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Funk A, Stephenson N, McNeil DA, Kuret V, Castillo E, Parmar R, Nerenberg KA, Teare G, Klein K, Metcalfe A. Population-level changes in perinatal death for pregnancies prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pregnancy cohort analysis. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2024. [PMID: 39054734 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Results of population-level studies examining the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the risks of perinatal death have varied considerably. OBJECTIVES To explore trends in the risk of perinatal death among pregnancies beginning prior to and during the pandemic using a pregnancy cohort approach. METHODS This secondary analysis included data from singleton pregnancies ≥20 weeks' gestation in Alberta, Canada, beginning between 5 March 2017 and 4 March 2021. Perinatal death (i.e. stillbirth or neonatal death) was the primary outcome considered. The risk of this outcome was calculated for pregnancies with varying gestational overlap with the pandemic (i.e. none, 0-20 weeks, entire pregnancy). Interrupted time series analysis was used to further determine temporal trends in the outcome by time period of interest. RESULTS There were 190,853 pregnancies during the analysis period. Overall, the risk of perinatal death decreased with increasing levels of pandemic exposure; this outcome was experienced in 1.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9, 1.0), 0.9% (95% CI 0.8, 1.1) and 0.8% (95% CI 0.7, 0.9) of pregnancies with no overlap, partial overlap and complete pandemic overlap respectively. Pregnancies beginning during the pandemic that had high antepartum risk scores less frequently led to perinatal death compared to those beginning prior; 3.3% (95% CI 2.7, 3.9) versus 5.7% (95% CI 5.0, 6.5) respectively. Interrupted time-series analysis revealed a decreasing temporal trend in perinatal death for pregnancies beginning ≤40 weeks prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. with pandemic exposure), with no trend for pregnancies beginning >40 weeks pre-pandemic (i.e. no pandemic exposure). CONCLUSION We observed a decrease in perinatal death for pregnancies overlapping with the COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, particularly among those at high risk of these outcomes. Specific pandemic control measures and government response programmes in our setting may have contributed to this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Funk
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nikki Stephenson
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Deborah A McNeil
- Maternal Newborn Child and Youth Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Verena Kuret
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eliana Castillo
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Radhmilla Parmar
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kara A Nerenberg
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gary Teare
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Provincial Population and Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kristin Klein
- Provincial Population and Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amy Metcalfe
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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2
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Li L, Wang K, Wang M, Tao J, Li X, Liu Z, Li N, Qiu X, Wei H, Lin Y, He Y, Deng Y, Kang H, Li Y, Yu P, Wang Y, Zhu J, Liu H. The maternal drug exposure birth cohort (DEBC) in China. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5312. [PMID: 38906856 PMCID: PMC11192739 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49623-0] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug exposure during pregnancy lacks global fetal safety data. The maternal drug exposure birth cohort (DEBC) study, a prospective longitudinal investigation, aims to explore the correlation of maternal drug exposure during pregnancy with pregnancy outcomes, and establish a human biospecimen biobank. Here we describe the process of establishing DEBC and show that the drug exposure rate in the first trimester of pregnant women in DEBC (n = 112,986) is 30.70%. Among the drugs used, dydrogesterone and progesterone have the highest exposure rates, which are 11.97% and 10.82%, respectively. The overall incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes is 13.49%. Dydrogesterone exposure during the first trimester is correlated with higher incidences of stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and birth defects, along with a lower incidence of miscarriage/abortion. Due to the limitations of this cohort study, causative conclusions cannot be drawn. Further follow-up and in-depth data analysis are planned for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Li
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ke Wang
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Meixian Wang
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Tao
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaohong Li
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Nana Li
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoxia Qiu
- The Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Hongwei Wei
- The Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yuan He
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, National Human Genetic Resource Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Deng
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Kang
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuting Li
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ping Yu
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yanping Wang
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jun Zhu
- National Center for Birth Defect Monitoring, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Hanmin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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3
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Nardi E, Seidita I, Abati I, Donati C, Bernacchioni C, Castiglione F, Serena C, Mecacci F, Bloise E, Petraglia F. The placenta in fetal death: molecular evidence of dysregulation of inflammatory, proliferative, and fetal protective pathways. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024:S0002-9378(24)00679-3. [PMID: 38908653 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is estimated that over 2 million cases of fetal death occur worldwide every year, but, despite the high incidence, several basic and clinical characteristics of this disorder are still unclear. Placenta is suggested to play a central role in fetal death. Placenta produces hormones, cytokines and growth factors that modulate functions of the placental-maternal unit. Fetal death has been correlated with impaired secretion of some of these regulatory factors. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in placentas collected from fetal death, the gene expression of inflammatory, proliferative and protective factors. STUDY DESIGN Cases of fetal death in singleton pregnancy were retrospectively selected, excluding pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth restriction and moderate to severe maternal diseases. A group of placentas collected from healthy singleton term pregnancies were used as controls. Groups were compared regarding maternal and gestational age, fetal sex and birthweight. Placental messenger RNA expression of inflammatory (interleukin 6), proliferative (activin A, transforming growth factor β1) and regulatory (vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC) ABCB1 and ABCG2, sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling pathway) markers was conducted using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis and graphical representation of the data were performed using the GraphPad Prism 5 software. For the statistical analysis, Student's t test was used, and P values<.05 were considered significant. RESULTS Placental mRNA expression of interleukin 6 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 resulted significantly higher in the fetal death group compared to controls (P<.01), while activin A, ABCB1, and ABCG2 expression resulted significantly lower (P<.01). A significant alteration in the sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling pathway was found in the fetal death group, with an increased expression of the specific receptor isoforms sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1, 3, and 4 (sphingosine 1-phosphate1, sphingosine 1-phosphate3, sphingosine 1-phosphate4) and of sphingosine kinase 2, 1 of the enzyme isoforms responsible for sphingosine 1-phosphate synthesis (P<.01). CONCLUSION The present study confirmed a significantly increased expression of placental interleukin 6 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 mRNA, and for the first time showed an increased expression of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors and sphingosine kinase 2 as well as a decreased expression of activin A and of selected ATP-binding cassette transporters, suggesting that multiple inflammatory and protective factors are deranged in placenta of fetal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Nardi
- Pathology, Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Isabelle Seidita
- Lipid Cell Signaling and Biology Lab, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Isabella Abati
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Donati
- Lipid Cell Signaling and Biology Lab, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Caterina Bernacchioni
- Lipid Cell Signaling and Biology Lab, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Serena
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federico Mecacci
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Enrrico Bloise
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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Gaddy JA, Moore RE, Lochner JS, Rogers LM, Noble KN, Giri A, Aronoff DM, Cliffel D, Eastman AJ. Palmitate and group B Streptococcus synergistically and differentially induce IL-1β from human gestational membranes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1409378. [PMID: 38855112 PMCID: PMC11158625 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1409378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rupture of the gestational membranes often precedes major pregnancy complications, including preterm labor and preterm birth. One major cause of inflammation in the gestational membranes, chorioamnionitis (CAM) is often a result of bacterial infection. The commensal bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae, or Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading infectious cause of CAM. Obesity is on the rise worldwide and roughly 1 in 4 pregnancy complications is related to obesity, and individuals with obesity are also more likely to be colonized by GBS. The gestational membranes are comprised of several distinct cell layers which are, from outermost to innermost: maternally-derived decidual stromal cells (DSCs), fetal cytotrophoblasts (CTBs), fetal mesenchymal cells, and fetal amnion epithelial cells (AECs). In addition, the gestational membranes have several immune cell populations; macrophages are the most common phagocyte. Here we characterize the effects of palmitate, the most common long-chain saturated fatty acid, on the inflammatory response of each layer of the gestational membranes when infected with GBS, using human cell lines and primary human tissue. Results Palmitate itself slightly but significantly augments GBS proliferation. Palmitate and GBS co-stimulation synergized to induce many inflammatory proteins and cytokines, particularly IL-1β and matrix metalloproteinase 9 from DSCs, CTBs, and macrophages, but not from AECs. Many of these findings are recapitulated when treating cells with palmitate and a TLR2 or TLR4 agonist, suggesting broad applicability of palmitate-pathogen synergy. Co-culture of macrophages with DSCs or CTBs, upon co-stimulation with GBS and palmitate, resulted in increased inflammatory responses, contrary to previous work in the absence of palmitate. In whole gestational membrane biopsies, the amnion layer appeared to dampen immune responses from the DSC and CTB layers (the choriodecidua) to GBS and palmitate co-stimulation. Addition of the monounsaturated fatty acid oleate, the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid in circulation, dampened the proinflammatory effect of palmitate. Discussion These studies reveal a complex interplay between the immunological response of the distinct layers of the gestational membrane to GBS infection and that such responses can be altered by exposure to long-chain saturated fatty acids. These data provide insight into how metabolic syndromes such as obesity might contribute to an increased risk for GBS disease during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Gaddy
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Rebecca E. Moore
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Publications Division, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jonathan S. Lochner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Lisa M. Rogers
- Department Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kristen N. Noble
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Ayush Giri
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - David M. Aronoff
- Department Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - David Cliffel
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Alison J. Eastman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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5
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Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Kelava I, Rawat M, Mazzeo CI, Tuck E, Sancho-Serra C, Chelaghma S, Predeus AV, Murray S, Fernandez-Antoran D, Waller RF, Álvarez-Errico D, Lee MCS, Vento-Tormo R. Acute response to pathogens in the early human placenta at single-cell resolution. Cell Syst 2024; 15:425-444.e9. [PMID: 38703772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The placenta is a selective maternal-fetal barrier that provides nourishment and protection from infections. However, certain pathogens can attach to and even cross the placenta, causing pregnancy complications with potential lifelong impacts on the child's health. Here, we profiled at the single-cell level the placental responses to three pathogens associated with intrauterine complications-Plasmodium falciparum, Listeria monocytogenes, and Toxoplasma gondii. We found that upon exposure to the pathogens, all placental lineages trigger inflammatory responses that may compromise placental function. Additionally, we characterized the responses of fetal macrophages known as Hofbauer cells (HBCs) to each pathogen and propose that they are the probable niche for T. gondii. Finally, we revealed how P. falciparum adapts to the placental microenvironment by modulating protein export into the host erythrocyte and nutrient uptake pathways. Altogether, we have defined the cellular networks and signaling pathways mediating acute placental inflammatory responses that could contribute to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Hoo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Iva Kelava
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mukul Rawat
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sara Chelaghma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - David Fernandez-Antoran
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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He JR, Tikellis G, Paltiel O, Klebanoff M, Magnus P, Northstone K, Golding J, Ward MH, Linet MS, Olsen SF, Phillips GS, Lemeshow S, Qiu X, Hirst JE, Dwyer T. Association of common maternal infections with birth outcomes: a multinational cohort study. Infection 2024:10.1007/s15010-024-02291-0. [PMID: 38733459 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-024-02291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE It is unclear whether common maternal infections during pregnancy are risk factors for adverse birth outcomes. We assessed the association between self-reported infections during pregnancy with preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) in an international cohort consortium. METHODS Data on 120,507 pregnant women were obtained from six population-based birth cohorts in Australia, Denmark, Israel, Norway, the UK and the USA. Self-reported common infections during pregnancy included influenza-like illness, common cold, any respiratory tract infection, vaginal thrush, vaginal infections, cystitis, urinary tract infection, and the symptoms fever and diarrhoea. Birth outcomes included preterm birth, low birth weight and SGA. Associations between maternal infections and birth outcomes were first assessed using Poisson regression in each cohort and then pooled using random-effect meta-analysis. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS Vaginal infections (pooled RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20) and urinary tract infections (pooled RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.09-1.26) during pregnancy were associated with higher risk of preterm birth. Similar associations with low birth weight were also observed for these two infections. Fever during pregnancy was associated with higher risk of SGA (pooled RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.12). No other significant associations were observed between maternal infections/symptoms and birth outcomes. CONCLUSION Vaginal infections and urinary infections during pregnancy were associated with a small increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, whereas fever was associated with SGA. These findings require confirmation in future studies with laboratory-confirmed infection diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Rong He
- Division of Birth Cohort Study, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Gabriella Tikellis
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ora Paltiel
- Braun School of Public Health, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mark Klebanoff
- Center for Perinatal Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kate Northstone
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jean Golding
- Bristol Medical School, Centre for Academic Child Health, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Mary H Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Martha S Linet
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sjurdur F Olsen
- Centre for Fetal Programming, Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gary S Phillips
- Consultant Retired From the Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stanley Lemeshow
- Division of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Xiu Qiu
- Division of Birth Cohort Study, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jane E Hirst
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- George Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Terence Dwyer
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Clinical Sciences Theme, Heart Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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7
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de Mucio B, Sosa C, Colomar M, Mainero L, Cruz CM, Chévez LM, Lopez R, Carrillo G, Rizo U, Saint Hillaire EE, Arriaga WE, Guadalupe Flores RM, Ochoa C, Gonzalez F, Castro R, Stefan A, Moreno A, Metelus S, Souza RT, Costa ML, Luz AG, Sousa MH, Cecatti JG, Serruya SJ. The burden of stillbirths in low resource settings in Latin America: Evidence from a network using an electronic surveillance system. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0296002. [PMID: 38134193 PMCID: PMC10745214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296002] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine stillbirth ratio and its association with maternal, perinatal, and delivery characteristics, as well as geographic differences in Latin American countries (LAC). METHODS We analysed data from the Perinatal Information System of the Latin American Center for Perinatology and Human Development (CLAP) between January 2018 and June 2021 in 8 health facilities from five LAC countries (Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic). Maternal, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics, in addition to pregnancy outcomes were reported. Estimates of association were tested using chi-square tests, and P < 0.05 was regarded as significant. Bivariate analysis was conducted to estimate stillbirth risk. Prevalence ratios (PR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each predictor were reported. RESULTS In total, 101,852 childbirths comprised the SIP database. For this analysis, we included 99,712 childbirths. There were 762 stillbirths during the study period; the Stillbirth ratio of 7.7/1,000 live births (ranged from 3.8 to 18.2/1,000 live births across the different maternities); 586 (76.9%) were antepartum stillbirths, 150 (19.7%) were intrapartum stillbirths and 26 (3.4%) with an ignored time of death. Stillbirth was significantly associated with women with diabetes (PRadj 2.36; 95%CI [1.25-4.46]), preeclampsia (PRadj 2.01; 95%CI [1.26-3.19]), maternal age (PRadj 1.04; 95%CI [1.02-1.05]), any medical condition (PRadj 1.48; 95%CI [1.24-1.76, and severe maternal outcome (PRadj 3.27; 95%CI [3.27-11.66]). CONCLUSIONS Pregnancy complications and maternal morbidity were significantly associated with stillbirths. The stillbirth ratios varied across the maternity hospitals, which highlights the importance for individual surveillance. Specialized antenatal and intrapartum care remains a priority, particularly for women who are at a higher risk of stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bremen de Mucio
- Latin American Center of Perinatology (CLAP-PAHO), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Claudio Sosa
- Latin American Center of Perinatology (CLAP-PAHO), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mercedes Colomar
- Latin American Center of Perinatology (CLAP-PAHO), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luis Mainero
- Latin American Center of Perinatology (CLAP-PAHO), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | | | - Rita Lopez
- Hospital Berta Calderon Roque, Managua, Nicaragua
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Allan Stefan
- Hospital Leonardo Martinez Valenzuela, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
| | | | - Sherly Metelus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Renato T. Souza
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Maria L. Costa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Adriana G. Luz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - José G. Cecatti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
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8
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Kalter HD, Koffi AK, Perin J, Kamwe MA, Black RE. Maternal interventions to decrease stillbirths and neonatal mortality in Tanzania: evidence from the 2017-18 cross-sectional Tanzania verbal and social autopsy study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:849. [PMID: 38082404 PMCID: PMC10714492 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06099-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduction of Tanzania's neonatal mortality rate has lagged behind that for all under-fives, and perinatal mortality has remained stagnant over the past two decades. We conducted a national verbal and social autopsy (VASA) study to estimate the causes and social determinants of stillbirths and neonatal deaths with the aim of identifying relevant health care and social interventions. METHODS A VASA interview was conducted of all stillbirths and neonatal deaths in the prior 5 years identified by the 2015-16 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey. We evaluated associations of maternal complications with antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth and leading causes of neonatal death; conducted descriptive analyses of antenatal (ANC) and delivery care and mothers' careseeking for complications; and developed logistic regression models to examine factors associated with delivery place and mode. RESULTS There were 204 stillbirths, with 185 able to be classified as antepartum (88 [47.5%]) or intrapartum (97 [52.5%]), and 228 neonatal deaths. Women with an intrapartum stillbirth were 6.5% (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.065, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.002, 1.132) more likely to have a C-section for every additional hour before delivery after reaching the birth attendant. Antepartum hemorrhage (APH), maternal anemia, and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) were significantly positively associated with early neonatal mortality due to preterm delivery, intrapartum-related events and serious infection, respectively. While half to two-thirds of mothers made four or more ANC visits (ANC4+), a third or fewer received quality ANC (Q-ANC). Women with a complication were more likely to deliver at hospital only if they received Q-ANC (neonates: aOR = 4.5, 95% CI 1.6, 12.3) or ANC4+ (stillbirths: aOR = 11.8, 95% CI 3.6, 38.0). Nevertheless, urban residence was the strongest predictor of hospital delivery. CONCLUSIONS While Q-ANC and ANC4 + boosted hospital delivery among women with a complication, attendance was low and the quality of care is critical. Quality improvement efforts in urban and rural areas should focus on early detection and management of APH, maternal anemia, PROM, and prolonged labor, and on newborn resuscitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry D Kalter
- Department of International Health, Institute for International Programs, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.
| | - Alain K Koffi
- Department of International Health, Health Systems, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Jamie Perin
- Department of International Health, Institute for International Programs, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Mlemba A Kamwe
- National Bureau of Statistics, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Robert E Black
- Department of International Health, Institute for International Programs, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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Osborne B, Mitra S, Karol D, Azzi P, Ou K, Alibhai KM, Murphy MSQ, El-Chaâr D. Etiology of stillbirth in a tertiary care center: a retrospective cohort study assessing ultrasound, laboratory, and pathology investigations. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2023; 36:2277131. [PMID: 37926910 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2277131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canadian stillbirth data are limited, and a significant proportion of pregnancies resulting in stillbirth have no attributable cause. The objective of this study was to characterize stillbirth case investigations and management at a tertiary care hospital in Ontario, Canada. METHODS This was a retrospective chart review study of all cases of singleton stillbirth at The Ottawa Hospital between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2017. Terminations and multiples stillbirths were excluded. Chart reviews were conducted to extract maternal sociodemographic, obstetrical, and fetal characteristics, including results from antenatal ultrasounds, autopsy, placenta pathology, and laboratory investigations. RESULTS A total of 155 eligible cases of stillbirth were identified, resulting in a 6-year stillbirth rate of 4.2 per 1000 total births. The median maternal age was 31.0 years (IQR: 29.0, 35.0) and the median gestational age at delivery was 28 weeks (IQR: 24, 35). A total of 9 (5.8%) pregnant individuals had a history of previous stillbirth. Of the 155 stillbirths, 35% underwent the full suite of post-loss laboratory, placental, and fetal autopsy investigations. 63.2% of cases had post-loss laboratory investigations completed. 76% and 71% of cases had fetal autopsy and placenta pathology evaluations completed, respectively. Antenatal characteristics associated with stillbirth included fetal anomalies/genetic markers (27.1%), umbilical cord and placental anomalies (24.5%), fetal growth abnormalities (27.7%), cervical/uterine abnormalities (11.6%), and amniotic fluid abnormalities (25.1%). The most common autopsy findings included evidence of infection (22.7%), fetal anomalies (12.6%), and fetal hypoxia (10%). The most common placental pathology findings included features of placental insufficiency (21.8%), retroplacental abnormalities (16.3%), and umbilical cord accident/infarct (15.4%). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that as many as two-thirds of singleton stillbirth cases at our center did not receive the post-perinatal loss investigations recommended by clinical practice guidelines. More thorough collection of post-stillbirth data at all levels (institutional, provincial, national) is warranted to improve our understanding of stillbirth epidemiology, etiology, and management in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenden Osborne
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sohini Mitra
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Dalia Karol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Pierre Azzi
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Kelsie Ou
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Kameela M Alibhai
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Malia S Q Murphy
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Darine El-Chaâr
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Newborn Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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10
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Tette EMA, Nartey ET, Nyarko MY, Aduful AK, Neizer ML. Trends in Neonatal Mortality at Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital, Accra, and the Newborn Strategic Plan: Implications for Reducing Mortality in Hospital and the Community. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1755. [PMID: 38002846 PMCID: PMC10670549 DOI: 10.3390/children10111755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In low and middle-income countries, close to half of the mortality in children under the age of five years occurs in neonates. OBJECTIVES We examined the trend, medical conditions and factors associated with newborn deaths at the Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital (PML), Accra, from 2014 to 2017 (4 years). METHODS The study was a cross-sectional study. Data on age, sex, date of admission, date of discharge, cause of death and place of residence of these babies were obtained from the records department. This was transferred into an Access database and analyzed. Components of the Newborn Strategic Plan implemented at the hospital were described. RESULTS Neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and kernicterus were the major causes of death. Admissions increased and 5.4% of the neonates died, declining from 6.5% in 2014 to 4.2% in 2017 due to deliberate actions to reduce neonatal death. The highest mortality occurred in babies residing in an area more than 1 hour's drive away from the hospital. CONCLUSION Implementing the Newborn Strategic Plan was associated with a drop in mortality. A preponderance of community-acquired infections was observed. Thus, locality-specific interventions targeted at known determinants and implementing the newborn strategic plan are essential for reducing neonatal mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edem M. A. Tette
- Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box 4236, Ghana
- Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, Accra P.O. Box GP 122, Ghana; (M.Y.N.); (M.L.N.)
| | - Edmund T. Nartey
- Centre for Tropical Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box 4236, Ghana;
| | - Mame Yaa Nyarko
- Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, Accra P.O. Box GP 122, Ghana; (M.Y.N.); (M.L.N.)
| | - Abena K. Aduful
- Family Medicine Department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra P.O. Box GP 4236, Ghana;
| | - Margaret L. Neizer
- Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, Accra P.O. Box GP 122, Ghana; (M.Y.N.); (M.L.N.)
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11
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Sheppard M, Ibiebele I, Nippita T, Morris J. Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 63:696-701. [PMID: 37157162 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and is routinely screened for and treated in the first trimester. Prevalence of ASB in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is unknown. AIMS The aim is to determine the prevalence of ASB in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. METHODS Prospective cohort study of 150 pregnant women. Mid-stream urine samples were tested for ASB in the second (24-28+6 ) and third (32-36+6 ) trimesters. Women were assigned to one of two groups: (i) ASB in any trimester of pregnancy and (ii) no evidence of ASB in pregnancy. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS Among 143 women included in the study, the rate of ASB was 4.9% (2.1, 2.1 and 3.2% in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively). Of those with ASB, 14% had it in every trimester, whereas 43% had it on two or more samples. Of those with ASB in pregnancy, 43% were detected for the first time in the third trimester. Rates of maternal and neonatal outcomes were not statistically significantly different between the two groups. No women with ASB were induced for chorioamnionitis or growth restriction. CONCLUSION The rate of ASB was highest in the third trimester of pregnancy, with rates of 2.1, 2.1 and 3.2% in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively. This study was underpowered to assess maternal and fetal outcomes. Although numbers were small, the absence of ASB in the first trimester was a poor predictor of ASB in the third trimester.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Sheppard
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Reproduction and Perinatal Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, St Leonards, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, St Leonards, Australia
| | - Ibinabo Ibiebele
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Reproduction and Perinatal Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, St Leonards, Australia
| | - Tanya Nippita
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Reproduction and Perinatal Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, St Leonards, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, St Leonards, Australia
| | - Jonathan Morris
- Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, St Leonards, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, St Leonards, Australia
- Clinical Excellence Commission, New South Wales Ministry of Health, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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12
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Hcini N, Lambert V, Picone O, Carod JF, Mathieu M, Cousin R, Akli F, Carles G, Basurko C, Pomar L, Epelboin L, Nacher M. Causes and consequences of fever in Amazonian pregnant women: A large retrospective study from French Guiana. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011721. [PMID: 37874830 PMCID: PMC10624260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe different causes and consequences of fever during pregnancy in Western French Guiana and along the Maroni River. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective single-center study including all patients with a history of documented fever ≥ 38°C during pregnancy at the West French Guiana Hospital for 9 years. Postpartum fever and nosocomial infections were excluded. We focused on medical history and on clinical and biological findings. Causes were characterized as confirmed or uncertain and then classified as preventable or non-preventable. RESULTS A total of 940 pregnant women who experienced at least one episode of fever were included and compared to 23,811 deliveries who occurred during the same period without documented fever. Among them, 43.7% (411/940) were in labor. About 3.7% (35/940) of febrile pregnant women had at least two episodes of fever, while 0.3% (3/940) had a coinfection at the time of diagnosis, resulting in a total of 978 febrile episodes. Among them, causes remained unknown or uncertain in 7.6% (75/978) and 0.9% (9/978) of cases, respectively. Among confirmed causes of fever throughout pregnancy (n = 483), the most common known cause was arbovirus infection (146/483, 30.2%), followed by urinary tract infection (134/483, 27.7%), chickenpox (27/483, 5.6%), and gastrointestinal (14/483, 2.9%) and pulmonary infections (10/483, 2%). Mothers with fever had a higher risk of cesarean section (19.8% vs 15.5%, aOR 1.3 [95% CI 1.14-1.6], stillbirth (5.5% versus 1.9%, aOR 2.7 [95% CI 2-3.7]), and preterm delivery < 34 weeks of gestation (7.2% vs 4.7%, aOR 1.5 [95% CI 1.2-2]. CONCLUSIONS In the Amazon region, causes of fever are diverse and often associated with epidemic waves, notably arboviruses. This must be considered when exploring possible causes of fever during pregnancy in these localities, including fetal anomalies and/or fetal loss. Physicians should consider the epidemiological context and avoid generalizations. Given the impact of emergent agents such as arboviruses on pregnancy, particular attention must be paid to the epidemiological context. This study can also help clinicians when managing fever in pregnant travelers or in their partner after having visited exposed areas. In this context, fetal abnormalities and adverse obstetric outcomes should be explored accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najeh Hcini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West French Guiana Hospital Center, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
- INSERM CIC1424 Centre d’Investigation Clinique Antilles Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Véronique Lambert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West French Guiana Hospital Center, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Olivier Picone
- Service Gynécologie Obstétrique, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Nord Val de Seine, Assistance Publique: Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Diderot, Colombes CEDEX, France
| | - Jean-Francois Carod
- Department of Biology, West French Guiana Hospital Center, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Mérédith Mathieu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West French Guiana Hospital Center, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Romane Cousin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West French Guiana Hospital Center, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Ferroudja Akli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West French Guiana Hospital Center, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Gabriel Carles
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, West French Guiana Hospital Center, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, French Guiana
| | - Célia Basurko
- Centre d’Investigation Clinique Antilles-Guyane, Epidémiologie Clinique, CIC INSERM 1424, DRISP, Centre hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
| | - Léo Pomar
- Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- School of Health Sciences (HESAV), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Loïc Epelboin
- INSERM CIC1424 Centre d’Investigation Clinique Antilles Guyane, Cayenne, French Guiana
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases Cayenne General Hospital French Guiana France
| | - Mathieu Nacher
- Centre d’Investigation Clinique Antilles-Guyane, Epidémiologie Clinique, CIC INSERM 1424, DRISP, Centre hospitalier de Cayenne, Cayenne, French Guiana
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Gwacham-Anisiobi U, Boo YY, Oladimeji A, Kurinczuk JJ, Roberts N, Opondo C, Nair M. Types, reporting and acceptability of community-based interventions for stillbirth prevention in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): a systematic review. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 62:102133. [PMID: 37593225 PMCID: PMC10430180 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Community-based interventions are increasingly being implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for stillbirth prevention, but the nature of these interventions, their reporting and acceptability are poorly assessed. In addition to understanding their effectiveness, complete reporting of the methods, results and intervention acceptability is essential as it could potentially reduce research waste from replication of inadequately implemented and unacceptable interventions. We conducted a systematic review to investigate these aspects of community-based interventions for preventing stillbirths in SSA. Methods In this systematic review, eight databases (MEDLINE(OvidSP), Embase (OvidSP), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Global Health, Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation index (Web of Science Core Collection), CINAHL (EBSCOhost) and Global Index Medicus) and four grey literature sources were searched from January 1, 2000 to July 7, 2023 for relevant quantitative and qualitative studies from SSA (PROSPERO-CRD42021296623). Following deduplication, abstract screening and full-text review, studies were included if the interventions were community-based with or without a health facility component. The main outcomes were types of community-based interventions, completeness of intervention reporting using the TIDier (Template for Intervention Description and replication) checklist, and themes related to intervention acceptability identified using a theoretical framework. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's tools. Findings Thirty-nine reports from thirty-four studies conducted in 18 SSA countries were eligible for inclusion. Four types of interventions were identified: nutritional, infection prevention, access to skilled childbirth attendants and health knowledge/behaviour of women. These interventions were implemented using nine strategies: mHealth (defined as the use of mobile and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives), women's groups, community midwifery, home visits, mass media sensitisation, traditional birth attendant and community volunteer training, community mobilisation and transport vouchers. The completeness of reporting using the TIDier checklist varied across studies with a very low proportion of the included studies reporting the intervention intensity, dosing, tailoring and modification. The quality of the included studies were graded as poor (n = 6), fair (n = 14) and good (n = 18). Though interventions were acceptable, only 4 (out of 7) studies explored women's perceptions, mostly focusing on perceived intervention effects and how they felt, omitting key constructs like ethicality, opportunity cost and burden of participation. Interpretation Different community-based interventions have been tried and evaluated for stillbirth prevention in SSA. The reproducibility and implementation scale-up of these interventions may be limited by incomplete intervention descriptions in the published literature. To strengthen impact, it is crucial to holistically explore the acceptability of these interventions among women and their families. Funding Clarendon/Balliol/NDPH DPhil scholarship for UGA. MN is funded by a Medical Research Council Transition Support Award (MR/W029294/1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Uchenna Gwacham-Anisiobi
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yebeen Ysabelle Boo
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jennifer J. Kurinczuk
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nia Roberts
- Bodleian Health Care Libraries, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Opondo
- London Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Manisha Nair
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Farias-Jofre M, Romero R, Xu Y, Levenson D, Tao L, Kanninen T, Galaz J, Arenas-Hernandez M, Liu Z, Miller D, Bhatti G, Seyerle M, Tarca AL, Gomez-Lopez N. Differential immunophenotype of circulating monocytes from pregnant women in response to viral ligands. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:323. [PMID: 37149573 PMCID: PMC10163583 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05562-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral infections during pregnancy can have deleterious effects on mothers and their offspring. Monocytes participate in the maternal host defense against invading viruses; however, whether pregnancy alters monocyte responses is still under investigation. Herein, we undertook a comprehensive in vitro study of peripheral monocytes to characterize the differences in phenotype and interferon release driven by viral ligands between pregnant and non-pregnant women. METHODS Peripheral blood was collected from third-trimester pregnant (n = 20) or non-pregnant (n = 20, controls) women. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and exposed to R848 (TLR7/TLR8 agonist), Gardiquimod (TLR7 agonist), Poly(I:C) (HMW) VacciGrade™ (TLR3 agonist), Poly(I:C) (HMW) LyoVec™ (RIG-I/MDA-5 agonist), or ODN2216 (TLR9 agonist) for 24 h. Cells and supernatants were collected for monocyte phenotyping and immunoassays to detect specific interferons, respectively. RESULTS The proportions of classical (CD14hiCD16-), intermediate (CD14hiCD16+), non-classical (CD14loCD16+), and CD14loCD16- monocytes were differentially affected between pregnant and non-pregnant women in response to TLR3 stimulation. The proportions of pregnancy-derived monocytes expressing adhesion molecules (Basigin and PSGL-1) or the chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR2 were diminished in response to TLR7/TLR8 stimulation, while the proportions of CCR5- monocytes were increased. Such differences were found to be primarily driven by TLR8 signaling, rather than TLR7. Moreover, the proportions of monocytes expressing the chemokine receptor CXCR1 were increased during pregnancy in response to poly(I:C) stimulation through TLR3, but not RIG-I/MDA-5. By contrast, pregnancy-specific changes in the monocyte response to TLR9 stimulation were not observed. Notably, the soluble interferon response to viral stimulation by mononuclear cells was not diminished in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide insight into the differential responsiveness of pregnancy-derived monocytes to ssRNA and dsRNA, mainly driven by TLR8 and membrane-bound TLR3, which may help to explain the increased susceptibility of pregnant women to adverse outcomes resulting from viral infection as observed during recent and historic pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Farias-Jofre
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 8330024, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roberto Romero
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Yi Xu
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Dustyn Levenson
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Li Tao
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Tomi Kanninen
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 8330024, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Zhenjie Liu
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Derek Miller
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
| | - Megan Seyerle
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Adi L Tarca
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, 48201, USA.
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
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15
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Patel O, Pradhan P, Das P, Mishra SK. Placental Pathology and Maternal Risk Factors for Stillbirth: A Case-Control Study. Cureus 2023; 15:e39339. [PMID: 37351240 PMCID: PMC10284312 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.39339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fetal death is the delivery of a fetus with no sign of life, as indicated by the absence of breathing, heartbeat, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles. Nearly 2.6 million stillbirths are estimated to occur worldwide every year. Almost all of these (98%) stillbirths occur in low- and middle-income countries. About one-sixth of the stillbirths globally were recorded in India in 2019, making it the most burdened country in the world. In light of this, we conducted a study to identify the placental pathologies and maternal factors associated with stillbirth. Methodology A case-control study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), from June 2022 to May 2023. Cases included pregnant women with a gestational age of 28 weeks or more who delivered a stillbirth infant at VIMSAR, and controls included gestational age-matched deliveries with live birth. Consent to participate in the study was obtained before enrolment. The final sample size was 79 cases and controls. The chi-square test was performed for bivariate analysis, and logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results In our study, we found a significant association between maternal age of more than 30 years (odds ratio (OR) = 3.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.91-4.22, p = 0.012), maternal education (with up to the primary level or less: OR = 6.19, 95% CI = 2.92-7.87, p = 0.012), history of addiction (tobacco chewing: OR = 5.58, 95% CI = 3.71-7.11, p = 0.03), and the number of antenatal visits (no visit: OR = 6.87, 95% CI = 2.91-7.79, p = 0.019) with an increased risk of stillbirth. Among the obstetrical complications, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (OR = 3.87, 95% CI = 1.98-5.11, p = 0.001), premature rupture of membranes (PROM)/preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.31-3.91, p = 0.03) and antepartum hemorrhage (APH) (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.65-3.58, p = 0.02) were found to be significantly related with stillbirth. Among placental pathologies, uteroplacental vascular pathology (OR = 7.39, 95% CI = 3.01-8.97), acute chorioamnionitis (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 2.11-5.21), chronic inflammation (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.91 4.17), calcific changes (OR = 4.46, 95% CI = 2.56-6.01), and retroplacental clots (OR = 9.95, 95% CI = 4.39-11.71) were associated with stillbirth. Conclusions In our study, advanced maternal age, absence of antenatal visits, low level of education, tobacco addiction, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, APH, and PROM in pregnancy were the major risk factors associated with stillbirth. Uteroplacental vascular pathology, chorioamnionitis, chronic inflammation, retroplacental hematoma, and calcific changes were the most significant placental lesions associated with stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ojaswini Patel
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sambalpur, IND
| | - Pranati Pradhan
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sambalpur, IND
| | - Prerana Das
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sambalpur, IND
| | - Sanjeeb K Mishra
- Field Epidemiology Training Program, Indian Council of Medical Research, Chennai, IND
- Community Medicine, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Sambalpur, IND
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16
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Meredith M, Véronique L, Gabriel C, Olivier P, Carod JF, Léo P, Nacher M, Najeh H. INCIDENCE, CAUSES, AND RISK FACTORS OF STILLBIRTH IN AN AMAZONIAN CONTEXT: SAINT LAURENT DU MARONI MATERNITY WARD 2016-2021. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X 2023; 18:100190. [PMID: 37095766 PMCID: PMC10121620 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective We aimed to describe the epidemiology of intrauterine fetal deaths in multiethnic western French Guiana and to assess its main causes and risk factors. Study design A retrospective descriptive study was conducted based on data from January 2016 to December 2021. All information on stillbirth with a gestational age ≥20 weeks in the Western French Guiana Hospital Center was extracted. Terminations of pregnancy were excluded. We focused on medical history, clinical investigation, biological findings, placental histology, and autopsy examination to elucidate the cause of death. We used the Initial Cause of Fetal Death (INCODE) classification system for assessment. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Overall, 331 fetuses in 318 stillbirth deliveries were reviewed and compared to live births that occurred during the same period. The rate of fetal death varied between 1.3 % and 2.1 %, with an average of 1.8 % over the 6-year period. Poor antenatal care (104/318, 32.7 %), obesity ≥30 kg/m2 (88/318, 31.7 %), and preeclampsia (59/318, 18.5 %) were the main risk factors associated with fetal death in this group. Four hypertensive crises were reported. According to the INCODE classification, the main causes of fetal death were obstetric complications (112/331, 33.8 %), particularly intrapartum fetal death with labor-associated asphyxia under 26 weeks (64/112, 57.1 %), and placental abruption (29/112, 25.9 %). Maternal-fetal infections were common, particularly mosquito-borne diseases (e.g., Zika virus, dengue, and malaria), re-emerging infectious agents such as syphilis, and severe maternal infections (8/331, 2.4 %). 19.3 % of fetal deaths (64/331) remained unexplained. Conclusion Change in lifestyle as well as social deprivation and isolation adversely affect pregnancy in western French Guiana, in the context of a poor health care system that is similar to what is found in the Amazonian basin. Particular attention must be paid to emerging infectious agents in pregnant women and travelers returning from the Amazon region.
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17
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Sampurna MTA, Handayani KD, Utomo MT, Angelika D, Etika R, Harianto A, Mapindra MP, Mahindra MP, Efendi F, Kaban RK, Rohsiswatmo R, Visuddho V, Permana PBD. Determinants of neonatal deaths in Indonesia: A national survey data analysis of 10,838 newborns. Heliyon 2023; 9:e12980. [PMID: 36820170 PMCID: PMC9938489 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Neonatal mortality is one of the key impediments in achieving global sustainable development goals, especially in lower middle income countries (LMICs). As an LMIC with the highest reported neonatal mortality rate in Southeast Asia, Indonesia faces inequitable distribution of health facilities across the archipelago. Therefore, in this paper, we aim to evaluate the determinants of neonatal mortality rate in Indonesia to search for better strategies to overcome this problem. Methods We conducted an analysis of the 2017 Indonesia Demographic Health Survey dataset of 10,838 live-born infants born from singleton pregnancies in 2017. Using a hierarchical approach, multivariate analysis was conducted to identify potential factors (including socioeconomic, household, and proximate determinants) that contributed to neonatal mortality. Results The lack of participation in postnatal care [odds ratio (OR) = 20.394, p = 0.01)] and delivery complications other than prolonged labour (OR = 2.072, p = 0.02) were the maternal factors that significantly associated with increased risk of neonatal death. Regarding neonatal factors, low-birth-weight infants appeared to be more vulnerable to neonatal death (OR = 12.489, p = 0.01). Conclusion Low participation in postnatal care, development of labour complications, and low birth weight were associated with higher neonatal mortality. It implies that in a limited resource and geographically challenging country such as Indonesia, improving the quality and optimizing services of public hospitals with equitable distribution of quality health care services in all regions should be prioritized in the efforts of reducing neonatal mortality rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahendra Tri Arif Sampurna
- Department of Pediatrics, Airlangga University Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia,Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Soetomo Academic Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia,Corresponding author. Jl. Mayjen Prof. Dr. Moestopo No. 47, Pacar Kembang, Kec. Tambaksari, Kota Surabaya, Jawa Timur, 60132, Indonesia.
| | - Kartika Dharma Handayani
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Soetomo Academic Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Martono Tri Utomo
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Soetomo Academic Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Dina Angelika
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Soetomo Academic Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Risa Etika
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Soetomo Academic Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Agus Harianto
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Soetomo Academic Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Pradhika Mapindra
- Neonatology Department, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad Pradhiki Mahindra
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ferry Efendi
- Nursing Faculty, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia
| | - Risma Kerina Kaban
- Neonatology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rinawati Rohsiswatmo
- Neonatology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Visuddho Visuddho
- Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
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18
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Winterstein AG, Thai TN, Nduaguba S, Smolinski NE, Wang X, Sahin L, Krefting I, Gelperin K, Bird ST, Rasmussen SA. Risk of fetal or neonatal death or neonatal intensive care unit admission associated with gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging exposure during pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 228:465.e1-465.e11. [PMID: 36241080 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concerns have been raised about prenatal exposure to magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium-based contrast agents because of nonclinical findings of gadolinium retention in fetal tissue and 1 population-based study reporting an association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the association between prenatal magnetic resonance imaging exposure with and without gadolinium-based contrast agents and fetal and neonatal death and neonatal intensive care unit admission. STUDY DESIGN We constructed a retrospective cohort of >11 million Medicaid-covered pregnancies between 1999 and 2014 to evaluate the association between prenatal magnetic resonance imaging exposure with and without gadolinium-based contrast agents and fetal and neonatal death (primary endpoint) and neonatal intensive care unit admissions (secondary endpoint). Medicaid claims data were linked to medical records, Florida birth and fetal death records, and the National Death Index to validate the outcomes and gestational age estimates. Pregnancies with multiples, concurrent cancer, teratogenic drug exposure, magnetic resonance imaging focused on fetal or pelvic evaluation, undetermined gadolinium-based contrast agent use, or those preceded by or contemporaneous with congenital anomaly diagnoses were excluded. We adjusted for potential confounders with standardized mortality ratio weighting using propensity scores. RESULTS Among 5991 qualifying pregnancies, we found 11 fetal or neonatal deaths in the gadolinium-based contrast agent magnetic resonance imaging group (1.4%) and 73 in the non-gadolinium-based contrast agent magnetic resonance imaging group (1.4%) with an adjusted relative risk of 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.34-1.55); the neonatal intensive care unit admission adjusted relative risk was 1.03 (0.76-1.39). Sensitivity analyses investigating the timing of magnetic resonance imaging or repeat magnetic resonance imaging exposure during pregnancy and simulating the impact of exposure misclassification corroborated these results. CONCLUSION This study addressed the safety concerns related to prenatal exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging and the risk thereof on fetal and neonatal death or the need for neonatal intensive care unit admission. Although the results on fatal or severe acute effects are reassuring, the impact on subacute outcomes was not evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almut G Winterstein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Department of Epidemiology, College of Medicine and College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
| | - Thuy N Thai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Faculty of Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Sabina Nduaguba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Nicole E Smolinski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Leyla Sahin
- Division of Pediatrics and Maternal Health, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD
| | - Ira Krefting
- Division of Imaging and Radiation Medicine, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Kate Gelperin
- Division of Epidemiology, Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Steven T Bird
- Division of Epidemiology, Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, CDER, FDA, Silver Spring, MD
| | - Sonja A Rasmussen
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Safety (CoDES), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Department of Epidemiology, College of Medicine and College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Departments of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
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19
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Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) among Women with Macerated Stillbirth: A Cross-Sectional Hospital-Based Study from Mwanza, Tanzania. J Pregnancy 2022; 2022:2156835. [PMID: 36120505 PMCID: PMC9477628 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2156835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stillbirth adversely affects pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Viral infections have been implicated as one of the causes of stillbirths. Despite high rates of stillbirths and high viral prevalence in LMICs, there is limited information regarding their association. This study investigated the magnitude of herpes simplex 2 virus (HSV-2) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) among women with macerated stillbirth. Methods A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted involving 279 women with macerated stillbirth between July and August 2018 at different health facilities in Mwanza, Tanzania. Detection of HSV-2 was done by immunochromatographic test while that of HCMV was done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Descriptive data analysis was done using STATA version 13. Results A total of 28 (10.04%, 95% CI: 6.8-13.9) tested positive for HSV-2 IgG antibodies with only 4 (1.43%, 95% CL: 0.3-2.8) testing positive for HSV-2 IgM antibodies. HCMV IgG antibodies were detected in 131 (77.98%, 95% CI: 71-84) of 168 women tested. By multivariate logistic regulation analysis, advanced age (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87-0.99, p = 0.025) was significantly associated with negative HSV-2 IgG antibodies. By log multinomial regression analysis, only urban residence (RRR.4.43: 95% CI 1.53-12.80, p = 0.006) independently predicted HCMV IgG seropositivity among women with stillbirth. Twenty-one (30.9%) of women with positive HCMV IgG antibodies had low avidity index (<40%) indicating recent infection. Conclusion Significant proportion of women with macerated stillbirth residing in urban and with low age have HCMV and HSV antibodies, respectively. This calls for the need to consider introducing screening of these infections in the Tanzanian antenatal package and further studies to explore the role of these viruses in causing stillbirth in Tanzania.
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20
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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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21
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Herrera-Salazar A, Flores-Hernández LA, Valdespino-Vázquez MY, Fonseca-Coronado S, Moreno-Verduzco ER. Viral infections in stillbirth: a contribution underestimated in Mexico? J Perinat Med 2022; 50:786-795. [PMID: 35377975 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyze the role of viral infections as etiology of stillbirths in Mexico and their epidemiological impact in the context of the global Every Newborn Initiative. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was performed in electronic databases related to stillbirth and viral infections published prior to January 19th 2021. Stillbirths records and causes from National Mexican databases, during 2008-2019 period were also computed. RESULTS Only two articles with a direct relationship between viral infection and stillbirth were found, and one article with an indirect serological association was identified. During the analyzed period there were 198,076 stillbirths, with a National stillbirth rate (SBR) ranging from 6.9 to 6.5 between 2008 and 2014, with a subsequent increase to reach 7.7 in 2019. Only 19 cases were attributed to viral causes and a specific virus was identified in 11. The main causes of early stillbirth were a fetus with premature rupture of membranes and light for gestational age, and for late stillbirth these were fetus affected by oligohydramnios and slow fetal growth. The percentage classified as unspecified deaths varied from 34.4-41.9%. CONCLUSIONS In Mexico, there has been an increase in SBR during last years, but the goals of the Every Newborn Initiative is met. More than 14,500 stillbirths with at least 5,100 unspecified cases have been reported per year, and only 11 cases were attributable to a specific virus, highlighting the serious underestimation of cases and the need of implementation of routine viral diagnosis methods to improve the care of this global health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Herrera-Salazar
- Unidad de Investigación Multidisciplinaria, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, UNAM, Cuautitlán Izcalli, México
| | - Laura A Flores-Hernández
- Unidad de Investigación Multidisciplinaria, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, UNAM, Cuautitlán Izcalli, México
| | - M Y Valdespino-Vázquez
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Salvador Fonseca-Coronado
- Unidad de Investigación Multidisciplinaria, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, UNAM, Cuautitlán Izcalli, México
| | - Elsa Romelia Moreno-Verduzco
- Subdirección de Servicios Auxiliares de Diagnóstico, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México, México
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22
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Tiwari P, Gupta MM, Jain SL. Placental findings in singleton stillbirths: a case-control study from a tertiary-care center in India. J Perinat Med 2022; 50:753-762. [PMID: 34587673 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Placental examination in a case of stillbirth can provide insight into causative/associated factors with fetal demise. The aim of this study was to compare placental and umbilical cord pathologies in singleton stillbirth and livebirth placentas, and to find prevalence of various associated maternal and fetal clinical factors. METHODS This case-control study was conducted at a tertiary-care center in India over a period of 20 months. About 250 women who delivered stillborn fetus ≥28 weeks' gestation and 250 maternal-age-matched controls were recruited. Sociodemographic and clinical details were noted and placental gross and microscopic examination was done. Placental findings were compared between stillbirth and livebirth (overall), preterm stillbirth and preterm livebirth as well as term stillbirth and term livebirth in six categories - placenta gross, cord gross, membranes gross, maternal vascular malperfusion, fetal vascular malperfusion and inflammatory response. Prevalence of 11 maternal and fetal factors were studied in all categories of placental findings in both livebirth and stillbirth. RESULTS Placental findings in all six categories were significantly associated with stillbirths (p<0.05). The placental findings associated with stillbirth with highest odds included placental hypoplasia (OR 9.77, 95% CI 5.46-17.46), necrotizing chorioamnionitis (OR 9.30, 95% CI 1.17-73.96) and avascular villi (OR 8.45, 95% CI 3.53-20.25). More than half of the women with stillbirths had medical disorders (n=130, 52.0%) and the most prevalent was hypertensive disorder (n=45, 18.0%). CONCLUSIONS Changes in placenta are associated with development of stillbirth. Therefore, antenatal investigations to identify placental dysfunction should be investigated to determine whether these reduce stillbirth. Also, placental examination in a case of stillbirth can detect/diagnose many maternal/fetal conditions and thereby can help in preventing future stillbirths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purnima Tiwari
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Nagpur, Nagpur, India
| | - Madhavi M Gupta
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Shyama Lata Jain
- Department of Pathology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
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23
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Eastman AJ, Noble KN, Pensabene V, Aronoff DM. Leveraging bioengineering to assess cellular functions and communication within human fetal membranes. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2022; 35:2795-2807. [PMID: 32787482 PMCID: PMC7878582 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1802716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The fetal membranes enclose the growing fetus and amniotic fluid. Preterm prelabor rupture of fetal membranes is a leading cause of preterm birth. Fetal membranes are composed of many different cell types, both structural and immune. These cells must coordinate functions for tensile strength and membrane integrity to contain the growing fetus and amniotic fluid. They must also balance immune responses to pathogens with maintaining maternal-fetal tolerance. Perturbation of this equilibrium can lead to preterm premature rupture of membranes without labor. In this review, we describe the formation of the fetal membranes to orient the reader, discuss some of the common forms of communication between the cell types of the fetal membranes, and delve into the methods used to tease apart this paracrine signaling within the membranes, including emerging technologies such as organ-on-chip models of membrane immunobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J. Eastman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Kristen N. Noble
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37202 USA
| | - Virginia Pensabene
- School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK,School of Medicine, Leeds Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David M. Aronoff
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA,Corresponding author: David M. Aronoff, MD, 1161 21st Ave South, A-2200 MCN, Nashville, TN 37232-2582, (615) 322-8972 (tel),
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Murata T, Kyozuka H, Yasuda S, Fukuda T, Tanaka T, Fujimori K. Effects of maternal ritodrine hydrochloride administration on the heart rate of preterm fetal sheep with intraamniotic inflammation. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265872. [PMID: 35358222 PMCID: PMC8970407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ritodrine hydrochloride is used for pregnancy prolongation and intrauterine fetal resuscitation. However, its clinical significance in intraamniotic inflammation during preterm labor and intrauterine fetal distress is unclear. We investigated the effects of maternal ritodrine hydrochloride administration (MRA; 200 μg/min for 2 h, followed by 800 μg/min for 2 h after 24 h) on fetal physiological parameters. For this purpose, we used chronically instrumented pregnant sheep at 113–119 d (term = 145 d) of gestation without (Group 1, n = 5) and with (Group 2, n = 5) intraamniotic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide injection into the amniotic cavity. The changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) and short-term variability (STV) and long-term variability (LTV) in FHR, fetal blood pressure, and fetal arterial blood gas (FABG) values were measured before and at 1 and 2 h after initiating MRA. Before MRA, all parameters were similar between Groups 1 and 2; however, there was significantly higher STV in Group 2 than in Group 1 before MRA at 800 μg/min, significantly higher partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide in FABG in Group 2 than in Group 1 before MRA at 200 μg/min, and significantly lower blood glucose (BG) in Group 2 than in Group 1 before MRA at 800 μg/min. One hour after MRA, the FHR, STV, and LTV were significantly higher at 800 μg/min than those at the baseline in Group 1, as determined by the Friedman test; however, no significant difference was observed in Group 2. Additionally, the FABG pH significantly decreased 1 h after MRA at 800 μg/min in Group 2, whereas FABG lactate and BG significantly increased 2 h after MRA at 800 μg/min in Groups 1 and 2. Thus, short-term MRA at 800 μg/min increased the FHR, STV, and LTV significantly; these values were further modified under intraamniotic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Murata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Hyo Kyozuka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shun Yasuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Toma Fukuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Teruyoshi Tanaka
- Department of Biomolecular Science, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Keiya Fujimori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
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Parhi L, Abed J, Shhadeh A, Alon-Maimon T, Udi S, Ben-Arye SL, Tam J, Parnas O, Padler-Karavani V, Goldman-Wohl D, Yagel S, Mandelboim O, Bachrach G. Placental colonization by Fusobacterium nucleatum is mediated by binding of the Fap2 lectin to placentally displayed Gal-GalNAc. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110537. [PMID: 35320712 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
While the existence of an indigenous placental microbiota remains controversial, several pathogens are known to be involved in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Fusobacterium nucleatum is an oral bacterium that is one of several bacteria associated with preterm birth. Oral fusobacteria translocate to the placenta hematogenously; however, the mechanisms localizing them to the placenta remain unclear. Here, using peanut agglutinin, we demonstrate that the level of Gal-GalNAc (Galβ1-3GalNAc; Thomsen Friedenreich antigen) found on trophoblasts facing entering maternal blood rises during gestation and is recognized by the fusobacterial Fap2 Gal-GalNAc lectin. F. nucleatum binding to human and mouse placenta correlates with Gal-GalNAc levels and is reduced upon O-glycanase treatment or with soluble Gal-GalNAc. Fap2-inactivated F. nucleatum shows reduced binding to Gal-GalNAc-displaying placental sections. In a mouse model, intravenously injected Fap2-expressing F. nucleatum, but not a Fap2 mutant, reduces mouse fetal survival by 70%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishay Parhi
- The Institute of Dental Sciences, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Jawad Abed
- The Institute of Dental Sciences, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Amjad Shhadeh
- The Institute of Dental Sciences, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Tamar Alon-Maimon
- The Institute of Dental Sciences, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Shiran Udi
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, The Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Shani Leviatan Ben-Arye
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Joseph Tam
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, The Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Oren Parnas
- Department of Immunology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel
| | - Vered Padler-Karavani
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Debra Goldman-Wohl
- Magda and Richard Hoffman Center for Human Placenta Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Simcha Yagel
- Magda and Richard Hoffman Center for Human Placenta Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91240, Israel
| | - Ofer Mandelboim
- Department of Immunology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada (IMRIC), Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
| | - Gilad Bachrach
- The Institute of Dental Sciences, The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem 9112001, Israel.
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Liu Z, Han BS, Zhang JH, Zhang XJ. Uterus pericyte gene expression profiles in mice on the fourth day of pregnancy after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. Asian J Surg 2021; 45:778-779. [PMID: 34961717 DOI: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2021.11.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Liu
- College of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063210, China
| | - Bao-Sheng Han
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Tangshan Maternal and Children Health Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China
| | - Jing-Hua Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, Tangshan Maternal and Children Health Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, 063000, China.
| | - Xiu-Jun Zhang
- College of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei, 063210, China.
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Tiozzo C, Bustoros M, Lin X, Manzano De Mejia C, Gurzenda E, Chavez M, Hanna I, Aguiari P, Perin L, Hanna N. Placental extracellular vesicles-associated microRNA-519c mediates endotoxin adaptation in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 225:681.e1-681.e20. [PMID: 34181894 PMCID: PMC8633060 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.06.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy represents a unique challenge for the maternal-fetal immune interface, requiring a balance between immunosuppression, which is essential for the maintenance of a semiallogeneic fetus, and proinflammatory host defense to protect the maternal-fetal interface from invading organisms. Adaptation to repeated inflammatory stimuli (endotoxin tolerance) may be critical in preventing inflammation-induced preterm birth caused by exaggerated maternal inflammatory responses to mild or moderate infections that are common during pregnancy. However, the exact mechanisms contributing to the maintenance of tolerance to repeated infections are not completely understood. MicroRNAs play important roles in pregnancy with several microRNAs implicated in gestational tissue function and in pathologic pregnancy conditions. MicroRNA-519c, a member of the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster, is a human-specific microRNA mainly expressed in the placenta. However, its role in pregnancy is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the role of "endotoxin tolerance" failure in the pathogenesis of an exaggerated inflammatory response often seen in inflammation-mediated preterm birth. In this study, we investigated the role of microRNA-519c, a placenta-specific microRNA, as a key regulator of endotoxin tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. STUDY DESIGN Using a placental explant culture system, samples from term and second-trimester placentas were treated with lipopolysaccharide. After 24 hours, the conditioned media were collected for analysis, and the placental explants were re-exposed to repeated doses of lipopolysaccharide for 3 days. The supernatant was analyzed for inflammatory markers, the presence of extracellular vesicles, and microRNAs. To study the possible mechanism of action of the microRNAs, we evaluated the phosphodiesterase 3B pathway involved in tumor necrosis factor alpha production using a microRNA mimic and phosphodiesterase 3B small interfering RNA transfection. Finally, we analyzed human placental samples from different gestational ages and from women affected by inflammation-associated pregnancies. RESULTS Our data showed that repeated exposure of the human placenta to endotoxin challenges induced a tolerant phenotype characterized by decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha and up-regulated interleukin-10 levels. This reaction was mediated by the placenta-specific microRNA-519c packaged within placental extracellular vesicles. Lipopolysaccharide treatment increased the extracellular vesicles that were positive for the exosome tetraspanin markers, namely CD9, CD63, and CD81, and secreted primarily by trophoblasts. Primary human trophoblast cells transfected with a microRNA-519c mimic decreased phosphodiesterase 3B, whereas a lack of phosphodiesterase 3B, achieved by small interfering RNA transfection, led to decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha production. These data support the hypothesis that the anti-inflammatory action of microRNA-519c was mediated by a down-regulation of the phosphodiesterase 3B pathway, leading to inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha production. Furthermore, human placentas from normal and inflammation-associated pregnancies demonstrated that a decreased placental microRNA-519c level was linked to infection-induced inflammatory pathologies during pregnancy. CONCLUSION We identified microRNA-519c, a human placenta-specific microRNA, as a novel regulator of immune adaptation associated with infection-induced preterm birth at the maternal-fetal interface. Our study serves as a basis for future experiments to explore the potential use of microRNA-519c as a biomarker for infection-induced preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Tiozzo
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY
| | - Mark Bustoros
- Women and Children's Research Laboratory, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY; Division of Hematologic Neoplasia, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Xinhua Lin
- Women and Children's Research Laboratory, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY
| | - Claudia Manzano De Mejia
- Women and Children's Research Laboratory, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY
| | - Ellen Gurzenda
- Research and Academic Center, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY
| | - Martin Chavez
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY
| | - Iman Hanna
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY
| | - Paola Aguiari
- GOFARR Laboratory for Organ Regenerative Research and Cell Therapeutics, Division of Urology, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Laura Perin
- GOFARR Laboratory for Organ Regenerative Research and Cell Therapeutics, Division of Urology, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Nazeeh Hanna
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, New York University Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY.
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Ikeda R, Ushio N, Abdou AM, Furuoka H, Nishikawa Y. Toll-Like Receptor 2 is Involved in Abnormal Pregnancy in Mice Infected with Toxoplasma gondii During Late Pregnancy. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:741104. [PMID: 34675905 PMCID: PMC8524087 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.741104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy causes failure of pregnancy maintenance, resulting in fetal death, abortion, stillbirth, or premature birth, but the mechanism of disease onset remains unclear. Although Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is expressed on antigen-presenting cells and trophoblasts, the role of TLR2 in T. gondii infection during pregnancy is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of TLR2 in congenital toxoplasmosis using TLR2-deficient (TLR2−/−) mice. T. gondii infection on gestational day 12.5 (Gd12.5) induced more abnormal pregnancy, including premature birth and stillbirth, in wild-type mice than in TLR2−/− mice. Multiple calcifications were observed in the placentas of the infected wild-type mice. At Gd18.5 (6days postinfection), the parasite numbers in the placenta and uterus and the histological changes did not differ significantly between the wild-type and TLR2−/− mice. However, T. gondii infection reduced the mRNA expression of interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40) and increased IL-4 and IL-10 mRNAs in the placentas of the wild-type mice. In contrast, the placentas of the TLR2−/− mice showed no changes in the expression of these cytokines, including IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α, in response to T. gondii infection. Serum interferon-γ levels were significantly lower in the infected TLR2−/− mice than in the infected wild-type mice on Gd18.5. Thus, the TLR2−/− mice were less susceptible to the induction of immune responses by T. gondii infection during late pregnancy. Therefore, TLR2 signaling may play a role in the development of disease states during pregnancy, specifically placental hypofunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rina Ikeda
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Nanako Ushio
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Ahmed M Abdou
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan.,Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Hidefumi Furuoka
- Division of Pathobiological Science, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan
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29
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Lorthe E, Kayem G. Tocolysis in the management of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes at 22-33 weeks of gestation: study protocol for a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing nifedipine with placebo (TOCOPROM). BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2021; 21:614. [PMID: 34496799 PMCID: PMC8425321 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-04047-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 34 weeks of gestation complicates 1% of pregnancies and accounts for one-third of preterm births. International guidelines recommend expectant management, along with antenatal steroids before 34 weeks and antibiotics. Up-to-date evidence about the risks and benefits of administering tocolysis after PPROM, however, is lacking. In theory, reducing uterine contractility could delay delivery and reduce the risks of prematurity and its adverse short- and long-term consequences, but it might also prolong fetal exposure to inflammation, infection, and acute obstetric complications, potentially associated with neonatal death or long-term sequelae. The primary objective of this study is to assess whether short-term (48 h) tocolysis reduces perinatal mortality/morbidity in PPROM at 22 to 33 completed weeks of gestation. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, superiority trial will be performed in 29 French maternity units. Women with PPROM between 220/7 and 336/7 weeks of gestation, a singleton pregnancy, and no condition contraindicating expectant management will be randomized to receive a 48-hour oral treatment by either nifedipine or placebo (1:1 ratio). The primary outcome will be the occurrence of perinatal mortality/morbidity, a composite outcome including fetal death, neonatal death, or severe neonatal morbidity before discharge. If we assume an alpha-risk of 0.05 and beta-risk of 0.20 (i.e., a statistical power of 80%), 702 women (351 per arm) are required to show a reduction of the primary endpoint from 35% (placebo group) to 25% (nifedipine group). We plan to increase the required number of subjects by 20%, to replace any patients who leave the study early. The total number of subjects required is thus 850. Data will be analyzed by the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion This trial will inform practices and policies worldwide. Optimized prenatal management to improve the prognosis of infants born preterm could benefit about 50,000 women in the European Union and 40,000 in the United States each year. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03976063 (registration date June 5, 2019). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04047-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Lorthe
- Université de Paris, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center/CRESS, INSERM, INRA, F-75004, Paris, France.,Unit of Population Epidemiology, Department of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gilles Kayem
- Université de Paris, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center/CRESS, INSERM, INRA, F-75004, Paris, France. .,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Trousseau Hospital, APHP, FHU Prema, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.
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30
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Aguinaga M, Valdespino Y, Medina D, Espino Y Sosa S, Sevilla R, Miranda O, Acevedo S, Monroy IE, Helguera AC, Pérez J, Mariscal LF, Murillo MR, Lara RM, Armijos JC, Rogel G, Cardona JA. Causal analysis of fetal death in high-risk pregnancies. J Perinat Med 2021; 49:740-747. [PMID: 33735952 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2020-0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the causes of fetal death among the stillbirths using two classification systems from 22 weeks of gestation in a period of three years in high-risk pregnancies. This is a retrospective observational study. METHODS The National Institute of Perinatal Health in Mexico City is a Level 3 care referral center attending high-risk pregnancies from throughout the country. The population consisted of patients with fetal death during a three-year period. Between January 2016 and December 2018, all stillbirths were examined in the Pathology Department by a pathologist and a medical geneticist. Stillbirth was defined as a fetal death occurring after 22 weeks of gestation. RESULTS Main outcome measures: Causal analysis of fetal death using the International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems-Perinatal Mortality (ICD-PM) and initial causes of fetal death (INCODE) classification systems. A total of 297 stillborn neonates were studied. The distribution of gestational age in antepartum stillbirths (55.2%) showed a bimodal curve, 36% occurred between 24 and 27 weeks and 32% between 32 and 36 weeks. In comparison, the majority (86%) of intrapartum deaths (44.8%) were less than 28 weeks of gestation. Of the 273 women enrolled, 93 (34%) consented to a complete fetal autopsy. The INCODE system showed a present cause in 42%, a possible cause in 54% and a probable cause in 93% of patients. CONCLUSIONS The principal causes of antepartum death were fetal abnormalities and pathologic placental conditions and the principal causes of intrapartum death were complications of pregnancy which caused a premature labor and infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Aguinaga
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Yolotzin Valdespino
- Pathology Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniela Medina
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Salvador Espino Y Sosa
- Subdirection of Clinical Research, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosalba Sevilla
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Osvaldo Miranda
- Obstetrics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sandra Acevedo
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Irma E Monroy
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Addy C Helguera
- Immunobiochemistry Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Javier Pérez
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luisa F Mariscal
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mauricio R Murillo
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rosa M Lara
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jessica C Armijos
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gabriela Rogel
- Human Genetics and Genomics Department, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
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Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Among Women at Risk for HIV Exposure Initiating Safer Conception Care in Rural, Southwestern Uganda. Sex Transm Dis 2021; 47:e24-e28. [PMID: 32404858 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and risk factors is important to the development of tenofovir-based preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and safer conception programming. We introduced STI screening among women at risk for HIV exposure who were participating in a safer conception study in southwestern Uganda. METHODS We enrolled 131 HIV-uninfected women, planning for pregnancy with a partner living with HIV or of unknown HIV serostatus (2018-2019). Women were offered comprehensive safer conception counseling, including PrEP. Participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires detailing sociodemographics and sexual history. We integrated laboratory screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis as a substudy to assess STI prevalence. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine correlates. RESULTS Ninety-four women completed STI screening (72% of enrolled). Median age was 30 (interquartile range, 26-34) years, and 94% chose PrEP as part of safer conception care. Overall, 24% had STIs: 13% chlamydia, 2% gonorrhea, 6% trichomoniasis, 6% syphilis, and 3% ≥2 STI. Sexually transmitted infection prevalence was associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-0.99), prior stillbirth (AOR, 5.04; 95% CI, 1.12-22.54), and not feeling vulnerable to HIV (AOR, 16.33; 95% CI, 1.12-237.94). CONCLUSIONS We describe a 24% curable STI prevalence among women at risk for HIV exposure who were planning for pregnancy. These data highlight the importance of integrating laboratory-based STI screening into safer conception programs to maximize the health of HIV-affected women, children, and families.
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32
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Gwako GN, Were F, Obimbo MM, Kinuthia J, Gachuno OW, Gichangi PB. Association between utilization and quality of antenatal care with stillbirths in four tertiary hospitals in a low-income urban setting. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2021; 100:676-683. [PMID: 32648596 PMCID: PMC10652915 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION About 2.6 million stillbirths per year occur globally with 98% occurring in low- and middle-income countries including Kenya, where an estimated 35 000 stillbirths occur annually. Most studies have focused on the direct causes of stillbirth. The aim of this study was to determine the association between antenatal care utilization and quality with stillbirth in a Kenyan set up. This information is key when planning strategies to reduce the stillbirth burden. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a case-control study in four urban tertiary hospitals carried out between August 2018 and April 2019. A total of 214 women with stillbirths (cases) and 428 with livebirths (controls) between 28 and 42 weeks were enrolled. Information was obtained through interviews and data abstracted from medical records. Antenatal care utilization was assessed by the proportions of women not attending antenatal care; booking first antenatal care visit in first trimester and not making the requisite four antenatal care visits. Quality of antenatal care was assessed using individual surrogate indicators (antenatal profile testing, weight/blood pressure/urinalysis testing in each antenatal visit, utilization of early obstetric ultrasound, completeness of antenatal records) and a codified indicator made up of seven parameters (attending antenatal care, booking first antenatal care in the first trimester, making four or more antenatal visits, having all antenatal profile tests, having a complete antenatal record, having blood pressure and weight measured at all visits). The association between antenatal care utilization and quality with stillbirth was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression. Statistical significance was defined as a two-tailed P value ≤ .05. RESULTS Women with stillbirth were likely to have a parity ≥4 (19.6% vs 12.6%, P = .02), have an obstetric complication (36% vs 8.6%, P = .001) and have a medical disorder (5.6% vs 1.6%, P = .01). The odds of a stillbirth were four times higher among those who did not attend antenatal care ( odds ratio [OR] 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-10, P < .003). Compared with four antenatal care visits, those who had one or two visits had higher odds of a stillbirth: OR 2.96 (95% CI 1.4-6.1), P = .003, and OR 2.9 (95% CI 1.7-5), P = .003, respectively. As per the individual surrogate indicators, the likelihood of a stillbirth was lower in women who received good quality antenatal care: Hemoglobin testing (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.8, P = .03), blood group test (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.6, P < .001), HIV test (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.5, P = .001), venereal disease research laboratory test (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.4, P = .001), weight measurement (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.0, P = .047). As per the composite indicator, the quality of antenatal care was poor across the board and there was no association between this surrogate indicator and stillbirth. CONCLUSIONS Lack of antenatal care, attending fewer than four antenatal visits and poor quality antenatal care as measured by surrogate indicators were significantly associated with stillbirth. In addition, women with low education level, obstetric complications, multiparity and medical complications had a significantly higher likelihood of stillbirth. Improving the utilization of four or more antenatal visits and the quality of antenatal care can reduce the risk of stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- George N. Gwako
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Fredrick Were
- Department of Paediatrics and Childhealth, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Moses M. Obimbo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Kinuthia
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Onesmus W. Gachuno
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter B. Gichangi
- Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Research and Extension, Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was aimed to assess the utility of diagnostic tests of maternal and fetal infection in the evaluation of stillbirth. STUDY DESIGN A single-center retrospective study from January 2011 to December 2016 of all women presenting to the hospital with intrauterine fetal death at or after 20 weeks of gestation. Standard evaluation included review of medical records, clinical and laboratory inflammatory workup, maternal serologies, fetal autopsy, placental pathology, and fetal and placental cultures. A suspected infectious etiology was defined as meeting at least two diagnostic criteria, and only after exclusion of any other identifiable stillbirth cause. RESULTS During the 7-year study period, 228 cases of stillbirth were diagnosed at our center. An infectious etiology was the suspected cause of stillbirth in 35 cases (15.3%). The mean gestational age of infection-related stillbirth was 28 1/7 (range: 22-37) weeks, while for a noninfectious etiology, it was 34 0/7 (range: 25-38) weeks (p = 0.005). Placental histological findings diagnostic of overt chorioamnionitis and funisitis were observed in 31 (88.5%) cases. In 16 (45.7%) cases the placental and fetal cultures were positive for the same pathogen. Serology of acute infection was positive in three (8.5%) of the cases. CONCLUSION Maternal and fetal infectious workup is valuable in the investigation of stillbirth, particularly before 30 weeks of gestation and should be considered a part of standard evaluation.
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Aleem S, Bhutta ZA. Infection-related stillbirth: an update on current knowledge and strategies for prevention. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2021; 19:1117-1124. [PMID: 33517816 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1882849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Infections during pregnancy are a preventable public health concern globally, with the highest burden occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Despite clear interventions to reduce these infections, their impact on preventing stillbirths is unclear, with conflicting evidence.Areas covered: The purpose of this review is to discuss data regarding infectious causes of stillbirths, and interventions for the prevention and/or treatment of these infections. We discuss the limitations in evaluating the true effect of the interventions on stillbirths, and highlight the importance of preventing infections in the grand scheme of improving maternal and infant pregnancy outcomes. We used PubMed to identify relevant studies, reviews, and meta-analysis until January 2021.Expert opinion: Maternal infections during pregnancy, especially malaria and syphilis, are notable causes of stillbirth in low- and middle-income countries. Despite considerable global advocacy, there is scant recognition of the potential to reduce the burden of antepartum stillbirths related to infections. Reducing stillbirths overall must become an important indicator for quality of care and accountability, and progress must also be assessed by coverage of key interventions that impact stillbirths, which includes population-based screening, prevention and timely treatment of infections during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Aleem
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research, and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre of Excellence in Women, and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.,Epidemiology Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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CXCR3-Dependent Immune Pathology in Mice following Infection with Toxoplasma gondii during Early Pregnancy. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00253-20. [PMID: 33199353 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00253-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii The symptoms of congenital toxoplasmosis range from embryonic death and resorption to subclinical infection, but the mechanism of disease onset remains unclear. C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) is highly expressed in Th1-associated immune cells and plays an important role in the trafficking and activation of immune cells. However, the roles of CXCR3 in T. gondii-induced fetal loss and the molecular mechanism of embryo resorption remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of CXCR3 in fetal wastage caused by T. gondii infection using CXCR3-deficient (CXCR3-/-) mice. CXCR3-/- and wild-type pregnant mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with T. gondii tachyzoites on day 3.5 of gestation (Gd3.5). Pregnancy rates decreased as the pregnancy progressed in both infected groups; however, infected CXCR3-/- mice showed a significant fetal loss at Gd13.5 compared with that at Gd7.5. All embryos of the infected groups showed necrosis, and embryo resorption was significantly increased in infected CXCR3-/- compared with wild-type mice at Gd13.5. The parasite load of fetoplacental tissues was significantly increased in CXCR3-/- mice at Gd10.5. Moreover, mRNA expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase were significantly increased in fetoplacental tissues from infected wild-type mice compared to infected CXCR3-/- mice following the infection. These results suggested that CXCR3-dependent immune responses provide anti-Toxoplasma activity and play an essential role in reducing embryo resorption and fetal loss caused by T. gondii infection during early pregnancy.
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Abstract
A systematic, effective stillbirth evaluation is important for identification of potential causes of fetal death. Knowledge of potential causes of fetal death facilitates emotional closure for patients and informs recurrence risk as well as future pregnancy management. The highest-yield components of a stillbirth evaluation for finding a cause of fetal death are fetal autopsy, placental pathology, and genetic testing. All patients should be offered these tests following a stillbirth. A clear plan for postpartum follow-up should be made with the patient in order to ensure ongoing support through the grief and recovery process.
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Yu K, Rodriguez M, Paul Z, Gordon E, Gu T, Rice K, Triplett EW, Keller-Wood M, Wood CE. Transfer of oral bacteria to the fetus during late gestation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:708. [PMID: 33436911 PMCID: PMC7804304 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fetus develops in a privileged environment, as the placenta serves as both a gateway for nutrients and a barrier for pathogen transfer to the fetus. Regardless, recent evidence suggests the presence of bacterial DNA in both placenta and fetus, and we have reported that DNA and protein from small numbers of bacteria gain access to the fetus from the maternal bloodstream. Other routes of environmental bacterial transfer from the mother to fetus remain unknown, as well as the physiological relevance of their presence. In these experiments, we examine multiple routes by which bacterial cellular components can enter the fetus and the fetal response to influx of bacterial DNA and protein. We inoculated maternal sheep with genetically-labeled S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus) using three routes: intravenously, orally, and intra-vaginally. The inoculum did not produce sepsis or fever in the ewes, therefore mimicking incidental exposure to bacteria during pregnancy. 3-5 days post inoculation, we assessed the presence of bacterial components in the fetal tissues and analyzed fetal brain tissue to identify any alterations in gene expression. Our results demonstrate that components of bacteria that were introduced into the maternal mouth were detected in the fetal brain and that they stimulated changes in gene expression. We conclude that an oral route of transmission is relevant for transfer of bacterial cellular components to the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Yu
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1345 Center Drive, Room M552, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Michelle Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville, USA
| | - Zubin Paul
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1345 Center Drive, Room M552, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Elizabeth Gordon
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1345 Center Drive, Room M552, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Tongjun Gu
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Kelly Rice
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville, USA
| | - Eric W Triplett
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville, USA
| | - Maureen Keller-Wood
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, USA
| | - Charles E Wood
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, 1345 Center Drive, Room M552, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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Lema G, Mremi A, Amsi P, Pyuza JJ, Alloyce JP, Mchome B, Mlay P. Placental pathology and maternal factors associated with stillbirth: An institutional based case-control study in Northern Tanzania. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243455. [PMID: 33382728 PMCID: PMC7775101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the placental pathologies and maternal factors associated with stillbirth at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, a tertiary referral hospital in Northern Tanzania. METHODS A 1:2 unmatched case-control study was carried out among deliveries over an 8-month period. Stillbirths were a case group and live births were the control group. Respective placentas of the newborns from both groups were histopathologically analyzed. Maternal information was collected via chart review. Mean and standard deviation were used to summarize the numerical variables while frequency and percentage were used to summarize categorical variables. Crude and adjusted logistic regressions were done to test the association between each variable and the risk of stillbirth. RESULTS A total of 2305 women delivered during the study period. Their mean age was 30 ± 5.9 years. Of all deliveries, 2207 (95.8%) were live births while 98 (4.2%) were stillbirths. Of these, 96 stillbirths (cases) and 192 live births (controls) were enrolled. The average gestational age for the enrolled cases was 33.8 ±3.2 weeks while that of the controls was 36.3±3.6 weeks, (p-value 0.244). Of all stillbirths, nearly two thirds 61(63.5%) were males while the females were 35(36.5%). Of the stillbirth, 41were fresh stillbirths while 55 were macerated. The risk of stillbirth was significantly associated with lower maternal education [aOR (95% CI): 5.22(2.01-13.58)], history of stillbirth [aOR (95%CI): 3.17(1.20-8.36)], lower number of antenatal visits [aOR (95%CI): 6.68(2.71-16.48), pre/eclampsia [aOR (95%CI): 4.06(2.03-8.13)], and ante partum haemorrhage [OR (95%CI): 2.39(1.04-5.53)]. Placental pathology associated with stillbirth included utero-placental vascular pathology and acute chorioamnionitis. CONCLUSIONS Educating the mothers on the importance of regular antenatal clinic attendance, monitoring and managing maternal conditions during antenatal periods should be emphasized. Placentas from stillbirths should be histo-pathologically evaluated to better understand the possible aetiology of stillbirths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin Lema
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Alex Mremi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Pathology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Patrick Amsi
- Department of Pathology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Jeremia J. Pyuza
- Department of Pathology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Julius P. Alloyce
- Cancer Registry Unit, Cancer Care Centre, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Bariki Mchome
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Pendo Mlay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
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Valderrama CE, Ketabi N, Marzbanrad F, Rohloff P, Clifford GD. A review of fetal cardiac monitoring, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Physiol Meas 2020; 41:11TR01. [PMID: 33105122 PMCID: PMC9216228 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/abc4c7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
There is limited evidence regarding the utility of fetal monitoring during pregnancy, particularly during labor and delivery. Developed countries rely on consensus 'best practices' of obstetrics and gynecology professional societies to guide their protocols and policies. Protocols are often driven by the desire to be as safe as possible and avoid litigation, regardless of the cost of downstream treatment. In high-resource settings, there may be a justification for this approach. In low-resource settings, in particular, interventions can be costly and lead to adverse outcomes in subsequent pregnancies. Therefore, it is essential to consider the evidence and cost of different fetal monitoring approaches, particularly in the context of treatment and care in low-to-middle income countries. This article reviews the standard methods used for fetal monitoring, with particular emphasis on fetal cardiac assessment, which is a reliable indicator of fetal well-being. An overview of fetal monitoring practices in low-to-middle income counties, including perinatal care access challenges, is also presented. Finally, an overview of how mobile technology may help reduce barriers to perinatal care access in low-resource settings is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo E Valderrama
- Data Intelligence for Health Lab, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nasim Ketabi
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Faezeh Marzbanrad
- Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter Rohloff
- Wuqu' Kawoq, Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Guatemala
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Gari D Clifford
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
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McClure EM, Silver RM, Kim J, Ahmed I, Kallapur M, Ghanchi N, Nagmoti MB, Dhaded S, Aceituno A, Tikmani SS, Saleem S, Guruprasad G, Goudar SS, Goldenberg RL. Maternal infection and stillbirth: a review. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:4442-4450. [PMID: 33233978 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1852206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Maternal infections likely are an important cause of stillbirths, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, where the burden is highest. Due to the lack of routine testing for infection, which can be complex and often expensive, the prevalence of infection during pregnancy and the association of many infections with stillbirth are not well-documented, especially in low-resource countries.Methods: Following an extensive literature review of infection and stillbirth initially published in 2010, we conducted a review of literature in the last 10 years to identify infections associated with stillbirth, focused on those in low-resource settings.Results: During the last 10 years, over 40 bacterial, viral and other pathogens have been associated with stillbirth. Newly emerging viral infections such as Denge as well as several well-established, but not yet eliminated infections such as rubella have been associated with stillbirth. Two of the maternal infections most strongly associated with stillbirth, each with about a 2-fold risk, are malaria and syphilis but others have been associated with risk in a range of studies. With a lack of routine antenatal screening, many pathogens are identified as associated with stillbirth only through case reports. Infection remains an important, yet understudied, cause of stillbirth.Conclusion: Research studies to determine definitive associations between various infections and stillbirth are important to better understand the role of infections and strategies to reduce infection-related stillbirth.Summary This review explores the association between infections and stillbirths focusing on low-income country studies published in the last 10 years. Much information about these relationships comes from case reports. Research resulting in a better understanding of the causes and strategies to reduce infection-related stillbirth is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert M Silver
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jean Kim
- RTI International, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Imran Ahmed
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Najia Ghanchi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mahantesh B Nagmoti
- KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, India
| | - Sangappa Dhaded
- KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, India
| | | | | | - Sarah Saleem
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Shivaprasad S Goudar
- KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, India
| | - Robert L Goldenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Eastman AJ, Vrana EN, Grimaldo MT, Jones AD, Rogers LM, Alcendor DJ, Aronoff DM. Cytotrophoblasts suppress macrophage-mediated inflammation through a contact-dependent mechanism. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 85:e13352. [PMID: 32969101 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Gestational membrane (GM) infection provokes inflammation and can result in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM). The choriodecidual layer of the GM includes decidual stromal cells (DSC), cytotrophoblasts (CTB), and macrophages (Mφ). Our laboratory has previously shown that DSCs suppress Mφ TNF-α production through secreted prostaglandin E2 . We hypothesized that CTBs would also inhibit Mφ cytokine expression through secreted mediators. METHOD OF STUDY THP.1 Mφ-like cells with an NF-κB reporter construct or human blood monocyte-derived Mφ were co-cultured with the Jeg3 CTB cell line or primary human CTBs and challenged with group B streptococcus (GBS) or Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. Conditioned medium generated from CTB cultures was applied to Mφ cultures before infection or treatment. Alternatively, CTBs were co-incubated with, but physically separated from, Mφ and GBS or TLR-stimulated. NF-κB was assessed via alkaline phosphatase assay, and proinflammatory mediators were assessed by qRT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS CTBs suppressed GBS- or TLR-stimulated Mφ NF-κB activity, and TNF-α and MMP9 production. Direct physical contact between CTBs and Mφ was required for full immunosuppression. Immunosuppression could be overcome by increasing the ratio of Mφ to CTB. CONCLUSIONS CTBs limit Mφ NF-κB activation and production of TNF-α and MMP9 through an as-yet unknown, cell-to-cell contact-mediated mechanism. This suppression is distinct from the PGE2 -mediated Mφ TNF-α suppression by DSC, suggesting that DSCs and CTBs regulate Mφ inflammation through distinct mechanisms. How Mφ integrates these signals in an intact GM will be paramount to determining causes and prevention of PPROM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Eastman
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Erin N Vrana
- Vanderbilt University Medical School, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Maria T Grimaldo
- Texas A&M University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Amanda D Jones
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lisa M Rogers
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - David M Aronoff
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Systematic review of Group B Streptococcal capsular types, sequence types and surface proteins as potential vaccine candidates. Vaccine 2020; 38:6682-6694. [PMID: 32888741 PMCID: PMC7526974 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Most comprehensive review of Group B Streptococcal serotypes through 2018. First systematic review of Group B Streptococcal strain type and protein data. Theoretically candidate vaccines may protect against 93-99% disease-causing strains. More studies on GBS strains in low- and middle-income countries are needed.
Background 21 million pregnant women worldwide (18%) are estimated to carry Group B Streptococcus (GBS), which is a risk for invasive disease in newborns, pregnant women, and stillbirths. Adults ≥ 60 years or with underlying health conditions are also vulnerable to invasive GBS disease. We undertook systematic reviews on GBS organism characteristics including: capsular polysaccharide (serotype), sequence type (multi-locus sequence types (MLST)), and virulence proteins. We synthesised data by at-risk populations, to inform vaccine development. Methods We conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses to estimate proportions of GBS serotypes for at risk populations: maternal colonisation, invasive disease in pregnant women, stillbirths, infants 0–90 days age, and older adults (≥60 years). We considered regional variation and time trends (2001–2018). For these at-risk population groups, we summarised reported MLST and surface proteins. Results Based on 198 studies (29247isolates), 93–99% of GBS isolates were serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, IV and V. Regional variation is likely, but data gaps are apparent, even for maternal colonisation which has most data. Serotype III dominates for infant invasive disease (60%) and GBS-associated stillbirths (41%). ST17 accounted for a high proportion of infant invasive disease (41%; 95%CI: 35–47) and was found almost exclusively in serotype III strains, less present in maternal colonisation (9%; 95%CI:6–13),(4%; 95%CI:0–11) infant colonisation, and adult invasive disease (4%, 95%CI:2–6). Percentages of strains with at least one of alp 1, alp2/3, alpha C or Rib surface protein targets were 87% of maternal colonisation, 97% infant colonisation, 93% infant disease and 99% adult invasive disease. At least one of three pilus islands proteins were reported in all strains. Discussion A hexavalent vaccine (serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, IV and V) might provide comprehensive cover for all at-risk populations. Surveillance of circulating, disease-causing target proteins is useful to inform vaccines not targeting capsular polysaccharide. Addressing data gaps especially by world region and some at-risk populations (notably stillbirths) is fundamental to evidence-based decision-making during vaccine design.
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Dase E, Wariri O, Onuwabuchi E, Alhassan JAK, Jalo I, Muhajarine N, Okomo U, ElNafaty AU. Applying the WHO ICD-PM classification system to stillbirths in a major referral Centre in Northeast Nigeria: a retrospective analysis from 2010-2018. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:383. [PMID: 32611330 PMCID: PMC7329521 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03059-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lack of a unified and comparable classification system to unravel the underlying causes of stillbirth hampers the development and implementation of targeted interventions to reduce the unacceptably high stillbirth rates (SBR) in sub-Saharan Africa. Our aim was to track the SBR and the predominant maternal and fetal causes of stillbirths using the WHO ICD-PM Classification system. Methods This was a retrospective observational study in a major referral centre in northeast Nigeria between 2010 and 2018. Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists assigned causes of stillbirths after an extensive audit of available stillbirths’ records. Cause of death was assigned via consensus using the ICD-PM classification system. Results There were 21,462 births between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2018 in our study setting; of these, 1177 culminated in stillbirths with a total hospital SBR of 55 per 1000 births (95% CI: 52, 58). There were two peaks of stillbirths in 2012 [62 per 1000 births (95% CI: 53, 71)], and 2015 [65 per 1000 births (95% CI, 55, 76)]. Antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths were almost equally prevalent (48% vs 52%). Maternal medical and surgical conditions (M4) were the commonest (69.3%) cause of antepartum stillbirths while complications of placenta, cord and membranes (M3) accounted for the majority (45.8%) of intrapartum stillbirths and the trends were similar between 2010 and 2018. Antepartum and intrapartum fetal causes of stillbirths were mainly due to prematurity which is a disorder of fetal growth (A5 and I6). Conclusions Most causes of stillbirths in our setting are due to preventable causes and the trends have remained unabated between 2010 and 2018. Progress toward global SBR targets are off-track, requiring more interventions to halt and reduce the high SBR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eseoghene Dase
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe, Nigeria.,African Population and Health Policy Initiative, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
| | - Oghenebrume Wariri
- African Population and Health Policy Initiative, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria. .,Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia. .,Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science (ACHDS), Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Egwu Onuwabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe, Nigeria.,African Population and Health Policy Initiative, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
| | - Jacob A K Alhassan
- African Population and Health Policy Initiative, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.,Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Iliya Jalo
- Department of Paediatrics, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe, Nigeria.,Department of Paediatrics, College of Medical Sciences, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria
| | - Nazeem Muhajarine
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Uduak Okomo
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Aliyu U ElNafaty
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe, Nigeria.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medical Sciences, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria
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Preparing to introduce new maternal immunizations in low- and lower-middle-income countries: A report from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation convening "Allies in Maternal and Newborn Care"; May 3-4, 2018. Vaccine 2020; 38:4355-4361. [PMID: 32418791 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.04.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
New strategies will be critical to reduce infant mortality and severe morbidity - there are still 5.2 million newborn deaths and stillbirths each year. The decline in newborn mortality has not kept pace with the reduction in under-five deaths and is slowest in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). Maternal immunization is a promising intervention to protect infants when they are most vulnerable - in utero and their first few months of life, before they can receive their own vaccines. Successfully introducing new vaccines for pregnant women in LMICs will require collaboration between two fields - (1) immunization and (2) maternal, newborn and child health - that use different service delivery approaches, operate under different policy and funding paradigms, and are not always integrated. In May 2018, stakeholders from these distinct communities convened to identify challenges and opportunities associated with delivering new maternal immunizations. Participants agreed that antenatal care is a logical platform. However, in many resource-constrained settings, antenatal care providers are already overburdened, and most women do not receive the recommended number of antenatal visits. Implementing maternal immunization could help increase antenatal care attendance by offering an additional safe and effective intervention that women value. Substantial effort is needed to demonstrate the benefits of maternal immunization to decision-makers and providers, and to ensure that countries and health systems are ready for introduction. To that end, participants identified the following priorities: assure coherence of policies for introducing new vaccines for pregnant women and strengthen maternal health interventions; generate demand for existing, recommended, and new maternal vaccines; conduct socio-behavioral, health systems and implementation research to shape optimal vaccine delivery strategies; and strengthen antenatal and perinatal care quality. To achieve these aims, collaboration across fields will be essential. Given that new maternal vaccines are advancing in clinical development, time is of the essence.
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Jaiman S, Romero R, Pacora P, Jung E, Bhatti G, Yeo L, Kim YM, Kim B, Kim CJ, Kim JS, Qureshi F, Jacques SM, Erez O, Gomez-Lopez N, Hsu CD. Disorders of placental villous maturation in fetal death. J Perinat Med 2020; 0:/j/jpme.ahead-of-print/jpm-2020-0030/jpm-2020-0030.xml. [PMID: 32238609 PMCID: PMC8262362 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2020-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective The aims of this study were to ascertain the frequency of disorders of villous maturation in fetal death and to also delineate other placental histopathologic lesions in fetal death. Methods This was a retrospective observational cohort study of fetal deaths occurring among women between January 2004 and January 2016 at Hutzel Women's Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA. Cases comprised fetuses with death beyond 20 weeks' gestation. Fetal deaths with congenital anomalies and multiple gestations were excluded. Controls included pregnant women without medical/obstetrical complications and delivered singleton, term (37-42 weeks) neonate with 5-min Apgar score ≥7 and birthweight between the 10th and 90th percentiles. Results Ninety-two percent (132/143) of placentas with fetal death showed placental histologic lesions. Fetal deaths were associated with (1) higher frequency of disorders of villous maturation [44.0% (64/143) vs. 1.0% (4/405), P < 0.0001, prevalence ratio, 44.6; delayed villous maturation, 22% (31/143); accelerated villous maturation, 20% (28/143); and maturation arrest, 4% (5/143)]; (2) higher frequency of maternal vascular malperfusion lesions [75.5% (108/143) vs. 35.7% (337/944), P < 0.0001, prevalence ratio, 2.1] and fetal vascular malperfusion lesions [88.1% (126/143) vs. 19.7% (186/944), P < 0.0001, prevalence ratio, 4.5]; (3) higher frequency of placental histologic patterns suggestive of hypoxia [59.0% (85/143) vs. 9.3% (82/942), P < 0.0001, prevalence ratio, 6.8]; and (4) higher frequency of chronic inflammatory lesions [53.1% (76/143) vs. 29.9% (282/944), P < 0.001, prevalence ratio 1.8]. Conclusion This study demonstrates that placentas of women with fetal death were 44 times more likely to present disorders of villous maturation compared to placentas of those with normal pregnancy. This suggests that the burden of placental disorders of villous maturation lesions is substantial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Jaiman
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Percy Pacora
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Eunjung Jung
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Lami Yeo
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Yeon Mee Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Bomi Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Chong Jai Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Sun Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Faisal Qureshi
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Suzanne M. Jacques
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Offer Erez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Chaur-Dong Hsu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Andemel N, Gaoussou S, Barry A, Issiaka D, Mahamar A, Traore M, Duffy PE, Dicko A, Fried M. Adverse pregnancy outcomes among women presenting at antenatal clinics in Ouélessébougou, Mali. Reprod Health 2020; 17:39. [PMID: 32183832 PMCID: PMC7077143 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-020-0890-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria continues to scourge the population and is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in young children and pregnant women. As current preventative measures such as intermittent preventive treatment and use of insecticide-treated nets provide incomplete protection, several malaria vaccines are currently under development, including one to specifically prevent pregnancy malaria. Prior to conducting vaccine trials, it is important to obtain background information on poor pregnancy outcomes in the target population to establish a baseline. Methods Pregnant women presenting at community health care centers for antenatal care were recruited to the study. Gestational age was determined by ultrasound examination following recruitment. Antenatal care and pregnancy outcome information were collected during a visit 4–8 weeks post-delivery. Results One thousand eight hundred fifty women completed the study, and analysis included 1814 women after excluding multiple gestations (n = 26) and missing/incomplete data (n = 10). The percentage (95% CI) of adverse pregnancy outcomes is as follows: miscarriage, 0.28% (0.04–0.52); stillbirth, 1.93% (1.30–2.56); early neonatal death, 1.65% (1.03–2.24); late neonatal death, 0.39%, (0.10–0.68); and preterm delivery (PTD), 4.74% (3.76–5.73). The percentages of early and late neonatal deaths and PTD were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in primigravid compared to multigravid women. In primigravidae, 3.1, 1.1 and 7.1% of pregnancies resulted in early neonatal death, late neonatal death and PTD, respectively, while these outcomes in multigravidae were 1.0, 0.1 and 2.7%, respectively. Major malformations were identified in 4 newborns. Conclusions Low gravidity and young age predict perinatal death and PTD. The information collected here can be used as a baseline for adverse pregnancy outcomes in future vaccine trials in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naissem Andemel
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Santara Gaoussou
- Malaria Research & Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, P.O Box 1805, Bamako, Mali
| | - Amadou Barry
- Malaria Research & Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, P.O Box 1805, Bamako, Mali
| | - Djibrilla Issiaka
- Malaria Research & Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, P.O Box 1805, Bamako, Mali
| | - Almahamoudou Mahamar
- Malaria Research & Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, P.O Box 1805, Bamako, Mali
| | - Moussa Traore
- Malaria Research & Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, P.O Box 1805, Bamako, Mali
| | - Patrick E Duffy
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alassane Dicko
- Malaria Research & Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, University of Sciences Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, P.O Box 1805, Bamako, Mali
| | - Michal Fried
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Al-Nasiry S, Ambrosino E, Schlaepfer M, Morré SA, Wieten L, Voncken JW, Spinelli M, Mueller M, Kramer BW. The Interplay Between Reproductive Tract Microbiota and Immunological System in Human Reproduction. Front Immunol 2020; 11:378. [PMID: 32231664 PMCID: PMC7087453 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, the microbiota, i.e., combined populations of microorganisms living inside and on the surface of the human body, has increasingly attracted attention of researchers in the medical field. Indeed, since the completion of the Human Microbiome Project, insight and interest in the role of microbiota in health and disease, also through study of its combined genomes, the microbiome, has been steadily expanding. One less explored field of microbiome research has been the female reproductive tract. Research mainly from the past decade suggests that microbial communities residing in the reproductive tract represent a large proportion of the female microbial network and appear to be involved in reproductive failure and pregnancy complications. Microbiome research is facing technological and methodological challenges, as detection techniques and analysis methods are far from being standardized. A further hurdle is understanding the complex host-microbiota interaction and the confounding effect of a multitude of constitutional and environmental factors. A key regulator of this interaction is the maternal immune system that, during the peri-conceptional stage and even more so during pregnancy, undergoes considerable modulation. This review aims to summarize the current literature on reproductive tract microbiota describing the composition of microbiota in different anatomical locations (vagina, cervix, endometrium, and placenta). We also discuss putative mechanisms of interaction between such microbial communities and various aspects of the immune system, with a focus on the characteristic immunological changes during normal pregnancy. Furthermore, we discuss how abnormal microbiota composition, “dysbiosis,” is linked to a spectrum of clinical disorders related to the female reproductive system and how the maternal immune system is involved. Finally, based on the data presented in this review, the future perspectives in diagnostic approaches, research directions and therapeutic opportunities are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salwan Al-Nasiry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GROW School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Elena Ambrosino
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Research School GROW (School for Oncology & Developmental Biology), Institute for Public Health Genomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Melissa Schlaepfer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Servaas A Morré
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Research School GROW (School for Oncology & Developmental Biology), Institute for Public Health Genomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lotte Wieten
- Tissue Typing Laboratory, Department of Transplantation Immunology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Jan Willem Voncken
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Marialuigia Spinelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin Mueller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Boris W Kramer
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Fuhler GM. The immune system and microbiome in pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2020; 44-45:101671. [PMID: 32359685 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2020.101671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal changes during pregnancy instigate numerous physiological changes aimed at the growth and delivery of a healthy baby. A careful balance between immunological tolerance against fetal antigens and immunity against infectious agents needs to be maintained. A three-way interaction between pregnancy hormones, the immune system and our microbiota is now emerging. Recent evidence suggests that microbial alterations seen during pregnancy may help maintain homeostasis and aid the required physiological changes occurring in pregnancy. However, these same immunological and microbial alterations may also make women more vulnerable during pregnancy and the post-partum period, especially regarding immunological and infectious diseases. Thus, a further understanding of the host-microbial interactions taking place during pregnancy may improve identification of populations at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Fuhler
- Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Gravendijkwal 230, 3015CE, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Kumar M, Singh A, Garg R, Goel M, Ravi V. Hypertension during pregnancy and risk of stillbirth: challenges in a developing country. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 34:3915-3921. [PMID: 31875739 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1702943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To explore the factors associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in women experiencing stillbirth (SB).Material and methods: It was an observational, analytical case-control study, done as part of the World Health Organization South-East Asian Region Office SB project. The epidemiological profile, history, clinical features, and investigations of stillborn cases having HDP were noted, an equal number of age and parity matched subjects with HDP having livebirth were taken as controls.Results: Out of 46,816 deliveries, 1239 (26.2/1000) were stillborn. The maternal causes contributed 374/1239 (30.2%) stillbirths according to the CODAC classification, HDP was the most common maternal cause (304/1239, 24.9%). Subjects with HDP were included as cases. On comparing the cases with controls it was found that significantly more number of cases had inadequate antenatal visits (p < .001, OR -4.8), two or more abortions (p < .001, OR -1.9), early onset of hypertension (p < .0001, OR -5.6) and complications such as fetal growth restriction (FGR) (p < .001, OR -2.3) and abruption (p < .001, OR -4.0). Women with preeclampsia were less likely to have SB compared to those with gestational or chronic hypertension (p = .0001, OR -2.3). The birth weight/placental weight ratio of more than eight had the highest odds ratio regarding contribution to SB among hypertensive women (p = .0001 OR -6.7).Conclusion: In women with HDP, adequate antenatal care would lead to the prevention of complications such as anemia, abruption, and FGR, and thus prevent SB. The high BW/PW ratio is a potential marker of risk of SB.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abha Singh
- Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Rashi Garg
- Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Manish Goel
- Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - V Ravi
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi, India
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Papúchová H, Meissner TB, Li Q, Strominger JL, Tilburgs T. The Dual Role of HLA-C in Tolerance and Immunity at the Maternal-Fetal Interface. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2730. [PMID: 31921098 PMCID: PMC6913657 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To establish a healthy pregnancy, maternal immune cells must tolerate fetal allo-antigens and remain competent to respond to infections both systemically and in placental tissues. Extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) are the most invasive cells of extra-embryonic origin to invade uterine tissues and express polymorphic Human Leucocyte Antigen-C (HLA-C) of both maternal and paternal origin. Thus, HLA-C is a key molecule that can elicit allogeneic immune responses by maternal T and NK cells and for which maternal-fetal immune tolerance needs to be established. HLA-C is also the only classical MHC molecule expressed by EVT that can present a wide variety of peptides to maternal memory T cells and establish protective immunity. The expression of paternal HLA-C by EVT provides a target for maternal NK and T cells, whereas HLA-C expression levels may influence how this response is shaped. This dual function of HLA-C requires tight transcriptional regulation of its expression to balance induction of tolerance and immunity. Here, we critically review new insights into: (i) the mechanisms controlling expression of HLA-C by EVT, (ii) the mechanisms by which decidual NK cells, effector T cells and regulatory T cells recognize HLA-C allo-antigens, and (iii) immune recognition of pathogen derived antigens in context of HLA-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrieta Papúchová
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Torsten B Meissner
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jack L Strominger
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Tamara Tilburgs
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Division of Immunobiology, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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