Periconceptional stressors and social support and risk for adverse birth outcomes

Contributions of neighborhood physical and social environments to racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes in California: A mediation analysis

BACKGROUND

Racially minoritized populations experience higher rates of adverse birth outcomes than White populations in the U.S. We estimated the mediating effect of neighborhood social and physical environments on disparities in adverse birth outcomes in California.

METHOD

We used birthing parent's residential address for California live birth records from 2019 to estimate census block group Area Deprivation Index and census tract level measures of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), drinking water contamination, tree canopy coverage, as a measure of greenspace, potential heat vulnerability, and noise. We performed mediation analysis to assess whether neighborhood factors explain racial/ethnic disparities in preterm birth (PTB) and term-birth low birth weight (TLBW) comparing Black, Latinx, and Asian with White births after controlling for individual-level factors.

RESULTS

Black, Latinx, and Asian parents had PTB rates that were 67%, 36%, and 11% higher, and TLBW rates that were 150%, 38%, and 81% higher than Whites. Neighborhood deprivation contributed 7% (95% CI: 3%, 11%) to the Black-White and 9% (95% CI: 6%, 12%) to the Latinx-White disparity in PTB, and 8% (95% CI: 3%, 12%) of the Black-White and 9% (95% CI: 5%, 15%) of the Latinx-White disparity in TLBW. Drinking water contamination contributed 2% (95% CI: 1%, 4%) to the Latinx-White disparity in PTB. Lack of greenspace accounted for 7% (95% CI: 2%, 10%) of the Latinx-White PTB disparity and 7% (95% CI: 3%, 12%) of the Asian-White PTB disparity. PM2.5 contributed 11% (95% CI: 5%, 18%), drinking water contamination contributed 3% (95% CI: 1%, 7%), and potential heat vulnerability contributed 2% (95% CI: 1%, 3%) to the Latinx-White TLBW disparity. Lack of green space contributed 3% (95% CI: 1%, 6%) to the Asian-White TLBW disparity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests social environments explain portions of Black/Latinx-White disparities while physical environments explain Latinx/Asian-White disparities in PTB and TLBW.

Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pregnant Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder and Its Association with Preterm Birth

OBJECTIVE

 Both hepatitis C virus (HCV) and opioid use disorder (OUD) have been associated with higher rates of preterm birth (PTB). It is unknown whether the higher prevalence of HCV in individuals with OUD may contribute to this association. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between HCV and PTB in pregnant individuals with OUD.

STUDY DESIGN

 We conducted a retrospective cohort of pregnant individuals with OUD who participated in more than three visits in a co-located multidisciplinary program. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of OUD, participation in treatment/prenatal care program, and laboratory evaluation of HCV status. The primary exposure was the presence of HCV antibodies, and secondarily, a detectable viral load (viremia). The primary outcome was PTB, which was further classified as spontaneous or iatrogenic. Multivariable logistic regression was used to detect associations while adjusting for race, history of prior PTB, and tobacco use.

RESULTS

 A total of 941 individuals were included in the study, 404 with HCV and 537 without. Rates of PTB did not differ between those with compared to those without HCV (20.3 vs. 23.8%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53-1.07]). There were similar rates of spontaneous PTB (13.1 vs. 16.2%, aOR = 0.79 [95% CI: 0.43-1.45]) and iatrogenic PTB (7.2 vs. 7.6%, aOR = 1.26 [95% CI: 0.69-2.30]). Comparing those with viremia to those without, there were also similar rates of overall PTB (21.6 vs. 17.9%, aOR = 0.86 [95% CI: 0.52-1.44]), spontaneous PTB (13.3 vs. 12.9%, aOR = 0.97 [95% CI: 0.52-1.87]), and iatrogenic PTB (8.3 vs. 5.0%, aOR = 1.83 [95% CI: 0.76-4.94]).

CONCLUSION

 HCV does not appear to be associated with spontaneous or iatrogenic PTB in pregnant persons with OUD who are engaged in treatment and prenatal care. The role of co-located multidisciplinary prenatal and addiction programs in the association between HCV and PTB warrants further investigation.

KEY POINTS

· Hepatitis C antibodies are not associated with PTB in those with OUD.. · Hepatitis C viremia is not associated with PTB.. · Multidisciplinary treatment programs may contribute to these findings..

Stress and anxiety during pregnancy and length of gestation: a federated study using data from five Canadian and European birth cohorts

While its etiology is not fully elucidated, preterm birth represents a major public health concern as it is the leading cause of child mortality and morbidity. Stress is one of the most common perinatal conditions and may increase the risk of preterm birth. In this paper we aimed to investigate the association of maternal perceived stress and anxiety with length of gestation. We used harmonized data from five birth cohorts from Canada, France, and Norway. A total of 5297 pregnancies of singletons were included in the analysis of perceived stress and gestational duration, and 55,775 pregnancies for anxiety. Federated analyses were performed through the DataSHIELD platform using Cox regression models within intervals of gestational age. The models were fit for each cohort separately, and the cohort-specific results were combined using random effects study-level meta-analysis. Moderate and high levels of perceived stress during pregnancy were associated with a shorter length of gestation in the very/moderately preterm interval [moderate: hazard ratio (HR) 1.92 (95%CI 0.83, 4.48); high: 2.04 (95%CI 0.77, 5.37)], albeit not statistically significant. No association was found for the other intervals. Anxiety was associated with gestational duration in the very/moderately preterm interval [1.66 (95%CI 1.32, 2.08)], and in the early term interval [1.15 (95%CI 1.08, 1.23)]. Our findings suggest that perceived stress and anxiety are associated with an increased risk of earlier birth, but only in the earliest gestational ages. We also found an association in the early term period for anxiety, but the result was only driven by the largest cohort, which collected information the latest in pregnancy. This raised a potential issue of reverse causality as anxiety later in pregnancy could be due to concerns about early signs of a possible preterm birth.

Nutrition, stress, and healthcare use during pregnancy are associated with low birth weight: evidence from a case-control study in West Ethiopia

Background

Low Birth Weight (LBW) remains a major public health concern globally, especially in lower and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular there is limited evidence regarding maternal factors associated with low birth weight. This study aimed to identify the maternal factors associated with low birth weight among neonates born in public health facilities in the west Wollega zone, West Ethiopia.

Methods

We used a case-control study design and selected participant mothers with a newborn using the delivery database from three public hospitals and five health centers, between March 2022 and April 2022. Cases were identified using a newborn birth weight of <2,500 grams. Controls were identified using a newborn birth weight of ≥2,500 grams. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and chart review were used for data collection. Model fitness was assessed by Hosmer and Lemenshow goodness-of-fit test, including multi-collinearity checks. Candidate predictor variables were selected (using a value of p <0.25 in bivariable logistic regression models) for multivariable logistic regression to quantify the association between independent variables and LBW, expressed using Odds Ratios (OR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Mean and Standard Deviation (SD), all such values.

Results

A total of 324 mothers with their newborns (81 cases and 243 controls) were eligible for inclusion. The mean age of participants was 27.9 years (SD 6.4) in cases and 25 years (SD 3.9) in controls. Mean birth weight was 2,128 grams (SD 1,697) in cases and 2,988 grams (SD 378) in controls. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, lack of nutritional counseling (OR = 2.4; 95%CI: 1.24-4.72), maternal middle upper arm circumference of <23 cm (OR = 3.1; 95%CI: 1.64-5.91), maternal stress during pregnancy (OR = 2.8; 95% CI:1.23-6.36), and antenatal follow up less than four visits (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.12-6.82) were independently associated with LBW.

Conclusion

In this study, lack of nutritional counseling, maternal undernutrition, maternal stress during pregnancy, and antenatal follow-up visits less than recommended were associated with LBW. Special attention should be given to promoting antenatal care and counseling mothers on nutrition and relaxation to prevent stress during pregnancy.

Prediction of Preterm Birth among Infants with Orofacial Cleft Defects

OBJECTIVE

To develop risk prediction models for preterm birth among infants with orofacial clefts.

DESIGN

Data from the Texas Birth Defects Registry for infants with orofacial clefts born between 1999-2014 were used to develop preterm birth predictive models. Logistic regression was used to consider maternal and infant characteristics, and internal validation of the final model was performed using bootstrapping methods. The area under the curve (AUC) statistic was generated to assess model performance, and separate predictive models were built and validated for infants with cleft lip and cleft palate alone. Several secondary analyses were conducted among subgroups of interest.

SETTING

State-wide, population-based Registry data.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

6774 infants with orofacial clefts born in Texas between 1999-2014.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Preterm birth among infants with orofacial clefts.

RESULTS

The final predictive model performed modestly, with an optimism-corrected AUC of 0.67 among all infants with orofacial clefts. The optimism-corrected models for cleft lip (with or without cleft palate) and cleft palate alone had similar predictive capability, with AUCs of 0.66 and 0.67, respectively. Secondary analyses had similar results, but the model among infants with delivery prior to 32 weeks demonstrated higher optimism-corrected predictive capability (AUC = 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a first step towards predicting preterm birth risk among infants with orofacial clefts. Identifying pregnancies affected by orofacial clefts at the highest risk for preterm birth may lead to new avenues for improving outcomes among these infants.

Social disadvantage during pregnancy: effects on gestational age and birthweight

OBJECTIVE

Whether psychosocial adversity during pregnancy impacts fetal health outcomes at birth remains underexplored. This is a critical issue given significant social disadvantage and psychosocial stress faced by pregnant women worldwide.

STUDY DESIGN

Measures of social disadvantage and psychological factors, and medical/reproductive and nutritional health status in pregnant women were obtained at each trimester. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we investigated the relationship of forms of adversity to each other and to infant gestational age, and birthweight.

RESULTS

Among 399 singletons, Social Disadvantage significantly predicted gestational age (p = 0.003), and residual birthweight (p = 0.006). There was a 0.4 week decrease in gestational age and a 3% decrease in birthweight for each standard deviation increase in Social Disadvantage.

CONCLUSION

Significant negative effects of social adversity on the developing fetus were found. Notably, these effects emerged despite good prenatal care and after accounting for maternal age and medical reproductive risk factors.

Characterization of Maternal Psychosocial Stress During Pregnancy: The Healthy Start Study

Objective

To capture multidimensional maternal psychosocial stress using responses from the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) administered during pregnancy, and to identify sociodemographic, biological, and health behavioral correlates of the stress domains.

Methods

Using data from 1,079 pregnant women, we implemented principal component analysis on EPDS and PSS responses and retained factors based on the Scree plot and Eigenvalues >1. We then used linear regression to identify perinatal correlates of each domain.

Results

We identified three stress domains: "Feeling Overwhelmed," "Anhedonia," and "Lack of Control," which accounted for 10.6% of variance in questionnaire responses. In multivariable analyses, household income ≤$70,000 (β = 0.21 confidence interval [95% CI: 0.05-0.39]), primiparity (0.36 [0.02-0.71]), inadequate (0.21 [0.04-0.39]) or excessive gestational weight gain (0.27 [0.11-0.42]), and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score ≤57 (0.14 [0.00-0.28]) were associated with Feeling Overwhelmed. Older age (0.02 [0.00-0.03] per 1-year), Hispanic ethnicity (0.19 [0.00-0.38]), and HEI score ≤57 (0.15 [0.02-0.28]) were associated with Anhedonia. Non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity (0.37 [0.10-0.63]), not having graduated from college (0.16 [-0.02 to 0.35]), having a partner born outside the United States (0.17 [-0.02 to 0.37]), household size of ≥5 persons (0.21 [-0.02 to 0.37]), receiving public assistance (0.18 [-0.02 to 0.37]), and prenatal smoking (0.32 [0.05-0.59]) were associated with Lack of Control.

Conclusions

Three domains of maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy (Feeling Overwhelmed, Anhedonia, and Lack of Control) were differentially related to sociodemographic, biological, and health behavioral characteristics that may be targets for interventions to ameliorate stress in pregnant women.

Clinical Trial Registry

: The Healthy Start study is registered as an observational study at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT #002273297).

Caffeine excites medial parabrachial nucleus neurons of mice by blocking adenosine A1 receptor

Caffeine has been used as a first-line drug for treatment of apnea neonatorum for decades due to its high safety and effectiveness. Studies report that caffeine mainly acts as a blocker of Adenosine Receptors (ARs). However, the mechanism of caffeine in reducing apnea neonatorum in the central nervous system has not been fully explored. Medial parabrachial nucleus (MPB) is part of the respiratory center of the pons that may be related to the activity of caffeine. Previous studies have not explored the effect and mechanism of caffeine on MPB neurons. To elucidate this, the current study used antagonists of A1 and A2a receptors to mimic the effect of caffeine in MPB of mice in vitro using the patch-clamp technique. The firing rates and spontaneous post-synaptic currents were recorded. The findings of the study showed that caffeine excited MPB neurons. Notably, the adenosine A1R antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethyl-xanthine (CPT) but not the adenosine A2aR antagonist Istradefylline (KW6002) mimicked the exciting effect of caffeine, implying that caffeine excited MPB neurons in mice by blocking A1Rs. Further, the results indicated that caffeine could increase efficiency of synaptic transmission to excite MPB neurons. These findings suggest that A1Rs in MPB may be potential targets for caffeine in reducing apnea neonatorum.

Risk of Adverse Birth Outcomes in Two Cohorts of Pregnant Women With HIV in Zambia

BACKGROUND

A trial of progesterone to prevent preterm birth among HIV-infected Zambian women [Improving Pregnancy Outcomes with Progesterone (IPOP)] found no treatment effect, but the risk of the primary outcome was among the lowest ever documented in women with HIV. In this secondary analysis, we compare the risks of preterm birth (<37 weeks), stillbirth, and a composite primary outcome comprising the two in IPOP versus an observational pregnancy cohort [Zambian Preterm Birth Prevention Study (ZAPPS)] in Zambia, to evaluate reasons for the low risk in IPOP.

METHODS

Both studies enrolled women before 24 gestational weeks, during August 2015-September 2017 (ZAPPS) and February 2018-January 2020 (IPOP). We used linear probability and log-binomial regression to estimate risk differences and risk ratios (RR), before and after restriction and standardization with inverse probability weights.

RESULTS

The unadjusted risk of composite outcome was 18% in ZAPPS (N = 1450) and 9% in IPOP (N = 791) (RR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.6, 2.6). After restricting and standardizing the ZAPPS cohort to the distribution of IPOP baseline characteristics, the risk remained higher in ZAPPS (RR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0, 2.4). The lower risk of preterm/stillbirth in IPOP was only partially explained by measured risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Possible benefits in IPOP of additional monetary reimbursement, more frequent visits, and group-based care warrant further investigation.

Cumulative life stressors and stress response to threatened preterm labour as birth date predictors

PURPOSE

Preterm birth represents one of the main causes of neonatal morbimortality and a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders. Appropriate predictive methods for preterm birth outcome, which consequently would facilitate prevention programs, are needed. We aim to predict birth date in women with a threatened preterm labour (TPL) based on stress response to TPL diagnosis, cumulative life stressors, and relevant obstetric variables.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of 157 pregnant women with TPL diagnosis between 24 and 31 weeks gestation formed the study sample. To estimate the stress response to TPL, maternal salivary cortisol, α-amylase levels, along with anxiety and depression symptoms were measured. To determine cumulative life stressors, previous traumas, social support, and family functioning were registered. Then, linear regression models were used to examine the effect of potential predictors of birth date.

RESULTS

Lower family adaptation, higher Body Mass Index (BMI), higher cortisol levels and TPL diagnosis week were the main predictors of birth date. Gestational week at TPL diagnosis showed a non-linear interaction with cortisol levels: TPL women with middle- and high-cortisol levels before 29 weeks of gestation went into imminent labour.

CONCLUSION

A combination of stress response to TPL diagnosis (salivary cortisol) and cumulative life stressors (family adaptation) together with obstetric factors (TPL gestational week and BMI) was the best birth date predictor. Therefore, a psychosocial therapeutic intervention program aimed to increase family adaptation and decrease cortisol levels at TPL diagnosis as well as losing weight, may prevent preterm birth in symptomatic women.

Data-Driven Modeling of Pregnancy-Related Complications

A healthy pregnancy depends on complex interrelated biological adaptations involving placentation, maternal immune responses, and hormonal homeostasis. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have provided access to multiomics biological data that, combined with clinical and social data, can provide a deeper understanding of normal and abnormal pregnancies. Integration of these heterogeneous datasets using state-of-the-art machine-learning methods can enable the prediction of short- and long-term health trajectories for a mother and offspring and the development of treatments to prevent or minimize complications. We review advanced machine-learning methods that could: provide deeper biological insights into a pregnancy not yet unveiled by current methodologies; clarify the etiologies and heterogeneity of pathologies that affect a pregnancy; and suggest the best approaches to address disparities in outcomes affecting vulnerable populations.

Gaining a deeper understanding of social determinants of preterm birth by integrating multi-omics data

In the US, high rates of preterm birth (PTB) and profound Black-White disparities in PTB have persisted for decades. This review focuses on the role of social determinants of health (SDH), with an emphasis on maternal stress, in PTB disparity and biological embedding. It covers: (1) PTB disparity in US Black women and possible contributors; (2) the role of SDH, highlighting maternal stress, in the persistent racial disparity of PTB; (3) epigenetics at the interface between genes and environment; (4) the role of the genome in modifying maternal stress-PTB associations; (5) recent advances in multi-omics studies of PTB; and (6) future perspectives on integrating multi-omics with SDH to elucidate the Black-White disparity in PTB. Available studies have indicated that neither environmental exposures nor genetics alone can adequately explain the Black-White PTB disparity. Preliminary yet promising findings of epigenetic and gene-environment interaction studies underscore the value of integrating SDH with multi-omics in prospective birth cohort studies, especially among high-risk Black women. In an era of rapid advancements in biomedical sciences and technologies and a growing number of prospective birth cohort studies, we have unprecedented opportunities to advance this field and finally address the long history of health disparities in PTB. IMPACT: This review provides an overview of social determinants of health (SDH) with a focus on maternal stress and its role on Black-White disparity in preterm birth (PTB). It summarizes the available literature on the interplay of maternal stress with key biological layers (e.g., individual genome and epigenome in response to environmental stressors) and significant knowledge gaps. It offers perspectives that such knowledge may provide deeper insight into how SDH affects PTB and why some women are more vulnerable than others and underscores the critical need for integrating SDH with multi-omics in prospective birth cohort studies, especially among high-risk Black women.