Infant lung function and early skin barrier impairment in the development of asthma at age 3 years.

BACKGROUND: Largely unexplored, we investigated if lower lung function, impaired skin barrier function by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), eczema, and filaggrin (FLG) mutations in infancy were associated with asthma in early childhood. METHODS: From the factorially designed randomized controlled intervention study PreventADALL, we evaluated 1337/2394 children from all randomization groups with information on asthma at age 3 years, and at age 3 months either lung function, TEWL, eczema, and/or FLG mutations. Lower lung function was defined as the time to peak tidal expiratory flow to expiratory time (tPTEF /tE ) <0.25, and skin barrier impairment as a high TEWL >9.50 g/m2 /h. Eczema was clinically observed, and DNA genotyped for FLG mutations. Asthma was defined as asthma-like symptoms (≥3 episodes of bronchial obstruction) between age 2-3 years as well as a history of doctor-diagnosed asthma and/or asthma medication use. Associations were analyzed in logistic regression models, presented with adjusted ORs (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Lower lung function and skin barrier impairment were associated with asthma in general; aOR (95% CI) 5.4 (2.1, 13.7) and 1.6 (1.1, 2.5), while eczema and FLG mutations were associated with asthma in children with atopic dermatitis or allergic sensitization only. Stratifying for sex, the risk of asthma was only increased in boys with lower lung function; aOR (95% CI) 7.7 (2.5, 23.6), and in girls with FLG mutations; aOR (95% CI) 3.5 (1.5, 8.2). CONCLUSION: Lower lung function and impaired skin barrier function in infancy may increase the risk of asthma at age 3 years.

Frequent oil baths and skin barrier during infancy in the PreventADALL study.

BACKGROUND: In the general population randomized controlled trial PreventADALL, frequent emollient bath additives from 2 weeks of age did not prevent atopic dermatitis, while the effect on skin barrier function throughout infancy is not established. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this exploratory substudy was to assess the effect of mineral-based oil baths on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and dry skin through infancy, and secondarily to explore if filaggrin (FLG) mutations modified the effect. METHODS: Overall, 2153 infants were included and randomized to either the 'Skin intervention' (SI) group (n = 995) (oil bath 4 times weekly from 2 weeks through 8 months) or 'No skin intervention' (NSI) group (n = 1158), with TEWL measurements at 3, 6 and/or 12 months of age. Information on FLG mutation status was available for 1683 of these infants. Effects of the skin intervention on TEWL and dry skin through infancy were assessed by mixed-effects regression modelling. Background characteristics and protocol adherence were collected from electronic questionnaires, birth records and weekly diaries. RESULTS: The TEWL (95% confidence interval) was on average 0.42 g m-2 h-1 (0.13-0.70, P = 0.004) higher in the SI group compared with the NSI group through the first year of life, with significantly higher levels at 3 months [8.6 (8.3-9.0) vs. 7.6 (7.3-7.9)], but similar at 6 and 12 months. Dry skin was observed significantly more often in the NSI group compared with the SI group at 3 months (59% vs. 51%) and at 6 months of age (63% vs. 53%), while at 12 months of age, the difference was no longer significant. At 3 months, the TEWL of FLG mutation carriers was similar to the TEWL in the SI group. No interaction between SI and FLG mutation was found in the first year of life. CONCLUSIONS: Infants given frequent oil baths from 2 weeks of age had reduced skin barrier function through infancy compared with controls, largely attributed to higher TEWL at 3 months of age, while the skin at 3 and 6 months appeared less dry in infants subjected to the skin intervention.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects approximately 20% of children in industrialized countries. AD causes dry, itchy skin and can increase the chance of infections. This study was a substudy of the large Scandinavian PreventADALL trial, including 2394 infants, recruited from the general population between 2014 and 2016. Children in this trial were allocated randomly to receive either a skin intervention, food intervention, combined intervention, or no intervention. Children were examined at 3, 6 and 12 months of age. The examinations involved an investigation of the skin, to evaluate dry skin and skin barrier function by transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in the outer layers of the skin (higher TEWL suggests decreased skin barrier function). The skin intervention consisted of oil baths at least 4 times per week from 2 weeks of age through 8 months of age, and have previously not been shown to prevent AD by 1 and 3 years of age. We aimed to investigate whether frequent oil baths had any effect on TEWL and dry skin. We found that the skin intervention increased TEWL in the first year of life, especially at 3 months of age. Dry skin was less common in the skin intervention groups compared with the groups with no skin intervention. Infants with mutations in the gene coding for a skin barrier protein, called filaggrin, were associated with increased TEWL; however, in the skin intervention group, TEWL was similar among the infants with or without filaggrin mutations. Our findings suggest that oil baths several times per week from early infancy transiently decreases skin barrier function.

Expectations related to home-based telemonitoring of high-risk pregnancies: A qualitative study addressing healthcare providers' and users' views in Norway.

INTRODUCTION: A pregnancy can be evaluated as high-risk for the woman and/or the fetus based on medical history and on previous or ongoing pregnancy characteristics. Monitoring high-risk pregnancies is crucial for early detection of alarming features, enabling timely intervention to ensure optimal maternal and fetal health outcomes. Home-based telemonitoring (HBTM) is a marginally exploited opportunity in antenatal care. The aim of this study was to illuminate healthcare providers' and users' expectations and views about HBTM of maternal and fetal health in high-risk pregnancies before implementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To address diverse perspectives regarding HBTM of high-risk pregnancies, four different groups of experienced healthcare providers or users were interviewed (n = 21). Focus group interviews were conducted separately with midwives, obstetricians, and women who had previously experienced stillbirth. Six individual interviews were conducted with hospitalized women with ongoing high-risk pregnancies, representing potential candidates for HBTM. None of the participants had any previous experience with HBTM of pregnancies. The study is embedded in a social constructivist research paradigm. Interviews were analyzed using a thematic approach. RESULTS: The participants acknowledged the benefits and potentials of more active roles for both care recipients and providers in HBTM. Concerns were clearly addressed and articulated in the following themes: eligibility and ability of women, availability of midwives and obstetricians, empowerment and patient safety, and shared responsibility. All groups problematized issues crucial to maintaining a sense of safety for care recipients, and healthcare providers also addressed issues related to maintaining a sense of safety also for the care providers. Conditions for HBTM were understood in terms of optimal personalized training, individual assessment of eligibility, and empowerment of an active patient role. These conditions were linked to the importance of competent and experienced midwives and obstetricians operating the monitoring, as well as the availability and continuity of care provision. Maintenance of safety in HBTM in high-risk pregnancies was crucial, particularly so in situations involving emerging acute health issues. CONCLUSIONS: HBTM requires new, proactive roles among midwives, obstetricians, and monitored women, introducing a fine-tuned balance between personalized and standardized care to provide safe, optimal monitoring of high-risk pregnancies.

Early food intervention and skin emollients to prevent food allergy in young children (PreventADALL): a factorial, multicentre, cluster-randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Primary prevention of food allergy by early introduction of allergenic foods seems promising. We aimed to determine whether early food introduction or the application of regular skin emollients in infants from a general population reduced the risk of food allergy. METHODS: This 2 × 2 factorial, cluster-randomised trial was done at Oslo University Hospital and Østfold Hospital Trust, Oslo, Norway, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Infants of women recruited antenatally at the routine 18-week ultrasound examination were cluster-randomised at birth to the following groups: (1) no intervention group; (2) the skin intervention group (skin emollients; bath additives and facial cream; from age 2 weeks to <9 months, both at least four times per week); (3) the food intervention group (early complementary feeding of peanut, cow's milk, wheat, and egg from age 3 months); or (4) combined intervention group (skin and food interventions). Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) using computer-generated randomisation based on clusters of 92 geographical areas and eight 3-month time blocks. Study personnel performing clinical assessments were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was allergy to any interventional food at 36 months of age. The primary efficacy analysis was done by intention-to-treat analysis, which included all participants who were randomly assigned, apart from three individuals who withdrew their consent. This was a study performed within ORAACLE (the Oslo Research Group of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood; the Lung and Environment). This study is registered as ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02449850. FINDINGS: We recruited 2697 women with 2701 pregnancies, from whom 2397 newborn infants were enrolled between April 14, 2015, and April 11, 2017. Of these infants, 597 were randomly assigned to the no intervention group, 575 to the skin intervention group, 642 to the food intervention group, and 583 to the combined intervention group. One participant in each of the no intervention, food intervention, and skin intervention groups withdrew consent and were therefore not included in any analyses. Food allergy was diagnosed in 44 children; 14 (2·3%) of 596 infants in the non-intervention group, 17 (3·0%) of 574 infants in the skin intervention group, six (0·9%) of 641 infants in the food intervention group, and seven (1·2%) of 583 infants in the combined intervention group. Peanut allergy was diagnosed in 32 children, egg allergy in 12 children, and milk allergy in four children. None had allergy to wheat. Prevalence of food allergy was reduced in the food intervention group compared with the no food intervention group (risk difference -1·6% [95% CI -2·7 to -0·5]; odds ratio [OR] 0·4 [95% CI 0·2 to 0·8]), but not compared with the skin intervention group (0·4% [95% CI -0·6 to 1· 5%]; OR 1·3 [0·7 to 2·3]), with no significant interaction effect (p=1·0). Preventing food allergy in one child required early exposure to allergenic foods in 63 children. No serious adverse events were observed. INTERPRETATION: Exposure to allergenic foods from 3 months of age reduced food allergy at 36 months in a general population. Our results support that early introduction of common allergenic foods is a safe and effective strategy to prevent food allergy. FUNDING: Full funding sources listed at end of paper (see Acknowledgments).

A Globally Distributed Bacteroides caccae Strain Is the Most Prevalent Mother-Child Shared Bacteroidaceae Strain in a Large Scandinavian Cohort.

Bacteroides and Phocaeicola, members of the family Bacteroidaceae, are among the first microbes to colonize the human infant gut. While it is known that these microbes can be transmitted from mother to child, our understanding of the specific strains that are shared and potentially transmitted is limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the shared strains of Bacteroides and Phocaeicola in mothers and their infants. We analyzed fecal samples from pregnant woman recruited at 18 weeks of gestation from the PreventADALL study, as well as offspring samples from early infancy, including skin swab samples taken within 10 min after birth, the first available fecal sample (meconium), and fecal samples at 3 months of age. We screened 464 meconium samples for Bacteroidaceae, with subsequent selection of 144 mother-child pairs for longitudinal analysis, based on the presence of Bacteroidaceae, longitudinal sample availability, and delivery mode. Our results showed that Bacteroidaceae members were mainly detected in samples from vaginally delivered infants. We identified high prevalences of Phocaeicola vulgatus, Phocaeicola dorei, Bacteroides caccae, and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron in mothers and vaginally born infants. However, at the strain level, we observed high prevalences of only two strains: a B. caccae strain and a P. vulgatus strain. Notably, the B. caccae strain was identified as a novel component of mother-child shared strains, and its high prevalence was also observed in publicly available metagenomes worldwide. Our findings suggest that mode of delivery may play a role in shaping the early colonization of the infant gut microbiota, in particular the colonization of Bacteroidaceae members. IMPORTANCE Our study provides evidence that Bacteroidaceae strains present on infants' skin within 10 min after birth, in meconium samples, and in fecal samples at 3 months of age in vaginally delivered infants are shared with their mothers. Using strain resolution analyses, we identified two strains, belonging to Bacteroides caccae and Phocaeicola vulgatus, as shared between mothers and their infants. Interestingly, the B. caccae strain showed a high prevalence worldwide, while the P. vulgatus strain was less common. Our findings also showed that vaginal delivery was associated with early colonization of Bacteroidaceae members, whereas cesarean section delivery was associated with delayed colonization. Given the potential for these microbes to influence the colonic environment, our results suggest that understanding the bacterial-host relationship at the strain level may have implications for infant health and development later in life.

Clinical significance of L1CAM expression in metastatic tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the expression and prognostic role of L1CAM in tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). METHODS: L1CAM protein expression by immunohistochemistry was analyzed in 644 HGSC (413 effusions, 231 surgical specimens). Expression was analyzed for association with clinicopathologic parameters and survival. RESULTS: L1CAM protein expression was found in 401/413 (97%) effusions and 209/231 (90%) surgical specimens, with significantly higher staining extent in effusions (p < 0.001). L1CAM protein expression in effusions was unrelated to clinicopathologic parameters (p > 0.05). In surgical specimens, higher L1CAM expression was significantly related to primary (intrinsic) chemoresistance (p = 0.017). High (>25%) L1CAM expression in HGSC effusions (p = 0.02), older patient age (p = 0.013), FIGO stage IV disease (p < 0.001) and larger residual disease volume (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis. In Cox multivariate analysis, only FIGO stage (p = 0.001) and residual disease volume (p = 0.003) were independent prognosticators of OS. L1CAM expression in effusions was unrelated to progression-free survival (PFS). There was no association between L1CAM expression in surgical specimens and survival. CONCLUSION: L1CAM is overexpressed in HGSC effusions compared to surgical specimens. Its overexpression in effusions is significantly associated with shorter OS, but not independently of established prognostic factors such as FIGO stage and residual disease volume.

Self-reported lower extremity lymphedema and quality of life after surgical staging of endometrial carcinoma: A population based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) has replaced lymphadenectomy in staging of endometrial carcinoma. The aims of the study were to explore the prevalence of self-reported lymphedema (LEL), identify factors associated with LEL, compare quality of life (QoL) scores using thresholds of clinical importance, and assess correlation between different questionnaires. METHODS: Women who underwent staging for endometrial carcinoma from 2006 to 2021 were invited to complete the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Screening Questionnaire (LELSQ), EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-EN24 and EQ-5D-5L. RESULTS: Of 2156 invited survivors, 61% participated in the study, whereof 1127 were evaluable by LELSQ. The LEL prevalence was 51%, 36% and 40% after lymphadenectomy, SLN and hysterectomy, respectively (p < 0.001). Higher BMI, undergoing lymphadenectomy and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with LEL; odds ratios 1.07 (95% CI 1.05-1.09), 1.42 (95% CI 1.03-1.97) and 1.43 (95% CI 1.08-1.89) respectively. QoL was lower for women with LEL compared to those without. In women with musculoskeletal complaints the prevalence of LEL was 59%, 50% and 53% after lymphadenectomy, SLN and hysterectomy (p = 0.115), respectively, compared to 39%, 17% and 18% (p < 0.001) in women without musculoskeletal complaints. Spearman's correlation was moderate to strong between the questionnaires. CONCLUSION: SLN implementation is not associated with increased LEL prevalence compared to hysterectomy alone, but is associated with a significantly lower prevalence compared to lymphadenectomy. LEL is associated with lower QoL. Our study demonstrates moderate to strong correlation between self-reported LEL and QoL scores. Available questionnaires may not distinguish between symptoms caused by LEL and musculoskeletal disease.

Associations between modifiable lifestyle factors and health-related quality of life among endometrial carcinoma survivors - A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore possible associations between modifiable lifestyle factors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in endometrial carcinoma survivors by assessing differences in HRQoL between survivors meeting and not meeting the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations regarding physical activity, BMI, and smoking. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study in women having undergone surgery for assumed early-stage endometrial carcinoma. Thresholds for clinical importance based on the EORTC QoL working group were used to interpret scores. Effect size (ES) was interpreted as small (d = 0.2-0.49), medium (d = 0.5-0.8), and large (d > 0.8). RESULTS: In total, 1200 evaluable women were included. Meeting physical activity recommendations and BMI <25 kg/m2 was associated with significantly better global health status, (ES) = 0.18 and ES = -0.11, respectively. On multivariate analysis, women meeting physical activity recommendations had significantly higher scores on physical- (ES = 0.31), role- (ES = 0.15), and social functioning (ES = 0.15), and lower levels of fatigue (ES = -0.16), pain (ES = -0.10), and appetite loss (ES = -0.15) (all p < 0.05) compared to non-meeting survivors. Participants with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 had lower scores for social functioning (ES = -0.10), and higher levels of pain (ES = 0.13) and dyspnea (ES = 0.12) (all p < 0.05) compared to those with BMI <25 kg/m2. Smokers had lower scores for emotional functioning (ES = -0.09) and higher levels of diarrhea (ES = 0.10) (all p < 0.05) compared to non-smokers. CONCLUSION: Meeting WHO recommendations for modifiable life-style factors is associated with better HRQoL among endometrial carcinoma survivors: Being sufficiently physical active and having a BMI <25 kg/m2 are significantly associated with better self-reported global health status. All modifiable factors are associated with better functioning, and reduced symptom-burden.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire and the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Screening Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: There is a paucity of international data regarding self-reported lower extremity lymphedema and quality of life after surgery for gynecological cancer. Validated questionnaires are emerging, but translated versions are lacking. Cross-cultural adaptation is important to reduce the risk of introducing bias into a study. OBJECTIVE: To translate and culturally adapt the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire and the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Screening Questionnaire for a Norwegian population. METHODS: Permission to use the original English versions of the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire and the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Screening Questionnaire for translation was obtained. The questionnaires were translated using a procedure based on standard guidelines, including forward translation by native speakers of the target language, synthesis, back translation, and review. Seventeen patients from the Norwegian Radium Hospital gynecological cancer outpatient clinic, all expected to have stable disease, were invited for questionnaire test-retest by completing the same questionnaires twice at 3-4-week intervals. Internal consistency was assessed by calculating Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was assessed using an intra-class correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Twelve patients completed the questionnaires twice. Cronbach's alpha was 0.75 for the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire and 0.89 for the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Screening Questionnaire. The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.86 for the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire and 0.91 for the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Screening Questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of these internationally validated patient-reported outcomes questionnaires for survivors of lower extremity lymphedema in gynecological cancer was feasible. The Norwegian translation of the Gynecologic Cancer Lymphedema Questionnaire and the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Screening Questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency and the test-retest reliability was excellent.

Paracetamol use in pregnancy: Not as safe as we may think?

Paracetamol is used by more than 50% of women worldwide during pregnancy; headache representing the most frequent indication. Several studies report that long-term exposure to paracetamol in utero is associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in children, indicating a dose-response effect. However, less or no risk is found to be associated with short-term exposure. Paracetamol most likely crosses the placenta through passive diffusion, and there are several possible mechanisms for how paracetamol might affect fetal brain development. Although the literature suggests an association between prenatal paracetamol exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes, the role of confounders cannot be ruled out. Consequently, as a precaution, we believe that pregnant women should be recommended ideally to only use paracetamol to treat conditions that might harm the fetus, such as severe pain or a high fever. This Comment aims to put focus on the potential fetal risks of paracetamol exposure in utero.

Neonatal outcomes associated with time from a high fetal blood lactate concentration to operative delivery.

INTRODUCTION: Adjunctive technologies to cardiotocography intend to increase the specificity of the diagnosis of fetal hypoxia. If correctly diagnosed, time to delivery could affect neonatal outcome. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of time from when fetal distress is indicated by a high fetal blood sample (FBS) lactate concentration to operative delivery on the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study. Deliveries with a singleton fetus in cephalic presentation at 36+0 weeks of gestation or later were included. Adverse neonatal outcomes, related to decision-to-delivery interval (DDI), were investigated in operative deliveries indicated by an FBS lactate concentration of at least 4.8 mmol/L. We applied logistic regression to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of various adverse neonatal outcomes, with associated 95% confidence intervals (CI), for a DDI exceeding 20 minutes, compared with a DDI of 20 minutes or less. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT04779294. RESULTS: The main analysis included 228 women with an operative delivery indicated by an FBS lactate concentration of 4.8 mmol/L or greater. The risk of all adverse neonatal outcomes was significantly increased for both DDI groups compared with the reference group (deliveries with an FBS lactate below 4.2 mmol/L within 60 minutes before delivery). In operative deliveries indicated by an FBS lactate concentration of 4.8 mmol/L or more, there was a significantly increased risk of a 5-minute Apgar score less than 7 if the DDI exceeded 20 minutes, compared with a DDI of 20 minutes or less (aOR 8.1, 95% CI 1.1-60.9). We found no statistically significant effect on other short-term outcomes for deliveries with DDI longer than 20 minutes, compared with those with DDI of 20 minutes or less (pH ≤7.10: aOR 2.0, 95% CI 0.5-8.4; transfer to the neonatal intensive care unit: aOR 1.1, 95% CI 0.4-3.5). CONCLUSIONS: After a high FBS lactate measurement, the increased risk of adverse neonatal outcome is further augmented if the DDI exceeds 20 minutes. These findings give support to current Norwegian guidelines for intervention in cases of fetal distress.

Markers of placental function correlate with prevalence and quantity of nucleated fetal cells in maternal circulation in normotensive term pregnancies.

INTRODUCTION: Transplacental fetal cell transfer results in the engraftment of fetal-origin cells in the pregnant woman's body, a phenomenon termed fetal microchimerism. Increased fetal microchimerism measured decades postpartum is implicated in maternal inflammatory disease. Understanding which factors cause increased fetal microchimerism is therefore important. During pregnancy, circulating fetal microchimerism and placental dysfunction increase with increasing gestational age, particularly towards term. Placental dysfunction is reflected by changes in circulating placenta-associated markers, specifically placental growth factor (PlGF), decreased by several 100 pg/mL, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), increased by several 1000 pg/mL, and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, increased by several 10 (pg/mL)/(pg/mL). We investigated whether such alterations in placenta-associated markers correlate with an increase in circulating fetal-origin cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 118 normotensive, clinically uncomplicated pregnancies (gestational age 37+1 up to 42+2 weeks' gestation) pre-delivery. PlGF and sFlt-1 (pg/mL) were measured by Elecsys® Immunoassays. We extracted DNA from maternal and fetal samples and genotyped four human leukocyte antigen loci and 17 other autosomal loci. Paternally inherited, unique fetal alleles served as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targets for detecting fetal-origin cells in maternal buffy coat. Fetal-origin cell prevalence was assessed by logistic regression, and quantity by negative binomial regression. Statistical exposures included gestational age (weeks), PlGF (100 pg/mL), sFlt-1 (1000 pg/mL) and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (10 (pg/mL)/(pg/mL)). Regression models were adjusted for clinical confounders and PCR-related competing exposures. RESULTS: Gestational age was positively correlated with fetal-origin cell quantity (DRR = 2.2, P = 0.003) and PlGF was negatively correlated with fetal-origin cell prevalence (odds ratio [OR]100 = 0.6, P = 0.003) and quantity (DRR100 = 0.7, P = 0.001). The sFlt-1 and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratios were positively correlated with fetal-origin cell prevalence (OR1000 = 1.3, P = 0.014 and OR10 = 1.2, P = 0.038, respectively), but not quantity (DRR1000 = 1.1, P = 0.600; DRR10 = 1.1, P = 0.112, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that placental dysfunction as evidenced by placenta-associated marker changes, may increase fetal cell transfer. The magnitudes of change tested were based on ranges in PlGF, sFlt-1 and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio previously demonstrated in pregnancies near and post-term, lending clinical significance to our findings. Our results were statistically significant after adjusting for confounders including gestational age, supporting our novel hypothesis that underlying placental dysfunction potentially is a driver of increased fetal microchimerism.

Maternal human papillomavirus infection during pregnancy and preterm delivery: A mother-child cohort study in Norway and Sweden.

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common in women of reproductive age. Infection and inflammation are leading causes for preterm delivery (PTD), but the role of HPV infection in PTD and prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) is unclear. We aimed to explore whether HPV infection during pregnancy in general, and high-risk-HPV (HR-HPV) infection specifically, increased the risk of PTD, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), PROM at term, and/or chorioamnionitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In pregnant women, who were participating in a prospective multicenter cohort study from a general population in Norway and Sweden (PreventADALL, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02449850), HPV DNA was analyzed in available urine samples at mid-gestation (16-22 weeks) and at delivery, and in the placenta after delivery with Seegene Anyplex II HPV28 PCR assay. The risk of PTD, PPROM, PROM, and chorioamnionitis was analyzed using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses for any 28 HPV genotypes, including 12 HR-HPV genotypes, compared with HPV-negative women. Further, subgroups of HPV (low-risk/possibly HR-HPV, HR-HPV-non-16 and HR-HPV-16), persistence of HR-HPV from mid-gestation to delivery, HR-HPV-viral load, and presence of multiple HPV infections were analyzed for the obstetric outcomes. Samples for HPV analyses were available from 950 women with singleton pregnancies (mean age 32 years) at mid-gestation and in 753 also at delivery. RESULTS: At mid-gestation, 40% of women were positive for any HPV and 24% for HR-HPV. Of the 950 included women, 23 had PTD (2.4%), nine had PPROM (0.9%), and six had chorioamnionitis (0.6%). Of the term pregnancies, 25% involved PROM. The frequency of PTD was higher in HR-HPV-positive women (8/231, 3.5%) than in HPV-negative women (13/573, 2.3%) at mid-gestation, but the association was not statistically significant (odds ratio 1.55; 95% confidence interval 0.63-3.78). Neither any HPV nor subgroups of HPV at mid-gestation or delivery, nor persistence of HR-HPV was significantly associated with increased risk for PTD, PPROM, PROM, or chorioamnionitis. No HPV DNA was detected in placentas of women with PTD, PPROM or chorioamnionitis. CONCLUSIONS: HPV infection during pregnancy was not significantly associated with increased risk for PTD, PPROM, PROM, or chorioamnionitis among women from a general population with a low incidence of adverse obstetric outcomes.

Intrapartum pudendal nerve block analgesia and childbirth experience in primiparous women with vaginal birth: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A negative childbirth experience has short- and long-term consequences for both mother and child. This study aimed to investigate the association between intrapartum pudendal nerve block (PNB) analgesia and childbirth experience. METHODS: Primiparous women with a singleton cephalic vaginal live births at term at Oslo University Hospital from January 1, 2017, to June 1, 2019, were eligible for inclusion. The main outcome was total score on a childbirth experience questionnaire (range 1.0-4.0, higher score indicates better childbirth experience). An absolute risk difference of 0.10 was considered clinically relevant. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics between women with and without PNB. The analyses were stratified by spontaneous vs instrumental birth. Subanalyses of the questionnaire's domains (own capacity, professional support, perceived safety, and participation) were performed. RESULTS: Of 979 participating women, mean age was 32 years. Childbirth experience did not differ between women with and without PNB, either in spontaneous (absolute risk difference of the mean: -0.05, P value 0.36) or in instrumental birth (absolute risk difference of the mean: 0.03, P value 0.61). There were no statistically significant differences between PNB group scores for the separate domains. CONCLUSIONS: Women's childbirth experiences did not differ between birthing people with or without PNB, either in spontaneous or in instrumental births. The clinical implications of our study should be interpreted in light of the pain-relieving effects of PNB.PNB should be provided on clinical indication, including for individuals with severe labor pain.

Impaired skin barrier and allergic sensitization in early infancy.

BACKGROUND: Factors predicting allergic sensitization in the first 6 months of life are poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether eczema, dry skin, and high transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at 3 months were associated with allergic sensitization at 6 months of age and, secondarily, to establish whether these characteristics predicted sensitization from 3 to 6 months of age. METHODS: At 3 months of age, 1,994 infants from the population-based PreventADALL birth cohort in Norway and Sweden were assessed for eczema and dry skin on the cheeks and/or extensors; impaired skin barrier function, defined as TEWL in the upper quartile (>9.4 g/m2 /h), and allergen-specific IgE levels <0.1 kUA /L, available in 830. At 6 months, we assessed allergic sensitization to any food (egg, cow's milk, peanut, wheat, soy) or inhalant (birch, timothy grass, dog, and cat) allergen by a skin prick test wheal diameter ≥2 mm larger than negative control. RESULTS: Any sensitization was found in 198 of the 1,994 infants (9.9%), the majority to food allergens (n = 177, 8.9%). Eczema, dry skin, and high TEWL at 3 months increased the risk of sensitization at 6 months; adjusted odds ratios 4.20 (95% CI 2.93-6.04), 2.09 (95% CI 1.51-2.90) and 3.67 (95% CI 2.58-5.22), respectively. Eczema predicted sensitization with 55.6% sensitivity and 68.1% specificity; dry skin with 65.3% sensitivity and 57.3% specificity; and high TEWL with 61.7% sensitivity and 78.1% specificity. CONCLUSION: Eczema, dry skin, and high TEWL at 3 months predicted allergic sensitization at 6 months of age.

Evaluation of Skin Prick Test Reading Time at 10 versus 15 min in Young Infants.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal time point for reading the mean wheal diameter (MWD) of a skin prick test (SPT) in infants is not established. We aimed to assess if either of two reading time points of the SPT, 10 or 15 min, was superior to detect allergic sensitization (AS) in 6-month-old infants. METHODS: In 1,431 6-month-old infants from the population-based Preventing Atopic Dermatitis and ALLergies in children (PreventADALL) mother-child cohort, the SPT was performed with standard solutions for egg, cow's milk, peanut, wheat, soy, birch, timothy, dog, and cat. The MWD was measured after 10 and 15 min. AS was defined as a positive SPT with MWD ≥2 mm larger than the negative control. RESULTS: Overall, 149 (10.4%) infants were sensitized to at least one allergen at 10 and/or 15 min, while 138 (9.6%) had a positive SPT at 10 min and 141 (9.9%) at 15 min. A total of 12,873 allergen pricks were performed with 212 (1.6%) being positive at any time point, 194 (1.5%) positive at 10 min, and 196 (1.5%) positive at 15 min. The mean (95% CI) histamine MWD of 3.8 (3.8, 3.9) mm at 10 min was significantly larger than the 3.6 (3.6, 3.7) mm at 15 min. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Reading the SPT after both 10 and 15 min increased the number of 6-month-old infants with documented AS compared to reading after one time point only. As neither 10 nor 15 min reading time was superior to the other in detecting AS, our results indicate that readings at both time points should be considered. However, the histamine MWD was significantly larger at 10 min compared to 15 min. Reappraisal of SPT reading in infancy may be warranted.

Syncytiotrophoblast stress in preeclampsia: the convergence point for multiple pathways.

Preeclampsia evolves in 2 stages: a placental problem that generates signals to the mother to cause a range of responses that comprise the second stage (preeclampsia syndrome). The first stage of early-onset preeclampsia is poor placentation, which we here call malplacentation. The spiral arteries are incompletely remodeled, leading to later placental malperfusion, relatively early in the second half of pregnancy. The long duration of the first stage (several months) is unsurprisingly associated with fetal growth restriction. The first stage of late-onset preeclampsia, approximately 80% of total cases, is shorter (several weeks) and part of a process that is common to all pregnancies. Placental function declines as it outgrows uterine capacity, with increasing chorionic villous packing, compression of the intervillous space, and fetal hypoxia, and causes late-onset clinical presentations such as "unexplained" stillbirths, late-onset fetal growth restriction, or preeclampsia. The second stages of early- and late-onset preeclampsia share syncytiotrophoblast stress as the most relevant feature that causes the maternal syndrome. Syncytiotrophoblast stress signals in the maternal circulation are probably the most specific biomarkers for preeclampsia. In addition, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (mainly produced by syncytiotrophoblast) is the best-known biomarker and is routinely used in clinical practice in many locations. How the stress signals change over time in normal pregnancies indicates that syncytiotrophoblast stress begins on average at 30 to 32 weeks' gestation and progresses to term. At term, syncytiotrophoblast shows increasing markers of stress, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, syncytial knots, and necrosis. We label this phenotype the "twilight placenta" and argue that it accounts for the clinical problems of postmature pregnancies. Senescence as a stress response differs in multinuclear syncytiotrophoblast from that of mononuclear cells. Syncytiotrophoblast irreversibly acquires part of the senescence phenotype (cell cycle arrest) when it is formed by cell fusion. The 2 pathways converge on the common pathologic endpoint, syncytiotrophoblast stress, and contribute to preeclampsia subtypes. We highlight that the well-known heterogeneity of the preeclampsia syndrome arises from different pathways to this common endpoint, influenced by maternal genetics, epigenetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors with different fetal and maternal responses to the ensuing insults. This complexity mandates a reassessment of our approach to predicting and preventing preeclampsia, and we summarize research priorities to maximize what we can learn about these important issues.

Failure of physiological transformation and spiral artery atherosis: their roles in preeclampsia.

Physiological transformation with remodeling of the uteroplacental spiral arteries is key to a successful placentation and normal placental function. It is an intricate process that involves, but is not restricted to, complex interactions between maternal decidual immune cells and invasive trophoblasts in the uterine wall. In normal pregnancy, the smooth muscle cells of the arterial tunica media of uteroplacental spiral arteries are replaced by invading trophoblasts and fibrinoid, and the arterial diameter increases 5- to 10-fold. Poor remodeling of the uteroplacental spiral arteries is linked to early-onset preeclampsia and several other major obstetrical syndromes, including fetal growth restriction, placental abruption, and spontaneous preterm premature rupture of membranes. Extravillous endoglandular and endovenous trophoblast invasions have recently been put forth as potential contributors to these syndromes as well. The well-acknowledged disturbed extravillous invasion of maternal spiral arteries in preeclampsia is summarized, as are briefly novel concepts of disturbed extravillous endoglandular and endovenous trophoblast invasions. Acute atherosis is a foam cell lesion of the uteroplacental spiral arteries associated with poor remodeling. It shares some morphologic features with early stages of atherosclerosis, but several molecular differences between these lesions have also recently been revealed. Acute atherosis is most prevalent at the maternal-fetal interface, at the tip of the spiral arteries. The localization of acute atherosis downstream of poorly remodeled arteries suggests that alterations in blood flow may trigger inflammation and foam cell development. Acute atherosis within the decidua basalis is not, however, confined to unremodeled areas of spiral arteries or to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and may even be present in some clinically uneventful pregnancies. Given that foam cells of atherosclerotic lesions are known to arise from smooth muscle cells or macrophages activated by multiple types of inflammatory stimulation, we have proposed that multiple forms of decidual vascular inflammation may cause acute atherosis, with or without poor remodeling and/or preeclampsia. Furthermore, we propose that acute atherosis may develop at different gestational ages, depending on the type and degree of the inflammatory insult. This review summarizes the current knowledge of spiral artery remodeling defects and acute atherosis in preeclampsia. Some controversies will be presented, including endovascular and interstitial trophoblast invasion depths, the concept of 2-stage trophoblast invasion, and whether the replacement of maternal spiral artery endothelium by fetal endovascular trophoblasts is permanent. We will discuss the role of acute atherosis in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and short- and long-term health correlates. Finally, we suggest future opportunities for research on this intriguing uteroplacental interface between the mother and fetus.

Fetal Thoracic Circumference and Lung Volume and Their Relation to Fetal Size and Pulmonary Artery Blood Flow.

OBJECTIVE: Research on early origins of lung disease suggests the need for studying the relationships of thoracic and lung size with fetal size and pulmonary circulation. The primary aim of this study is therefore to explore the associations between fetal thoracic circumference, lung volume, and fetal size. We also aim to assess if lung volume and thoracic circumference are associated with fetal pulmonary artery blood flow velocity measures. METHODS: Cross-sectional assessment of singleton pregnancies from the general population (n = 447) at 30 gestational weeks (GW) was performed using ultrasound measurement of fetal thoracic circumference, lung volume, head and abdominal circumference, and femur length. We obtained Doppler blood flow velocity measures from the proximal branches of the fetal pulmonary artery. Associations between variables were studied using Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Both thoracic circumference and lung volume correlated with fetal size measures, ranging from r = 0.64 between thoracic circumference and abdominal circumference, to r = 0.28 between lung volume and femur length. Adjustment for gestational age, maternal nicotine use, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and fetal sex marginally influenced the associations with abdominal circumference. The correlations of thoracic circumference and lung volume with pulmonary artery blood flow velocity measures were weak (r ≤ 0.17). CONCLUSION: We found moderate to low correlation between thoracic circumference, lung volume, and fetal size at 30 GW. The closest relationship was with the abdominal circumference. We found low correlations of thoracic circumference and lung volume with pulmonary artery blood flow velocity measures.

Placental Transcriptome Profiling in Subtypes of Diabetic Pregnancies Is Strongly Confounded by Fetal Sex.

The placenta is a temporary organ with a unique structure and function to ensure healthy fetal development. Placental dysfunction is involved in pre-eclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A diabetic state affects maternal and fetal health and may lead to functional alterations of placental metabolism, inflammation, hypoxia, and weight, amplifying the fetal stress. The placental molecular adaptations to the diabetic environment and the adaptive spatio-temporal consequences to elevated glucose or insulin are largely unknown (2). We aimed to identify gene expression signatures related to the diabetic placental pathology of placentas from women with diabetes mellitus. Human placenta samples (n = 77) consisting of healthy controls, women with either gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and women with GDM, type 1 or type 2 diabetes and superimposed PE were collected. Interestingly, gene expression differences quantified by total RNA sequencing were mainly driven by fetal sex rather than clinical diagnosis. Association of the principal components with a full set of clinical patient data identified fetal sex as the single main explanatory variable. Accordingly, placentas complicated by type 1 and type 2 diabetes showed only few differentially expressed genes, while possible effects of GDM and diabetic pregnancy complicated by PE were not identifiable in this cohort. We conclude that fetal sex has a prominent effect on the placental transcriptome, dominating and confounding gene expression signatures resulting from diabetes mellitus in settings of well-controlled diabetic disease. Our results support the notion of placenta as a sexual dimorphic organ.