Pregnant Mothers Research Articles

Statistical Study on Maternal Immunological Adaptation During Normal Pregnancy

Background: The immune system of the mother’s body undergoes several modifications throughout pregnancy to protect the baby from harm and prevent the mother’s immune system from attacking it. In addition, physiological and immunological changes that occur during pregnancy increase the risk and severity of some infections. Aim of the study: Provide comprehensive documentation of immune system adaptation in pregnant mothers and variables associated with the immune system. Methods: In this study, 40 pregnant women between the ages of 15 and 43 participated. The Abu Alkhaseeb General Hospital in Basra City filed data from March 2023 to August 2023. The data gathered included age, the number of abortions, the impact of WBC levels during pregnancy, and frequent diseases during pregnancy. Results and Discussion: Urinary tract infection was found to be the most frequent referral among pregnant women, constituting about 62% of the data, and comparisons of proportions were performed. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results indicated that the number of white blood cells in the first, second, and third trimesters does not differ significantly. The highest white blood cell count was recorded in the third trimester (10.34), while the percentages for the first and second trimesters were close at 9.935 and 9.510, respectively. Conclusion: There are no significant associations with maternal white blood cell count during the first, second, and third trimester. Urinary tract infection was indicated to be the most frequent among pregnant women. 86% of pregnant women did not miscarry.

Factors Related to Compliance with HBsAg Screening Among Pregnant Mothers in Bengkulu Province

Background:The low number of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screenings indicates that the people of Bengkulu Province have a limited understanding of the importance of such examinations. In Bengkulu, 1.61% of pregnant women, or approximately 47.550 individuals, are positive for hepatitis B infection. This is partly due to the low rate of HBsAg screening among pregnant women. Objective:To determine the prevalence of HBsAg screening compliance among pregnant women and the factors influencing it. Method:This research utilized a cross-sectional study design. A multistage random sampling method was used to select 488 pregnant women from nine districts and one city in Bengkulu Province. Data analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression. Results:The findings showed a non-compliance rate for the HBsAg test of 77.87% (95% CI: 73.95-81.34). Factors associated with non-compliance included maternal perception (adjusted OR: 7.01, 95% CI: 3.62–13.57), quality of life (adjusted OR: 6.19, 95% CI: 2.98–12.88), husband's support (adjusted OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.11–4.18), and health worker support (adjusted OR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.91–7.08). Conclusion:It is crucial for pregnant women to increase their awareness of the importance of HBsAg screening, supported by their husbands, with additional counseling on the negative impacts of hepatitis B during pregnancy. Cultural perceptions should be addressed to foster more positive attitudes. Enhanced collaboration between health service providers, traditional or community leaders, and the public is necessary to improve overall public health outcomes. Keywords: HBsAg screening compliance; health literacy; quality of life; perception; husband support; health worker support

Association between malaria parasitemia with usage of insecticide-treated nets (ITNS) among pregnant and nursing mothers accessing Lokuwa Primary Health Care (PHC) facility, Mubi, Nigeria

Association between malaria parasitemia with usage of insecticide-treated nets (ITNS) among pregnant and nursing mothers accessing Lokuwa Primary Health Care (PHC) facility, Mubi, Nigeria

Sources of PM2.5 exposure misclassification in three Finnish register-based study populations and the impact on attenuation of health effect estimates

Air pollution is a leading environmental health risk factor. The risk estimates, primarily based on air pollution epidemiology, are sensitive to exposure misclassification, which can result in underestimation. To address some of these challenges, our aim is to investigate how the length of the period over which the exposure is averaged, trends in long-term PM2.5 concentrations, and the seasonal variability are associated with each other. Furthermore, we assess the impact of residential relocation on exposure levels and quantify random exposure misclassification due to modelling and its impact on the attenuation of effects with respect to averaging time.We used nested air quality modelling across Finland, gridded population, and address histories from three study populations: the MATEX pregnancy and preschool children cohorts, as well as the FINPARK study's individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and their controls, to estimate PM2.5 exposures. The prediction error was estimated by comparing modelled concentrations to observations and by using previous estimates for random monitoring instrument error.Due to the decreasing trend in PM2.5 concentrations, exposure levels rose progressively with longer averaging times, increasing by up to 28 % over a 16-year period. The shorter the exposure period, the more pronounced the seasonal effects: pregnant mothers' trimester-specific exposures were 13–22 % higher for trimesters ending in spring and 10–16 % lower for those ending in autumn compared to the average for the entire pregnancy. Residential relocation had a relatively minor impact on the exposure levels of the preschool children and adult FINPARK study population, but this effect was possibly partly masked by the decreasing trend. The results indicated that using predicted concentrations led to random exposure misclassification and potentially attenuated health effects. This effect became more notable when increasing the length of the exposure period from 3 months to 5 years, doubling the underestimation ratio from 1.5 to 3.1.

Effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise with postural advice on improving quality of life among pregnant mothers in bangladesh: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPelvic floor muscle exercise has gained recognition as a valuable adjunct for promoting maternal well-being and optimizing childbirth outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle exercise in enhancing the likelihood of improving quality of life pregnant mothers in Bangladesh.Methods/DesignThis was a randomized controlled trial in which 66 pregnant womenwere divided into control and intervention groups. The control group received conventional treatment, while the intervention group received the Pelvic Floor Muscles Exercise program with a posture explaining booklet. Both groups received supervised 30-min sessions five days a week for six weeks. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire measured pregnancy health and quality of life. Both descriptive (median and inter quartile range, IQR) and inferential statistics (Mann–whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed- ranked test) used to analyse the data by SPSS 25.0 software with 95% Confidence interval.ResultsThe intervention group mothers averaged gestional age was 32.4 (31.7 to 35.2) weeks, while the control group averaged 32.7 (32.3 to 36.2) weeks. According to the intergroup analysis, both groups had significantly improved health-related quality of life (p < 0.05). According to the intragroup analysis, participants who received pelvic floor muscle exercise with postural advice had better outcomes than did those who received only usual care with postural advice (p < 0.05).ConclusionPelvic floor muscle exercise may improve quality of life and the risk of vaginal birth. Healthcare professionals should include pelvic floor muscle exercises in standard prenatal care to help expectant mothers achieve positive childbirth and reduce postnatal problems.Trial registration: Clinical Trial Registry of India: (CTRI/2023/10/059091) (Date: 25/10/2023).

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in Malay herbal medicine (MHM) consumed by pregnant and postpartum mothers

BackgroundMalay herbal medicine (MHM) is a popular medication and supplementation among Malaysian mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. It is expected to improve the baby’s health, increase breastmilk production, promote slimming and uterine involution, and improve the mother’s general health. Recent increases in reports of heavy metal contamination have raised safety concerns.ObjectiveThis pilot exploratory study employed a comparative cross-sectional design to investigate the types of MHM ingested during pregnancy and postpartum, their possible heavy metal contamination and associated health risks.MethodThis study involved 167 healthy postpartum Malay women.FindingsMHM consumption was significantly associated with the mother’s number of pregnancies and children (p < 0.05) as well as her pre-pregnancy weight (p < 0.05). Mothers who consume MHM were twice as likely (95% CI 1.077–3.963) to experience threatened abortion. Heavy metals were detected in the three most widely consumed MHM samples. The mean concentration of heavy metals in these samples were 47.44 ± 67.74 μg/kg for As, 25.34 ± 2.48 μg/kg for Cd, 3685.87 ± 5683.36 μg/kg for Cr and 194.33 ± 195.19 μg/kg for Pb. The calculated non-carcinogenic hazard health risks (HQ) and health index (HI) were less than one, suggesting no adverse health impacts under the exposure conditions studied.ConclusionWhile the HQ and HI values indicate no immediate health risks, the potential transfer from mother to foetus during pregnancy and from mother to infant during breastfeeding warrants further investigation. Additional studies are essential to confirm our findings and monitor the health of mothers and infants.

Networks of human milk microbiota are associated with host genomics, childhood asthma, and allergic sensitization

The human milk microbiota (HMM) is thought to influence the long-term health of offspring. However, its role in asthma and atopy and the impact of host genomics on HMM composition remain unclear. Through the CHILD Cohort Study, we followed 885 pregnant mothers and their offspring from birth to 5 years and determined that HMM was associated with maternal genomics and prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic sensitization (atopy) among human milk-fed infants. Network analysis identified modules of correlated microbes in human milk that were associated with subsequent asthma and atopy in preschool-aged children. Moreover, reduced alpha-diversity and increased Lawsonella abundance in HMM were associated with increased prevalence of childhood atopy. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) identified maternal genetic loci (e.g., ADAMTS8, NPR1, and COTL1) associated with HMM implicated with asthma and atopy, notably Lawsonella and alpha-diversity. Thus, our study elucidates the role of host genomics on the HMM and its potential impact on childhood asthma and atopy.

Factors Affecting Sleep Quality and Prenatal Distress Among Rural and Urban Women During Early Pregnancy.

Background Early pregnancy is characterized by the initiation of physiological and psychological changes, which places pregnant women at risk of psychological distress and poor sleep, which is known to cause adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of prenatal distress and sleep quality during early pregnancy and identify factors associated with prenatal distress among pregnant women from urban and rural settings. Methods The study was conducted with 325 pregnant women (175 rural, 150 urban) as a baseline assessment of theMAI (Mother and Infant) cohort, a longitudinal observational study in Pune, India. Data on sociodemography, anthropometry, clinical history, prenatal distress, and sleep quality were collected between August 2020 and March 2023. Mann Whitney U test and regression were used to assess correlates of sleep quality and prenatal distress. Results Over one-third (37.5%) (n=122) of women experienced prenatal distress. Women from rural areas reported a higher prevalence (40%) (n=70) of distress, and poorer sleep quality than urban women (51.4% (n=90) vs 38.7% (n=58)). High prenatal distress was moderately associated with poor sleep quality (ρ = 0.308, p = 0.001). After controlling for sociodemographic and clinical factors, high prenatal distress (B=2.63, 95% CI: 1.47-4.69) predicted poor sleep quality. Rural residence (OR: 6.37, 2.46-16.51), underweight BMI status (OR: 2.21, 0.97-5.05), presence of episodes of vomiting (OR: 1.70, 0.93-3.13), and poor sleep quality (OR: 0.74, 0.40-1.38) significantly (p<0.05) contributed to prenatal distress. Conclusion Prenatal distress and poor sleep quality are significant concerns for pregnant mothers globally and require early screening and management strategies to avoid adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a community-based health promotion intervention on knowledge improvement regarding low birth weight and its determinants among antenatal couples in Sri Lanka

BackgroundImprovement of the knowledge of pregnant mothers and their partners related to low birth weight (LBW) is a vital factor in preventing LBW and reducing its prevalence.ObjectivesImplement and evaluate the effectiveness of a community based health promotion intervention on pregnant mothers and their partners to increase knowledge on birth weight and its determinants. The second objective is to determine the difference of the birth weight after implementing the intervention.MethodsA quasi experimental study design was used, and the setting was 806 pregnant mothers, 403 each in two districts. In 26 ANCs, twenty six initial training sessions were conducted as a group, with an average of three hours for each session. Three follow up sessions were conducted in each ANC over 04 months (in total 104 sessions). All sessions were conducted in groups of 10 to 20 antenatal couples. The pregnant mothers and their partners completed interviewer-administered questionnaires. Pre and post data were analysed based on four major knowledge categories using statistical methods. The McNemar’s Chi Square test; Chi Square test, Fisher’s Exact test, Paired t test, Student’s independent sample t test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and Mann Whitney U test methods were applied as appropriate.ResultsBoth mothers and their partners in the intervention group (IG) reached significantly higher gains in knowledge than in the comparison group (CG). The participants who got the lowest scores for knowledge, at the pre assessment, in IG, also improved more than the CG {mothers (p = 0.002) and partners (p = 0.007)}. The mean birth weight shows that the IG has significantly improved for both mothers (p < 0.001) and partners (p = 0.013) with low knowledge scores (< 50% of total).ConclusionsKnowledge about birth weight and its determinants among pregnant mothers and their partners improved significantly.

Neurocognition and academic achievement among bereaved children in the Generation R Cohort

Childhood bereavement is an adverse event, yet children demonstrate considerable variability in health outcomes. Bereaved children are at risk of lower lifelong educational attainment, though the contribution of neurocognitive performance is yet to be investigated. Using data from the population-based Generation R Study wherein nearly 10,000 pregnant mothers were recruited between 2002 and 2006, we estimated the association of bereavement by age 10 years with four subtests of cognitive function and academic achievement at 13 years. Bereavement by 10 years of age was experienced by n = 796 (37.3%) of youth and was associated with a 1.12-point (SD = 0.55; p-value = 0.04) lower full-scale IQ at 13 years, which was mainly driven by lower matrix reasoning scores (βadjusted = −0.27, SE = 0.11, p < 0.02). There were no differences in academic achievement or other subtests of neurocognitive function between bereaved and non-bereaved children. Secondary analyses adjusting for pre-bereavement nonverbal cognitive ability and mental health problems revealed an overall association between bereavement and subsequent full-scale IQ and matrix reasoning, but only among those youth whose caregivers reported that the loss had an emotional influence on the child. These novel findings leveraging prospective assessments in a population-based birth cohort highlight risk and resilience mechanisms warranting further research.

PARITAS DENGAN KEPATUHAN ANTENATAL CARE

Compliance with implementation antenatal care for pregnant women, this can be done by looking at the coverage figures for pregnant women's visits to KI and K4. Pregnant women who carry out routine activities antenatal care useful for detecting pregnancy complications. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between parity and compliance antenatal care pregnant mother. The research design used is an analytical survey method with an approach Cross Sectional. The population of this study were all pregnant women at the Danurejan I Community Health Center, Yogyakarta City, at the time the research was conducted, totaling 47 respondents taken using a simple random sampling technique. The results of this study show that there is a relationship between parity and compliance antenatal care pregnant women at the Danurejan I Community Health Center, Yogyakarta City (ρ value=0.000).

Pregnancy-induced hypertension among pregnant women attending SOS mother and child health clinic in Bakoteh, the Gambia

Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a common medical problem encountered in pregnancy and is a leading cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality in The Gambia. The study purpose was to determine the prevalence, and birth outcomes associated with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) among women attending SOS Mother and Child Health Clinic in Bakoteh, The Gambia. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 280 pregnant mothers participated in the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression models were used. All analysis were performed using SPSS version 20. Results: About 19% (n = 53) of participants were diagnosed of PIH. Results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the pregnant women who were 25 years and below had 37% (AOR = 0.037, CI = 0.002 – 0.771) lesser odds to be diagnosed of PIH compared to those who are 34 years old or above. Similarly, those who had their first pregnancy at 30 years and below were 23% (AOR = 0.023, CI = 0.001 – 0.410) lesser odds to have PIH compared to those who are above 30 years. The risk of having PIH was found to decrease by 21% (AOR = 0.021, CI = 0.003 – 0.150) among those who had no history of high BP. Regarding the delivery outcomes, the mothers without PIH had significantly lower risk of post-partum haemorrhage (AOR = 0.028), intrauterine growth restriction (AOR = 0.045), low birth weight (AOR = 0.087), and induction of labour (AOR = 0.003), compared to those with PIH. Conclusion: This study shows that PIH is one of the major health disorders affecting pregnant women and contributing to the poor delivery outcomes in the Gambia. Early identification of the risk factors would be useful for early diagnosis and appropriate clinical monitoring and timely management of maternal and perinatal complications.

Real World Evidence of User Experience with Microenemas for Relief of Constipation.

Constipation is a commonly reported gastrointestinal complaint. Research on this widespread condition focuses mainly on clinical trials for chronic constipation with less emphasis on patient experience and nonchronic situations. Sufferers report that constipation interferes with daily activities and quality of life. It is likely that this is common among all sufferers of constipation, regardless of how often the condition is experienced. This work explored attitudes and perceptions of people who experience occasional constipation and self-treat with over the counter products, particularly Microlax® microenemas. In this retrospective study, real-world data were collected from 1635 respondents from France and Russia who experienced occasional constipation. Participants completed a questionnaire about their experiences with occasional (not chronic) constipation and perceptions of over the counter treatments of oral laxatives, suppositories, and Microlax microenemas. Questions focused on comfort, quality of life, ease of use, and reliability of these treatments. Participants had used the microenema for treatment of occasional constipation within 3 months of study participation. Occasional constipation was based on the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for adults and babies. Data were analyzed across the total population of all groups, then by subgroup. Success criteria were defined as of at least 70% agreement with the statements scoring ≥ 7 on the scale of 0-10. The proportion of respondents agreeing with the individual statements was calculated using the denominator for the total sample within each group. This study shows that experiencing even occasional bouts of constipation negatively affect quality of life and well-being. Participants (women aged 25-54 years, older men, and women aged 60-80 years) reported that it severely limited daily life and activities and caused negative emotions and embarrassment. Pregnant women and mothers with babies showed great concern that constipation indicated a serious and painful condition and was bad for their babies. Participants agreed that using Microlax microenema provided greater ease of use, comfort, reliability, and safety than oral laxatives and rectal suppositories. Sufferers of occasional constipation report that these bouts interfere with their daily lives and reduce quality of life, similar to what is reported for those with chronic constipation based on existing literature. The microenema, Microlax, showed benefits in the relief of occasional constipation compared with oral laxatives and rectal suppositories. Trepidation about using the microenema, experienced before using it, was greatly reduced after the first and subsequent uses. Microlax microenema enabled users to regain the feeling of control and provided positive impacts on quality of life and well-being.

Gambaran Kepatuhan Ibu Hamil dalam Mengonsumsi Tablet Fe Terhadap Kejadian Anemia di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Sadananya

Anemia is a concerning condition for pregnant women. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women is around 35-37%, and this increases with the progression of pregnancy. Nutritional iron deficiency anemia tends to be more prevalent in developing countries than in developed ones. The incidence rate of anemia in Ciamis Regency, based on the health profile of the regency, is 20.05%. This study aims to depict the compliance of pregnant mothers in consuming iron (Fe) tablets concerning the occurrence of anemia in the working area of Sadananya Community Health Center in 2020. The research design employed in this study is descriptive research. The population consists of all pregnant mothers with anemia during pregnancy in the working area of Sadananya Community Health Center, Ciamis Regency, amounting to 723 individuals in the year 2020. Cluster Sampling technique was used for sample selection. The analysis conducted in this study is univariate. The research results revealed that almost all respondents, totaling 67 individuals (84.4%), were non-compliant in consuming Fe tablets, whereas a small portion of respondents, totaling 12 individuals (15.2%), exhibited compliance in consuming Fe tablets. In conclusion, the majority of respondents, 67 individuals (84.8%), were non-compliant in consuming Fe tablets. It is recommended that relevant institutions, particularly Sadananya Community Health Center, become more proactive in providing education to pregnant women about pregnancy-related anemia and the importance of consuming Fe tablets.

Recommendations for India-specific multiple micronutrient supplement through expert consultation.

Background & objectives Reducing maternal anaemia and enhancing feto-maternal health to achieve desired birth outcomes is a major health concern in India. Micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy may impact fetal growth and neonatal outcomes. There is increasing interest in using multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) during pregnancy. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends use of MMS containing Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) in the context of "rigorous research". Against this backdrop, an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-led MMS design expert group met over six months to review the evidence and decide on the formulation of an India-specific MMS supplement for pregnant mothers for potential use in a research setting. Methods The India-MMS design expert group conducted a series of meetings to assess the available evidence regarding the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in pregnant women in India, the health benefits of supplementing with different micronutrients during pregnancy, as well as nutrient interactions within the MMS formulation. Based on these considerations, the expert group reached a consensus on the composition of the MMS tailored for pregnant women in India. Results The India-specific MMS formulation includes five minerals and 10 vitamins, similar to the United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation (UNIMMAP) composition. However, the quantities of all vitamins and minerals except Zinc, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B6 differ. Interpretation & conclusions This report provides an overview of the process adopted, the evidence evaluated, and the conclusions from the expert working group meetings to finalize an MMS supplement in pregnancy for the Indian context to be used in a research setting.

Clinical Implications of HELLP Syndrome in Anesthesia Management of Preeclamptic Pregnant Mothers: A Literature-Based Review

BACKGROUND:Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome is a serious life-threatening obstetric emergency accompanied with heterogeneous presentation and multisystem dysfunction. It increases the perils of fetal morbidity and mortality and requires complex clinical management during medical and surgical interventions. Hence, it remains a major challenge for anesthesia providers during perioperative management. The current study aimed to explore the main clinical implications of HELLP syndrome in anesthesia management of preeclamptic pregnant mothers who underwent cesarean section.METHODOLOGY:An exhaustive search of the literature was conducted on the available relevant databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Reviews, published from 1990 to 2023, using the terms HELLP syndrome, cesarean section, and anesthetic challenges/complications. All observational studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohorts, and nonrandomized studies on HELLP syndrome and anesthetic challenges during cesarean section reported in English were included. Nonpregnant mothers with HELLP syndrome and studies with no relevant reports or abstracts, case reports, or case studies were excluded.RESULTS:A systematic search of relevant databases identified 82 studies: 60 from PubMed, 18 from Google Scholar, and 4 from Cochrane Reviews. After removing duplicates, 48 studies were screened and recorded. Eighteen studies were assessed for eligibility after their titles and abstracts were reviewed. Twelve studies were excluded from the current study, as it did not fulfill the inclusion criteria. Finally, six studies, four retrospective studies, one prospective observational study, and one RCT, were included and reviewed.CONCLUSION:Perioperative anesthetic care in patients with HELLP syndrome remains a challenge. Hence, anesthetic techniques should be selected based on the severity of the condition, patient status, urgency surgery, fetal conditions, coagulation status, and safe platelet counts.

Behind the Brow That Furrows

This essay describes the author’s observations while examining a pregnant mother who has multiple sclerosis.

Enhancing Maternal Engagement for Effective Stunting Prevention Strategies

General Background: Stunting is a critical public health issue that affects child development and overall community well-being. Effective management programs, such as the Pregnant Mother Class Program, are essential for addressing this challenge. Specific Background: In Wonoayu Village, Sidoarjo Regency, the implementation of this program aims to enhance maternal awareness and education regarding stunting prevention. However, the effectiveness of such programs in engaging the community remains underexplored. Knowledge Gap: While various studies have examined stunting management initiatives, limited research has focused on the qualitative aspects of community participation and communication in these programs. Aims: This research aims to evaluate the implementation of the Pregnant Mother Class Program in stunting management, specifically focusing on community participation, resource allocation, and bureaucratic structure. Results: Utilizing qualitative descriptive methods, the study found that while resource and disposition aspects were optimal, communication efforts were lacking, leading to low community awareness and participation. Training of facilitators was adequately conducted, but engagement with pregnant women required improvement. Novelty: This study provides unique insights into the dynamics of community education programs in stunting management, highlighting the critical role of communication in fostering community participation. Implications: The findings underscore the need for enhanced communication strategies to raise awareness and improve participation in health programs. Strengthening community engagement through targeted outreach can significantly enhance the effectiveness of stunting prevention initiatives, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for mothers and children in rural settings. Highlights: Communication efforts require improvement for effective stunting management. Resource allocation and facilitator training were adequately implemented. Community participation enhances awareness and program effectiveness. Keywords: stunting prevention, pregnant mother class, community engagement, qualitative research, health education

Neonatal lupus erythematosus presenting with effusions: A 13-year retrospective study.

Neonatal systemic lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an acquired autoimmune disease. The presence of effusions, such as pleural effusion and pericardial effusion, is rare. The present study helped investigate the clinical characteristics and progression of children with NLE combined with effusions. Clinical data of patients diagnosed with NLE were retrospectively collected and analyzed from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2023, at the Children's Hospital of Soochow University and Suzhou Municipal Hospital. Patients with NLE were divided into effusion and non-effusion groups based on the presence of effusion. Moreover, the clinical data of the newborns in both groups were compared and investigated. Eleven (11/45, 24.44%) NLE patients had effusions, such as pleural effusion, testicular hydrocele, peritoneal effusion, pericardial effusion, and hydrocephalus. Other organs involved in effusion patients were cutaneous, gastrointestinal, hematologic, cardiac, and neurological. Among the patients with effusion, five cases of SLE in pregnant mothers, two cases of Sjogren's syndrome, one case of photoallergic symptoms, and three of pregnant mothers with no history of antenatal autoimmune disease. Pregnant mother' autoimmune disease in remission prior to pregnancy, or stable low disease activity. Seven patients were positive for Anti-SSA, five of which were double positive for Anti-SSA and Anti-SSB. Compared with the non-effusion group, the effusion group patients had significantly higher lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and fibrinogen, significantly lower platelets, total protein, and albumin. These patients were likelier to have thrombocytopenia and coagulation abnormalities. Logistics regression analysis demonstrated that NLE patients with effusions are more likely to have decreased serum total protein levels. All NLE patients with effusion have self-resorption of the effusion. 24.44% of patients had effusions in our study. NLE patients with effusion are more likely to have hematologic involvement and a more inflammatory response. The effusion in NLE patients is usually self-resorption, severe cases can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/steroids. Key Points • NLE patients combined with effusions and were self-limiting, with pleural effusion being the most common. • NLE patients combined with effusions have a more inflammatory response, significant abnormalities in the blood routine and biochemical-related indexes.

Comparison of Pregnancy-related Concerns, Perceived Social Support, and Anxiety Between Pregnant Mothers With and Without Participation in Antenatal Education Classes

Comparison of Pregnancy-related Concerns, Perceived Social Support, and Anxiety Between Pregnant Mothers With and Without Participation in Antenatal Education Classes