Development Of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Research Articles

Relationship between serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules and pregnancy outcomes in women with hyperglycemia

Objective The study aims to investigate the levels of serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules (Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) in the mid-pregnancy in pregnant women with hyperglycemia, and explore the relationship between NLRP3, along with its effector molecules (Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) and insulin resistance, as well as pregnancy outcomes. Methods The levels of serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules (Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) in three groups of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were measured in mid-pregnancy, and their relationship with insulin resistance and pregnancy outcomes was analyzed. The ROC curve was also used to evaluate the predictive value of serum NLRP3 inflammasome and its effector molecules for pregnancy outcomes. Results There were no statistical differences in the general clinical data of the three groups, and the concentrations of serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules were higher in the GDM and PGDM groups than in the NGT group, and NLRP3 along with its effector molecules were positively correlated with fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance index in both groups (r > 0, p < .05). The incidence of preterm delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, neonatal hypoglycemia and macrosomia was significantly higher in both groups than in the NGT group (p < .05). The value of the combined serum NLRP3 and its effector molecules in mid-pregnancy to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes was highest, and the AUCs for the combined prediction of late hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, neonatal hypoglycemia and macrosomia were 0.84 (95% CI 0.79–0.88, p < .001), 0.81 (95% CI 0.75–0.85, p < .001), 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.81, p < .001), 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.81, p < .001) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.63–0.81, p < .001), respectively. Conclusions Increased serum NLRP3 along with its effector molecules in pregnant women with hyperglycemia are associated with the levels of insulin resistance and the subsequent development of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Lipid Metabolism in Pregnancy Women with Hypothyroidism and Potential Influence on Pregnancy Outcome.

Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for maintaining normal physiological processes during pregnancy, including the metabolism of energy materials in both the mother and fetus and the growth and development of fetal bone and nervous system. TH can act on the liver, fat, and other tissues and organs to participate in lipid synthesis and breakdown through multiple pathways. Consequently, abnormal thyroid function is often accompanied by lipid metabolism disorders. Both clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism, as well as dyslipidemia during pregnancy, have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recently, there has been an increased interest in studying the alteration of lipidomic and hypothyroidism (both clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism) during pregnancy. Studies have suggested that altered lipid molecules might be used as potential biomarker and associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcome. Thus, we summarized the associations between lipid metabolism and clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy in this review. Then, we discussed the underlying mechanisms of thyroid dysfunction and lipid metabolism. In addition, we reviewed the possible effect of dyslipidemia on pregnancy and neonatal outcome. However, the relationship between hypothyroidism during pregnancy and changes in the lipid profile and how to intervene in the occurrence and development of adverse pregnancy outcomes require further study.

The Childhood Opportunity Index's Association with Adverse Pregnancy and Newborn Outcomes in Nulliparous Persons.

The objective of the study was to determine if using a novel measure of social determinants of health, the Childhood Opportunity Index (COI), at the time of delivery was associated with development of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) in nulliparous pregnant persons. Data were extracted from the 779 participants from a single nuMoM2b (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: monitoring mothers-to-be) study site, a prospective cohort study designed to identify contributors to APOs. Residential address information at delivery was linked to the location's COI. The overall composite and component scores in education, health and environmental, and socioeconomic indices were recorded. APOs of interest included preterm birth, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, small for gestational age at birth, stillbirth, and gestational diabetes. Participant characteristics were compared by COI category and the association of COI with APOs was analyzed by logistic regression, controlling for age and self-reported race/ethnicity. The overall COI distribution was very low (45%), low (17%), moderate (10%), high (15%), and very high (13%). A total of 329 (43.5%) participants experienced at least one APO. Overall COI was associated with developing an APO (p = 0.02). Each component score was also associated with developing APOs and with race/ethnicity (p < 0.05). Compared with higher COI categories, an overall low or very low categorized location was independently associated with developing an APO (odds ratio: 1.636, 95% confidence interval: 1.16-2.31). Adjusting for gestational age at birth, those in lower COI areas had newborns with lower birth weight, birth length, and head circumference (estimate [95% confidence interval] birth weight: -0.0005 g [-0.0008 to -0.0001]; length: -0.065 cm [-0.124 to -0.0091]; head circumference: -0.123 cm [-0.208 to -0.045]). COI was not associated with other newborn outcomes. COI, a marker for social determinants of health, is independently associated with APOs. The COI may be a tool for risk stratification for pregnant people to help with APO-reducing strategies. · The COI is a neighborhood-level marker for social determinants of health.. · The COI at time of delivery is associated with APO and newborn birth weight, length, and head circumference.. · The COI may be usable in pregnancy clinics to help identify resource needs to optimize outcomes for pregnant individuals and newborns..

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Cardiometabolic-Related Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Growing evidence suggests maternal stress contributes to the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes that are associated with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk in birthing persons. Mindfulness-based interventions may positively affect psychological stress in pregnancy and, in turn, reduce stress. However, few study authors have examined the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on adverse pregnancy outcomes that heighten cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to appraise available literature examining the effects of mindfulness-based interventions delivered during pregnancy on adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with future cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease risk. In this systematic review, multiple electronic databases were searched using major keywords, including "mindfulness-based intervention," "pregnancy," "preterm delivery," "gestational diabetes," "small for gestational age," "preeclampsia," and "hypertension in pregnancy" during February 2023. Six studies using mindfulness-based interventions during pregnancy were included. The review indicated that these interventions were largely effective at reducing prenatal stress; however, the overall effects of interventions were mixed concerning their impact on pregnancy complications. Study authors examining the effects on gestational diabetes-related outcomes reported significant improvements in blood glucose levels, hemoglobin A 1c , and oral glucose tolerance. Outcomes were mixed or inconclusive related to the effects of interventions on the incidence of preterm birth, birth of a small-for-gestational-age newborn, and preeclampsia. Mitigating cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk-associated adverse pregnancy outcomes through mindfulness-based approaches may represent an emerging field of study. The few studies and limited, mixed findings synthesized in this review indicate that high-validity studies are warranted to examine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on pregnancy complications that contribute to cardiovascular-related maternal morbidity and suboptimal life course health for diverse birthing persons.

Tim-3 regulates the immunosuppressive function of decidual MDSCs via the Fyn-STAT3-C/EBPβ pathway during Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a key role in maintaining maternal-fetal tolerance for a successful pregnancy, but the role of MDSCs in abnormal pregnancy caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection is unknown. Herein, we revealed a distinct mechanism by which T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain containing protein-3 (Tim-3), an immune checkpoint receptor that balances maternal-fetal tolerance during pregnancy, contributes to the immunosuppressive function of MDSCs during T. gondii infection. The expression of Tim-3 in decidual MDSCs was significantly downregulated following T. gondii infection. The proportion of monocytic MDSCs population, the inhibitory effect of MDSCs on T-cell proliferation, the levels of STAT3 phosphorylation, and the expression of functional molecules (Arg-1 and IL-10) in MDSCs were all decreased in T. gondii-infected pregnant Tim-3 gene knockout (Tim-3KO) mice compared with infected pregnant WT mice. After treatment with Tim-3-neutralizing Ab in vitro, the expression levels of Arg-1, IL-10, C/EBPβ, and p-STAT3 were decreased, the interaction between Fyn and Tim-3 or between Fyn and STAT3 was weakened, and the binding ability of C/EBPβ to the promoters of ARG1 and IL10 was decreased in human decidual MDSCs with T. gondii infection, while opposite results were observed following treatment with galectin-9 (a ligand for Tim-3). Inhibitors of Fyn and STAT3 also downregulated the expression of Arg-1 and IL-10 in decidual MDSCs and exacerbated adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by T. gondii infection in mice. Therefore, our studies discovered that the decrease of Tim-3 after T. gondii infection could downregulate the functional molecules of Arg-1 and IL-10 expression in decidual MDSCs through the Fyn-STAT3-C/EBPβ signaling pathway and weaken their immunosuppressive function, which eventually contribute to the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Elevated Hepatic Steatosis Index is Associated with the Development of Adverse Maternal, but Not Adverse Neonatal, Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

To determine whether an elevated hepatic steatosis index (HSI), a non-invasive test for possible metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is associated with the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult women with singleton pregnancies who delivered at two tertiary hospitals from August 2014 to December 2017. Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) levels obtained 12 months pre-gravid, or during pregnancy but prior to screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), were extracted and linked with oral glucose tolerance test results. The HSI was calculated using the following equation: 8 × (ALT/AST ratio) + BMI (+2 if female; +2 if diabetes mellitus present) and considered elevated if >36. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the association between elevated HSI and each composite adverse pregnancy outcome after adjusting for independent maternal risk factors. Over 40-months, 11929 women were eligible and of these, 1885 had liver enzymes collected. Women with an elevated HSI (>36) were more likely multiparous and overweight/obese compared to those women with a non-elevated HSI (≤36). Elevated HSI was significantly associated with a composite of adverse maternal outcomes (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.55 95% CI 1.11-2.17, p=0.01), although a non-significant increased risk of a composite of adverse neonatal outcomes occurred after multivariable adjustment (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 0.94-1.45, p=0.17). Over and above known maternal risk factors, women with elevated HSI were more likely to develop adverse maternal, but not adverse neonatal outcomes.

The Role of Placental Non-Coding RNAs in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are transcribed from the genome and do not encode proteins. In recent years, ncRNAs have attracted increasing attention as critical participants in gene regulation and disease pathogenesis. Different categories of ncRNAs, which mainly include microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are involved in the progression of pregnancy, while abnormal expression of placental ncRNAs impacts the onset and development of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Therefore, we reviewed the current status of research on placental ncRNAs and APOs to further understand the regulatory mechanisms of placental ncRNAs, which provides a new perspective for treating and preventing related diseases.

Association between graded subchorionic hematoma and adverse pregnancy outcomes in singleton pregnancies: a prospective observational cohort study

ObjectiveTo investigate whether different grades of subchorionic hematoma (SCH) are involved in the timing of birth and the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes in singleton pregnant women.MethodsA total of 171 women with singleton pregnancies, 72 of whom had SCH before 20 weeks and between 12 and 20 weeks of gestational age (GA), were included in this study conducted between January 2018 and December 2021. These patients were divided into three subgroups based on the size of the subchorionic hematoma on ultrasound imaging. Baseline demographic data, obstetric outcomes, and risk factors for subchorionic hematoma were compared for the two groups.ResultsA higher number of pregnancies from the SCH group resulted in miscarriage (30.56% versus 2.02%, p < 0.0001), early preterm birth (8.33% versus 1.01%, p = 0.0035), premature rupture of membranes (15.28% versus 4.04%, p = 0.0103), fetal growth restriction (9.72% versus 0%, p = 0.0015), and delivery 13.18 days earlier (274.34 ± 11.25 versus 261.16 ± 29.80, p = 0.0013) than those from the control group. Compared with SCH detected before 12 weeks of GA, the rate of miscarriage increased, and the live birth rate decreased significantly in patients with SCH caught between 12 and 20 weeks of GA. With the increase in hematoma size, the likelihood of miscarriage increased significantly. Further analysis found that delivery occurred earlier in the medium/large SCH group (271.49 ± 23.61 versus 253.28 ± 40.68/261.77 ± 22.11, p = 0.0004/0.0073) but not in the small SCH group (274.34 ± 11.25 versus 267.85 ± 21.01, p = 0.2681) compared to the control group. Our results also showed that the anterior placenta (52.04% versus 33.33%, p = 0.0005, OR = 0.3137, 95% CI [0.1585, 0.601]) is a protective factor for subchorionic hematoma.ConclusionOur study shows that women with SCH are at a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and are independently associated with miscarriage, early preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, and fetal growth restriction. A subchorionic hematoma, especially detected between 12 and 20 weeks of GA, is very likely to cause miscarriage or preterm birth in women with a medium or large subchorionic hematoma.

First Trimester Evaluation of Maternal Visceral Fat and Its Relationship with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Obese women are more likely to experience pregnancy complications. The distribution of fat, and more particularly the rise in visceral fat, is well established to be more closely linked to the onset of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome than obesity itself. We aim to examine the relationship between maternal visceral fat assessment in the first trimester and the appearance of adverse pregnancy outcomes. A prospective cohort study including 416 pregnant women was conducted. During the first trimester scan (11-13 + 6 weeks), all individuals had their visceral fat and subcutaneous thicknesses measured by ultrasonography. Blood samples were obtained, and maternal demographics and clinical information were documented. After delivery, the obstetric outcomes were evaluated. We contrasted two groups: one with healthy pregnancies and the other with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO), defined as the development of at least one of the following complications: gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, abnormal fetal growth, preterm delivery or preterm premature rupture of membranes. Median maternal age was 33 and 34 years old for the uncomplicated and adverse pregnancy outcomes groups, respectively. We found that women with adverse pregnancy outcomes had higher VFT (median 30 vs. 26.5 mm, p = 0.001) and SFT (median 18.9 vs. 17.1 mm, p = 0.03). However, the visceral/subcutaneous fat ratio was not statistically different between groups. Finally, we performed a subanalysis for metabolic and placental vascular dysfunction complications. After performing a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for maternal age, smoking, and mean arterial pressure, both the VFT (aOR 1.03, p < 0.001) and the ratio of visceral/subcutaneous fat (aOR 1.37, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, the associations of VFT and the VFT-to-SFT ratio were higher for the occurrence of gestational diabetes (aOR 1.07, p < 0.001; aOR 2.09, p = 0.001; respectively) and showed no relationships with placental complications. When conducting a first-trimester ultrasound assessment, sonographers may measure VFT without additional time or cost involved. Identification of pregnant women with increased VFT (>37 mm) may benefit from a close follow-up, especially for the development of gestational diabetes, independent of BMI.

Association between Pre-Pregnancy Overweightness/Obesity and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic problem in women of reproductive age. Evidence suggests pregnant women with PCOS may have a higher risk of the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, the relationship between pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS remains uncertain. We try to clarify the relationship between pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis. We used the databases obtained from the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases, plus hand-searching, to examine the association between pre-pregnancy overweightness/obesity and pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS from inception to 4 February 2022. A total of 16 cohort studies, including 14 retrospective cohort studies (n = 10,496) and another two prospective cohort studies (n = 818), contributed to a total of 11,314 women for analysis. The meta-analysis showed significantly increased odds of miscarriage rate in PCOS women whose pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is above overweight (OR 1.71 [95% CI 1.38–2.11]) or obese (OR 2.00 [95% CI 1.38–2.90]) under a random effect model. The tests for subgroup difference indicated the increased risk was consistent, regardless which body mass index cut-off for overweight (24 or 25 kg/m2) or obesity (28 and 30 kg/m2) was used. With the same strategies, we found that pregnant women in the control group significantly increased live birth rate compared with those pregnant women with PCOS as well as pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity (OR 0.79 [95% CI 0.71–0.89], OR 0.78 [95% CI 0.67–0.91]). By contrast, we did not find any association between PCOS women with pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and preterm birth. Based on the aforementioned findings, the main critical factor contributing to a worse pregnancy outcome may be an early fetal loss in these PCOS women with pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity. Since PCOS women with pre-pregnancy overweightness/obesity were associated with worse pregnancy outcomes, we supposed that weight reduction before attempting pregnancy in the PCOS women with pre-pregnancy overweightness/obesity may improve the subsequent pregnancy outcomes.

Clinical indicators of red blood in pregnant women with bacterial and COVID-19-associated community-acquired pneumonia

Introduction. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with the development of anemia and its clinical manifestations: hypoxemia and hypoxia, which complicates the course of the disease and leads to the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The studies are lack of a comparative description of the main laboratory signs of anemia in pregnant women with COVID-19-associated and bacterial CAP, which has a theoretical and applied significance.Aim. To carry out a comparative analysis of the clinical indicators of red blood in pregnant women with COVID- 19-associated and bacterial CAP.Materials and methods. 140 pregnant women were studied in the third trimester of pregnancy, of which 100 participants had CAP of moderate severity (main group) and with uncomplicated pregnancy – 40 (comparison group). The main group included 47 pregnant women with bacterial CAP and 53 participants with COVID-19-associated CAP. All pregnant women were comparable in age and duration of pregnancy. Bacteriological studies of sputum, detection of SARS-Cov-2 RNA in swabs from the oropharynx and nasopharynx by PCR, microscopy of peripheral blood smears, and a clinical blood test were performed.Results. In pregnant women with COVID-19-associated CAP, compared with pregnant women with bacterial CAP, a number of differences were revealed in laboratory parameters that determine the development of anemia: the total number of erythrocytes was reduced by 1.22 times (p&lt;0.001) and hemoglobin concentration by 1.1 times (p&lt;0.05), the percentage of echinocytes was increased by 1.14 times (p&lt;0.05) and degenerative forms of erythrocytes by 1.16 times (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion. In pregnant women with COVID-19-associated CAP, compared with pregnant women with bacterial CAP, significant changes in the number and morphological composition of erythrocytes, hemoglobin concentration were revealed, indicating a high risk of developing anemia and concomitant hypoxemia and hypoxia, which adversely affects the course of the disease and leads to development of pregnancy complications.

Gene expression profiling of placentae from women with obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition characterised by intermittent hypoxia and reoxygenation during sleep, is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes including gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The biological mechanisms of these associations are poorly understood. The impact of OSA on placental function has not been well characterised. We performed 3' mRNA sequencing on placenta from women with obesity and OSA (n=11) and women with obesity and no OSA (n=9). After correcting for multiple testing, there were no statistically significant differences in gene expression between OSA and no OSA groups (adjusted p<0.05). In unadjusted analyses, 101 genes were differentially expressed in OSA compared to no OSA placentae (p<0.01). In Reactome pathway and GO term analysis, this included downregulation of genes involved in O-linked glycosylation (B3GNT5 and B3GNT8) and Wnt signalling (TRABD2B and FRZB) pathways. In gene set enrichment analysis, genes within 24 pathways had a non-random distribution in OSA compared to no OSA placentae (adjusted p<0.05). This included an increase in genes relating to the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide in OSA placentae, a potential novel mechanism contributing to the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with OSA. There is overall similarity in the placental transcriptome of women with obesity who do and do not have OSA during pregnancy. Alterations in the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide are a potential mechanism contributing to the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes in maternal OSA, however this finding requires validation in larger cohorts.

Uric Acid: Friend or Foe?

Introduction. Adverse Pregnancy outcomes (APO) continue to trouble physicians worldwide, and uric acid has become a marker of interest in its prediction. Despite this, the correlation of uric acid in the third trimester is rarely studied, and the reference value for normal uric acid levels in pregnancy has yet to be established. This study was done to evaluate the association of uric acid levels in the third trimester of pregnancy and the development of APO, specifically gestational hypertension (GH), pre-eclampsia (PE), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), small for gestational age (SGA) and to determine a cut-off value of serum uric acid levels for screening of the APO. Materials and methods. A retrospective observational study was conducted among 374 women who delivered at Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM) and developed the APO of interest and had serum uric acid levels taken during the third trimester of pregnancy. A cut off value of 309 µmol/L was used to assess the sensitivity and specificity in predicting the APO. Results. Associations are observed between 309 µmol/L and the development of GH (p&lt;0.0005), PE (p&lt;0.0005), GDM (p&lt;0.0005), SGA (p=0.0264). Plotted ROC curves with cutoff point of 309 µmol/L demonstrated moderate predictive value of serum uric acid and the development of GH (AUC 0.639), PE (AUC 0.713), SGA (AUC 0.649) and low predictive value for GDM (AUC 0.4). Conclusion. Serum uric acid level of 309 µmol/L in the third trimester of pregnancy is a moderate predictor of GH, PE, SGA and a poor predictor of GDM.&#x0D; KEYWORDS: Uric acid; pregnancy trimester, third; pregnancy outcome

The implications for advanced maternal age on pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes

Objective This study aimed to determine the effect of advanced maternal age (AMA) on maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women aged ≥35 years compared with patients aged 30–34 years. Also, we aimed to analyze the risk estimates of potential confounders to identify whether these variables contributed to the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes or not. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 2284 pregnant women aged ≥35 years at the time of delivery who was delivered in a tertiary referral hospital from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020. We further classified these women into two subgroups: 35–39 years as early AMA (EAMA), and ≥40 years as very AMA (VAMA). Pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes were recorded. Results Compared to younger women, pregnant AMA women had significantly higher risks of complicated pregnancies, including a higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, p&lt;0.001), polyhydramnios (p&lt;0.001), cesarean section (p&lt;0.001), stillbirths (p&lt;0.001), major fetal abnormality (p&lt;0.001), preterm delivery (p&lt;0.001), lower birth weight (p&lt;0.001), lower 5-minute Apgar scores (p&lt;0.001), lower umbilical artery blood pH values (p&lt;0.001), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (p&lt;0.001), and length of NICU stay (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion We found a strong and significant association between VAMA and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including an increased risk of GDM, polyhydramnios, cesarean section, and adverse neonatal outcomes, including a higher risk of stillbirths, preterm delivery, lower birth weight, lower 5-minute Apgar scores, and NICU admission.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Subsequent Development of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Recently, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), rather than nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), was proposed to better describe liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction (MD). In this study, we attempted to investigate the impact of MAFLD on pregnancy complications. The current study is a secondary analysis of a multicenter prospective cohort designed to examine the risk of NAFLD during pregnancy. In the first trimester, enrolled pregnant women were evaluated for hepatic steatosis by liver ultrasonography, and blood samples were collected for biochemical measurements. The study population was divided into 3 groups: no NAFLD, hepatic steatosis but without metabolic dysfunction (non-MD NAFLD), and MAFLD. The primary outcome was the subsequent development of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-associated hypertension, preterm birth, and fetal growth abnormalities. The study population consisted of 1744 pregnant women, including 1523 with no NAFLD, 43 with non-MD NAFLD, and 178 with MAFLD. The risk of subsequent development of adverse pregnancy outcomes was higher in MAFLD than in non-MD NAFLD (adjusted odds ratio, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.68-9.67), whereas the risk was not significantly different between no NAFLD and non-MD NAFLD. Among women with no NAFLD, the presence of MD increased the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, women with MAFLD were at higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes than women with no NAFLD without MD or those with no NAFLD with MD. In pregnant women, MAFLD may be associated with an increased risk of subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The Fourth Trimester: Pregnancy as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Disease.

Pregnancy identifies women who may be at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), based on the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), and may identify women who may benefit from atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk reduction efforts. APOs are common and although they are separate diagnoses, all these disorders seem to share an underlying pathogenesis. What is not clear is whether the APO itself initiates a pathway that results in CVD or whether the APO uncovers a woman’s predisposition to CVD. Regardless, APOs have immediate risks to maternal and foetal health, in addition to longer-term CVD consequences. CVD risk assessment and stratification in women remains complex and, historically, has underestimated risk, especially in young women. Further research is needed into the role of ASCVD risk assessment and the effect of aggressive ASCVD risk modification on CVD outcomes in women with a history of APOs.

Association between preconceptional air pollution exposure and medical purposes for selective termination of pregnancy

BackgroundExposure to air pollutants is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. But evidence on the effects of preconceptional air pollution exposure on the risk of termination of pregnancy (TOP) caused by pregnancy losses and congenital malformations is lacking. MethodsThe distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to evaluate the impact of short-term air pollutants exposure on the risk of TOP. Stratified analyses by age (<35 years old, ≥ 35 years old) and season (warm season, cold season) were further conducted. Relative risk (RR) and 95 % confidential interval (95 % CI) were calculated for per interquartile range (IQR) increment in air pollutants during the study period. ResultsPM2.5, PM10, and O3 exposure were significantly associated with elevated risk of TOP. The risk of TOP was associated with PM2.5 exposure from lag11 to lag15 in the single-pollutant model, and the strongest association was observed at lag13 (RR = 1.021, 95%CI:1.002–1.040). PM10 exposure from lag10 to lag15 was associated with increased TOP risk, with the corresponding peak association being at lag13 (RR = 1.020, 95%CI: 1.004–1.037). For O3, the single-day lag association appeared to be statistically significant from lag26 to lag27, with the highest RR of TOP cases being at lag27 (RR = 1.044, 95%CI: 1.005–1.084). Similar results were observed for pregnancy losses (PL). However, no significantly association between air pollution exposure and the risk of congenital malformations (CM) was found in this study. Stratified analyses showed that pregnant women with more advanced ages were more susceptible to PM2.5, PM10, and O3 exposure. The effect of PM2.5 exposure was statistically significant in cold season subgroups. ConclusionThe findings suggest that exposure to PM2.5, PM10, and O3 before pregnancy are associated with the risk of TOP in Lu'an, China, reflecting the significance of preconceptional environmental exposure in the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Gestational diabetes mellitus: peculiarities of course and pregnancy outcomes in real clinical practice

Introduction. According to various authors, uncompensated gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is accompanied by the development of many complications affecting the mother and fetus. However, published data on the prevalence of GDM and its complications in real clinical practice in our country are insufficient.Aim. To estimate the prevalence of GDM among pregnant women in the South-Eastern Administrative District of Moscow, to analyze the main risk factors, the features of the course and pregnancy outcomes in women with GDM.Materials and Methods. Retrospective analysis of primary records of 510 pregnant women who were diagnosed with GDM during 2019. A comparative analysis of pregnancy complications and outcomes depending on the age of diagnosis of GDM was performed.Results and Discussion. During 2019, 510 pregnant women out of 5,000 women observed were diagnosed with GSD. The mean age of the women was 31.9 ± 4.8 (95% CI 31.5-32.3). Most frequently, 224 pregnant women (43.9%) were diagnosed in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, 31.8% (162) in the 2nd trimester, and 18.6% (95) in the 3rd trimester. Mean venous plasma glucose values were 5.43 [5.25; 5.7] mmol/L, and glycated hemoglobin was 5.19 ± 0.4% (95% CI 5.15-5.24). Diet therapy was predominantly sufficient to achieve GSD compensation - 84.3%. Complications of pregnancy were observed in 123 women (24.1%). Unfavorable pregnancy outcomes were recorded in 153 women with GSD out of 213 women analyzed (71.8%). There was no statistically significant difference in pregnancy outcomes depending on the age of diagnosis of GDM.Conclusions. The prevalence of GDM in the South-Eastern Administrative District of Moscow was 10.2%, which is consistent with the data of various epidemiological studies in other regions. The development of adverse pregnancy outcomes remains at a high level. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct further research aimed at assessing the main factors influencing the course and outcomes of pregnancy.

The role of dyslipidemia in the pathogenesis of perinatal complications in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus

Hypothesis/Aims of study: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in pregnant women is increasing. Physiological hyperlipidemia is usually developed during the last third of gestation, increases during pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus. Abnormal lipid profiles are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. However, the associations between maternal dyslipidemia and pregnancy complications in women with different diabetes mellitus types remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the lipid profile in women with different types of diabetes mellitus (Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes) based on the therapy in the third trimester of pregnancy, to investigate the associations between serum lipid profile and perinatal complications, and to determine possible prognostic value of lipids in the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes.&#x0D; Study design, materials and methods: The study included 277 women who were divided into several groups depending on the type of diabetes mellitus and its therapy method, a group of patients with preeclampsia, and the control group. We analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of outpatient and inpatient cards of pregnant women in the period between 2010 and 2017. Maternal blood samples were collected between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. The samples were assayed for fasting triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, as well as the atherogenic index of plasma. We also assessed the incidence of gestational arterial hypertension, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth.&#x0D; Results: Pregnant women with various types of diabetes mellitus were characterized by a significant rise in serum triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, an increase in the atherogenic index of plasma, and a significant decrease in antiatherogenic, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These changes were most pronounced in pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus types and in groups receiving insulin therapy. Correlation analysis revealed weak positive correlations between serum triglycerides concentrations and macrosomia (r = 0.26) and between the atherogenic index of plasma and severe preeclampsia (r = 0.26). The analysis of the ROC curve showed that triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the atherogenic index of plasma are predictors of severe preeclampsia.&#x0D; Conclusion: Diabetic pregnancies are associated with increased dyslipidemia, which plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of perinatal complications. Evaluating lipid profile markers in the third trimester of diabetic pregnancy may be valid predictors of severe preeclampsia.

174 Association between paternal health and severe maternal morbidity: analysis of US claims data

A critical paternal role in placental dysfunction and pre-eclampsia has been reported and attributed to immunologic and genetic factors. Our objective was to examine the hypothesis that paternal health is associated with abnormal placentation, pre-eclampsia and severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Retrospective analysis of live births from 2007-2016 among women 20-45 years of age in the IBM Marketscan® research database. Infants were linked to paired mothers and fathers using family ID. Preconception paternal health was assessed using the number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnostic criteria and the most common individual chronic disease diagnoses (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, COPD, cancer, and depression). Adverse pregnancy outcomes assessed included: 1) abnormal placentation including placenta accreta spectrum, placenta previa and placental abruption, 2) pre-eclampsia with severe features and eclampsia, and 3) SMM, identified as any indicator from the CDC Index except blood transfusion alone, which has been found to overestimate true cases. The association between paternal health and maternal pregnancy outcomes was determined using logistic regression models estimated with generalized estimating equations adjusted for maternal age, region, birth year, maternal obesity, smoking, parity and average number of outpatient visits per year. Among 785,809 births, preconception paternal health was significantly associated with all adverse pregnancy outcomes (Table 1). The odds of SMM were 57% higher (95% CI 1.16-2.13) for women whose partners had 5 or more chronic diseases than for women whose partners did not have a chronic disease. Furthermore, the magnitude of risk of SMM increased with preconception paternal comorbidities in a dose-dependent fashion. Preconception paternal health is associated with abnormal placentation, pre-eclampsia and SMM, suggesting that paternally derived factors may play significant roles in placentation and the subsequent development of adverse pregnancy outcomes.