Mid-gestational serum uric acid concentration effect on neonate birth weight and insulin resistance in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between mid-gestational serum uric acid and birth weight in diabetic pregnant women with or without insulin resistance. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, fasting uric acid, blood glucose, and serum insulin were measured in 247 pregnant women between 20-22 weeks of gestational period. Insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Stratification analysis and independent t-test was used to assess the association between uric acid and birth weights regarding to insulin resistance. RESULTS: The means of the mid-gestational serum uric acid concentrations were not significantly different in women with and without insulin resistance. But stratification analysis showed that there was a significant difference between uric acid concentration and macrosomic birth in diabetic women without insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Higher mid - gestation serum uric acid concentration, even if it does not exceed the normal range, is accompanied by lower birth weight only in non-insulin resistance women. Insulin resistance could have a negative confounding effect on hyperuriemia and birth weight.

Immune phenomena in neonates of women with depression during pregnancy: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of major and minor depression during pregnancy on the maternal and neonatal immunities. METHODS: Peripheral venous blood from depressed women and cord venous blood from their neonates taken simultaneously and immediately after parturition were used. The serum levels of immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA and complements C3 and C4 were determined through single radial immunodiffusion with the kits manufactured by the Biogen company (Mashhad, Iran). To reduce error, all the ring diameters were measured by one experimenter unaware of the study groups. The blood leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte percentage were determined with a H1 counter and for more accuracy also with a Hycel counter. RESULTS: The immune parameters of depressed women were not significantly different from controls. The lymphocyte counts in neonates of women with major and minor depression were increased, whereas ratio of the cord blood level of IgG to the maternal blood level of IgG in neonates of women with major depression were decreased compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Major depression during pregnancy reduces the prenatal transfer of IgG from mother to neonate. The low prenatal transfer of IgG may have clinical significance, because it can compromise immune competence in neonates.