Early pregnancy angiogenic markers and spontaneous abortion: an Odense Child Cohort study

Decreased Expression of Placental Proteins in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Functional Relevance and Diagnostic Value

Miscarriages affect 50-70% of all conceptions and 15-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL, ≥2 miscarriages) affects 1-5% of recognized pregnancies. Nevertheless, our knowledge about the etiologies and pathophysiology of RPL is incomplete, and thus, reliable diagnostic/preventive tools are not yet available. Here, we aimed to define the diagnostic value of three placental proteins for RPL: human chorionic gonadotropin free beta-subunit (free-β-hCG), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and placental growth factor (PlGF). Blood samples were collected from women with RPL (n = 14) and controls undergoing elective termination of pregnancy (n = 30) at the time of surgery. Maternal serum protein concentrations were measured by BRAHMS KRYPTOR Analyzer. Daily multiple of median (dMoM) values were calculated for gestational age-specific normalization. To obtain classifiers, logistic regression analysis was performed, and ROC curves were calculated. There were differences in changes of maternal serum protein concentrations with advancing healthy gestation. Between 6 and 13 weeks, women with RPL had lower concentrations and dMoMs of free β-hCG, PAPP-A, and PlGF than controls. PAPP-A dMoM had the best discriminative properties (AUC = 0.880). Between 9 and 13 weeks, discriminative properties of all protein dMoMs were excellent (free β-hCG: AUC = 0.975; PAPP-A: AUC = 0.998; PlGF: AUC = 0.924). In conclusion, free-β-hCG and PAPP-A are valuable biomarkers for RPL, especially between 9 and 13 weeks. Their decreased concentrations indicate the deterioration of placental functions, while lower PlGF levels indicate problems with placental angiogenesis after 9 weeks.

Association of serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor in early threatened abortion and premature delivery: A case‑control study

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) serve key roles in the regulation of vascular development, revascularization and vasopermeability in the endometrium, decidua and trophoblasts. Furthermore, both VEGF and PlGF are modulators of embryonic vascular development. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the serum levels of VEGF and PlGF in female patients with early threatened abortion (TA) who experienced preterm delivery. The present case-control study included 130 pregnant patients with or without TA that were admitted to The Maternal and Childcare Hospital of Nantong University from January 2019 to January 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: i) Group A, which included 55 patients diagnosed with TA with slight vaginal bleeding and closed cervical internal os within the first 6-12 weeks of pregnancy; and ii) group B, which included 75 patients with healthy asymptomatic pregnancy. Blood samples were obtained from all patients and VEGF and PlGF levels were examined prior to treatment, and the chi-squared, Student's t-test and two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc analysis were used to analyze statistical differences between the two patient groups. Results of the present study demonstrated that patients with TA had significantly lower levels of VEGF and PlGF, compared with the controls. In patients with or without TA, the levels of serum PlGF in the preterm delivery group were significantly decreased compared with patients that did not experience preterm delivery. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of VEGF between patients with or without preterm delivery. In addition, lower levels of PlGF, compared with those in patients without TA, may be associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery in patients without early TA.

Biomarkers at 6 weeks' gestation in the prediction of early miscarriage in pregnancy following assisted reproductive technology

INTRODUCTION

Miscarriage is a major concern in early pregnancy among women having conceived with assisted reproductive treatments. This study aimed to examine potential miscarriage-related biophysical and biochemical markers at 6 weeks' gestation among women with confirmed clinical pregnancy following in vitro fertilization (IVF)/embryo transfer (ET) and evaluate the performance of a model combining maternal factors, biophysical and biochemical markers at 6 weeks' gestation in the prediction of first trimester miscarriage among singleton pregnancies following IVF/ET.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted in a teaching hospital between December 2017 and January 2020 including women who conceived through IVF/ET. Maternal mean arterial pressure, ultrasound markers including mean gestational sac diameter, fetal heart activity, crown rump length and mean uterine artery pulsatility index (mUTPI) and biochemical biomarkers including maternal serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), kisspeptin and glycodelin-A were measured at 6 weeks' gestation. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine significant predictors of miscarriage prior to 13 weeks' gestation and performance of screening was estimated by receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis.

RESULTS

Among 169 included pregnancies, 145 (85.8%) pregnancies progressed to beyond 13 weeks' gestation and had live births whereas 24 (14.2%) pregnancies resulted in a miscarriage during the first trimester. In the miscarriage group, compared to the live birth group, maternal age, body mass index, and mean arterial pressure were significantly increased; mean gestational sac diameter, crown rump length, mUTPI, serum sFlt-1, glycodelin-A, and the rate of positive fetal heart activity were significantly decreased, while no significant differences were detected in PlGF and kisspeptin. Significant prediction for miscarriage before 13 weeks' gestation was provided by maternal age, fetal heart activity, mUTPI, and serum glycodelin-A. The combination of maternal age, ultrasound (fetal heart activity and mUTPI), and biochemical (glycodelin-A) markers achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC: 0.918, 95% CI 0.866-0.955), with estimated detection rates of 54.2% and 70.8% for miscarriage before 13 weeks' gestation, at fixed false positive rates of 5% and 10%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of maternal age, fetal heart activity, mUTPI, and serum glycodelin-A at 6 weeks' gestation could effectively identify IVF/ET pregnancies at risk of first trimester miscarriage.

The association between genital mycoplasma infection and spontaneous abortion: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Epidemiological findings on the association between genital mycoplasma infection (GMI) and spontaneous abortion are inconsistent. Therefore, this meta-analysis aims to determine whether mycoplasma infection during pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous abortion. An electronic database search was conducted using China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Elsevier, PubMed, SinoMed, The Cochrane Library, and Wanfang Database from database establishment to October 2021. Sixteen case-controls and 3 prospective cohorts were included. The meta-analysis showed that GMI was positively associated with spontaneous abortion (odds ratio (OR) 2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50, 3.67). Of them, case-control studies showed that the GMI proportion in the spontaneous abortion group was higher than that in the normal group (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.33, 3.43); the cohort study showed that the spontaneous abortion rate in the GMI group was higher than those in non-infected groups (relative risk 5.17, 95% CI 2.07, 12.95; risk difference 0.18, 95% CI 0.09, 0.27). Each outcome indicator was relatively robust in the sensitivity analysis, and no significant publication bias was found in the funnel plots. Our data support that GMI during pregnancy increases the risk of spontaneous abortion. Thus, the monitoring and timely treatment of GMI before pregnancy of GMI are essential to decrease the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Expression and Relationship of Netrin-1, DCC, UNC5B, and VEGF in Villous Tissues of Patients with Delayed Abortion

In order to investigate the correlation between neuroaxon-guiding factor (Netrin-1), deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC), uncoordinated 5B (UNC5B), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression machine in villus tissues of delayed abortion in colorectal cancer, a total of 120 pregnant women are selected from February 2019 to August 2021. The two groups of subjects improve the relevant examinations before surgery and the underwent negative pressure induces abortion hysterectomy guided by abdominal ultrasound under intravenous anesthesia. The mRNA and protein expressions of netrin-1, DCC, UNC5B, and VEGF in the villi of the two groups are detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the correlation of the four indicators is analyzed by Pearson's test.

Prediction of miscarriage in first trimester by serum estradiol, progesterone and β-human chorionic gonadotropin within 9 weeks of gestation

Purpose

To predict miscarriage outcome within 12 weeks of gestational age by evaluating values of serum estradiol, progesterone and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) within 9 weeks of gestation.

Methods

One hundred sixty-five women with singleton pregnancies were retrospectively studied. Estradiol, progesterone and β-HCG levels were measured at 5–6 weeks of gestation and the measurements were repeated at 7–9 weeks. According to pregnancy outcome at 12 weeks of gestation, 71 cases were categorized into miscarriage group, and 94 cases into group of normal pregnancy. Each group was further divided into 5–6 and 7–9 weeks of gestation sub-group. Predictive values of estradiol, progesterone and β- HCG levels at 5–6 weeks and 7–9 weeks of gestation were analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and logistic regression.

Results

Serum levels of estradiol at 7–9 weeks identified miscarriage with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.866 (95% CI 0. 793 ~ 0.938, P = 0.000), diagnostic cutoff value of 576 pg/ml, sensitivity of 0.804, and specificity of 0.829 respectively at the optimal threshold, according to Youden index. Progesterone levels at 7–9 weeks were with AUC of 0.766 (95% CI 0. 672 ~ 0.861, P = 0.000), cutoff value of 15.27 ng/ml, sensitivity of 0.921, and specificity of 0.558, respectively; Estradiol at 5–6 weeks were with AUC of 0.709 (95% CI 0. 616 ~ 0.801, P < 0.001), the diagnostic cutoff value of 320 pg/ml, sensitivity of 0.800, and specificity of 0.574, respectively.

The performance of the dual markers of estradiol and progesterone analysis (AUC 0.871, CI 0.793–0.950), three-markers analysis (AUC 0.869, CI 0.759–0.980)were slightly better than the single marker at 7-9 weeks. β-HCG or progesterone provide additional utility of estradiol prediction at 5–6 weeks with AUC 0.770 (0.672–0.869) for β-HCG and estradiol, AUC0.768(CI 0.670–0.866) for β-HCG, estradiol and progesterone and AUC 0.739 (CI 0.651–0.827) for progesterone and estradiol.

Conclusions

Low serum levels such as dual of estradiol and progesterone or estradiol alone at 7–9 weeks, β-HCG or progesterone combing estradiol at 5–6 weeks of gestation can be used better to predict miscarriage in first trimester.

Miscarriage determination in first trimester based on alpha-fetoprotein extracted from sanitary pads

OBJECTIVE

To determine if high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in vaginal blood collected on a sanitary pad can assist with detecting an active miscarriage.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

PATIENT(S)

Five groups were evaluated: women with active miscarriage, pregnancy of unknown location, completed miscarriage or extrauterine pregnancy (EUP), ongoing pregnancy, and undergoing elective dilation and curettage (D&C).

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

For each patient, AFP level in the vaginal blood collected on a sanitary pad was quantified.

RESULT(S)

The vaginal blood AFP median levels (and their ranges) were 3.7 IU/mL (0.5-739.2) and 4,542 IU/mL (15.6-100,000) in the active miscarriage (n = 16) and the elective D&C (n = 24) groups, respectively. Alpha-fetoprotein was detected in all elective D&C and active miscarriage cases except in 1 case. In the ongoing pregnancy group (n = 35), only 2 of 35 specimens showed detectable AFP levels. In the pregnancy of unknown location (n = 12) and the completed miscarriage or EUP (n = 10) groups, no AFP was detected. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated 93.7% sensitivity and 97.8% specificity for the detection of an active miscarriage (cutoff 0.61 IU/mL; area under the curve 0.96).

CONCLUSION(S)

Alpha-fetoprotein can be extracted from vaginal blood collected on sanitary pads. A high level of vaginal AFP can assist with the same-day detection of an active miscarriage. This novel test is useful in differentiating active miscarriages from ongoing pregnancies, completed miscarriages, and EUPs and, therefore, it reduces uncertainty, anxiety level, and number of repeat office visits.

No association between early antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and plasma levels of angiogenic factors: a cohort study

Background

Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy has dramatically reduced the risk of perinatal HIV transmission. However, studies have shown an association between premature delivery and the use of ART during pregnancy (particularly protease inhibitor (PI)-based therapies), which could be explained by placental dysfunction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of ART (class, duration of exposure and time of initiation) with placental function by using angiogenic factors placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) as biomarkers.

Methods

Clinical and biological data from 159 pregnant women living with HIV were analyzed. Levels of each biomarker were measured in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. After logarithmic transformation, we compared these using generalized estimating equations according to (a) the type of ART; (b) the duration of exposure to ART; and (c) the time of initiation of ART.

Results

After adjusting for variables such as ethnicity, maternal age, gestational age, body mass index, parity, smoking status, and sex of the fetus, we found no significant association between the class of ART (PI-based or not) and serum concentrations of PlGF or sFlt-1. Furthermore, no significant association was found between biomarker levels and the duration of ART exposure or the timing of ART initiation (pre- or post-conception).

Conclusions

This study suggests that first and second trimester angiogenic factor levels are not significantly associated with ART, regardless of the duration or type (with or without PI). These observations seem reassuring when considering the use of ART during early pregnancy.

Association of late second trimester miscarriages with placental histology and autopsy findings

OBJECTIVES

To describe the placental histology and autopsy findings in pregnancies where fetal demise occurred before a gestational age of 22 weeks.

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a subset of a larger study where the effect of alcohol exposure during pregnancy on stillbirths was studied. In a prospective cohort, 7,010 singleton pregnancies were followed from the first antenatal visit until infant one year of age visit. Gestational age was assessed by ultrasound, preferably at the first antenatal visit. All pregnancy losses were identified and when the fetuses delivered at or after a gestation of 20 weeks, the mother or parents were approached for consent for autopsy. This study describes the placental pathology and findings at autopsy in losses before 22 weeks gestation (late second trimester miscarriages).

RESULTS

Fourteen cases were identified in which 13 had an autopsy and 12 had a histological examination of the placenta. The most prevalent histological abnormality was placental abruption which was seen in 6 miscarriages, occasionally on its own, or in combination with maternal vascular malperfusion or acute chorioamnionitis. The second most frequent finding was maternal vascular malperfusion, as found in five placentas, alone or in combination with other pathology. The third most frequent pathology was acute chorioamnionitis, found in four placentas, in combination or alone. Other causes were diffuse chronic villitis due to cytomegalovirus infection and early amnion rupture with anhydramnios and cord obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Causes of fetal demise at the end of the second trimester differ little from causes of stillbirth. There is value in using placental histology in late second trimester miscarriages to try to identify the cause of demise.

Same-day confirmation of intrauterine pregnancy failure in women with first- and early second-trimester bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To determine if alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration in vaginal blood, in the setting of dissolved fetal tissue, is significantly higher than its concentration in the maternal serum.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Medical center.

PATIENT(S)

Four groups of women were evaluated: 1) with missed/incomplete miscarriage with vaginal bleeding; 2) with threatened miscarriage; 3) with vaginal bleeding during cerclage placement; and 4) undergoing dilation and curettage (D&C).

INTERVENTIONS(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

In each patient, AFP concentration in the vaginal blood or in the liquid component of the evacuated products of conception (POC; D&C group) was compared with the AFP concentration in the maternal serum.

RESULT(S)

The median (range) concentration ratios of AFP in vaginal blood (or POC) to AFP in maternal serum were 24.5 (5.1-8,620) and 957 (4.6-24,216) for the missed/incomplete (n = 30) and the D&C (n = 22) groups, respectively, whereas they were only 1.2 (0.4-13.4) and 1.01 (0.7-1.5) for the threatened miscarriage (n = 15) and cerclage (n = 9) groups, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 86.7% specificity for the detection of the passage of fetal tissue (ratio 4.3, area under the ROC curve 0.96).

CONCLUSION(S)

Higher concentrations of AFP in vaginal blood than in maternal serum may indicate the presence of dissolved fetal tissue (i.e., confirming a failed pregnancy).

Prevalence of positive depression screen among post miscarriage women- A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Miscarriages are a common pregnancy complication affecting about 10-15% of pregnancies. Miscarriages may be associated with a myriad of psychiatric morbidity at various timelines after the event. Depression has been shown to affect about 10-20% of all women following a miscarriage. However, no data exists in the local setting informing on the prevalence of post-miscarriage depression. We set out to determine the prevalence of positive depression screen among women who have experienced a miscarriage at the Aga Khan University hospital, Nairobi.

METHODS

The study was cross-sectional in design. Patients who had a miscarriage were recruited at the post-miscarriage clinic review at the gynecology clinics at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. The Edinburgh postpartum depression scale was used to screen for depression in the patients. Prevalence was calculated from the percentage of patients achieving the cut -off score of 13 over the total number of patients.

RESULTS

A total of 182 patients were recruited for the study. The prevalence of positive depression screen was 34.1% since 62 of the 182 patients had a positive depression screen. Moreover, of the patients who had a positive depression screen, 21(33.1%) had thoughts of self-harm.

CONCLUSION

A positive depression screen is present in 34.1% of women in our population two weeks after a miscarriage. Thoughts of self-harm are present in about a third of these women (33.1%) hence pointing out the importance of screening these women using the EPDS after a miscarriage.

Altered angiogenesis as a common mechanism underlying preterm birth, small for gestational age, and stillbirth in women living with HIV

Background

Angiogenic processes in the placenta are critical regulators of fetal growth and impact birth outcomes, but there are limited data documenting these processes in HIV-infected women or women from low-resource settings.

Objective

We sought to determine whether angiogenic factors are associated with adverse birth outcomes in HIV-infected pregnant women started on antiretroviral therapy.

Study Design

This is a secondary analysis of samples collected as part of a clinical trial randomizing pregnant women and adolescents infected with HIV to lopinavir/ritonavir-based (n = 166) or efavirenz-based (n = 160) antiretroviral therapy in Tororo, Uganda. Pregnant women living with HIV were enrolled between 12-28 weeks of gestation. Plasma samples were evaluated for angiogenic biomarkers (angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, placental growth factor, and soluble endoglin) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay between: 16-<20, 20-<24, 24-<28, 28-<32, 32-<36, 36-<37 weeks of gestation. The primary outcome was preterm birth.

Results

In all, 1115 plasma samples from 326 pregnant women and adolescents were evaluated. There were no differences in angiogenic factors according to antiretroviral therapy group (P > .05 for all). The incidence of adverse birth outcomes was 16.9% for spontaneous preterm births, 25.6% for small-for-gestational-age births, and 2.8% for stillbirth. We used linear mixed effect modelling to evaluate longitudinal changes in angiogenic factor concentrations between birth outcome groups adjusting for gestational age at venipuncture, maternal age, body mass index, gravidity, and the interaction between treatment arm and gestational age. Two angiogenic factors–soluble endoglin and placental growth factor–were associated with adverse birth outcomes. Significantly higher concentrations of soluble endoglin throughout gestation were found in study participants destined to deliver preterm [likelihood ratio test, χ²(1) = 12.28, P < .0005] and in those destined to have stillbirths [χ²(1) = 5.67, P < .02]. By contrast, significantly lower concentrations of placental growth factor throughout gestation were found in those destined to have small-for-gestational-age births [χ²(1) = 7.89, P < .005] and in those destined to have stillbirths [χ²(1) = 21.59, P < .0001].

Conclusion

An antiangiogenic state in the second or third trimester is associated with adverse birth outcomes, including stillbirth in women and adolescents living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy.

PAD4 Deficiency Decreases Inflammation and Susceptibility to Pregnancy Loss in a Mouse Model

Inflammation is thought to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of placentation disorders such as recurrent miscarriages, growth restriction, and preeclampsia. Recently, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have emerged as a potential mechanism for promoting inflammation in both infectious and noninfectious disorders. To investigate a pathogenic role for NETs in placentation disorders, we studied a model of antiangiogenic factor-mediated pregnancy loss in wild-type (WT) mice and in mice deficient in peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (Padi4^-/-) that are unable to form NETs. Overexpression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), an antiangiogenic protein that is pathogenically linked with abnormal placentation disorders during early gestation, resulted in pregnancy loss and large accumulation of neutrophils and NETs in WT placentas. Interestingly, sFlt-1 overexpression in Padi4^-/- mice resulted in dramatically lower inflammatory and thrombotic response, which was accompanied by significant reduction in pregnancy losses. Inhibition of NETosis may serve as a novel target in disorders of impaired placentation.