Associations between obesity-related gene expression in maternal and cord blood and newborn adiposity: findings from the Araraquara Cohort study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Genes involved in the regulation of metabolism, adipose tissue deposition, inflammation, and the appetite-satiety axis may play an important role in fetal development, and possibly induce permanent metabolic changes and fat accumulation. In this study we investigated: (1) obesity-related gene expression in maternal and cord blood of overweight/obese and normal-weight pregnant women; (2) associations between obesity-related gene expression in maternal and cord blood; and (3) associations of gene expression in each of maternal and cord blood with newborn adiposity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Twenty-five overweight/obese and 32 normal-weight pregnant women were selected from the Araraquara Cohort Study according to their pre-pregnancy BMI. Maternal and cord blood gene expression of LEPR, STAT3, PPARG, TLR4, IL-6, IL-10, FTO, MC4R, TNF-α, and NFκB were investigated by relative real-time PCR quantification. The body composition of the newborns was assessed by air displacement plethysmography. Associations between maternal and cord blood gene expression and markers of newborn adiposity (weight, BMI, and fat mass%) were explored by linear regression models controlling for maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, maternal gestational weight gain, gestational age, and newborn sex. RESULTS: There was higher TLR4, NFκB, and TNF-a expression, and lower IL-6 expression, in overweight/obese pregnant women and their respective newborns compared with normal-weight women and their newborns (p < 0.001). Maternal PPARG gene expression was associated with both weight and fat mass % of the newborns, and cord blood IL-10 expression was associated with BMI and fat mass %, controlling for confounders. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the relationship of maternal and cord blood gene expression with adiposity markers of the newborn. Our results provide evidence for the contribution of maternal and cord blood gene expression-particularly maternal PPARG and TLR4 expression, and cord blood IL-10 expression-to newborn weight, BMI, and fat mass %.

Current status of percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling in Japan.

AIM: The aim of the survey is to investigate current practice and complications of percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling (PUBS) in Japan. METHODS: In this retrospective survey, data including perioperative information, indications, details of the procedure and procedure-related complications were collected for patients who underwent PUBS between 2012 and 2016 in Japanese perinatal care centers. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-three patients underwent PUBS and a total of 223 procedures were analyzed in this study. Fetal anemia was the most common indication for PUBS, representing greater than 70% of all cases. Anemia specific to monochorionic twins, such as acute feto-fetal hemorrhage subsequent to single intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence, were the leading causes of suspected fetal anemia. Maternal anesthetics were given during the procedure in 70% of cases. The PTC needle (Hakko, Japan) was most commonly used in the procedure. The most frequent complication was bleeding from the umbilical cord puncture site; however, it did not require immediate delivery during or after the procedure in any case. IUFD occurred in 11 (4.9%) procedures, 7 of which appeared to be related to the underlying fetal disease. The overall completion rate of the procedure was 97%. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling was most commonly performed for the evaluation of fetal anemia, usually due to complications of monochorionic twins, followed by the measurement of fetal thyroid function. The safety and the completion rate of the procedure in Japan appear satisfactory.

A retrospective exploratory study of fetal genetic invasive procedures at a University Hospital.

This is a retrospective analysis of the patient demographics and cytogenetic results of patients who underwent prenatal invasive testing for genetic analysis at the Foetal Medicine Division of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute. The main objective of this study was to characterise the changing trends in indications of pregnant women for foetal karyotyping in a 7-year period. A total of 257 procedures were performed in this period, and there was a significant change in the trend of indications for invasive prenatal diagnosis from an advanced maternal age in 2009 to a positive screen test by 2014. Chromosome abnormalities were observed in 9.8% of the cases, with trisomy 21 being the most frequent finding. The findings demonstrate the changing trends in screening and diagnostic testing in the tertiary care centre, with an acceptance of the first and second trimester maternal serum screening tests as a determinant for high-risk pregnancies. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Despite the fact that India has one of the world's highest birth rates, there is still no public health care policy for the application of cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis. Nevertheless, we have been offering this test in our university teaching hospital since 2008, allowing us to characterise the changing trends in indications of pregnant women who sought invasive diagnostic procedures for foetal genetic studies. What do the results of this study add? The results of our study show that there were major changes in the common indications for prenatal diagnosis during the study period. In 2009, the main indication was an advanced maternal age, referred to in 31% of the cases, which declined steadily to 5% by 2014. In 2014, 51% of cases opted for a prenatal diagnosis because of a first trimester screen positive result, increasing from 12% in 2009. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This data is relevant as it would encourage other tertiary hospitals in developing countries like India to consider extending first trimester screening for all women, regardless of age and educate them on the options of prenatal genetic diagnosis for reassurance.

Prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies: Underestimated problem of the secondary prevention of monogenetic disorders.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of effective preconceptional testing for carrier status in women at risk for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (D/BMD) on the prenatal diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 201 prenatal tests was performed in 169 Polish women at risk, in regard to time of testing for carrier status (prior to conception or during pregnancy) and carrier status of tested women, including confirmed D/BMD carriers (n = 78; 46.2%), D/BMD non-carriers - tested for germline mosaicism risk (n = 23; 13.6%), and women at risk with uncertain carrier status (n = 68; 40.2%). RESULTS: Only 52.7% of women were tested for D/BMD carrier status prior to conception and in these women prenatal diagnosis was carried out more frequently in the first trimester of pregnancy (64.7% vs 47.8%; P = 0.035). The results of prenatal testing in male fetuses in pregnancies of confirmed D/BMD carriers and D/BMD non-carriers - tested for germline mosaicism risk were conclusive in all cases, whereas in women with uncertain carrier status, only 60.0% of results were conclusive. Eighty-five of 103 female fetuses (82.5%) were tested prenatally and in 31.8% of them fetal carrier status was confirmed. CONCLUSION: Carrier status testing in women prior to conception has a positive impact on the frequency of first-trimester prenatal diagnosis and known D/BMD carrier status on the effectiveness of prenatal diagnosis. Due to the low percentage of women tested effectively prior to conception, carrier status testing in the families at risk should be propagated (including possibility of prenatal diagnosis of female fetuses).

Predisposing factors and effects of fetal bradycardia following cordocentesis at mid-pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predisposing factors of fetal bradycardia following cordocentesis at mid-pregnancy and to compare the pregnancy outcomes to those without bradycardia. METHODS: All cordocenteses performed at 18-22 weeks of gestation were prospectively enrolled. The inclusion criteria consisted of: (i) singleton pregnancies; (ii) no fetal structural or chromosomal abnormalities; (iii) the procedures done by experienced operators. They were divided into two groups; procedures with fetal bradycardia (Group 1) and those without bradycardia (Group 2). Factors related to bradycardia were identified and pregnancy outcomes between the two groups were also compared. RESULTS: Of 6147 cordocenteses recruited, 2829 met the inclusion criteria. Of these,152 had fetal bradycardia whereas the remaining 2677 did not. The procedures involving placenta penetration, and umbilical cord bleeding were significantly related to a higher rate of fetal bradycardia. On the other hand, cordocenteses with fetal bradycardia had a significantly higher rate of fetal loss (11.8 vs. 1.9%, respectively, p = 0.001) as well as a higher rate of low birth weight and preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS: Cordocentesis with placenta penetration and umbilical cord bleeding carries a higher risk for fetal bradycardia and fetal bradycardia was an independent factor for a higher rate of fetal loss, preterm birth and low birth weight.

Prevalencia de procedimientos invasivos en una población chilena usuaria de métodos de cribado y diagnóstico prenatal / Prevalence of invasive procedures in a chilean population users of screening and prenatal diagnosis methods

Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia del uso de procedimientos invasivos prenatales en una población chilena con cribado y diagnóstico de alteraciones morfológicas y/o cromosómicas. Método: Estudio descriptivo en 17.906 embarazadas entre junio de 2000 y octubre de 2006, a las cuales se les realizó cribado ecográfico de aneuploidia y malformaciones congénitas durante el primer y segundo trimestre. Las pacientes fueron informadas y aconsejadas acerca de las implicancias de dichos procedimientos. Los procedimientos efectuados fueron la biopsia de vellosidades coriales (BVC), amniocentesis (AMCT) y cordocentesis. Se calculó la prevalencia y las indicaciones de dichos procedimientos. Resultados:Se realizaron 81 procedimientos invasivos (0,45 por ciento). Las BVC representaron un 43,3 por ciento, las AMCT el 37,0 por ciento y las cordocentesis un 19,7 por ciento. Las principales motivaciones para realizarse un estudio invasivo fueron malformaciones congénitas (48,1 por ciento) y aumento del riesgo de aneuploidia (40,7 por ciento). Los cariotipos alterados fueron 43,2 por ciento del total de los procedimientos, encontrándose 29 por ciento de trisomías 21, 46 por ciento de trisomías 18 y 13 y 20 por ciento de síndrome de Turner. Conclusión: La prevalencia de procedimientos invasivos fue 10 veces inferior a la descrita en países donde el aborto es legal, y aproximadamente la mitad de ellos resultaron alterados. En nuestra población utilizando una asesoría adecuada, la principal motivación para realizarse un procedimiento invasivo fue el mejor manejo obstétrico del embarazo y, secundariamente, la posibilidad de contar con una mejor información sobre la salud del hijo no nacido.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and indications of invasive procedures in a population without termination of pregnancy. Method: This descriptive study was performed in pregnant women who had either assessment of risk for chromosomal abnormalities during the first and second trimester of pregnancy or detection of soft markers or structural defects at any gestational age from June 2000 to October 2006. The patients were counseled with regards their estimated risk, and were informed about invasive diagnostic tests. The invasive testing offered were chorion villous sampling (CVS), amniocentesis (AMCT) and fetal blood sampling (FBS). The prevalence of invasive testing was calculated and its causes analyzed according to the type of screening test. Results: Ultrasound was carried out in 17,906 pregnant women, being 70 percent performed either during the first or second trimester of pregnancy. Eighty one invasive procedures were performed (0.45 percent). CVS accounted for 43.3 percent, AMCT for 37.0 percent and FBS for 19.7 percent. The main motivation for opting for invasive testing was fetal abnormalities (48.1 percent) and increased risk of chromosomal anormalities (40.7 percent). Abnormal fetal kaiyotypes were 43.2 percent, being 29 percent Down's syndrome, 46 percent Edwards and Pateau's syndromes, and 20 percent Turner syndrome. Conclusion:Jhe low frequency of invasive procedures observed in this population might be an expression of our social, cultural and legal characteristics, but it is also a demonstration of pragmatic and ethically rational decisions about invasive testing for chromosomal abnormalities.

Diagnóstico citogenético prenatal: experiencia de 10 años en el Hospital Regional Rancagua / Prenatal diagnosis and cytogenetics: 10 year experience in a regional hospital

Objective: To present a 10-year experience with prenatal karyiotyping in cases of fetal malformations in a Regional NHS hospital. Methods: Pregnancies complicated with congenital abnormalities detected prenatally by ultrasonography and undergoing an invasive procedure for fetal Karyotyping were reviewed. Information on maternal demographics, number and type of procedure, indications, complications, and cytogenetic results was obtained by reviewing the ultrasound reports and medical records. Results: In the 10- year period from January 1997 to December 2006, 1.139 pregnancies complicated by a fetal structural anomaly were evaluated in our unit. In 270 cases, an invasive procedure for fetal karyotyping was carried out, including 212 (78 percent) fetal blood sampling procedures, 43 (16 percent) amniocenteses, 8 ( 3 percent) chronic villus sampling procedures. In 178 (66 percent) the karyotype result was reported as normal, in 68 (25 percent) as abnormal, in 22 (8 percent) there was a culture failure, and in 2 (1 percent) a failed procedure. Among the 68 chromosomal abnormalities, 32 percent were trisomy 21 (n=22), 32 percent trisomy 18 (n=22), and 25 percent a monosomy X(n=17). In the remaining cases there was a trisomy 13, trisomy 14, triploidy, or a chromosomal structural defect. In the first 4 years, the detection rate of a chromosomal defect was approximately 15 percent, which increased to 35 percent in the last 6 years, without a significant increase in the number of procedures. Conclusions: Our unit deals with more than 100 cases of fetal malformations per year. The implementation of a cytogenetic laboratory allows the provision of critical information for the subsequent management of the pregnancy and future genetic counseling. Overall, 25 percent of the procedures yielded an abnormal result. With increasing experience, the efficiency is improving considerable without a concomitant increase in the number of procedures.

Objetivo: Presentar la experiencia acumulada de 10 años con el diagnóstico citogenético prenatal en fetos con malformaciones congénitas detectados por ultrasonografía en un hospital base del sector público. Métodos : Se revisó nuestra base de datos seleccionando aquellas pacientes evaluadas exclusivamente por malformaciones fetales únicas o múltiples que fueron sometidas a estudio citogenético prenatal. Se recolectó la información demográfica y clínica, evaluando el número total de procedimientos por año, la relación normales/anormales, el rendimiento por tipo de muestra, el porcentaje de procedimientos frustros en la toma de muestra y la fallas del cultivo. Resultados: En el período entre enero de 1997 y diciembre del 2006, se evaluaron 1.139 embarazos complicados con malformaciones congénitas, en los cuales se realizaron 270 procedimientos invasivos prenatales. De ellos 212 (78 por ciento) fueron cordocentesis, 43 (16 por ciento) amniocentesis, 8 (3 por ciento) biopsias placentarias y 7 (3 por ciento) biopsia de vellosidades coriales. En 178 (66 por ciento) casos el cariograma fue informado como normal en 68 (25 por ciento) como anormal, en 22 (8 por ciento) no hubo crecimiento de cultivo celular y en 2 (1 por ciento) hubo una punción frustra. De los 68 resultados anormales, un 32 por ciento corresponden a trisomías 21 (n=22), un 32 por ciento a trisomías 18 (n= 22) y un 25 por ciento a monosomía del cromosoma X (n=17). El 10 por ciento restante corresponde a anomalías del cromosoma 13 ó 14, triploidías o defectos estructurales rearreglos cromosómicos. De un promedio de resultados anormales de un 15 por ciento en los primeros 4 años del estudio, se mejoró la detección a un 35 por ciento en los últimos 6 años, sin un aumento significativo en el número de procedimientos. Conclusiones: Nuestra Unidad de Ultrasonografía maneja un volumen superior a los 100 casos de anomalías fetales anuales...

[Indications and interventions in prenatal diagnostics in eight centers in the Czech Republic]. / Indikace a výkony prenatální diagnostiky v osmi centrech v Ceské republice v letech 2002-2003.

OBJECTIVE: To register the spectrum of indications and types of invasive procedures in clinical practice. METHODS: We offered participation in the project to all prenatal diagnostic centres in the Czech Republic. We provided a database for entering the necessary data in Microsoft Access format. During the period of 2002-2003, we obtained data of 5800 prenatal diagnostic procedures from eight centres. RESULTS: The data analysis revealed that the amniocentesis was the most used procedure--90.2%--Cordocentesis 4.8%, termination of pregnancy 2.34%, and multifetal reduction 1.03%. All other procedures (intraumbilical transfusion, amniodrainage, amnioinfusion, early amniocentesis < 15th week of pregnancy puncture of fetal organs, chorionic villus sampling, umbilical vessel coagulation) participate with less than 2%. Only 0.5% cases recorded amniocentesis complications. Of the 277 well-documented cordocentesises, we noted only one serious complication, or 0.36%. The steadily increasing number of amniocenteses contributes to the increased number of invasive prenatal procedures. In only 64.5% of our database, based on verifiable higher risk, amniocentesis was indicated. DISCUSSION: The spectrum of invasive procedures in Czech Republic appears quite broad but if we separate amniocentesies, we observe that other procedures are performed sporadically and only some centres. Out eight participating centres perform six types of procedures less than 20 times a year. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive prenatal diagnostics in Czech Republic is represented mainly by amniocentesis. Cordocentesis is performed routinely but in few centres. Advances in 1st trimester screening will likely lead to an increase in chorionic villus sampling. Indications, quantity, results and complications of all invasive procedures should be registered and audited.

[Invasive prenatal diagnosis in the Netherlands, 1991-2000: number of procedures, indications and abnormal results detected]. / Invasieve prenatale diagnostiek in Nederland, 1991-2000: aantallen ingrepen, indicaties, en gevonden afwijkingen.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of invasive prenatal diagnosis in the Netherlands during the period 1991-2000 and to analyse potential trends. DESIGN: Retrospective. METHOD: The annual results from all 13 Dutch centres for invasive prenatal diagnosis over the period 1991-2000 were combined and described, with particular emphasis on indications, number and type of invasive procedures, and number and type of abnormal results. RESULTS: The percentage of pregnancies in which invasive prenatal diagnostics were carried out increased from 5% in 1991 to 6% in 1996 and remained at the same level until 2000. 'Maternal age' was the main reason for prenatal testing (69.2-73.3% of procedures). However, the number of pregnant women aged 36 or over increased by 69.9%. An abnormal result was found in an average of 4.7% of procedures, rising from 3.6% in 1991 to 5.4% in 2000. In 70.8% of cases with abnormal results, the pregnancy was terminated. Important trends were the relative decrease of cordocentesis (-82%) and chorionic villi biopsy (-18%) in favour of amniocentesis (+48%), and a strong decrease in the number of amniocentesis procedures on indication of increased risk of neural tube defect. CONCLUSION: The total number of invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures remained stable. However, there was an important decrease in the percentage of pregnant women aged 36 or over who underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis without previous prenatal screening.

[The prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis of fetal chromosomal pathology in women in a high-risk group]. / Prenatal'na tsytohenetychna diahnostyka khromosomnoï patolohiï plodu u zhinok hrupy vysokoho ryzyku.

The results of investigation of 908 chorion and placental biopsy in 873 pregnant women of high risk a group is presented. Fetal pathology was diagnosed with the help of "direct" method and shot-term method of culture of chorionic villi and placenta, as well as method of long-term fetal lymphocyte cultures. The efficiency of invasive methods of prenatal diagnosis, and their role in decrease of perinatal disease and mortality was confirmed.

Púrpura trombocitopénica autoinmune y embarazo / Autoinmune thrombocytopenic purpura and pregnancy

La púrpura trombocitopénica a utoinmune (PTA) es común en mujeres en edad reproductiva. Como consecuencia, el médico frecuentemente tiene que tratar a pacientes con PTA y embarazo. El tratamiento en la madre es simple, por que la medición de la cuenta plaquetaria materna es fácil de obtener. Sin embarago el manejo del feto es más difícil porque ningún tratamiento materno, ha podido prevenir la trombocitopenia fetal en forma exitosa. La realización de cordocentesis o bien el recuento de plaquetas en cuero cabelludo del neonato, permite la determinación de el número de plaquetas antes de finalizar el embarazo, Si se detecta trombocitopenia fetal de menos de 50,000 plaquetas por mm3, esta indicada la cesárea para evitar hemorragia intracraneana en el feto

Hidrops fetal no inmune asociado a talasemia familiar: transfusión intravascular / Non-immune fetal hidrops associated to familiar thalasemia: intravascular transfussion

Se presenta un caso de hidrops fetal no inmune provocado por una anemia hemolítica severa secundaria a una talasemia familiar pesquisada a las 28 semanas y que revierte luego de transfusión intravascular, TIV, practicada en nuestro servicio. Se analiza el diagnóstico, manejo prenatal y posterior evolución