1
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Thompson BB, Holzer PH, Kliman HJ. Placental Pathology Findings in Unexplained Pregnancy Losses. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:488-504. [PMID: 37725247 PMCID: PMC10827979 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
There are approximately 5 million pregnancies per year in the USA, with 1 million ending in miscarriage (a loss occurring prior to 20 weeks of gestation) and over 20,000 ending in stillbirth at or beyond 20 weeks of gestation. As many as 50% of these losses are unexplained. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of expanding the placental pathology diagnostic categories to include the explicit categories of (1) dysmorphic chorionic villi and (2) small placenta in examining previously unexplained losses. Using a clinical database of 1256 previously unexplained losses at 6-43 weeks of gestation, the most prevalent abnormality associated with each loss was determined through examination of its placental pathology slides. Of 1256 cases analyzed from 922 patients, there were 878 (69.9%) miscarriages and 378 (30.1%) antepartum stillbirths. We determined the pathologic diagnoses for 1150/1256 (91.6%) of the entire series, 777/878 (88.5%) of the miscarriages (< 20 weeks' gestation), and 373/378 (98.7%) of the stillbirths (≥ 20 weeks' gestation). The most common pathologic feature observed in unexplained miscarriages was dysmorphic chorionic villi (757 cases; 86.2%), a marker associated with genetic abnormalities. The most common pathologic feature observed in unexplained stillbirths was a small placenta (128 cases; 33.9%). Our classification system reinforced the utility of placental examination for elucidating potential mechanisms behind pregnancy loss. The improved rate of diagnosis appeared to be the result of filling a gap in previous pregnancy loss classification systems via inclusion of the categories of dysmorphic chorionic villi and small placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrix B Thompson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Parker H Holzer
- Department of Statistics & Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Spiff Incorporated, Sandy, UT, USA
| | - Harvey J Kliman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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2
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Jackson-Gibson M, Diseko M, Caniglia EC, Mayondi G, Mabuta J, Luckett R, Moyo S, Lawrence P, Matshaba M, Mosepele M, Mmalane M, Banga J, Lockman S, Makhema J, Zash R, Shapiro RL. Association of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection With Maternal Mortality and Neonatal Birth Outcomes in Botswana by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status. Obstet Gynecol 2023; 141:135-143. [PMID: 36701614 PMCID: PMC10462386 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the combined association of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on adverse birth outcomes in an HIV-endemic region. METHODS The Tsepamo Study abstracts data from antenatal and obstetric records in government maternity wards across Botswana. We assessed maternal mortality and adverse birth outcomes for all singleton pregnancies from September 2020 to mid-November 2021 at 13 Tsepamo sites among individuals with documented SARS-CoV-2 screening tests and known HIV status. RESULTS Of 20,410 individuals who gave birth, 11,483 (56.3%) were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection; 4.7% tested positive. People living with HIV were more likely to test positive (144/2,421, 5.9%) than those without HIV (392/9,030, 4.3%) (P=.001). Maternal deaths occurred in 3.7% of those who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result compared with 0.1% of those who tested negative (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 31.6, 95% CI 15.4-64.7). Maternal mortality did not differ by HIV status. The offspring of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection experienced more overall adverse birth outcomes (34.5% vs 26.6%; aRR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4), severe adverse birth outcomes (13.6% vs 9.8%; aRR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5), preterm delivery (21.4% vs 13.4%; aRR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7), and stillbirth (5.6% vs 2.7%; aRR 1.7 95% CI 1.2-2.5). Neonates exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and HIV infection had the highest prevalence of adverse birth outcomes (43.1% vs 22.6%; aRR 1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.0). CONCLUSION Infection with SARS-CoV-2 at the time of delivery was associated with 3.7% maternal mortality and 5.6% stillbirth in Botswana. Most adverse birth outcomes were worse among neonates exposed to both SARS-CoV-2 and HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Modiegi Diseko
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Gloria Mayondi
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Judith Mabuta
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Rebecca Luckett
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Sikhulile Moyo
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Pamela Lawrence
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Mogomotsi Matshaba
- Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
- Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Mompati Mmalane
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Jaspreet Banga
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shahin Lockman
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph Makhema
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Rebecca Zash
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roger L. Shapiro
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Sterpu I, Pilo C, Lindqvist PG, Åkerud H, Wiberg Itzel E. Predictive factors in pregnancies with reduced fetal movements: a pilot study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2022; 35:4543-4551. [DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1855135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Sterpu
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institute, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christina Pilo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pelle G. Lindqvist
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institute, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Åkerud
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Minerva Fertility Clinic, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eva Wiberg Itzel
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institute, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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4
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King VJ, Bennet L, Stone PR, Clark A, Gunn AJ, Dhillon SK. Fetal growth restriction and stillbirth: Biomarkers for identifying at risk fetuses. Front Physiol 2022; 13:959750. [PMID: 36060697 PMCID: PMC9437293 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.959750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major cause of stillbirth, prematurity and impaired neurodevelopment. Its etiology is multifactorial, but many cases are related to impaired placental development and dysfunction, with reduced nutrient and oxygen supply. The fetus has a remarkable ability to respond to hypoxic challenges and mounts protective adaptations to match growth to reduced nutrient availability. However, with progressive placental dysfunction, chronic hypoxia may progress to a level where fetus can no longer adapt, or there may be superimposed acute hypoxic events. Improving detection and effective monitoring of progression is critical for the management of complicated pregnancies to balance the risk of worsening fetal oxygen deprivation in utero, against the consequences of iatrogenic preterm birth. Current surveillance modalities include frequent fetal Doppler ultrasound, and fetal heart rate monitoring. However, nearly half of FGR cases are not detected in utero, and conventional surveillance does not prevent a high proportion of stillbirths. We review diagnostic challenges and limitations in current screening and monitoring practices and discuss potential ways to better identify FGR, and, critically, to identify the “tipping point” when a chronically hypoxic fetus is at risk of progressive acidosis and stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria J. King
- Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura Bennet
- Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter R. Stone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alys Clark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Biomedical Engineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alistair J. Gunn
- Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simerdeep K. Dhillon
- Fetal Physiology and Neuroscience Group, Department of Physiology, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Simerdeep K. Dhillon,
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5
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Darouich S, Masmoudi A. Value of Placental Examination in the Diagnostic Evaluation of Stillbirth. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2022; 41:535-550. [PMID: 33263451 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2020.1850952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim was to assess the contribution of placental examination in the etiologic investigation of stillbirth. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of stillbirths that occurred after 14 weeks gestation was conducted for a one-year period. Twin pregnancies and fetuses without placentas were excluded. According to the fetoplacental examination, stillbirths were classified into etiologic groups. Results: A total of 147 stillbirths were selected. They were associated with placental, materno-fetal, fetal and multiple causes in 89 cases (61%), 23 cases (16%), 14 cases (9%) and 13 cases (9%), respectively. Unexplained stillbirths were observed in 8 cases (5%). Placental abnormalities were identified in 132/147 cases (90%). They were consistent with vascular, inflammatory and developmental lesions in 82/132 cases (61%), 28/132 cases (21%) and 18/132 cases (13%), respectively. Conclusion: Placental lesions were the main causes of stillbirth and were predominantly of vascular type including chronic villous hypoxia-ischemia and funicular anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihem Darouich
- LR99ES10 Laboratory of Human genetics, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.,Fetopathology Unit, Hospital Habib Bougatfa, Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - Aida Masmoudi
- Department of Embryo-Fetopathology, Maternity and Neonatology Center, Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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6
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Aberdeen GW, Babischkin JS, Lindner JR, Pepe GJ, Albrecht ED. Placental sFlt-1 Gene Delivery in Early Primate Pregnancy Suppresses Uterine Spiral Artery Remodeling. Endocrinology 2022; 163:bqac012. [PMID: 35134145 PMCID: PMC8896163 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Uterine spiral artery remodeling (SAR) is essential for promoting placental perfusion and fetal development. A defect in SAR results in placental ischemia and increase in placental expression and serum levels of the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) receptor that binds to and suppresses vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) bioavailability, thereby leading to maternal vascular dysfunction. We have established a nonhuman primate model of impaired SAR and maternal vascular dysfunction by prematurely elevating estradiol levels in early baboon pregnancy. However, it is unknown whether this primate model of defective SAR involves an increase in placental expression of sFlt-1, which may suppress VEGF bioavailability and thus SAR in the first trimester. Therefore, to establish the role of sFlt-1 in early pregnancy, SAR was quantified in baboons treated on days 25 through 59 of gestation (term = 184 days) with estradiol or with the sFlt-1 gene targeted selectively to the placental basal plate by ultrasound-mediated/microbubble-facilitated gene delivery technology. Placental basal plate sFlt-1 protein expression was 2-fold higher (P < 0.038) and the level of SAR for vessels > 25 µm in diameter was 72% and 63% lower (P < 0.01), respectively, in estradiol-treated and sFlt-1 gene-treated baboons than in untreated animals. In summary, prematurely elevating estradiol levels or sFlt-1 gene delivery increased placental basal plate sFlt-1 protein expression and suppressed SAR in early baboon pregnancy. This study makes the novel discovery that in elevated levels sFlt-1 has a role both in suppressing SAR in early primate pregnancy and maternal vascular endothelial function in late gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham W Aberdeen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jeffery S Babischkin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jonathan R Lindner
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Gerald J Pepe
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA
| | - Eugene D Albrecht
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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7
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Schwartz DA, Avvad-Portari E, Babál P, Baldewijns M, Blomberg M, Bouachba A, Camacho J, Collardeau-Frachon S, Colson A, Dehaene I, Ferreres JC, Fitzgerald B, Garrido-Pontnou M, Gerges H, Hargitai B, Helguera-Repetto AC, Holmström S, Irles CL, Leijonhfvud Å, Libbrecht S, Marton T, McEntagart N, Molina JT, Morotti R, Nadal A, Navarro A, Nelander M, Oviedo A, Oyamada Otani AR, Papadogiannakis N, Petersen AC, Roberts DJ, Saad AG, Sand A, Schoenmakers S, Sehn JK, Simpson PR, Thomas K, Valdespino-Vázquez MY, van der Meeren LE, Van Dorpe J, Verdijk RM, Watkins JC, Zaigham M. Placental Tissue Destruction and Insufficiency from COVID-19 Causes Stillbirth and Neonatal Death from Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury: A Study of 68 Cases with SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis from 12 Countries. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2022; 146:660-676. [PMID: 35142798 DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0029-sa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT.— Perinatal death is an increasingly important problem as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, but the mechanism of death has been unclear. OBJECTIVE.— To evaluate the role of the placenta in causing stillbirth and neonatal death following maternal infection with COVID-19 and confirmed placental positivity for SARS-CoV-2. DESIGN.— Case-based retrospective clinico-pathological analysis by a multinational group of 44 perinatal specialists from 12 countries of placental and autopsy pathology findings from 64 stillborns and 4 neonatal deaths having placentas testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 following delivery to mothers with COVID-19. RESULTS.— All 68 placentas had increased fibrin deposition and villous trophoblast necrosis and 66 had chronic histiocytic intervillositis, the three findings constituting SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. Sixty-three placentas had massive perivillous fibrin deposition. Severe destructive placental disease from SARS-CoV-2 placentitis averaged 77.7% tissue involvement. Other findings included multiple intervillous thrombi (37%; 25/68) and chronic villitis (32%; 22/68). The majority (19, 63%) of the 30 autopsies revealed no significant fetal abnormalities except for intrauterine hypoxia and asphyxia. Among all 68 cases, SARS-CoV-2 was detected from a body specimen in 16 of 28 cases tested, most frequently from nasopharyngeal swabs. Four autopsied stillborns had SARS-CoV-2 identified in internal organs. CONCLUSIONS.— The pathology abnormalities composing SARS-CoV-2 placentitis cause widespread and severe placental destruction resulting in placental malperfusion and insufficiency. In these cases, intrauterine and perinatal death likely results directly from placental insufficiency and fetal hypoxic-ischemic injury. There was no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 involvement of the fetus had a role in causing these deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elyzabeth Avvad-Portari
- Department of Pathology, Fernandes Figueira Institute, FIOCRUZ - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Avvad-Portari)
| | - Pavel Babál
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia (Babál)
| | - Marcella Baldewijns
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (Baldewijns)
| | - Marie Blomberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden (Blomberg)
| | - Amine Bouachba
- Institut de Pathologie Multisite des Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; SOFFOET-Société Française de Foetopathologie, Paris, France (Bouachba)
| | - Jessica Camacho
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain (Camacho)
| | - Sophie Collardeau-Frachon
- Department of Pathology, Hopital Femme-Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and SOFFOET-Société Française de Foetopathologie, Paris France (Collardeau-Frachon)
| | - Arthur Colson
- Department of Obstetrics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium (Colson)
| | - Isabelle Dehaene
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (Dehaene)
| | - Joan Carles Ferreres
- Pathology Department, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí I3PT, Barcelona, Spain (Ferreres)
| | - Brendan Fitzgerald
- Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Republic of Ireland (Fitzgerald)
| | - Marta Garrido-Pontnou
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Department of Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Garrido-Pontnou)
| | - Hazem Gerges
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Teaching Hospitals, Women's Hospital, Doncaster, United Kingdom (Gerges)
| | - Beata Hargitai
- Division of Perinatal Pathology, Department of Cellular Pathology, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom (Hargitai)
| | - A Cecilia Helguera-Repetto
- Immunobiochemistry Department, National Institute of Perinatology, Mexico City, Mexico (Helguera-Repetto)
| | - Sandra Holmström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Halland Hospital, Varberg, Sweden (Holmström)
| | - Claudine Liliane Irles
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Development, National Institute of Perinatology "Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes", Mexico City, Mexico (Irles)
| | - Åsa Leijonhfvud
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsingborg Hospital, Department of Clinical Science Helsingborg, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (Leijonhfvud)
| | - Sasha Libbrecht
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium (Libbrecht)
| | - Tamás Marton
- Cellular Pathology Department, Birmingham Women's Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom (Marton)
| | - Noel McEntagart
- Histopathology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland (McEntagart)
| | - James T Molina
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, CHRISTUS Hospital St. Elizabeth, 2830 Calder St, Beaumont, Texas (Molina)
| | - Raffaella Morotti
- Department of Pathology and Pediatrics, Autopsy Service, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (Morotti)
| | - Alfons Nadal
- Pathology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain (Nadal).,Department of Basic Clinical Practice, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, and August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (Nadal)
| | - Alexandra Navarro
- Pathology Department, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain (Navarro)
| | - Maria Nelander
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (Nelander)
| | - Angelica Oviedo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, New Mexico (Oviedo)
| | | | - Nikos Papadogiannakis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute and Department of Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (Papadogiannakis)
| | - Astrid C Petersen
- Department of Pathology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark (Petersen)
| | - Drucilla J Roberts
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Roberts)
| | - Ali G Saad
- Pediatric Pathology and Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Health System/Holtz Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida (Saad)
| | - Anna Sand
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden (Sand)
| | - Sam Schoenmakers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Schoenmakers)
| | - Jennifer K Sehn
- Department of Pathology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri (Sehn)
| | - Preston R Simpson
- Department of Pathology, CHRISTUS Hospital St. Elizabeth, 2830 Calder St., Beaumont, Texas (Simpson)
| | - Kristen Thomas
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health - Main Campus & Bellevue Hospital Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York (Thomas)
| | | | - Lotte E van der Meeren
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands (van der Meeren).,Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands (van der Meeren)
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Pathology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (Van Dorpe)
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Verdijk)
| | - Jaclyn C Watkins
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Watkins)
| | - Mehreen Zaigham
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, Institution of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Sweden (Zaigham).,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö and Lund, Sweden (Zaigham)
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8
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Dagdeviren G, Uysal NS, Dilbaz K, Celen S, Caglar AT. Application of the international classification of diseases-perinatal mortality (ICD-PM) system to stillbirths: A single center experience in a middle income country. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2021; 51:102285. [PMID: 34890860 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2021.102285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study is intended to investigate the causes of stillbirth and its relationship with maternal conditions using the International Classification of Diseases-Perinatal Mortality (ICD-PM) system. MATERIAL AND METHODS All early and late fetal deaths between 2015 and 2020 were analyzed. Time of death, fetal causes, and the maternal conditions involved were identified using the ICD-PM classification system. RESULTS During the study period, out of 74,102 births a total of 475 stillbirths were recorded (6.4 per 1000 births), of which 83.6% of the cases were antepartum and 11.8% were intrapartum fetal deaths, and the time of death could not be determined in 4.6% of the cases. Fetal developmental disorder was the most common cause of antepartum fetal death (24.2%). Intrapartum deaths were mostly due to extremely low birth weight (44.6%). The most common maternal conditions involved were complications of placenta, cord, and membranes (19.8%). CONCLUSION The applicability of the ICD-PM classification system for stillbirths is easy. It was observed that fetal deaths mostly occurred in the antepartum period and the cause of death could not be identified in over half of these antepartum fetal deaths. In over half of the stillbirths, there is at least one maternal condition involved. The most common maternal conditions involved are complications of placenta, cord, and membranes. The most common maternal medical problem is hypertensive diseases of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulsah Dagdeviren
- Department of Perinatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Care, Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Nihal Sahin Uysal
- Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Kubra Dilbaz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Care, Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sevki Celen
- Department of Perinatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Care, Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ali Turhan Caglar
- Department of Perinatology, Etlik Zubeyde Hanim Women's Health Care, Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
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9
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Baker BC, Lui S, Lorne I, Heazell AEP, Forbes K, Jones RL. Sexually dimorphic patterns in maternal circulating microRNAs in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction. Biol Sex Differ 2021; 12:61. [PMID: 34789323 PMCID: PMC8597318 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-021-00405-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Current methods fail to accurately predict women at greatest risk of developing fetal growth restriction (FGR) or related adverse outcomes, including stillbirth. Sexual dimorphism in these adverse pregnancy outcomes is well documented as are sex-specific differences in gene and protein expression in the placenta. Circulating maternal serum microRNAs (miRNAs) offer potential as biomarkers that may also be informative of underlying pathology. We hypothesised that FGR would be associated with an altered miRNA profile and would differ depending on fetal sex. Methods miRNA expression profiles were assessed in maternal serum (> 36 weeks’ gestation) from women delivering a severely FGR infant (defined as an individualised birthweight centile (IBC) < 3rd) and matched control participants (AGA; IBC = 20–80th), using miRNA arrays. qPCR was performed using specific miRNA primers in an expanded cohort of patients with IBC < 5th (n = 15 males, n = 16 females/group). Maternal serum human placental lactogen (hPL) was used as a proxy to determine if serum miRNAs were related to placental dysfunction. In silico analyses were performed to predict the potential functions of altered miRNAs. Results Initial analyses revealed 11 miRNAs were altered in maternal serum from FGR pregnancies. In silico analyses revealed all 11 altered miRNAs were located in a network of genes that regulate placental function. Subsequent analysis demonstrated four miRNAs showed sexually dimorphic patterns. miR-28-5p was reduced in FGR pregnancies (p < 0.01) only when there was a female offspring and miR-301a-3p was only reduced in FGR pregnancies with a male fetus (p < 0.05). miR-454-3p was decreased in FGR pregnancies (p < 0.05) regardless of fetal sex but was only positively correlated to hPL when the fetus was female. Conversely, miR-29c-3p was correlated to maternal hPL only when the fetus was male. Target genes for sexually dimorphic miRNAs reveal potential functional roles in the placenta including angiogenesis, placental growth, nutrient transport and apoptosis. Conclusions These studies have identified sexually dimorphic patterns for miRNAs in maternal serum in FGR. These miRNAs may have potential as non-invasive biomarkers for FGR and associated placental dysfunction. Further studies to determine if these miRNAs have potential functional roles in the placenta may provide greater understanding of the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and the differing susceptibility of male and female fetuses to adverse in utero conditions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13293-021-00405-z. Detection and treatment of pregnancies at high risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and stillbirth remains a major obstetric challenge; circulating maternal serum microRNAs (miRNAs) offer potential as novel biomarkers. Unbiased analysis of serum miRNAs in women in late pregnancy identified a specific profile of circulating miRNAs in women with a growth-restricted infant. Some altered miRNAs (miR-28-5p, miR-301a-3p) showed sexually dimorphic expression in FGR pregnancies and others a fetal-sex dependent association to a hormonal marker of placental dysfunction (miR-454-3p, miR-29c-3p). miR-301a-3p and miR-28-5p could potentially be used to predict FGR specifically in pregnancies with a male or female baby, respectively, however larger cohort studies are required. Further investigations of these miRNAs and their relationship to placental dysfunction will lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of FGR and why there is differing susceptibility of male and female fetuses to FGR and stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernadette C Baker
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Sylvia Lui
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Division of Inflammation and Repair, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Isabel Lorne
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Alexander E P Heazell
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Karen Forbes
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Rebecca L Jones
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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10
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Aljhdali HM, Abdullah LS, Alhazmi DA, Almosallam AM, Bondagji NS. Practice of Placenta Submission for Histopathological Examination, Experience of a Teaching/Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2021; 13:e17364. [PMID: 34567903 PMCID: PMC8454601 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the appropriateness of histopathologic examination of the placenta at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, based on the guidelines of the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Methods It is a retrospective review of obstetric and pathologic records for all deliveries at KAUH, between January 1, 2017, and April 30, 2019. The placentae were assessed for eligibility to undergo pathologic examination. Furthermore, examined and non-examined placentae meeting the CAP criteria were compared based on their actual indications. Results There were 8,929 deliveries, of which 1,444 (16.2%) placentae met the CAP guidelines. A total of 583/1,444 placentae (40.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 37.8-43) were sent for pathologic examination. Of the 7,485 placentae that did not require submission for pathological examination, as determined by the pathologist, 7,456 (99.6%; 95% CI = 99.4-99.7) were not submitted appropriately. The labor and delivery staff were more likely to submit placentae with fetal/neonatal indications rather than those with maternal indications for examination, which was statistically significant (odds ratio = 6.5; 95% CI = 5.08-8.30). Conclusion While most of the examined placentae at KAUH met the CAP guidelines, there was a substantial under-submission of eligible placentae. Further studies are advised to reveal the reasons behind this underestimation so that correctional measures may be adopted, as placenta examination is a valuable tool to understand the risk factors and pathogenesis of deleterious maternal, neonatal, and fetal events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hessa M Aljhdali
- Anatomic Pathology, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Layla S Abdullah
- Anatomic Pathology, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Dalia A Alhazmi
- Anatomic Pathology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Ahmed M Almosallam
- Anatomic Pathology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Nabeel S Bondagji
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fetomaternal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
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11
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Hypoxia and oxidative stress induce sterile placental inflammation in vitro. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7281. [PMID: 33790316 PMCID: PMC8012380 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86268-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) and stillbirth are associated with placental dysfunction and inflammation and hypoxia, oxidative and nitrative stress are implicated in placental damage. Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are elevated in pregnancies at increased risk of FGR and stillbirth and are associated with increase in pro-inflammatory placental cytokines. We hypothesised that placental insults lead to release of DAMPs, promoting placental inflammation. Placental tissue from uncomplicated pregnancies was exposed in vitro to hypoxia, oxidative or nitrative stress. Tissue production and release of DAMPs and cytokines was determined. Oxidative stress and hypoxia caused differential release of DAMPs including uric acid, HMGB1, S100A8, cell-free fetal DNA, S100A12 and HSP70. After oxidative stress pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα, CCL2) were increased both within explants and in conditioned culture medium. Hypoxia increased tissue IL-1α/β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα levels, and release of IL-1α, IL-6 and IL-8, whereas CCL2 and IL-10 were reduced. IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra) treatment prevented hypoxia- and oxidative stress-induced IL-6 and IL-8 release. These findings provide evidence that relevant stressors induce a sterile inflammatory profile in placental tissue which can be partially blocked by IL1Ra suggesting this agent has translational potential to prevent placental inflammation evident in FGR and stillbirth.
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12
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Sainz JA, Carrera J, Borrero C, García-Mejido JA, Fernández-Palacín A, Robles A, Sosa F, Arroyo E. Study of the Development of Placental Microvascularity by Doppler SMI (Superb Microvascular Imaging): A Reality Today. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2020; 46:3257-3267. [PMID: 32928602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Our objective was to evaluate the development of placental vascularization in normal gestation by using Doppler superb microvascular imaging (SMI). The fetal and maternal parameters of 20 pregnant women without pathology were evaluated at weeks 12, 16, 20-22, 24-26, 28-30, 32-34, 36-38 and 40-42. Doppler SMI was used to evaluate the placental vascularization (pulsatile index and peak systolic velocity) of the primary, secondary and tertiary (third) villi, and qualitative placental descriptions and anatomic-pathologic studies of these placentas were performed. The number of cotyledons identified by Doppler SMI increased from two between weeks 16 and 18 to 24 between weeks 28 and 38. The secondary and tertiary villi began developing at 20 wk of gestation. The pulsatile index of the primary villi remained constant (0.8-0.9 in all pregnancies). The pulsatile index of the secondary and tertiary villi increased from 1.1 to 1.53 and from 1.4 to 1.68, respectively. The peak systolic velocity underwent a significant increase throughout gestation in the secondary and tertiary villi (9.2 to 34.9 cm/s and 7.5 to 52.9 cm/s, respectively). We evaluated the development of placental microvascularization using Doppler SMI in pregnancies without pathology and describe normal placental Doppler SMI findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Sainz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Seville, Spain.
| | - Jara Carrera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Carlota Borrero
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Seville, Spain
| | - José Antonio García-Mejido
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Fernández-Palacín
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Robles
- Department of Pathology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Sosa
- Department of Pathology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Eva Arroyo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Valme University Hospital, Seville, Spain
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13
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Extracellular vesicles: Mediators of embryo-maternal crosstalk during pregnancy and a new weapon to fight against infertility. Eur J Cell Biol 2020; 99:151125. [PMID: 33059931 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2020.151125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In modern-day life, infertility is one of the major issues that can affect an individual, both physically and psychologically. Several anatomical, physiological, and genetic factors might contribute to the infertility of an individual. Intercellular communication between trophectoderm and endometrial epithelium triggers successful embryo implantation and thereby establishes pregnancy. Recent studies demonstrate that Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as one of the crucial components that are involved in embryo-maternal communication and promote pregnancy. Membrane-bound EVs release several secreted factors within the uterine fluid, which mediates an intermolecular transfer of EVs' cargos between blastocysts and endometrium. Emerging evidences indicate that several events like imbalance in the release of endometrial or placenta-derived EVs (exosomes/MVs), uptake of their content, failure of embryo selection might lead to implantation failure. Here in this review, we have discussed the current knowledge of the involvement of EVs in maternal-fetal communications during implantation and also highlighted the EVs' rejuvenating ability to overcome infertility-related issues. We also discussed the alteration of the EVs' cargo in different pathological conditions that lead to infertility. Therefore, this review would give a better understanding of EVs' contribution in successful embryo implantation, which could help in the development of new diagnostic tools and cell-free biologics to improve the in vivo reproductive process and to treat infertility by restoring normal reproductive functions.
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14
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Albrecht ED, Pepe GJ. Regulation of Uterine Spiral Artery Remodeling: a Review. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:1932-1942. [PMID: 32548805 PMCID: PMC7452941 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00212-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Extravillous trophoblast remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries is essential for promoting blood flow to the placenta and fetal development, but little is known about the regulation of this process. A defect in spiral artery remodeling underpins adverse conditions of human pregnancy, notably early-onset preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, which result in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Many in vitro studies have been conducted to determine the ability of growth and other factors to stimulate trophoblast cells to migrate across a synthetic membrane. Clinical studies have investigated whether the maternal levels of various factors are altered during abnormal human pregnancy. Animal models have been established to assess the ability of various factors to recapitulate the pathophysiological symptoms of preeclampsia. This review analyzes the results of the in vitro, clinical, and animal studies and describes a nonhuman primate experimental paradigm of defective uterine artery remodeling to study the regulation of vessel remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene D Albrecht
- Bressler Research Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 West Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Gerald J Pepe
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
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15
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Griffin M, Heazell AEP, Chappell LC, Zhao J, Lawlor DA. The ability of late pregnancy maternal tests to predict adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with placental dysfunction (specifically fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia): a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic accuracy studies. Syst Rev 2020; 9:78. [PMID: 32268905 PMCID: PMC7140577 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-020-01334-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-eclampsia and being born small for gestational age are associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Placental dysfunction is a key pathological process underpinning these conditions; thus, markers of placental function have the potential to identify pregnancies ending in pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and the birth of a small for gestational age infant. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE To assess the predictive ability of late pregnancy (after 24 weeks' gestation) tests in isolation or in combination for adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with placental dysfunction, including pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, delivery of a SGA infant (more specifically neonatal growth restriction), and stillbirth. METHODS Studies assessing the ability of biochemical tests of placental function and/or ultrasound parameters in pregnant women beyond 24 weeks' gestation to predict outcomes including pre-eclampsia, stillbirth, delivery of a SGA infant (including neonatal growth restriction), and/or fetal growth restriction will be identified by searching the following databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, CINAHL, ISRCTN registry, UK Clinical Trials Gateway, and WHO International Clinical Trials Portal. Any study design in which the biomarker and ultrasound scan potential predictors have been assessed after 24 weeks' gestation but before diagnosis of outcomes (pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, SGA (including neonatal growth restriction), and stillbirth) will be eligible (this would include randomized control trials and nested prospective case-control and cohort studies), and there will be no restriction on the background risk of the population. All eligible studies will be assessed for risk of bias using the modified QUADAS-2 tool. Meta-analyses will be undertaken using the ROC models to estimate and compare test discrimination and reclassification indices to test calibration. Validation will be explored by comparing consistency across studies. DISCUSSION This review will assess whether current published data reporting either a single or combination of tests in late pregnancy can accurately predict adverse pregnancy outcome(s) associated with placental dysfunction. Accurate prediction could allow targeted management and possible intervention for high-risk pregnancies, ultimately avoiding adverse outcomes associated with placental disease. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42018107049.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Griffin
- NIHR BRC Reproductive and Perinatal Health Group, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.
| | - Alexander E P Heazell
- Tommy's Maternal and Fetal Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, 5th Floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Lucy C Chappell
- School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, 10th Floor, North Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, UK
| | - Jian Zhao
- NIHR BRC Reproductive and Perinatal Health Group, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Deborah A Lawlor
- NIHR BRC Reproductive and Perinatal Health Group, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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16
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Graham N, Heazell AEP. When the Fetus Goes Still and the Birth Is Tragic: The Role of the Placenta in Stillbirths. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2019; 47:183-196. [PMID: 32008668 DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Because of the critical role that placental structure and function plays during pregnancy, abnormal placental structure and function is closely related to stillbirth: when an infant dies before birth. However, understanding the role of the placental and specific lesions is incomplete, in part because of the variation in definitions of lesions and in classifying causes of stillbirths. Nevertheless, placental abnormalities are seen more frequently in stillbirths than live births, with placental abruption, chorioamnionitis, and maternal vascular malperfusion most commonly reported. Critically, some placental lesions affect the management of subsequent pregnancies. Histopathological examination of the placenta is recommended following stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Graham
- Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 5th Floor (Research), Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Alexander E P Heazell
- Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 5th Floor (Research), Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK.
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17
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Babischkin JS, Aberdeen GW, Lindner JR, Bonagura TW, Pepe GJ, Albrecht ED. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Delivery to Placental Basal Plate Promotes Uterine Artery Remodeling in the Primate. Endocrinology 2019; 160:1492-1505. [PMID: 31002314 PMCID: PMC6542484 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Extravillous trophoblast (EVT) uterine artery remodeling (UAR) promotes placental blood flow, but UAR regulation is unproven. Elevating estradiol (E2) in early baboon pregnancy suppressed UAR and EVT vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, but this did not prove that VEGF mediated this process. Therefore, our primate model of prematurely elevating E2 and contrast-enhanced ultrasound cavitation of microbubble (MB) carriers was used to deliver VEGF DNA to the placental basal plate (PBP) to establish the role of VEGF in UAR. Baboons were treated on days 25 to 59 of gestation (term, 184 days) with E2 alone or with E2 plus VEGF DNA-conjugated MBs briefly infused via a maternal peripheral vein on days 25, 35, 45, and 55. At each of these times an ultrasound beam was directed to the PBP to collapse the MBs and release VEGF DNA. VEGF DNA-labeled MBs per contrast agent was localized in the PBP but not the fetus. Remodeling of uterine arteries >25 µm in diameter on day 60 was 75% lower (P < 0.001) in E2-treated (7% ± 2%) than in untreated baboons (30% ± 4%) and was restored to normal by E2/VEGF. VEGF protein levels (signals/nuclear area) within the PBP were twofold lower (P < 0.01) in E2-treated (4.2 ± 0.9) than in untreated (9.8 ± 2.8) baboons and restored to normal by E2/VEGF (11.9 ± 1.6), substantiating VEGF transfection. Thus, VEGF gene delivery selectively to the PBP prevented the decrease in UAR elicited by prematurely elevating E2 levels, establishing the role of VEGF in regulating UAR in vivo during primate pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery S Babischkin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Graham W Aberdeen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jonathan R Lindner
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | | | - Gerald J Pepe
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
| | - Eugene D Albrecht
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Correspondence: Eugene D. Albrecht, PhD, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Bressler Research Laboratories 11-019, 655 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. E-mail:
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18
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Heazell AE, Hayes DJ, Whitworth M, Takwoingi Y, Bayliss SE, Davenport C. Biochemical tests of placental function versus ultrasound assessment of fetal size for stillbirth and small-for-gestational-age infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 5:CD012245. [PMID: 31087568 PMCID: PMC6515632 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012245.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stillbirth affects 2.6 million pregnancies worldwide each year. Whilst the majority of cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, stillbirth remains an important clinical issue for high-income countries (HICs) - with both the UK and the USA reporting rates above the mean for HICs. In HICs, the most frequently reported association with stillbirth is placental dysfunction. Placental dysfunction may be evident clinically as fetal growth restriction (FGR) and small-for-dates infants. It can be caused by placental abruption or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and many other disorders and factorsPlacental abnormalities are noted in 11% to 65% of stillbirths. Identification of FGA is difficult in utero. Small-for-gestational age (SGA), as assessed after birth, is the most commonly used surrogate measure for this outcome. The degree of SGA is associated with the likelihood of FGR; 30% of infants with a birthweight < 10th centile are thought to be FGR, while 70% of infants with a birthweight < 3rd centile are thought to be FGR. Critically, SGA is the most significant antenatal risk factor for a stillborn infant. Correct identification of SGA infants is associated with a reduction in the perinatal mortality rate. However, currently used tests, such as measurement of symphysis-fundal height, have a low reported sensitivity and specificity for the identification of SGA infants. OBJECTIVES The primary objective was to assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound assessment of fetal growth by estimated fetal weight (EFW) and placental biomarkers alone and in any combination used after 24 weeks of pregnancy in the identification of placental dysfunction as evidenced by either stillbirth, or birth of a SGA infant. Secondary objectives were to investigate the effect of clinical and methodological factors on test performance. SEARCH METHODS We developed full search strategies with no language or date restrictions. The following sources were searched: MEDLINE, MEDLINE In Process and Embase via Ovid, Cochrane (Wiley) CENTRAL, Science Citation Index (Web of Science), CINAHL (EBSCO) with search strategies adapted for each database as required; ISRCTN Registry, UK Clinical Trials Gateway, WHO International Clinical Trials Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov for ongoing studies; specialist abstract and conference proceeding resources (British Library's ZETOC and Web of Science Conference Proceedings Citation Index). Search last conducted in Ocober 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA We included studies of pregnant women of any age with a gestation of at least 24 weeks if relevant outcomes of pregnancy (live birth/stillbirth; SGA infant) were assessed. Studies were included irrespective of whether pregnant women were deemed to be low or high risk for complications or were of mixed populations (low and high risk). Pregnancies complicated by fetal abnormalities and multi-fetal pregnancies were excluded as they have a higher risk of stillbirth from non-placental causes. With regard to biochemical tests, we included assays performed using any technique and at any threshold used to determine test positivity. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We extracted the numbers of true positive, false positive, false negative, and true negative test results from each study. We assessed risk of bias and applicability using the QUADAS-2 tool. Meta-analyses were performed using the hierarchical summary ROC model to estimate and compare test accuracy. MAIN RESULTS We included 91 studies that evaluated seven tests - blood tests for human placental lactogen (hPL), oestriol, placental growth factor (PlGF) and uric acid, ultrasound EFW and placental grading and urinary oestriol - in a total of 175,426 pregnant women, in which 15,471 pregnancies ended in the birth of a small baby and 740 pregnancies which ended in stillbirth. The quality of included studies was variable with most domains at low risk of bias although 59% of studies were deemed to be of unclear risk of bias for the reference standard domain. Fifty-three per cent of studies were of high concern for applicability due to inclusion of only high- or low-risk women.Using all available data for SGA (86 studies; 159,490 pregnancies involving 15,471 SGA infants), there was evidence of a difference in accuracy (P < 0.0001) between the seven tests for detecting pregnancies that are SGA at birth. Ultrasound EFW was the most accurate test for detecting SGA at birth with a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 21.3 (95% CI 13.1 to 34.6); hPL was the most accurate biochemical test with a DOR of 4.78 (95% CI 3.21 to 7.13). In a hypothetical cohort of 1000 pregnant women, at the median specificity of 0.88 and median prevalence of 19%, EFW, hPL, oestriol, urinary oestriol, uric acid, PlGF and placental grading will miss 50 (95% CI 32 to 68), 116 (97 to 133), 124 (108 to 137), 127 (95 to 152), 139 (118 to 154), 144 (118 to 161), and 144 (122 to 161) SGA infants, respectively. For the detection of pregnancies ending in stillbirth (21 studies; 100,687 pregnancies involving 740 stillbirths), in an indirect comparison of the four biochemical tests, PlGF was the most accurate test with a DOR of 49.2 (95% CI 12.7 to 191). In a hypothetical cohort of 1000 pregnant women, at the median specificity of 0.78 and median prevalence of 1.7%, PlGF, hPL, urinary oestriol and uric acid will miss 2 (95% CI 0 to 4), 4 (2 to 8), 6 (6 to 7) and 8 (3 to 13) stillbirths, respectively. No studies assessed the accuracy of ultrasound EFW for detection of pregnancy ending in stillbirth. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Biochemical markers of placental dysfunction used alone have insufficient accuracy to identify pregnancies ending in SGA or stillbirth. Studies combining U and placental biomarkers are needed to determine whether this approach improves diagnostic accuracy over the use of ultrasound estimation of fetal size or biochemical markers of placental dysfunction used alone. Many of the studies included in this review were carried out between 1974 and 2016. Studies of placental substances were mostly carried out before 1991 and after 2013; earlier studies may not reflect developments in test technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ep Heazell
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK, M13 9WL
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Hendrix MLE, van Kuijk SMJ, Gavilanes AWD, Kramer D, Spaanderman MEA, Al Nasiry S. Reduced fetal growth velocities and the association with neonatal outcomes in appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019; 19:31. [PMID: 30646865 PMCID: PMC6332558 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-018-2167-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fetal growth restriction is, despite advances in neonatal care and uptake of antenatal ultrasound scanning, still a major cause of perinatal morbidity. Neonates with birth weight > 10th percentile are assumed to be appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA), although many are at increased risk of perinatal morbidity, because of undetected mild restriction of growth potential. We hypothesized that within AGA neonates, reduced fetal growth velocities are associated with adverse neonatal outcome. Methods A retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies, in the Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC) between 2010 and 2016. Women had two fetal biometry scans (18–22 weeks and 30–34 weeks of gestational age) and delivered a newborn with a birth weight between the 10th–80th percentile. Differences in growth velocities of the abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC) and femur length (FL) were compared between the suboptimal AGA (sAGA) (birth weight centiles 10–50) and optimal AGA (oAGA) (birth weight centiles 50–80) group. We assessed the association between velocities and neonatal outcomes. Results We included 934 singleton pregnancies. In the suboptimal AGA group, fetal growth velocities were lower (in mm/week): AC 10.72 ± 1.00 vs 11.23 ± 1.00 (p < .001), HC 10.50 ± 0.80 vs 10.68 ± 0.77 (p = 0.001), BPD 3.01 ± 0.28 vs 3.08 ± 0.27 (p < .0001) and FL 2.47 ± 0.21 vs 2.50 ± 0.22 (p = 0.014), compared to the optimal AGA group. Neonates with an adverse neonatal outcome had significantly lower growth velocities (in mm/week) of: AC 10.57 vs 10.94 (p = 0.034), HC 10.28 vs 10.59 (p = 0.003) and BPD 2.97 vs 3.04 (p = 0.043) compared to those with normal outcome. An inverse association was observed between the AC velocity and a composite adverse neonatal outcome (OR) = 0.667 (95%CI 0.507–0.879, p = 0.004), and between the AC velocity and neonates with NICU stay (OR) = 0.733 (95%CI 0.570–0.942, p = 0.015). Neonates with a birthweight lower than expected (based on the abdominal circumference at 20 weeks) had significantly more composite adverse neonatal outcomes 8.5% vs 5.0% (p = 0.047), NICU stays 9.6% vs 3.8% (p < .0001) and hospital stays 44.4% vs 35.6% (p = 0.006). Conclusions Appropriate-for-gestational-age neonates are a heterogeneous group with some showing suboptimal fetal growth. Abnormal fetal growth velocities, especially abdominal circumference velocity, are associated with adverse neonatal outcome and can potentially improve the detection of mild growth restriction when used in multivariate models.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L E Hendrix
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - S M J van Kuijk
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht, University Medical Centre (MUMC), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A W D Gavilanes
- Department of Paediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Translational Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biomedicine, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - D Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - M E A Spaanderman
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - S Al Nasiry
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, GROW School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), PO Box 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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20
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Brien ME, Baker B, Duval C, Gaudreault V, Jones RL, Girard S. Alarmins at the maternal-fetal interface: involvement of inflammation in placental dysfunction and pregnancy complications 1. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2018; 97:206-212. [PMID: 30485131 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2018-0363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation is known to be associated with placental dysfunction and pregnancy complications. Infections are well known to be a cause of inflammation but they are frequently undetectable in pregnancy complications. More recently, the focus has been extended to inflammation of noninfectious origin, namely caused by endogenous mediators known as "damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)" or alarmins. In this manuscript, we review the mechanism by which inflammation, sterile or infectious, can alter the placenta and its function. We discuss some classical DAMPs, such as uric acid, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), cell-free fetal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) (cffDNA), S100 proteins, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and their impact on the placenta. We focus on the main placental cells (i.e., trophoblast and Hofbauer cells) and describe the placental response to, and release of, DAMPs. We also covered the current state of knowledge about the role of DAMPs in pregnancy complications including preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and stillbirth and possible therapeutic strategies to preserve placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Eve Brien
- a Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.,b Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Bernadette Baker
- c Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom.,d St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Cyntia Duval
- a Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.,e Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Virginie Gaudreault
- a Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.,e Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Rebecca L Jones
- c Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom.,d St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
| | - Sylvie Girard
- a Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.,b Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.,e Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
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21
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Bowkalow S, Schleussner E, Kähler C, Schneider U, Lehmann T, Groten T. Pentaerythrityltetranitrate (PETN) improves utero- and feto-placental Doppler parameters in pregnancies with impaired utero-placental perfusion in mid-gestation - a secondary analysis of the PETN-pilot trial. J Perinat Med 2018; 46:1004-1009. [PMID: 29272253 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2017-0238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AIM In pregnancies complicated by impaired utero-placental perfusion, pentaeritrithyltetranitrate (PETN) has been shown to reduce the risk of severe fetal growth restriction (FGR) and perinatal death by 39%. The effect is most likely related to the vasodilatative influence of PETN. To assess its impact on utero-placental and fetal perfusion, we analyzed the Doppler parameters measured during the PETN pilot-trial. METHODS One hundred and eleven pregnancies presenting impaired utero-placental resistance at mid-gestation were included in the trial. Fifty-four women received PETN, while 57 received a placebo. Doppler velocimetry measurements were monitored biweekly. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed linear model. RESULTS Within the first week of treatment, the mean pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine artery (UtA) dropped more prominently in the PETN group [-0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.34 to -0.05, P=0.007). The adjusted relative risk (RR) for abnormal cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) was significantly reduced by PETN [RR 0.412 (95% CI: 0.181-0.941)]. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrates the postponement of absent end-diastolic flow (AED), absent or reverse end-diastolic flow (ARED), brain sparing and abnormal cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) in the PETN group. CONCLUSION The demonstrated effect of PETN on utero-placental and feto-placental perfusion strengthens the evidence for a positive impact in pregnancies complicated by impaired placental perfusion and might explain the effect on neonatal outcome, as shown in the PETN-pilot trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Bowkalow
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Ekkehard Schleussner
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Uwe Schneider
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Lehmann
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computer Science, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Tanja Groten
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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22
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Higgins LE, Myers JE, Sibley CP, Johnstone ED, Heazell AEP. Antenatal placental assessment in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome after reduced fetal movement. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206533. [PMID: 30395584 PMCID: PMC6218043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the value of in utero placental assessment in predicting adverse pregnancy outcome after reported reduced fetal movements (RFM). METHOD A non-interventional prospective cohort study of women (N = 300) with subjective RFM at ≥28 weeks' gestation in singleton non-anomalous pregnancies at a UK tertiary maternity hospital. Clinical, sonographic (fetal weight, placental size and maternal, fetal and placental arterial Doppler) and biochemical (maternal serum hCG, hPL, progesterone, PlGF and sFlt-1) assessment was conducted. Multiple logistic regression identified combinations of measurements (models) most predictive of adverse pregnancy outcome (perinatal mortality, birth weight <10th centile, five minute Apgar score <7, umbilical arterial pH <7.1 or base excess <-10, neonatal intensive care admission). Models were compared by test performance characteristics (ROC curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value, positive/negative likelihood ratios) against baseline care (estimated fetal weight centile, amniotic fluid index and gestation at presentation). RESULTS 61 (20.6%) pregnancies ended in adverse outcome. Models incorporating PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio and umbilical artery free loop Doppler impedance demonstrated modest improvement in ROC area for adverse outcome (baseline care 0.69 vs. proposed models 0.73-0.76, p<0.05). However, there was little improvement in other test characteristics (baseline vs. best proposed model: sensitivity 21.7% [95% confidence interval 13.1-33.6] vs. 35.8%% [24.4-49.3], specificity 96.6% [93.4-98.3] vs. 94.7% [90.7-97.0], PPV 61.9% [40.9-79.3] vs. 63.3% [45.5-78.1], NPV 82.8% [77.9-86.8] vs. 85.2% [80.0-89.2], positive LR 6.3 [2.8-14.6] vs. 6.7 [3.4-3.3], negative LR 0.81 [0.71-0.93] vs. 0.68 [0.55-0.83]) and wide confidence intervals. Negative post-test probability remained high (16.7% vs. 14.0%). CONCLUSION Antenatal placental assessment may improve identification of RFM pregnancies at highest risk of adverse pregnancy outcome but further work is required to understand and refine currently available outcome definitions and diagnostic techniques to improve clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy E. Higgins
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny E. Myers
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Colin P. Sibley
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Edward D. Johnstone
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander E. P. Heazell
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
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23
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Turowski G, Tony Parks W, Arbuckle S, Jacobsen AF, Heazell A. The structure and utility of the placental pathology report. APMIS 2018; 126:638-646. [PMID: 30129133 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is one of the most exciting organs. It is dynamic; its morphology and function continuously develop and adjust over its brief life span. It mediates the physiology of two distinct yet highly interconnected individuals. The pathology that develops in the placenta, and the adaptations the placenta undergoes to mitigate this pathology, may influence the later life health of the mother and baby (Circ Res, 116, 2015, 715; Hum Reprod Update, 17, 2011, 397; Nutr Rev 71, 2013, S88; Placenta, 36, 2015, S20). Pathological placenta examination may reveal macroscopic and microscopic patterns that provide valuable information to the obstetricians, neonatologists, and pediatricians caring for the family. The placenta often plays a key role in understanding adverse fetal outcomes such as hypoxic brain injury, cerebral palsy, fetal growth restriction, stillbirth, and neonatal death (Placenta, 35, 2014, 552; Placenta, 52, 2017, 58; Placenta, 30, 2009, 700; Obstet Gynecol, 114, 2009, 809; Clin Perinatol, 33, 2006, 503; Pediatr Dev Pathol, 11, 2008, 456; Arch Pathol Lab Med, 124, 2000, 1785). Moreover, it may help to understand the pathophysiology of pregnancy, improve management of subsequent pregnancies, and assist in medicolegal assessment. Placental pathologic examination may even provide evidence of susceptibility to adult-onset diseases such as diabetes (Pediatr Dev Pathol, 6, 2003, 54; Diabetes Metab, 36, 2010, 682; BJOG, 113, 2006, 1126; Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 104, 2009, S25; Zentralbl Gynakol, 97, 1975, 875). Pathologic examination of the placenta may thus be of tremendous value, particularly for those women experiencing an adverse pregnancy outcome. However, this potential utility may be entirely wasted, if the findings are not communicated in an effective manner to the appropriate clinicians. An optimized, readily understandable report of pathological findings is essential for clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitta Turowski
- Department of Pathology, Paediatric and Pregnancy Related Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - W Tony Parks
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Susan Arbuckle
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne F Jacobsen
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexander Heazell
- Faculty of Biological, Medical and Human Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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24
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First trimester prediction and prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes related to poor placentation. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2018; 29:367-374. [PMID: 28984646 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0000000000000420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent research findings related to first trimester prediction and prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with poor placentation. Recent publications related to prediction and prevention of preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and stillbirth were reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS Researchers continue to identify markers that will help predict pregnancies that go on to develop preeclampsia through screening at 11-13 weeks. A number of multivariate algorithms describing risks for preeclampsia have been published and some of these have been validated in independent populations. A large randomized controlled trial has proven the efficacy of a first trimester prediction - prevention programme for preeclampsia with an 80% reduction in prevalence of disease leading to delivery less than 34 weeks. Screening tools for IUGR and stillbirth are less advanced and require further validation in other populations. The value of these models in preventing disease still needs to be demonstrated. SUMMARY Significant progress has been made in developing predictive and preventive strategies which can affect the prevalence of severe early-onset preeclampsia. This approach could be adopted for population-based screening aiming to prevent this disease.
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25
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Manocha A, Ravikumar G, Crasta J. Placenta in intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD): a comprehensive study from a tertiary care hospital. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018; 32:3939-3947. [PMID: 29792056 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1479390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) is an unpredictable and challenging obstetric complication. Its etiology is multifactorial with more than 60% attributed to the placental cause. The present study was done with a primary objective of understanding the placental lesions underlying IUFD. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, IUFD cases (>22 weeks) between January 2012 and September 2015 were collected from pathology database. The clinical details with ultrasound findings were collected from mother's charts. The lesions were classified into (A) maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) including retroplacental hematomas, (B) fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM), (C) inflammatory lesions, and (D) idiopathic. The contributor to fetal death was classified as direct, major, minor, unlikely, or unknown. Placental findings of fetal hypoxia were recorded. Results: The study included 100 cases of IUFD. The mean maternal age was 26 years (18-36 years). Primipara were 46. There were 65 early preterm (PT) (<34 weeks), 20 late PT (34 weeks to <37 weeks) and 15 term (>37 weeks) IUFD. The mean gestation age was 30 weeks. The ratio of male:female fetuses was 1:1.7. Relevant obstetric complications included preeclampsia (n = 39), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (n = 7), pre-gestational diabetes (n = 7), bad obstetric history (n = 6), oligohydramnios (n = 5). The mean placental weight was 256 g. Maternal vascular malperfusion had the highest incidence (30%), followed by combined maternal and FVM (10%). Exclusive inflammatory lesions and FVM were seen in 12 and 6%, respectively. No cause was identified in 18%. Direct contributor to IUFD was identified in 51 cases and major, minor, unlikely contribution in 21, 11 and nine cases, respectively. In nine cases, it was unknown. Lesions indicating fetal hypoxia were noted in 35 cases. In both early and late PT, MVM featured more commonly (23 and 5%). In term placentas, the most common cause was idiopathic. Conclusions: Lesions of MVM were the most common cause of IUFD and served as a direct contributor to fetal demise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha Manocha
- Department of Pathology, St. Johns Medical College , Bangalore , India
| | - Gayatri Ravikumar
- Department of Pathology, St. Johns Medical College , Bangalore , India
| | - Julian Crasta
- Department of Pathology, St. Johns Medical College , Bangalore , India
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26
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Yamaleyeva LM, Sun Y, Bledsoe T, Hoke A, Gurley SB, Brosnihan KB. Photoacoustic imaging for in vivo quantification of placental oxygenation in mice. FASEB J 2017; 31:5520-5529. [PMID: 28842425 PMCID: PMC5690392 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700047rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Accurate analysis of placental and fetal oxygenation is critical during pregnancy. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) combines laser technology with ultrasound in real time. We tested the sensitivity and accuracy of PAI for analysis of placental and fetal oxygen saturation (sO2) in mice. The placental labyrinth (L) had a higher sO2 than the junctional zone plus decidua region (JZ+D) in C57Bl/6 mice. Changing maternal O2 from 100 to 20% in C57Bl/6 mice lowered sO2 in these regions. C57Bl/6 mice were treated with the NO synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) from gestational day (GD) 11 to GD18 to induce hypertension. L-NAME decreased sO2 in L and JZ+D at GD14 and GD18 in association with fetal growth restriction and higher blood pressure. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α immunostaining was higher in L-NAME vs control mice at GD14. Fetal sO2 levels were similar between l-NAME and control mice at GD14 and GD18. In contrast to untreated C57Bl/6, L-NAME decreased placental sO2 at GD14 and GD18 vs GD10 or GD12. Placental sO2 was lower in fetal growth restriction in an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 knockout mouse model characterized by placental hypoxia. On phantom studies, patterns of sO2 measured directly correlated with those measured by PAI. In summary, PAI enables the detection of placental and fetal oxygenation during normal and pathologic pregnancies in mice.-Yamaleyeva, L. M., Sun, Y., Bledsoe, T., Hoke, A., Gurley, S. B., Brosnihan, K. B. Photoacoustic imaging for in vivo quantification of placental oxygenation in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliya M Yamaleyeva
- Department of Surgery/Hypertension and Vascular Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tiffaney Bledsoe
- Department of Surgery/Hypertension and Vascular Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Asia Hoke
- Department of Surgery/Hypertension and Vascular Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan B Gurley
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Durham Veterans Affairs and Duke University Medical Centers, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - K Bridget Brosnihan
- Department of Surgery/Hypertension and Vascular Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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27
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Li X, Zhang M, Pan X, Xu Z, Sun M. “Three Hits” Hypothesis for Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases in View of Cardiovascular Abnormalities. Birth Defects Res 2017; 109:744-757. [PMID: 28509412 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Institute for Fetology; First Hospital of Soochow University; Suzhou China
| | - Mengshu Zhang
- Institute for Fetology; First Hospital of Soochow University; Suzhou China
| | - Xinghua Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology in Guangdong province; Southern Medical University; Guangzhou China
- Department of Genetics; Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven Connecticut
| | - Zhice Xu
- Institute for Fetology; First Hospital of Soochow University; Suzhou China
| | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology; First Hospital of Soochow University; Suzhou China
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28
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Hannan NJ, Beard S, Binder NK, Onda K, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Chen Q, Tuohey L, De Silva M, Tong S. Key players of the necroptosis pathway RIPK1 and SIRT2 are altered in placenta from preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Placenta 2017; 51:1-9. [PMID: 28292463 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are among the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Placental insufficiency is central to these conditions. The mechanisms underlying placental insufficiency are poorly understood. Apoptosis has long been considered the only form of regulated cell death, recent research has identified an alternate process of programmed cell death known as necroptosis [1]. Necroptosis is distinct from apoptosis, relying on the deacetylase sirtuin-2 [2], receptor interacting kinases RIPK1 and 3, and the pseudokinase MLKL [3]. We aimed to determine whether these key necroptosis effector molecules were present in human placenta and whether they are differentially expressed in severe preterm (PT) PE and FGR. METHODS PT placentas from severe early onset (<34 weeks) PE (n = 30), FGR (n = 12) and control (18) pregnancies were collected. SIRT2 and RIPK1 localization and quantitation was determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect SIRT2 and RIPK1 in trophoblastic debris from first trimester, term control and PE pregnancies. Expression of SIRT2, RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL was examined by qPCR. RESULTS SIRT2 and RIPK1 were localized to the syncytiotrophoblast, villous leukocytes and vasculature in all PT placentas. A significant reduction in SIRT2 protein expression in both PE and FGR placentas was identified. RIPK1 mRNA expression was significantly increased in PE placentas. Immunofluorescence identified both SIRT2 and RIPK1 in the cytotrophoblast cytoplasm. DISCUSSION We have identified the presence of activators of necroptosis in human placenta. Interestingly, there is differential expression in major pregnancy complications. We conclude necroptosis may contribute to placental pathophysiology that underlies serious pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Hannan
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Sally Beard
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie K Binder
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kenji Onda
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Japan
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura Tuohey
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Manarangi De Silva
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
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Heazell AEP, Hayes DJL, Whitworth M, Takwoingi Y, Bayliss SE, Davenport C. Diagnostic accuracy of biochemical tests of placental function versus ultrasound assessment of fetal size for stillbirth and small-for-gestational-age infants. Hippokratia 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander EP Heazell
- University of Manchester; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre; 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road Manchester UK M13 9WL
| | - Dexter JL Hayes
- University of Manchester; Department of Maternal and Fetal Health; Oxford Road Manchester UK M13 9WL
| | - Melissa Whitworth
- University of Manchester; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre; 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road Manchester UK M13 9WL
| | - Yemisi Takwoingi
- University of Birmingham; Institute of Applied Health Research; Edgbaston Birmingham UK B15 2TT
| | - Susan E Bayliss
- University of Birmingham; Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Edgbaston Birmingham UK B15 2TT
| | - Clare Davenport
- University of Birmingham; Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Edgbaston Birmingham UK B15 2TT
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Ptacek I, Smith A, Garrod A, Bullough S, Bradley N, Batra G, Sibley CP, Jones RL, Brownbill P, Heazell AEP. Quantitative assessment of placental morphology may identify specific causes of stillbirth. BMC Clin Pathol 2016; 16:1. [PMID: 26865834 PMCID: PMC4748636 DOI: 10.1186/s12907-016-0023-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stillbirth is frequently the result of pathological processes involving the placenta. Understanding the significance of specific lesions is hindered by qualitative subjective evaluation. We hypothesised that quantitative assessment of placental morphology would identify alterations between different causes of stillbirth and that placental phenotype would be independent of post-mortem effects and differ between live births and stillbirths with the same condition. METHODS Placental tissue was obtained from stillbirths with an established cause of death, those of unknown cause and live births. Image analysis was used to quantify different facets of placental structure including: syncytial nuclear aggregates (SNAs), proliferative cells, blood vessels, leukocytes and trophoblast area. These analyses were then applied to placental tissue from live births and stillbirths associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR), and to placental lobules before and after perfusion of the maternal side of the placental circulation to model post-mortem effects. RESULTS Different causes of stillbirth, particularly FGR, cord accident and hypertension had altered placental morphology compared to healthy live births. FGR stillbirths had increased SNAs and trophoblast area and reduced proliferation and villous vascularity; 2 out of 10 stillbirths of unknown cause had similar placental morphology to FGR. Stillbirths with FGR had reduced vascularity, proliferation and trophoblast area compared to FGR live births. Ex vivo perfusion did not reproduce the morphological findings of stillbirth. CONCLUSION These preliminary data suggest that addition of quantitative assessment of placental morphology may distinguish between different causes of stillbirth; these changes do not appear to be due to post-mortem effects. Applying quantitative assessment in addition to qualitative assessment might reduce the proportion of unexplained stillbirths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imogen Ptacek
- Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL UK ; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Anna Smith
- Department of Histopathology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Ainslie Garrod
- Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL UK ; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Sian Bullough
- Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL UK ; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Nicola Bradley
- Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL UK ; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Gauri Batra
- Department of Histopathology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Colin P Sibley
- Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL UK ; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Rebecca L Jones
- Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL UK ; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Paul Brownbill
- Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL UK ; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
| | - Alexander E P Heazell
- Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL UK ; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, 5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL UK
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Hayward CE, Lean S, Sibley CP, Jones RL, Wareing M, Greenwood SL, Dilworth MR. Placental Adaptation: What Can We Learn from Birthweight:Placental Weight Ratio? Front Physiol 2016; 7:28. [PMID: 26903878 PMCID: PMC4742558 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Appropriate fetal growth relies upon adequate placental nutrient transfer. Birthweight:placental weight ratio (BW:PW ratio) is often used as a proxy for placental efficiency, defined as the grams of fetus produced per gram placenta. An elevated BW:PW ratio in an appropriately grown fetus (small placenta) is assumed to be due to up-regulated placental nutrient transfer capacity i.e., a higher nutrient net flux per gram placenta. In fetal growth restriction (FGR), where a fetus fails to achieve its genetically pre-determined growth potential, placental weight and BW:PW ratio are often reduced which may indicate a placenta that fails to adapt its nutrient transfer capacity to compensate for its small size. This review considers the literature on BW:PW ratio in both large cohort studies of normal pregnancies and those studies offering insight into the relationship between BW:PW ratio and outcome measures including stillbirth, FGR, and subsequent postnatal consequences. The core of this review is the question of whether BW:PW ratio is truly indicative of altered placental efficiency, and whether changes in BW:PW ratio reflect those placentas which adapt their nutrient transfer according to their size. We consider this question using data from mice and humans, focusing upon studies that have measured the activity of the well characterized placental system A amino acid transporter, both in uncomplicated pregnancies and in FGR. Evidence suggests that BW:PW ratio is reduced both in FGR and in pregnancies resulting in a small for gestational age (SGA, birthweight < 10th centile) infant but this effect is more pronounced earlier in gestation (<28 weeks). In mice, there is a clear association between increased BW:PW ratio and increased placental system A activity. Additionally, there is good evidence in wild-type mice that small placentas upregulate placental nutrient transfer to prevent fetal undergrowth. In humans, this association between BW:PW ratio and placental system A activity is less clear and is worthy of further consideration, both in terms of system A and other placental nutrient transfer processes. This knowledge would help decide the value of measuring BW:PW ratio in terms of determining the risk of poor health outcomes, both in the neonatal period and long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina E Hayward
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of ManchesterManchester, UK; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustManchester, UK
| | - Samantha Lean
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of ManchesterManchester, UK; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustManchester, UK
| | - Colin P Sibley
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of ManchesterManchester, UK; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustManchester, UK
| | - Rebecca L Jones
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of ManchesterManchester, UK; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustManchester, UK
| | - Mark Wareing
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of ManchesterManchester, UK; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustManchester, UK
| | - Susan L Greenwood
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of ManchesterManchester, UK; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustManchester, UK
| | - Mark R Dilworth
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of ManchesterManchester, UK; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustManchester, UK
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Derricott H, Jones RL, Greenwood SL, Batra G, Evans MJ, Heazell AEP. Characterizing Villitis of Unknown Etiology and Inflammation in Stillbirth. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 186:952-61. [PMID: 26851347 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) is an enigmatic inflammatory condition of the placenta associated with fetal growth restriction and stillbirth. Greater understanding of this condition is essential to understand its contribution to adverse outcomes. Our aim was to identify and quantify the cells in VUE in cases of stillbirth and to characterize immune responses specific to this condition. Immunohistochemistry was performed on placentas from stillborn infants whose cause of death was recorded as VUE to identify CD45(+) leukocytes, CD163(+) macrophages, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, neutrophils, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Images were quantified with HistoQuest software. CD45(+) leukocytes comprised 25% of cells in VUE lesions: macrophages (12%) and CD4 T cells (11%) being predominant cell types; CD8 T cells were observed in all lesions. Leukocytes and macrophages were increased throughout the placenta in stillbirths; pan-placental CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells outside VUE lesions were increased in stillbirth with VUE. There was increased IL-2 and IL-12 and reduced IL-4 immunostaining in VUE lesions. Our results suggest VUE in stillbirth has a similar immune cell profile to live birth. Pan-placental macrophages, CD4 and CD8 T cells indicate a wider inflammatory response unrestricted to VUE lesions. The cytokine profile observed suggests a skew towards inappropriate Th1 immune responses. Full characterisation VUE lesion phenotype confirms its immunological origins and provides foundations to develop novel investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Derricott
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom.
| | - Rebecca L Jones
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Susan L Greenwood
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gauri Batra
- Department of Paediatric Histopathology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret J Evans
- Department of Paediatric Histopathology, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander E P Heazell
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Coviello EM, Grantz KL, Huang CC, Kelly TE, Landy HJ. Risk factors for retained placenta. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 213:864.e1-864.e11. [PMID: 26226556 PMCID: PMC10448481 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Retained placenta complicates 2-3% of vaginal deliveries and is a known cause of postpartum hemorrhage. Treatment includes manual or operative placental extraction, potentially increasing risks of hemorrhage, infections, and prolonged hospital stays. We sought to evaluate risk factors for retained placenta, defined as more than 30 minutes between the delivery of the fetus and placenta, in a large US obstetrical cohort. STUDY DESIGN We included singleton, vaginal deliveries ≥24 weeks (n = 91,291) from the Consortium of Safe Labor from 12 US institutions (2002-2008). Multivariable logistic regression analyses estimated the adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for potential risk factors for retained placenta stratified by parity, adjusting for relevant confounding factors. Characteristics such as stillbirth, maternal age, race, and admission body mass index were examined. RESULTS Retained placenta complicated 1047 vaginal deliveries (1.12%). Regardless of parity, significant predictors of retained placenta included stillbirth (nulliparous adjusted OR, 5.67; 95% CI, 3.10-10.37; multiparous adjusted OR, 4.56; 95% CI, 2.08-9.94), maternal age ≥30 years, delivery at 24 0/7 to 27 6/7 compared with 34 weeks or later and delivery in a teaching hospital. In nulliparous women, additional risk factors were identified: longer first- or second-stage labor duration, whereas non-Hispanic black compared with non-Hispanic white race was found to be protective. Body mass index was not associated with an increased risk. CONCLUSION Multiple risk factors for retained placenta were identified, particularly the strong association with stillbirth. It is plausible that there could be something intrinsic about stillbirth that causes a retained placenta, or perhaps there are shared pathways of certain etiologies of stillbirth and a risk of retained placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Coviello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC.
| | - Katherine L Grantz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Chun-Chih Huang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, MedStar Health Research Institute, Hyattsville, MD
| | - Tara E Kelly
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC
| | - Helain J Landy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC; Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC
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Heazell AEP, Whitworth M, Duley L, Thornton JG. Use of biochemical tests of placental function for improving pregnancy outcome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 2015:CD011202. [PMID: 26602956 PMCID: PMC8860184 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011202.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta has an essential role in determining the outcome of pregnancy. Consequently, biochemical measurement of placentally-derived factors has been suggested as a means to improve fetal and maternal outcome of pregnancy. OBJECTIVES To assess whether clinicians' knowledge of the results of biochemical tests of placental function is associated with improvement in fetal or maternal outcome of pregnancy. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 July 2015) and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised, cluster-randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials assessing the merits of the use of biochemical tests of placental function to improve pregnancy outcome.Studies were eligible if they compared women who had placental function tests and the results were available to their clinicians with women who either did not have the tests, or the tests were done but the results were not available to the clinicians. The placental function tests were any biochemical test of placental function carried out using the woman's maternal biofluid, either alone or in combination with other placental function test/s. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed trial quality. Authors of published trials were contacted for further information. MAIN RESULTS Three trials were included, two quasi-randomised controlled trials and one randomised controlled trial. One trial was deemed to be at low risk of bias while the other two were at high risk of bias. Different biochemical analytes were measured - oestrogen was measured in one trial and the other two measured human placental lactogen (hPL). One trial did not contribute outcome data, therefore, the results of this review are based on two trials with 740 participants.There was no evidence of a difference in the incidence of death of a baby (risk ratio (RR) 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36 to 2.13, two trials, 740 participants (very low quality evidence)) or the frequency of a small-for-gestational-age infant (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.19, one trial, 118 participants (low quality evidence)).In terms of this review's secondary outcomes, there was no evidence of a clear difference between women who had biochemical tests of placental function compared with standard antenatal care for the incidence of stillbirth (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.88, two trials, 740 participants (very low quality evidence)) or neonatal death (RR 1.62, 95% CI 0.39 to 6.74, two trials, 740 participants, very low quality evidence)) although the directions of any potential effect were in opposing directions. There was no evidence of a difference between groups in elective delivery (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.14, two trials, 740 participants (low quality evidence)), caesarean section (one trial, RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.52, one trial, 118 participants (low quality evidence)), change in anxiety score (mean difference -2.40, 95% CI -4.78 to -0.02, one trial, 118 participants), admissions to neonatal intensive care (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.03 to 3.01, one trial, 118 participants), and preterm birth before 37 weeks' gestation (RR 2.90, 95% CI 0.12 to 69.81, one trial, 118 participants). One trial (118 participants) reported that there were no cases of serious neonatal morbidity. Maternal death was not reported.A number of this review's secondary outcomes relating to the baby were not reported in the included studies, namely: umbilical artery pH < 7.0, neonatal intensive care for more than seven days, very preterm birth (< 32 weeks' gestation), need for ventilation, organ failure, fetal abnormality, neurodevelopment in childhood (cerebral palsy, neurodevelopmental delay). Similarly, a number of this review's maternal secondary outcomes were not reported in the included studies (admission to intensive care, high dependency unit admission, hospital admission for > seven days, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and women's perception of care). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence to support the use of biochemical tests of placental function to reduce perinatal mortality or increase identification of small-for-gestational-age infants. However, we were only able to include data from two studies that measured oestrogens and hPL. The quality of the evidence was low or very low.Two of the trials were performed in the 1970s on women with a variety of antenatal complications and this evidence cannot be generalised to women at low-risk of complications or groups of women with specific pregnancy complications (e.g. fetal growth restriction). Furthermore, outcomes described in the 1970s may not reflect what would be expected at present. For example, neonatal mortality rates have fallen substantially, such that an infant delivered at 28 weeks would have a greater chance of survival were those studies repeated; this may affect the primary outcome of the meta-analysis.With data from just two studies (740 women), this review is underpowered to detect a difference in the incidence of death of a baby or the frequency of a small-for-gestational-age infant as these have a background incidence of approximately 0.75% and 10% of pregnancies respectively. Similarly, this review is underpowered to detect differences between serious and/or rare adverse events such as severe neonatal morbidity. Two of the three included studies were quasi-randomised, with significant risk of bias from group allocation. Additionally, there may be performance bias as in one of the two studies contributing data, participants receiving standard care did not have venepuncture, so clinicians treating participants could identify which arm of the study they were in. Future studies should consider more robust randomisation methods and concealment of group allocation and should be adequately powered to detect differences in rare adverse events.The studies identified in this review examined two different analytes: oestrogens and hPL. There are many other placental products that could be employed as surrogates of placental function, including: placental growth factor (PlGF), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), plasma protein A (PAPP-A), placental protein 13 (PP-13), pregnancy-specific glycoproteins and progesterone metabolites and further studies should be encouraged to investigate these other placental products. Future randomised controlled trials should test analytes identified as having the best predictive reliability for placental dysfunction leading to small-for-gestational-age infants and perinatal mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander EP Heazell
- University of ManchesterMaternal and Fetal Health Research Centre5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford RoadManchesterUKM13 9WL
| | - Melissa Whitworth
- University of ManchesterMaternal and Fetal Health Research Centre5th floor (Research), St Mary's Hospital, Oxford RoadManchesterUKM13 9WL
| | - Lelia Duley
- Nottingham Health Science PartnersNottingham Clinical Trials UnitC Floor, South BlockQueen's Medical CentreNottinghamUKNG7 2UH
| | - Jim G Thornton
- University of NottinghamDivision of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of MedicineNottingham City Hospital NHS TrustHucknall RoadNottinghamNottinghamshireUKNG5 1PB
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Friesen-Waldner LJ, Sinclair KJ, Wade TP, Michael B, Chen AP, de Vrijer B, Regnault TRH, McKenzie CA. Hyperpolarized [1-(13) C]pyruvate MRI for noninvasive examination of placental metabolism and nutrient transport: A feasibility study in pregnant guinea pigs. J Magn Reson Imaging 2015; 43:750-5. [PMID: 26227963 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To test the feasibility of hyperpolarized [1-(13) C]pyruvate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for noninvasive examination of guinea pig fetoplacental metabolism and nutrient transport. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven pregnant guinea pigs with a total of 30 placentae and fetuses were anesthetized and scanned at 3T. T1 -weighted (1) H images were obtained from the maternal abdomen. An 80 mM solution of hyperpolarized [1-(13) C]pyruvate (hereafter referred to as pyruvate) was injected into a vein in the maternal foot. Time-resolved 3D (13) C images were acquired starting 10 seconds after the beginning of bolus injection and every 10 seconds after to 50 seconds. The pregnant guinea pigs were recovered after imaging. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn around the maternal heart and each placenta and fetal liver in all slices in the (1) H images. These ROIs were copied to the (13) C images and were used to calculate the sum of the pyruvate and lactate signal intensities for each organ. The signal intensities were normalized by the volume of the organ and the maximum signal in the maternal heart. RESULTS No adverse events were observed in the pregnant guinea pigs and natural pupping occurred at term (∼68 days). Pyruvate signal was observed in all 30 placentae, and lactate, a by-product of pyruvate metabolism, was also observed in all placentae. The maximum pyruvate and lactate signals in placentae occurred at 20 seconds. In addition to the observation of pyruvate and lactate signals in the placentae, both pyruvate and lactate signals were observed in all fetal livers. The maximum pyruvate and lactate signals in the fetal livers occurred at 10 seconds and 20 seconds, respectively. CONCLUSION This work demonstrates the feasibility of using hyperpolarized [1-(13) C]pyruvate MRI to noninvasively examine fetoplacental metabolism and transport of pyruvate in guinea pigs. Hyperpolarized (13) C MRI may provide a novel method for longitudinal studies of fetoplacental abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin J Sinclair
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Trevor P Wade
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Banoub Michael
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Barbra de Vrijer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Lawson Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy R H Regnault
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Lawson Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles A McKenzie
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Lawson Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stillbirth is an important issue in antenatal care and much remains unknown. This cohort study aims to explore the previously un-identified risk factor of third-trimester stillbirth to determine if Grade III preterm placental calcification (PPC) is associated with stillbirth. METHODS At a tertiary teaching hospital, obstetric ultrasonography was performed at 28 weeks' gestation to establish a diagnosis of PPC. Pregnancies with multifetal gestations, major fetal congenital anomalies, termination, cord accidents, apparent intrauterine infection, and antepartum complications were excluded. RESULTS 15,122 eligible pregnancies were categorized as stillbirth (n = 99) and livebirth (n = 15,023) groups. Between these two groups, there were no significant differences in maternal age, BMI, and parity, but significant differences in smoking and in PPC (35.4% vs 6.3%, p < 0.001) were observed. The peak occurrence of stillbirths was at 30 and 37 weeks' gestation, with a bimodal distribution of 11 and 17 stillbirths, respectively. For pregnancies with or without PPC, the incidences of stillbirths per-1000-births were 35.9 and 4.5, respectively. Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, at 40 weeks' gestation the cumulative stillbirth risk for pregnancies with PPC was higher compared to those without PPC. Logistic regression revealed that after adjusting for the effects of smoking and demographic factors, the risk of stillbirth (adjusted OR:7.62; 95% CI:5.00-11.62) was much higher when PPC was present. DISCUSSION Grade III PPC is associated with a higher incidence of stillbirth, and identified an independent risk factor. Being a pathologic implication, it may precede this negative outcome and can serve as a warning sign or marker when noted on ultrasonography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Hu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Tzu-Chi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzu-Chi Medical Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
| | - Kok-Min Seow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Ru Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chiao-Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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