Increasing Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and Pregnancy Outcomes in the United States.

INTRODUCTION:  As many Americans are becoming overweight or obese, increased body mass index (BMI) is fast becoming normalized. There is a need for more research that highlights the association between pre-pregnancy obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes. AIM: To determine the association between increasing pre-pregnancy BMI and adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: We utilized the United States Vital Statistics records to collate data on all childbirths in the United States between 2015 and 2019. We determined the association between increasing pre-pregnancy BMI and adverse pregnancy outcomes using multivariate analysis. Neonatal outcomes measures include the five-minute Apgar score, neonatal unit admission, neonates receiving assisted ventilation > six hours, neonatal antibiotics use, and neonatal seizures. Maternal outcomes include cesarean section rate, mothers requiring blood transfusion, unplanned hysterectomy, and intensive care unit admission. In addition, we controlled for maternal parameters such as race/ethnicity, age, insurance type, and pre-existing conditions such as chronic hypertension and prediabetes. Other covariates include paternal race, age and education level, gestational diabetes mellitus, induction of labor, weight gain during pregnancy, gestational age at delivery, and delivery weight. RESULTS: We studied 15,627,572 deliveries in the US Vital Statistics records between 2015 and 2019. Among these women, 3.36% were underweight, 43.19% were with a normal BMI, 26.34% were overweight, 14.73% were in the obese class I, 7.23% were in the obese class II, and 5.14% were in the obese class III. Increasing pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with significant adverse outcomes across all measures of maternal and neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION:  A strong association exists between increasing pre-pregnancy BMI and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes among overweight and obese women remained even after controlling for other traditional risk factors of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Clear Cell Hidradenoma in a Pregnant Female.

Solid cystic hidradenoma, or clear cell hidradenoma, is a distinct and histologically rare tumor formed at the sweat glands, found mainly in adults and majorly among women. In this case, a 26-year-old female presented with asymptomatic swelling in her left inguinal area. Similar cases have been discussed in the literature considering the same kind of tumor. The present case is reported owing to the rarity of the type of tumor in terms of size and region of occurrence with the associated condition of pregnancy.

Investigating discrepancies in demand and access for bariatric surgery across different demographics in the COVID-19 era.

Obesity affects over 650 million adults worldwide and increases the risk of cardiovascular events, diabetes, and hypertension. While lifestyle recommendations are popular management options, bariatric surgery has emerged as a standard of care in refractory cases, reported to cause at least a 30% reduction in mortality. In addition, it mitigates obesity-related complications leading to a significant improvement in the quality of life for morbidly obese patients (BMI >40). Despite the numerous benefits, demand and access to bariatric surgery vary across different demographics such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. This demand and access were further reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in cancellations of elective surgeries such as weight loss procedures and promotes a sedentary lifestyle which has short-term and long-term detrimental consequences on the health of obese patients. In the context of the prevalent epidemiological trends, this reduction in bariatric services will disproportionately affect the elderly, males, low SES, and African Americans. This editorial highlights the prevalent discrepancies in demand and access to bariatric surgery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and possible recommendations to improve overall access and utilization of bariatric services in morbidly obese patients belonging to all demographics.

Review of Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal, Neonatal Outcomes, and Placental Changes.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a disease that has caused a global impact. COVID-19 is transmitted through airborne droplets, respiratory secretions, and direct contact. The pandemic has affected individuals of different ages, and studying the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and newborn outcomes is critical. In this review, we highlight the impact of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and its repercussion in the maternal-fetal binomial. Physiological changes that occur during pregnancy have significant effects on the immune system, cardiopulmonary system, and coagulation, and these changes can result in an altered response to COVID-19 infection. The symptoms, risk factors, and maternal health consequences of COVID-19 were discussed. In addition, the impact of newborns born to mothers with COVID-19 was reviewed. Finally, placental changes and vertical transmission of COVID-19 during pregnancy were also discussed in this review.

Disparities in Incidences of Cesarean Section Among Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the United States.

Background In this study, we explored the interaction between women's race/ethnicity and insurance type and determined how these interactions affect the incidences of cesarean section (CS) among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methodology We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from January 2000 to September 2015 to conduct a retrospective analysis of all GDM-associated hospitalizations. We then explored the interaction between race/ethnicity and insurance types and determined how these interactions affect the incidences of CS among GDM patients, controlling for traditional risk factors for CS and patients' sociodemographics. Subsequently, we determined the risk of primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in the CS group and a propensity score-matched control group who had vaginal deliveries. Results There were 932,431 deliveries diagnosed with GDM in the NIS database from January 2000 to September 2015. The mean age of the study population was 30.6 ± 5.9 years, 44.5% were white, 14.0% were black, and 26.7% were Hispanic. The CS rate was 40.5%. After controlling for covariates, women who utilized private insurance had the highest CS rate across the different races/ethnicities; white (odds ratio (OR) = 1.21 (1.17-1.25)) blacks (OR = 1.33 (1.26-1.41)), and Hispanic (OR = 1.12 (1.06-1.18)). CS patients were less likely to develop PPH compared to their matched controls with vaginal deliveries (OR = 0.67 (0.63-0.71)). Conclusions Private insurance is associated with higher incidences of CS among women with GDM, irrespective of race/ethnicity.