Arterial hypertension and smoking in pregnant women in the Valencian Community: maternal and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension and smoking during pregnancy have been linked to various adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The objective of this work is to study how the smoking influences the development of hypertension, its effects on the pregnant woman, and on the newborn. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study in two phases was carried out: the descriptive first phase allows characterization of the sample and the analytical second phase is a case-control nested in a retrospective cohort corresponding to pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 712 women were included in the study. Of the 672 (94.4%) non-hypertensive women, 533 (79.3%) were non-smoking and 139 (20.7%) smoking. For the 40 (5.6%) hypertensive women, 30 (75.0%) were non-smoking and 10 (25.0%) smoking. The prevalence of hypertension was of 5.6%. Women who quit smoking before pregnancy saw a reduced risk of hypertension. For women who smoke during pregnancy, those of younger ages, with a normal body mass index, who are primiparous, employed and with a low-medium level of education have higher risk of hypertension. The risk of hypertension according to the level of physical activity during leisure time follows a "U" shape, with those who perform light physical activity at the lowest risk of hypertension. Hypertensive women have a higher risk of small for gestational age newborns. Smoking does not pose an additional risk for adverse outcomes once hypertension is diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should aim to determine the role of smoking habit in the appearance of hypertension in pregnancy in order to establish adequate intervention guidelines that may aid in reducing the prevalence of hypertension.

Fish intake in pregnant women and its impact on maternal-fetal health status.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the consumption of fish in pregnant women and its association with maternal and infant outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this observational study carried out at the La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital in Valencia, 300 pregnant women participated. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to their fish consumption during pregnancy for comparison. The χ2 test or ANOVA test were applied for comparisons for qualitative and quantitative variables respectively. RESULTS: It was observed that 49% of women consumed adequate amounts of fish during pregnancy (2 or 3 weekly servings). Significant differences were observed for iron supplementation (higher in women with inadequate fish consumption), threatened pregnancy loss (higher in women with inadequate fish consumption), infant size (better in women with adequate fish consumption), and arterial O2 pressure (better in women with adequate fish consumption). In regard to the other components of the dietary pattern, no differences were observed but the adequacy of intake for grains and white meat was very poor (less than 5.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the women met the recommendations for fish intake during pregnancy and presented an overall healthier eating pattern but without statistical significance.

[Sedentary lifestyle in pregnancy: Effects on the mother and the newborn]. / Sedentarismo en el embarazo: efectos sobre la madre y el recién nacido.

OBJECTIVE: Identify the state of sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy and the factors associated with this behavior, the possible factors of your health situation and that of the newborn. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This two-phase, cross-sectional observational study was developed at the La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital and 228 pregnant women participated. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics were obtained using structured questionnaire and health information from the electronic medical records, as well as perinatal results of the newborn. To assess sedentary lifestyle, exercise in free time and exercise during working hours were assessed, categorizing them based on intensity (sedentary lifestyle, light activity, moderate and intense activity). RESULTS: In total, the prevalence of physical inactivity was 31.14%. The profile of this group has a lower level of education and unemployment (P<.05), presenting a higher prevalence of problems during childbirth, which required a caesarean section, as well as problems after birth in the newborn (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Physical inactivity is highly prevalent among pregnant women. Due to the benefits (or non-harm) attributed to exercise during pregnancy. Further efforts should be taken to overcome the barriers to promote activities among pregnant women who are younger, less well educated, and unemployed and those with multiple children and a lower income are less likely to engage in an adequate amount of physical activity, aware of the importance of doing it, resolving doubts and allaying fears that may arise from a poor understanding of the mechanism of its benefit.

[Birth characteristics due to in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques]. / Características de los recién nacidos tras fecundación in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of deliveries after 31 weeks gestation (w), from in vitro fertilization (IVF), including Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and to compare characteristics with those achieved by natural fertilization (NF). We analyse twin and singleton pregnancies separately. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This descriptive and prospective study monitors children from foetus, from 12 weeks after IVF, to 12 months of age, including the newborn period. There were 7008 newborns between 1st January 2004 and 31st March 2007 of which there were 113 from IVF and 6895 from NF. RESULTS: Twin-pregnancies in NF is 2.4%, whereas in IVF it is 56.6%, (p<0.001). Mean mother age is 28+/-9 years (y) in NF and 36+/-4y in IVF singletons (p<0.05), and 29+/-10 y in NF and 35+/-4 y in IVF twins (p<0.05). Mean gestational age is 38+/-4 w and 39+/-2w in NF and IVF singletons and 36+/-1 w in NF and IVF twins. No statistically significant differences were found in prematurity rate (<37 w) and low birth weight (< 2500g) between singletons and twins from IVF or NF. Caesarean sections were 23.13% and 51.02% from singleton NF and IVF (p<0.001). No statistically differences were found between twins NF (71.42%) and IVF (79.69%). Malformations at birth were observed in 5.3% of IVF and in 1.1% of NF newborns (p<0.002). Relative risk of malformations (RR) IVF versus NF is 4.83 (95% CI, 2.14-10.83). CONCLUSIONS: Only 1.61% of newborns comes from IVF techniques. There are significant differences in age of mother, twin- pregnancies, caesarean sections (singletons) and congenital defects between them and NF newborns. There were no differences found in prematurity and low birth weight between them and NF newborns, when compared by number of foetus.