Characteristics, Physiopathology and Management of Dyslipidemias in Pregnancy: A Narrative Review.

Dyslipidemia is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). During pregnancy, physiological changes elevate cholesterol and triglyceride levels to support fetal development, which can exacerbate pre-existing conditions and lead to complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and increased ASCVD risk for both mother and child. Effective management strategies are necessary, especially for pregnant women with inherited forms of dyslipidemia (i.e., familial hypertriglyceridemia, hyperchylomicronemia), where personalized dietary adjustments are crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. Pharmacological interventions and lipoprotein apheresis may be necessary for severe cases, though their use is often limited by factors such as cost, availability, and potential fetal risks. Despite the promise of advanced therapies, their widespread application remains constrained by limited studies and high costs. Thus, a personalized, multidisciplinary approach is essential for optimizing outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current strategies and evidence-based practices for managing dyslipidemia during pregnancy, emphasizing the balance of maternal and fetal health. Additionally, it discusses the physiological changes in lipid metabolism during pregnancy and their implications, particularly for women with inherited forms of dyslipidemia.

Prevalence of pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis in the postpartum period: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis in postpartum women within 1 year of delivery. We searched MEDLINE via PubMed and Igaku Chuo Zasshi for articles published in English or Japanese from the inception of the database to September 2021. Two researchers independently screened and included observational studies reporting the prevalence of pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis in postpartum women within 1 year of delivery. Of the 3,425 screened records, 8 articles centered on postpartum women were included in the review. Seven studies used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessing bone mineral density, while one used a quantitative ultrasound method. In the seven studies that used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the parameters used to define osteoporosis were the T-score (two studies), Z-score (three studies), both T- and Z-scores (one study), and young adult mean (one study). Evaluation timeframes included 1 week (three studies), 1-2 months postpartum (three studies), and 1 week to 12 months postpartum (one study). The estimated prevalence of pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis defined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was as follows: lumbar spine (six studies), 5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0-13; heterogeneity [I2] = 99%) and femoral neck (three studies), 12% (95% CI, 0-30; I2 = 99%). Pregnancy and lactation were found to elevate the fracture risk in women, underscoring the necessity for a standardized assessment in diagnosing pregnancy- and lactation-associated osteoporosis. This imperative step aims to enable early detection and treatment of bone mineral loss among postpartum women.

Assessment of Fetal Ventricular Size and Shape in Women With Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy Using Speckle Tracking.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) on fetal heart morphology. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted with 40 women with ICP and 54 pregnant controls. Fetal heart quantification based on speckle tracking technology was used to assess the morphology of the fetal right and left ventricles. Routine ventricular size parameters, global and 24-segment spherical indices (SIs) were measured and compared between groups. RESULTS: The routine fetal cardiac parameters, global and right-ventricular SIs did not differ between the ICP and control groups. The left-ventricular apical (segments 16-24) SIs were lower in the ICP group than in the control group (P < .05), with no significant difference in the other left-ventricular segments. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical morphological changes were observed in the left ventricular apical segments of the fetal hearts in women with ICP, which indicates an intrauterine environment with high bile acid concentrations. Twenty-four-segment SIs can be used to effectively evaluate these changes.

Ferroptosis in Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases: A Mini Review.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell programmed death, characterized by the disturbance of iron metabolism, accumulation of lipid peroxides and disruption of cellular antioxidant system. Ferroptosis induces oxidative cell death through decrease of antioxidant capacity and accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. In recent years, studies have confirmed that ferroptosis is closely related to numerous organ injuries, degenerative pathologies and even the tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance of tumors. While the effect of ferroptosis in obstetrical and gynecological diseases remains unclear and the relevant researches are still limited. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks of ferroptosis, together with the potential physiological functions and pathological roles of ferroptosis in clinical obstetrical and gynecological diseases. Importantly, our review also aims to provide references for further understanding of its pathogenesis and explore potential therapeutic strategies for targeting ferroptosis in clinical obstetrical and gynecological diseases.

Bone Metabolism, Bone Mass, and Bone Structure During Pregnancy and Lactation: Normal Physiology and Pregnancy and Lactation-Associated Osteoporosis.

This article reviews bone metabolism, bone mass, and bone structure changes expected during and after pregnancy and lactation, as well as the condition of pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO)-a presentation with fragility fracture(s) in the context of these physiologic changes. Clinical implications of physiologic bone changes will be addressed, as will specific management considerations that apply to premenopausal women with PLO.

Neurologic disease in the obstetric patient.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Neurologic disorders and complications during pregnancy are common, but guidelines and data are sparse. This review aims to give an overview of recent developments in neuroanesthesia and management of neuropathology during pregnancy, with the hope that these may fill the gaps in current guidelines and recommendations, as well as their implications for an anesthetic approach. RECENT FINDINGS: Neuraxial and general anesthesia are safe in multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis, though neuromuscular blockade response is unpredictable and risk for exacerbation exists. Cerebral vascular pathology is common and carries a significant morbidity and mortality burden, but thrombolytic and endovascular therapies are often appropriate and safe. Instrumental vaginal delivery can minimize intracranial pressure shifts and is a viable option. Tumors and cerebral malformations require a complex multidisciplinary and anesthetic approach. SUMMARY: While clinical trials remain sparse, larger population-based studies offer insight into the optimal approach to the parturient with neurologic disease.

Trimester-specific rate of gestational weight loss or gain and birth size: differences by prepregnancy BMI.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of trimester-specific gestational weight gain (GWG) on small and large (compared with appropriate) for gestational age (i.e., SGA, LGA, and AGA) by prepregnancy BMI classifications. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study of pregnancies in a national network of community health care organizations, stratifying by prepregnancy BMI (n = 20,676 with normal weight; 19,156 with overweight; 11,647 with obesity class I; 5124 with obesity class II; and 3197 with obesity class III). SGA and LGA (vs. AGA) were modeled as a function of trimester 1, 2, or 3 GWG rate, previous trimester(s) GWG rate, and maternal characteristics using modified Poisson regression. RESULTS: GWG rates ranged from weight loss to substantial gains. GWG-LGA associations were strongest in trimester 1 (risk ratio [RR] range for 10th vs. 50th percentile GWG, across BMI categories: 0.60-0.73). GWG-SGA associations were strongest in lower BMI categories and in trimester 2; RRs were 1.62, 1.40, and 1.17 for prepregnancy normal weight, obesity class I, and obesity class III, respectively, with curvilinear associations for class II and III. CONCLUSIONS: Among people with prepregnancy obesity class II or III, GWG rate is associated with higher LGA risk in a dose-dependent manner, including understudied ranges of weight loss, but with weak associations with SGA.

Riesgo microbiológico de caries y factores predisponentes en mujeres gestantes / Microbiological caries risk and predisposing factors in pregnant women

La caries es una enfermedad multifactorial que afecta los tejidos duros del diente, con la evaluación del riesgo de caries es posible determinar la probabilidad de su incidencia durante un determinado periodo de tiempo. El objetivo consistió en determinar el estado de salud bucal en mujeres gestantes y su relación con factores de riesgo de caries. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional clínico. La población estuvo constituida por mujeres gestantes que concurrieron al Hospital Ángela Llano de la cuidad de Corrientes para su atención. Se confeccionó una historia clínica y se determinó el estado de salud bucal y de riesgo de caries según protocolo CAMBRA. Para la carac- terización y descripción de los datos se utilizaron estadísticas univariadas. Los resultados alcanzados fueron: Índice de Caries de 4.5 a 6.5, en el índice de Placa la media ± DS 56,8% ± 39,9% Min: 28,5%/ Max: 90,9%. Respecto al valor de pH de 7,11 ±0,43, Min.: 7,00, Max.: 8,67. Flujo salival: media ± DS: 0,58ml/m ± 0,28 ml/m Min.:0,2 ml/m Max.: 0,62 ml/m; Edad promedio: 22años. Min.:18 Max.: 33 años. Recuento de Strepto- coccus mutans (SM) con periodo gestacional 1° y 2° trimestre, el conteo de bacterias: 2.3x105 +/- 3.2x 105 UFC/ml de saliva y 3° Trimestre el conteo de 1.2x 106 +/-2.02 x 106 UFC/ml de saliva. La presencia de SM puede aumentar considerable- mente el riesgo de caries, si los mecanismos de defen- sa del huésped no anulan la bacteria (AU)

Caries is a multifactorial disease that affects the hard tissues of the tooth. By evaluating the risk of caries, it is possible to determine the probability of its incidence during a certain period of time. The objective was to determine the oral health status of pregnant women and its relationship with caries risk factors. A clinical observational descriptive study was carried out. The population was made up of pregnant women who attended the Ángela Llano Hospital in the city of Corrientes for care. A clinical history was prepared, and the oral health status and caries risk were determined according to the CAMBRA protocol. Univariate statistics were used to characterize and describe the data. The results achieved were Caries Index from 4.5 to 6.5, in the Plaque index the mean ± SD 56.8% ± 39.9% Min: 28.5%/ Max: 90.9%. Regarding the pH value of 7.11 ±0.43, Min.: 7.00, Max.: 8.67. Salivary flow: mean ± SD: 0.58 ml/m ± 0.28 ml/m Min.: 0.2 ml/m Max.: 0.62 ml/m; Average age: 22 years. Min.:18 Max.: 33 years. Streptococcus mutans (SM) count with gestational period 1st and 2nd trimester, bacteria count: 2.3x105 +/- 3.2x 105 CFU/ml of saliva and 3rd Trimester count 1.2x 106 +/- 2.02 x 106 CFU/ml of saliva. The presence of SM can considerably increase the risk of caries, if the host defense mechanisms do not override the bacteria (AU)

Pathophysiology from preconception, during pregnancy, and beyond.

Gestational diabetes is the most common medical complication in pregnancy. Historically, gestational diabetes was considered a pregnancy complication involving treatment of rising glycaemia late in the second trimester. However, recent evidence challenges this view. Pre-pregnancy and pregnancy-specific factors influence gestational glycaemia, with open questions regarding roles of non-glycaemic factors in the aetiology and consequences of gestational diabetes. Varying patterns of insulin secretion and resistance in early and late pregnancy underlie a heterogeneity of gestational diabetes in the timing and pathophysiological subtypes with clinical implications: early gestational diabetes and insulin resistant gestational diabetes subtypes are associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications. Metabolic perturbations of early gestational diabetes can affect early placental development, affecting maternal metabolism and fetal development. Fetal hyperinsulinaemia can affect the development of multiple fetal tissues, with short-term and long-term consequences. Pregnancy complications are prevented by managing glycaemia in early and late pregnancy in some, but not all women with gestational diabetes. A better understanding of the pathophysiology and heterogeneity of gestational diabetes will help to develop novel management approaches with focus on improved prevention of maternal and offspring short-term and long-term complications, from pre-conception, throughout pregnancy, and beyond.

Effect of maternal asthma on fetal pulmonary artery Doppler parameters: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare fetal pulmonary artery Doppler parameters between pregnant women with asthma and healthy pregnant women. METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 pregnant women diagnosed with asthma and 61 healthy pregnant women. Fetal pulmonary artery Doppler parameters and the fetal main pulmonary artery acceleration time/ejection time (PATET) ratio were compared between the study and control groups. Thereafter, the study group was divided into two subgroups as non-severe and severe asthma. PATET ratio was compared between the subgroups. RESULTS: The fetal main pulmonary artery acceleration time was 25 ms in pregnant women with asthma and 33 ms in the healthy group, indicating a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). The acceleration time/ejection time ratio was statistically lower in the asthma group (0.185 vs. 0.240, p<0.001). The acceleration time/ejection time ratio was 0.172 in patients with severe asthma and 0.195 ms in the non-severe study group (p=0.156). In the maternal asthma group, the PATET ratio of those who went to the NICU due to respiratory distress was also 0.188, and the PATET ratio of those who went to the NICU for other reasons was 0.269 (p=0.053). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal pulmonary artery acceleration time and PATET decreased statistically in pregnant women with severe or non-severe asthma. Maternal asthma is associated with changes in pulmonary Doppler parameters in the fetus.

The impact of obesity on reproductive health and metabolism in reproductive-age females.

Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic disease that impacts >40% of reproductive-aged females. The pathophysiology of obesity is complex and can be understood simply as a chronic energy imbalance whereby caloric intake exceeds caloric expenditure with an energy surplus stored in adipose tissue. Obesity may be categorized into degrees of severity as well as different phenotypes on the basis of metabolic health and underlying pathophysiology. Obesity and excess adiposity have a significant impact on fertility and reproductive health, with direct effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, the ovary and oocyte, and the endometrium. There are significant adverse pregnancy outcomes related to obesity, and excess weight gain before, during, and after pregnancy that can alter the lifelong risk for metabolically unhealthy obesity. Given the high prevalence and pervasive impact of obesity on reproductive health, there is a need for better and individualized care for reproductive-aged females that considers obesity phenotype, underlying pathophysiology, and effective and sustainable interventions to treat obesity and manage weight gain before, during, and after pregnancy.

Placental pathology and fetal growth outcomes in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity.

BACKGROUND: The rising prevalence of maternal obesity presents a significant health concern because of the possible implications for obstetric complications and neonatal outcomes. Understanding the impact of obesity on placental structure and function as well as fetal growth and infant outcomes is important to improve the care of these potentially high-risk pregnancies. This study aimed to determine the effect of elevated maternal BMI on histopathologic patterns of placental injury and its consequences on fetal growth. METHODS: Data were collected from an ongoing cohort of maternal-infant dyads in the UCSD Obstetric Registry spanning 2011-2020. Maternal characteristics, including BMI, hypertensive disease and diabetes, placental gross and histopathology, and infant characteristics, including sex and birthweight, were recorded and analyzed. ANOVA and chi-square tests were used in initial analyses, followed by log-binomial and linear regression models adjusted for relevant confounders to determine associations between maternal BMI, specific patterns of placental injury, and infant birthweight percentiles. RESULTS: Among 1366 maternal-infant dyads, placentas from mothers with overweight and obesity were heavier and demonstrated higher adjusted relative risks of chronic villitis (CV), decidual vasculopathy, intervillous thrombosis, and normoblastemia. Placental efficiency, determined by fetal-placental weight ratio, was decreased with increasing BMI. Maternal obesity was associated with higher rates of preterm birth and higher birthweight percentiles. Multiple placental lesions, including maternal (MVM) and fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM), exhibited significant effects on birthweight percentiles; however, only MVM showed a differential effect based on maternal obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of obesity in pregnancy is associated with increased rates of placental patterns of injury, decreased placental efficiency, and increased birthweight percentiles. While placental lesions, such as CV, have the potential to negatively impact fetal growth, the resulting birthweight percentiles demonstrate a more complex relationship between maternal obesity and fetal growth, that likely involves placental and fetal adaptation to the altered in utero environment.

Maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and child brain responses to affective touch at two years of age.

BACKGROUND: Touch is an essential form of mother-child interaction, instigating better social bonding and emotional stability. METHODS: We used diffuse optical tomography to explore the relationship between total haemoglobin (HbT) responses to affective touch in the child's brain at two years of age and maternal self-reported prenatal depressive symptoms (EPDS). Affective touch was implemented via slow brushing of the child's right forearm at 3 cm/s and non-affective touch via fast brushing at 30 cm/s and HbT responses were recorded on the left hemisphere. RESULTS: We discovered a cluster in the postcentral gyrus exhibiting a negative correlation (Pearson's r = -0.84, p = 0.015 corrected for multiple comparisons) between child HbT response to affective touch and EPDS at gestational week 34. Based on region of interest (ROI) analysis, we found negative correlations between child responses to affective touch and maternal prenatal EPDS at gestational week 14 in the precentral gyrus, Rolandic operculum and secondary somatosensory cortex. The responses to non-affective touch did not correlate with EPDS in these regions. LIMITATIONS: The number of mother-child dyads was 16. However, by utilising high-density optode arrangements, individualised anatomical models, and video and accelerometry to monitor movement, we were able to minimize methodological sources of variability in the data. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy may be associated with reduced child responses to affective touch in the temporoparietal cortex. Responses to affective touch may be considered as potential biomarkers for psychosocial development in children. Early identification of and intervention in maternal depression may be important already during early pregnancy.

Assessment of Sleep Quality in Spanish Twin Pregnancy: An Observational Single-Center Study.

Women with twin pregnancies experience greater sleep disturbance compared to women with singleton pregnancies. The aims of this study were to explore the sleep quality in women with twin pregnancies and to compare their sleep dimensions with coetaneous single pregnancies. This was an observational study in which women were enrolled at the end of pregnancy in the Obstetric Service of Hospital La Paz (Spain). The women were classified as single (n = 143) or twin pregnancy (n = 62). Pregnant women responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to evaluate sleep quality, latency, duration, efficiency, perturbance, use of medication, and daytime dysfunction. The higher the index, the greater the alteration of sleep quality. Without statistical differences, a poor sleep quality was higher in women with single (66.7%) than women with twin pregnancies (22.8%). The good sleeper slept 6.8 h/day in single pregnancy and 7.3 h/day in twin pregnancy. The sleep perturbation and dysfunctionality were higher in women with twin than single pregnancies. The use of medication to sleep was significantly lower in women with twin than single pregnancies. In women with twin pregnancy, the body weight gain during first trimester had a positive correlation with worse sleep quality and sleep perturbations. Twin pregnancy needed more than 7 h/day to have a high sleep quality, showing greater sleep perturbations and daytime dysfunction than single pregnancies. The control of gestational body weight can improve the sleep quality, disturbances, and duration in twin gestations. Sleep screening during pregnancy would be necessary to handle sleep issues and increase benefits in twin gestational outcomes.

Perinatal compromise affects development, form, and function of the hippocampus part one; clinical studies.

The hippocampus is a neuron-rich specialised brain structure that plays a central role in the regulation of emotions, learning and memory, cognition, spatial navigation, and motivational processes. In human fetal development, hippocampal neurogenesis is principally complete by mid-gestation, with subsequent maturation comprising dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis in the third trimester of pregnancy and infancy. Dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis underpin connectivity. Hippocampal development is exquisitely sensitive to perturbations during pregnancy and at birth. Clinical investigations demonstrate that preterm birth, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and acute hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) are common perinatal complications that alter hippocampal development. In turn, deficits in hippocampal development and structure mediate a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including cognitive and learning problems, autism, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In this review, we summarise the developmental profile of the hippocampus during fetal and neonatal life and examine the hippocampal deficits observed following common human pregnancy complications. IMPACT: The review provides a comprehensive summary of the developmental profile of the hippocampus in normal fetal and neonatal life. We address a significant knowledge gap in paediatric research by providing a comprehensive summary of the relationship between pregnancy complications and subsequent hippocampal damage, shedding new light on this critical aspect of early neurodevelopment.

Fetal Epicardial Fat Thickness in Obese Pregnant Women: Its Effect on Fetal Cardiac Function and Neonatal Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate fetal epicardial fat thickness (EFT) together with fetal myocardial performance index (MPI) and its effects on neonatal outcomes in obese pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 102 pregnant women, 51 obese and 51 of normal weight, were included in this prospective study. Fetal EFT, and MPI measurements were performed for all patients. RESULTS: Fetal EFT and Mod-MPI showed a statistically significant difference between obese pregnant women and the control group (p=0.0001, p=0.001). The optimal fetal EFT predictive cut-off value for the 5th-minute APGAR score below 7 was 1.22 mm, with a sensitivity of 86.96% and a specificity of 54.43% (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Fetal EFT and mod-MPI were higher in obese pregnant women. It is encouraging that fetal EFT predicts low APGAR, but more important information can be obtained if postnatal follow-up of these cardiac changes caused by obesity can be performed.

Maternal obesity and placental function: impaired maternal-fetal axis.

The prevalence of maternal obesity rapidly increases, which represents a major public health concern worldwide. Maternal obesity is characteristic by metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation. It is associated with health problems in both mother and offspring. Increasing evidence indicates that the placenta is an axis connecting maternal obesity with poor outcomes in the offspring. In this brief review, we have summarized the current data regarding deregulated placental function in maternal obesity. The data show that maternal obesity induces numerous placental defects, including lipid and glucose metabolism, stress response, inflammation, immune regulation and epigenetics. These placental defects affect each other and result in a stressful intrauterine environment, which transduces and mediates the adverse effects of maternal obesity to the fetus. Further investigations are required to explore the exact molecular alterations in the placenta in maternal obesity, which may pave the way to develop specific interventions for preventing epigenetic and metabolic programming in the fetus.

The impact of maternal asthma on the fetal lung: Outcomes, mechanisms and interventions.

Maternal asthma affects up to 17% of pregnancies and is associated with adverse infant, childhood, and adult respiratory outcomes, including increased risks of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, childhood wheeze and asthma. In addition to genetics, these poor outcomes are likely due to the mediating influence of maternal asthma on the in-utero environment, altering fetal lung and immune development and predisposing the offspring to later lung disease. Maternal asthma may impair glucocorticoid signalling in the fetus, a process critical for lung maturation, and increase fetal exposure to proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, interventions to control maternal asthma, increase glucocorticoid signalling in the fetal lung, or Vitamin A, C, and D supplementation to improve alveologenesis and surfactant production may be beneficial for later lung function. This review highlights potential mechanisms underlying maternal asthma and offspring respiratory morbidities and describes how pregnancy interventions can promote optimal fetal lung development in babies of asthmatic mothers.