scholarly journals Maternal iron status in early pregnancy and birth outcomes: insights from the Baby's Vascular health and Iron in Pregnancy study

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (12) ◽  
pp. 1985-1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisreen A. Alwan ◽  
Janet E. Cade ◽  
Harry J. McArdle ◽  
Darren C. Greenwood ◽  
Helen E. Hayes ◽  
...  

Fe deficiency anaemia during early pregnancy has been linked with low birth weight and preterm birth. However, this evidence comes mostly from studies measuring Hb levels rather than specific measures of Fe deficiency. The present study aimed to examine the association between maternal Fe status during the first trimester of pregnancy, as assessed by serum ferritin, transferrin receptor and their ratio, with size at birth and preterm birth. In the Baby VIP (Baby's Vascular health and Iron in Pregnancy) study, we recruited 362 infants and their mothers after delivery in Leeds, UK. Biomarkers were measured in maternal serum samples previously obtained in the first trimester of pregnancy. The cohort included sixty-four (18 %) small for gestational age (SGA) babies. Thirty-three babies were born preterm (9 %; between 34 and 37 weeks). First trimester maternal Fe depletion was associated with a higher risk of SGA (adjusted OR 2·2, 95 % CI 1·1, 4·1). This relationship was attenuated when including early pregnancy Hb in the model, suggesting it as a mediator (adjusted OR 1·6, 95 % CI 0·8, 3·2). For every 10 g/l increase in maternal Hb level in the first half of pregnancy the risk of SGA was reduced by 30 % (adjusted 95 % CI 0, 40 %); levels below 110 g/l were associated with a 3-fold increase in the risk of SGA (95 % CI 1·0, 9·0). There was no evidence of association between maternal Fe depletion and preterm birth (adjusted OR 1·5, 95 % 0·6, 3·8). The present study shows that depleted Fe stores in early pregnancy are associated with higher risk of SGA.

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S141-S141
Author(s):  
Dana Allswede ◽  
Robert Yolken ◽  
Stephen Buka ◽  
Tyrone Cannon

Abstract Background Schizophrenia has been associated with pregnancy and birth complications, and fetal exposure to inflammation is thought to be a common underlying mechanism. However, it is unclear whether the risk associated with inflammation is specific to particular phases of pregnancy, as no prior studies have examined maternal serum samples across multiple assessments from the first trimester onward. This study examined differences in longitudinal patterns of maternal serum levels of TNFa, IL-1b, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17a across pregnancy for offspring who were later ascertained as having a psychotic disorder diagnosis, non-psychotic siblings of these cases, and unrelated, non-psychotic individuals who served as controls. Methods Participants included 90 offspring, 79 siblings, and 273 matched controls from the Philadelphia cohort of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project. Psychotic disorder diagnoses in adulthood were assessed with review of medical records and were confirmed with a validation study. Cytokine levels were assessed using a multiplex bead assay in archived maternal serum samples collected across prenatal visits and birth. Results Levels of pro-inflammatory TNFa, IL-1b, and IL-6 were significantly higher in maternal serum of offspring who later developed psychosis relative to maternal serum of non-psychotic siblings and matched controls. These differences were maximal in first half of pregnancy (7–20 weeks), tapering to non-significant during the second half of pregnancy. Discussion These findings elucidate the importance of exposure to elevated maternal pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in early pregnancy to the etiology of psychosis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina Z. Khambalia ◽  
Clare E. Collins ◽  
Christine L. Roberts ◽  
Jonathan M. Morris ◽  
Katie L. Powell ◽  
...  

Previous studies have reported inconsistent associations between maternal serum ferritin concentrations and the risk of spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). The aim of the present study was to examine the association between Fe biomarkers, including serum ferritin concentrations, and the risk of total ( < 37 weeks), early ( < 34 weeks) and moderate-to-late (34–36 weeks) sPTB. The study cohort included 2254 women with singleton pregnancies attending first-trimester screening in New South Wales, Australia. sPTB included births following spontaneous labour or preterm premature rupture of the membranes. Serum collected at a mean gestational age of 12·0 (sd 0·9) weeks was analysed for Fe biomarkers, including serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and the inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein. Multivariate logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between low and high Fe levels and sPTB. Women with elevated serum ferritin concentrations were more likely to be older, nulliparous or have gestational diabetes. The multivariate analysis found increased odds of sPTB for women with elevated ferritin levels defined as >75th percentile ( ≥ 43 μg/l) (OR 1·49, 95 % CI 1·06, 2·10) and >90th percentile ( ≥ 68 μg/l) (OR 1·92, 95 % CI 1·25, 2·96). Increased odds of early and moderate-to-late sPTB were associated with ferritin levels >90th percentile (OR 2·50, 95 % CI 1·32, 4·73) and >75th percentile (OR 1·56, 95 % CI 1·03, 2·37), respectively. No association was found between the risk of sPTB and elevated sTfR levels or Fe deficiency. In conclusion, elevated maternal serum ferritin levels in early pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of sPTB from 34 weeks of gestation. The usefulness of early pregnancy ferritin levels in identifying women at risk of sPTB warrants further investigation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Pillai ◽  
D Tincello ◽  
N Potdar

Abstract Study question Are women presenting with bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy at a higher risk for perinatal complications later in pregnancy? Summary answer Women presenting with bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy are more likely to experience perinatal and neonatal morbidity in pregnancy. What is known already Observational studies and a previously reported systematic review showed that women who experienced threatened miscarriage are more likely to have still birth, intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR), low birth weight, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, placenta previa, preterm labour, preterm prelabour rupture of membrane, neonatal asphyxia and congenital anomalies in pregnancy. However, the evidence has been inconclusive and currently the women who experience threatened miscarriage receive low risk care. Study design, size, duration This was a prospective cohort study conducted on 298 women with threatened miscarriage (Cohort A) and 107 asymptomatic women (Cohort B). The women were recruited over a period of 18 months and were followed up for 9 months until delivery. Participants/materials, setting, methods Cohort A were women who presented with bleeding in the early pregnancy assessment unit and had a confirmed heartbeat on ultrasound scan between 6 weeks and 11 + 6 weeks of pregnancy and cohort B were women who were asymptomatic and booked with the community midwives as low risk. Both groups of women were followed up prospectively until delivery and data were collected on any perinatal outcomes and complications for both mother and the neonate. Main results and the role of chance The analysis showed that women who had bleeding in early pregnancy were more likely to have preterm delivery (RR 95% CI; 2.98 (1.07 – 8.27)); IUGR (unable to calculate the RR, as none of the women who continued their pregnancies beyond 24 weeks of gestation, developed IUGR in the asymptomatic control cohort. Nonetheless, IUGR occurred more frequently in the threatened miscarriage cohort than the asymptomatic cohort (P-value 0.02)); LBW (RR 95% CI; 6.14 (1.49 – 25.19), neonatal asphyxia (unable to calculate the RR, as none of the babies who were born to women in the asymptomatic control cohort develop neonatal asphyxia. Nonetheless, neonatal asphyxia occurred more frequently in the threatened miscarriage cohort than the asymptomatic cohort (P-value 0.02)). Preterm prelabour rupture of membrane was not significant with a P-value of 0.07. Limitations, reasons for caution The major limitation of this study was lower sample size and hence due to the rarity of many of the perinatal and neonatal outcomes, we were unable to calculate the relative risk. Wider implications of the findings: Current study agrees with the existing literature and reaffirms the association of perinatal and neonatal morbidities with threatened miscarriage and this group of women need to be managed as high-risk group antenatally. Trial registration number Not applicable


Med Phoenix ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
Akhilesh Kumar Jha ◽  
Bikranta Rimal ◽  
Tarannum Khatun

Background: Ultrasonography is the reliable and safe way for the evaluation of pregnancy. Heart rate can be detected more confidently from the Ultrasonography. Heart rate is an important parameter for the evaluation of early pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the normal heart rate in embryos/fetuses between 6 and 8 weeks of gestation.Method: In our region people are poor and most of them do not know the benefit of regular follow up examination during pregnancy. So most of pregnant women come to our centre at late stage of pregnancy. The number of pregnancy cases is good in our centre but the number of early pregnancy cases coming to regular follow up examination is low. Thus the study was conducted in 51 normal singleton pregnancies undergoing routine ultrasound examination during the first trimester of pregnancy. The duration of study was 6 weeks.Result: Out of 51 singleton pregnancies, 20 cases (39.2%) heart rate were between 131-150 beat per minute and 25 cases (49.0 %) heart rate were between 151-170 beat per minute. However 4 cases (7.8%) were between 110-120 beat per minute and 2 cases (3.9%) were more than 171 beat per minute. There were zero cases above the 180 beat per minute.Conclusion: The result of this study will help to evaluate abnormal and normal fetal heart rate so that early clinical decision whether to continue the pregnancy or terminate it can be taken, as Ultrasonography is only the method used in screening fetal well being in most of the region of our country.Med Phoenix Vol.2(1) July 2017, 34-37


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromitsu Nagata ◽  
Hiroyasu Nishizawa ◽  
Susumu Mashima ◽  
Yasuyuki Shimahara

Abstract Background Meckel’s diverticulum is considered the most prevalent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 4% of patients are symptomatic with complications such as bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and inflammation, while axial torsion of Meckel’s diverticulum is rare, particularly in pregnancy. Case presentation A 31-year-old woman in week 15 of pregnancy complained of epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. Clinical diagnosis was severe hyperemesis gravidarum. Because the symptoms persisted during hospitalization, CT was performed and revealed dilated small bowel loops with multiple air-fluid levels. In the right mid-abdomen, there was a large part of air containing a cavity connected to the small intestine, which was considered a dilated bowel loop. Emergency laparotomy was performed and axial torsion of a large Meckel’s diverticulum measuring 11 cm was found at a few centimeters proximal to the ileocecal valve. Ileocecal resection including Meckel’s diverticulum was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. At 40 weeks gestation, she had vaginal delivery of normal baby. Conclusion The physiological and anatomical changes in pregnancy can make a straightforward clinical diagnosis difficult. Prompt diagnosis and management were needed in order to avoid significant maternal and fetal risks. The use of imaging examinations, especially CT examination, with proper timing may be helpful to prevent delay in diagnosis and surgical intervention. Here, we report the case of a patient with axial torsion of Meckel’s diverticulum in pregnancy. To our knowledge, axial torsion of Meckel’s diverticulum in the first trimester of pregnancy has not been reported in the English medical literature.


2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 4800-4805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Koss ◽  
Dana C. Baras ◽  
Sandra D. Lane ◽  
Richard Aubry ◽  
Michele Marcus ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTTo assess whether treatment with metronidazole during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, or major congenital anomalies, we conducted chart reviews and an analysis of electronic data from a cohort of women delivering at an urban New York State hospital. Of 2,829 singleton/mother pairs, 922 (32.6%) mothers were treated with metronidazole for clinical indications, 348 (12.3%) during the first trimester of pregnancy and 553 (19.5%) in the second or third trimester. There were 333 (11.8%) preterm births, 262 (9.3%) infants of low birth weight, and 52 infants (1.8%) with congenital anomalies. In multivariable analysis, no association was found between metronidazole treatment and preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 1.02 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.32]), low birth weight (OR, 1.05 [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.43]), or treatment in the first trimester and congenital anomalies (OR, 0.86 [0.30 to 2.45]). We found no association between metronidazole treatment during the first or later trimesters of pregnancy and preterm birth, low birth weight, or congenital anomalies.


2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmina Durković ◽  
Luka Anđelić ◽  
Bojana Mandić ◽  
Denis Lazar

False Positive Values of Biomarkers of Prenatal Screening on Chromosomopathy as Indicators of a Risky PregnancyGenetic screening on chromosomopathy has been performed on 2000 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy by determining Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A and free-beta HCG biomarkers in maternal serum. After obtaining a normal fetal karyotype, the pathological values of the biomarkers have been correlated with other pregnancy disorders, and the possible causes of the positive genetic screening have been tested. 340 false positive biomarkers (17%) have been detected. The increased free-beta HCG (48.24%) had a significant influence. A significant correlation (p > 0.01) between the increased free-beta HCG and bleeding during pregnancy has been established. Complications occurred in 78.52% pregnancies with pathological biomarkers, MISSed in 13.82%, miscarriages in 10.88%, induced pregnancy terminations caused by fetal anomalies in 8.82% and births with disturbed fetal vitality in 45%. The research results have shown a significant correlation (p > 0.01) between the increased value of the free-beta HCG biomarkers and fetal hypoxia. The false positive genetic screening, caused by the increased free-beta HCG, can indicate placental dysfunction and fetal vitality disruption.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. e228493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bedayah Amro ◽  
Ghassan Lotfi

Spontaneous uterine rupture during early pregnancy is an extremely rare occurrence and may vary in presentation and course of events, hence the clinical diagnosis is often challenging. We present our experience with two such cases of spontaneous uterine rupture in the first trimester of pregnancy without any identifiable underlying risk factors. The first case was at 12 weeks of gestation and the second case was at 6 weeks gestational age (GA). Both cases were diagnosed and managed by the laparoscopic approach. We are reporting the earliest documented GA in which spontaneous uterine rupture occurred. So far, the earliest GA reported in the literature according to our knowledge was at 7+3 weeks. Access to a laparoscopic facility is crucial in the early definitive diagnosis and prompt management of these cases, since this may significantly reduce the risk of severe morbidity and mortality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-470
Author(s):  
Wasan Wajdi Ibrahim ◽  
Afraa Mahjoob Al-Naddawi ◽  
Hayder A. Fawzi

Objectives: Assessment of glycodelin (GD) as a marker for unruptured ectopic pregnancy (EP) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted during June 2016 to May 2017 in the Obstetrics and Gynecological Department of Baghdad University at Baghdad teaching hospital/medical city complex. In this study, 100 pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy were included after clinical and ultrasonic findings. Results: Based on the results, GD levels in EP were significantly lower than those with normal intrauterine pregnancy (1.58 ± 1.18 vs. 30.1 ± 11.9). In addition, using receiver operator curve analysis, the cut-off GD level of 9.5 and less had acceptable validity results (100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 95% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and accuracy 100%) to predict EP. Conclusions: In general, serum GD is considered as an excellent predictor of unruptured EP.


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