Zinc, antioxidant enzymes in preeclampsia, and association with newborn outcome.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of preeclampsia (PE) may be associated with the increased of production of reactive species and decreased antioxidant activity of enzymes. Inadequate intake of Zn can affect gestational health due to its biological functions, such as its role in the antioxidant defense system. The study aimed to assess the nutritional status of Zn and antioxidant enzymes in postpartum women and its correlation with neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at a referral gynecology and obstetrics hospital. A total of 119 women (PE = 58, HP = 61) participated in the study. A quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess food consumption and further analyze the dietary Zn levels. Zinc levels in plasma and erythrocytes samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Plasma and dietary intake Zn results were considered adequate and without statistical difference between groups. SOD levels were significantly higher in the HP group (p = 0.011), and CAT levels were higher in the PE group (p = 0.050). There was a positive correlation between SOD activity in women with PE and the weight of their newborns (r = 0.336, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: The results showed adequate Zn levels (consumption and serum levels) in the groups studied, although with a reduction of plasma Zn in the PE group compared to the PH group. Zinc in plasma fractions and erythrocytes are important markers for oxidative stress, in particular, plasma Zn seems to be related to the rapid response to preeclampsia. The activity of antioxidant enzymes was elevated in the groups studied. Better SOD activity improves birth weight in children of pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Evaluation of ultrasound measurements of abdominal fat for the prediction of gestational diabetes in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether ultrasound abdominal fat measurements in the first and second trimesters can predict adverse gestational outcomes, particularly gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and identify early patients at higher risk for complications. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 126 pregnant women at 11-14 and 20-24 weeks of gestation with normal fasting glucose levels during early pregnancy. From 126 participants with complete data, 13.5% were diagnosed with GDM, based on the cutoffs established for the peripherical blood glucose. Subcutaneous, visceral, and maximum preperitoneal abdominal fat were measured using ultrasound techniques. GDM status was determined by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 75 g glucose overload, and the following values were considered abnormal: fasting glucose ≥92 mg/dl and/or 1 h after overload ≥180 mg/dl and/or 2 h after overload ≥153 mg/dl. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal threshold to predict GDM. RESULTS: Maximum preperitoneal fat measurement was predictive of GDM, and subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat measurements did not show significant differences in the prediction of GDM. According to the ROC curve, a threshold of 45.25 mm of preperitoneal fat was identified as the optimal cutoff point, with 87% sensitivity and 41% specificity to predict GDM. The raw and adjusted odds ratios for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index were 0.730 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.561-0.900) and 0.777 (95% CI, 0.623-0.931), respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of a 45.25 mm threshold for maximum preperitoneal fat, measured by ultrasound to predict the risk of GDM, appears to be a feasible, inexpensive, and practical alternative to incorporate into clinical practice during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Ultrasound evaluation of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat thickness evaluated by ultrasound as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been published, but the best technique and standardization are unknown. To identify, critically evaluate, and analyze studies using subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat as a model for predicting GDM in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and evaluate their methodological quality. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from May to July 2019. We included studies of any sample size performed for any duration and in any configuration. Model development and validation studies were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently performed the eligibility assessment of the studies by reviewing the titles and abstracts. Data on study design, gestational age, diagnostic criteria for GDM, device, ultrasound fat measurement technique, and cutoff point for GDM prediction were extracted. RESULTS: The electronic search resulted in 1331 articles, of which 14 were eligible for systematic review. Different criteria for diagnosing GDM and fat measurement techniques were used. The cutoff point for subcutaneous, visceral, and total abdominal fat for predicting GDM in the first and second trimesters varied between the studies. CONCLUSION: No study validated the model for predicting GDM using subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat measurements. External validation studies are recommended to improve the generalization of this GDM predictor in clinical practice.

As repercussões da gravidez no cotidiano de uma mulher / The Repercussions of Pregnancy in a Woman's Everyday

Objetivo: Descrever as repercussões da gravidez no cotidiano de uma mulher. Métodos: Estudo exploratório-descritivo com abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistadas 25 gestantes entre 20 e 24 semanas de gestação, atendidas em uma instituição na cidade de Fortaleza (CE). A coleta de dados foi por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, submetidas à técnica de análise de conteúdo. Foram criadas nuvens de palavras para as categorias, utilizando-se o software NVivo 11. Resultados: A análise comparativa constante permitiu a construção de duas categorias: "impacto da gravidez nas atividades diárias" e "peso corporal da gestação na moda feminina". A primeira categoria demonstrou o impacto do aumento do tamanho corporal da gestante diante das atividades comuns do dia a dia, a dificuldade para realizar certas atividades, a sobrecarga das articulações e o cansaço relacionado ao aumento do volume corporal na gestação. Os resultados da segunda categoria mostraram que as mudanças gestacionais impactam nas escolhas de vestimenta das mulheres, sendo relatadas as dificuldades para aquisição de um novo vestuário durante esta fase, a procura por lojas especializadas em moda gestante e o reaproveitamento de peças existentes com necessidade de possíveis ajustes. Conclusão: Neste estudo, possibilitou-se a análise dos sentidos atribuídos às mudanças corporais pelas gestantes e observou-se que as transformações gestacionais repercutem diretamente na realização de atividades cotidianas e nas escolhas de vestimenta de mulheres grávidas, demonstrando inúmeras dificuldades a serem compreendidas e enfrentadas durante este período.

Objective: To describe the repercussions of pregnancy on a woman's daily life. Methods: Exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Twenty-five pregnant women were interviewed between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation, attended at an institution in the city of Fortaleza (CE). Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews that were submitted to the content analysis technique. Word clouds were created for the categories, using the software NVivo 11. Results: The constant comparative analysis allowed the construction of two categories: "impact of pregnancy on daily activities" and "body weight of pregnancy on women's fashion". The first category demonstrated the impact of the increase in body size of the pregnant woman facing common daily activities, the difficulty to perform certain activities, the overload of the joints and the tiredness related to the increase in body volume in pregnancy. The results of the second category showed that gestational changes impact women's clothing choices, with difficulties reported for the acquisition of new clothing during this phase, the search for stores specializing in pregnant fashion and the reuse of existing pieces in need of possible adjustments. Conclusion: The study made it possible to analyze the meanings attributed to the body changes by pregnant women and it was observed that gestational changes have a direct impact on the performance of daily activities and on the clothing choices of pregnant women, demonstrating numerous difficulties to be understood and faced during this period.