Spontaneous Preterm Delivery (sPTD) is one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. The present case−control study aims to detect miRNAs differentially expressed in the ...first trimester maternal plasma with the view to identify predictive biomarkers for sPTD, between 320/7 and 366/7 weeks, that will allow for timely interventions for this serious pregnancy complication. Small RNA sequencing (small RNA-seq) of five samples from women with a subsequent sPTD and their matched controls revealed significant down-regulation of miR-23b-5p and miR-125a-3p in sPTD cases compared to controls, whereas miR-4732-5p was significantly overexpressed. Results were confirmed by qRT-PCR in an independent cohort of 29 sPTD cases and 29 controls. Statistical analysis demonstrated that miR-125a is a promising early predictor for sPTL (AUC: 0.895; 95% CI: 0.814-0.972; p < 0.001), independent of the confounding factors tested, providing a useful basis for the development of a novel non-invasive predictive test to assist clinicians in estimating patient-specific risk.
Invasive prenatal testing, amniocentesis, and chorionic villus sampling offer insights into fetal genetic integrity and health, but carry inevitable minor risks of miscarriage and infection, thus ...complicating the decision-making process for parents. Previous research has revealed several factors that influence the decision to undergo invasive prenatal testing, including demographic, clinical, and psychological aspects, and attitudes towards testing. Informed choice, involving understanding options and aligning them with personal values, is crucial, with healthcare providers playing a key role in offering unbiased information. This systematic review aims to gather and synthesize literature data on the above factors to draw conclusions to aid antenatal care providers in supporting couples to make more informed decisions about their prenatal care. A systematic search was performed in PubMed and PsycInfo databases using the appropriate keywords and an in-depth evaluation of the studies retrieved followed. Finally, 17 articles were eligible for our review investigating the decision-making process of invasive prenatal testing. Factors like maternal age, education, and ethnicity are pivotal during the decision-making process. Clinical characteristics also influence decisions and women with pregnancies categorized as high-risk or those who have undergone fertility treatment display a preference for invasive testing. There seems to be a direct correlation between a woman's willingness to consider pregnancy termination, deeply rooted in psychological and moral stances, and the inclination to undergo invasive testing. In the patient decision-making process, the provision and depth of knowledge are of paramount importance. A comprehensive understanding facilitates more informed decisions. Finally, attitudes towards termination of pregnancy, as another factor influencing the decision-making process, reveal a nuanced landscape where personal beliefs, religious considerations, legal restrictions, and perspectives on disability converge. Within this complex context, religion emerges as an important determinant, shaping individuals' views on the morality of abortion. This review sheds light on the most important factors influencing the couples' consent for invasive prenatal testing. Healthcare professionals must identify which factors are critical in every specific case among several sociodemographic, clinical, emotional, and religious factors. Thus, they will be able to provide balanced and comprehensive information to help couples under this stressful procedure. We advocate for a patient-centered multidisciplinary approach while navigating couples through the intricate landscape of decision-making concerning invasive prenatal testing.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous chronic, multisystem, inflammatory autoimmune disorder with variable clinical features, with its manifestations being attributed to the presence ...of multiple autoantibodies and their subsequent autoimmune reactions. Multiple organs may be involved, with the kidneys, the joints, and the skin being the most common, increasing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Our current article describes the case of a 32-year-old primigravida who was referred to our department after the detection of fetal bradycardia and the strong suspicion of an underlying cardiac abnormality. After a detailed fetal and maternal assessment, the diagnosis of SLE-associated fetal congenital heart block was established, and the appropriate management and treatment were provided, factors that led to the uncomplicated delivery and prompt successful management of an otherwise severely affected fetus. Our work, also, includes a detailed review of the accumulated evidence regarding the association between autoantibodies and congenital heart block, the available screening modalities of the condition, and its potential therapeutic interventions.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as impaired glucose tolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy, which is characterized by an increased insulin resistance. Gestational ...diabetes mellitus is associated with pregnancy-related maternal and fetal morbidity (both antenatal and perinatal). Myo-inositol has been suggested to improve insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of myo-inositol supplementation during pregnancy on the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus.
We will conduct a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial. A total of 160 healthy pregnant women with singleton pregnancy at 11-13
weeks of gestation will be randomly allocated in two groups: intervention group (N = 80) and control group (N = 80). The intervention group will receive myo-inositol and folic acid (4000 mg myo-inositol and 400 mcg folic acid daily) from 11 to 13
weeks of gestation until 26-28 weeks of gestation, while the control group will receive folic acid alone (400 mcg folic acid daily) for the same period of time as intervention group. The primary outcome will be gestational diabetes incidence rate at 26-28 weeks of gestation, according to the results of a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test held at 26-28 weeks of gestation. The secondary outcomes will include fasting blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin levels, insulin resistance level (evaluated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and Matsuda Index), and incidence rate of diet-treated gestational diabetes and diabetes requiring insulin therapy at 26-28 weeks of gestation.
This trial will provide evidence for the effectiveness of myo-inositol supplementation during pregnancy in reducing the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus.
ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN16142533 . Registered on 9 March 2017.
The objective is to examine the incidence of agenesis of fetal ductus venosus (DV) at the routine ultrasound examination at 11-13 weeks.
This is a retrospective study on women presenting for ...screening for chromosomal abnormalities. The fetal DV was routinely examined by color Doppler in the sagittal view.
Out of 8,304 fetuses examined, there were 13 cases of DV agenesis (0.15%). The umbilical vein drainage was intra-hepatic in two-thirds of the cases, and all resulted in normal live births. In the remaining one-third of cases, the umbilical vein drained to the inferior vena cava and all had a poor outcome because of aneuploidies, cardiac defects, and Noonan syndrome.
Fetal DV agenesis occurs in about one in 650 fetuses and the majority of cases have a benign course and a favorable outcome. Failure to identify the DV should prompt a detailed ultrasound examination, identification of the drainage site of the umbilical vein, and genetic testing.
Maternal obesity has been previously linked to increased risk of preterm birth; however, the actual pathophysiology behind this observation remains unknown. Cervical length seems to differentiate ...among overweight, obese and extremely obese patients, compared to normal weight women. However, to date the actual association between body mass index and cervical length remains unknown. In this systematic review, accumulated evidence is presented to help establish clinical implementations and research perspectives.
We searched Medline, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases from inception till February 2023. Observational studies that reported on women undergone ultrasound assessment of their cervical length during pregnancy were included, when there was data regarding their body mass index. Statistical meta-analysis was performed with RStudio. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS).
Overall, 20 studies were included in this systematic review and 12 in the meta-analysis. Compared to women with normal weight, underweight women were not associated with increased risk of CL < 15 mm or < 30 mm and their mean CL was comparable (MD −1.51; 95% CI −3.07, 0.05). Overweight women were found to have greater cervical length compared to women with normal weight (MD 1.87; 95% CI 0.52, 3.23) and had a lower risk of CL < 30 mm (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.47, 0.90).
Further research into whether BMI is associated with cervical length in pregnant women is deemed necessary, with large, well-designed, prospective cohort studies with matched control group.
The aim of this study is to investigate the predictive value of low levels of pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) during the first trimester on adverse pregnancy outcomes, namely pregnancy ...induced hypertension (PIH), preeclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and fetal loss.
This is a prospective cohort study including 2636 women with singleton pregnancies that attended the Prenatal Diagnosis Unit of the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in "Alexandra Hospital" between 2017 and 2019 for the first trimester combined screening routine scan. The study population was divided into two groups according to their PAPP-A levels. The cut-off value of the PAPP-A level was defined as the 0.4 multiple of median (MoM) which is in correspondence with the fifth centile. The women were followed-up prospectively until delivery and the primary outcome measures were the incidence of PIH, PE, IUGR (<10th centile), and fetal loss. Results: PAPP-A levels of ≤0.4 MoM were associated with increased maternal body mass index (BMI), increased uterine arteries pulsatility index (PI), and lower birth weight. Women with PAPP-A levels ≤0.4 MoM were more likely to develop PE (2.3% vs. 0.2%, p<0.001), PE or PIH (2.3% vs. 0.4%, p=0.003), IUGR (2.3% vs. 0.4%, p=0.003), and combined adverse outcome (25.5% vs. 1.9%, p<0.001) compared to women with PAPP-A>0.4 MoM.
This study confirms that among women with PAPP-A levels ≤0.4 MoM in the first trimester, there are increased odds for PE or PIH, IUGR, and combined composite pregnancy outcome.
Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is a distinct clinical entity characterized by inflammation and abnormal vaginal microflora. Often mistaken for bacterial vaginosis, AV remains relatively unknown and ...underdiagnosed. AV's understanding is evolving, with some experts suggesting it may primarily be an immunological disorder, the prevalence of which has a range of 7-13% in non-pregnant women and 4.1-8.3% during pregnancy. Pregnancy can affect susceptibility to vaginal infections, leading to adverse outcomes for the woman and the newborn. This review summarizes the correlation between AV and adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly preterm birth, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. An improved understanding of AV's impact on pregnancy outcomes can lead to early recognition, proper management, and effective interventions. While some studies support an association between AV and preterm labor, the existing knowledge of this relationship remains limited. The evidence suggests that AV may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, mainly preterm birth, but further research is needed to establish a definitive link. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and clarify AV's role in premature labor. A comprehensive understanding of AV's impact on pregnancy outcomes is crucial for early recognition, appropriate management, and effective interventions.
Background: the objective of this longitudinal study (from pregnancy to the end of the sixth month postpartum) is to elucidate the association between maternal self-efficacy, defined as a mother’s ...confidence in her ability to breastfeed, and breastfeeding outcomes. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted among high-risk pregnant women (including those with conditions such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and other pathological medical conditions) and normal-risk pregnant women in Greece. The high-risk group included 164 women, while the normal-risk group comprised 154 women. Data were collected using validated psychometric scales, including the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale, and Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale. Results: Higher maternal self-efficacy was significantly associated with a longer duration and greater exclusivity of breastfeeding. A statistically significant relationship between the type of breastfeeding and the degree of breastfeeding self-efficacy was observed at multiple postpartum milestones: in the first and third 24 h postpartum, and at the end of the sixth week, third month, and sixth month postpartum. Conclusion: The findings underscore the critical role of maternal self-efficacy in breastfeeding success, influenced by individual psychological factors and broader socio-cultural contexts. Strengthening maternal self-efficacy is essential for improving breastfeeding outcomes.
Background: Emerging evidence suggests the clinical utility of N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in multiple cardiac and pulmonary abnormalities both in adult and pediatric ...populations. To date, however, there is no consensus regarding its efficacy for the prediction and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature neonates. The objective of the present meta-analysis was to determine differences in NT-proBNP among neonates that develop BPD or die from BPD and to evaluate if there is relative information on the diagnostic accuracy of the method. Methods: We conducted a systematic search according to the PRISMA guidelines and looked into Medline (1966–2023), Scopus (2004–2023), Clinicaltrials.gov (2008–2023), EMBASE (1980–2023), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL (1999–2022) and Google Scholar (2004–2023) together with the reference lists from included studies. The potential risk of bias encountered in our study was evaluated using the QUADAS -2 tool. Finally, a total of 9 studies met the eligibility criteria, comprising 1319 newborns, from which 397 developed BPD and 922 were unaffected controls. Results: The results retrieved from our meta-analysis showed that newborns suffering from BPD had notably elevated NT-proBNP levels after birth when compared with healthy neonates (SMD 2.57, 95% CI 0.41, 4.72). The summary effect of the AUC meta-analysis showed that NT-proBNP was very accurate in detecting neonates at risk of developing severe BPD or dying from the disease (AUC −0.16, 95% CI −0.23, −0.08). No studies reported data relevant to the sensitivity and/or specificity of the method in diagnosing BPD. Conclusion: Serum NT-proBNP levels represent a potential future biomarker with great diagnostic validity for the prediction of BPD complicating preterm deliveries. The limited amount of studies included and the significant variations in cutoff values and timing of measurement still restrict the application of NT-proBNP as an established clinical biomarker for BPD. The design of larger prospective studies will provide a more representative number of participants and will address the discrepancies in existing literature.
PDF
