Hypoglycaemia in screening oral glucose tolerance test in pregnancy with low birth weight fetus

Maternal hypoglycemia,a condition characterized by lower than normal blood glucose levels in pregnant women,has been increasingly associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes,including low birth weight(LBW)in neonates.LBW,defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 g,can result from various factors,including maternal nutrition,health status,and metabolic conditions like hypoglycemia.Maternal hypoglycemia may affect fetal growth by altering the supply of essential nutrients and oxygen to the fetus,leading to restricted fetal development and growth.This condition poses significant risks not only during pregnancy but also for the long-term health of the child,increasing the likelihood of developmental delays,health issues,and chronic conditions later in life.Research in this area has focused on understanding the mechanisms through which maternal hypoglycemia influences fetal development,with studies suggesting that alterations in placental blood flow and nutrient transport,as well as direct effects on fetal insulin levels and metabolism,may play a role.Given the potential impact of maternal hypoglycemia on neonatal health outcomes,early detection and management are crucial to minimize risks for LBW and its associated complications.Further investigations are needed to fully elucidate the complex interactions between maternal glucose levels and fetal growth,as well as to develop targeted interventions to support the health of both mother and child.Understanding these relationships is vital for improving prenatal care and outcomes for pregnancies complicated by hypoglycemia.

Analysis on Family History of Diabetes, Weight Gain during Pregnancy and Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index on 82 Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Objective:To investigate the effects of family history of diabetes mellitus,Gestational Weight Gain(GWG)and Body Mass Index(BMI)before pregnancy on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus(GDM).Method:82 pregnant women with GDM who were hospitalized and delivered in the obstetrics department of our hospital from September 2017 to September 2019 were selected as the observation group,and 60 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance test in the same period were selected as the control group;The relationship between family history of diabetes,weight gain during pregnancy and pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and GDM were analyzed.Results:The age,pre-pregnancy weight and weight gain during pregnancy were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05),and the family history of diabetes and pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index were higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05),and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusion:It is suggested that family history of diabetes is related to gestational diabetes mellitus.Excessive GWG growth during pregnancy and high Body Mass Index before pregnancy may increase the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant women.

Analysis of the Effects of Maternal Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Twin Pregnancy

Objective:To investigate the effects of maternal body mass index(BMI)and gestational weight gain on maternal and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies.Methods:Five hundred cases of twin pregnancies were divided into a low body weight group(68 cases),a normal weight group(355 cases),an overweight group(65 cases),and an obesity group(12 cases)according to the World Health Organization(WHO)Body Mass Index(BMI)classification guidelines Results:Comparison of weight gain during different pregnancies revealed that pregnant women were mainly of low weight and average weight.The higher the BMI before pregnancy,the higher the incidence of excessive weight gain during pregnancy.The incidences of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and premature rupture of membranes in women with low weight gain were significantly higher than those in women with average weight gain and high weight gain(P<0.05).The incidences of gestational hypertension,preeclampsia,and anemia in women with high weight gain were significantly higher than those in women with low weight gain and average weight gain(P<0.05).The incidence of neonatal birth weight,fetal distress,and macrosomia in the high weight gain group was significantly higher than those in the low weight gain and average weight gain groups(P<0.05).The birth weight of newborns in low-weight gain mothers was significantly lower than that of normal-weight gain mothers(P<0.05).Conclusion:Poor maternal and infant outcomes were common in women with insufficient or excessive weight gain during pregnancy.Therefore,for women with twin pregnancies,weight management is crucial to ensure maternal and infant health.

The relation between pregnant adolescents’attitude about nutrition and weight gain during pregnancy and hemoglobin level

Purpose: This study is carried out to analyze the relation of weight raise and hemoglobin level during pregnancy of pregnant adolescents to their nutriational attitudes. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study carried out to examine the relationship between nutrition habits vs weight and level of hemoglobin in the 49 pregnant adolescents participants (≤18 years of age) who had applied to pregnant and emergency services in Sammas Vehbi Ekecik Gynecology and Children’s Hospital in the city of Aksaray, Turkey, between February 15 and March 25 2004, and accepted to participate in this study. General information regarding the pregnant adolescents, their knowledge on nutrition and nutritional habits were filled in during face-to-face interviews. These pregnant adolescents were monitored during the months of April, May, June and July and their measurements were taken. Data of the study were analyzed in a computer. Results: When the nutritional knowledge scores of the pregnant adolescents are considered, it was seen that 30 (61.2%) had a good knowledge level, 10 (20.4%) had a knowledge of intermediary level, and 9 (18.3%) had a low or insufficient level of knowledge. As for the nutrition habit scores, 28 of pregnant adolescents (57.1%) had fine, and 21 of them (42.7%) had poor and inadequate levels of nutrition habits. Conclusion: When the relation between the hemoglobin levels measured of the pregnant adolescents’ according to the their nutrition knowledge scores and the distribution of their habits was analysed, it was not found meaningful (p > 0.05).

Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy with Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine Does Not Have Effect on Maternal Hemoglobin at Delivery and Birth Weight in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

Background: The consequences of malaria during pregnancy are different regarding local conditions of malaria transmission. In stable malaria areas, the main complications are maternal anaemia and fetal growth restriction. This study aims to determine if pregnancy-associated malaria is associated with the risk of the above-mentioned complications and to determine if IPTp-sp reduces them in Kisangani. Methods: It is a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in parturients, in 6 medical facilities of Kisangani, from January 1st to September 30th, 2017. At delivery we measured their hemoglobin, we performed the thick blood smear of their peripheral blood and placental apposition;and we weighed their newborns at birth. Results: Risk of anaemia at delivery increased with malaria access during pregnancy (p = 0.0056;OR: 1.4221, 95% CI: 1.0851 - 1.8638) and peripheral parasitaemia at delivery (p = 0.0000;OR: 6.3855, 95% CI: 4.5552 - 8.9512). LBW increased with peripheral parasitaemia at delivery (p = 0.0000;OR: 3.5299, 95% CI: 2.4424 - 5.1015) and placental parasitaemia (p = 0.0000;OR: 18.3247, 95% CI: 12.5141 - 26.8332). IPTp-sp did not have effect on maternal hemoglobin at delivery (p = 0.1546;OR: 0.7553, IC à 95%: 0.4414 - 1.2923) and the birth weight (p = 0.1225;OR: 0.6638, IC à 95%: 0.3375 - 1.3056). Conclusion: In Kisangani, pregnancy-associated malaria is associated with maternal anaemia at delivery and LBW. IPTp-sp does not reduce the risk of these complications. Therefore, studies evaluating IPTp alternatives are required in malaria endemic areas.

Association of hypoglycaemia in screening oral glucose tolerance test in pregnancy with low birth weight fetus

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) is a common metabolic derangement in pregnant women. In the women identified to be at high risk of GDM, a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT) at 24-28 wk gestation is the recommended screening test in the United Kingdom as per National Institute for Health and Care Excellence(NICE). Hypoglycaemia following the glucose load is often encountered and the implication of this finding for the pregnancy, fetus and clinical care is unclear.AIM To determine the prevalence of hypoglycaemia at any time during the screening OGTT and explore its association with birth weight.METHODS All deliveries between 2009 and 2013 at the local maternity unit of the University hospital were reviewed. Of the total number of 24,154 women without preexisting diabetes, those who had an OGTT for GDM screening based on NICE recommended risk stratification, who had a singleton delivery and had complete clinical and demographic data for analysis, were included for this study(n =3537). Blood samples for fasting plasma glucose(FPG), 2-hour plasma glucose(2-h PG) and HbA1 c had been obtained. Birth weight was categorised as low(≤ 2500 g), normal or Macrosomia(≥ 4500 g) and blood glucose ≤ 3.5 mmol/L was used to define hypoglycaemia. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the association of various independent factors with dichotomized variables; the differences between frequencies/proportions by χ~2 test and comparison between group means was by one-way ANOVA.RESULTS Amongst the study cohort(3537 deliveries), 96(2.7%) women had babies with LBW(< 2500 g). Women who delivered a LBW baby had significantly lower FPG(4.3 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P = 0.001). The proportion of women who had a 2-h PG ≤ 3.5 mmol/L in the LBW cohort was significantly higher compared to the cohorts with normal and macrosomic babies(8.3% vs 2.8% vs 4.2%; P = 0.007). The factors which predicted LBW were FPG, Asian ethnicity and 2-h PG ≤ 3.5 mmol/L,whereas maternal age, 2-h PG ≥ 7.8 mmol/L and HbA1c were not significant predictors.CONCLUSION A low FPG and 2-h PG ≤ 3.5 mmol/L on 75-gram OGTT are significantly associated with low birth weight in women identified as high risk for GDM.Women of ethnic backgrounds(Asians) appear to be more susceptible to this increased risk and may serve as a separate cohort in whom we should offer more intensive follow up and screening for complications. Cost implications and resources for follow up would need to be looked at in further detail to support these findings.

Excessive Weight Gain during Pregnancy and Prognosis of Childbirth in Douala (Cameroun)

The objective was to describe the maternofetal outcome of childbirth in women with excessive weight gain during pregnancy. We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study over a period of 03 months in the Obstetrics Department of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala (HLD). Our study population consisted of any pregnant in labor or waiting for a caesarean section. We compared two groups of pregnant women with excessive weight gain during pregnancy (exposed) and those without excessive weight gain during pregnancy (unexposed). We recorded 240 pregnant women who gave birth at the HLD maternity, 59 of whom had excessive weight gain during pregnancy, which gave us a proportion of 24.6%. The only sociodemographic characteristic associated with excessive weight gain during pregnancy was the married marital status of the pregnant women (OR: 2.0 (1.1 - 3.8) P = 0.023). Pregnant women with maternal complications associated with excessive weight gain had an average elevated uterine height of 35.4 (P = 0.007). The increase in caesarean section rate (P = 0.094) and the onset of pregnancy-related hypertension (HTA) showed differences close to significance (P = 0.063). Mean birth weight was higher (P = 0.023) in pregnant women with excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Ultimately, excessive weight gain during pregnancy has deleterious effects on the course of pregnancy and childbirth. It promotes the onset of pregnancy HTA and macrosomia.

Outcome of cesarean delivery in women with excessive weight gain during pregnancy

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of excessive weight gain during pregnancy on the outcome of cesarean delivery. It was a cohort study comparing the outcome of cesarean delivery between 56 pregnant women with excessive weight gain during pregnancy and 75 pregnant women with no excessive weight gain during pregnancy, consecutively recruited at the Yaoundé Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital, Cameroon. In women delivered by cesarean section, excessive weight gain during pregnancy was found to predispose to: time interval from parietal incision to fetal extraction of more than five minutes, duration of cesarean section more than 60 minutes, blood loss more than 1000 ml during surgery, post-operative maternal complications, especially sepsis, fetal weight >3.5 kg and macrosomia. A systematic screening of excessive weight gain should be offered to all pregnant women, so as to prevent the adverse effects of excessive gestational weight gain on cesarean outcome.

Mechanism of the decreased food consumption and weight gain in rats following consumption of aqueous extract of the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa during pregnancy

Objective:To investigate the possible mechanisms of the decreasing fluid and food consumption following Hibiscus sabdariffa(HS) consumption.Methods:On the 1st day of pregnancy,rats were randomly divided into three groups with six animals per each group.One group was given tap water,one was given with extract at 0.6 g/100 mL while the third group was given with extract at 1.8 g/100 mL as their drinking solution.All groups received normal rat chow and drinking solution ad libitum.Fluid& food intake and weight were measured daily throughout pregnancy and Na^+ concentration in plasma was determined on the 18th day of pregnancy.Results:Results showed decreased fluid and food consumption,decreased weight gain and increased sodium ion concentration in plasma of rats with HS extract compared with the control group.Conclusions: Consumption of aqueous extract of the calyx of HS during pregnancy decreases food consumption and weight gain through mechanisms that may depend on Na^+ in HS content and elevating Na^+ concentration.

Gestational Weight Gain in Obese Patients and Adverse Pregnancy Events

Objectives: To examine pre-pregnancy obesity and gestational weight gain as predictors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in a predominantly non-white obstetric resident clinic population. Methods: Prenatal charts for patients with pre-pregnancy obesity cared for at our resident clinic from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010 were reviewed. Adverse maternal outcomes were grouped into a “Composite Morbidity Index” (CMI-M) and included gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, superimposed preeclampsia, dystocia, operative delivery, Cesarean section for arrest disorders, wound infection and disruption, and thromboembolic events. Fetal events, similarly categorized into a composite adverse fetal index (CMI-F), included macrosomia, Apgar at 5 minutes (≤3), NICU admission, congenital anomalies and intrauterine fetal demise. Results: 627 women with a singleton pregnancy and a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of 30 and greater were included in the analysis. As measured by the composite morbidity index, women with Class III obesity at their first prenatal visit were more likely to have at least one or more maternal and fetal complications compared to women with Class II or Class I obesity. For adverse maternal outcomes (CMI-M), 40.2%, 33.8%, and 27.4% of women within each respective obesity class experienced an adverse event (p = 0.027). Applying the CMI-F, fetal complications were observed in 28.2%, 18%, and 13.9% of Class III, II, and I obesity (p = 0.003). Total gestational weight gain per week was significantly greater for patients with one or more maternal complications (p = 0.045). Conclusion: Among an obese, resident clinic population comprised primarily of women of ethnic minorities, pre-pregnancy body mass index was the strongest indicator for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

Effect of low molecular weight heparin therapy on maternal endothelial injury and placental pathological injury after hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy

Objective: To study the effect of low molecular weight heparin therapy on maternal endothelial injury and placental pathological injury after hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy. Methods: A total of 70 patients with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy who were treated in the hospital between September 2014 and May 2016 were divided into control group and observation group according to the random number table method, 35 cases in each group. Control group received conventional therapy, the observation group received low molecular weight heparin combined with conventional therapy, and both therapies lasted until delivery. The differences in the levels of endothelial injury indexes in serum as well as the expression of oxidative stress indexes and apoptosis molecules in the placental grinding fluid were compared between the two groups of patients. Results: After treatment, serum ET and VCAM-1 levels of both groups of patients were lower than those before treatment while NO and PGE levels were higher than those before treatment, and serum ET and VCAM-1 levels of observation group were lower than those of control group while NO and PGE levels were higher than those of control group;after delivery, AOPP and MDA levels in placental grinding fluid were significantly lower than those of control group while SOD and GSH-Px levels were higher than those of control group;Fas, p53 and caspase-3 mRNA expression in placental grinding fluid were lower than those of control group while Bcl-2 and bax mRNA expression were higher than those of control group. Conclusion: Adjuvant low molecular weight heparin therapy can help to reduce the maternal endothelial injury, reduce the systemic oxidative stress and suppress the placental cell apoptosis in patients with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy.

Independent and combined association of parity and short pregnancy with obesity and weight change among Indian women

Objective: To investigate association of parity and short pregnancy with obesity and weight change in Aggarwal Baniya women. Method: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out on a representative sample of 307 adult Aggarwal Baniya women aged 30 - 50 years (mean age: 38.7 ± 4.87) using multistage cluster sampling method. Weight, height, various skinfold thicknesses, waist and hip circumference were measured using standardized protocol. Various indices of obesity (BMI, WHR, WHtR, GMT) were calculated subsequently. Comparison groups were defined by the number of births (parity), short pregnancies and total pregnancies. Mean change in weight and other obesity markers were examined for each group separately. Correlation analysis was applied to see the association of childbearing on obesity. Linear regression was applied as an effective measure. Results: There was a gain in weight (3.16 kg) and increase in other obesity markers (BMI: 1.29 kg/m2;WC: 2.38 cm;HC: 3.83 cm) with each increase in each parity. Significant and positive correlation (p 2). Conclusion: Among other risk factors, high parity number may be associated with obesity in women. Therefore, interventions to prevent obesity should be targeted at women prior to initiation of childbearing. However, the impact of reproductive wastage in the form of short pregnancies on women’s obesity needs further exploration.

Risk of high gestational weight gain on adverse pregnancy outcomes

Background/Aims: Excessive gestational weight gain was known to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. It increased the complications during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum period. Nevertheless, there are studies reporting the incompliance of pregnant women with recommendations of weight gain. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of high gestational weight gain and to identify the increased adverse pregnancy outcomes in these women. Methods: This was a cross sectional study. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital electronic database of Lampang Regional Hospital (LPH) along with manual retrieval from medical charts and labor records. Data of all pregnant women who delivered at labor room of LPH were collected from 1st February 2011 to 31st August 2012. After preterm and multifetal pregnancies were excluded, 4747 cases were brought to the study. This study used the new weight gain recommendation from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council to classify pregnant women by pre-pregnancy body mass index. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The proportions of pregnant women with different level of weight gain were 28.4%, 38.5% and 33.1% for low, normal and high weight gain. After multivariate analysis was done to control the confounders, women with high weight gain were significantly correlated with having preeclampsia, higher birth weight group, cesarean section and long neonatal length with relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 4.84 (2.31 - 10.16), 3.94 (3.24 - 4.79), 2.12 (1.82 - 2.47) and 2.33 (1.90 - 2.86). Conclusions: There were more than half of pregnant women that were prone to have inappropriate weight gain. Many complications from high weight gain that have been reported from aboard also occurred in Thai pregnant women. This should alert corresponding health institute to establish a new guideline to avoid high gestational weight gain.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with high pre-pregnancy body mass index

Background/Aims: Obesity along with high prepregnancy body mass index (PP-BMI) is known to cause many adverse pregnancy outcomes. In Thailand, there is not much study showing both the prevalence and complications of these conditions. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of prepregnancy overweight and obesity and their impacts on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital electronic database along with manual retrieval from medical charts and labor records. Data of all delivery women from 1st February 2011 to 31st August 2012 were collected. When excluded cases with incomplete data and those without PP-BMI, 5420 cases were into analysis. Descriptive and inferential data analyses were used with both univariate and multivariate methods. Results: The proportion of pregnant women with overweight and obesity were 11.1% and 3.9%. After multiple logistic regression analysis was done, women in obesity group were correlated with having 1, 2 and 3 complications. They were also correlated with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean section, higher birth weight group and long neonatal length. Conclusions: This Thai prevalence of obesity in pregnancyshould alarm health care providers to be more prepared, for a future health problem of the country. Many complications that come with obese pregnant women that were reported in western countries also happen in Thai population. Decreasing body weight before conception, giving correct health education, well planned pregnancy;antenatal lifestyle intervention and even gestational weight gain restricttion could help avoiding these uneventful morbidities.

THE EFFECTS OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION TO CHINESE RURAL PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR PREGNANCY OUTCOME

Objective: TO assess the effects of zinc supplementation to Chinese rural pregnant with cereal-based diet and their pregnancy outcome. Methods A total of 156 women were given randomly in double blind 5mg/d (group A, GPA, n=37),10mg/d (group B, GPB, n=40), 30mg (group C, GpC, n = 39) Of zinc supplement or placebo (group D, GpD, n = 40 ) starting from, the first visit at the prenatal clinic (average 9-week gestation ) till the delivery. Results Mean dietary zinc intake of these women was about 10mg/d, and more than 65% of dietary zinc were taken from cereals, grains and vegetables. Serum zinc concentrations at 25-and 32-gestation in GpC and in the umbilical cord blood of their babies at birth significantly increased. Infants in GpC had a significantly heavier birth weight (283. 079, P = 0. 016 ) and larger head circumference(0. 63cm, P = 0. 035) than infants in GpD. The incidence of low birth weight, preterm and intrauterine growth retardation infants was significantly reduced in GpC. As compared to GpD (38. 34 ± 1. 34 weeks), the duration of gestation in GpD(39. 12± 1. 11 weeks) was prolonged (P= 0. 032). Serum zinc concentration at 25-weeks gestation was negatively correlated with duration of gestation (P = 0. 009 ). Apgar score of the infants in GpC was significantly higher than that in GpD, and serum zinc concentration at 32-weeks gestation was positively associated with infant Apgar score (P = 0. 015 ). Conclusion Zinc supplementation in 30mg/d to Chinese rural women during pregnancy could significantly improve their pregnancy outcome. Both 5mg/d and 10mg/d of zinc supplementation had no detected benefits to them.

Association of gestational anemia with pregnancy conditions and outcomes: A nested case-control study

BACKGROUND Gestational anemia is a serious public health problem that affects pregnant women worldwide.Pregnancy conditions and outcomes might be associated with the presence of gestational anemia.This study investigated the association of pregnancy characteristics with anemia,exploring the potential etiology of the disease.AIM To assess the association of pregnancy parameters with gestational anemia.METHODS A nested case-control study was conducted based on the Chinese Pregnant Women Cohort Study-Peking Union Medical College Project(CPWCS-PUMC).A total of 3172 women were included.Patient characteristics and gestational anemia occurrence were extracted,and univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the association of pregnancy parameters with gestational anemia.RESULTS Among the 3172 women,14.0% were anemic,46.4% were 25-30 years of age,21.9%resided in eastern,15.7%in middle,12.4%in western 18.0% in southern and 32.0%in northern regions of China.Most women(65.0%)had a normal prepregnancy body mass index.Multivariable analysis found that the occurrence of gestational anemia was lower in the middle and western regions than that in the eastern region[odds ratio(OR)=0.406,95%confidence interval(CI):0.309-0.533,P<0.001],higher in the northern than in the southern region(OR=7.169,95% CI:5.139-10.003,P<0.001),lower in full-term than in premature births(OR=0.491,95% CI:0.316-0.763,P=0.002),and higher in cases with premature membrane rupture(OR=1.404,95% CI:1.051-1.876,P=0.02).CONCLUSION Gestational anemia continues to be a health problem in China,and geographical factors may contribute to the situation.Premature birth and premature membrane rupture may be associated with gestational anemia.Therefore,we should vigorously promote local policy reformation to adapt to the demographic characteristics of at-risk pregnant women,which would potentially reduce the occurrence of gestational anemia.

Early Life Obesity and Diabetes: Origins in Pregnancy

The gestational period represent a critical time for influencing birth weight, infant adiposity and growth rate, all of which are important factors in the development of obesity and diabetes in adolescence and adulthood. Prior to pregnancy, the nutritional status and weight of a mother also has significant influence on these factors. During gestation, numerous maternal factors can have a negative influence on programming of the long-term health of the offspring. Rate of maternal weight gain, glucose intolerance, gestational diabetes and pre-pregnancy BMI all have significant influence on infant size and adiposity at birth. Additionally, these factors are related to the development obesity and its co-morbidities in adolescence and adulthood. Given the rates of obesity and associated health care costs, it is very timely to understand possible fetal origins of obesity and diabetes to help shape interventions.

Birth outcomes and pregnancy complications of women with uterine leiomyoma—a population-based case-control study

Objective Uterine leiomyoma is not a rare pathological condition in pregnant women;thus the aim of the study was to evaluate the recent progress in the treatment of these pregnant women on the basis of the association of leiomyoma in pregnancy (LP) with pregnancy complications and birth outcomes including structural birth defects, i.e. congenital abnormalities (CA) in the offspring. Design Cases with CA and matched controls without CA in the population-based Hungarian Case-Control Surveillan- ce System of Congenital Abnormalities (HCC SCA) were evaluated. Only women with prospectively and medically recorded LP in prenatal maternity logbook and medically recorded birth outcomes (gestational age, birth weight, CA) were included to the study. Setting the HCCSCA, 1980-1996 contained 22,843 cases with CA and 38,151 matched controls without CA. Population Hungarian pregnant women and their informative offspring: live births, stillbirths and prenatally diagnosed malformed fetuses. Methods Comparison of birth outcomes of ca- ses with matched controls and pregnancy com- plications of pregnant women with or without LP. Main outcome measures Pregnancy complications, mean gestational age at delivery and birth weight, rate of preterm birth, low birthweight, CA. Results A total of 34 (0.15%) cases had mothers with LP compared to 71 (0.19%) controls. There was a higher incidence of threatened abortion, placental disorders, mainly abruption placentae and anaemia in mothers with LP. There was no significantly higher rate of preterm birth in the newborns of women with LP but their mean birth weight was higher and it associated with a higher rate of large birthweight newborns. A higher risk of total CA was not found in cases born to mothers with LP (adjusted OR with 95% CI = 0.7, 0.5-1.1), the spe- cified groups of CAs were also assessed versus controls, but a higher occurrence of women with LP was not revealed in any CA group. Con- clusions Women with LP have a higher risk of threatened abortion, placental disorders and anaemia, but a higher rate of adverse birth outcomes including CAs was not found in their offspring.

Exploring the Relationship between Obstetrical Nurses’ Work and Pregnancy Outcomes

The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario Healthy Work Environments Best Practice Guideline recommends that employers promote safe, healthy workplaces. Healthy workplaces include addressing the unique needs of nurses who work while pregnant. The purpose of this descriptive study, summarizing information from 120 pregnancies reported by 95 nurses, was to determine if the workload of obstetrical nurses was associated with negative pregnancy outcomes, including preterm delivery and birth weight. Full-time obstetrical nursing work is a predictor of reduced birth weight, but not of preterm birth when compared to outcomes of obstetrical nurses working part time. One third of nurses reported pregnancy complications and most nurses experienced work-related and personal stress. Further research evaluating work modifications during pregnancy is indicated to improve birth outcomes.

Influence of nutritional care during pregnancy on weight control and maternal and infant outcomes in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension

Background Preeclampsia is a common disease in pregnant women,characterized by clinical manifestations such as hypertension and proteinuria,which not only seriously affect the safety of pregnant women,but also jeopardize the safety of the fetus,threatening maternal and infant safety.Currently,in addition to routine hypoglycemic and antihypertensive treatments,auxiliary treatment methods such as exercise and diet are gradually gaining clinical recognition.Therefore,this study aimed to observe the effects of comprehensive nutrition care during pregnancy on weight control during pregnancy and maternal and infant outcomes in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome.Methods A total of 100 cases of preeclampsia patients in our hospital from August 2021 to May 2022 were selected and randomly divided into a nutrition group and a conventional group,with 50 cases in each group.The conventional group received routine care,while the nutrition group received additional comprehensive nutrition care during pregnancy based on routine care.The weight control and blood pressure control during pregnancy and maternal and infant outcomes of the two groups were observed.Results The weight control during pregnancy in the nutrition group was significantly better than that in the conventional group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05),but both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both groups were lower after intervention,with the nutrition group significantly lower than the conventional group(P<0.05).The incidence of neonatal asphyxia,placental abruption,postpartum hemorrhage,and cesarean section in the nutrition group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group(P<0.05).Conclusions Comprehensive nutrition care during pregnancy can effectively control weight and blood pressure levels in patients with preeclampsia,and improve maternal and infant outcomes.[S Chin J Cardiol 2024;25(3):156-161]