Transient Elastography to Assess the Cervical Ripening during Pregnancy: A Preliminary Study.

Purpose To explore the feasibility of transient elastography (TE) to quantify cervical stiffness changes during normal pregnancy and its spatial variability. Materials and Methods TE was used to quantify the cervical stiffness in four anatomical regions. 42 women between 17 and 43 years of age and at 6 - 41 weeks of gestation were studied. The stiffness was related to gestational age at the time of examination, interval from ultrasound examination to delivery and cervical length to evaluate the potential of TE to assess cervical ripening. In addition, a sensitivity analysis based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient was carried out to assess the concordance between inter/intra-operator measurements. Results There were significant correlations between cervical stiffness measured in the four regions with gestational age and the remaining time for delivery. Results confirm stiffness variability within the cervix. No significant association was found between cervical length and stiffness in the four ROIs. Associations between gestational age and remaining time for delivery with cervical length present weaker correlations than with cervical stiffness. The external part of the cervix was significantly softer than the internal one, and these stiffness values vary significantly in the anterior compared to the posterior cervix. The measurements taken by the same and by two different observers for different regions in the cervix were reliable and reproducible. Conclusion It is feasible to objectively quantify the decrease of cervical stiffness correlated to gestational age. Transient elastography is a valuable promising tool to provide additional information on the process of cervical effacement to that obtained from digital examination and conventional ultrasound. Further studies are needed to assess the feasibility of the technique in obstetric clinical applications, such as prediction of preterm birth or success in labor induction.

Maternal, fetal and perinatal alterations associated with obesity, overweight and gestational diabetes: an observational cohort study (PREOBE).

BACKGROUND: Maternal overweight, obesity, and gestational diabetes (GD) have been negatively associated with offspring development. Further knowledge regarding metabolic and nutritional alterations in these mother and their offspring are warranted. METHODS: In an observational cohort study we included 331 pregnant women from Granada, Spain. The mothers were categorized into four groups according to BMI and their GD status; overweight (n:56), obese (n:64), GD (n:79), and healthy normal weight controls (n:132). We assessed maternal growth and nutritional biomarkers at 24 weeks (n = 269), 34 weeks (n = 310) and at delivery (n = 310) and the perinatal characteristics including cord blood biomarkers. RESULTS: Obese and GD mothers had significantly lower weight gain during pregnancy and infant birth weight, waist circumference, and placental weight were higher in the obese group, including a significantly increased prevalence of macrosomia. Except for differences in markers of glucose metabolism (glucose, HbA1c, insulin and uric acid) we found at some measures that overweight and/or obese mothers had lower levels of transferrin saturation, hemoglobin, Vitamin B12 and folate and higher levels of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ferritin, and cortisol. GD mothers had similar differences in hemoglobin and C-reactive protein but higher levels of folate. The latter was seen also in cord blood. CONCLUSIONS: We identified several metabolic alterations in overweight, obese and GD mothers compared to controls. Together with the observed differences in infant anthropometrics, these may be important biomarkers in future research regarding the programming of health and disease in children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov, identifier ( NCT01634464 ).

Maternal PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism is associated with infant's neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of age.

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand activated transcription factors with crucial functions in lipid homeostasis, glucose metabolism, anti-inflammatory processes, placental development, and are involved in cognitive functions and neurodegenerative diseases. Polymorphisms in PPAR genes are shown to influence the activity of these receptors. AIMS: 1) To examine the association of PPARG Pro12Ala polymorphism in pregnant women and their offspring on infant's neurodevelopmental outcomes during the first 18 months of life; 2) to determine the influence of Pro12Ala polymorphism on fatty acid concentrations in plasma phospholipids and placental tissue. STUDY DESIGN: 138 mother-infant pairs from the PREOBE observational study were genotyped for PPARG Pro12Ala. Plasma phospholipids and placental fatty acid concentrations were measured at delivery. Infants' neuropsychological assessment at 6 and 18 months of age was performed using Bayley III. RESULTS: The effect of Pro12Ala on infant's neurodevelopmental outcomes was detected at 18 months, but not at 6 months of age. 18 months old infants born to mothers with wild-type Pro12 genotype had better cognitive (OR=5.11, 95% CI: 1.379-18.96, p=0.015), language (OR=3.41, 95% CI: 1.35-11.24, p=0.044), and motor development scores (OR=4.77, 95% CI: 1.243-18.33, p=0.023) than the Ala allele carriers. Pro12Ala variants did not seem to affect fatty acids concentrations in blood nor in placenta at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Infants born to mothers with Pro12 genotype have better neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of age than Ala allele carriers, indicating a long-term transplacental action of PPARγ variants on foetal brain development.

Effects of obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus on placental phospholipids.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse effects in the offspring. The composition of placental glycerophospholipids (GPL) is known to be altered in GDM and might reflect an aberrant fatty acid transfer across the placenta and thus affect the foetal body composition. The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of obesity and GDM, respectively, on placental GPL species composition. We investigated molecular species of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in term placentas from controls (lean non-diabetic, body-mass-index [BMI] 18-24.9k g/m(2), n=31), obese non-diabetics (BMI ≥30 kg/m(2), n=17) and lean diabetics (n=15), using liquid chromatography - triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. PE(16:0/22:6) and PE(18:0/20:4) were increased in GDM and decreased species were PC(18:0/20:3), PC(18:1/20:3) and PS(18:0/18:2). A consistent difference between BMI related changes and changes caused by GDM was not observed. Arachidonic acid percentages of cord blood correlated with placental PC(16:0/20:4), whereas foetal docosahexaenoic acid correlated to placental PE species. Furthermore, a positive correlation of placental weight was found to levels of PE containing arachidonic acid. We demonstrated that obesity and GDM are associated with decreased dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid and increased arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid contents of placental GPL, with unknown consequences for the foetus. PC(16:0/20:4) was identified as the major component for the supply of arachidonic acid to the foetal circulation, whereas PE containing arachidonic acid was found to be associated to the placental and infant growth.

A new approach to oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling during labour in healthy mothers and neonates.

The objective of the current study was to investigate for the first time and simultaneously the oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling induced during the delivery in healthy mothers and their neonates. 56 mothers with normal gestational course and spontaneous delivery were selected. Blood samples were taken from mother (before and after delivery) both from vein and artery of umbilical cord. Lower antioxidant enzymes activities were observed in neonates compared with their mothers and lower oxidative stress in umbilical cord artery with respect to vein. There was an overexpression of inflammatory cytokines in the mother, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, and, in addition, PGE2 was also increased. Neonates showed lower levels of IL-6 and TNF-α and higher values of sTNF-RII and PGE2 in comparison with their mothers. Parturition increases oxidative damage in the mother, although the indicators of oxidative damage were lower in umbilical cord artery with respect to umbilical vein. The overexpression of inflammatory cytokines reveals that fetus suffers its own inflammatory process during parturition.

Umbilical cord serum lipids between early and late clamping in full-term newborns. A systematic assignment treatment group.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to determine any relationship between the timing of clamping of the umbilical cord and the lipid levels circulating in umbilical artery and vein. METHODS: We studied a clinical trial with systematic assignment in 229 single-fetus full-term deliveries with normal gestational course and spontaneous delivery; out of these, 111 were subjected to early clamping (EC, within 10 s of delivery) and 118 to late clamping (LC, at 2 min). In all cases, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and phospholipids were measured in sera from umbilical artery and vein. RESULTS: TC and TG values were significantly higher in the EC group than in the LC group in both umbilical artery and vein. Comparing values between umbilical artery and vein in the two clamping groups, in the EC group, all studied lipids TC, TG and phospholipids were significantly higher in vein than in artery. In the LC group, only TC was higher in vein. CONCLUSION: Umbilical cord lipid levels are related to the timing of umbilical cord clamping, finding which is noteworthy, because they are essential component of postnatal development. Our study confirms that delivery acts as an important modifier of fetal lipid levels.

The timing of cord clamping and oxidative stress in term newborns.

BACKGROUND: Clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord is the most prevalent of all operations, but the optimal timing of cord clamping is controversial, with different timings offering advantages and disadvantages. This study, for the first time, compares the influence of early and late cord clamping in correlation with oxidative stress and inflammation signaling, Because cord clamping timing may have a significant influence on placenta-to-infant blood transfer, thereby modifying oxygenation of maternal and fetal tissues, and on the transfer of inflammatory mediators throughout the placenta. METHODS: Sixty-four pregnant subjects were selected at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Services Department of the Clinico San Cecilio Hospital, Granada, Spain, based on disease-free women who experienced a normal course of pregnancy and a spontaneous, vaginal, single delivery. Half of the subjects had deliveries with early-clamped newborn infants (at 10 s), and the other half had late-clamped deliveries (at 2 min). RESULTS: Erythrocyte catalase activity was significantly greater in the late-clamped group than in the early-clamped group (P < .01 for the umbilical vein and P < .001 for the artery). The values for superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant status, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II were all significantly higher in the late-clamped group compared with the early-clamped group (P < .01, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a beneficial effect of late cord clamping, produced by an increase in antioxidant capacity and moderation of the inflammatory-mediated effects induced during delivery of term neonates.

Spanish consensus on sexual health in men and women over 50.

Sexual health has been defined as "the state of physical, emotional and social wellbeing related to sexuality. However, there are medical, psychological and social reasons that complicate full sexual health that are frequently not attended to sufficiently. The objective of this guide will be to analyze the factors that impact the sexual health of men and women over 50 and to provide recommendations for the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures for this age group. A panel of experts from various Spanish scientific societies related to sexual health (Spanish Menopause Society, SMS; Asociación Española de Andrología, Medicina Sexual y Reproductiva, ASESA; Federación Española de Sociedades de Sexología, FESS; and Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria SEMERGEN) met to reach a consensus on these issues and to decide the optimal timing and methods based on the best evidence available.

Analysis of measurement process of placental volume in early pregnancy: an interobserver reliability study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine concordance among results obtained in measurement process of first-trimester placental volume using 3D ultrasound and eXtended Imaging Virtual Organ Computed-aided AnaLysis (XI-VOCAL®, 3DXITM, Medison, Seoul, Korea) image analysis by three different operators. METHODS: Twenty first-trimester normal pregnancy cases were selected for placental volume measuring using a Medison SA 8000 Live Prime® (Medison, Seoul, Korea) with a convex volumetric multifrequency abdominal probe. Images were processed and studied independently by three operators with different grade of training. Each operator obtained 50 slices per case. Thus, this study is based on 1000 measurements that have generated four different sets of placental volume determinations based on 5, 10, 15, and 20 slices, respectively. Results of measurement process were analyzed using reliability coefficients. RESULTS: There was a good degree of concordance in the placental length values obtained by all operators and not depend from the number of cuts measured [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)=0.734]. However, the number of cuts is important to obtain a placental volume with more accuracy. Reliability coefficients were low when determining placental volume adjusted to placental length (ICC=0.293), but combined results of the two operators that were trained in the same way showed higher coefficients of reliability (ICC=0.682), and therefore, greater concordance when comparing with the operator that was not trained in the same way. CONCLUSION: Higher coefficients of reliability guarantee high grades of concordance in the results among operators when measuring placental volumes independently, however, contouring process introduces high variability. Training in how to best use the image analysis software effectively assists in getting higher coefficients of reliability.

Early embryonic morphology sonographically assessed and its correlation with yolk sac in missed abortion.

PURPOSE: To provide additional information about embryo morphology sonographic assessment and its correlation with yolk sac. METHODS: A systematic study in 200 consecutive cases of missed abortion <10 weeks diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound. RESULTS: In 104 gestations of embryos with morphological abnormalities, 88 (84.6 %) were at least 1 week smaller than expected for gestational age and 16 (15.4 %) were the expected size. From 32 normal morphologic embryos, 7 (21.9 %) were at least 1 week smaller than expected for gestational age, and 25 (78.1 %) were the expected size (p < 0.005). Normal morphologic embryos are linked more frequently with normal yolk sac (62.5 %). Findings in anembryonic gestations (GD1) included an absent yolk sac (46.9 %) and a cystic yolk sac (25 %). Likewise, findings in GD2-3 embryos included more frequently a cystic yolk sac (42.9 %) and an absent yolk sac (32.5 %). GD4 embryos are associated with an echogenic yolk sac (40 %), a relatively small-hypoplastic- (40 %) and a relatively large-cystic- (20 %). In DI embryos, yolk sac appears cystic (62.5 %) or echogenic (37.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: Our study proves the correlation between morphology of conceptuses and yolk sac appearance in cases of missed abortion.

Umbilical cord blood acid-base and gas analysis after early versus delayed cord clamping in neonates at term.

OBJECTIVE: To compare umbilical cord acid-base status and blood gas analysis between umbilical cords clamped within 10 s and at 2 min of delivery. METHODS: A total of 158 healthy full-term mothers were randomly assigned to an early clamping (<10 s post-delivery, n = 79) or delayed clamping (2 min post-delivery, n = 79) group. After application of inclusion criteria, umbilical vein blood acid-base status and gases were analyzed in 65 early clamped and 51 delayed clamped cords. Fewer cases could be examined in the umbilical artery: 55 cords in the early clamping group and 44 in the delayed one. RESULTS: Acid-base and gas analysis results did not significantly differ between the groups in the umbilical vein or umbilical artery, with the exception of a higher (p < 0.001) mean umbilical artery pO(2) value in the delayed versus early clamping group. No significant differences in umbilical vein or artery pCO(2) or HCO(3) (-) values were observed between the early and delayed clamp groups. CONCLUSIONS: A delay of 2 min before umbilical cord clamping does not significantly change acid-base and gas analysis results, with the exception of a higher mean umbilical artery pO(2) value in the delayed clamping group.

Sexual behavior and findings on laparoscopy or laparotomy in women with severe chronic pelvic pain.

OBJECTIVE: To identify features of sexual behavior in women with and without chronic pelvic pain. STUDY DESIGN: A group of 41 women with chronic pelvic pain of more than 6 months' duration and scheduled to undergo laparoscopy or laparotomy were surveyed to obtain information on their sexual activity. The results were compared with a control group of 86 women of similar age and socioeconomic status who underwent planned tubal ligation for permanent contraception. RESULTS: Women with pelvic pain initiated sexual relations at a later age and had a higher rate of dyspareunia than women in the control group. There were no significant differences between groups in any other characteristics of sexual behavior. CONCLUSION: Dyspareunia, the only feature of sexual relations that differed significantly between women with and without chronic pelvic pain, should be accorded greater attention as a painful symptom and not be dismissed as simply a type of sexual dysfunction.

Analysis of fetal breathing movements at 30-38 weeks of gestation.

AIMS: This study reports the changes in patterns of fetal breathing movements recorded with a photogrammetric method in three successive periods of gestation. METHODS: Respiratory movements were studied in fetuses of 28 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies of 30-38 weeks of gestation. Women were divided into three groups according to gestational age of the fetus: 30-32 weeks, 7 fetuses; 33-36 weeks, 9 fetuses; and 37-38 weeks, 12 fetuses. Sonographic images of the fetuses were recorded on videotape, digitized (1 image per 0.12 s) and analyzed with specially developed software. RESULTS: The proportion of fetuses in each age group for which movements were detectable was similar in all three groups, as was the frequency of movements. Duration of a complete respiratory cycle, the inspiratory phase and the expiratory phase tended to be shorter at 33-36 weeks of gestation than in younger and older fetuses. Fetuses in the 30-32-week group had slower breathing rates than fetuses in the two older groups. CONCLUSIONS: The photogrammetric technique revealed differences in some patterns of fetal breathing movements between weeks 30-32, 33-36 and 37-38 of gestation. The data provide a sound basis for relating changes in fetal breathing movements with physiological and anatomical changes that occur as the respiratory system matures.