Histological Alterations in Placentas of Pregnant Women with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Single-Center Case Series.

This study aimed to investigate the histopathological changes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in placentas. A case series of anatomopathological analysis was conducted on the placentas of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 who delivered between March and December 2020 at Santo Amaro Hospital (HSA) in Salvador, Brazil. Out of the 29 placentas examined, the median weight was 423.0 (IQR: 385.0-521.0) g. Among them, 58.3% (n = 14) had inadequate weight relative to the newborn's weight. The histopathological findings revealed that 86.2% (n = 25) of the placentas had poorly defined lobes, and the fetal and maternal surface color was normal in 89.7% (n = 26) and 93.1% (n = 27), respectively. Additionally, 51.7% (n = 15) of the umbilical cords displayed hypercoiling. The most frequent microscopic finding was infarction, present in 35.3% (n = 6) of the cases, followed by 11.8% (n = 2) for each of chorioamnionitis, chronic villitis, focal perivillositis, and laminar necrosis. Analysis of the umbilical cords identified 23.5% (n = 4) cases of intervillous thrombosis, while amnion analysis showed 13.8% (n = 4) cases of squamous metaplasia. Extraplacental membrane examination revealed fibrin deposition in 93.1% (n = 27) of the cases, necrosis in 62.0% (n = 18), calcifications in 51.7% (n = 15), cysts in 37.9% (n = 11), neutrophilic exudate in 17.2% (n = 5), thrombosis in 13.7% (n = 4), and delayed placental maturation in 6.9% (n = 2). All analyzed placentas exhibited histopathological changes, primarily vascular and inflammatory, which indicate SARS-CoV-2 infection in term pregnancies. These alterations could be associated with impaired placental function, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and prematurity. However, further prospective studies are required to validate the type, prevalence, and prognosis of each of these changes.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and newborns in two maternity hospitals in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil.

The outbreak of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread globally. As of June 18, 2020, a high maternal mortality rate due to SARS-CoV-2 infections was identified in Brazil, representing most of the world cases at that time. An observational, cross-sectional study was performed with pregnant women admitted in two maternity hospitals located in Salvador/Bahia and their newborns, from May 24th up to July 17th of 2020. Among 329 pregnant women enrolled at hospital admission, a high prevalence (n=28; 8.5%) of pregnant women with COVID-19 was observed, as well as a high proportion of asymptomatic cases (n=19; 67.9%). Two newborns had detectable SARS-CoV-2 but evolved without abnormalities. This data highlight the importance of identifying pregnant women with COVID-19 for proper isolation measures to prevent in-hospital transmission.

Cardiometabolic evaluation of small for gestational age children: protective effect of breast milk / Evaluación cardiometabólica de niños pequeños para su edad gestacional: efecto protector de la leche materna

INTRODUCTION: human growth is the result of an interaction between genetic, hormonal, nutritional, and environmental factors. It is not yet fully understood what is predominant and decisive in determining an individual's weight and height. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiometabolic profile of exclusively breastfed children born small for gestational age (SGA). METHODS: this is a prospective cohort study of children born at term who were classified as SGA, and as appropiate for gestational age (AGA), who were followed up to pre-school age. Anthropometric measures and body composition parameters were obtained. Breastfeeding duration was calculated in days, and achievement of catch up of weight was considered an increase in Z-score ≥ 0.67. The cardiometabolic profile was evaluated in the first month of life and repeated at pre-school age. At pre-school age, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and blood pressure were measured. RESULTS: twenty SGA and 12 AGA children were studied. The mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 180 days in both groups. Of SGA children, 85 % had recovery anthropometric parameters for age within the first six months, with a speed of weight gain significantly higher than the that of AGAs (p < 0.001). SGAs continued to be thinner and smaller than AGAs at pre-school age. There was no diagnosis of overweight or obesity in the studied sample, and no differences were foun between groups in laboratory tests. CONCLUSION: these findings suggest that EBF may confer protection until pre-school age in children born SGA, who are considered at higher risk for chronic non-communicable diseases

INTRODUCCIÓN: el crecimiento humano es el resultado de la interacción de factores genéticos, hormonales, nutricionales y ambientales. Todavía no se comprende completamente lo que es predominante y decisivo para determinar el peso y la altura del individuo. OBJETIVO: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el perfil cardiometabólico de niños alimentados con lactancia materna exclusivamente y que nacieron pequeños para la edad gestacional (PEG). MÉTODOS: este es un estudio de cohortes prospectivo con niños nacidos a término, unos clasificados como PEG y otros como apropiados para la edad gestacional (AEG). Se hizo un seguimiento de estos niños hasta la edad preescolar. Se realizaron medidas antropométricas y de la composición corporal. La duración de la lactancia materna se calculó en días y el éxito en la recuperación del peso se consideró como un aumento de la puntuación Z ≥ 0,67. El perfil cardiometabólico se evaluó en el primer mes de vida y se repitió en la edad preescolar. En la edad preescolar se midieron la glucosa en sangre en ayunas, la insulina, el HOMA-IR y la presión arterial. RESULTADOS: el grupo del estudio estaba formado por veinte niños PEG y doce niños AEG. La duración media de la lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) fue de 180 días en ambos grupos. De los niños PEG, el 85 % tenían parámetros antropométricos de recuperación para la edad en los primeros seis meses, siendo la velocidad del aumento de peso significativamente mayor que en los AEG (p < 0,001). Aun así, los niños PEG continuaron siendo más delgados y pequeños que los AEG en la edad preescolar. No hubo diagnóstico de sobrepeso u obesidad en la muestra estudiada, y no hay diferencia entre los grupos relativos a las pruebas de laboratorio. CONCLUSIÓN: estos hallazgos sugieren que la LME puede conferir protección hasta la edad preescolar en los niños nacidos PEG, que se consideran en mayor riesgo de contraer enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles

Cardiometabolic evaluation of small for gestational age children: protective effect of breast milk.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: human growth is the result of an interaction between genetic, hormonal, nutritional, and environmental factors. It is not yet fully understood what is predominant and decisive in determining an individual's weight and height. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiometabolic profile of exclusively breastfed children born small for gestational age (SGA). Methods: this is a prospective cohort study of children born at term who were classified as SGA, and as appropiate for gestational age (AGA), who were followed up to pre-school age. Anthropometric measures and body composition parameters were obtained. Breastfeeding duration was calculated in days, and achievement of catch up of weight was considered an increase in Z-score ≥ 0.67. The cardiometabolic profile was evaluated in the first month of life and repeated at pre-school age. At pre-school age, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and blood pressure were measured. Results: twenty SGA and 12 AGA children were studied. The mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 180 days in both groups. Of SGA children, 85 % had recovery anthropometric parameters for age within the first six months, with a speed of weight gain significantly higher than the that of AGAs (p < 0.001). SGAs continued to be thinner and smaller than AGAs at pre-school age. There was no diagnosis of overweight or obesity in the studied sample, and no differences were foun between groups in laboratory tests. Conclusion: these findings suggest that EBF may confer protection until pre-school age in children born SGA, who are considered at higher risk for chronic non-communicable diseases.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: el crecimiento humano es el resultado de la interacción de factores genéticos, hormonales, nutricionales y ambientales. Todavía no se comprende completamente lo que es predominante y decisivo para determinar el peso y la altura del individuo. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el perfil cardiometabólico de niños alimentados con lactancia materna exclusivamente y que nacieron pequeños para la edad gestacional (PEG). Métodos: este es un estudio de cohortes prospectivo con niños nacidos a término, unos clasificados como PEG y otros como apropiados para la edad gestacional (AEG). Se hizo un seguimiento de estos niños hasta la edad preescolar. Se realizaron medidas antropométricas y de la composición corporal. La duración de la lactancia materna se calculó en días y el éxito en la recuperación del peso se consideró como un aumento de la puntuación Z ≥ 0,67. El perfil cardiometabólico se evaluó en el primer mes de vida y se repitió en la edad preescolar. En la edad preescolar se midieron la glucosa en sangre en ayunas, la insulina, el HOMA-IR y la presión arterial. Resultados: el grupo del estudio estaba formado por veinte niños PEG y doce niños AEG. La duración media de la lactancia materna exclusiva (LME) fue de 180 días en ambos grupos. De los niños PEG, el 85 % tenían parámetros antropométricos de recuperación para la edad en los primeros seis meses, siendo la velocidad del aumento de peso significativamente mayor que en los AEG (p < 0,001). Aun así, los niños PEG continuaron siendo más delgados y pequeños que los AEG en la edad preescolar. No hubo diagnóstico de sobrepeso u obesidad en la muestra estudiada, y no hay diferencia entre los grupos relativos a las pruebas de laboratorio. Conclusión: estos hallazgos sugieren que la LME puede conferir protección hasta la edad preescolar en los niños nacidos PEG, que se consideran en mayor riesgo de contraer enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and newborns in two maternity hospitals in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil

ABSTRACT The outbreak of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread globally. As of June 18, 2020, a high maternal mortality rate due to SARS-CoV-2 infections was identified in Brazil, representing most of the world cases at that time. An observational, cross-sectional study was performed with pregnant women admitted in two maternity hospitals located in Salvador/Bahia and their newborns, from May 24th up to July 17th of 2020. Among 329 pregnant women enrolled at hospital admission, a high prevalence (n=28; 8.5%) of pregnant women with COVID-19 was observed, as well as a high proportion of asymptomatic cases (n=19; 67.9%). Two newborns had detectable SARS-CoV-2 but evolved without abnormalities. This data highlight the importance of identifying pregnant women with COVID-19 for proper isolation measures to prevent in-hospital transmission.

Breastfeeding in children born small for gestational age and future nutritional and metabolic outcomes: a systematic review / Aleitamento materno em crianças nascidas pequenas para idade gestacional e os desfechos nutricionais e metabólicos futuros: revisão sistemática

Abstract Objective: To systematically review evidence related to nutritional and cardiometabolic outcomes in children born at term and small for gestational age and the association with breastfeeding. Source of data: Two independent reviewers searched the MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, and Embase databases without time or language restrictions. The PRISMA tool was used, and studies that evaluated infants born at term and small for gestational age, breastfed, and with an evaluation of cardiometabolic outcomes were included. Studies with preterm infants, those that did not have information on breastfeeding, and those with lack of evaluation of the outcome variables were excluded. Also excluded were review articles, editorials, and series of cases. Summary of data: Only seven articles were found that met the abovementioned criteria. There was a great variability in the type of evaluation, as well as in the age of these children. It was demonstrated that breastfeeding promoted growth without body composition alteration and without increased insulin resistance in children with exclusive breastfeeding, when compared to children receiving a higher calorie formula, except for one article that observed an increase in fat mass in exclusively breastfed children. Conclusion: Breastfeeding seems to be a safe feeding practice for infants born at term and small for gestational age, showing no association with deleterious short-term outcomes. Breastfeeding stimulation in these populations seems to be a way of preventing the health problems associated with the high risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases and obesity.

Resumo Objetivo: Revisar sistematicamente as evidências relacionadas aos desfechos nutricionais e cardiometabólicos em crianças nascidas a termo e pequenas para idade gestacional e a relação com o aleitamento materno. Fonte de dados: Dois revisores independentes fizeram buscas nas bases de dados MEDLINE,LILACS, SciELO, EMBASE sem restrições de tempo ou idioma. Foi usada a ferramenta PRISMA sendo incluídos estudos que avaliaram crianças nascidas a termo e pequenas para idade gestacional, amamentadas e com avaliação dos desfechos cardiometabólicos. Foram excluídos estudos com prematuros, aqueles que não trouxessem informação do aleitamento materno, ausência de avaliação das variáveis de desfecho. Também não foram incluídos artigos de revisão, editorial e série de casos. Síntese dos dados: Foram encontrados apenas sete artigos que preencheram os critérios citados acima. Houve uma grande variabilidade na forma de avaliação, assim como na idade dessas crianças. Foi evidenciado que o aleitamento materno promoveu crescimento sem alteração de composição corporal e sem resistência insulínica aumentada nas crianças com aleitamento materno exclusivo, quando comparadas com crianças que receberam fórmula láctea de maior teor calórico, exceto por um artigo que observou aumento de massa gorda nos amamentados exclusivamente. Conclusão: Aleitamento materno parece ser uma forma segura de alimentação para crianças nascidas a termo e pequenas para idade gestacional sem associação com desfechos deletérios em curto prazo. O estímulo ao aleitamento materno nessas populações parece ser um caminho de prevenção aos agravos à saúde associados ao alto risco de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e à obesidade.

Early neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants ≥2500g in Brazil / Óbitos neonatais precoces associados à asfixia perinatal em neonatos ≥2500g no Brasil

Abstract Objective: To assess the annual burden of early neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants weighing ≥2500 g in Brazil from 2005 to 2010. Methods: The population study enrolled all live births of infants with birth weight ≥2500 g and without malformations who died up to six days after birth with perinatal asphyxia, defined as intrauterine hypoxia, asphyxia at birth, or meconium aspiration syndrome. The cause of death was written in any field of the death certificate, according to International Classification of Diseases,10th Revision (P20.0, P21.0, and P24.0). An active search was performed in 27 Brazilian federative units. The chi-squared test for trend was applied to analyze early neonatal mortality ratios associated with perinatal asphyxia by study year. Results: A total of 10,675 infants weighing ≥2500 g without malformations died within six days after birth with perinatal asphyxia. Deaths occurred in the first 24 h after birth in 71% of the infants. Meconium aspiration syndrome was reported in 4076 (38%) of these deaths. The asphyxia-specific early neonatal mortality ratio decreased from 0.81 in 2005 to 0.65 per 1000 live births in 2010 in Brazil (p < 0.001); the meconium aspiration syndrome-specific early neonatal mortality ratio remained between 0.20 and 0.29 per 1000 live births during the study period. Conclusions: Despite the decreasing rates in Brazil from 2005 to 2010, early neonatal mortality rates associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants in the better spectrum of birth weight and without congenital malformations are still high, and meconium aspiration syndrome plays a major role.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a taxa anual de óbitos neonatais precoces associados à asfixia perinatal em neonatos de peso ≥ 2.500 g no Brasil de 2005 a 2010. Métodos: A população do estudo envolveu todos os nascidos vivos de neonatos com peso ao nascer ≥ 2.500 g e sem malformações que morreram até seis dias após o nascimento por asfixia perinatal, definida como hipóxia intrauterina, asfixia no nascimento ou síndrome de aspiração de mecônio. A causa do óbito foi escrita em qualquer linha do atestado de óbito, de acordo com a Classificação Internacional de Doenças, 10a Revisão (P20.0, P21.0 e P24.0). Foi feita uma pesquisa ativa em 27 unidades federativas brasileiras. O teste qui-quadrado de tendência foi aplicado para analisar os índices de mortalidade neonatal associados a asfixia perinatal até o ano do estudo. Resultados: Morreram 10.675 neonatos com peso ≥ 2.500 g sem malformações até 0-6 dias após o nascimento por asfixia perinatal. Os óbitos ocorreram nas primeiras 24 horas após o nascimento em 71% dos neonatos. A síndrome de aspiração de mecônio foi relatada em 4.076 (38%) dos óbitos. O índice de mortalidade neonatal precoce relacionada à asfixia caiu de 0,81 em 2005 para 0,65 por 1.000 nascidos vivos em 2010 no Brasil (p < 0,001); o índice de mortalidade neonatal precoce relacionada a síndrome de aspiração de mecônio permaneceu entre 0,20-0,29 por 1.000 nascidos vivos durante o período do estudo. Conclusões: Apesar da redução nas taxas no Brasil de 2005 a 2010, as taxas de mortalidade neonatal precoce associadas à asfixia perinatal em neonatos no melhor espectro de peso ao nascer e sem malformações congênitas ainda são altas e a síndrome de aspiração de mecônio desempenha um importante papel.

Early neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants ≥2500g in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the annual burden of early neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants weighing ≥2500g in Brazil from 2005 to 2010. METHODS: The population study enrolled all live births of infants with birth weight ≥2500g and without malformations who died up to six days after birth with perinatal asphyxia, defined as intrauterine hypoxia, asphyxia at birth, or meconium aspiration syndrome. The cause of death was written in any field of the death certificate, according to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (P20.0, P21.0, and P24.0). An active search was performed in 27 Brazilian federative units. The chi-squared test for trend was applied to analyze early neonatal mortality ratios associated with perinatal asphyxia by study year. RESULTS: A total of 10,675 infants weighing ≥2500g without malformations died within six days after birth with perinatal asphyxia. Deaths occurred in the first 24h after birth in 71% of the infants. Meconium aspiration syndrome was reported in 4076 (38%) of these deaths. The asphyxia-specific early neonatal mortality ratio decreased from 0.81 in 2005 to 0.65 per 1000 live births in 2010 in Brazil (p<0.001); the meconium aspiration syndrome-specific early neonatal mortality ratio remained between 0.20 and 0.29 per 1000 live births during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the decreasing rates in Brazil from 2005 to 2010, early neonatal mortality rates associated with perinatal asphyxia in infants in the better spectrum of birth weight and without congenital malformations are still high, and meconium aspiration syndrome plays a major role.

Erratum: Congenital Chikungunya Virus Infection after an Outbreak in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1587323.].

Congenital Chikungunya Virus Infection after an Outbreak in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

There is little information about the congenital chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmission. We describe two cases of well-documented congenital CHIKV infection in Salvador-Brazil, where CHIKV has been identified since 2014. The outbreak in the city led to the clinical CHIKV diagnoses of both pregnant women 2 days before delivery. Urine and blood samples from the mothers and newborns were collected and tested for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for Zika, dengue, and CHIKV. Both neonates and mothers had positive urine and serum PCR results for CHIKV. The newborns had significant perinatal complications and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The purpose of our case report is to show how severe congenital CHIKV infection can be and the importance to include CHIKV infection in the differential diagnosis of neonatal sepsis when mothers have clinical signs of the disease and live in an affected area.

Estudo da prevalência de hipertensão arterial em mães com recém-nascidos de baixo peso / Study on the prevalence of arterial hypertension in mothers of low birth weight newborns

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a prevalência de hipertensão em mães de recém-nascidos de baixo peso na Maternidade Climério de Oliveira da Universidade Federal da Bahia no período de outubro de 2004 a março de 2005. Métodos: Setenta e sete mulheres com nativivos de peso abaixo de 2.500 g foram entrevistadas - 5,44% de 1.415 partos. Dezenove não preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Recém-nascidos de baixo peso: 44,8% prematuros e 53,4% com restrição de crescimento intra-uterino. Mães: 10,3% sem pré-natal, 36,2% < 5 consultas; 63,8% desfechos desfavoráveis prévios. 1,7% com idade < 17 anos e 6,9% tabagistas. 41,4% primíparas, 6,9%> 4 partos. A prevalência de hipertensão foi de 39,7%, sendo 8,7% hipertensão crônica associada à pré-eclâmpsia; 82,6% com doença hipertensiva específica da gravidez e duas mães com hipertensão crônica. Não houve significância estatística entre o tipo de hipertensão e prematuridade ou restrição de crescimento intra-uterino. A proporção de prematuridade e de restrição de crescimento intra-uterino foi de 52,2% cada, sendo quatro (17,4%) recém-nascidos prematuros e com restrição de crescimento intra-uterino. Quatro (6,9%) das mães não apresentaram nenhum dos fatores de risco para baixo peso analisados neste estudo. A prevalência de hipertensão entre mães com recém-nascidos de baixo peso de 39,7% pode ser considerada importante para realização de políticas de saúde direcionadas, particularmente ao pré-natal. Taxas encontradas também poderão ser úteis para cálculo de número mínimo amostral em trabalhos futuros.

Sorologia para toxoplasmose em uma populaçäo de gestantes da cidade de Salvador / Sorological for Toxoplasmosis in only population of pregnant of Salvador city

Sabendo-se da grande importância médico social advinda da transmissäo materno fetal da toxoplasmose, avaliou-se a positividade sorológica para esta enfermedade em 410 gestantes de duas Maternidades da cidade do Salvador, com o objetivo de conhecermos o perfil desta populaçäo. A análise do materila foi de acordo com os achados da IDIgG. Encontrou-se 42% de positividade sorológica entre as gestantes das duas Maternidades. Correlacionou-se sorologia positiva com nível sócio-econômico, faixa etária, estado civil, grupo racial e contato com animais relacionados à toxoplasnmose; näo se encontrando diferença significante, exceto quanto à variável: contato com animais, que mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante