Preeclampsia: Definitions, screening tools and diagnostic criteria in the supersonic era

Preeclampsia is still a major risk factor for maternal-fetal health. Therefore, early identifcation of pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia is a big priority in ob-stetrics in order to decrease the mortality and morbidity associated with this disease. On the basis of well known and new pathophysiological mechanisms of preeclamp-sia, different biochemical and ultrasonographic param-eters have been investigated in the literature, without fnding an ideal marker for early screening. In this brief review, we present the best studied ultrasonographic markers and the most recent genetic factors and prom-ising emerging biomarkers of preeclampsia, to date. We hope that in the future the combination of these tests will allow us to predict which women are at risk of preeclampsia.

Low-molecular-weight heparin and preeclampsia—does the sword cut both ways?Three case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Low-molecular-weight heparins(LMWH)are the most commonly used anticoagulants during pregnancy.It is considered to be the drug of choice due to its safety in not crossing placenta.Considering the beneficial effect in the improvement of microcirculation,prophylactic application of LMWH in patients with preeclampsia became a trend.However,the bleeding risk related with LMWH in preeclampsia patients has seldomly been evaluated.This current study aimed to identify the potential risks regarding LMWH application in patients with preeclampsia.CASE SUMMARY Herein we present a case series of three pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia on LMWH therapy during pregnancy.All the cases experienced catastrophic hemorrhagic events.After reviewing the twenty-one meta-analyses,the bleeding risk related with LMWH seems ignorable.Only one study analyzed the bleeding risk of LMWH and found a significantly higher risk of developing PPH in women receiving LMWH.Other studies reported minor bleeding risks,none of these were serious enough to stop LMWH treatment.Possibilities of bleeding either from uterus or from intrabdominal organs in preeclampsia patients on LMWH therapy should not be ignored.Intensive management of blood pressure even after delivery and homeostasis suture in surgery are crucial.CONCLUSION Consideration should be given to the balance between benefits and risks of LMWH in patients with preeclampsia.

Analysis of risk factors for postpartum depression after cesarean section in women with early-onset preeclampsia

BACKGROUND Early-onset preeclampsia significantly increases maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.Many pregnant women with early onset preeclampsia choose cesarean section as their delivery method.Although extensive research has explored the association between postpartum depression(PPD)and cesarean section,few studies have investigated the risk factors after cesarean section in women with early-onset preeclampsia.AIM To examine these risk factors through a retrospective,observational analysis of 287 women who underwent a cesarean section for early preeclampsia between June 2014 and March 2024.METHODS Participants were assessed in person during the 32nd week of pregnancy,2 days post-cesarean,and 6 weeks postpartum.According to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS),participants who underwent cesarean section were divided into PPD(n=60)and non-PPD groups(n=227).Furthermore,PPD was diagnosed at 6 weeks postpartum according to depressive symptoms(EPDS score≥11).The demographic and clinical features of PPD were screened.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify PPD risk factors.RESULTS The prevalence of PPD was 20.9%(60/287)among the 287 women who underwent cesarean section for early-onset preeclampsia.Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that advanced age(age>40 years)[odds ratio(OR)=1.93,95%CI:1.31-2.82],previous preeclampsia(OR=7.15,95%CI:5.81-8.85),pre-pregnancy obesity(OR=2.42,95%CI:1.62-3.63),gestational diabetes mellitus(OR=3.52,95%CI:2.51-4.92),preexisting hypertension(OR=1.35,95%CI:1.03-1.89),PPD symptoms(EPDS≥11)at 2 days postpartum(OR=6.15,95%CI:1.32-28.35),high prenatal self-rating anxiety scale score(OR=1.13,95%CI:1.06-1.18),and pain at 6 weeks postpartum(OR=2.16,95%CI:1.28-3.66)were independently associated with PPD.CONCLUSION Risk factors for PPD after cesarean section in women with early-onset preeclampsia include advanced age(age>40 years),pre-pregnancy obesity,previous preeclampsia,gestational diabetes mellitus,preexisting hypertension,PPD symptoms(EPDS≥11)at 2 days postpartum,prenatal anxiety,and pain at 6 weeks postpartum.The early identi-fication of these factors and interventions can mitigate the risk of PPD.

Analysis of the Application Effect and Value of Dydrogesterone in The Treatment of Preeclampsia for Fetal Preservation

Objective: To analyze the application effect and value of dydrogesterone in the fertility preservation treatment of preeclampsia. Methods: Forty cases of patients with preeclampsia admitted to our hospital between January 2023 and January 2024 were divided randomly into a control group and an observation group of 20 cases each. The control group applied progesterone to preserve the fetus, and the observation group applied dydrogesterone. The symptom relief time, hormone levels before and after treatment, as well as adverse drug reactions, and the effect of fetal preservation between the two groups were compared. Results: The time to relieve vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain. and lumbago in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the progesterone levels and incidence of adverse drug reactions in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The success rate of fertility preservation in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In the treatment of fetal preservation of preeclampsia, the application of dydrogesterone positively alleviated vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and lumbago, with mild adverse reactions and a good effect on fetal preservation.

Elabela is a reliable biomarker for predicting early onset preeclampsia:A comparative study

BACKGROUND Preeclampsia(PE)is a multisystemic metabolic disease with an undetermined etiology.PE is a worldwide cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity,subdivided into early(EoPE)and late-onset(LoPE)according to 34 wk of gestation as a divider.Many researchers investigated biomarkers for predicting PE to halt its consequences on the feto-maternal outcome.Elabela(Ela)is a newly discovered peptide hormone that was implicated in PE pathogenesis.Earlier rodent studies discussed Ela’s role in controlling blood pressure.Moreover,Ela deficiency was associated with PE development.AIM To test whether plasma Ela could serve as a reliable marker for predicting PE based on the time of onset(EoPE vs LoPE)compared to age and body mass matched healthy controls since no definitive treatment exists for PE but to terminate a pregnancy.METHODS This case-control study recruited(n=90)pregnant who fulfilled inclusion criteria;they were allocated into three groups:EoPE(30/90)(<34 wk of gestation);LoPE(30/90)(≥34 wk of gestation);and healthy pregnant(30/90).Demographic criteria;biochemical,hematological,and maternal plasma Ela levels were recorded for comparison.RESULTS Serum Ela was significantly reduced in EoPE compared to LoPE and healthy controls(P=0.0023).The correlation confirmed a strong inverse relationship with mean atrial blood pressure(r=-0.7,P<0.001),while gestational age and platelets count showed a moderate correlation with(r=0.4 with P<0.0001).No correlation was confirmed between the body mass index(BMI)and urine albumin.The predictive ability of 25 centile serum Ela had an Odds ratio of 5.21,95%confidence interval(1.28,21.24),P=0.02 for predicting EoPE.The receiver operator characteristic curve defined the Ela cutoff value at>9.156 with 96.7%and 93.3%sensitivity and specificity,P<0.0001 in predicting EoPE.CONCLUSION A strong correlation of serum Ela with PE parameters with excellent sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing EoPE independent of the BMI,age,and blood pressure which makes Ela a recommendable marker in screening.Further research is warranted to explore prognostic and therapeutic applications for Ela in PE.

Folic acid supplementation attenuates hyperhomocysteinemia-induced preeclampsia-like symptoms in rats

Folic acid participates in the metabolism of homocysteine and lowers plasma homocysteine levels directly or indirectly. To establish a hyperhomocysteinemic pregnant rat model, 2 mL of DL-homocysteine was administered daily by intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 200 mg/kg from day 10 to day 19 of gestation. Folic acid was administered by intragastric administration at a dose of 20 mg/kg during the period of preeclampsia induction. Results showed that systolic blood pressure, proteinuria/creatinine ratio, and plasma homocysteine levels in the hyperhomocysteinemic pregnant rats increased significantly, and that body weight and brain weight of rat pups significantly decreased. Folic acid supplementation markedly reversed the above-mentioned abnormal changes of hyperhomocysteinemic pregnant rats and rat pups. These findings suggest that folic acid can alleviate the symptoms of hyperhomocysteinemia- induced preeclampsia in pregnant rats without influencing brain development of rat pups.

Effect of hypoxia on expression of placental trophoblast cells SATB1 and β-catenin and its correlation with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

Objective: To study the effect of hypoxia on the expression of placental trophoblast cells SATB1 and β-catenin and its correlation with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Methods: Trophoblastic cell lines HRT8/SVneo were cultured, SATB1 and β-catenin expression and cell biological behavior were determined after hypoxia reoxygenation treatment; cell biological behavior and the expression of related genes were determined after the transfection of SATB1 and β-catenin siR NA; preeclampsia placenta and normal placenta tissues were collected and the expression of SATB1 and β-catenin were determined. Results: OD value, cell migration rate, m RNA contents of SATB1 and β-catenin of H/R group were significantly lower than those of Nor group, cell apoptosis rate was higher than that of Nor group and the number of invasive cells was less than that of Nor group; OD value and bcl-2 mRNA content of SATB1-siRNA group were lower than those of NC group; cell apoptosis rate as well as Bax, Caspase-3, caspase-6 and caspase-9 mRNA contents were higher than those of NC group; cell migration rate as well as CTSB, CTSD, MMP2 and MMP9 mRNA contents of β-catenin-siRNA group were lower than those of NC group; the number of invasive cells was less than that of NC group; the expression levels of SATB1 and β-catenin in preeclampsia placenta tissue were significantly lower than those in normal placenta tissue. Conclusions: Hypoxia can inhibit the expression of SATB1 and β-catenin in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, which can affect the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of cells.

Implication of Expression of Osteopontin and Its Receptor Integrin αvβ3 in the Placenta in the Development of Preeclampsia

To investigate the expression of osteopontin （OPN） and its receptor integrin αvβ3 in the placental tissue from pregnant women complicated with preeclampsia, the expression of OPN and αvβ3 in the placenta of the pregnant women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women was detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR. Our results showed that OPN and αvβ3 protein were expressed in the placenta from normal pregnant woman and those with preeclampsia. OPN was located in the placental syncytiotrophoblasts and the cytoplasm of capillary endothelial cells and integrin αvβ3 was mainly expressed on the surface of trophoblast cells. Expression of OPN and integrin αvβ3 in the placental tissue from preeclampsia subjects was significantly lower than that from the control group （P〈0.05）. Compared with the control group, expression of OPN in the placental tissue from preeclampsia group was significantly lower （P〈0.05） but there was no significant difference in the expression of αv and β3 between the preeclampsia group and the controls. It is concluded that OPN and its receptor integrin αvβ3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Effect of Lipoxin A_4 on IL-1β Production of Monocytes and Its Possible Mechanism in Severe Preeclampsia

This study examined in vitro effect of lipoxin A 4 (LXA 4) on interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production of monocytes and its possible mechanism in severe preeclampsia (PE).Peripheral venous blood was drawn from 15 patients with severe preeclampsia (PE group) and 20 normal pregnant women (control group) to prepare monocytes which were then treated with LXA 4 at different concentrations of 0,10,100 nmol/L respectively.IL-1β level in the supernatant of monocytes was detected by enzyme linked immunoassay.The [Ca 2+ ] i of monocytes was measured by laser scanning confocal microscopy.The results showed that the IL-1β level and the [Ca 2+ ] i of monocytes in the PE group were significantly higher than those in the control group.LXA 4 significantly decreased the generation of IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner in the PE group.After treatment with 100-nmol/L LXA 4,in the PE group,the [Ca 2+ ] i concentration of monocytes was significantly reduced.It was concluded that LXA 4 may inhibit the IL-1β production of monocytes from severe preeclampsia women by inhibiting extracellular calcium influx.

Hemodynamic characteristics in preeclampsia women during cesarean delivery after spinal anesthesia with ropivacaine

BACKGROUND Very few studies have been published on the hemodynamic changes associated with spinal anesthesia induced with ropivacaine during cesarean deliveries in preeclamptic women.AIM To record and analyze hemodynamic data in women with preeclampsia undergoing cesarean delivery after spinal anesthesia induced with ropivacaine.METHODS Ten eligible women with preeclampsia were enrolled in this prospective observational study.Spinal anesthesia was performed with 2.4 mL of 0.5%ropivacaine.Hemodynamic changes were then analyzed at multiple time points.The hemodynamic responses to vasopressor interventions and uterotonic agents,as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes were also recorded.RESULTS Stable hemodynamic trends were observed in this study.Cardiac output(CO)and stroke volume increased mildly during surgery.In contrast,mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance showed a moderate decrease from induction until the end of surgery.Central venous pressure dramatically increased after delivery.Oxytocin administration was associated with the most significant hemodynamic fluctuations during surgery,namely,an increase in CO and heart rate.Phenylephrine intervention was only required in three patients,and caused an increase in mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance along with a decrease in heart rate,stroke volume,and CO.No maternal and neonatal complications were observed during this study,except transient episodes of hypotension.CONCLUSION Spinal anesthesia for caesarian delivery with ropivacaine in women with preeclampsia is linked to modest hemodynamic changes of no clinical significance in this study.Careful cardiovascular monitoring is still recommended,particularly after the delivery of the fetus or the use of oxytocin.

Preeclampsia from a renal point of view:Insides into disease models,biomarkers and therapy

Proteinuria is a frequently detected symptom,found in 20% of pregnancies.A common reason for proteinuria in pregnancy is preeclampsia.To diagnose preeclampsia clinically and to get new insights into the pathophysiology of the disease it is at first essential to be familiar with conditions in normal pregnancy.Animal models and biomarkers can help to learn more about disease conditions and to find new treatment strategies.In this article we review the changes in kidney function during normal pregnancy and the differential diagnosis of proteinuria in pregnancy.We summarize different pathophysiological theories of preeclampsia with a special focus on the renal facets of the disease.We describe the current animal models and give a broad overview of different biomarkers that were reported to predict preeclampsia or have a prognostic value in preeclampsia cases.We end with a summary of treatment options for preeclampsia related symptoms including the use of plasmapheresis as a rescue therapy for so far refractory preeclampsia.Most of these novel biomarkers for preeclampsia are not yet implemented in clinical use.Therefore,we recommend using proteinuria(measured by UPC ratio) as a screening parameter for preeclampsia.Delivery is the only curative treatment for preeclampsia.In earlypreeclampsia the primary therapy goal is to prolong pregnancy until a state were the child has an acceptable chance of survival after delivery.

VEGF Deficit is Involved in Endothelium Dysfunction in Preeclampsia

This study examined the association of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),a promoter of angiogenesis,with endothelium dysfunction in preeclampsia.The level of VEGF protein and mRNA in the placenta and peripheral blood samples of 30 preeclampsia patients and 30 normotensive pregnant women was measured by immunohistochemistry,real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),respectively.VEGF expression in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) was blocked by small interfering RNAs(siRNAs).The monolayer barrier function of HUVECs was determined by measuring the fluorescence intensity of BSA that crossed the HUVEC monolayers.The cell proliferation and cell-secreted nitric oxide(NO) level were detected by MTT method and nitrate reductase assay,respectively.The results showed that VEGF was expressed in the syncytiotrophoblasts and endothelial cells of vessels and capillaries in the placenta tissue.The serum level of VEGF in the preeclampsia patients was significantly decreased as compared with that in normal pregnant subjects,although VEGF mRNA expression in the placenta tissue of preeclampsia patients remained still high.Moreover,VEGF deficit could lead to endothelium cell dysfunction,and the administration of VEGF could protect endothelium cells from injury.It was concluded that lack of VEGF contributes to endothelium dysfunction,which may lead to the occurrence and development of preeclampsia.

Expression of Toll-like Receptor 4 in Neonatal Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Preeclampsia

The expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in neonatal cord blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) and serum TNF-α were investigated in order to explore the roles of TLR4 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.The study enrolled 27 patients suffering from preeclampsia (experimental group) and 21 normal pregnancy patients (control group).After MNCs were separated, the expression of TLR4 mRNA and protein was detected by using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting respectively, and the expression of TNF-α by using ELISA.The results showed the TLR4 mRNA level in cord blood MNCs (2-CT:0.07±0.17), TLR4 protein expression level (absorbance ratio:0.81%±0.15%) and TNF-α level (9.5±1.73 pg/mL) were all increased in experimental group as compared with control group with the differences being statistically significant (P【0.05).There was a positive correlation between the expression of TLR4 mRNA and TNF-α in both experimental group and control group (r=0.54 and 0.53, respectively, P【0.05).It was concluded that TLR4 expression in the experimental group of cord blood MNCs was increased and there was a positive correlation between the expression of TLR4 mRNA and TNF-α in both groups.TLR4-mediated release of inflammatory cytokines may be one of the important reasons leading to preeclampsia.

Increased Spot Urinary Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio Can Be a Useful Predictor of Preeclampsia

Objectives: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of preeclampsia is important to help patients with preeclampsia. However, 24-hour urine collection is the gold standard diagnostic method at present. Recently, the spot urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (P/C ratio) has been used to detect suspected preeclampsia, because it can be used to estimate the amount of 24-hour urinary protein. The aim of this study is to investigate whether an increase in P/C ratio precedes emergence of hypertension among inpatients with preeclampsia. Method: The P/C ratio in normotensive (systolic blood pressure < 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg) pregnant women was measured during regular prenatal checkups and in inpatients with preeclampsia between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. Results: We included in this study 4074 normotensive pregnant women. The 95th percentile values for the trimester of pregnancy were 0.100, 0.157, and 0.195, respectively. The 95th percentile value for each trimester of pregnancy and gestational age were determined as criterion (Y) and predictive variables (X), respectively. In a simple regression analysis, the regression line was calculated as Y = 0.0035X + 0.0849 (R2 = 0.9913). Twenty-one women were diagnosed with preeclampsia. In 14 patients with preeclampsia, the timing of the increase in P/C ratio to higher than the regression line preceded the emergence of hypertension. Six patients had no data on P/C ratio, and 1 patient had hypertension before the increase in P/C ratio. Conclusions: An increase in P/C ratio to higher than the 95th percentile value can be a useful predictor of preeclampsia.

Oxidative Stress and Dyslipidemia as Indicators of Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia in Pregnant Sudanese Women

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) still ranks as one of obstetrics major problems and is still a serious threat, mainly in underdeveloped countries where its incidence and mortality rates are higher and is a major cause of preterm birth and intra-uterine growth restriction. Aim: To evaluate the role of oxidative stress and dyslipidemia as indicators of pathogenesis and risks of preeclampsia in pregnant Sudanese women attending Wad-Medani Obstetrics and Gynecology Teaching Hospital. Material and Method: This was a cross-sectional (case-control) study carried out in preeclamptic pregnant Sudanese women attending Wad-Medani Obstetrics and Gynecology Teaching Hospital. A total of 208 pregnant women were enrolled in the study, 111 patients and 97 women with normal pregnancy as controls;pregnant women suffering from any systemic or endocrine disorder were excluded. We compared the serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, nitric oxide, and total antioxidant capacity between preeclamptic and controls. Result and Conclusion: Pregnant women with increase in BMI have a higher chance of developing PE. Low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol define that dyslipidemia increases the risk of PE. Decreased levels of NO and TAC might reflect the oxidative stress and likely contribute to the pathophysiological mechanisms of PE.

Liver stiffness reversibly increases during pregnancy and independently predicts preeclampsia

AIM To study liver stiffness(LS) during pregnancy and its association with complications during pregnancy.METHODS In this observational, diagnostic study, 537 pregnant women were prospectively enrolled at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University hospital Heidelberg and Salem Medical Center. LS was measured using the Fibroscan device(Echosens, Paris) in all women and in 41 cases 24 h after delivery. Clinical and morphological data were recorded and abdominal ultrasound and standard laboratory tests were performed. No complications were observed in 475 women(controls) while preeclampsia and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP) developed in 22 and 40 women, respectively.RESULTS In controls, LS increased significantly from initially 4.5 ± 1.2 kPa in the second trimester to 6.0 ± 2.3 kPa(P < 0.001) in the third trimester. In the third trimester, 41% of women had a LS higher than 6 kPa. Elevated LS in controls was significantly correlated with alkaline phosphatase, leukocytes, gestational age and an increase in body weight and body mass index(BMI). In women with pregnancy complications, LS was significantly higher as compared to controls(P < 0.0001). Moreover, in multivariate analysis, LS was an independent predictor for preeclampsia with an odds ratio of 2.05(1.27-3.31) and a cut-off value of 7.6 kPa. In contrast, ICP could not be predicted by LS. Finally, LS rapidly decreased in all women within 24 h after delivery from 7.2 ± 3.3 kPa down to 4.9 ± 2.2 kPa(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION During pregnancy, LS significantly and reversibly increases in the final trimester of pregnant women without complications. In women with preeclampsia, LS is significantly elevated and an independent noninvasive predictor.

Why does a high-fat diet induce preeclampsia-like symptoms in pregnant rats?

Changes in neurotransmitter levels in the brain play an important role in epilepsy-like attacks after pregnancy-induced preeclampsia-eclampsia. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 participates in the onset of lipid metabolism disorder-induced preeclampsia. Pregnant rats were fed with a high-fat diet for 20 days. Thus, these pregnant rats experienced preeclampsia-like syndromes such as hyper-tension and proteinuria. Simultaneously, metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 mRNA and protein ex-pressions were upregulated in the rat hippocampus. These findings indicate that increased expres-sion of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 promotes the occurrence of high-fat diet-induced pree-clampsia in pregnant rats.

Association between pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain and the risk of preeclampsia:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To analyze the relationship between body mass index(BMI)before pregnancy and gestational weight gain throughout pregnancy with the incidence of preeclampsia.Methods:This was a systematic review-meta analysis of literature collected from three e-databases:Scopus,PubMed,and Science Direct.Quality assessment was measured with the Effective Public Health Practice Project methods.Meta-analysis was done by calculating the fixed and random-effects of odds ratio(OR)for each BMI category and gestational weight gain as compared with the incidence of preeclampsia.Results:Overweight was associated with a significantly increased risk of preeclampsia(OR=2.152,95%CI 1.363-3.400;P=0.001).Obesity was also associated with a noticeably increased risk of preeclampsia(OR=2.856,95%CI 1.755-4.649;P<0.001).Meanwhile,underweight was associated with a significantly reduced risk of preeclampsia(OR=0.639,95%CI 0.500-0.817;P<0.001)when compared with normal BMI.Pregnant women who gained weight below the standard throughout pregnancy was a protective factor from preeclampsia(OR=0.813,95%CI 0.610-1.083;P=0.157)whereas pregnant women who gained weight above the standard had almost doubled risk of preeclampsia(OR=1.850,95%CI 1.377-2.485;P<0.001).Conclusions:The result of this study affirms the role of overweight-obesity pre-pregnancy,and gestational weight gain above the standard during pregnancy as significant risk factors for developing preeclampsia.

Maternal Periodontal Disease and Risk of Preeclampsia:A Meta-analysis

Research on the association between maternal periodontal disease and the risk of pree- clampsia has generated inconsistent results. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the asso- ciation between maternal periodontal disease and the risk of preeclampsia. A literature search of PubMed and Embase was performed to identify relevant papers published before March 2013. Only observational studies that assessed maternal periodontal disease and the risk of preeclampsia were selected. Patients＇ periodontal status was examined at different time points during pregnancy or after delivery （at 14-32 weeks of gestation, within 48 h prior to or within 5 days after delivery）. Pooled odds ratios （ORs） and corresponding 95% confidence intervals （CIs） were calculated for cases and controls. Cases were defined as women with concurrent hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Eleven studies involving 1118 women with preeclampsia and 2798 women without preeclampsia were identified and analyzed. Women with periodontal disease before 32 weeks of ges- tation had a 3.69-fold higher risk of developing preeclampsia than their counterparts without perio- dontal disease （OR=3.69; 95% CI=2.58-5.27）. Periodontal disease within 48 h prior to delivery was associated with a 2.68-fold higher risk of preeclampsia （OR=2.68; 95% CI=1.39-5.18）. Pregnant women with periodontal disease within 5 days after delivery had a 2.22-fold higher risk of pree- clampsia than women without periodontal disease （OR=2.22; 95% CI= 1.16-4.27）. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that maternal periodontal disease is an independent predictor ofpreeclampsia.

Homocysteine in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia with and without IUGR: a comparison with normotensive pregnant women with isolated IUGR and healthy pregnant women

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze homocysteine levels in maternal serum in women with pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and/or IUGR. Patients and methods: The study was carried out on 49 pregnant patients with normotensive pregnancies complicated by intrauterine fetal growth restriction (group IUGR), 31 patients with preeclampsia complicated by IUGR (group PRE-IUGR), and 35 preeclamptic patients with appropriate-for-gestational-age weight fetuses (group PRE). The control group consisted of 47 healthy normotensive pregnant patients with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies and with proper intrauterine fetal growth. Results: We revealed higher levels of maternal serum homocysteine in the group of pregnant patients with isolated fetal intrauterine growth restriction in comparison with the control subjects. The concentrations of homocysteine were also higher in both groups of patients with pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia with and without IUGR. The highest levels of homocysteine were observed in preeclamptic women with appropriate-for-gestational-age fetal growth. The mean values were 9.004 +/– 2.820 umol/L in the IUGR group, 10.815 +/– 3.785 umol/ L in the group PRE, 9.808 +/– 2.543 umol/L in the group PRE-IUGR and 7.639 +/– 2.728 umol/L in the control group. Conclusions: Increased levels of homocysteine are involved in pathogenesis IUGR and preeclampsia and may contribute to endothelial cells activation or dysfunction observed in these pregnancy disorders. Further studies are needed to explain these aspects in order to improve the management and therapeutic strategies for pregnancies complicated by IUGR and/or preeclampsia.