Influence Of Maternal Factors Research Articles

The association of maternal factors with the neonatal microbiota and health

The human microbiome plays a crucial role in human health. However, the influence of maternal factors on the neonatal microbiota remains obscure. Herein, our observations suggest that the neonatal microbiotas, particularly the buccal microbiota, change rapidly within 24–48 h of birth but begin to stabilize by 48–72 h after parturition. Network analysis clustered over 200 maternal factors into thirteen distinct groups, and most associated factors were in the same group. Multiple maternal factor groups were associated with the neonatal buccal, rectal, and stool microbiotas. Particularly, a higher maternal inflammatory state and a lower maternal socioeconomic position were associated with a higher alpha diversity of the neonatal buccal microbiota and beta diversity of the neonatal stool microbiota was influenced by maternal diet and cesarean section by 24–72 h postpartum. The risk of admission of a neonate to the newborn intensive care unit was associated with preterm birth as well as higher cytokine levels and probably higher alpha diversity of the maternal buccal microbiota.

Influence of maternal factors on the immunization status of under- five in Ebonyi state

Background: Poor delivery of childhood immunization with the interacting factors has been a significant public health challenge especially in the sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria has been presented as one the countries with the worst under-five mortality rates, and factors affecting childhood immunization including maternal factors are poorly understood. The study determined the influence of maternal characteristics and immunization status of under-five children in Ebonyi State. Methods: Data were collected using an Immunization Status Checklist (ISC). The population of the study was 572,955 under-five children in Ebonyi State from which 2865 was sampled. Data were analyzed using percentages and chi-square. Results: The findings of the study revealed that 83.01% of under-5 children were fully immunized. The chi-square analysis shows a significant influence of mothers’ parity at (p<0.05), mothers’ occupation at (p<0.05) and mothers’ use of antenatal services at (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study concluded that immunization status of under-five children in Ebonyi State was high and maternal characteristics had significant influence on immunization status of under-five children. Thus, recommended that government should provide tangible incentives to mothers who fully immunized their children and promulgate a law to prevent children without immunization cards showing full immunization from registering in public and private primary schools.

Influence of maternal factors on retinopathy of prematurity: A cross-sectional Study from a tertiary care centre

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious condition affecting premature infants and identifying maternal risk factors is essential for its prevention. This study aimed to identify maternal risk factors associated with ROP in preterm newborns at a tertiary care center.This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2021 and September 2022 at a tertiary care center. All preterm and low birth weight neonates attending the ROP clinic or admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were included, while term neonates and those weighing ≥2.5 kgs with anterior segment/posterior segment pathology other than ROP were excluded. Data on maternal and neonatal characteristics were obtained and inferential analysis was conducted using the chi-square test and Student’s t-test.Out of 410 preterm newborns included, 109 were diagnosed with ROP, indicating an institutional incidence of 26.58%. Advanced maternal age, low socio-economic status, urinary tract infection, chorioamnionitis, multiple pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, maternal anemia, history of asthma and steroid use during pregnancy were significantly associated with ROP.This study highlights the importance of addressing modifiable maternal risk factors to reduce the incidence of ROP in premature infants. Screening for ROP should be prioritized for neonates born to mothers with these risk factors to improve visual outcomes.

Influences of maternal factors on the estimate of genetic parameters for goat feed efficiency traits.

The objective of the present study was to estimate the genetic parameters for the feed efficiency traits in Barbari goats. The data records of 9332 progenies born to 413 sires and 2580 dams were collected with respect to the average daily weight gain (ADG), i.e., ADG1 (birth to weaning), ADG2 (weaning to 6months), ADG3 (6 to 12months), as well as derived trait Kleiber ratio (KR), i.e., KR1 (ADG1/3MW0.75), KR2 (ADG2/6MW0.75), and KR3 (ADG3/12MW0.75). The data were corrected for fixed covariates like period of kidding, the season of birth, sex, type of birth, and parity. Univariate and multivariate animal models with an average information function of restricted maximum likelihood (REML) were used to estimate genetic factors for these traits. The best model was evaluated based on the likelihood ratio test. The direct heritability estimates were 0.21 ± 0.03, 0.17 ± 0.03, 0.23 ± 0.04, 0.22 ± 0.04, 0.16 ± 0.04, and 0.26 ± 0.04 for ADG1, ADG2, ADG3, KR1, KR2, and KR3, respectively. However, they were inflated due to high and negative estimates of covariance between direct animal and maternal genetic effects. Moderate estimates of heritability augur the scope for improvement for feed efficiency traits. The maternal genetic effects (m2) significantly contributed to 3-12% of the total phenotypic variance. The realized heritability of mass selection, which takes into account direct and maternal genetic variance together, shows a low to moderate estimate of genetic variance for ADG and KR. The genetic correlation ranged from - 0.48 ± 0.11 (ADG1-KR3) to 0.95 ± 0.00 (ADG1-KR1), phenotypic correlation ranged from - 0.28 ± 0.01 (ADG2-KR3) to 0.94 ± 0.01 (ADG1-KR1), maternal genetic correlation ranged from - 0.22 (KR2-KR3) to 0.96 (ADG1-KR1) and - 0.69 (ADG1-KR3) to 0.95 (ADG1-KR1) for the maternal permanent environment, respectively. Kids can be indirectly chosen for higher feed efficiency since ADG and their associated KR have substantial genetic correlations. It is suggested that the KR should be used as a selection criterion for Barbari goats for improving feed efficiency.

The Influence of Maternal Factors and Child Self-regulation on Peer Initiative: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Peer initiative refers to a child’s personal characteristic relevant to instigating play with peers, and it can be classified as friendly or unfriendly. This study used structural equation modeling to examine the contributions of mother’s coaching competence, parenting behavior, and child self-regulation to peer initiative. Participants comprised mothers of children aged 3 to 5 years (n = 343) in Korea and their teachers (n = 39). Structural equation modeling indicated that the relationship between mothers’ coaching competence and friendly peer initiative was fully mediated by maternal affection and child self-regulation. Furthermore, the relationship between mothers’ coaching competence and unfriendly peer initiative was partially mediated by maternal rejection and child self-regulation. These findings highlight the importance of children’s self-regulation for their social and adaptive development in a Korean cultural context and emphasize the need of maternal affection, which is reinforced by higher coaching competence, required for mothers. It is also worth noting that this study was conducted with a cultural group that collectivism and communality are highly valued.

The Influence of Maternal Factors on Children’s Oral Health: Mothers’ Age, Education Level, Toothbrushing Habit and Socioeconomic Status

The Influence of Maternal Factors on Children’s Oral Health: Mothers’ Age, Education Level, Toothbrushing Habit and Socioeconomic Status

Active free secretory component and secretory IgA in human milk: do maternal vaccination, allergy, infection, mode of delivery, nutrition and active lifestyle change their concentrations?

Free secretory component (free SC) in human milk is a critical constituent of secretory IgA (SIgA) for immune exclusion, but its concentration in human milk is unknown. To evaluate the relationship between free SC and SIgA, the influence of maternal factors (vaccination during pregnancy, allergy, previous infections, nutrition, mode of delivery and active lifestyle) on the concentrations of those secretory immune components in human milk was investigated. Concentration of active free SC and SIgA in 124 milk samples from 91 mothers were measured via ELISA. Free SC in milk from Tdap-vaccinated mothers was lower than the Tdap-flu-vaccinated, flu-vaccinated or Rhogam-vaccinated mothers. Free SC in mothers who had a cesarean delivery was higher than mothers who had a vaginal delivery. Free SC in the nonallergic group was higher than the allergic group. Free SC was higher in mothers who rarely/never eat junk food, than in mothers who always/frequently eat junk food. Free SC also was higher in the moderate exercise group (active lifestyle) compared with the group who rarely/never exercise (sedentary lifestyle). Free SC in human milk was not affected by previous maternal infection or probiotic supplementation whereas SIgA was not changed by all investigated maternal factors. This study suggests that active free SC is more impacted by maternal factors than active SIgA in human milk. Active free secretory component (free SC) is more impacted by maternal factors than active secretory IgA (SIgA) in human milk. Vaccination during pregnancy, allergy, nutrition, type of delivery and active lifestyle affect the secretion of free SC in human milk, but not SIgA secretion. Free SC in human milk is a critical constituent of secretory IgA (SIgA) for immune exclusion against pathogens and its active concentration in milk strongly varies between mothers, partially due to their specific maternal background.

Improvement of restorer lines for strengthening pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) hybrid breeding in West and Central Africa

Little information was available on the genetics of pearl millet restorers available in West and Central Africa. Hence, diallel analysis was carried out using six parents and 30 F1’s, to identify the nature of gene action, and improve the restorer gene pool. The genotype ICMR 157004 is early flowering with high biomass yield. The cross ICMX 1770192 (2.19 t/ha) ICMX 1770197 (2.14 t/ha) and ICMX 1770193 (2.08 t/ha) exhibited high grain yield with early days to 50% flowering and medium plant height. Grain Fe content is positively associated with grain Zn content (r = 0.93**) but exhibited negative association with other agronomic traits indicating proper care should be taken for breeding these traits. Mean sum of squares for panicle circumference, grain yield and biomass yield exhibited significant probabilities for the maternal effects indicating the influence of maternal factors in inheritance of these traits. The estimates of narrow sense heritability for days to 50% flowering, panicle length, plant height, panicle circumference, biomass yield and grain Fe and Zn content was high indicating the predominance of additive gene action in inheritance of these traits. ICMX 1770193, ICMX 1770194, ICMX 1770197, ICMX 1770204 and ICMX 1770208 exhibited significant negative sca effects for days to 50% flowering. Positive and significant sca effects for grain Fe and Zn contents were expressed by crosses ICMX 1770197, and ICMX 1770204. Identified genotypes with good GCA and crosses with good SCA, were useful in improving the restorer lines of pearl millet to promote the hybrid pearl millet breeding in West and Central Africa.

Influences of Maternal Factors Over Offspring Allergies and the Application for Food Allergy.

The prevalence of food allergy has been steadily rising worldwide with the highest incidence noted among younger children, and increasingly recognized as a growing public concern. The first known ingestion of foods often causes allergic reaction, suggesting that sensitization of offspring with food allergens may occur during pregnancy and/or through breastfeeding. This creates a milieu that shapes the neonatal immune responses to these allergens. However, the effects of maternal allergen exposure and maternal sensitization with allergens on development of allergies in offspring remain controversial. This review discusses recent advances from human data in our understanding of how maternal factors, namely, food allergens, allergen-specific immunoglobulins, cytokines, genetics, and environmental factors transferred during pregnancy or breastfeeding influence offspring allergies and how such effects may be applicable to food allergy. Based on information obtained from mouse models of asthma and food allergy, the review also dissects the mechanisms by which maternal factors, including the impact of immune complexes, transforming growth factor-β, vitamin A, and regulatory T-cell responses, contribute to the induction of neonatal tolerance vs. development of allergic responses to maternally transferred allergens.

Influence of Maternal Factors (Weight, Body Condition, Parity, and Pregnancy Rank) on Plasma Metabolites of Dairy Ewes and Their Lambs.

Simple SummaryThe present study assessed the effects of maternal parity, weight, body condition score (BCS), and pregnancy rank (single vs. multiple) on maternal metabolism during pregnancy and subsequent lactation, as well as on lamb birth weight, perinatal viability, and metabolism. The results highlight the relevance of appropriate nutritional management to maintain maternal BCS and offspring metabolism within physiological ranges, allowing sheep to face the metabolic challenges of lactation and pregnancy. Adequate nutrition and management reduce the influence of maternal factors on offspring phenotype.Pregnancy and lactation are challenging states that affect maternal and lamb health. In Lacaune dairy sheep, we evaluated the impact of parity, pregnancy rank, and body condition on body weight and the condition of ewes and lambs in mid-pregnancy (75 ± 5 d), in late pregnancy (142 ± 4d), and postpartum (52 ± 5d pp). Maternal age was associated with initial decreases, followed by increases, in body weight and condition. After lambing, both mature and maiden ewes lost weight and body condition. Maternal indices of glucose, protein, and lipid metabolism were within physiological values during pregnancy, but postpartum values depended on maternal parity and pregnancy rank, with multiple-pregnant ewes showing a postpartum increase in glucose and maiden sheep a postpartum increase in plasma cholesterol concentration. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs at birth, and lambs born to mothers with higher body condition scores were heavier. Lambs born as singletons were heavier than those born in litters. Maternal age and pregnancy rank did not influence lamb metabolic indicators. Sex affected plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Maternal metabolic indicators showed minimal effects on lamb phenotype. These results suggest that, when appropriately fed, dairy sheep can cover the metabolic demands of pregnancy and milk production, regardless of age and pregnancy rank.

Influence of maternal factors on the rumen microbiome and subsequent host performance.

Influence of maternal factors on the rumen microbiome and subsequent host performance.

Influence of maternal factors and mode of induction on labour outcomes: a pragmatic retrospective cohort study

Since recent research indicates that other modalities are at a minimum non-inferior to the NICE-recommended hormonal agent prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1971 consecutively induced singleton pregnancies. Multinominal regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) for vaginal delivery with balloon-mediated labour induction (84% vaginal deliveries; OR 1.6; 95% CI 0.7–3.5) is similar to the PGE2 agents propess (81%; OR 1.2; 95% CI 0.68–1.98) and prostin (79%; OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.55–1.79) when using a triple multi-agent induction as a reference. On the other hand, combining the propess and prostin (60% vaginal deliveries; OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.21–0.96) and attempting quadruple combinations of the induction modalities (56%; OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.16–0.85) yields significantly poorer outcomes. However, compared to the known factors associated with increased caesarean section rates, such as an increased maternal age, nulliparous pregnancies and a history of caesarean section, the differential impact of different induction modalities appear less pronounced.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Recent published data from controlled clinical trials have shown that other labour-inducing agents, including balloon catheters, are as effective as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in achieving a vaginal delivery.What do the results of this study add? The data from this pragmatic retrospective cohort study supports the findings of others that the use of a balloon is as effective as PGE2. It also demonstrates that regular clinical practice can differ from an experimental environment, with patients receiving multiple induction modalities in a daily practice. Both the combination of different PGE2 medications and a quadruple labour induction approach are associated with poorer results, as measured by the vaginal delivery rate. The data presented here also confirms that a nulliparous status, a maternal age and a history of caesarean section are associated with reduced odds of achieving a vaginal delivery.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The body of evidence showing favourable results with a balloon induction is growing. Furthermore, there are limits to the effectiveness of combining the different induction modalities. Maternal and perinatal factors associated with a risk of caesarean section further complicate labour induction management.

Pregnancy Outcome following Prenatal Diagnosis of Chromosomal Anomaly: A Record Linkage Study of 26,261 Pregnancies.

Previous studies have demonstrated the influence of changes in the age at which women give birth, and of developments in prenatal screening and diagnosis on the number of pregnancies diagnosed and terminated with chromosomal anomalies. However, we are unaware of any population studies examining pregnancy terminations after diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies that has included all aneuploidies and the influence of maternal factors. The aims of this study were to examine the association between results of prenatal tests and pregnancy termination, and the proportion of foetuses with and without chromosomal anomalies referred for invasive diagnostic tests over time. Diagnostic information of 26,261 prenatal invasive tests from all genetic service laboratories in Scotland from 2000 to 2011 was linked to Scottish Morbidity Records to obtain details on pregnancy outcome. Binary logistic regression was carried out to test the associations of year and type of diagnosis with pregnancy termination, while controlling for maternal age, neighbourhood deprivation and parity. There were 24,155 (92.0%) with no chromosomal anomalies, 1,483 (5.6%) aneuploidy diagnoses, and 623 (2.4%) diagnoses of anomaly that was not aneuploidy (including translocations and single chromosome deletions). In comparison with negative test results, pregnancies diagnosed with trisomy were most likely to be terminated (adjusted OR 437.40, 95% CI 348.19–549.46) followed by other aneuploid anomalies (adjusted OR 95.94, 95% CI 69.21–133.01). During the study period, fewer pregnancies that were diagnosed with aneuploidy were terminated, including trisomy diagnoses (adjusted OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26–0.73). Older women were less likely to terminate (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.28, 0.42), and parity was also an independent predictor of termination. In keeping with previous findings, while the number of invasive diagnostic tests declined, the proportion of abnormal results increased from 6.09% to 10.88%. Systematic advances in prenatal screening have improved detection rates for aneuploidy. This has been accompanied by a reduction in the rate of termination for aneuploidy. This may reflect societal changes with acceptance of greater diversity, but this is speculation, and further research would be needed to test this.

Predictive Factors of Apgar Scores below 7 in Newborns: Can We Change the Route of Current Events?

Introduction: The Apgar score is a useful and immediate tool used in the assessment of newborns. The factors that influence its final score may be related with labor, mother or infant itself. The impact of epidural analgesia in the Apgar score is still controversial and not fully understood. One of the limitations while attributing this score is interobserver variability. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine possible predictive risk factors of low Apgar scores at 5 minutes, namely the influence of maternal factors, labor and newborn characteristics, as well as the effect of different analgesic concentrations used in epidural analgesia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, institutional study conducted during two consecutive years-2014 and 2015, in Centro Materno Infantil do Norte, Portugal. Anesthesiology Department database was used to collect all the relevant information. Results: 3085 deliveries were included in the study. A significant higher number of deliveries with lower Apgar scores in 2015 compared to 2014 were noticed; furthermore a similar result was found when a certain hospital team of obstetricians was on duty (Team 4), when compared with other similar teams. Conclusion: Statistically significant differences on the Apgar indexes were found between delivery teams. Interobserver variability on Apgar classification might explain these results. Low concentrations of local anesthetic combined with opioid in an initial moment of labor do not seem to influence Apgar scores at birth. No other factor was considered predictive of low Apgar scores.

Repeated Multiple Maternities in Triplet Families

In earlier studies, scientists have attempted to identify genetic and environmental factors affecting the rate of multiple maternities among humans. We contribute to these studies by analysing the frequencies of multiple maternities in sibships containing triplets. Use of the Hellin transformation is included in evaluation of the triplet rate. Our results indicate greater frequencies of repeated multiple maternities in the sibships than expected, based on population frequencies. The excesses obtained are more marked in triplet maternities than in twin maternities. The transformed triplet rate shows results similar to the twinning rate. The findings also indicate that in families, the influence of maternal factors on the frequencies of multiple maternities is stronger than the influence of paternal factors.

Influence of Maternal Factors on Health Outcomes in Gastroschisis: A Canadian Population-Based Study

Background: Gastroschisis is increasing in incidence worldwide. There is a need for a disease-specific, population-based approach to determining factors linked with gastroschisis and its outcome. Objectives: To examine racial, socioeconomic, health and geographic predictors of gastroschisis and its outcome in Canada. Methods: 535 cases of gastroschisis from the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network national database were included from May 2005 to May 2010. Baseline characteristics of mothers were compared with those reported by Statistics Canada. Factors associated with adverse neonatal outcomes were examined using regression analyses. Results: Mothers of infants with gastroschisis are young, often from small communities. Smoking (37%) and illicit drug use are common in this population. Single mothers receive less perinatal care (OR 0.06; 95% CI 0.02–0.28). Geographically isolated mothers are more likely to undergo caesarian section (OR 3.84; 95% CI 1.26–11.74). Cocaine use predicts a lower odds of delivering at a planned center (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.08–0.79), and is also associated with an increased likelihood of intestinal injury at birth (OR 6.26; 95% CI 1.52–25.72). Infants of mothers from isolated communities will spend a mean of 31.9 days longer in hospital. Aboriginal status is not independently predictive of perinatal or neonatal outcome. Conclusion: Gastroschisis in Canada occurs frequently in young mothers, aboriginals and smokers. Features associated with worse outcomes include single parent status, cocaine use and maternal hometown geographic isolation.

How Does Preference for Natural Childbirth Relate to the Actual Mode of Delivery? A Population‐based Cohort Study from Norway

In Norway, intervention in childbirth has increased from 3 percent in 1967 to 37 percent in 2006. The objectives of this study were, first, to estimate to which extent women who expressed a preference for natural birth actually were delivered vaginally without interventions, and second, to estimate the influence that emotions and maternal background factors have on the mode of delivery. We used data from 39,475 pregnancies of participants in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study in which the pregnant woman had expressed a preference for natural birth, and linked these data with the pregnancy outcome as registered in the population-based Medical Birth Registry of Norway during 2000 to 2006. The influence of maternal factors on the mode of delivery was estimated with log-binomial regression models, stratified by parity. Among primiparas, 29.3 percent delivered vaginally without interventions (natural birth), 56.1 percent gave birth vaginally with interventions, and 14.5 percent had a cesarean section. The strongest predictor for actually having a natural birth was age below 25 years, having more than 12 years' education, carrying a single fetus, and having a low score for anxiety and depression. Among multiparas, 61.1 percent gave birth vaginally without interventions, 30.6 percent vaginally with interventions, and only 8.3 percent had a cesarean section. The effects of maternal age, education, and anxiety or depression on the outcome were smaller for multiparas than for primiparas. The chance of actually having a natural birth for women with a preference for a natural birth is much greater for multiparas than for primiparas. The factors that influence the chance of having a natural birth are different for primiparas and multiparas.

The influence of maternal factors on the concentration of vitamin A in mature breast milk

This study evaluated the relationship between vitamin A concentration in maternal milk and the characteristics of the donors of a Brazilian human milk bank. A total of 136 donors were selected in 2003-2004 for micronutrient determinations in breast milk and blood, anthropometric measurements and investigation of obstetric, socioeconomic-demographic factors, and life style. Maternal serum/milk samples were obtained for vitamin A, iron, copper, and zinc determinations. Vitamin A concentrations in breast milk and blood were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Copper, zinc and iron concentrations in breast milk, and copper and zinc concentrations in blood were detected by atomic emission spectrophotometry. Serum ceruloplasmin and serum iron were determined, respectively, by nephelometry and colorimetry. A linear regression model assessed the associations between milk concentrations of vitamin A and maternal factors. Vitamin A in milk presented positive associations with iron in milk (p<0.001), serum retinol (p=0.03), maternal work (p=0.02), maternal age (p=0.02), and oral contraceptive use (p=0.01), and a negative association with % body fat (p=0.01) (R(2)=0.47). These results suggest that some nutritional, obstetric, and socioeconomic-demographic factors may have an effect on mature breast milk concentrations of vitamin A in apparently healthy Brazilian mothers.

Influence of Maternal Factors on Mode of Delivery and Birth Weight in Urban Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is one of the most critical and unique period in a woman’s life cycle. The present longitudinal study was undertaken to assess the influence of certain factors on mode of delivery and birth weight in urban pregnant women visiting hospitals for regular ANC check-up. The sample size included 100 pregnant women. Information was collected on age, type of family, education, income, parity, medical history, obstetric history, meal pattern and morbidity status by personal interview method using questionnaire. Mode of delivery was noted using hospital records. Birth weight of neonates was taken within two days of birth. Majority of the subjects (82%) were using mixed type of diet. non vegetarians. Fever was the most common ailment reported. The influence of the factors like maternal age and parity on mode of delivery and also the influence of maternal age and birth weight were found to be non significant. Significant association was observed between maternal age and the body mass index (p > 0.05). The study revealed that the basic nutrition education is very essential for women in order to maintain a normal body mass index during the prime child bearing age.

Commentary: Twins, low birthweight and type 2 diabetes

Commentary: Twins, low birthweight and type 2 diabetes