Protein S deficiency complicated pregnancy in women with recurrent pregnancy loss

Investigation of a novel PROS1 splicing variant in a patient with protein S deficiency

Here, we report a novel PROS1 splicing mutation in a patient with type I protein S deficiency. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of pathogenic splicing variants at the mRNA level was performed by long-range PCR-based targeted DNA and RNA sequencing. A base substitution in the exon 4 splicing donor site activates a potential splicing donor site in intron 4, resulting in an in-frame insertion of 48 bases (16 amino acids).

Combined Anticoagulant Therapy for Prevention of Preeclampsia and Small for Gestational Age Neonates: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) aims to compare the efficacy of combining low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and aspirin against aspirin alone in preventing preeclampsia (PE) and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates in women at moderate and high risks.

STUDY DESIGN

The included studies were nonrandomized and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) enrolling women at moderate and high risks for developing preeclampsia. PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Grey literature (including ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched.

RESULTS

Out of 4,762 records, 7 nonrandomized studies and 12 RCTs (enrolling 545 and 1,677 women, respectively) were selected. Although the studies were clinically heterogeneous, the conduction of quantitative analysis was feasible. Regarding RCTs, the odds of early-onset preeclampsia was reduced by 89% (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.93, p = 0.04) in women with thrombophilia, the incidence of SGA neonates below the 5th percentile by 48% (pooled OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28-0.96, p = 0.04) in women with a history of preeclampsia and/or SGA neonates, and the incidence of SGA neonates below the 10th percentile by 31% (pooled OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.96, p = 0.03) in the whole population.

CONCLUSION

Concerning the whole studied population, combined anticoagulant therapy is not superior to aspirin alone. However, it may be more effective in preventing early-onset preeclampsia regarding women with thrombophilia, SGA neonates below the 5th percentile regarding women with a history of preeclampsia and/or SGA, and SGA neonates below the 10th percentile in moderate- or high-risk women. The above mixed but promising results need to be envisaged with caution due to the clinical heterogeneity of the included studies which is the main limitation of our research. Nevertheless, the strict and narrow inclusion search criteria, and the appropriate subgroup analysis are its main strengths. More RCTs with homogeneous populations and stricter inclusion criteria are needed to confirm these results.

KEY POINTS

· Combined therapy is not superior to aspirin alone.. · Combined therapy in women with thrombophilia may protect against early-onset preeclampsia.. · Combined therapy in moderate/high-risk women may protect against SGA <10th percentile neonates..

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and dural arteriovenous fistula associated with protein S deficiency: a case series study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the characteristics of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) associated with protein S (PS) deficiency.

METHODS

We conducted a search of medical records in Hainan General Hospital from January 2000 to December 2020 for coexistence of CVST and dural AVF associated with PS deficiency and searched PubMed、Embase and Chinese biomedical databases (CBM) for all literature describing CVST and dural AVF with PS. We analyzed clinical characteristics, location, sequence of CVST and dural AVF, level of PS, therapeutic methods and prognosis.

RESULTS

We presented 1 patient in our hospital's database combined CVST and dural AVF associated with PS, plus 5 cases reported in literature. The most common symptoms were headache, generalized seizure, disturbance of consciousness. The most frequent location of CVST was at internal cerebral vein, while transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus, parietal region in dural AVF. Two patients developed dural AVF several months or years after CVST. Clinical characteristics and level of PS were summarized.

CONCLUSION

These findings alert physicians to consider PS deficiency in patients who suffer from CVST, especially those combined with dural AVF.

Antiphospholipid Antibodies Increase the Risk of Fetal Growth Restriction: A Systematic Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a high prevalence in females. Published data have identified pregnant women with APS may suffer from recurrent miscarriage, fetal death. However, the association between antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) remains controversial. This study aims to systematically review the literature on population-based studies investigating an association between aPL and FGR.

METHODS

The literature was searched on 1 November, 2021, using Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), following the MOOSE checklist. Study inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed published articles that reported an association between aPL and FGR. Quality assessment was performed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The between-study heterogeneity was assessed by the Q test. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies (with 11745 pregnant women) were included in the final analysis. Pooled odds ratio for association of aPL, anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA), anti-beta2 glycoprotein 1 antibodies (β2GP1), and FGR was 1.26 (95%CI 1.12, 1.40), 2.25 (95%CI 1.55, 2.94), and 1.31 (95% CI 1.12, 1.49), respectively. Lupus anticoagulant (LA) did not increase the chance of FGR (OR 0.82, 95%CI 0.54, 1.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis showed that aPL increased the risk of FGR. The risk of FGR varies with the aPL types. ACA and β2GP1 are strongly associated with FGR. There are currently insufficient data to support a significant relationship between LA and FGR.

Hold your needles in women with recurrent pregnancy losses with or without hereditary thrombophilia: Meta-analysis and review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

The use of antithrombotic prophylaxis in women with recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) remains controversial.

METHODS

We performed meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) versus No LMWH in women with or without hereditary thrombophilia and RPL. Twelve RCTs met our inclusion criteria and 2298 women were included in this meta-analysis. Our primary end point was live birth and odds ratio (OR) for live birth are reported.

RESULTS

In women with thrombophilia the benefit of LMWH on live birth is not significant but heterogeneity of the studies is significant (OR, 2.09; 95 % CI, 0.58-7.57; p = 0.26; I² = 86 %, p = 0.0001). Considering women without thrombophilia there is no benefit of LMWH in OR of live birth and data from studies have low heterogeneity (OR, 1.25; 95 % CI, 0.88-1.78; p = 0 0.21; I² = 44 %, p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Hold your needles in women with RPL. Probably in some hereditary thrombophilic defects LMWH has a positive effect on OR for live birth.