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Baer RJ, Chambers CD, Ryckman KK, Oltman SP, Rand L, Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL. Risk of preterm and early term birth by maternal drug use. J Perinatol 2019; 39:286-294. [PMID: 30573752 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-018-0299-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the risk of preterm birth (PTB, < 37 weeks) and early term birth (37-38 weeks) for women with reported drug abuse/dependence. STUDY DESIGN The population was drawn from singleton livebirths in California from 2007 to 2012. Drug abuse/dependence was determined from maternal diagnostic codes (opioid, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine, other, or polysubstance). Relative risks, adjusted for maternal factors were calculated for PTB and early term birth. RESULT Of the 2,890,555 women in the sample, 1.7% (n = 48,133) had a diagnostic code for drug abuse/dependence. The percentage of PTBs varied from 11.6% (cannabis) to 24.3% (cocaine), compared with 6.7% of women without reported drug abuse/dependence. CONCLUSION Women with reported drug abuse/dependence during pregnancy were at increased risk of having a PTB and all but those using cannabis were at risk of having an early term birth. Women using cocaine and polysubstance were at the highest risk of birth < 32 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Baer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | | | - Kelli K Ryckman
- Departments of Epidemiology and Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Scott P Oltman
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Larry Rand
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura L Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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MOTLAGH ME, NASROLLAHPOUR SHIRVANI SD, TORKESTANI F, HASSANZADEH-ROSTAMI Z, RABIEE SM, ASHRAFIAN AMIRI H, RADPOOYAN L. The Frequency of Anemia and Underlying Factors among Iranian Pregnant Women from Provinces with Different Maternal Mortality Rate. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 48:338-344. [PMID: 31205889 PMCID: PMC6556192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anemia is a common nutritional disorder that is more prevalent in pregnant women than other population groups. This study aimed to assess the frequency of anemia and its association with health care determinants among Iranian pregnant women from provinces with different Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). METHODS This cross-sectional survey was carried out on 2737 pregnant women referred to public health centers in Iran, 2015. The participants were randomly selected by multistage sampling from six provinces with low, moderate or high MMR. The level of hemoglobin lower than 11 g/dl were defined as anemia in first and third trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS The rate of anemia in first and third trimester were respectively 8.2 and 26.7%. The most determinants of anemia among women in both first and third trimester of pregnancy were geographical classes with high MMR, no care before pregnancy, and type of house. Moreover, lower number of previous pregnancies (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.85) and adequate care during pregnancy (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.92) were protected women from anemia and high number of children (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.80) enhanced risk of anemia in first trimester of pregnancy. Moreover, higher body mass index had lower odds of anemia in third trimester. CONCLUSION The rate of anemia is differed in various parts of Iran, and this disorder gets worse in third trimester of pregnancy than first. Strengthening health care programs may be a useful strategies to prevent and control anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Esmaeil MOTLAGH
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran,Corresponding Author:
| | | | - Farahnaz TORKESTANI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra HASSANZADEH-ROSTAMI
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed-Mozaffar RABIEE
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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Second trimester inflammatory and metabolic markers in women delivering preterm with and without preeclampsia. J Perinatol 2019; 39:314-320. [PMID: 30518800 PMCID: PMC6760589 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-018-0275-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inflammatory and metabolic pathways are implicated in preterm birth and preeclampsia. However, studies rarely compare second trimester inflammatory and metabolic markers between women who deliver preterm with and without preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN A sample of 129 women (43 with preeclampsia) with preterm delivery was obtained from an existing population-based birth cohort. Banked second trimester serum samples were assayed for 267 inflammatory and metabolic markers. Backwards-stepwise logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios. RESULTS Higher 5-α-pregnan-3β,20α-diol disulfate, and lower 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine and octadecanedioate, predicted increased odds of preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS Among women with preterm births, those who developed preeclampsia differed with respect metabolic markers. These findings point to potential etiologic underpinnings for preeclampsia as a precursor to preterm birth.
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Ahrens KA, Nelson H, Stidd RL, Moskosky S, Hutcheon JA. Short interpregnancy intervals and adverse perinatal outcomes in high-resource settings: An updated systematic review. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2019; 33:O25-O47. [PMID: 30353935 PMCID: PMC7379643 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review summarises association between short interpregnancy intervals and adverse perinatal health outcomes in high-resource settings to inform recommendations for healthy birth spacing for the United States. METHODS Five databases and a previous systematic review were searched for relevant articles published between 1966 and 1 May 2017. We included studies meeting the following criteria: (a) reporting of perinatal health outcomes after a short interpregnancy interval since last livebirth; (b) conducted within a high-resource setting; and (c) estimates were adjusted for maternal age and at least one socio-economic factor. RESULTS Nine good-quality and 18 fair-quality studies were identified. Interpregnancy intervals <6 months were associated with a clinically and statistically significant increased risk of adverse outcomes in studies of preterm birth (eg, aOR ≥ 1.20 in 10 of 14 studies); spontaneous preterm birth (eg, aOR ≥ 1.20 in one of two studies); small-for-gestational age (eg, aOR ≥ 1.20 in 5 of 11 studies); and infant mortality (eg, aOR ≥ 1.20 in four of four studies), while four studies of perinatal death showed no association. Interpregnancy intervals of 6-11 and 12-17 months generally had smaller point estimates and confidence intervals that included the null. Most studies were population-based and few included adjustment for detailed measures of key confounders. CONCLUSIONS In high-resource settings, there is some evidence showing interpregnancy intervals <6 months since last livebirth are associated with increased risks for preterm birth, small-for-gestational age and infant death; however, results were inconsistent. Additional research controlling for confounding would further inform recommendations for healthy birth spacing for the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Ahrens
- Office of Population AffairsOffice of the Assistant Secretary for HealthU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesRockvilleMaryland
| | - Heidi Nelson
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical EpidemiologyOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandOregon
| | | | - Susan Moskosky
- Office of Population AffairsOffice of the Assistant Secretary for HealthU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesRockvilleMaryland
| | - Jennifer A. Hutcheon
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
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Smith CJ, Baer RJ, Oltman SP, Breheny PJ, Bao W, Robinson JG, Dagle JM, Liang L, Feuer SK, Chambers CD, Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL, Ryckman KK. Maternal dyslipidemia and risk for preterm birth. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209579. [PMID: 30576377 PMCID: PMC6303099 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal lipid profiles during pregnancy are associated with risk for preterm birth. This study investigates the association between maternal dyslipidemia and subsequent preterm birth among pregnant women in the state of California. Births were identified from California birth certificate and hospital discharge records from 2007-2012 (N = 2,865,987). Preterm birth was defined as <37 weeks completed gestation and dyslipidemia was defined by diagnostic codes. Subtypes of preterm birth were classified as preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), spontaneous labor, and medically indicated, according to birth certificate data and diagnostic codes. The association between dyslipidemia and preterm birth was tested with logistic regression. Models were adjusted for maternal age at delivery, race/ethnicity, hypertension, pre-pregnancy body mass index, insurance type, and education. Maternal dyslipidemia was significantly associated with increased odds of preterm birth (adjusted OR: 1.49, 95%CI: 1.39, 1.59). This finding was consistent across all subtypes of preterm birth, including PPROM (adjusted OR: 1.54, 95%CI: 1.34, 1.76), spontaneous (adjusted OR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.39, 1.65), and medically indicated (adjusted OR: 1.454, 95%CI: 1.282, 1.649). This study suggests that maternal dyslipidemia is associated with increased risk for all types of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin J. Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Rebecca J. Baer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Scott P. Oltman
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Patrick J. Breheny
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Wei Bao
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jennifer G. Robinson
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - John M. Dagle
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Liang Liang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Sky K. Feuer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Christina D. Chambers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Laura L. Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kelli K. Ryckman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
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Baer RJ, Chambers CD, Ryckman KK, Oltman SP, Rand L, Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL. High risk of spontaneous preterm birth among infants with gastroschisis. Am J Med Genet A 2018; 179:37-42. [PMID: 30549407 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.60675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We examined the association between gastroschisis and preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks) by subtype. The sample was drawn from singleton live births in California from 2007 to 2012 contained in a birth cohort file maintained by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (n = 2,891,965; 1,421 with gastroschisis). Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for PTB by gestational age (<34, 34-36, and any <37 weeks) and by type (spontaneous labor with intact membranes, preterm premature rupture of the membranes [PPROM], provider initiated) and were adjusted for maternal characteristics. Over 44.5% of infants with gastroschisis were born preterm because of spontaneous etiologies; notably, 8.4% of infants with gastroschisis were born <34 weeks because of spontaneous etiologies (adjusted RRs 9.1-12.2). Overall, 53.7% of infants with gastroschisis were born preterm compared with only 6.9% of infants without gastroschisis (adjusted RR 15.2, 95% CI 13.6-19.5) and are at particularly high risk of spontaneous PTB. Nearly 9% of infants with gastroschisis delivered <34 weeks, regardless of preterm etiology, indicating that these infants are at great risk for PTB morbidities in addition to the complications from gastroschisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Baer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.,California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Christina D Chambers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Kelli K Ryckman
- Departments of Epidemiology and Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Scott P Oltman
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Departments of Epidemiology and Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.,Department of Epi and Biostats, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Larry Rand
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Laura L Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Departments of Epidemiology and Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.,Department of Epi and Biostats, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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57
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Yuan X, Long W, Liu J, Zhang B, Zhou W, Jiang J, Yu B, Wang H. Associations of serum markers screening for Down's syndrome with pregnancy outcomes: A Chinese retrospective cohort study. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 489:130-135. [PMID: 30529497 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined the associations between Down's serum screening analytes and pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 2470 pregnant women was conducted. Maternal serum triple tests (AFP, fβ-hCG, uE3), maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were recorded from our prenatal screening and hospitalization information system, respectively. RESULTS The elevated concentration of uE3 in the early-second trimester was associated with increased risk of LGA infants and macrosomia, decreased risk of PE and small SGA infants (for LGA: OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.09-1.65; for macrosomia: OR:1.39, 95% CI: 1.08-1.78; for PE: OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.40-0.95; for SGA: OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.25-0.49). The increased ratio of AFP/uE3 was associated with reduced risk of GDM in the study populations (BMI ≥ 25; OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.0.93-1.00). The higher ratio of AFP/fβ-hCG + uE3 associated with increased risk of SGA infants and ICP in these subjects (BMI ≥ 25) was also observed (for SGA: OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.18; for ICP: OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06-1.53). CONCLUSIONS Down's serum screening analytes were associated with pregnancy outcomes in Chinese population and might provide an alternative tools for risk estimates on these unfavorable outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosong Yuan
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 16 Bo Ai Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Long
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 16 Bo Ai Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jianbing Liu
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 16 Bo Ai Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 16 Bo Ai Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wenbai Zhou
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 16 Bo Ai Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jian Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 16 Bo Ai Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 16 Bo Ai Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, No. 16 Bo Ai Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
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58
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Lorthe E. [Epidemiology, risk factors and child prognosis: CNGOF Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes Guidelines]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 46:1004-1021. [PMID: 30385352 DOI: 10.1016/j.gofs.2018.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To synthetize the available evidence regarding the incidence and risk factors of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). To describe the evolution of pregnancy, neonatal outcomes and the prognosis of infants born in a context of PPROM, according to the existence of an associated intrauterine infection and to the latency duration. METHOD Consultation of the Medline database, from 1980 to February 2018. RESULTS PPROM before 37 and before 34 weeks' gestation occur in 2-3% and <1% of pregnancies, respectively (LE2). Although many risk factors are identified, few are modifiable, and the vast majority of patients have no risk factors (LE2). Consequently, individual prediction of the risk of PPROM and primary prevention measures have not been shown to be effective and are not recommended in clinical practice (Grade B). Most women give birth within the week following PPROM (LE2). The main complications of PPROM are prematurity, intrauterine infection and obstetric and maternal complications (LE2). Latency duration and the frequency of complications decrease with increasing gestational age at PPROM (LE2). Neonatal prognosis is largely conditioned by gestational age at birth, with no apparent over-risk of poor outcomes linked to PPROM compared to other causes of preterm birth (LE2). In contrast, intrauterine infection is associated with an increased risk of in utero fetal death (LE3), necrotizing enterocolitis (LE1) and early-onset sepsis (LE2). The association of intrauterine infection with neurological morbidity remains controversial. Prolongation of latency, from gestational age at PPROM, is beneficial for the child (LE2). CONCLUSION PPROM is a major cause of prematurity and short- and long-term mortality and morbidity. Antenatal care is an important issue for obstetric and pediatric teams, aiming to reduce complications and adverse consequences for both mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Lorthe
- Inserm UMR 1153, obstetrical, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology research team (Épopé), Center for epidemiology and statistics Sorbonne Paris Cité, département hospitalo-universitaire risks in pregnancy, Paris Descartes university, 75000 Paris, France; EPI unit - institute of public health, university of Porto, rua das Taipas n(o) 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal.
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59
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Second trimester serum cortisol and preterm birth: an analysis by timing and subtype. J Perinatol 2018; 38:973-981. [PMID: 29795321 PMCID: PMC6092235 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-018-0128-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We hypothesized second trimester serum cortisol would be higher in spontaneous preterm births compared to provider-initiated (previously termed 'medically indicated') preterm births. STUDY DESIGN We used a nested case-control design with a sample of 993 women with live births. Cortisol was measured from serum samples collected as part of routine prenatal screening. We tested whether mean-adjusted cortisol fold-change differed by gestational age at delivery or preterm birth subtype using multivariable linear regression. RESULT An inverse association between cortisol and gestational age category (trend p = 0.09) was observed. Among deliveries prior to 37 weeks, the mean-adjusted cortisol fold-change values were highest for preterm premature rupture of the membranes (1.10), followed by premature labor (1.03) and provider-initiated preterm birth (1.01), although they did not differ statistically. CONCLUSION Cortisol continues to be of interest as a marker of future preterm birth. Augmentation with additional biomarkers should be explored.
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60
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Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL, Rand L, Bedell B, Baer RJ, Oltman SP, Norton ME, Shaw GM, Stevenson DK, Murray JC, Ryckman KK. Prediction of preterm birth with and without preeclampsia using mid-pregnancy immune and growth-related molecular factors and maternal characteristics. J Perinatol 2018; 38:963-972. [PMID: 29795450 PMCID: PMC6089890 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-018-0112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate if mid-pregnancy immune and growth-related molecular factors predict preterm birth (PTB) with and without (±) preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN Included were 400 women with singleton deliveries in California in 2009-2010 (200 PTB and 200 term) divided into training and testing samples at a 2:1 ratio. Sixty-three markers were tested in 15-20 serum samples using multiplex technology. Linear discriminate analysis was used to create a discriminate function. Model performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS Twenty-five serum biomarkers along with maternal age <34 years and poverty status identified >80% of women with PTB ± preeclampsia with best performance in women with preterm preeclampsia (AUC = 0.889, 95% confidence interval (0.822-0.959) training; 0.883 (0.804-0.963) testing). CONCLUSION Together with maternal age and poverty status, mid-pregnancy immune and growth factors reliably identified most women who went on to have a PTB ± preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura L Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA.
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, 94107, USA.
| | - Larry Rand
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, 94107, USA
| | - Bruce Bedell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Rebecca J Baer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, 94107, USA
| | - Scott P Oltman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, 94107, USA
| | - Mary E Norton
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - David K Stevenson
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Murray
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa School of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Kelli K Ryckman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
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First trimester prenatal screening biomarkers and gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201319. [PMID: 30048548 PMCID: PMC6062092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers commonly assessed in prenatal screening have been associated with a number of adverse perinatal and birth outcomes. However, it is not clear whether first trimester measurements of prenatal screening biomarkers are associated with subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to systematically review and statistically summarize studies assessing the relationship between first trimester prenatal screening biomarker levels and GDM development. We comprehensively searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Scopus (from inception through January 2018) and manually searched the reference lists of all relevant articles. We included original, published, observational studies examining the association of first trimester pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and/or free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-hCG) levels with GDM diagnosis. Mean differences were calculated comparing PAPP-A and free β-hCG multiples of median (MoM) levels between women who developed GDM and those who did not and were subsequently pooled using two-sided random-effects models. Our meta-analysis of 13 studies on PAPP-A and nine studies on free β-hCG indicated that first trimester MoM levels for both biomarkers were lower in women who later developed GDM compared to women who remained normoglycemic throughout pregnancy (MD -0.17; 95% CI -0.24, -0.10; MD -0.04; 95% CI -0.07–0.01). There was no evidence for between-study heterogeneity among studies on free β-hCG (I2 = 0%). A high level of between-study heterogeneity was detected among the studies reporting on PAPP-A (I2 = 90%), but was reduced after stratifying by geographic location, biomarker assay method, and timing of GDM diagnosis. Our meta-analysis indicates that women who are diagnosed with GDM have lower first trimester levels of both PAPP-A and free β-hCG than women who remain normoglycemic throughout pregnancy. Further assessment of the predictive capacity of these biomarkers within large, diverse populations is needed.
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Bandoli G, Palmsten K, Chambers CD, Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL, Baer RJ, Thompson CA. Revisiting the Table 2 fallacy: A motivating example examining preeclampsia and preterm birth. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2018; 32:390-397. [PMID: 29782045 PMCID: PMC6103824 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A "Table Fallacy," as coined by Westreich and Greenland, reports multiple adjusted effect estimates from a single model. This practice, which remains common in published literature, can be problematic when different types of effect estimates are presented together in a single table. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively illustrate this potential for misinterpretation with an example estimating the effects of preeclampsia on preterm birth. METHODS We analysed a retrospective population-based cohort of 2 963 888 singleton births in California between 2007 and 2012. We performed a modified Poisson regression to calculate the total effect of preeclampsia on the risk of PTB, adjusting for previous preterm birth. pregnancy alcohol abuse, maternal education, and maternal socio-demographic factors (Model 1). In subsequent models, we report the total effects of previous preterm birth, alcohol abuse, and education on the risk of PTB, comparing and contrasting the controlled direct effects, total effects, and confounded effect estimates, resulting from Model 1. RESULTS The effect estimate for previous preterm birth (a controlled direct effect in Model 1) increased 10% when estimated as a total effect. The risk ratio for alcohol abuse, biased due to an uncontrolled confounder in Model 1, was reduced by 23% when adjusted for drug abuse. The risk ratio for maternal education, solely a predictor of the outcome, was essentially unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Reporting multiple effect estimates from a single model may lead to misinterpretation and lack of reproducibility. This example highlights the need for careful consideration of the types of effects estimated in statistical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen Bandoli
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | | | - Christina D Chambers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA,Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Laura L Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco CA
| | - Rebecca J Baer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Caroline A Thompson
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA,Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, Sutter Health, Palo Alto, CA
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Shaw JG, Nelson DA, Shaw KA, Woolaway-Bickel K, Phibbs CS, Kurina LM. Deployment and Preterm Birth Among US Army Soldiers. Am J Epidemiol 2018; 187:687-695. [PMID: 29370332 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
With increasing integration of women into combat roles in the US military, it is critical to determine whether deployment, which entails unique stressors and exposures, is associated with adverse reproductive outcomes. Few studies have examined whether deployment increases the risk of preterm birth; no studies (to our knowledge) have examined a recent cohort of servicewomen. We therefore used linked medical and administrative data from the Stanford Military Data Repository for all US Army soldiers with deliveries between 2011 and 2014 to estimate the associations of prior deployment, recency of deployment, and posttraumatic stress disorder with spontaneous preterm birth (SPB), adjusting for sociodemographic, military-service, and health-related factors. Of 12,877 deliveries, 6.1% were SPBs. The prevalence was doubled (11.7%) among soldiers who delivered within 6 months of their return from deployment. Multivariable discrete-time logistic regression models indicated that delivering within 6 months of return from deployment was strongly associated with SPB (adjusted odds ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.5, 2.9). Neither multiple past deployments nor posttraumatic stress disorder was significantly associated with SPB. Within this cohort, timing of pregnancy in relation to deployment was identified as a novel risk factor for SPB. Increased focus on servicewomen's pregnancy timing and predeployment access to reproductive counseling and effective contraception is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan G Shaw
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - D Alan Nelson
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Kate A Shaw
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | | | - Ciaran S Phibbs
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto, California
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Lianne M Kurina
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine recurrent preterm birth and early term birth in women's initial and immediately subsequent pregnancies. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 163,889 women who delivered their first and second liveborn singleton neonates between 20 and 44 weeks of gestation in California from 2005 through 2011. Data from hospital discharge records and birth certificates were used for analyses. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression models adjusted for risk factors. RESULTS Shorter gestational duration in the first pregnancy increased the risk of subsequent preterm birth (both early, before 32 weeks of gestation, and later, from 32 to 36 weeks of gestation) as well as early term birth (37-38 weeks of gestation). Compared with women with a prior term birth, women with a prior early preterm birth (before 32 weeks of gestation) were at the highest risk for a subsequent early preterm birth (58/935 [6.2%] compared with 367/118,505 [0.3%], adjusted OR 23.3, 95% CI 17.2-31.7). Women with a prior early term birth had more than a twofold increased risk for subsequent preterm birth (before 32 weeks of gestation: 171/36,017 [0.5%], adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.6-2.3; from 32 to 36 weeks of gestation: 2,086/36,017 [6.8%], adjusted OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.9-3.2) or early term birth (13,582/36,017 [37.7%], adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 2.2-2.3). CONCLUSION Both preterm birth and early term birth are associated with these outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy. Increased clinical attention and research efforts may benefit from a focus on women with a prior early term birth as well as those with prior preterm birth.
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Felder JN, Epel E, Lewis JB, Cunningham SD, Tobin JN, Rising SS, Thomas M, Ickovics JR. Depressive symptoms and gestational length among pregnant adolescents: Cluster randomized control trial of CenteringPregnancy® plus group prenatal care. J Consult Clin Psychol 2017; 85:574-584. [PMID: 28287802 DOI: 10.1037/ccp0000191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Depressive symptoms are associated with preterm birth among adults. Pregnant adolescents have high rates of depressive symptoms and low rates of treatment; however, few interventions have targeted this vulnerable group. Objectives are to: (a) examine impact of CenteringPregnancy® Plus group prenatal care on perinatal depressive symptoms compared to individual prenatal care; and (b) determine effects of depressive symptoms on gestational age and preterm birth among pregnant adolescents. METHOD This cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 14 community health centers and hospitals in New York City. Clinical sites were randomized to receive standard individual prenatal care (n = 7) or CenteringPregnancy® Plus group prenatal care (n = 7). Pregnant adolescents (ages 14-21, N = 1,135) completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale during pregnancy (second and third trimesters) and postpartum (6 and 12 months). Gestational age was obtained from medical records, based on ultrasound dating. Intention to treat analyses were used to examine objectives. RESULTS Adolescents at clinical sites randomized to CenteringPregnancy® Plus experienced greater reductions in perinatal depressive symptoms compared to those at clinical sites randomized to individual care (p = .003). Increased depressive symptoms from second to third pregnancy trimester were associated with shorter gestational age at delivery and preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation). Third trimester depressive symptoms were also associated with shorter gestational age and preterm birth. All p < .05. CONCLUSIONS Pregnant adolescents should be screened for depressive symptoms prior to third trimester. Group prenatal care may be an effective nonpharmacological option for reducing depressive symptoms among perinatal adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elissa Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
| | | | | | | | | | - Melanie Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Jeannette R Ickovics
- Departments of Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Psychology, Yale School of Public Health
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Risk of preterm birth among women using drugs during pregnancy with elevated α-fetoprotein. J Perinatol 2017; 37:220-225. [PMID: 27929528 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2016.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the risk of preterm birth (PTB) among women who use drugs during pregnancy and have elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP). STUDY DESIGN The sample included California singleton live births in 2005 to 2010 contained within a hospital discharge database linked to the Prenatal Screening Program. A selection of mothers who did not use drugs was selected at a ratio of 4:1. Risk of PTB was calculated using adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for women who did or did not use drugs by their AFP percentile. RESULTS We identified 7190 women who used drugs and selected 28 760 women who did not. Of women using cocaine with AFP ⩾95th percentile, 43.8% delivered prematurely. Women using drugs with AFP ⩾95th percentile were 11 to 35 times as likely to deliver <32 weeks. CONCLUSION The combination of drug use and elevated AFP results in high rates of PTB. This combination results in an additive risk.
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Bacci S, Bartolucci F, Minelli L, Chiavarini M. Preterm Birth: Analysis of Longitudinal Data on Siblings Based on Random-Effects Logit Models. Front Public Health 2017; 4:278. [PMID: 28066757 PMCID: PMC5179574 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2016.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The literature about the determinants of a preterm birth is still controversial. We approach the analysis of these determinants distinguishing between woman's observable characteristics, which may change over time, and unobservable woman's characteristics, which are time invariant and explain the dependence between the typology (normal or preterm) of consecutive births. METHODS We rely on a longitudinal dataset about 28,603 women who delivered for the first time in the period 2005-2013 in the Umbria Region (Italy). We consider singleton physiological pregnancies originating from natural conceptions with birthweight of at least 500 g and gestational age between 24 and 42 weeks; the overall number of deliveries is 34,224. The dataset is based on the Standard Certificates of Life Birth collected in the region in the same period. We estimate two types of logit model for the event that the birth is preterm. The first model is pooled and accounts for the information about possible previous preterm deliveries, including the lagged response among the covariates. The second model takes explicitly into account the longitudinal structure of data through the introduction of a random effect that summarizes all the (time invariant) unobservable characteristics of a woman affecting the probability of a preterm birth. RESULTS The estimated models provide evidence that the probability of a preterm birth depends on certain woman's demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, other than on the previous history in terms of miscarriages and the baby's gender. Besides, as the random-effects model fits significantly better than the pooled model with lagged response, we conclude for a spurious state dependence between repeated preterm deliveries. CONCLUSION The proposed analysis represents a useful tool to detect profiles of women with a high risk of preterm delivery. Such profiles are detected taking into account observable woman's demographic and socioeconomic characteristics as well as unobservable and time-constant characteristics, possibly related to the woman's genetic makeup. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bacci
- Department of Economics, University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | | | - Liliana Minelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
| | - Manuela Chiavarini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia , Perugia , Italy
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Baer RJ, Chambers CD, Bandoli G, Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL. Risk of preterm birth by subtype among Medi-Cal participants with mental illness. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2016; 215:519.e1-9. [PMID: 27329688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated an association between mental illness and preterm birth (before 37 weeks). However, these investigations have not simultaneously considered gestation of preterm birth, the indication (eg, spontaneous or medically indicated), and specific mental illness classifications. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine the likelihood of preterm birth across gestational lengths and indications among Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) participants with a diagnostic code for mental illness. Mental illnesses were studied by specific illness classification. STUDY DESIGN The study population was drawn from singleton live births in California from 2007 through 2011 in the birth cohort file maintained by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, which includes birth certificate and hospital discharge records. The sample was restricted to women with Medi-Cal coverage for prenatal care. Women with mental illness were identified using International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, codes from their hospital discharge record. Women without a mental illness International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, code were randomly selected at a 4:1 ratio. Adjusting for maternal characteristics and obstetric complications, relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for preterm birth comparing women with a mental illness diagnostic code with women without such a code. RESULTS We identified 6198 women with a mental illness diagnostic code and selected 24,792 women with no such code. The risk of preterm birth in women with a mental illness were 1.2 times higher than women without a mental illness (adjusted relative risk, 1.2, 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.3). Among the specific mental illnesses, schizophrenia, major depression, and personality disorders had the strongest associations with preterm birth (adjusted relative risks, 2.0, 2.0 and 3.3, respectively). CONCLUSION Women receiving prenatal care through California's low-income health insurance who had at least 1 mental illness diagnostic code were 1.2-3.3-times more likely to have a preterm birth than women without a mental illness, and these risks persisted across most illness classifications. Although it cannot be determined from these data whether specific treatments for mental illness contribute to the observed associations, elevated risk across different diagnoses suggests that some aspects of mental illness itself may confer risk.
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Pinho-Pompeu M, Surita FG, Pastore DA, Paulino DSM, Pinto E Silva JL. Anemia in pregnant adolescents: impact of treatment on perinatal outcomes. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2016; 30:1158-1162. [PMID: 27354114 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1205032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study sought to evaluate the anemia prevalence and effect of anemia treatment in pregnant adolescents. METHODS A cross-sectional study. Data from perinatal outcomes, serum hemoglobin level and iron supplementation were collected. Samples were divided into three groups: pregnant adolescents without anemia, with treated anemia and with untreated anemia. Frequencies, means, standard deviations and Chi-squared values were calculated. The significance level was 5%, and the software used was Epi-info 7. RESULTS The study included 458 pregnant adolescents. The mean age was 16 years old, and the prevalence of anemia was 41.27% (189). Mild, moderate or severe anemia were presented in 65.60%, 33.86% and 0.52%, respectively, of study participants. Among pregnant adolescents with anemia, 87.24% received treatment with iron supplementation. Preterm labor (p = 0.003), gestational age at birth <37 weeks (p = 0.036) and stillbirth (p = 0.004) showed an association with nontreated anemia. Positive HIV was more prevalent in adolescents with nontreated anemia (p = 0.018). The cesarean rate was 36.90%, with no difference between groups. CONCLUSION Anemia is a public health problem among pregnant adolescents, and iron supplementation reduces negative neonatal outcomes. Treatment adherence by a multidisciplinary and qualified prenatal care team can be key in reducing adverse neonatal outcomes associated with pregnancy during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maira Pinho-Pompeu
- a School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas , Sao Paulo , Brazil
| | | | - Danilo Abib Pastore
- a School of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas , Sao Paulo , Brazil
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Knight AK, Smith AK. Epigenetic Biomarkers of Preterm Birth and Its Risk Factors. Genes (Basel) 2016; 7:E15. [PMID: 27089367 PMCID: PMC4846845 DOI: 10.3390/genes7040015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A biomarker is a biological measure predictive of a normal or pathogenic process or response. Biomarkers are often useful for making clinical decisions and determining treatment course. One area where such biomarkers would be particularly useful is in identifying women at risk for preterm delivery and related pregnancy complications. Neonates born preterm have significant morbidity and mortality, both in the perinatal period and throughout the life course, and identifying women at risk of delivering preterm may allow for targeted interventions to prevent or delay preterm birth (PTB). In addition to identifying those at increased risk for preterm birth, biomarkers may be able to distinguish neonates at particular risk for future complications due to modifiable environmental factors, such as maternal smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy. Currently, there are no such biomarkers available, though candidate gene and epigenome-wide association studies have identified DNA methylation differences associated with PTB, its risk factors and its long-term outcomes. Further biomarker development is crucial to reducing the health burden associated with adverse intrauterine conditions and preterm birth, and the results of recent DNA methylation studies may advance that goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Knight
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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