Gestational hypertensive disease and birthweight discordance in twin pregnancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this systematic review was to explore the association between gestational hypertensive disease (GHD) and birthweight discordance in twin pregnancies. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for studies reporting the risk of birthweight discordance in twin pregnancies complicated compared with those not complicated by GHD from establishment until July 2021. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. According to the classification of GHD, sub-group analyses reporting cases with gestational hypertension (GH), chronic hypertension (CH) and preeclampsia (PE) were performed separately. Stratification by twin chorionicity (dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC)) was also conducted. When there was substantial heterogeneity (I2 ≥ 50%), the random effect mode was used to estimate the pooled risk ratio, otherwise the fixed effect model was used. RESULTS: Nine studies (303,204 twin pregnancies) were included. GHD (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.41-1.49) was a risk factor for intertwin birthweight discordance [PE (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.33-2.16); CH (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.46-1.73); GH (OR1.45, 95%Cl 1.10-1.92]. After stratification, birthweight discordance was related to GHD (OR 2.51, 95% CI 2.01-3.14), GH (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.33-3.25) and PE (OR 2.74, 95% CI 2.09-3.61) in DC pregnancies, but no longer associated with GHD and PE in MC group. CONCLUSIONS: Twin gestations complicated with GHD, especially in DC pregnancies, were at significantly higher risk of birthweight discordance.

Gestational hypertensive disorders show unique patterns of circulatory deterioration with ongoing pregnancy.

A combined assessment of heart, arteries, veins, and body fluid content throughout pregnancy has not yet been reported. We hypothesized that a gradual aggravation of circulatory dysfunction exists from the latent to the clinical phase of gestational hypertensive disease (GHD), and that pathways are unique for preeclampsia with early onset < 34 wk (EPE) and late onset ≥ 34 wk (LPE), and gestational hypertension (GH). Women with singleton pregnancy and no known diseases were invited for a prospective, observational study and had standardized sphygmomanometric blood pressure measurement, bioimpedance body water spectrum analysis, impedance cardiography for cardiac and arterial assessment, and combined Doppler-ECG of hepatic and renal interlobar veins and uterine arteries. Outcome was categorized as uncomplicated (UP, n = 1,700), EPE ( n = 87), LPE ( n = 218), or GH ( n = 188). A linear mixed model for repeated measurements, corrected for age, parity, and body mass index, was employed in SAS 9.4 to analyze trimestral changes within and between groups. From the first to the third trimester, body water increased in all groups, and an increasing number of abnormal parameters relative to UP occurred in all GHD. First-trimester blood pressure and peripheral resistance were higher in GHD than UP, together with increased uterine flow resistance and extracellular water in EPE, and with lower heart rate and aorta flow velocity in LPE. An overall gestational rise of body water volumes coexists with a gradual worsening of cardiovascular dysfunction in GHD, of which pathophysiological pathways are unique for EPE, LPE, and GH, respectively.

Maternal kidney function during pregnancy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To review systematically current literature on kidney function changes during pregnancy, in order to estimate the extent of adaptation over the course of both healthy physiological and complicated singleton pregnancies, and to determine healthy pregnancy reference values. METHODS: PubMed (NCBI) and EMBASE (Ovid) electronic databases were searched, from inception to July 2017, for studies on kidney function during uncomplicated and complicated pregnancies. Included studies were required to report a non-pregnant reference value of kidney function (either in a non-pregnant control group or as a prepregnancy or postpartum measurement) and a pregnancy measurement at a predetermined and reported gestational age. Kidney function measures assessed were glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured by inulin clearance, GFR measured by creatinine clearance and serum creatinine level. Pooled mean differences between pregnancy measurements and reference values were calculated for predefined intervals of gestational age in uncomplicated and complicated pregnancies using a random-effects model described by DerSimonian and Laird. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. As early as the first trimester, GFR was increased by up to 40-50% in physiological pregnancy when compared with non-pregnant values. Inulin clearance in uncomplicated pregnancy was highest at 36-41 weeks, with a 55.6% (53.7; 95% CI, 44.7-62.6 mL/min) increase when compared with non-pregnant values, and creatinine clearance was highest at 15-21 weeks' gestation, with a 37.6% (36.6; 95% CI, 26.2-46.9 mL/min) increase. Decrease in serum creatinine level in uncomplicated pregnancy was most prominent at 15-21 weeks, with a 23.2% (-0.19; 95% CI, -0.23 to -0.15 mg/dL) decrease when compared with non-pregnant values. Eight studies reported on pregnancies complicated by a hypertensive disorder. Meta-regression analysis showed a significant difference in all kidney function parameters when comparing uncomplicated and hypertensive complicated pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy pregnancy, GFR is increased as early as the first trimester, as compared with non-pregnant values, and the kidneys continue to function at a higher rate throughout gestation. In contrast, kidney function is decreased in hypertensive pregnancy. © 2018 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Physiological adaptation of endothelial function to pregnancy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To establish reference values for flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and brachial artery diameter (BAD) in pregnancy and to provide insight into the physiological and pathological course of endothelial adaptation throughout human singleton pregnancy. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed following a systematic review of current literature on FMD, as a derivative for endothelial function, and BAD, throughout uncomplicated and complicated pregnancy. PubMed (NCBI) and EMBASE (Ovid) electronic databases were used for the literature search, which was performed from inception to 9 June 2016. To allow judgment of changes in comparison with the non-pregnant state, studies were required to report both non-pregnant mean reference of FMD (matched control group, prepregnancy or postpartum measurement) and mean FMD at a predetermined and reported gestational age. Pooled mean differences between the reference and pregnant FMD values were calculated for predefined intervals of gestational age. RESULTS: Fourteen studies that enrolled 1231 participants met the inclusion criteria. Publication dates ranged from 1999 to 2014. In uncomplicated pregnancy, FMD was increased in the second and third trimesters. Between 15 and 21 weeks of gestation, absolute FMD increased the most, by a mean (95% CI) of 1.89% (0.25-3.53%). This was a relative increase of 22.5% (3.0-42.0%) compared with the non-pregnant reference. BAD increased progressively, in a steady manner, by the second trimester but not significantly in the first half of the second trimester. We could not discern differences in FMD and BAD between complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies at 29-35 weeks' gestation, reported in the three studies that met our inclusion criteria. Despite the increase in FMD and BAD throughout gestation, both reference curves were characterized by wide 95% CIs. CONCLUSION: During healthy pregnancy, endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and BAD increase. Women with a complicated pregnancy had FMD values within the lower range when compared with those with uncomplicated pregnancy but, as a group, did not differ from each other. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Caracterización de la enfermedad hipertensiva gestacional en pacientes de la Policlínica Máximo Gómez Báez / Gestational Hypertensive Disease Characterization in Patients of Máximo Gómez Báez Polyclinic

Introducción: los estados hipertensivos del embarazo son una de las complicaciones con mayor repercusión en la salud materna. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento de la enfermedad hipertensiva gestacional en pacientes de la Policlínica Máximo Gómez Báez en Holguín durante el año 2009. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de serie de casos sobre el comportamiento de la enfermedad hipertensiva gestacional. El universo estuvo constituido por 35 gestantes que presentaron la enfermedad en el año objeto de estudio y la muestra por 28 embarazadas que recibieron atención prenatal en el área de salud referida. La información se obtuvo mediante la revisión de los registros estadísticos del Programa Materno Infantil y las historias clínicas obstétricas. Se interrogó además a las pacientes sobre los factores de riesgo asociados con la enfermedad hipertensiva del embarazo. Resultados: predominaron las edades de las gestantes de más de 36 años en un 46,42% y factores maternos asociados como: antecedentes patológicos personales de hipertensión arterial crónica en el 39,28% de los casos y la nuliparidad en el 42,85%. La enfermedad apareció con el 60,71% en el tercer trimestre de la gestación. El nivel de conocimiento de las gestantes estudiadas sobre la enfermedad se evaluó de regular en el 53,57% de las pacientes. Conclusiones: la enfermedad hipertensiva gestacional apareció con mayor frecuencia en el tercer trimestre del embarazo y en mujeres mayores de 36 años, donde la hipertensión arterial crónica y la nuliparidad constituyeron factores asociados con esta enfermedad.

Introduction: the pregnancy hypertensive states are complications of more repercussion in the maternal health. Objective: to characterize the behavior of gestational hypertensive disease in patients of Maximo Gomez Baez Polyclinic in Holguin. Methods: a case series study on the gestational hypertensive disease behavior it carried out. The universe comprised 35 pregnant women with the disease and the sample 28 of them, who received prenatal care in their health area. The statistical registrations of the Maternal Program and the obstetric clinical histories proportioned the necessary information. The patients were interviewed on the risk factors associated with gestational hypertensive disease. Results: pregnant women over 36 years prevailed (46. 42%) and associated maternal factors such as medical history of chronic hypertension in 39.28% of cases and nulliparity in 42.85 % of them. The illness appeared in the third trimester of the gestation in 60.71% of women. The women´s level of knowledge on the disease was medium in 53.57% of them. Conclusions: gestational hypertensive disease frequently appeared in the third trimester of pregnancy and in women over 36 years, where chronic hypertension and nulliparity.constituted factors associated with this disease.

Algunos factores biosociales y obstétricos de la enfermedad hipertensiva gravídica en el Hospital de Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe / Some biosocial and obstetric factors of gestational hypertensive disease in Chitungwiza Hospital, Zimbabwe

Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 181 gestantes con enfermedad hipertensiva, atendidas por los médicos cubanos en el Hospital de Chitungwiza en Zimbabwe, desde enero hasta diciembre del 2007, a fin de caracterizarles según algunos factores biosociales y obstétricos. Predominaron las embarazadas con edades entre 20-24 años y la preeclampsia, eclampsia e hipertensión crónica como formas de la hipertensión arterial, así como las captaciones tardías, la nuliparidad y el bajo peso al nacer. Se recomendó realizar estudios en otros hospitales de ese país para profundizar en las manifestaciones de este indicador y poder establecer estrategias de intervención comunitaria que disminuyan la morbilidad y mortalidad

hA descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 181 pregnant women with hypertensive disease, attended by Cuban doctors at the Hospital of Chitungwiza in Zimbabwe, from January to December 2007, in order to characterize them according to some biosocial and obstetric factors. Pregnant woman between 20-24 years and preeclampsia, eclampsia and chronic hypertension as forms of arterial hypertension predominated as well as late recruitment of women, nuliparity and low birth weight. It was recommended to carry out studies in other hospitals of that country to increase knowledge of manifestations of this condition and to draw up strategies of community intervention that reduce morbidity and mortality