Maternal Vascular Dysfunction in Congenital Heart Defects

Background:Research on fetal congenital heart defect(CHD)mostly focuses on etiology and mechanisms.However,studies on maternal complications or pathophysiology are limited.Our objective was to determine whether vascular dysfunction exists in pregnant women carrying a fetus with congenital heart defects.Methods:We conducted a case-control study.27 cases of pregnant women carrying a fetus with major CHD admitted to our hospital for delivery between April 2021 and August 2022 were selected.Every case was matched with about 2 pregnant complication-free controls without fetal abnormalities.The proangiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors and pregnancy outcomes were compared.Results:The proangiogenic factors include vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and placental growth factor(PlGF).The anti-angiogenic factors involve soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFlt-1)and soluble endoglin(sEng).No differences were found in maternal plasma concentrations of PlGF,VEGF,and sFlt-1 between case-control groups when analyzed at 36 weeks≤gestational age(GA)<39 weeks and 39 weeks≤GA≤41 weeks.The concentrations of sEng in maternal plasma in the fetal CHD group were significantly higher than those in the control group:0.60(0.77)vs.0.32(0.26)ng/ml at 36 weeks≤GA<39 weeks,p=0.001 and 0.75(0.55)vs.0.28(0.27)ng/ml at 39 weeks≤GA≤41 weeks,p<0.001.Conclusion:Vascular dysfunction exists in pregnant women with fetal congenital heart defects,manifesting significantly elevated sEng concentration at delivery.

Relationship of lupus nephritis and pregnancy:A narrative review

Pregnancy in women with lupus,particularly those with lupus nephritis(LN),carries an increased risk of adverse outcomes.Women with active LN at the time of conception are at a high risk of poor maternal and fetal outcomes.Recent studies indicate that even in the presence of quiescent disease,factors such as hypertension and positive lupus anticoagulant are predictors of worse pregnancy outcomes.Consequently,pre-conception evaluation is essential to ensure that pursuing pregnancy is safe and timely,and to facilitate proper planning for optimizing medical regimens,discontinuing teratogenic agents,and treating active disease.Additionally,pre-existing LN is associated with higher rates of preeclampsia and hemolysis,elevated liver enzymes,and low platelet count syndrome.Women with lupus and prior LN can have successful pregnancies,but a multidisciplinary approach with close monitoring is essential for optimal outcomes.By systematically reviewing the available evidence,this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive update on the complex interaction between LN and pregnancy,offering insights to guide clinical practice and future research in this field.

Clinical implication of platelet to lymphocyte ratio in early onset preeclampsia:A single-center experience

BACKGROUND Preeclampsia(PE)is a pregnancy syndrome of undetermined etiology;inflammation was one of the proposed theories for its development.AIM To examine the platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),an inflammatory biomarker,as a marker to predict poor maternal-neonatal outcomes in early-onset PE(EoPE).METHODS A cross-sectional study enrolled 60 pregnant women with EoPE(at 32-30 wk of gestation)at a university hospital.Demographic criteria and hematological indices were collected,including platelet counts and indices(mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width),PLR,and the Doppler study,which calculated estimated fetal weight(EFW),amniotic fluid index(AFI),resistance index(RI),and pulsatility index(PI).Participants were followed until delivery,where maternal outcomes were recorded,including;delivery mode and reason for cesarean section,and neonatal outcomes,including fetal growth restriction(FGR),meconium-stained liquid,the 5-min Apgar score,and admission to the intensive care unit.RESULTS There was a trend of insignificant increases in cesarean sections.Sixty-one-point two percent(37/60)fetuses were admitted to the neonatal care unit;70.0%of admitted fetuses were meconium-stained liquor,and 56.7%of them had FGR.PLR was positively correlated with AFI and EFW as r=0.98,0.97,P<0.001;PLR showed negative correlations with PI and RI as r=-0.99,-0.98,P<0.001.The Apgar score and the number of days admitted to the intensive care unit had a positive and negative correlation(0.69,-0.98),P<0.0001,respectively.Receiver operating characteristic calculated a PLR cutoff value(7.49)that distinguished FGR at 100%sensitivity and 80%specificity.CONCLUSION Strong,meaningful relationships between PLR and FGR parameters and a poor neonatal outcome with a significant P value make it a recommendable biomarker for screening EoPE-related complications.Further studies are suggested to see the impact on maternal-neonatal health.

Late Intrauterine Foetal Death in a Tertiary Centre of Bangladesh

Background: Late intrauterine foetal death (IUFD > 28 weeks) is a tragedy to mothers and family members. The first step to reduce IUFD is to obtain an accurate and detailed data for IUFD. The present study was done to identify the probable causes of foetal death and determine the risk of recurrence, prevention or corrective action. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital during a period of one year in Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical college, from January to December 2018, on all admitted pregnant women with intrauterine foetal death (>28 weeks). Detailed history, clinical examination, associated conditions, mode of delivery, foetal conditions, placenta, condition of cord and investigation reports were analyzed. Results: A total of 188 IUFD were reported amongst 8013 deliveries with its incidence 23.46/1000 live birth and recurrence rate 8.5%. Maximum (89.89%) occurred in antepartum period. Mean maternal age 26.03 years. 59% unbooked cases, 48.93% belonging to lower class family and maximum (59%) from slum and rural area. Most of the cases were Multigravidas (59.6%) and preterm (52.7%) gestation. Regarding causes of IUFD hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (45.2%) were commonest, followed by unexplained 24.5%, diabetes Mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus (23.9%), anaemia 20.7%, hypothyroidism 11.2%, oligohydramnios 11.2%, maternal infection 9.6%, antepartum haemorrhage 8.5%, malpresentation 7.44%, intrauterine growth retardation 4.8%, fetal congenital anomalies 4.8% & cord accident 4.3%. Maternal complications occurred 14.9% cases. Those were postpartum haemorrhage 11.2%, sepsis 2.6%, acute renal failure 0.53% and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) 0.53%. Most of the patients (86.2%) delivered vaginally. Maximum number of IUFD was seen in birth weight between 1 - 1.5 kg (31.4%), followed by 2 - 2.5 kg (21.8%). Conclusions: HDP, GDM and anaemia were major causes of IUFD. Most of the causes of IUFD may have been preventable by pre-conceptional councelling, regular antenatal checkup, proper screening, early diagnosis and treatment. Large number IUFD remained unexplained. So, to unravel the complex pathophysiology of IUFD further study is needed.

Pregnancy and Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease:A Clinical Update

The intricate relationship between metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)and maternal complications has rapidly become a significant health threat in pregnant women.The presence of MAFLD in pregnancy increases the maternal risk of metabolic complications and comorbidities for both mother and baby.The preexistence or development of MAFLD in pregnancy is a complex multifactorial disorder that can lead to further complications for mother and baby.Therefore,as pregnant women are severely underrepresented in clinical research,there is a great need for a fair inclusion of this group in clinical trials.This review aims to explore the effects of MAFLD during pregnancy in the context of maternal complications and outcomes and explore the effects of pregnancy on the development and progression of MAFLD within the context of maternal obesity,altered metabolic profiles,gestational diabetes and altered hormonal profiles.We also addressed potential implications for the presence of MAFLD during pregnancy and its management in the clinical setting.

Pregnancy outcomes in papillary thyroid cancer survivors:A retrospective cohort study

Objective:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes among papillary thyroid cancer survivors.Methods:65 cases singleton gravidas of papillary thyroid cancer survivors treated in the Department of Obstetrics,Peking University People's Hospital between January 2011 and January 2020 were selected retrospectively as the study group,and 130 cases of singleton pregnancy during the same time were randomly selected as the control group.The differences in general conditions,maternal and fetal complications between the two groups were analyzed.Risk factors of maternal complications and fetal malformation in patients with papillary thyroid cancer survivors were analyzed.Data was analyzed with t-test,χ^(2)test and logistic regression for statistical differences.Results:Totally 65 cases of papillary thyroid cancer with 70 pregnancies were analyzed,which including 65 cases achieved live birth,5 cases underwent induced labor because of fetal malformation.The study group showed higher incidence in gestational diabetes(20%vs 10%),cesarean section(39.1%vs 24.6%),postpartum hemorrhage(350
193 ml vs 290
181 ml)and fetal malformation(5.7%vs 1.5%),and lower live birth rate(91.4%vs 99.2%)(P<0.05).Multivariate analysis by logistic regression found that the patient's age,thyroid function,operation mode and postoperative I-131 treatment were not the risk factors which may affect the pregnancy outcomes or fetal malformation.Conclusion:Elevated maternal and fetal complications were observed among pregnancies in papillary thyroid cancer survivors.Management of these survivors may require a careful gestation monitoring,and further investigation is needed.