Response In Pregnant Women Research Articles

Immunogenicity of inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine in pregnant women, including the level of postvaccination antibodies in umbilical cord blood.

Immunogenicity of inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine in pregnant women, including the level of postvaccination antibodies in umbilical cord blood.

Examining maternal social perceptions and stress responses during pregnancy.

Examining maternal social perceptions and stress responses during pregnancy.

Do Expectant Mothers Exhibit Different Autonomic Responses to the Infant Cry Stimuli at Home Versus in the Laboratory?

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced challenges for keeping participants and research assistants safe during laboratory visits. One solution was administering research assessments in the participant's home via an online platform, despite limited evidence of whether online tasks have similar effects as laboratory contexts. The present study compares physiological responses to a virtual adaptation of an infant cry stimulus-which is commonly used to evoke and measure autonomic nervous system responses among pregnant individuals-to a traditional laboratory-based cry task. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), electrodermal activity (EDA), and heart rate (HR) were collected during infant cry presentation from 120 pregnant women in their third trimester. Half of the participants observed the infant cry stimulus in the laboratory before the pandemic, and the other half had the task delivered remotely using online teleconferencing technology in their homes. Results revealed that EDA increased and RSA decreased in response to the infant cry stimulus. HR did not significantly change from baseline to the infant cry stimulus. Importantly, whether the participants watched the infant cry stimulus at home versus in the laboratory did not affect their autonomic responses to the stimulus. These results demonstrate the ability of remote tasks to elicit an attachment-relevant stress response in pregnant women for remote data collection.

How the partner’s perceived psychological state affects perinatal mental health in Chinese women: multiple mediating effects of couple communication and perceived social support

ABSTRACT The association between partner congruence and maternal mental health manifests intricate cultural variations. This study aimed to explore how the perceived psychological state of partners affects perinatal mental health among Chinese women and examine the mediating roles of couple communication and perceived social support. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,654 pregnant women (mean age: 29.7 years; gestational age: 12–41 weeks) from three hospitals in Jiangsu Province. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied for data analysis. The results indicated that an unstable partner’s perceived psychological state negatively affects perinatal mental health. Couple communication partially mediates the relationship between partner’s perceived psychological state and perinatal mental health, and couple communication and perceived social support performed a serial mediation of this relationship. These findings suggest that a partner’s psychological state can induce similar emotional responses in pregnant women. However, effective couple communication can alleviate adverse psychological effects by enhancing perceived social support. This study underscores the imperative to incorporate empowerment of primary support companions (particularly spouses) within prenatal social support frameworks. To advocate for the development of a two-way communication model, the enhancement of effective dichotomous communication skills, and the establishment of a supportive communication environment characterized by openness and regularity. This approach ensures that spousal support aligns with women’s needs, improving the quality and satisfaction of support while reducing the risk of adverse health outcomes.

Safety and Efficacy of Vaccines During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.

Maternal immunization is a safe and effective strategy for protecting mothers and infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. This systematic review evaluated the safety and efficacy of various vaccines administered during pregnancy, focusing on maternal and infant outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies. The search used terms and combinations such as ("maternal vaccination" OR "vaccination during pregnancy") AND ("safety" OR "efficacy" OR "immunogenicity") AND ("influenza" OR "DTaP" OR "respiratory syncytial virus" OR "group B streptococcus" OR "COVID-19"). Boolean operators "AND" and "OR" enhanced precision and filtered the limited results to studies published from 2018 to 2024. Eight studies were included in the review after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Influenza, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, respiratory syncytial virus, group B streptococcus, and COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective when administered during pregnancy. These vaccines elicit robust immune responses in pregnant women, with efficient transplacental antibody transfer providing passive immunity to newborns. Adverse effects were mostly mild to moderate and similar to those observed in nonpregnant individuals. No significant increase in adverse pregnancy or neonatal outcomes was associated with maternal vaccination. Most of the included randomized controlled trials (had a low risk of bias, thus supporting the reliability of the findings. However, vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge, highlighting the need for transparent communication between healthcare providers and pregnant women. Future research should focus on long-term infant health outcomes, vaccine safety, immunogenicity in diverse populations, and strategies to optimize maternal immunization timing and enhance neonatal antibody persistence. This review supports the implementation of routine maternal vaccination programs and emphasizes the importance of addressing knowledge gaps and ensuring equitable access to immunization during pregnancy.

The Impact of Obesity on Influenza Vaccine Immunogenicity and Antibody Transfer to the Infant During Pregnancy.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for pregnant women, offering the dual benefit of protecting pregnant women and their newborn infants against influenza. This study aimed to investigate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on influenza vaccine responses in pregnant women and their newborns. Participants included pregnant women attending the Women's and Children's Hospital in South Australia between 2018 and 2021. Maternal blood samples were collected prior to and at 1 and 6 months post-influenza vaccination to measure antibody responses by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. Cord blood samples were also collected. The percentages of participants achieving HI titre ≥40 were compared between obese and non-obese groups. A total of 73 women were enrolled and received quadrivalent influenza vaccination at a mean age of 32 years (range 21-44 y) and median gestation of 24 weeks (range 11-37 weeks). BMI at vaccination was ≥30 kg/m2 for 21/73 women (29%). Most pregnant women demonstrated antibody titres ≥ 40 to all four influenza vaccine strains at 1 month post-vaccination regardless of BMI category (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2: 19/20; 95% vs. BMI < 30 kg/m2: 47/49; 96%). At 6 months post-vaccination, 12/17 (71%) obese women compared to 36/43 (84%) non-obese women (p = 0.25) maintained HI titres ≥ 40. Cord blood serology showed HI titres ≥ 40 for 11/17 (65%) infants born to mothers with BMI ≥ 30 compared to 30/35 (86%) infants delivered by mothers with BMI < 30 kg/m2. A high BMI did not impair influenza vaccine antibody responses in pregnant women at 1 month post-vaccination. However, at 6 months post-vaccination, and in the cord blood samples, the percentages maintaining HI titre ≥ 40 were lower for obese women than for non-obese pregnant women.

Association of the humoral immune response with the inflammatory profile in Plasmodium vivax infections in pregnant women.

Plasmodium vivax infection, when it occurs during pregnancy, has often been associated with serious adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, immunological alterations in pregnancy and their consequences have been little explored. We characterized the humoral immune response in pregnant women exposed to malaria by P. vivax antigens and its association with the maternal inflammatory profile and poor pregnancy outcomes. An observational cohort study in the Brazilian Amazon was conducted between 2013 and 2015. After applying exclusion criteria, 242 mother-child pairs were included in the analysis. Data on maternal infection, gestational outcomes, and inflammatory factors were evaluated in the maternal peripheral plasma. In samples from the first infection, the presence of total IgG and its subclasses in plasma against PvMSP119 protein were also quantified. Previous exposure to malaria, observed by anti-total IgG antibodies to the PvMSP119 antigen, increased the inflammatory response to infection when the pregnant woman had malaria during pregnancy. IL-6 and IL-10 levels were positively correlated with parasitemia and with total IgG levels; but they were negatively correlated with the gestational age at delivery from Pv-infected woman. In multivariate linear regression analyses, IgG 1, 2 and 4 was negatively and positively associated with cytokines IL-6 and IL-10, respectively, in P. vivax-infection. An association between the humoral immune response and the peripheral inflammatory cytokine profile with the adverse outcomes in malaria in pregnancy by P. vivax was observed. Previous exposure to the parasite can influence the IL-6 and IL-10 response, which is associated with increased parasitemia, reduced maternal weight gain and premature delivery.

SARS-CoV-2 infection elucidates features of pregnancy-specific immunity

SARS-CoV-2 infection elucidates features of pregnancy-specific immunity

T Cell Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Vaccinated Pregnant Women: A Comparative Study of Pre-Pregnancy and During-Pregnancy Infections.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to global public health, particularly for vulnerable populations like pregnant women. This study delves into the T cell immune responses in pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, all of whom received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. Using the ELISpot assay, we measured T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 and nucleocapsid peptides in two groups: those infected before and during pregnancy. Our results showed weak to moderate correlations between T cell responses and neutralizing antibody levels, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups. T cell reactivity appeared to decrease over time post-diagnosis, regardless of infection timing. Intriguingly, over half of the participants maintained detectable T cell memory responses beyond one year post-infection, suggesting the long-term persistence of cellular immunity. These insights contribute to the understanding of COVID-19 immunology in pregnant women, highlighting the importance of considering both humoral and cellular immune responses in this high-risk population.

Deregulation of immune response contributing to fulminant hepatitis in HEV infected pregnant women.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in pregnant women is associated with a wide spectrum of adverse consequences for both mother and fetus. The high mortality in this population appears to be associated with hormonal changes and consequent immunological changes. This study conducted an analysis of immune responses in pregnant women infected with HEV manifesting varying severity. Data mining analysis of the GSE79197 was utilized to examine differentially biological functions in pregnant women with HEV infection (P-HEV) versus without HEV infection (P-nHEV), P-HEV progressing to ALF (P-ALF) versus P-HEV, and P-HEV versus non-pregnant women with HEV infection (nP-HEV). We found cellular response to interleukin and immune response-regulating signalings were activated in P-HEV compared with P-nHEV. However, there was a significant decrease of immune responses, such as T cell activation, leukocyte cell-cell adhesion, regulation of lymphocyte activation, and immune response-regulating signaling pathway in P-ALF patient than P-HEV patient. Compared with nP-HEV, MHC protein complex binding function was inhibited in P-HEV. Further microRNA enrichment analysis showed that MAPK and T cell receptor signaling pathways were inhibited in P-HEV compared with nP-HEV. In summary, immune responses were activated during HEV infection while being suppressed when developing ALF during pregnancy, heightening the importance of immune mediation in the pathogenesis of severe outcome in HEV infected pregnant women.

CCN1-Mediated Signaling in Placental Villous Tissues after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Term Pregnant Women: Implications for Dysregulated Angiogenesis.

The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 has increased infections among pregnant women. This study aimed to explore placental pathology alterations and angiogenic factor levels in term pregnant women after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a retrospective single-center study. Additionally, we investigated the role and underlying mechanism of the vascular inflammation-promoting, cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61/CCN1) in this context. All analyses were performed in term pregnant women infected with or without SARS-CoV-2. The sFlt-1, PlGF, and sEng serum levels were quantified using ELISA. Placental protein expressions were examined by immunoblot and immunostaining. Additionally, the effect of CCN1 protein on SGHPL-5 trophoblast cells was examined. We found that SARS-CoV-2 activated the inflammatory response in pregnant women, leading to pronounced vascular alterations in placental villous tissues. Elevated serum anti-angiogenic factors (sFlt-1, sEng) upon SARS-CoV-2 infection may directly contribute to these pathological changes. Upregulated CCN1 and pNF-κB in placental villous tissues of infected patients are identified as crucial factors in placental alterations. As a conclusion, CCN1 was significantly elevated in the placentas of term pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2. By activating a cascade of inflammatory responses, CCN1 induced the production of the anti-angiogenic factors sFlt-1 and sEng, which may lead to abnormal placental vascular architecture.

Time of day and glycaemic response in pregnant women: A gap in current guidelines?

Advice to monitor and distribute carbohydrate intake is a key recommendation for treatment of gestational diabetes, but fails to consider circadian regulation of glucose homeostasis. In the non-pregnant state, glucose responses to a meal at night-time are significantly higher than during the day and are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the impact of night time eating on postprandial glucose in pregnancy is uncertain. Using a systematic approach we explored postprandial glucose responses to dietary intake at night compared to during the day in pregnant women. Searches were conducted in four databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, CINAHL plus and Scopus), in September 2022 (updated, June 2023). Eligible studies reported on postprandial glucose at a minimum of two times a day, after identical meals or an oral glucose tolerance test, in pregnant women with or without gestational diabetes. Publication bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Four eligible studies were retrieved. Two studies reported within group comparison of two timepoints, and observed reduced glucose tolerance in the afternoon compared to the morning in pregnant women, irrespective of diabetes status. The other two studies meeting inclusion criteria did not report time of day comparisons. It is unclear as to whether the higher (and extended) postprandial glucose levels observed at night in non-pregnant populations are observed in pregnancy. Clinical studies are needed to explore the impact of circadian rhythmicity on glucose metabolism during pregnancy, and the implications of current dietary advice on when and what to eat for management of gestational diabetes.

Pilot Study on Evaluating the Impact of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap), Influenza, and COVID-19 Vaccinations on Antibody Responses in Pregnant Women.

This study assessed IgG levels to influenza/pertussis and neutralizing antibody (Nab) responses of COVID-19 vaccines in blood of pregnant women following immunization with pertussis (Tdap), influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines. We prospectively collected 71 participants categorized by the following vaccine combinations: 3TI, 4TI, 3T, and 4T groups (three and four doses of COVID-19 vaccines plus Tdap/influenza or Tdap vaccines alone). Our findings have indicated that the 3TI group exhibited elevated IgG levels for influenza B compared to the 3T group (12.90 vs. 7.75 U, p = 0.001); this pattern was not observed for influenza A. Pertussis IgG levels remained uniform across all groups. The 4TI group demonstrated a greater Nab inhibition rate from COVID-19 vaccines compared to both the 3TI and 3T groups (61.34% vs. 22.5% and 15.16%, respectively, p = 0.001). We observed no correlation between Nab inhibition rate and IgG levels for Tdap/influenza, with the exception of a moderate correlation with influenza B in the 3TI group. The efficacy of Tdap vaccine in pregnant women remained consistent, regardless of the administration of COVID-19 or influenza vaccines. Interestingly, without the influenza vaccine, both three and four doses of the COVID-19 vaccine still offered protection against influenza A, but not B. Hence, co-administering COVID-19, influenza, and Tdap vaccines during prenatal care maintains immunogenicity and is highly advised to safeguard pregnant women fully.

Changes in levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the Serum of Preterm Delivery Pregnant Women Affected by Gingivitis

Background: Periodontal disease increases local and systemic inflammatory responses in pregnant women, which may lead to premature delivery. Objectives: To detect maternal serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukine-6, interleukin-8) with preterm delivery in pregnant women suffering from gingivitis. Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 85 pregnant women were included in the study, of whom 55 had gingivitis: 25 preterm deliveries and 30 full-term deliveries. Thirty healthy pregnant women with healthy gingiva were in the control group. They were selected from Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Gynaecology and Paediatrics, from November 2022 to May 2023. Blood samples were collected from all participants, and the biomarkers and cytokines were detected by immunosorbent assay kits. Results: The current study showed an increased level of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in the pre-term delivery gingivitis group followed by full-term delivery pregnant groups having gingivitis compared with the control group, with statistically highly significant differences. Conclusion: Pregnant women with gingivitis with the highest levels of Interlukine-6 and Interlukine-8 were more prone to have premature delivery than those with lower levels of Interleukins and those without gingivitis.

Impact of in-utero exposure to HIV and latent TB on infant humoral responses.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a common coinfection in people living with HIV (PWH). How LTBI and HIV exposure in utero influence the development of infant humoral immunity is not well characterized. To address this question, we assessed the relationship between maternal humoral responses in pregnant women with HIV or with HIV/LTBI on humoral responses in infants to BCG vaccination and TB acquisition. Plasma samples were obtained from mother infant pairs during pregnancy (14-34 wks gestation) and in infants at 12 and 44 wks of age from the IMPAACT P1078 clinical trial. LTBI was established by Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA). Progression to active TB (ATB) disease was observed in 5 women at various times after giving birth. All infants were BCG vaccinated at birth and tested for IGRA at 44 weeks. Mtb (PPD, ESAT6/CFP10, Ag85A, LAM), HIV (GP120), and Influenza (HA) specific IgG, IgM, and IgA were measured in plasma samples using a bead based Luminex assay with Flexmap 3D. In maternal plasma there were no differences in Mtb-specific antibodies or viral antibodies in relation to maternal IGRA status. ATB progressors showed increases in Mtb-specific antibodies at diagnosis compared to study entry. However, when compared to the non-progressors at entry, progressors had higher levels of Ag85A IgG and reduced ESAT6/CFP10 IgG and LAM IgG, IgM, and IgA1. All infants showed a decrease in IgG to viral antigens (HIV GP120 and HA) from 12 to 44 weeks attributed to waning of maternally transferred antibody titers. However, Mtb-specific (PPD, ESAT6/CFP10, Ag85A, and LAM) IgG and IgM increased from 12 to 44 weeks. HIV and HA IgG levels in maternal and 12-week infant plasma were highly correlated, and ESAT6/CFP10 IgG and LAM IgG showed a relationship between maternal and infant Abs. Finally, in the subset of infants that tested IGRA positive at 44 weeks, we observed a trend for lower LAM IgM compared to IGRA- infants at 44 weeks. The results from our study raise the possibility that antibodies to LAM are associated with protection from progression to ATB and support further research into the development of humoral immunity against TB through infection or vaccination.

Moderating Effect of General Self-Efficacy on the Relationship between Pregnancy Stress, Daily Hassles Stress, and Preterm Birth Risk in Women Experiencing Preterm Labor: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study investigated the moderating role of general self-efficacy (GSE) on how stress caused by pregnancy and daily hassle affect the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in women experiencing preterm labor. This cross-sectional study included 196 pregnant women experiencing preterm labor before 37 weeks of gestation. We used IBM SPSS Statistics 27 and employed Hayes process macro version 4 (model 1) and hierarchical regression to analyze the moderating effect of GSE on the relationship between pregnancy stress, daily hassle stress, and PTB risk. Stress caused by pregnancy and daily hassle was positively correlated to PTB risk (r = .54, p < .001; r = .25, p < .001, respectively). While GSE did not significantly correlate with pregnancy stress, it negatively correlated with daily hassle stress (r = - .19, p = .009). GSE significantly moderated the relationship between combined stressors and PTB risk. As GSE levels increased, escalation in PTB risk in response to increasing stress levels was a more pronounced, highlighting a complex interaction between higher GSE levels and response to escalating stress levels. This model accounted for 39.5% of the variance in the PTB risk. Higher GSE may amplify the impact of stress on PTB risk, rather than mitigate it, which suggests a more nuanced role of GSE in the stress response of pregnant women at risk of preterm labor. GSE should be considered in care strategies, and managing its impact on stress perception and responses in pregnant women is crucial.

Glucose metabolism in gestational diabetes and their relationship with fat mass / muscle mass index

Glucose metabolism in gestational diabetes and their relationship with fat mass / muscle mass index

Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Allergic Diseases in Pregnant Women and Infant

In Westernized nations, there has been a notable rise in the incidence of allergic diseases, which has been associated with a shortage serving of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in diet. Supplementing with fish oil during pregnancy is being considered as a potential method to prevent allergic diseases in offspring. It may also help modulate allergic inflammation in pregnant women by influencing the synthesis of associated inflammatory mediators. The potential biological mechanisms underlying the allergic response in pregnant women and the potential protection provided to offspring through maternal supplementation of n-3 PUFAs are complex but crucial for understanding medical interventions and trial settings. The objective of this paper is to summarize the proposed mechanisms of allergic response and the anti-inflammatory pathways executed by n-3 PUFAs in both pregnant women and their offspring, drawing from important research findings. However, the efficacy of early intervention in infants through neonatal absorption of n-3 PUFAs is still unclear. The results suggest that n-3 PUFAs-induced protection covers a wide range of allergens, including those from food, house dust, and pets, as well as asthma. Conversely, the consumption of fish oil during childhood appears to have an insignificant effect on immunological disorders.

Characteristics of the inflammatory response in pregnant women with very early preterm premature rupture of membranes

Characteristics of the inflammatory response in pregnant women with very early preterm premature rupture of membranes

Investigating the impact of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccination on antibody response in pregnant women and their newborns.

This study aims to investigate the levels of receptor-binding domain (RBD), spike, and neutralizing antibodies in pregnant women who received the Sinopharm vaccine and their newborns. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary center, Mashhad, Iran. We included 88 pregnant women who had received at least two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples taken at delivery were analyzed for antibodies using ELISA tests. Antibody levels did not vary significantly between women with two or three vaccine doses. Only 1.1% of mothers had undetectable levels of RBD antibodies, but detectable antibodies were observed in all newborns. A significant linear correlation was found between the levels of neutralizing antibodies (r = 0.7, p < 0.001) and RBD antibodies (r = 0.833, p < 0.001) in mothers and their newborns, but not for Spike antibodies (r = 0.214, p = 0.045). In mothers, high titers of antispike and RBD antibodies were observed at the time of delivery. The high titers of RBD and antispike antibodies were found in cord blood, suggesting potential neonatal immunity. Detectable levels of antibodies were found in both groups, regardless of the timing of vaccination. The Sinopharm vaccine generates detectable levels of antibodies in pregnant women, which are efficiently transferred to their newborns. The number of vaccine doses (two or three) did not significantly impact the levels of detectable antibodies. This underscores Sinopharm's potential efficacy in protecting pregnant women and their infants from COVID-19.