Maternal and neonatal outcome in early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia

County incidence and geospatial trends of early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Kentucky, 2008-2017

BACKGROUND

Early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (eHDP) are associated with more severe maternal and infant outcomes than later-onset disease. However, little has been done to evaluate population-level trends. Therefore, in this paper, we seek to address this understudied area by describing the geospatial and temporal patterns of county-level incidence of eHDP and assessing county-level demographics that may be associated with an increased incidence of eHDP.

METHODS

Employing Kentucky certificates of live and stillbirth from 2008-2017, this ecological study detected county-level clusters of early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy using SaTScan, calculated average annual percent change (AAPC) with a join point analysis, and identified county-level covariates (% of births to women ≥ 35 years of age, % with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², % currently smoking, % married, and % experienced eHDP) with a fixed-effects negative binomial regression model for longitudinal data with an autoregressive (AR) correlation structure offset with the natural log of the number of births in each county and year.

RESULTS

County-level incidence of eHDP had a non-statistically significant increase of almost 3% (AAPC: 2.84, 95% CI: -4.26, 10.46), while maternal smoking decreased by almost 6% over the study period (AAPC:-5.8%, 95%CI: -7.5, -4.1), Risk factors for eHDP such as pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 30 and proportion of births to women ≥ 35 years of age increased by 2.3% and 3.4% respectively (BMI AAPC:2.3, 95% CI: 0.94, 3.7; ≥ 35 years AAPC:3.4, 95% CI: 0.66, 6.3). After adjusting for race, county-level proportions of college attainment, and maternal smoking throughout pregnancy, counties with the highest proportion of births to women with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² reported an eHDP incidence 20% higher than counties with a lower proportion of births to mothers with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² and a 20% increase in eHDP incidence (aRR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.44). We also observed that counties with the highest proportion vs. the lowest of mothers ≥ 35 years old (> 6.1%) had a 26% higher incidence of eHDP (RR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.50) compared to counties with the lowest incidence (< 2.5%). We further identified two county-level clusters of elevated eHDP rates. We also observed that counties with the highest vs. lowest proportion of mothers ≥ 34 years old (> 6.1% vs. < 2.5%) had a 26% increase in the incidence of eHDP (RR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.50). We further identified two county-level clusters of elevated incidence of eHDP.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified two county-level clusters of eHDP, county-level covariates associated with eHDP, and that while increasing, the average rate of increase for eHDP was not statistically significant. This study also identified the reduction in maternal smoking over the study period and the concerning increase in rates of elevated pre-pregnancy BMI among mothers. Further work to explore the population-level trends in this understudied pregnancy complication is needed to identify community factors that may contribute to disease and inform prevention strategies.

Consequences of early-onset preeclampsia on neonatal morbidity and mortality

Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Common reasons for indicated preterm births include pre-eclampsia. The increase in incidences of morbidity and mortality observed in neonates resulting from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia is also due to alterations in angiogenic and pro-inflammatory factors that directly affect the neonatal health. This review was prepared with the aim of gathering the information available at PubMed/MEDLINE, in the years from 2011 to 2021, on the consequences of neonatal morbidity and mortality of early-onset preeclampsia. There is great controversy in the literature and paucity of studies. Early onset pre-eclampsia has been linked to fetal growth restriction (FGR). Most studies support its association with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Most studies point to an association between preeclampsia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), with the highest risk in FGR. The association between preeclampsia, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and sepsis is not supported by the literature. The association to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is controversial. The risk of spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) seems to be increased with preeclampsia. The association between intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and preeclampsia is controversial, however, preeclampsia seems to have a protective effect on periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Most of the evidence points to the non-association between preeclampsia and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Hematological changes such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and increased nucleated red blood cell counts have been shown to be associated with preeclampsia. The evidence is still quite controversial regarding mortality. The early installation of preeclampsia will have direct consequences on neonatal morbidity. Gestational age at preterm birth is the main risk factor on neonatal morbidity. Obstetricians should aim to prolong the pregnancies complicated by early-onset severe preeclampsia as far as maternal conditions allow. This policy may contribute to improve the neonatal outcomes.

The L-NAME mouse model of preeclampsia and impact to long-term maternal cardiovascular health

Preeclampsia affects ∼2–8% of pregnancies worldwide. It is associated with increased long-term maternal cardiovascular disease risk. This study assesses the effect of the vasoconstrictor N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in modelling preeclampsia in mice, and its long-term effects on maternal cardiovascular health. In this study, we found that L-NAME administration mimicked key characteristics of preeclampsia, including elevated blood pressure, impaired fetal and placental growth, and increased circulating endothelin-1 (vasoconstrictor), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (anti-angiogenic factor), and C-reactive protein (inflammatory marker). Post-delivery, mice that received L-NAME in pregnancy recovered, with no discernible changes in measured cardiovascular indices at 1-, 2-, and 4-wk post-delivery, compared with matched controls. At 10-wk post-delivery, arteries collected from the L-NAME mice constricted significantly more to phenylephrine than controls. In addition, these mice had increased kidney Mmp9:Timp1 and heart Tnf mRNA expression, indicating increased inflammation. These findings suggest that though administration of L-NAME in mice certainly models key characteristics of preeclampsia during pregnancy, it does not appear to model the adverse increase in cardiovascular disease risk seen in individuals after preeclampsia.

Maternal Cardiovascular Function Following a Pregnancy Complicated by Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive pregnancy complication with an unknown etiology and high maternal burden worldwide. Burgeoning research has linked preeclampsia to adverse maternal health outcomes remote from pregnancy; however, the intermediary mechanisms responsible for this association have not been sufficiently established. In the present narrative review, we summarize leading evidence of structural and functional cardiovascular changes associated with prior preeclampsia, and how these changes may be linked to future maternal disease. KEY POINTS: · Prior preeclampsia is associated with subclinical structural and functional vascular changes remote from pregnancy.. · Maternal cardiac adaptations to preeclampsia may have long-term implications on cardiovascular health.. · Clinicians have an opportunity to minimize maternal disease risk following preeclampsia..

Effectiveness of Different Algorithms and Cut-off Value in Preeclampsia First Trimester Screening

Results

For the cut-off point >1 : 150, 86 women at an increased risk of eo-PE using algorithm 1 were identified. Of these 86 patients, 83 (96%) were identified using algorithm 2, 62 (72%) using algorithm 3, and 60 (69%) using algorithm 4. In addition, it was demonstrated that between 21% and 29% of women at a low risk of eo-PE could be given acetylsalicylic acid if a screening test was used that did not account for PlGF.

Conclusions

In order to provide the highest level of health care to pregnant women, it is extremely important that full screening for eo-PE should be ensured. The cheapest algorithm based only on MAP and UtPI resulted in our patients being unnecessarily exposed to complications.

Comparison of the Kisspeptin levels in early onset preeclampsia and late-onset preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

Maternal Kisspeptin plays role in cell migration which is responsible for trophoblast invasion. We aimed to investigate the role of Kisspeptin as an invasion marker in the early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia cases.

STUDY DESIGN

In this case-control study, 125 patients were included: 20 patients with early-onset preeclampsia and 20 gestational-age-matched healthy controls; 45 patients with late-onset preeclampsia and 40 gestational-age-matched controls). Maternal plasma Kisspeptin concentration was measured and compared in groups regarding the presence of early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia.

RESULTS

In the late-onset PE group, significantly higher maternal plasma Kisspeptin values were observed compared with the control group at > 34 weeks of gestation (68.7 ± 93.4 pg/ml vs 68.5 ± 57.9 pg/ml; p = 0.004). Before the 34th week of gestation, plasma Kisspeptin levels did not show a significant difference when patients with early-onset PE and gestational-age matched controls were compared (66.8 ± 87.9 pg/ml vs 48.5 ± 91.3 pg/ml; p = 0.56).

CONCLUSION

Plasma Kisspeptin levels were significantly higher in women with late-onset preeclampsia, while no significant difference was observed in early-onset preeclampsia when compared with healthy gestational age-matched controls. The role of Kisspeptin proteins is still not clearly defined in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Maternal circulating concentrations of soluble Fas and Elabela in early- and late-onset preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

The Fas/Fas ligand (FASL) system and Elabela-apelin receptor signaling pathways are implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a model combining the measurement of sFas and Elabela in the maternal circulation may serve as a clinical biomarker for early- and/or late-onset preeclampsia more effectively than measures of each biomarker individually.

METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 214 women in the following groups: (1) normal pregnancy sampled <34 weeks of gestation (n = 56); (2) patients who developed early-onset preeclampsia (n = 54); (3) normal pregnancy sampled ≥34 weeks of gestation (n = 52); (4) patients who developed late-onset preeclampsia (n = 52). Maternal circulating soluble Fas and Elabela concentrations were determined using sensitive and validated immunoassays. Two sample t-tests, multivariate logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used for analyses.

RESULTS

(1) Women with early-onset preeclampsia, and those with late-onset preeclampsia with placental lesions of maternal vascular malperfusion, had increased concentrations of sFas compared to their gestational age-matched normal controls; (2) women with late-onset preeclampsia, but not those with early-onset preeclampsia, had increased concentrations of Elabela compared to their gestational age-matched counterparts; and (3) an increase in both Elabela and sFas concentrations was more strongly associated with late-onset preeclampsia than early-onset preeclampsia relative to models including either of the markers alone.

CONCLUSIONS

A combined model of maternal sFas and Elabela concentrations provides a stronger association with late-onset preeclampsia than either protein alone. This finding demonstrates the possibility to improve the classification of late-onset preeclampsia by combining the results of both molecular biomarkers.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants born to preeclamptic mothers - A case-control study

OBJECTIVE

Preeclampsia during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for various neonatal morbidities. We aimed to investigate the association between prematurity due to maternal preeclampsia and developmental outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective matched case-control study included 39 preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation) born to preeclamptic mothers between 2012 and 2016, compared with 39 infants born to mothers without preeclampsia. The two groups were matched for gestational age (±1 week), gender and plurality. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed using the Griffith's Mental Developmental Scales at 6, 12 and 24 months corrected age.

RESULTS

The groups were comparable in terms of gestational age (30.2 weeks vs 29.8, P = 0.6), exposure to antenatal glucocorticosteroids and magnesium sulfate. The two groups differed significantly in birthweight so that cases had significantly lower birthweight, 1100 (IQR 844.5-1316.5) vs. 1370 (IQR 1174-1604.5) grams. 19/39 (48.7%) cases were small for gestational age compared with only 4/39 (10.3%) controls (P < 0.01). 16/39 of cases were born less than 1000 g, compared with only 5/39 controls (41% vs 12.8%, P < 0.01). Early complications were similar. Compared with controls, an overall trend for better neurodevelopmental performance on Griffith's score was found for cases, especially for early (6 months) non-motor performance. All severely disabled infants (Griffith's score < 55) at 24 months assessment were among controls.

CONCLUSION

Although significantly smaller and smaller for gestational age, neurodevelopmental assessment by Griffiths' Mental Development Scales was similar for cases and controls with a trend towards better performance of cases at 6 months. Further studies are needed to determine whether the trend for better performance implies a developmental advantage.

Risk for preeclampsia following exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Previous findings concerning the risk for preeclampsia following exposure to particulate matter are inconclusive.

METHODS

We used data from all singleton pregnancies of women insured by the "Clalit health services" (CHS) maintenance organization in southern Israel that resulted in delivery or perinatal mortality at Soroka Medical Center (SMC). Daily PM_2.5 concentrations were estimated by a hybrid satellite-based model at one-squared kilometer spatial resolution. We used Cox proportional hazard models coupled with distributed lag models to examine the association between the mean exposure to PM_2.5 in every gestational week and the diagnosis of preeclampsia, adjusting for maternal age, parity, year of birth, season of birth and socio-economic status. Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated for individual gestational weeks and for cumulative exposure until the 25th gestational week.

RESULTS

A total of 133,197 pregnancies ended at SMC during the study period, of which 68,126 (51.1%) were Jewish and 65,071 (48.9%) were Bedouin. For pregnancies of Jewish women, exposure to PM_2.5 from the 7th until the 14st gestational week was significantly associated with preeclampsia (maximal HR = 1.06; 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.11 during the 10th gestational week per 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5). Cumulative exposure to PM_2.5 during the first 25th gestational weeks was also significantly associated with preeclampsia (HR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.10 - 3.94 per 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5). We observed no association for pregnancies of Bedouin women.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to PM_2.5 between the 7th and the 14st gestational weeks was associated with preeclampsia among Jewish women but not among Bedouin women.

Urinary Congophilia Confirmed With the CapCord Test Is Associated With Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Early-Onset Pre-eclampsia

Background: The association between misfolded proteins presented in the urine of pregnant women and pregnancy outcomes associated with early-onset pre-eclampsia (PE) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate this association to examine the predictive value of urinary congophilia in the prognostication of pregnancy outcomes in this patient group in the Chinese population.

Materials and Methods: This study included 1,397 patients, of which 46, 147, and 8 patients had gestational hypertension, PE, and chronic hypertension, respectively, and 1,196 were healthy controls undergoing the CapCord test for urinary congophilia. Patients with PE were divided into early- and late-onset groups. Patients with early-onset PE were further divided into iatrogenic prematurity and full-term delivery groups, the rates of urinary congophilia were compared between the groups; additionally, this patient group was divided into positive and negative urinary congophilia groups, clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: A total of 113 (76.9%) of 147 patients in the PE group had urinary congophilia; this rate was higher than that observed in the other three groups (χ² = 780.892, p < 0.001). Gestational age in the early-onset PE group at both onset and delivery was lower than that in the late-onset PE group (p < 0.001). The rates of iatrogenic prematurity and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome were both higher in the early-onset PE group than in the late-onset PE group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). In addition, the rate of urinary congophilia in the early-onset PE group was higher than that in the late-onset PE group (χ² = 13.297, p < 0.001). Urinary congophilia was an independent risk factor for iatrogenic prematurity among patients with early-onset PE in both univariate [odds ratio (OR) 17.143, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.719–62.271; p < 0.001] and multivariate (OR 18.174; 95% CI: 4.460–74.063; p < 0.001) analyses. Patients with early-onset PE and urinary congophilia were more likely than their counterparts without urinary congophilia to deliver at a lower gestational age, present with iatrogenic prematurity, and have a shorter latency period between onset and delivery.

Conclusion: Urinary congophilia confirmed with the CapCord test may help predict pregnancy outcomes in patients with early-onset PE.

LOX-1 expression is reduced in placenta from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and in hypoxic cytotrophoblast

OBJECTIVES

The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is upregulated in the maternal vasculature in preeclampsia, and contributes to oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. However, its function in the placenta is unclear. This paper investigated LOX-1 expression in models of placental dysfunction and preeclampsia, and whether candidate therapeutics for preeclampsia could alter its expression.

STUDY DESIGN

Placentas were collected from preterm pregnancies and cases of preterm preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Blood was collected from participants whose pregnancies were complicated by preterm fetal growth restriction and/or preeclampsia. Primary cytotrophoblast and placental explant tissue were cultured under hypoxic (1% O₂) or normoxic (8% O₂) conditions. Cytotrophoblast were exposed to 10% preeclamptic or control serum. Cytotrophoblast and preeclamptic explant tissue were treated with 100 µM esomeprazole, lansoprazole or rabeprazole.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

LOX-1 expression was assessed in all samples via qPCR.

RESULTS

LOX-1 expression was reduced in placentas from cases of preterm preeclampsia, but not fetal growth restriction, compared to controls. LOX-1 expression was reduced in cytotrophoblast under hypoxia, but not in explant tissue. Treatment with preeclamptic serum in vitro did not alter cytotrophoblast LOX-1 expression. Circulating LOX-1 mRNA was unaltered in patients with fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and fetal hypoxia, compared to controls. Treatment with esomeprazole or lansoprazole in vitro increased placental LOX-1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

LOX-1 expression is reduced in preeclamptic placentas and hypoxic cytotrophoblast. Esomeprazole and lansoprazole increase placental LOX-1 expression. These findings demonstrate a role for LOX-1 in the placenta, and improve our understanding of maternal adaptations in pregnancy complications.

A narrative review on the role of folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism and its associated gene polymorphisms in posing risk to preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) presents a major obstetrical problem for mother and fetus which is characterized by the onset of hypertension and proteinuria in formerly normotensive women. Altered folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism is one of the factors for PE development either due to nutritional insufficiencies such as folate deficiency or polymorphisms in genes that code for the key enzymes of the cycle. Commonly, there are four genes in the cycle whose polymorphisms have been described in relation to PE. These factors could cause elevation of homocysteine; the toxic metabolite, which subsequently leads to the development of PE. Sufficient levels of folate have been considered important during pregnancy and may reduce the risk of development of PE. This review aims at discussing genetic polymorphisms and nutritional deficiencies as probable predisposing factors and suggests considering fetal genotypes, varied ethnicities, and interaction of various other factors involved to render better conclusiveness to the present studies.

Circulating pregnancy hormone relaxin as a first trimester biomarker for preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

Preeclampsia, a multi-system hypertensive disorder, is associated with perturbations in the maternal cardiovascular system during early pregnancy. The corpus luteal hormone relaxin, a potent vasodilator, may contribute to physiological circulatory changes especially in early gestation when circulating levels are highest. This study investigated whether first trimester circulating relaxin may be a suitable biomarker for the early prediction of preeclampsia.

METHODS

Relaxin was initially measured in first-trimester samples of women who developed late-onset preeclamptic (LO-PE; delivery ≥ 34 weeks; n = 33) and uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 25) in Pittsburgh, USA. Subsequently, to expand the group numbers, relaxin was measured in women who developed LO-PE (n = 95), early-onset preeclamptic (EO-PE; delivery < 34 weeks; n = 57), and uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 469) in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

RESULTS

In the Pittsburgh subjects, low relaxin levels (lowest centile: <p10) showed an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 5.29 (95%CI 1.10-25.5) for LO-PE. In the Utrecht population, low relaxin levels (<p10) demonstrated adjusted ORs of 1.45 (95%CI 0.54-3.90) and 2.03 (95%CI 1.06-3.88) for EO-PE and LO-PE respectively, the latter increasing to an adjusted OR of 3.18 (95%CI 1.41-7.20) when newborn weight was < 10%. Serum relaxin concentrations slightly improved the detection rate of a previously derived prediction model for LO-PE from 42.5% to 45.1% at a fixed 10% false-positive rate.

CONCLUSION

Relaxin shows little improvement in the performance of first trimester prediction models, which does not support its clinical implementation as a biomarker. Although this study was only correlational, the results point to a possible pathophysiologic role for low relaxin levels in pregnancies that later develop LO-PE.

Warren C. Clinical presentation and outcomes of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia at a national hospital, Kenya: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy including pre-eclampsia are associated with maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. Early detection is vital for effective treatment and management of pre-eclampsia. This study examines and compares the clinical presentation and outcomes between early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia over a two year period.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study design which examines socio-demographic characteristics, treatment, outcomes, and fetal and maternal complications among women with early onset of pre-eclampsia (EO-PE) and late onset of pre-eclampsia (LO-PE). De-identified records of women who attended antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care services and experienced pre-eclampsia at Kenyatta National teaching and referral hospital were reviewed. We used chi square, t-test, and calculated odds ratio to determine any significant differences between the EO-PE and LO-PE cohorts.

RESULTS

Out of 620 pre-eclamptic and eclamptic patients' records analyzed; 44 percent (n = 273) exhibited EO-PE, while 56 percent had late onset. Women with EO-PE compared to LO-PE had greater odds of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes including hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome (OR: 4.3; CI 2.0-10.2; p<0.001), renal dysfunction (OR; 1.7; CI 0.7-4.1; p = 0.192), stillbirth (OR = 4.9; CI 3.1-8.1; p<0.001), and neonatal death (OR: 8.5; CI 3.8-21.3; p<0.001). EO-PE was also associated with higher odds of prolonged maternal hospitalization, beyond seven days (OR = 5.8; CI 3.9-8.4; p<0.001), and antepartum hemorrhage (OR = 5.8; CI 1.1-56.4; p<0.001). Neonates born after early onset of pre-eclampsia had increased odds of respiratory distress (OR = 17.0; CI 9.0-32.3, p<0.001) and birth asphyxia (OR: 1.9; CI 0.7-4.8; p = 0.142).

CONCLUSIONS

The profiles and outcomes of women with EO-PE (compared to late onset) suggest that seriousness of morbidity increases with earlier onset. To reduce adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes, it is critical to identify, manage, referral and closely follow-up pregnant women with pre-eclampsia throughout the pregnancy continuum.

ETHICAL APPROVAL

This study protocol was approved by Population Council's research ethics Institutional Review Board, Protocol 813, and KNH-UoN Ethics and Research Committee, Protocol 293/06/2017.

Early- and Late-Onset Preeclampsia: A Comprehensive Cohort Study of Laboratory and Clinical Findings according to the New ISHHP Criteria

Recently, the diagnostic criteria of preeclampsia have been changed. No studies are available in the literature that analyzed in detail the differences between early-onset preeclampsia (EOP) and late-onset preeclampsia (LOP), taking into account the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP) criteria. Thus, we sought to retrospectively investigate in detail the differences in clinical and laboratory outcomes between EOP and LOP diagnosed according to the ISSHP criteria. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 214 women with singleton pregnancies and preeclampsia admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology of the University Hospital in Kraków, Poland, from 2013 to 2017 (113 (52.8%) women with EOP and 101 (47.2%) women with LOP). Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographics and medical history, laboratory tests, and delivery and neonatal data. Patients with preeclampsia accounted for 1.7% of the women who delivered during the study period. The EOP and LOP groups did not differ in the distribution of risk factors for preeclampsia. The most common risk factor was primiparity, which was observed in 72.0% of cases. Regarding the ISSHP diagnostic criteria, the two groups differed in the incidence of fetal growth restriction (p=0.0009), hemolysis (p=0.0416), and neurological complications (p=00342), which were found more often in the EOP group. In addition, the EOP group had more frequent occurrence of severe cardiorespiratory (p < 0.0001) and hematological (p=0.0127) complications, adverse fetoplacental conditions (p < 0.0001), and severe fetoplacental complications (p=0.0003). Children born to women with EOP had lower Apgar scores (p < 0.001) and higher rates of intraventricular hemorrhage (p < 0.0001), respiratory disorders requiring mechanical ventilation (p < 0.0001), and early (p=0.0004) and late sepsis (p=0.002). EOP differed from LOP in terms of maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. The observed higher rates of fetoplacental adverse conditions and severe complications indicate a significant contribution of impaired placentation to the etiopathogenesis of EOP.

Integrated Systems Biology Approach Identifies Novel Maternal and Placental Pathways of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a disease of the mother, fetus, and placenta, and the gaps in our understanding of the complex interactions among their respective disease pathways preclude successful treatment and prevention. The placenta has a key role in the pathogenesis of the terminal pathway characterized by exaggerated maternal systemic inflammation, generalized endothelial damage, hypertension, and proteinuria. This sine qua non of preeclampsia may be triggered by distinct underlying mechanisms that occur at early stages of pregnancy and induce different phenotypes. To gain insights into these molecular pathways, we employed a systems biology approach and integrated different "omics," clinical, placental, and functional data from patients with distinct phenotypes of preeclampsia. First trimester maternal blood proteomics uncovered an altered abundance of proteins of the renin-angiotensin and immune systems, complement, and coagulation cascades in patients with term or preterm preeclampsia. Moreover, first trimester maternal blood from preterm preeclamptic patients in vitro dysregulated trophoblastic gene expression. Placental transcriptomics of women with preterm preeclampsia identified distinct gene modules associated with maternal or fetal disease. Placental "virtual" liquid biopsy showed that the dysregulation of these disease gene modules originates during the first trimester. In vitro experiments on hub transcription factors of these gene modules demonstrated that DNA hypermethylation in the regulatory region of ZNF554 leads to gene down-regulation and impaired trophoblast invasion, while BCL6 and ARNT2 up-regulation sensitizes the trophoblast to ischemia, hallmarks of preterm preeclampsia. In summary, our data suggest that there are distinct maternal and placental disease pathways, and their interaction influences the clinical presentation of preeclampsia. The activation of maternal disease pathways can be detected in all phenotypes of preeclampsia earlier and upstream of placental dysfunction, not only downstream as described before, and distinct placental disease pathways are superimposed on these maternal pathways. This is a paradigm shift, which, in agreement with epidemiological studies, warrants for the central pathologic role of preexisting maternal diseases or perturbed maternal-fetal-placental immune interactions in preeclampsia. The description of these novel pathways in the "molecular phase" of preeclampsia and the identification of their hub molecules may enable timely molecular characterization of patients with distinct preeclampsia phenotypes.

ELABELA plasma concentrations are increased in women with late-onset preeclampsia

Objective: ELABELA is a newly discovered peptide hormone that appears to be implicated in the mechanisms leading to preeclampsia, independently of angiogenic factors. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether women with early- or late-onset preeclampsia have altered ELABELA plasma concentrations compared to gestational-age-matched normal pregnant women.Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study focused on the maternal plasma samples collected from 232 women with a singleton pregnancy who were allocated into the following groups: (1) early-onset preeclampsia (<34 weeks of gestation, N = 56); (2) late-onset preeclampsia (≥34 weeks of gestation, N = 57); and (3) gestational-age-matched controls with a normal pregnancy [(<34 weeks of gestation, N = 59); (≥34 weeks of gestation, N = 60)]. ELABELA plasma concentrations were determined using a validated enzyme immunoassay.Results: (1) ELABELA plasma concentrations are higher in patients with late-onset preeclampsia compared with those from gestational-age-matched controls with a normal pregnancy [median: 7.99 ng/mL (IQR, 5.3-13.95 ng/mL) versus median: 4.17 ng/mL (IQR, 3-11.19 ng/mL), p =.001]; (2) ELABELA plasma concentrations in patients with early-onset preeclampsia do not differ from those of normal pregnant women [median: 6.09 ng/mL (IQR, 2.8-10.66 ng/mL) versus median: 4.02 ng/mL (IQR, 3.26-7.49), p = .32]; and (3) ELABELA plasma concentrations are higher in patients with late-onset preeclampsia compared to those with early-onset preeclampsia [median: 7.99 ng/mL (IQR, 5.3-13.95 ng/mL) versus median: 6.09 ng/mL (IQR, 2.8-10.66 ng/mL), p = .01].Conclusion: ELABELA plasma concentrations are higher in patients with late-onset preeclampsia than in those with a normal pregnancy. However, women with early-onset preeclampsia have similar ELABELA plasma concentrations to those with a normal pregnancy. These findings provide insight into the ELABELA axis during the human syndrome of preeclampsia. In addition, these data support the concept that different pathophysiologic mechanisms are implicated in early- and late-onset preeclampsia.

Population-based trends and risk factors of early- and late-onset preeclampsia in Taiwan 2001-2014

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia, a multisystem disorder in pregnancies complicates with maternal and fetal morbidity. Early- and late-onset preeclampsia, defined as preeclampsia developed before and after 34 weeks of gestation, respectively. The early-onset disease was less prevalent but associated with poorer outcomes. Moreover, the risk factors between early -and late- onset preeclampsia could be differed owing to the varied pathophysiology. In the study, we evaluated the incidences, trends, and risk factors of early- and late- onset preeclampsia in Taiwan.

METHODS

This retrospective population-based cohort study included all ≧20 weeks singleton pregnancies resulting in live-born babies or stillbirths in Taiwan between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2014 (n = 2,884,347). The data was collected electronically in Taiwanese Birth Register and National Health Insurance Research Database. The incidences and trends of early- and late-onset preeclampsia were assessed through Joinpoint analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of both diseases.

RESULTS

The age-adjusted overall preeclampsia rate was slightly increased from 1.1%(95%confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.2) in 2001 to 1.3% (95%CI, 1.2-1.3) in 2012 with average annual percentage change (AAPC) 0.1%/year (95%CI, 0-0.2%). However, the incidence was remarkably increased from 1.3% (95%CI, 1.3-1.4) in 2012 to 1.7% (95%CI, 1.6-1.8) in 2014 with AAPC 1.3%/year (95%CI,0.3-2.5). Over the study period, the incidence trend in late-onset preeclampsia was steadily increasing from 0.7% (95%CI, 0.6-0.7) in 2001 to 0.9% (95%CI, 0.8-0.9) in 2014 with AAPC 0.2%/year (95%CI, 0.2-0.3) but in early-onset preeclampsia was predominantly increase from 0.5% (95%CI, 0.4-0.5) in 2012 to 0.8% (95%CI, 0.8-0.9) in 2014 with AAPC 2.3%/year (95%CI, 0.8-4.0). Advanced maternal age, primiparity, stroke, diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, and hyperthyroidism were risk factors of preeclampsia. Comparing early- and late-onset diseases, chronic hypertension (ratio of relative risk [RRR], 1.71; 95%CI, 1.55-1.88) and older age (RRR, 1.41; 95%CI 1.29-1.54) were more strongly associated with early-onset disease, whereas primiparity (RRR 0.71, 95%CI, 0.68-0.75) had stronger association with late-onset preeclampsia.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidences of overall, and early- and late-onset preeclampsia were increasing in Taiwan from 2001 to 2014, predominantly for early-onset disease. Pregnant women with older age and chronic hypertension had significantly higher risk of early-onset preeclampsia.

The Role of Interleukin-10 in the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is complex and not entirely understood. A key feature in preeclampsia development is an immunological imbalance that shifts the maternal immune response from one of tolerance towards one promoting chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. As a key regulator of immunity, IL-10 not only has immunomodulatory activity, but also directly benefits vasculature and promotes successful cellular interactions at the maternal-fetal interface. Here we focus on the mechanisms by which the dysregulation of IL-10 may contribute to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

RECENT FINDINGS

Dysregulation of IL-10 has been demonstrated in various animal models of preeclampsia. Decreased IL-10 production in both placenta and peripheral blood mononuclear cells has been reported in human studies, but with inconsistent results. The significance of IL-10 in preeclampsia has shifted from a key biomarker to one with therapeutic potential. As such, a better understanding of the role of this cytokine in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia is of paramount importance.

Polymorphism of ERCC1 rs3212986 in Chinese Han women with preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between polymorphism of rs3212986 in ERCC1 and susceptibility to preeclampsia in the Chinese Han population.

STUDY DESIGN

Samples of 642 preeclampsia patients and 877 controls were genotyped for rs3212986 using TaqMan allele discrimination assays. The genetic and allelic distributions between the groups were compared by Pearson's χ² test.

RESULT

There was no difference in the genotypic and allelic distributions between cases and controls (P>0.05). Statistical difference in genotypic frequencies of rs3212986 was observed between early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia (χ²=6.985, P=0.030). When subdivided into TT/GG+GT groups, a significant difference was found between early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia (χ²=6.528, P=0.011, OR=2.011, 95%CI 1.167-3.465).

CONCLUSION

The polymorphisms of rs3212986 showed no association with the risk of preeclampsia in the Chinese Han population. However, the difference in the genotypic distribution between early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia suggest the need for future studies.

Development and validation of Prediction models for Risks of complications in Early-onset Pre-eclampsia (PREP): a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of early-onset pre-eclampsia (before 34 weeks' gestation) is variable. Accurate prediction of complications is required to plan appropriate management in high-risk women.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate prediction models for outcomes in early-onset pre-eclampsia.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort for model development, with validation in two external data sets.

SETTING

Model development: 53 obstetric units in the UK. Model transportability: PIERS (Pre-eclampsia Integrated Estimate of RiSk for mothers) and PETRA (Pre-Eclampsia TRial Amsterdam) studies.

PARTICIPANTS

Pregnant women with early-onset pre-eclampsia.

SAMPLE SIZE

Nine hundred and forty-six women in the model development data set and 850 women (634 in PIERS, 216 in PETRA) in the transportability (external validation) data sets.

PREDICTORS

The predictors were identified from systematic reviews of tests to predict complications in pre-eclampsia and were prioritised by Delphi survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the composite of adverse maternal outcomes established using Delphi surveys. The secondary outcome was the composite of fetal and neonatal complications.

ANALYSIS

We developed two prediction models: a logistic regression model (PREP-L) to assess the overall risk of any maternal outcome until postnatal discharge and a survival analysis model (PREP-S) to obtain individual risk estimates at daily intervals from diagnosis until 34 weeks. Shrinkage was used to adjust for overoptimism of predictor effects. For internal validation (of the full models in the development data) and external validation (of the reduced models in the transportability data), we computed the ability of the models to discriminate between those with and without poor outcomes (c-statistic), and the agreement between predicted and observed risk (calibration slope).

RESULTS

The PREP-L model included maternal age, gestational age at diagnosis, medical history, systolic blood pressure, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, platelet count, serum urea concentration, oxygen saturation, baseline treatment with antihypertensive drugs and administration of magnesium sulphate. The PREP-S model additionally included exaggerated tendon reflexes and serum alanine aminotransaminase and creatinine concentration. Both models showed good discrimination for maternal complications, with anoptimism-adjusted c-statistic of 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80 to 0.84] for PREP-L and 0.75 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.78) for the PREP-S model in the internal validation. External validation of the reduced PREP-L model showed good performance with a c-statistic of 0.81 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.85) in PIERS and 0.75 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.86) in PETRA cohorts for maternal complications, and calibrated well with slopes of 0.93 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.10) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.32), respectively. In the PIERS data set, the reduced PREP-S model had a c-statistic of 0.71 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.75) and a calibration slope of 0.67 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.79). Low gestational age at diagnosis, high urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, increased serum urea concentration, treatment with antihypertensive drugs, magnesium sulphate, abnormal uterine artery Doppler scan findings and estimated fetal weight below the 10th centile were associated with fetal complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The PREP-L model provided individualised risk estimates in early-onset pre-eclampsia to plan management of high- or low-risk individuals. The PREP-S model has the potential to be used as a triage tool for risk assessment. The impacts of the model use on outcomes need further evaluation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN40384046.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Performance of first trimester biochemical markers and mean arterial pressure in prediction of early-onset pre-eclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To develop a predictive risk model for early-onset pre-eclampsia (EO-PE) using maternal characteristics, combined screening markers, previously reported biomarkers for PE and mean arterial pressure (MAP).

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at Oulu University hospital between 2006 and 2010. Maternal serum from first trimester combined screening was further analyzed for alpha fetoprotein (AFP), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (sTNFR1), retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4), a disintegrin and metalloprotease-12 (ADAM12), soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), follistatin like-3 (FSTL3), adiponectin, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). First, the training sample set with 29 cases of EO-PE and 652 controls was developed to study whether these biomarkers separately or in combination with prior risk (maternal characteristics, first trimester pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (fβ-hCG)) could be used to predict the development of EO-PE. Second, the developed risk models were validated with a test sample set of 42 EO-PE and 141 control subjects. For the test set MAP data was also available.

RESULTS

Single marker statistically significant (ANOVA p<0.05) changes between control and EO-PE pregnancies were observed with AFP, RBP4 and sTNFR1 with both training and test sample sets. Based on the test sample set performances, the best detection rate, 47% for a 10% false positive rate, was achieved with PlGF and sTNFR1 added with prior risk and MAP.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, the best first trimester biomarkers to predict the subsequent EO-PE were AFP, PlGF, RBP4 and sTNFR1. The risk models that performed best for the prediction of EO-PE included prior risk, MAP, sTNFR1 and AFP or PlGF or RBP4.

The prediction of late-onset preeclampsia: Results from a longitudinal proteomics study

BACKGROUND

Late-onset preeclampsia is the most prevalent phenotype of this syndrome; nevertheless, only a few biomarkers for its early diagnosis have been reported. We sought to correct this deficiency using a high through-put proteomic platform.

METHODS

A case-control longitudinal study was conducted, including 90 patients with normal pregnancies and 76 patients with late-onset preeclampsia (diagnosed at ≥34 weeks of gestation). Maternal plasma samples were collected throughout gestation (normal pregnancy: 2-6 samples per patient, median of 2; late-onset preeclampsia: 2-6, median of 5). The abundance of 1,125 proteins was measured using an aptamers-based proteomics technique. Protein abundance in normal pregnancies was modeled using linear mixed-effects models to estimate mean abundance as a function of gestational age. Data was then expressed as multiples of-the-mean (MoM) values in normal pregnancies. Multi-marker prediction models were built using data from one of five gestational age intervals (8-16, 16.1-22, 22.1-28, 28.1-32, 32.1-36 weeks of gestation). The predictive performance of the best combination of proteins was compared to placental growth factor (PIGF) using bootstrap.

RESULTS

1) At 8-16 weeks of gestation, the best prediction model included only one protein, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7), that had a sensitivity of 69% at a false positive rate (FPR) of 20% (AUC = 0.76); 2) at 16.1-22 weeks of gestation, MMP-7 was the single best predictor of late-onset preeclampsia with a sensitivity of 70% at a FPR of 20% (AUC = 0.82); 3) after 22 weeks of gestation, PlGF was the best predictor of late-onset preeclampsia, identifying 1/3 to 1/2 of the patients destined to develop this syndrome (FPR = 20%); 4) 36 proteins were associated with late-onset preeclampsia in at least one interval of gestation (after adjustment for covariates); 5) several biological processes, such as positive regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling pathway, were perturbed; and 6) from 22.1 weeks of gestation onward, the set of proteins most predictive of severe preeclampsia was different from the set most predictive of the mild form of this syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated MMP-7 early in gestation (8-22 weeks) and low PlGF later in gestation (after 22 weeks) are the strongest predictors for the subsequent development of late-onset preeclampsia, suggesting that the optimal identification of patients at risk may involve a two-step diagnostic process.

From apelin to exercise: emerging therapies for management of hypertension in pregnancy

Studies over the last couple of decades have provided exciting new insights into mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. In addition, several novel and innovative molecules and ideas for management of the syndrome have also come forth. While our basic understanding of the initiating events of preeclampsia continues to be placental ischemia/hypoxia stimulating the release of a variety of factors from the placenta that act on the cardiovascular and renal systems, the number of candidate pathways for intervention continues to increase. Recent studies have identified apelin and its receptor, APJ, as an important contributor to the regulation of cardiovascular and fluid balance that is found to be disrupted in preeclampsia. Likewise, continued studies have revealed a critical role for the complement arm of the innate immune system in placental ischemia induced hypertension and in preeclampsia. Finally, the recent increase in animal models for studying hypertensive disorders of pregnancy has provided opportunities to evaluate the potential role for physical activity and exercise in a more mechanistic fashion. While the exact quantitative importance of the various endothelial and humoral factors that mediate vasoconstriction and elevation of arterial pressure during preeclampsia remains unclear, significant progress has been made. Thus, the goal of this review is to discuss recent efforts towards identifying therapies for hypertension during pregnancy that derive from work exploring the apelinergic system, the complement system as well as the role that exercise and physical activity may play to that end.

C-Reactive Protein in Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy

Hypertension is the most frequent medical complication of pregnancy. A recent report demonstrates the flogistic pathogenesis of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Because C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation, it can be used in the differential diagnosis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A total of 322 pregnant women at 24 to 32 weeks’ gestation were enrolled. The control group (A) comprised 190 women. Sixty-three women had preeclampsia (PE, group B), 31 women presented transient hypertension (TH, group C), 19 had HELLP syndrome (HS, group D) and 19 had chronic hypertension (CH, group E). CRP serum concentrations were significantly higher in groups B, C, and D in comparison with the group A. In the whole population, systolic and diastolic pressure value inversely correlate with weight at delivery and weeks of gestation at delivery. CPR levels in patients with PE and HS inversely correlate with birth weight and gestational week at delivery. Normal plasma levels of CRP may be an important marker of differential diagnosis between TH and CH. In TH, PE, and HS, CRP levels were higher than in the control and CH groups, suggesting that inflammation may be the common pathogenetic cause of TH and PE. Finally CRP levels in preeclampsia are believed to correlate with preeclamptic process severity.

Preeclampsia: Updates in Pathogenesis, Definitions, and Guidelines

Preeclampsia is becoming an increasingly common diagnosis in the developed world and remains a high cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Delay in childbearing in the developed world feeds into the risk factors associated with preeclampsia, which include older maternal age, obesity, and/or vascular diseases. Inadequate prenatal care partially explains the persistent high prevalence in the developing world. In this review, we begin by presenting the most recent concepts in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Upstream triggers of the well described angiogenic pathways, such as the heme oxygenase and hydrogen sulfide pathways, as well as the roles of autoantibodies, misfolded proteins, nitric oxide, and oxidative stress will be described. We also detail updated definitions, classification schema, and treatment targets of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy put forth by obstetric and hypertensive societies throughout the world. The shift has been made to view preeclampsia as a systemic disease with widespread endothelial damage and the potential to affect future cardiovascular diseases rather than a self-limited occurrence. At the very least, we now know that preeclampsia does not end with delivery of the placenta. We conclude by summarizing the latest strategies for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia. A better understanding of this entity will help in the care of at-risk women before delivery and for decades after.

The complement system and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Adverse pregnancy outcomes significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality for mother and child, with lifelong health consequences for both. The innate and adaptive immune system must be regulated to insure survival of the fetal allograft, and the complement system is no exception. An intact complement system optimizes placental development and function and is essential to maintain host defense and fetal survival. Complement regulation is apparent at the placental interface from early pregnancy with some degree of complement activation occurring normally throughout gestation. However, a number of pregnancy complications including early pregnancy loss, fetal growth restriction, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and preterm birth are associated with excessive or misdirected complement activation, and are more frequent in women with inherited or acquired complement system disorders or complement gene mutations. Clinical studies employing complement biomarkers in plasma and urine implicate dysregulated complement activation in components of each of the adverse pregnancy outcomes. In addition, mechanistic studies in rat and mouse models of adverse pregnancy outcomes address the complement pathways or activation products of importance and allow critical analysis of the pathophysiology. Targeted complement therapeutics are already in use to control adverse pregnancy outcomes in select situations. A clearer understanding of the role of the complement system in both normal pregnancy and complicated or failed pregnancy will allow a rational approach to future therapeutic strategies for manipulating complement with the goal of mitigating adverse pregnancy outcomes, preserving host defense, and improving long term outcomes for both mother and child.

Differential activation of placental unfolded protein response pathways implies heterogeneity in causation of early- and late-onset pre-eclampsia

Based on gestational age at diagnosis and/or delivery, pre-eclampsia (PE) is commonly divided into early-onset (<34 weeks) and late-onset (≥34 weeks) forms. Recently, the distinction between ‘placental’ and ‘maternal’ causation has been proposed, with ‘placental’ cases being more frequently associated with early-onset and intrauterine growth restriction. To test whether molecular placental pathology varies according to clinical presentation, we investigated stress-signalling pathways, including unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, MAPK stress pathways, heat-shock proteins and AMPKα in placentae delivered by caesarean section for clinical indications at different gestational ages. Controls included second-trimester, pre-term and normal-term placentae. BeWo cells were used to investigate how these pathways react to different severities of hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Activation of placental UPR and stress-response pathways, including P-IRE1α, ATF6, XBP-1, GRP78 and GRP94, P-p38/p38 and HSP70, was higher in early-onset PE than in both late-onset PE and normotensive controls (NTCs), with a clear inflection around 34 weeks. Placentae from ≥ 34 weeks PE and NTC were indistinguishable. Levels of UPR signalling were similar between second-trimester and term controls, but were significantly higher in pre-term ‘controls’ delivered vaginally for chorioamnionitis and other conditions. Severe H/R (1/20% O₂) induced equivalent activation of UPR pathways, including P-eIF2α, ATF6, P-IRE1α, GRP78 and GRP94, in BeWo cells. By contrast, the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β induced only mild activation of P-eIF2α and GRP78. AKT, a central regulator of cell proliferation, was reduced in the < 34 weeks PE placentae and severe H/R-treated cells, but not in other conditions. These findings provide the first molecular evidence that placental stress may contribute to the pathophysiology of early-onset pre-eclampsia, whereas that is unlikely to be the case in the late-onset form of the syndrome. © 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Prediction of neonatal outcome in women with gestational hypertension or mild preeclampsia after 36 weeks of gestation

BACKGROUND

There is little knowledge about neonatal complications in GH and PE and induction at term, we aim to assess whether they can be predicted from clinical data.

METHODS

We used data of the HYPITAT trial and evaluated whether adverse neonatal outcome (Apgar score < 7, pH < 7.05, NICU admission) could be predicted from clinical data. Logistic regression, ROC analysis and calibration were used to identify predictors and evaluate the predictive capacity in an antepartum and intrapartum model.

RESULTS

We included 1153 pregnancies, of whom 76 (6.6%) had adverse neonatal outcome. Parity (primipara OR 2.75), BMI (OR 1.06), proteinuria (dipstick +++ OR 2.5), uric acid (OR 1.4) and creatinine (OR 1.02) were independent antepartum predictors; In the intrapartum model, meconium stained amniotic fluid (OR 2.2), temperature (OR 1.8), duration of first stage of labour (OR 1.15), proteinuria (dipstick +++ OR 2.7), creatinine (OR 1.02) and uric acid (OR 1.5) were predictors of adverse neonatal outcome. Both models showed good discrimination (AUC 0.75 and 0.78), but calibration was limited (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.41, and p = 0.20).

CONCLUSIONS

In women with GH or PE at term, it is difficult to predict neonatal complications, possibly since they are rare in the term pregnancy. However, the identified individual predictors may guide physicians to anticipate requirements for neonatal care.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α gene polymorphisms in early and late onset preeclampsia in Sinhalese women

INTRODUCTION

Early (EPE) and late (LPE) onset preeclampsia are increasingly being recognized as two distinct disorders. Placental vascular defects are more common in EPE. Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1α (HIF1α) regulates the expression of many angiogenic growth factors in the placenta. We studied the association of two polymorphisms in the HIF1α gene (rs11549465 and rs10873142) with EPE and LPE.

METHODS

175 nulliparous Sinhalese women with preeclampsia and 171 normotensive women matched for age, ethnicity, parity and BMI were recruited at two tertiary care hospitals in Colombo. Preeclampsia was diagnosed using international guidelines. DNA extracted from peripheral blood was genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY.

RESULTS

HIF1α rs11549465 dominant model and T allele were reduced in women who developed EPE compared to controls [P = 0.002, OR (95% CI) = 0.3 (0.1-0.7)], in preeclamptic women who delivered small for gestational age babies [P = 0.02, OR (95% CI) = 0.5 (0.2-0.9)] compared to controls and in women who developed EPE compared to those who developed LPE [P = 0.006, OR (95% CI) = 0.3 (0.1-0.7)].

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate a protective effect of the T allele in LPE and normal pregnancy, which is relatively lacking in EPE due to low prevalence of this protective allele. HIF1α rs11549465 T allele was previously demonstrated to be associated with a higher transcriptional activity and increased angiogenesis. Inherited susceptibility to increased HIF1α expression resulting in the up-regulation of angiogenic genes may mediate a protective effect in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by LPE.

Comparison of clinical and perinatal outcomes in early- and late-onset preeclampsia

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical and laboratory findings and maternal-perinatal outcomes between women with early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE) and late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE).

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-four women with preeclampsia (PE) who delivered in our clinic were included in the study. Perinatal and obstetric outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

The incidence of abnormal uterine artery (UtA) velocity waveform was significantly higher in the EO-PE group (71.4 vs 30.1 %) (p < 0.001). The incidences of small-for-gestational age, oligohydramnios, Apgar score <7 at 5 min, stillbirth and early neonatal death rates were significantly higher in women with EO-PE compared to LO-PE (p < 0.01). Maternal complications were only recorded in women with severe PE.

CONCLUSION

EO-PE, especially with abnormal UtA Doppler findings defines a placentation abnormality with higher perinatal adverse outcomes.

Incidence of preeclampsia: risk factors and outcomes associated with early- versus late-onset disease

OBJECTIVE

The population-based incidence of early-onset (<34 weeks) and late-onset preeclampsia (≥34 weeks) has not been adequately studied. We examined the gestational age-specific incidence of preeclampsia onset and identified the associated risk factors and birth outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

All singleton deliveries in Washington State, 2003-2008 (n = 456,668), were included, and preeclampsia onset was determined from hospital records linked to birth certificates. Cox and logistic regression models were used to obtain adjusted hazard ratios and odds ratios (AORs) for risk factors and birth outcomes, respectively.

RESULTS

The overall preeclampsia rate was 3.1% and the incidence increased sharply with gestation; early- and late-onset preeclampsia rates were 0.38% and 2.72%, respectively. Among women with early-onset preeclampsia, 12% delivered at a gestation of 34 weeks or longer. Risk/protective factors common to both diseases included older maternal age, Hispanic and Native-American race, smoking, unmarried status, and male fetus. African-American race, chronic hypertension, and congenital anomalies were more strongly associated with early-onset preeclampsia, whereas younger maternal age, nulliparity, and diabetes mellitus were more strongly associated with late-onset disease. Early- but not late-onset preeclampsia conferred a high risk of fetal death (AOR, 5.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.0-8.3 vs AOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8-2.0, respectively). The AOR for perinatal death/severe neonatal morbidity was 16.4 (95% CI, 14.5-18.6) in early-onset and 2.0 (95% CI, 1.8-2.3) in late-onset preeclampsia.

CONCLUSION

Early- and late-onset preeclampsia shares some etiological features, differ with regard to several risk factors, and lead to different outcomes. The 2 preeclampsia types should be treated as distinct entities from an etiological and prognostic standpoint.

Placental lesions associated with maternal underperfusion are more frequent in early-onset than in late-onset preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

Preeclampsia (PE) has been classified into early- and late-onset disease. These two phenotypic variants of PE have been proposed to have a different pathophysiology. However, the gestational age cut-off to define "early" vs. "late" PE has varied among studies. The objective of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion of the placenta in patients with PE as a function of gestational age.

STUDY DESIGN

A nested case-control study of 8307 singleton pregnant women who deliver after 20 weeks of gestation was constructed based on a cohort. Cases were defined as those with PE (n=910); controls were pregnant women who did not have a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (n=7397). The frequency of maternal underperfusion of the placenta (according to the criteria of the Society for Pediatric Pathology) was compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Estimated relative risks (RRs) were calculated from odds ratios.

RESULTS

1) The prevalence of lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion was higher in patients with PE than in the control group [43.3% vs. 15.9%, unadjusted odds ratio 4.0 (95% CI 3.5-4.7); P<0.001]; 2) the estimated RR of maternal underperfusion lesions in PE was higher than in the control group [RR=2.8 (95% CI 2.5-3.0)]; 3) the lower the gestational age at delivery, the higher the RR for these lesions; 4) early-onset PE, regardless of the gestational age used to define it (<32, 33, 34, 35 or 37 weeks) had a significantly higher frequency of placental lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion than late-onset PE (P<0.001 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

1) The earlier the gestational age of preeclampsia at delivery, the higher the frequency of placental lesions consistent with maternal underperfusion; 2) our data suggest that demonstrable placental involvement as determined by pathologic examination differs in early- and late-onset preeclampsia; and 3) this phenomenon appears to be a continuum, and we could not identify a clear and unambiguous gestational age at which lesions consistent with underperfusion would not be present.

Pathological aspects of lipid peroxidation

Lipid peroxidation (LPO) product accumulation in human tissues is a major cause of tissular and cellular dysfunction that plays a major role in ageing and most age-related and oxidative stress-related diseases. The current evidence for the implication of LPO in pathological processes is discussed in this review. New data and literature review are provided evaluating the role of LPO in the pathophysiology of ageing and classically oxidative stress-linked diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and atherosclerosis (the main cause of cardiovascular complications). Striking evidences implicating LPO in foetal vascular dysfunction occurring in pre-eclampsia, in renal and liver diseases, as well as their role as cause and consequence to cancer development are addressed.

Induction of labour versus expectant monitoring for gestational hypertension or mild pre-eclampsia after 36 weeks' gestation (HYPITAT): a multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Robust evidence to direct management of pregnant women with mild hypertensive disease at term is scarce. We investigated whether induction of labour in women with a singleton pregnancy complicated by gestational hypertension or mild pre-eclampsia reduces severe maternal morbidity.

METHODS

We undertook a multicentre, parallel, open-label randomised controlled trial in six academic and 32 non-academic hospitals in the Netherlands between October, 2005, and March, 2008. We enrolled patients with a singleton pregnancy at 36-41 weeks' gestation, and who had gestational hypertension or mild pre-eclampsia. Participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio by block randomisation with a web-based application system to receive either induction of labour or expectant monitoring. Masking of intervention allocation was not possible. The primary outcome was a composite measure of poor maternal outcome--maternal mortality, maternal morbidity (eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, pulmonary oedema, thromboembolic disease, and placental abruption), progression to severe hypertension or proteinuria, and major post-partum haemorrhage (>1000 mL blood loss). Analysis was by intention to treat and treatment effect is presented as relative risk. This study is registered, number ISRCTN08132825.

FINDINGS

756 patients were allocated to receive induction of labour (n=377 patients) or expectant monitoring (n=379). 397 patients refused randomisation but authorised use of their medical records. Of women who were randomised, 117 (31%) allocated to induction of labour developed poor maternal outcome compared with 166 (44%) allocated to expectant monitoring (relative risk 0.71, 95% CI 0.59-0.86, p<0.0001). No cases of maternal or neonatal death or eclampsia were recorded.

INTERPRETATION

Induction of labour is associated with improved maternal outcome and should be advised for women with mild hypertensive disease beyond 37 weeks' gestation.

FUNDING

ZonMw.

The analysis of eclamptic morbidity and mortality in the Specialist Hospital Gombe, Nigeria

We conducted an analysis of caesarean sections (CS) in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan to determine the rate of CS, indications and outcome. This information will be useful to formulate strategies to control the rate of CS and its associated complications in our hospital. This was a descriptive study conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit III, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore during a period of 6 months, from 1 September 2000 to 28 February 2001. A proforma was constructed to document the details of all caesarean sections during the study period. During the 6-month period, of a total of 1424 deliveries conducted in the unit, 300 women had CS. These caesarean deliveries were analysed for the present study. The rate of caesarean sections in the study group was 21.07%. Of 300 caesarean deliveries, 34 were elective (11.33%) and 266 were emergency caesarean sections (88.67%). The main indications for the emergency caesarean deliveries were dystocia (28.2%), fetal distress (22.18%), CPD (6.77%) and a previous one (5.64%) or two caesarean sections (7.52%), while the main indications in the elective caesarean deliveries were a previous two (50%) or three (2.94%) CS. One hundred and two (34%) women were primigravida, 152 (50.67%) were gravida 2-4 and 45 (15%) women were among gravida 5-9. The mean age of the study group was 29 years. There was one maternal death and overall maternal morbidity was 14%. The majority of women were hospitalised for 2-6 days. In the group of emergency caesarean sections, there were four stillbirths (1.5%) and seven perinatal deaths (2.63%). The overall perinatal mortality rate was 4% in the study group. High-risk pregnancies without antenatal care constitute a major reason for the increased rate of caesarean deliveries and its associated morbidity and mortality.

The prognostic role of uterine artery Doppler studies in patients with late-onset preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of uterine artery Doppler in the prediction of outcome in patients with late-onset preeclampsia.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients with late-onset preeclampsia underwent Doppler interrogation of the uterine arteries. Patients with abnormal uterine artery Doppler were compared with those who had a normal uterine artery Doppler.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine patients were included in the study group. Abnormal uterine artery Doppler group presented significantly lower gestational age at admission (36.1 +/- 2.1 weeks vs 37.2 +/- 1.9 weeks; P < .005), lower gestational age at delivery (36.5 +/- 1.9 weeks vs 37.7 +/- 1.7 weeks; P < .005), lower birthweight (2429 +/- 590 g vs 3013 +/- 597 g; P < .0001), and a higher admission rate to neonatal intensive care unit (17/51 vs 6/48; odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-9.5). No significant difference in the occurrence of maternal complications (10/51 vs 6/48; odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.5-4.9) was registered.

CONCLUSION

Women with late-onset preeclampsia show a higher risk of perinatal complications if uterine resistance is increased although maternal outcome does not seem to be related to Doppler findings.

Accuracy of serum uric acid as a predictive test for maternal complications in pre-eclampsia: bivariate meta-analysis and decision analysis

The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy and clinical value of serum uric acid in predicting maternal complications in women with pre-eclampsia. An existing meta-analysis on the subject was updated. The accuracy of serum uric acid for the prediction of maternal complications was assessed with a bivariate model estimating a summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (sROC) curve. Subsequently, a clinical decision analysis was performed, in which three alternative strategies were modelled: (I) expectant management with monitoring until spontaneous labour; (II) induction of labour; (III) serum uric acid as test for predicting maternal complications. In the latter strategy, accuracy data of serum uric acid derived from the sROC curve were used to assess the value of serum uric acid in the management of women with pre-eclampsia. In this strategy, women with an increased serum uric acid were supposed to have labour induced, whereas women with serum uric acid levels below the threshold were managed expectantly. The decision whether to use the policy expectant management, to induce labour or to test serum uric acid levels, is based on the expected utility of each strategy. The expected utility depends on the probability of occurrence of severe maternal complications (i.e. severe hypertension, haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome) or eclampsia) and the mode of delivery (caesarean section versus vaginal delivery). Valuation of the outcomes was performed using a distress ratio, which expresses how much worse a complication of pre-eclampsia is valued as compared to a caesarean section. Eight studies, testing 1565 women with pre-eclampsia, met the inclusion criteria. If the distress ratio was 10, the strategy regarding serum uric acid would be the preferred strategy when the probability of complications was between 2.9 and 6.3%. At higher complication rates induction of labour would be preferred, whereas at lower complication rates expectant management would be the best treatment option. These findings were stable in sensitivity analyses, using different distress ratios. Based on the decision analysis, serum uric acid seems to be a useful test in the management of pre-eclampsia under realistic assumptions.

The HELLP syndrome: clinical issues and management. A Review

BACKGROUND

The HELLP syndrome is a serious complication in pregnancy characterized by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count occurring in 0.5 to 0.9% of all pregnancies and in 10-20% of cases with severe preeclampsia. The present review highlights occurrence, diagnosis, complications, surveillance, corticosteroid treatment, mode of delivery and risk of recurrence.

METHODS

Clinical reports and reviews published between 2000 and 2008 were screened using Pub Med and Cochrane databases.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

About 70% of the cases develop before delivery, the majority between the 27th and 37th gestational weeks; the remainder within 48 hours after delivery. The HELLP syndrome may be complete or incomplete. In the Tennessee Classification System diagnostic criteria for HELLP are haemolysis with increased LDH (> 600 U/L), AST (>or= 70 U/L), and platelets < 100 x 10(9)/L. The Mississippi Triple-class HELLP System further classifies the disorder by the nadir platelet counts. The syndrome is a progressive condition and serious complications are frequent. Conservative treatment (>or= 48 hours) is controversial but may be considered in selected cases < 34 weeks' gestation. Delivery is indicated if the HELLP syndrome occurs after the 34th gestational week or the foetal and/or maternal conditions deteriorate. Vaginal delivery is preferable. If the cervix is unfavourable, it is reasonable to induce cervical ripening and then labour. In gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks most authors prefer a single course of corticosteroid therapy for foetal lung maturation, either 2 doses of 12 mg betamethasone 24 hours apart or 6 mg or dexamethasone 12 hours apart before delivery. Standard corticosteroid treatment is, however, of uncertain clinical value in the maternal HELLP syndrome. High-dose treatment and repeated doses should be avoided for fear of long-term adverse effects on the foetal brain. Before 34 weeks' gestation, delivery should be performed if the maternal condition worsens or signs of intrauterine foetal distress occur. Blood pressure should be kept below 155/105 mmHg. Close surveillance of the mother should be continued for at least 48 hours after delivery.

No association between maternal psychological symptoms and infant outcome after pregnancy complicated by early-onset hypertensive disorders

AIM

The aim of this work was to study the effect of maternal psychological symptoms on infant development 1 year after early-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

METHODS

All mothers were enrolled in the Pre-eclampsia, Eclampsia TRial Amsterdam. Mothers were asked to complete the 90-item Symptom Check List (SCL-90) at the corrected ages of their infants of 0, 3 and 12 months. The total sum score of these three checklists was calculated. Infants were examined at the corrected age of 12 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (Mental Developmental Index [MDI] and Psychomotor Developmental Index [PDI] subscales). The Bayley scores were compared between infants of mothers with SCL-90 sum scores in the highest 25% and lowest 75%.

RESULTS

For 141 mother-infant pairs (80%) all three SCL-90 checklists and Bayley scores were available. Mean gestational age was 32 weeks and 90% of the infants were growth restricted. The mean MDI was 87 in the highest 25% and 89 in the lowest 75% group. This was 79 versus 80 for the PDI.

CONCLUSION

In this population of high-risk growth-restricted infants born after a pregnancy complicated by early-onset hypertensive disorders, there is no additional impact of negative maternal psychological symptoms on infant development after 1 year.