Determination of cytomegalovirus IgG antibodies using stable element labeling and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Further evidence of the feasibility of antibody detection.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cadmium-induced cell-type-specific mechanisms of developmental neurotoxicity in human cortical organoids.

Impact of oral iron dosing regimens on iron biomarkers during pregnancy: insights from the PANDA trial.

Pregnant women's knowledge, perceptions, and intention to receive a future group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccine: a cross-sectional study.

To investigate the genetic and clinical characteristics of two Chinese pedigrees exhibiting β-thalassemia traits due to variants of SUPT5H gene and conduct a literature review. Two pregnant women and their family members with abnormal thalassemia screening results were selected as study subjects. Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood DNA was extracted for thalassemia-targeted gene testing and whole-exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenicity of the candidate variants were rated based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). A literature review was also carried out on SUPT5H variants associated with thalassemia by searching the PubMed database. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Bao'an Women's and Children's Hospital [Ethics No.: LLSC-2025-02-05-15-KS]. Both probands exhibited mild anemia during pregnancy, which was characterized by typical hypochromic microcytic anemia, while no pathogenic variant was detected in the HBB gene. WES and Sanger validation of family members revealed two nonsense variants (SUPT5H: c.1195C>T, p.Gln399*) and (SUPT5H: c.397C>T, p.Arg133*) in the two pedigrees. Carriers from both pedigrees exhibited elevated hemoglobin A2 (Hb A2) and reduced mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Literature review has identified 68 cases of SUPT5H gene variants involving 35 types. Nearly all carriers had elevated Hb A2 levels, 85.2% (58/68) carriers showed decreased MCV or MCH, and 3 cases with concurrent HBB gene variants exhibited significantly lower hemoglobin levels. Loss-of-function variants of the SUPT5H gene may cause β-thalassemia-like phenotypes through a haploinsufficiency mechanism. Routine screening for thalassemia modifier genes, including SUPT5H, is recommended for individuals with unexplained β-thalassemia phenotypes in high-prevalence areas to prevent the birth of children with moderate-to-severe thalassemia.

Vitamin D deficiency in Mongolian pregnant women.

Knowledge of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) location, function, and antepartum exercises may prevent urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the awareness of PFMs and PFM exercises, including knowledge, training, and experience, among pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between PFM awareness and UI. This cross-sectional study involved 522 pregnant women aged 18 years and older recruited from 8 centers. A questionnaire was used to assess PFM awareness; knowledge of PFM exercises; training and experience with these exercises; and the presence of UI, pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and fecal incontinence (FI). PFM knowledge and awareness were compared between pregnant women with and without UI. Of the 522 participants, 134 (25.7%) reported UI, 10 (1.9%) had POP, and 5 (1%) had FI. Among those with UI, 94 (70.1%) reported that their symptoms began during pregnancy. A significant proportion of women demonstrated limited PFM knowledge: 379 (72.6%) were unaware of PFM location, 385(73.8%) did not know PFM function, and 380 (72.8%) had not heard of PFM exercises. Pregnant women without UI were more likely to report performing PFM exercises than those with UI (66.7% vs 37.5%, respectively, P=0.002). Furthermore, women without UI were more likely to have performed PFM exercises for 8 weeks or more compared with those with UI (71.6% vs 40.0%, respectively, P=0.019). This study highlights a concerning lack of knowledge and awareness regarding PFMs and PFM exercises among pregnant women. Educational programs are needed to improve understanding of PFM function and to provide instruction on correct PFM exercise techniques.

Emesis gravidarum is a common symptom ranging from discomfort to prolonged vomiting, affecting approximately 50-60% of pregnant women. The potential impacts of emesis gravidarum on pregnant women include decreased appetite, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration, which can be dangerous for both mother and fetus. Data from the Baiturrahman Community Health Center in Banda Aceh City indicates that in 2024, 187 pregnant women (85.7%) experienced emesis gravidarum. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ginger water infusion on the management of emesis gravidarum in the Baiturrahman Community Health Center's working area in Banda Aceh City in 2025. The research method used was a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest approach with a purposive sampling technique with a sample size of 30 pregnant women with emesis gravidarum in the Baiturrahman Community Health Center Work Area, Banda Aceh City. The time of this research was conducted on April 22 to May 8, 2025 with univariate and bivariate analysis with paired t-test. The results showed that before giving ginger, most of them experienced emesis gravidarum in the moderate category, namely 23 people (76.7%), while after giving ginger, most of them experienced emesis gravidarum in the mild category, namely 25 people (83.3%). Before being given ginger water infusion, the average emesis gravidarum score was 8.43, while after being given ginger water infusion, the average score became 4.73 with a decrease of 3.70 and a p-value of 0.000 < 0.05, so there is an effect of giving ginger water infusion on emesis gravidarum. It is hoped that health workers will implement the administration of ginger water as a complementary therapy in treating emesis gravidarum and also provide counseling about the benefits of ginger water for pregnant women.

Evening snacks without increased nighttime caloric intake decrease fasting glucose in pregnant women with pregestational diabetes mellitus.

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illnesses, which can have detrimental effects on both maternal and fetal health. This study aimed to assess the food safety and baby food-handling knowledge among pregnant women in Bangladesh, along with associated risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 341 pregnant women using a structured questionnaire from January to February 2024. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, food safety knowledge across four domains (including personal and kitchen hygiene, symptoms of foodborne diseases, high-risk foods and cross-contamination, and storage and leftover food handling), and baby food handling knowledge. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of knowledge levels. Participants demonstrated an overall food safety knowledge score with a mean score of 15.88 ± 6.07 out of 30 (52.9% correct), but significant gaps existed in areas such as cross-contamination prevention, refrigeration temperatures, and thawing techniques. Baby food handling knowledge was slightly better with a mean score of 9.13 ± 3.86 (60.9% correct), although gaps existed regarding perishable food storage. The regression analysis revealed that older participants aged (≥ 25 years), those with no formal education, a family monthly income between 15000 and 30000 BDT, residing in rural areas, and in their first trimester of pregnancy had significantly lower food safety and baby food-handling knowledge. Additionally, baby food-handling knowledge was significantly lower among participants who experienced a second or subsequent pregnancy. This study highlights the need for targeted food safety educational interventions during antenatal care, particularly for older, uneducated rural pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy, to improve maternal and fetal health, as well as the health of newborns.

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is common, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women of Bangladesh and its association with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 pregnant women admitted to the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Popular Medical College Hospital for delivery from July 2019 to June 2022. Data collection was done through face-to-face interview using a semi-structured case record form and laboratory tests. A logistic regression model was constructed to determine the association between maternal vitamin D status and pregnancy outcomes. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D <30 nmol/L] among pregnant women was 11.7% and vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25(OH)D 30-75 nmol/L] was 77.6%. In logistic regression model, vitamin D deficiency was not significantly associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (aOR 2.32, 95% CI 0.54, 12.0), preeclampsia (aOR 2.94, 95% CI 0.75, 14.6), preterm labor (aOR 2.41, 95% CI 0.98, 6.25), low birth weight (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 0.81, 5.30), intrauterine growth retardation (aOR 2.55, 95% CI 0.51, 18.7) and low APGAR score (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 0.24, 12.0). A large proportion of the pregnant women had a suboptimal level of vitamin D. However, no significant association between vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy outcome was found in the study.

Decsions about prenatal screening for trisomies are complex for some women. Mobile decision aids (mDAs) can help them make informed decisions based on their values and preferences. To assess pregnant women's intention to use an mDA for prenatal screening of trisomies 21, 18, and 13. This mixed-methods study in Quebec recruited a purposeful sample of women aged 18 or over, at least 16 weeks pregnant or who had given birth in the past year after a low-risk pregnancy. After they completed a paper-based decision aid, we assessed their intention, and its psychosocial determinants, to use a mobile version. Quantitative data underwent descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses; qualitative data were thematically analyzed. 67 pregnant women participated, mostly French-speaking (89.6 %), aged 25-34 (59.7 %). Mean intention to use the mDA was 4.92 (SD: 2.03). Beliefs about consequences (β:1.21; p < 0.0001) and social influence (β:0.17; p = 0.03) were significant predictors of intention, explaining 77.5 % of variance, and 63 % of women evaluated the proposed mDA positively. Beliefs about consequences and social influence were the main pyschosocial factors associated with pregnant women's intention to use an mDA for prenatal screening. Healthcare providers could increase uptake by adopting strategies that underline the social acceptability and benefits of mDAs.

Preeclampsia was recognized as a serious medical condition affecting both mother and fetus. Recent investigations revealed infectious agents such as H. pylori, CMV, and T. gondii could seriously affect the progression of preeclampsia but these findings are contradictory. The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) between pregnant women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women. This case-control study was conducted on 90 pregnant women with preeclampsia (case group) and 90 matched healthy pregnant women (control group), who were matched by their age and gestational age from July to December 2024 in Hamadan. A checklist was employed to assess the demographic and laboratory parameters of case and control groups, especially the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against H. pylori, T. gondii, and CMV. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing a logistic regression model with the SPSS 26 software program. There was a significant difference in the serum levels of IgM against H. pylori and IgG against CMV in patients compared to control groups, whereas the seroprevalence of other antibodies was not significantly changed. There was a significant association between women in case and control groups in terms of laboratory parameters such as HCT, BUN, ALT, BMI, NLR, and proteinuria. H. pylori and CMV could be regarded as the associated factors for the progression of preeclampsia. Novel therapeutic approaches could reduce the prevalence of preeclampsia by targeting inflammatory pathways.

Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy in Iran.

The effect of childhood maltreatment on sexual attitudes and fear of childbirth among pregnant women.

Objectives. To examine associations between (1) food insecurity and participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and (2) ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption and Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI) score among US pregnant women. Methods. We analyzed data from pregnant women (n = 1286) across 9 waves of National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, from 2001 to 2018. We assessed UPF consumption, as percentage of energy from Nova Group 4 classification, and HEI. Multivariable regressions estimated associations of food insecurity and WIC or SNAP participation with UPF consumption and HEI. Results. Food insecurity affected 20% of women and was associated with lower HEI (B = -3.8; SE = 1.4; P = .01) but not UPF consumption. UPF consumption did not differ by WIC or SNAP participation status (P > .05). WIC participants had higher HEI while SNAP participants had lower HEI (P = .01). Conclusions. Food insecurity was linked to lower prenatal HEI but not UPF consumption. WIC may improve otherwise low prenatal HEI; unchanged UPF consumption, irrespective of nutrition assistance beneficiary status, warrants public health and nutrition education strategies to reduce UPF consumption and scale access to affordable, less-processed, nutritious foods. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(7):971-980. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308507).

Imbalances in the vaginal flora during pregnancy elevate risks for adverse outcomes. While nifuratel targets pathogens, probiotics restore acidity, and robust cohort evidence supporting their combined safety and efficacy in restoring the microbiome remains limited. This retrospective cohort study assessed nifuratel-nystatin therapy plus Lactobacillus probiotics for restoring vaginal flora in pregnancy. Employing a retrospective cohort design, this study enrolled pregnant women diagnosed with vaginal microecological abnormalities between March 2023 and 2024. Participants were allocated via 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) into two groups (n=58 each): a combination group receiving nifuratel-nystatin therapy combined with vaginal Lactobacillus probiotics and a monotherapy group receiving nifuratel-nystatin alone. All received a 7-day treatment. The primary endpoint was clinical effectiveness assessed one week post-treatment. Secondary outcomes included vaginal pH, Lactobacillus and bacterial diversity normalization rates, recurrence, adverse pregnancy outcomes and drug-related adverse events, monitored until delivery. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors of treatment efficacy. After PSM, baseline characteristics were balanced (P>0.05). The comparative analysis indicated a superior overall efficacy for the combination therapy (93.1%) over monotherapy (77.6%), with statistical significance (P<0.01) Both groups exhibited reduced vaginal pH and increased rates of normalized Lactobacillus and bacterial diversity, with greater improvements observed in the combination group (P<0.01). The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the combination group (8.6% vs. 22.4%; P<0.05), as was the total incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (6.9% vs. 20.7%; P<0.01). No significant difference in adverse drug reactions was found. Multivariate analysis identified combination therapy as an independent protective factor for clinical efficacy (aOR=4.25, 95% CI: 1.42-12.71, P<0.05). In pregnant women with vaginal dysbiosis, combining nifuratel-nystatin with Lactobacillus probiotics safely enhances clinical efficacy, normalizes pH and flora and reduces adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Association between Vitamin D levels and autoimmune thyroid disease in early pregnancy.

Sex-specific associations of sedentary behaviour and physical activity with placental and fetal IL-6 in pregnant women with obesity. Impact on neonatal adiposity in the DALI randomised controlled trial.

Maternal metabolic bariatric surgery is associated with improved maternal cardiovascular function and an altered adipokine (adiponectin and leptin) levels. The aim of this study was to investigate whether adipokine levels mediate the improvement in maternal cardiovascular function reported in pregnant women with previous metabolic bariatric surgery. The study included 41 pregnant women with previous metabolic bariatric surgery and 41 pregnant women without metabolic bariatric surgery but with similar early pregnancy body mass index (BMI). All participants underwent cardiac function assessment using two-dimensional echocardiography, at 11-14, 20-24 and 30-32 weeks of gestation. Maternal blood, collected at these three visits, was used for measurement of maternal adiponectin and leptin. Mixed-effects model analysis was used to assess the differences in adiponectin and leptin between groups, after adjustment for time, maternal age, ethnic group, parity, method of conception, BMI, smoking, gestational age at measurement and development of gestational diabetes mellitus. Pearson's correlation was used to assess the correlation of maternal adiponectin and leptin levels with cardiac indices. Overall, maternal adiponectin levels were higher in the post-metabolic bariatric surgery group, compared to the no surgery group (p = 0.008). However, leptin levels did not differ between groups (p = 0.76). Adiponectin levels were not associated with indices of maternal cardiac function including haemodynamics, cardiac geometry, diastolic, systolic and longitudinal function (p > 0.05). In contrast, maternal leptin levels positively correlated with maternal cardiac output in both the no surgery and post-metabolic bariatric surgery groups (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Although pre-pregnancy maternal metabolic bariatric surgery is associated with an improvement in maternal cardiac function, maternal adiponectin and leptin levels alone are unlikely to contribute to this improvement.