), where the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis plays an important role, often experience changes in disease severity during pregnancy. These changes and the association between disease flares and pregnancy complications, suggests a role for IL-17 and IL-23 in pregnancy. We systemically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science (March 2024), to assess the role of IL-17 and IL-23 in pregnancy-related in vitro assays, animal or human studies. Eighty articles (8 in vitro, 11 animal and 61 human studies) were included. Seventy-one studies reported on IL-17 and 16 studies on IL-23. In vitro trophoblast proliferation, migration and invasion was increased in the presence of IL-17, but impaired with IL-23. IL-17 levels were increased in animal models for pregnancy complications. In humans, IL-17 levels seemed to be increased in pregnant women versus non-pregnant women. Additionally, elevated IL-17 levels were associated with pregnancy complications. Although similar trends were found for IL-23, data were limited. We identified a large, but heterogenic, body of evidence for a significant role of IL-17 in all stages of pregnancy: while an excessive increase seemed to be associated with complications. The limited number of studies prevents firm conclusions on the role of IL-23. Future research is needed to find biomarkers for patients with IMIDs to predict the effect of possible disease flares on pregnancy, and the effect of therapeutic inhibition of IL-17 or IL-23.

"Being at home instead of going to the hospital is Great" - how partners experience telemonitoring of the fetal heart rate during pregnancy - A qualitative interview study.

"Being at home instead of going to the hospital is Great" - how partners experience telemonitoring of the fetal heart rate during pregnancy - A qualitative interview study.

The impact of maternal sleep during pregnancy on childhood health: A systematic review.

The impact of maternal sleep during pregnancy on childhood health: A systematic review.

Post-Abortion Care in Abortion-Restrictive and Abortion-Protective States.

Post-Abortion Care in Abortion-Restrictive and Abortion-Protective States.

Inflammatory features in placentas of women with endometriosis and their relation to maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Inflammatory features in placentas of women with endometriosis and their relation to maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Perceptions of blame among black women during prenatal care: A mixed methods study.

Perceptions of blame among black women during prenatal care: A mixed methods study.

27-hydroxycholesterol impairs placental development via p53/p21/Cdk6 pathway: Implications for nutrient transport and cellular senescence.

27-hydroxycholesterol impairs placental development via p53/p21/Cdk6 pathway: Implications for nutrient transport and cellular senescence.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after metabolic and bariatric surgery among women with severe obesity.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after metabolic and bariatric surgery among women with severe obesity.

Multidisciplinary assessment of the impact of assisted reproductive techniques on pregnancy and long-term outcomes of mother and child: Foundation of the LE-REP (Leipzig Reproductive Health) Center.

About 8-10 % of all people of reproductive age are unable to conceive children. In recent years, an increased number of consultations for fertility treatments has been observed with a continuing positive trend. It is known that infertility itself and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are frequently associated with recurrent miscarriages, pregnancy complications or psychosocial problems. In parallel, metabolic and vascular diseases and obesity are becoming a growing issue, even among the younger population, and are affecting fertility and pregnancy outcomes of mother and child. Possible interactions between these conditions and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood hitherto. Furthermore, reproductive outcomes are increasingly challenged by the potential effects of environmental pollution on key reproductive processes, including oocyte maturation and atresia, sperm quality, implantation as well as their role in recurrent miscarriages. The Leipzig reproductive health (LE-REP) project is aimed at investigating the interplay between ARTs and the aforementioned reproductive challenges, including different aspects of fertility problems, early and late pregnancy as well as long-term effects on mothers and their children born via fertility treatment. This multidisciplinary initiative is expected to provide a deep understanding of underlying mechanisms, providing a framework for future preventive strategies improving reproductive health. Finally, LE-REP aims to establish a high-level university fertility center of excellence, combining advanced clinical care, cutting-edge research and education to train future reproductive medicine specialists.

Role of uterine NK cells in pregnancy complication.

Role of uterine NK cells in pregnancy complication.

The role of necroptosis in pathological pregnancies: Mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.

The role of necroptosis in pathological pregnancies: Mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.

Awareness of scar management post lower segment caesarean section - A survey.

Awareness of scar management post lower segment caesarean section - A survey.

Hif-1α regulation of the Tet1-β-catenin-Dicer1-miRNAs pathway is involved in depression-like behavior in prenatal hypoxic male offspring.

Hif-1α regulation of the Tet1-β-catenin-Dicer1-miRNAs pathway is involved in depression-like behavior in prenatal hypoxic male offspring.

Mapping genetic susceptibility to spontaneous preterm birth: analysis of Utah pedigrees to find inherited genetic factors.

Mapping genetic susceptibility to spontaneous preterm birth: analysis of Utah pedigrees to find inherited genetic factors.

Postpartum hemorrhage emerges as a key outcome of maternal SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection surge across pregnancy trimesters.

Postpartum hemorrhage emerges as a key outcome of maternal SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection surge across pregnancy trimesters.

Gluten-free diet during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome: A retrospective cohort study.

A gluten-free diet (GFD) is becoming increasingly popular, especially among young females, and including those without diagnosed celiac disease (CD). Whether a GFD is appropriate during pregnancy remains unclear. Our primary aim was to evaluate the association of a GFD and neonatal birthweight and incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) and small for gestational age (SGA). Secondarily, we sought associations with other obstetric outcomes. The data was collected retrospectively from the Tampere University Hospital database. The study period was from January 2015 to April 2021. The diet information was obtained from self-reported questionnaires. All women following a GFD were included. A total of 79 had CD and 291 followed a GFD without CD diagnosis. The latter are referred to here as people without CD avoiding gluten (PWAG). A total of 456 omnivores were randomly chosen to constitute a control group. Outcomes were analyzed by comparing gluten-free groups to a control group. The median birth weight was higher in the GFD group compared to the controls (3533 vs. 3440 g, P < 0.003), but the incidences of SGA or LGA did not differ between the study groups. The incidence of pregnancy complications was comparable between the groups. Induction of labor was more frequent (aOR 1.52; 95% CI: 1.12-2.08), and the duration of labor was longer (aOR1.56; 95% CI: 1.18-2.06) in the GFD group, especially among PWAG. However, no difference in the cesarean section rate were found between the groups. In the present retrospective cohort study, a GFD did not appear to be associated with adverse pregnancy or neonatal outcomes.

Soluble thrombomodulin in preeclampsia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Soluble thrombomodulin in preeclampsia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Progression from gestational diabetes to type 2 diabetes mellitus: A prospective observational study from a resource constrained country-Pakistan.

Progression from gestational diabetes to type 2 diabetes mellitus: A prospective observational study from a resource constrained country-Pakistan.

Developing antenatal education resources for CALD women: First steps, exploring what women from CALD backgrounds want and need.

Developing antenatal education resources for CALD women: First steps, exploring what women from CALD backgrounds want and need.

Tuberculosis in pregnancy: a growing concern

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most prevalent diseases globally, with an estimated 10.6 million new cases reported in 2022.1 The causative agent is the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and its classic symptoms include cough, fever, dyspnoea, chills, stabbing chest pain, and weight loss.2 Although TB is generally considered a curable disease, it can be fatal if left untreated, particularly if contracted during pregnancy. Tuberculosis can affect all stages of female reproduction.3 Therefore, screening and diagnosis are crucial in reducing morbidity and mortality. While pregnancy does not affect disease progression or susceptibility, the outcomes of pregnancy can be severely impacted by TB.4 A meta-analysis conducted by S Sobhy in 2017 demonstrated that active TB in pregnant women significantly increases the risk of maternal morbidity, antenatal admission, miscarriage, anaemia, perinatal death, birth asphyxia, and caesarean delivery.5 Another US-based study led by Erika M. Dennis et al. investigated the effects of active TB on pregnant and non-pregnant women. The study, which comprised 4058 cases, found that active TB in pregnancy resulted in an 80% higher risk of pregnancy complications in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women. Moreover, the rate of in-hospital deaths among TB-infected pregnant individuals was 37 times higher than that of non-infected pregnant women. These complications included severe eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia, and postpartum haemorrhage.6 These studies highlight a pressing concern and emphasize the need for measures to mitigate the effects of TB on pregnancy. As TB predominantly affects disadvantaged populations, it is prevalent in underdeveloped and developing countries, such as Pakistan. Consequently, physicians must be aware of how TB can impact diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, physicians should educate the general population about TB during pregnancy and prioritize their efforts towards pregnant women who are highly susceptible, such as those residing in impoverished areas or with infected individuals. A more effective approach would involve collaboration between obstetricians, gynaecologists, healthcare providers, and infectious disease specialists. Pregnant women should undergo TB screening if they exhibit symptoms or live in close proximity to TB-infected individuals. These measures will contribute to eradicating the spread of TB and its adverse effects, as well as preventing the transmission of multidrug-resistant TB.