Non-pregnant Age Research Articles

Human pregnancy is accompanied by modifications in B cell development and immunoglobulin profile

Though human pregnancy success has been classically linked with a shift into a Th2 immunoglobulin producing cell response, a clear picture concerning B cell development and immunoglobulin profile during human pregnancy is missing. We analyzed in this work the dynamic of different B cell populations in peripheral blood of pregnant women on the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. As control, age-matched non-pregnant fertile women were included. Additionally, we quantified the levels of immunoglobulin (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgM, IgA and IgE) in the serum of pregnant and non-pregnant women. We observed a significant decrease in the percentages of transitional B cells in peripheral blood of pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant control women. Besides, percentages of naïve as well as switched and non-switched memory B cells in peripheral blood of pregnant women were similar to those in non-pregnant control women. Interestingly, although we did not observe differences in the activation status of B cells as well as in the percentages of plasma cells between pregnant and non-pregnant women, we observed significantly higher levels of IgM, IgA, IgG3, more likely natural antibodies, as well IgG4 in serum of pregnant women compared to non-pregnant age matched control women.

Retrospective Analysis of Clinicopathological Characteristics of Pregnancy Associated Melanoma.

Pregnancy associated melanoma (PAM) by definition appears during pregnancy or within 1 year after delivery. In this retrospective study we analysed the pathological characteristics and survival rate of PAM and matched the data with non-pregnant age- and stage-matched control patients. Between 2003 and 2014, 34 pregnant women (aged 32.5 ± 5.6 years) were diagnosed with melanoma at the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology of the Semmelweis University. During the pathological process histologic subtype, Breslow thickness and Clark level, tumor cell type, mitotic rate, peritumoral inflammation, as well as ulceration, regression, necrosis, vascular invasion and presence of satellite were analyzed and related to clinical data. Primary tumor location and clinical staging, disease course, local recurrence and metastases, 5-year survival rate, other tumor development before or after the diagnosis of melanoma have also been documented. We found no difference in all parameters between pregnant and non-pregnant melanoma cases except peritumoral inflammation which was higher in PAM group, moreover the presence of mild inflammation was significantly higher in PAM group compared to non-pregnancy associated melanoma (NPAM) women group.

A Study of Erythron Status in Pregnant & Non-Pregnant Age Matched Females of Jodhpur Region

Objective: The effect of normal gestation on erythron status is a theme of continual interest in the developing countries like India. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the haematological parameters related to the erythrocytes in pregnant and the normal age matched females of Jodhpur region. Material & Methods: A total of 30 healthy non-pregnant females and 30 pregnant women were examined for erythron related parameters which included total RBC count, Haemoglobin concentration, Packed cell volume, MCH (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin), MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration) & Reticulocyte count. The subjects were of the age group 18-40 years. The Total RBC was done by haemocytometry method, Hb. estimation by Cyan MethHb method and PCV by Wintrobe’s method. The red cell indices were calculated using the standard formulae. The reticulocyte count was done using Brilliant Cresyl Blue as the stain. The corrected Reticulocyte count was also calculated for each of the subjects. Statistical Analysis: The data thus obtained was analysed using statistical software EPI info 6.0. For validation of observations, Student’s “t” test has been employed. Results: The mean Total RBC count among the control subjects was found to be 4.42 million/mm 3 whereas it was 3.88 million/mm 3 in pregnant women. The average Hb concentration in controls was 12.2g/dl and that in pregnant women was 10.2g/dl. The value of PCV in controls & pregnant females was 41% and 37 % respectively. Similarly the MCH & the MCHC was found out to be 27.65 pg & 29.81 % respectively for the control females and 26.28 pg & 27.56 % respectively for the pregnant women. The Reticulocyte count was 1.2 % in control group and 5 % for the pregnant females. Conclusion: The values of all erythron parameters in pregnant women are significantly low as compared to age matched controls, except reticulocyte count which indicates accelerated erythropoiesis to a great extent during pregnancy. This reticulocytosis was found in association with anemia and thus represents a response of haematopoietic system to physiologic stimulation of maternal erythropoeisis during pregnancy.

Lipid profile in normal pregnancy

Background and objectives:  Normal pregnancy is associated with disturbances in various biochemical values .The purpose of this study was to determine whether normal pregnancy is associated with any abnormalities of lipid profile . Methods: This prospective study evaluated lipid profile in 45 primigravid women during normal gestation (in the first & third trimester) and in 30 non-pregnant age matched controls for the period of December   2008 – May 2009 Results: Pregnant women exhibit a significant increase in mean serum cholesterol concentration 226.5 (S.D.42.2) mg/dL in the first trimester when compared with non-pregnant controls 167.9 (27.7) mg/Dl. The serum cholesterol increased significantly throughout gestation to a mean of 316.6 (54.8) mg/dL in the third trimester compared with the first trimester. Triglyceride panel in the first trimester had been similar to those of controls. However, by the third trimester the mean triglyceride concentration had revealed a double value of 227.7 (47.4) mg/dL; compared with the first trimester. There was no significant difference in the LDL level in first trimester when compared to control group. Nevertheless, it increased significantly, from 93.6 (11.9) mg/dL during the first trimester to 178.6 (18.5) mg/dL in the third trimester Conclusion: Atherogenic lipid profile develops during normal gestation. The future significance of these changes remains to be determined. They may have important implications for the mother and fetus.

Survival Outcomes in Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Case Control Study

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) has been defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within one year of delivery. It is believed that after adjusting for age and stage, the 5-year survival rates are the same in both pregnant and nonpregnant women. We conducted a retrospective case-control study among patients treated at our institution between 1990 and 2005 to compare the 5-year survival outcomes for PABC with women treated for breast cancer who were not pregnant. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and log rank tests were used to assess the associations between OS, DFS and pregnancy status, HER-2 status, ER/PR status, and family history. The median age was 33 years (range 24-42) for both groups. Twenty-two (55%) patients with PABC were ER/PR receptor positive compared with 20 (50%) for the controls. Ninety percent of patients with PABC received chemotherapy compared with 87.5% in the nonpregnant group. 91.5% of patients with PABC had breast-conserving surgery and 8.5% had mastectomies compared with 86% and 14%, respectively, for the control group. The median OS was 4.9 years in the PABC group compared with 6 years for the controls (p = 0.02). The median DFS was 2.7 years for the PABC group compared with 5.1 years for the controls (p = 0.01). The most common site of relapse was bone for the PABC group (27%) and local recurrence (33%) for the controls. Univariate analysis revealed that OS and DFS were associated with pregnancy status, family history, ER/PR status, and stage. After adjusting for age and stage, PABC patients had higher risk of both death (p = 0.01) and recurrence (p = 0.02) compared with nonpregnant controls. Women with PABC had significantly shorter OS and DFS compared with nonpregnant age and stage-matched controls.

The calcium connection--deficient mothers with normal newborn.

A cross-sectional study on blood calcium levels of pregnant women of low socioeconomic status was designed to find out the consequences of low levels on the outcome of pregnancy. Blood samples from 52 women and their cord were collected at the time of delivery. Calcium was analyzed calorimetrically in maternal as well as cord blood. For comparative analysis, levels of phosphorus were analyzed on atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results were compared with 24 nonpregnant age matched controls. Calcium levels were significantly low (p<0.01), in maternal (8.13±0.40 mg/dl) and cord blood (8.69±0.28 mg/dl) compared to controls (10.5±0.6 mg/dl) and significantly higher in primiparous mothers (M=8.2±0.78 mg/dl,C=8.1±0.50 mg/dl) compared to multiparous (M=6.4±0.59 mg/dl,C=7.9±0.53 mg/dl). Calcium levels were also found significantly lower in mothers who had a miscarriage (M=7.60±0.37 mg/dl,C=9.1±0.65 mg/dl) before this pregnancy than the primiparous and the controls. The results on the whole suggest that women tend to develop a marginal calcium deficiency after pregnancy.

Haematological profile of healthy pregnant women in Ibadan, South-western Nigeria

SummaryThere is a dearth of information on the reference values for haematological indices particularly according to the relevant trimesters of pregnant women in Nigeria. The objective of this study was to provide reference values for Nigerian pregnant women. The study took place at the Adeoyo Maternity Hospital and the University College Hospital, both in Ibadan. This descriptive study was carried out over a period of 8 months. Subjects were apparently healthy pregnant women that satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean values (and 95% confidence intervals, CI) of haematological indices were as follows:First trimester: Haemoglobin (Hb) 112.44 (101.64 – 123.25) g/l, haematocrit (hct) 35 (32 – 38)%, WBC 5.488 (4.025 – 6.950)×109/l and platelet counts 227.56 (165.21 – 289.90)×109/l;Second trimester: Hb 100.39 (97.85 – 102.92) g/l, hct 29.3 (28.5 – 30.1)%, WBC 6.57 (6.19 – 6.95)×109/l, platelet count 229.56 (211.86 – 247.26); and theThird trimester: Hb 98.06 (96.12 – 100.00) g/l, hct 29.4 (28.7 – 29.9)%, WBC 6.92 (6.53 – 7.30), platelet count 186.52 (177.67 – 195.38)×109/l.These results were compared with those of 52 non-pregnant age matched women volunteers as controls whose mean haematological indices and 95% CI were: Hb 120.51 (116.61 – 124.41) g/l, hct 36 (25 – 48)%, WBC 5.28 (2.9 – 8.7)×109, platelet count 330.87 (176 – 538)×109/l. The following haematological indices: WBC, platelet counts, RBC, PCT, and PDW, of women between the trimesters showed statistical significance (p value < 0.001 in each case). The WBC is inversely proportional to the PCT and the MCV in the pregnant women was slightly raised. In this study, pregnancy is characterised by lowest values of haemoglobin parameters in trimester three and there are statistically significant differences between the WBC, platelet counts, RBC, PCT, and PDW of women between the three trimesters.

Prevalence of maternal dietary iodine insufficiency in the north east of England: implications for the fetus

Background: Maternal subclinical hypothyroidism is a cause of poor neurodevelopment outcome in the offspring. Although iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism world wide, there are no screening...

Cardiovascular changes in pregnancy evaluated by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography.

During pregnancy significant cardiovascular changes occur. To study these anatomic and physiologic changes we performed two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography in 28 women during the third trimester (34.4 +/- 1.9 weeks) of pregnancy and then again after delivery (7.8 +/- 2.2 weeks). Fourteen nonpregnant age- and sex-matched subjects served as controls. Left ventricular diastolic and systolic dimensions were similar among pregnant, postpartum, and control subjects. Left atrial area as determined by two-dimensional echocardiography was significantly larger during pregnancy (16.7 +/- 4.0 cm2) compared with measurements postpartum (13.8 +/- 3.1 cm2) and with controls (15.5 +/- 3.5 cm2) (p less than 0.01). Doppler study showed that the ratio of early diastolic flow velocity to late diastolic flow velocity (E/A max) and E/A integral were lower among pregnant subjects (1.3 +/- 0.3, 2.0 +/- 0.5) compared with postpartum subjects (1.6 +/- 0.4, 2.5 +/- 1.5) and controls (1.9 +/- 0.5, 3.0 +/- 0.8) (p less than 0.05). Heart rate was higher among pregnant subjects (84 +/- 10 beats/min) compared with postpartum subjects (70 +/- 16) and controls (69 +/- 13) (p less than 0.05). In summary, in pregnant subjects during late third trimester left ventricular chamber dimensions were similar to these postpartum measurements in control subjects; however, the left atrium is dilated during pregnancy. Although there are significant alterations in Doppler-derived left ventricular diastolic parameters during the third trimester, increased heart rate and a dilated left atrium may explain these findings.

Pregnancy and immune system. I. Immunological characterization of mononuclear cells during late pregnancy (author's transl)

Lymphocyte preparations obtained from peripheral blood of 36 healthy pregnancy women during the last 4 weeks of gestation were tested for various cell surface markers (E-, EA- EAC-rosettes, surface Ig positive cells). 29 healthy, non-pregnant age matched women served as controls. The cell surface marker analysis did not show significantly different results in the two groups tested except diminished percentages of EA-rosettes in the pregnancy group. EA-rosettes-forming cells (Fc-receptor positive cells) are known to the effectors of spontaneous and antibody dependent lymphocytotoxicity. Therefore, slightly depressed lymphocytotoxicity may be expected during late pregnancy.