Imbalances of gut microbiota composition are linked to a range of metabolic perturbations. In the present study, we examined the gut microbiota of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and ...normoglycaemic pregnant women in late pregnancy and about 8 months postpartum.
Gut microbiota profiles of women with GDM (n = 50) and healthy (n = 157) pregnant women in the third trimester and 8 months postpartum were assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the V1-V2 region. Insulin and glucose homeostasis were evaluated by a 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test during and after pregnancy.
Gut microbiota of women with GDM was aberrant at multiple levels, including phylum and genus levels, compared with normoglycaemic pregnant women. Actinobacteria at phylum level and Collinsella, Rothia and Desulfovibrio at genus level had a higher abundance in the GDM cohort. Difference in abundance of 17 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) during pregnancy was associated with GDM. After adjustment for pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), 5 of the 17 OTUs showed differential abundance in the GDM cohort compared with the normoglycaemic pregnant women with enrichment of species annotated to Faecalibacterium and Anaerotruncus and depletion of species annotated to Clostridium (sensu stricto) and to Veillonella. OTUs assigned to Akkermansia were associated with lower insulin sensitivity while Christensenella OTUs were associated with higher fasting plasma glucose concentration. OTU richness and Shannon index decreased from late pregnancy to postpartum regardless of metabolic status. About 8 months after delivery, the microbiota of women with previous GDM was still characterised by an aberrant composition. Thirteen OTUs were differentially abundant in women with previous GDM compared with women with previous normoglycaemic pregnancy.
GDM diagnosed in the third trimester of pregnancy is associated with a disrupted gut microbiota composition compared with normoglycaemic pregnant women, and 8 months after pregnancy, differences in the gut microbiota signatures are still detectable. The gut microbiota composition of women with GDM, both during and after pregnancy, resembles the aberrant microbiota composition reported in non-pregnant individuals with type 2 diabetes and associated intermediary metabolic traits.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a well-documented negative effect on the quality of life of affected patients. Psoriasis often occurs in the reproductive years, during which the ...issue of pregnancy needs to be addressed. The course of psoriasis during pregnancy is unpredictable, and many patients face the challenge of needing treatment during pregnancy. In this review we provide an overview of the key considerations for managing psoriasis in pregnant women, covering the potential effects of active psoriasis and co-morbid conditions on the health of the mother and fetus, as well as the effects of psoriasis treatment options on the developing fetus. Although there are no robust data on the safety of systemic treatment of pregnant women, increasing evidence regarding the safety of cyclosporine (ciclosporin) treatment as well as anti-tumor necrosis factor-α is available and should be considered in pregnant women with moderate to severe psoriasis unresponsive to local corticosteroids and UVB light treatment.
Offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have increased risk of developing metabolic disorders as they grow up. Microbial colonization of the newborn gut and environmental ...exposures affecting the configuration of the gut microbiota during infancy have been linked to increased risk of developing disease during childhood and adulthood. In a convenience sample, we examined whether the intestinal tract of children born to mothers with GDM is differentially colonized in early life compared to offspring of mothers with normal gestational glucose regulation. Secondly, we examined whether any such difference persists during infancy, thus potentially conferring increased risk of developing metabolic disease later in life.
Fecal samples were collected from children of mothers with (
= 43) and without GDM (
= 82) during the first week of life and again at an average age of 9 months. The gut microbiota was characterized by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (V1-V2). Differences in diversity and composition according to maternal GDM status were assessed, addressing potential confounding by mode of delivery, perinatal antibiotics treatment, feeding and infant sex.
Children of mothers with GDM were featured by a differential composition of the gut microbiota, both during the first week of life and at 9 months, at higher taxonomic and OTU levels. Sixteen and 15 OTUs were differentially abundant after correction for multiple testing during the first week of life and at 9 months, respectively. Two OTUs remained differentially abundant after adjustment for potential confounders both during the first week of life and at 9 months. Richness (OTU) was decreased in neonates born to mothers with GDM; however, at 9 months no difference in richness was observed. There was no difference in Shannon's diversity or Pielou's evenness at any timepoint. Longitudinally, we detected differential changes in the gut microbiota composition from birth to infancy according to GDM status.
Differences in glycaemic regulation in late pregnancy is linked with relatively modest variation in the gut microbiota composition of the offspring during the first week of life and 9 months after birth.
Objective: To assess if lactate measured with the Scout Lactate System is a reliable alternative to pH in intrapartum monitoring of the fetus.
Methods: A prospective study analyzing (1) the ...correlation between scalp lactate measured by the Scout Lactate System and the Automatic Blood Laboratory (ABL), (2) the correlation between lactate and pH measured in scalp blood and (3) the correlation between fetal scalp lactate and umbilical cord SBE. The sensitivity/specificity and positive/negative predictive values of lactate in predicting low pH were analyzed and expressed as Receiver Operating Curves (ROC).
Results: Lactate measured by the Scout Lactate System and the ABL correlated well (r
2
= 0.85). Both lactate and pH were measured in 1009 scalp blood samples. The sensitivity and specificity of lactate ≥4.8 mmol/l in predicting a pH <7.20 were 0.63 and 0.85, respectively. The correlation between scalp lactate measured within 15 min prior to delivery and the umbilical cord SBE was low.
Conclusion: Monitoring non-reassuring deliveries with scalp lactate instead of pH would have resulted in more (155 instead of 56) instrumental deliveries with no decrease in newborns with severe metabolic acidosis.
To estimate the prevalence of group B streptococcus at onset of labor and to compare the accuracy of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis based on a risk factor strategy versus an intrapartum ...screening.
In this cross-sectional study, 700 women referred for intended vaginal delivery were tested for group B streptococcus at onset of labor by gold standard culture in vaginal and rectal swabs. The results were blinded, and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis was given to women with risk factors for group B streptococcus infection: previous neonatal group B streptococcus infection, group B streptococcus in urine and/or vagina in current pregnancy, gestational age <36 + 0 weeks, temperature ≥38.0 °C or rupture of membranes ≥18 h.
Of 642 women, who delivered within three days of specimen collection, 170 (26.5%) received benzylpenicillin as intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis based on risk factors. The prevalence of group B streptococcus at onset of labor was 17.8% (114/642), with 62 women positive for group B streptococcus in both the vagina and rectum, 12 in the vagina only and 40 in rectum only.
Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis was administered correctly in 31.6% (36/114) of GBS positive women at time of delivery and 78.8% (134/170) of women who received antibiotics were actually GBS negative. The positive predictive value of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis based on risk factors was 21.2%. The sensitivity was 31.6% and the specificity was 74.6%.
The accuracy of predicting maternal group B streptococcus infection from risk factors is low. Intrapartum group B streptococcus diagnostics is more precise and will not increase the overall use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis.
BackgroundA safe delivery is part of a good start in life, and a continuous focus on preventing harm during delivery is crucial, even in settings with a good safety record. In January 2013, the ...labour unit at Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, undertook a quality improvement (QI) project to prevent asphyxia and reduced the percentage of newborns with asphyxia by 48%.MethodsThe change theory consisted of two primary elements: (1) the clinical content, including three clinical bundles of evidence-based care, a ‘delivery bundle’, an ‘oxytocin bundle’ and a ‘vacuum extraction bundle’; (2) an implementation theory, including improving skills in interpretation of cardiotocography, use of QI methods and participation in a national learning network. The Model for Improvement and Deming’s system of profound knowledge were used as a methodological framework. Data on compliance with the care bundles and the number of deliveries between newborns with asphyxia (Apgar <7 after 5 min or pH <7) were analysed using statistical process control.ResultsCompliance with all three clinical care bundles improved to 95% or more, and the percentages of newborns with pH <7 and Apgar <7 after 5 min were reduced by 48% and 31%, respectively. In general, the QI approach strengthened multidisciplinary teamwork, systematised workflow and structured communication around the deliveries. Changes included making a standard memo in the medical record, the use of a bedside whiteboard, bedside handovers, shared decisions with a peer when using an oxytocin infusion and the use of a checklist before vacuum extractions.ConclusionThis QI project illustrates how aspects of patient safety, such as the prevention of asphyxia, can be improved using QI methods to more reliably implement best practice, even in high-performing systems.
We compared the risk of a repeat termination and the method of termination in women with a prior medical or surgical termination, or both, in a cohort study of women with a pregnancy termination at ...gestational age ≤63 days in 1999–2001. Within 5 years, 24% (330/1379) had a repeat abortion, and repeat terminations were more frequent in the surgical 27% (159/588) than the medical group 22% (171/791) (p < 0.05). The method used at the repeat termination was medical in 49% (83/171) of women with an earlier medical termination, compared with 13% (21/159) (p < 0.01) in women with an earlier surgical termination. In 125 women who had experienced both procedures, 37% (46/125) of the next terminations were performed medically and 63% (79/125) surgically (p < 0.01). Women in our study with a repeat termination tended to choose the same method as used before, and more often a surgical termination.
Pre-eclampsia is a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Large studies of high-risk pregnant women have shown reduced risk of developing pre-eclampsia when they are treated with ...low-dose acetylsalicylic acid in early pregnancy. Treatment is also effective in preventing intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth and perinatal death. No major side effects, including risk of malformations or miscarriage, are reported. It is important that general practitioners are aware of women who have an increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia, so that treatment with 100 mg of acetylsalicylic acid can be started early in pregnancy.
Data from hospital-based registers and medical records offer valuable sources of information for clinical and epidemiological research purposes. However, conducting high-quality epidemiological ...research requires valid and complete data sources.
To assess completeness and validity of a hospital-based clinical register - the Obstetric Database - using a national register and medical records as references.
We assessed completeness of a hospital-based clinical register - the Obstetric Database - by linking data from all women registered in the Obstetric Database as having given birth in 2013 to the National Patient Register with coverage of all births in 2013. Validity of eleven selected indicators from the Obstetric Database was assessed using medical records as a golden standard. Using a random sample of 250 medical records, we calculated proportion of agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for each indicator. Two assessors independently reviewed medical records and inter-rater reliability was calculated as proportion of agreement and Cohen's κ coefficient.
We found 100% completeness of the Obstetric Database when compared to the Danish National Patient Register. Except for one delivery all 6,717 deliveries were present in both registers. Proportion of agreement between the Obstetric Database and medical records ranged from 91.1% to 99.6% for the eleven indicators. The validity measures ranged from 0.70 to 1.00 indicating high validity of the Obstetric Database. κ coefficients from the inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.71 to 1.00.
Completeness and validity of the Obstetric Database were found acceptable when using the National Patient Register and medical records as golden standards. The Obstetric Database therefore offers a valuable source for examining clinical, administrative, and research questions.
In Denmark, the benefits of breastfeeding are emphasized and the Danish Health and Medicines Authority encourages women to breastfeed for at least six months. Raynaud's phenomenon can occur in any ...small arteriole and cause painful, temporary ischaemia. Women quit breastfeeding prematurely for a variety of reasons, pain being just one of them. In this case report we describe an incident of Raynaud's phenomenon of the nipple and describe how correct diagnosis can prevent unnecessary medical treatment and cause relief of symptoms, thus avoiding premature cessation of breastfeeding.
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