Differential DHA and EPA Levels in Women with Preterm and Term Births: A Tertiary Hospital Study in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND Preterm birth is one of the main causes of neonatal death worldwide. One strategy focused on preventing preterm birth is the administration of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) during pregnancy. Omega-3 LCPUFAs, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are essential in metabolic and physiological processes during embryonic and fetal development. This study aimed to compare DHA and EPA levels in 44 women with preterm births and 44 women with term births at a tertiary hospital in West Java Province, Indonesia, between November 2022 and March 2023. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 88 patients in this study consisted of 44 patients with term births (≥37 gestational weeks) and 44 patients with preterm births (<37 gestational weeks) at a tertiary hospital in West Java Province, Indonesia. This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to March 2023. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, maternal DHA and EPA levels were investigated. IBM SPSS 24.0 was used to statistically measure outcomes. RESULTS Average maternal DHA and EPA levels in patients with preterm births were significantly lower than those in term births. Preterm labor risk was further increased by DHA levels of ≤5.70 µg/mL (OR=441.00, P=0.000) and EPA levels ≤3971.54 µg/mL (OR=441.00, P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS Since the average maternal DHA and EPA levels were significantly lower in patients with preterm births, adequate intake of omega-3 LCPUFA in early pregnancy and consistency with existing nutritional guidelines was associated with a lower risk of preterm delivery for pregnant women.

Case Report: 5 Cases of Variant Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Diagnosed on Prenatal Fetal Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a complex left-sided obstructive congenital cardiac condition with several variants. This report is of 5 cases with varying morphology of HLHS diagnosed by fetal prenatal ultrasound at the 4-chamber view (4CV) level. CASE REPORT Five cases were referred by obstetrics and gynecology specialists with preliminary information on visible congenital abnormalities in the third trimester. Fetal echocardiography showed that several morphological variants of HLHS were found. The patient in the first case had the most frequently found variant; this variation is usually linked to mitral valve stenosis (MVS). The second case had the characteristic of mitral valve atresia (MVA), and as a consequence, blood flow was not visible in this variant and the left ventricle (LV) was not clear or not adequately visualized by ultrasound. In the third case, the patient suffered from severe MVS and perhaps a small aorta. Uni-atrial conditions were described in the third case. In the fourth case, the patient had a narrow LV, MVA, ventricular septal defect, nearly united atrium, and tricuspid regurgitation. The fifth case was a case of HLHS with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Further, 4 out of 5 of the cases were associated with widening of the cisterna magna and Dandy Walker syndrome-associated posterior fossa disorder malformations. The overall maternal age was over 35 years old in 4 cases. Karyotyping examination was not performed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS The role of ultrasound is very important in determining the diagnosis and the degree of development of hypoplastic LV. However, visualization at the 4CV level can detect abnormalities found in the LV.

Effect of maternal serum magnesium and calcium levels on umbilical glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in preterm labor.

Magnesium can prevent astrocyte cell death and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) secretion as inflammatory marker in preterm delivery. This study was performed to analyze differences in umbilical cord GFAP levels in preterm labor given magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) as treatment group and control group and analyze the correlation between magnesium and calcium levels with umbilical GFAP levels. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 68 patients at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital from February-June 2021 consisting of 34 patients in each group. Maternal-umbilical cord magnesium levels, calcium levels, and GFAP levels were examined using ELISA test. The result was statistically measured by IBM SPSS 24.0. We found that there was a significant difference between maternal and umbilical magnesium levels and GFAP umbilical cord blood levels between the treatment and the control group (P < 0.05) in which GFAP level was higher in the control group. The multivariate analysis showed no significant relevance between mother magnesium and calcium level to umbilical cord GFAP level in the MgSO4 group. As conclusions, umbilical cord blood GFAP levels in preterm labor given MgSO4 were lower than in preterm deliveries who were not given MgSO4. There was no correlation between magnesium, calcium, and GFAP levels in the treatment group.

Assessing the Impact of Hepatitis B Elimination Program on Maternal-Infant Health in West Java, Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during pregnancy is a significant concern due to the risk of vertical transmission to the newborn, posing serious health complications. Understanding the effectiveness of intervention programs is paramount, especially in regions where comprehensive research is sparse. This study delves into the efficacy of the HBV elimination program in Garut Regency, West Java, Indonesia, targeting pregnant women and their newborns. MATERIAL AND METHODS This cross-sectional research encompassed 100 HBsAg-positive pregnant women who delivered at a singular facility in Garut Regency and their 62 offspring. Clinical data collection was rigorous, and HBsAg status was determined using rapid test kits, employing the precision of the 2-sided sandwich assay immunochromatography method. Data interpretation was multifaceted, involving univariate, bivariate, and multiple regression logistic analyses. RESULTS Notably, 16.95% of women, previously diagnosed as HBsAg-negative by initial health assessments, were subsequently diagnosed as positive at the specialized referral hospital. A noteworthy finding was that children administered with the HBV vaccine manifested a significantly diminished Positive-HBsAg status (P=0.029). Intriguingly, a majority of the maternal variables displayed a direct correlation with the HBsAg status of their offspring. The protective role of the HBV vaccine against HBV infection stood out distinctly (OR=0.326; CI 0.019-5.554; P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS While our center successfully met the desired HBsAg testing coverage in pregnant women, the administration of the hepatitis B vaccine to infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers lags behind the intended target. Emphasizing the vaccination's vital role, our study underscores its significance as a frontline defense for such infants.

Analysis of Clinical Profiles and Echocardiographic Cardiac Outcomes in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) vs. PPCM with Co-Existing Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorder (HPD-PPCM) Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of new-onset heart failure that has a high rate of maternal morbidity and mortality. This was the first study to systematically investigate and compare clinical factors and echocardiographic findings between women with PPCM and co-incident hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD-PPCM) and PPCM-only women. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework. We used four databases and a single search engine, namely PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane. We used Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) 2.0 for quality assessment. Databases were searched for relevant articles published from 2013 to the end of April 2023. The meta-analysis used the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model to analyze the pooled mean difference (MD) and its p-value. We included four studies with a total of 64,649 participants and found that systolic blood pressure was significantly more likely to be associated with the PPCM group than the HPD-PPCM group (SMD = -1.63) (95% CI; -4.92,0.28, p = 0.01), while the other clinical profiles were not significant. HPD-PPCM was less likely to be associated with LVEF reduction (SMD = -1.55, [CI: -2.89, -0.21], p = 0.02). HPD-PPCM was significantly associated with less LV dilation (SMD = 1.81; 95% (CI 0.07-3.01), p = 0.04). Moreover, HPD-PPCM was less likely to be associated with relative wall thickness reduction (SMD = 0.70; 95% CI (-1.08--0.33), p = 0.0003). In conclusion, PPCM and HPD-PPCM shared different clinical profiles and remodeling types, which may affect each disease's response to pharmacological treatment. Patients with HPD-PPCM exhibited less eccentric remodeling and seemed to have a higher chance of recovering their LV ejection fraction, which means they might not benefit as much from ACEi/ARB and beta-blockers. The findings of this study will guide the development of guidelines for women with PPCM and HPD-PPCM from early detection to further management.

Assessing the Impact of the Zero Mother Mortality Preeclampsia Program on Maternal Mortality Rates at a Single Center in Bandung, West Java (2015-2022): A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND The Zero Mother Mortality Preeclampsia (ZOOM) program was adopted as an accelerated initiative to curb mortality related to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, including preeclampsia. This single-center, retrospective study in Bandung, West Java, aims to evaluate the impact of the ZOOM program implemented from 2015 to 2022. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed 19,176 childbirths and associated maternal deaths due to hypertension in pregnancy. Diagnoses were validated using blood pressure measures, lab tests including urine protein, liver function, blood profiles, platelets, X-ray, echocardiography, and COVID-19 testing. The case fatality rate (CFR) was assessed to evaluate the impact of the ZOOM program. RESULTS Hypertension in pregnancy was identified in 25.1% of cases, with 9.8% and 1.4% attributed to preeclampsia and eclampsia, respectively. Maternal deaths associated with hypertension accounted for 36.6%, with the majority linked to eclampsia. Heart failure (45.5%) and Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome (22%) were the most common complications. The CFR decreased from 61% in 2018 to 10% in 2022. The overall CFR from 2015 to 2022 was 1.3%, with the highest fatality rate observed in eclampsia cases (9.4%). However, a declining trend was seen since 2018, reaching a low of 0.2% in 2021. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of the ZOOM program, which includes preeclampsia re-education, early detection, prompt intervention, protocol adjustments, and a refined referral system, led to a marked reduction in maternal deaths from hypertensive pregnancy disorders.

How to Differentiate Acute Fatty Liver in Pregnancy (AFLP) with Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelets (HELLP) Syndrome in Resource-Limited Settings? - The Importance of Swansea Criteria.

•Both AFLP and HELLP syndrome are accounted as liver diseases in pregnancy.•AFLP and HELLP syndrome should be differentiated to make the proper diagnosis, especially in resource-limited settings.•The correct diagnosis holds a pivotal role since prompt therapy markedly improves the outcome of pregnancy.

Common bile duct injury following open conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 14-15 Weeks pregnancy: A rare case report.

Introduction: Common bile duct (CBD) injury is the most serious complication of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LapC). Nonetheless, complications of LapC as a treatment for CBD injury are rare in pregnancy. There have been no published case reports regarding complications of CBD injury in gravida patients and their management. Case presentation: We reported a 32-year-old primiparous woman with CBD injury following open conversion of LapC in 14-15 weeks of pregnancy with enterocutaneous fistula complications. She presented with yellowish fluid leakage from an open wound in her abdomen, and had a history of gallbladder removal and corrective surgery due to bile leakage and intestinal adhesions. Tenderness and serous fluid were found in the area of the previous surgery scar. The laboratory examination showed that the patient was in anaemic condition; Fetal ultrasound examinations showed that the fetus' condition was within normal limits. The patient was given supportive and medical management with further MRCP plans as well as maternal-fetal close and regular monitoring. Clinical discussion: In addition to the history and physical examinations, biliary tract imaging holds a pivotal role in this case. LapC is a surgical technique recommended to treat symptomatic cholelithiasis in pregnancies. Despite being rare in pregnancy, prevention of CBD injury by recognizing the pearls and pitfalls of LapC should be done. Conclusion: Key points for successful treatment of this case are characterized by early recognition of CBD injury, fluid collection and infection control, nutritional balance, and multidisciplinary approaches of the Surgery Department and Obstetrics-Gynaecology Department.

Correlation between the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 of uterosacral ligament in uterine prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TiMP1) in the uterosacral ligaments in patients with uterine prolapse. METHODS: This analytic-correlative cross-sectional study included 32 patients who were admitted at the Hasan Sadikin General Hospital from July to December 2013. Sixteen of the patients had uterine prolapse, while the rest did not. The patients underwent total hysterectomy, radical hysterectomy, or staging laparotomy. MMP-9 and TiMP1 expression in the uterosacral ligaments was measured via immunohistochemical staining. The median expression per field of view was calculated using a histoscore. RESULTS: MMP-9 expression in patients with uterine prolapse was found to be higher than that in the control group. Meanwhile, TiMP1 expression showed no significant difference between the groups. Spearman's analysis showed a moderate correlation between the expression of MMP-9 and uterine prolapse incidence (P=0.02), with a correlation coefficient of 0.574. CONCLUSION: There is a moderate correlation between MMP-9 expression and the incidence of uterine prolapse. It can be considered one of the primary etiologies of uterine prolapse.