Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Transplant recipients experience high rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, contemporary estimates of the association between solid organ transplantation and adverse pregnancy outcomes are lacking. Objective: To evaluate the association between solid organ transplantation and adverse pregnancy outcomes and to quantify the incidence of allograft rejection and allograft loss during pregnancy. Data Sources: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus databases were searched from January 1, 2000, to June 20, 2024, and reference lists were manually reviewed. Study Selection: Cohort and case-control studies that reported at least 1 adverse pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with solid organ transplantation vs without solid organ transplant or studies that reported allograft outcomes in pregnant women with solid organ transplantation were included following independent dual review of abstracts and full-text articles. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Two investigators abstracted data and independently appraised risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model was used to calculate overall pooled estimates using the DerSimonian-Laird estimator. Reporting followed the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guideline. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary pregnancy outcomes were preeclampsia, preterm birth (<37 weeks), and low birth weight (<2500 g). Secondary pregnancy outcomes were live birth rate, gestation, very preterm birth (<32 weeks), very low birth weight (<1500 g), and cesarean delivery. Allograft outcomes were allograft loss and rejection during pregnancy. Results: Data from 22 studies and 93 565 343 pregnancies (4786 pregnancies in solid organ transplant recipients) were included; 14 studies reported adverse pregnancy outcomes, and 13 studies provided data for allograft outcomes. Pregnancies in organ transplant recipients were associated with significantly increased risk of preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.83 [95% CI, 3.45-9.87]; I2 = 77.4%), preterm birth (aOR, 6.65 [95% CI, 4.09-12.83]; I2 = 81.8%), and low birth weight (aOR, 6.51 [95% CI, 2.85-14.88]; I2 = 90.6%). The incidence of acute allograft rejection was 2.39% (95% CI, 1.20%-3.96%; I2 = 68.5%), and the incidence of allograft loss during pregnancy was 1.55% (95% CI, 0.05%-4.44%; I2 = 69.2%). Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, pregnancies in recipients of a solid organ transplant were associated with a 4 to 6 times increased risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight during pregnancy. There was a low overall risk of graft rejection or loss during pregnancy.

Activin A and pathologies of pregnancy: a review.

Activin A is a two-subunit protein belonging to the transforming growth factor ß superfamily. First discovered almost three decades ago, it has since been implicated in diverse physiological roles, ranging from wound repair to reproduction. After 30 years of research, altered activin A levels are now understood to be associated with the development of various diseases, making activin A a potential therapeutic target. In pregnancy, the placenta and fetal membranes are major producers of activin A, with significantly enhanced serum concentrations now recognised as a contributor to numerous gestational disorders. Evidence now suggests that circulating levels of activin A may be clinically relevant in the early detection of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and preeclampsia. This review aims to summarise our current understanding of activin A as a potential diagnostic marker in common pregnancy pathologies.

Micronutrient screening, monitoring, and supplementation in pregnancy after bariatric surgery.

We present the case of a woman with a history of biliopancreatic diversion and duodenal switch procedure who developed severe malnourishment requiring total parenteral nutrition during three pregnancies. The widespread use of bariatric surgery, particularly among those of reproductive age, has led to an increase in the number of women who become pregnant following bariatric surgery. There is a paucity of evidence to guide nutritional recommendations for women during pregnancy post bariatric surgery. We review this literature and summarize key published evidence and provide comprehensive recommendations concerning the common challenges in the management of nutrition status during pregnancy. The focus is on the impact of malabsorptive bariatric surgeries on pregnancy outcomes, nutrient deficiencies, recommendations for micro- and macronutrient monitoring and supplementation, and altered glucose metabolism and implications for diabetes screening. Optimizing pregnancy outcomes for individuals following bariatric surgery requires multidisciplinary team management including obstetrical providers, obstetric medicine specialists, and dietitians.

Monitoring skin temperature at the wrist in hospitalised patients may assist in the detection of infection.

BACKGROUND: Measuring temperature has always been a key observation in the diagnosis of infection. No studies have examined the usefulness of measuring temperature at the wrist to detect infection. AIM: We sought to determine whether a watch measuring wrist temperature could accurately identify patients who are infected. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional pilot study of temperature monitoring in an unselected patients in a tertiary referral adult nephrology unit. RESULTS: One hundred and four data recording sessions revealed 88 useful data sets, with recording failures in the others. Patients were retrospectively classified as having no infection (Group A, n = 60), clinically diagnosed infection with less than 24 h of treatment with antibiotics (Group B, n = 5), and clinically diagnosed infection with greater than 24 h on antibiotics (Group C, n = 23). There was a significantly higher average maximum temperature in Group B (mean (SEM)) 38°C (0.6) compared with Groups A (36.1°C (0.1)) and C (36.3°C (0.3)). Based on receiver operating characteristics (ROC) a cut-off temperature of ≥37.5°C gave sensitivity 80% and specificity 98%. Mean electrodermal activity was significantly higher in Groups B and C. CONCLUSIONS: ROC of peripheral skin temperature measurements suggest that such a device may identify many patients requiring treatment for infection. This proof of principle study showed value in using a wearable device in the detection of infection and its potential as an early warning or monitoring device.