Evaluation of cardiac contractility of fetuses from pregestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies by three-dimensional ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate cardiac contractility in fetuses from pregestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies by three-dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation in rendering mode. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 40 fetuses from nondiabetic pregnancies and 28 pregestational diabetic pregnancies between 20 and 33 weeks and 6 days. Cardiac contractility was assessed by measuring the ventricular myocardial area in diastole subtracted from the ventricular myocardial area in systole. RESULTS: Pregestational diabetic pregnancies had a lower maternal age than nondiabetic pregnancies (26.7 vs. 39.9 years, p=0.019). Cardiac contractility in fetuses from diabetic and nondiabetic pregnancies was similar (p=0.293). A moderately positive and significant correlation was observed between gestational age and cardiac contractility (r=0.46, p=0.0004). A 1-week increase in gestational age was responsible for a 0.1386 cm2 increase in cardiac contractility. CONCLUSION: Cardiac contractility as evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation in rendering mode showed no significant differences across fetuses with and without pregestational diabetes.

Impact of overweight and obesity in the fetal cardiac function parameters in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of overweight and obesity in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy on fetal cardiac function parameters. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study of 374 singleton pregnant women between 20w0d and 36w6d divided into three groups: 154 controls (body mass index - BMI < 25 kg/m2), 140 overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) and 80 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Fetal left ventricular (LV) modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) was calculated according to the following formula: (isovolumetric contraction time + isovolumetric relaxation time)/ejection time. Spectral tissue Doppler was used to determine LV and right ventricular (RV) myocardial performance index (MPI'), peak myocardial velocity during systole (S'), early diastole (E'), and late diastole (A'). RESULTS: We found significant differences between the groups in maternal age (p < 0.001), maternal weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), number of pregnancies (p < 0.001), parity (p < 0.001), gestational age (p = 0.013), and estimated fetal weight (p = 0.003). Overweight pregnant women had higher LV Mod-MPI (0.046 versus 0.044 seconds, p = 0.009) and LV MPI' (0.50 versus 0.47 seconds, p < 0.001) than the control group. Obese pregnant women had higher RV E' than control (6.82 versus 6.33 cm/sec, p = 0.008) and overweight (6.82 versus 6.46 cm/sec, p = 0.047) groups. There were no differences in 5-min APGAR score < 7, neonatal intensive care unit admission, hypoglycemia and hyperglobulinemia between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We observed fetal myocardial dysfunction in overweight and obese pregnant women with higher LV Mod-MPI, LV MPI' and RV E' compared to fetuses from normal weight pregnant women.

Evaluation of cardiac contractility of fetuses from pregestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies by three-dimensional ultrasound

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate cardiac contractility in fetuses from pregestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies by three-dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation in rendering mode. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 40 fetuses from nondiabetic pregnancies and 28 pregestational diabetic pregnancies between 20 and 33 weeks and 6 days. Cardiac contractility was assessed by measuring the ventricular myocardial area in diastole subtracted from the ventricular myocardial area in systole. RESULTS: Pregestational diabetic pregnancies had a lower maternal age than nondiabetic pregnancies (26.7 vs. 39.9 years, p=0.019). Cardiac contractility in fetuses from diabetic and nondiabetic pregnancies was similar (p=0.293). A moderately positive and significant correlation was observed between gestational age and cardiac contractility (r=0.46, p=0.0004). A 1-week increase in gestational age was responsible for a 0.1386 cm2 increase in cardiac contractility. CONCLUSION: Cardiac contractility as evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasound using spatiotemporal image correlation in rendering mode showed no significant differences across fetuses with and without pregestational diabetes.

Dietary intake of pregnant women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Findings on the role of diet in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis are inconsistent. There are few studies on the dietary habits of pregnant women with NAFLD. Our primary aim was to compare the dietary intakes of pregnant women with and without NAFLD. METHODS: This case-control study recruited 60 women (26-34 weeks' gestation) with recently diagnosed gestational diabetes (GDM) before any treatment was implemented. At recruitment, all participants underwent B-mode hepatic ultrasound. We included 30 women with sonographic NAFLD (cases) and 30 women without NAFLD (controls) matched for age, skin color, and pre-pregnancy body mass index. We assessed participants' dietary intakes in the last six months using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Mann-Whitney´s test was used to compare differences in median macro and micronutrient intakes between cases and controls. RESULTS: Total median daily energy (1965.1 × 1949.2 calories) and lipid (25.1% × 28.3%) intakes were similar in women with and without NAFLD and fell within recommended ranges. Participants with NAFLD reported significantly higher median daily intakes of carbohydrates (59.4% × 53.1% p = 0.003), and significantly lower protein (15.6% × 17.0% p = 0.005), fiber (10.7 × 13.3 g/day p = 0.010), and vitamin C (151.8 × 192.6 mg/day p = 0.008) intakes than those without NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with NAFLD ingest more carbohydrates and less protein, fiber, and vitamin C than those without NAFLD. Our findings contribute to understanding the role of diet in the development of NAFLD in pregnant women.

Prolactin does not seem to mediate the improvement on insulin resistance markers and blood glucose levels related to breastfeeding.

Introduction: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide. Strategies to decrease this risk should be strongly encouraged. Lactation has been associated, for the mother, with reduction in future T2DM risk in several studies. The mechanisms behind this phenomenon, however, are poorly understood. The aims of this study were, first, to compare blood glucose levels and markers of insulin resistance (MIR) in early postpartum women with overweight/obesity according to their breastfeeding status and, second, to evaluate whether prolactin (PRL) levels could mediate improvements in these parameters. Methods: The prospective study followed 95 women older than 18 years from early pregnancy for up to 60 to 180 days postpartum. All participants had a BMI > 25 kg/m2 and a singleton pregnancy. At each visit, questionnaires and clinical and biochemical evaluations were performed. Participants were divided into two groups according to the breastfeeding status as "yes" for exclusive or predominant breastfeeding, and "no" for not breastfeeding. Results: Breastfeeding women (n = 44) had significantly higher PRL levels [47.8 (29.6-88.2) vs. 20.0 (12.0-33.8), p< 0.001]. They also had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels [89.0 (8.0) vs. 93.9 (12.6) mg/dl, p = 0.04], triglycerides (TG) [92.2 (37.9) vs. 122.4 (64.4) mg/dl, p = 0.01], TG/HDL ratio [1.8 (0.8) vs. 2.4 (1.6) mg/dl, p = 0.02], TyG index [8.24 (0.4) vs. 8.52 (0.53), p = 0.005], fasting serum insulin [8.9 (6.3-11.6) vs. 11.4 (7.7-17.0), p = 0.048], and HOMA-IR [2.0 (1.3-2.7) vs. 2.6 (1.6-3.9), p = 0.025] in the postpartum period compared to the non-breastfeeding group. Groups were homogeneous in relation to prevalence of GDM, pre-gestational BMI, as well as daily caloric intake, physical activity, and weight loss at postpartum. Linear regression analysis with adjustments for confounders showed a statistically significant association of breastfeeding with fasting blood glucose [-6.37 (-10.91 to -1.83), p = 0.006], HOMA-IR [-0.27 (-0.51 to -0.04), p = 0.024], TyG index [-0.04 (-0.06 to -0.02), p = 0.001], and TG/HDL ratio [-0.25 (-0.48 to -0.01), p = 0.038]. Mediation analysis showed that PRL did not mediate these effects. Sensitivity analyses considering different cutoffs for PRL levels also did not show modification effect in the mediation analyses. Conclusion: Breastfeeding was associated with improvement in glucose metabolism and MIR 60 to 180 days after birth in overweight and obese women, even when adjusted for confounders. PRL levels were not found to mediate the association between breastfeeding and improvement in MIR.

A new model based on artificial intelligence to screening preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to create a new screening for spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) based on artificial intelligence (AI). METHODS: This study included 524 singleton pregnancies from 18th to 24th-week gestation after transvaginal ultrasound cervical length (CL) analyzes for screening sPTB < 35 weeks. AI model was created based on the stacking-based ensemble learning method (SBELM) by the neural network, gathering CL < 25 mm, multivariate unadjusted logistic regression (LR), and the best AI algorithm. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve to predict sPTB < 35 weeks and area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, predictive positive and negative values were performed to evaluate CL < 25 mm, LR, the best algorithms of AI and SBELM. RESULTS: The most relevant variables presented by LR were cervical funneling, index straight CL/internal angle inside the cervix (≤ 0.200), previous PTB < 37 weeks, previous curettage, no antibiotic treatment during pregnancy, and weight (≤ 58 kg), no smoking, and CL < 30.9 mm. Fixing 10% of false positive rate, CL < 25 mm and SBELM present, respectively: AUC of 0.318 and 0.808; sensitivity of 33.3% and 47,3%; specificity of 91.8 and 92.8%; positive predictive value of 23.1 and 32.7%; negative predictive value of 94.9 and 96.0%. This machine learning presented high statistical significance when compared to CL < 25 mm after T-test (p < .00001). CONCLUSION: AI applied to clinical and ultrasonographic variables could be a viable option for screening of sPTB < 35 weeks, improving the performance of short cervix, with a low false-positive rate.

Maternal-fetal outcomes of pregnant women with type 1 diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or multiple daily injections during pregnancy - A Brazilian health care referral center cohort study.

Objective: Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have an increased risk of maternal-fetal complications. Regarding treatment, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) has advantages compared to multiple daily injections (MDI), but data about the best option during pregnancy are limited. This study's aim was to compare maternal-fetal outcomes among T1D patients treated with CSII or MDI during pregnancy. Subjects and methods: This study evaluated 174 pregnancies of T1D patients. Variables of interest were compared between the groups (CSII versus MDI), and logistic regression analysis was performed (p < 0.05). Results: Of the 174 included pregnancies, CSII was used in 21.3% (37) and MDI were used in 78.7% (137). HbA1c values improved throughout gestation in both groups, with no difference in the first and third trimesters. The frequency of cesarean section was significantly higher in the CSII group [94.1 vs. 75.4%, p = 0.017], but there was no significant difference in the frequency of other complications, such as miscarriage, premature delivery and preeclampsia. The mean birth weight and occurrence of neonatal complications were also similar, except for the proportion of congenital malformations, which was significantly lower in the CSII group [2.9 vs. 15.6%, p = 0.048]. In regression analysis, the association of CSII with cesarean section and malformations lost significance after adjusting for HbA1c and other covariates of interest. Conclusion: In this study, we observed a higher frequency of cesarean section and a lower occurrence of congenital malformations in the CSII group, but the adjusted results might indicate that these associations are influenced by glycemic control.

Uso de misoprostol em obstetrícia / Misoprostol use in obstetrics

PONTOS-CHAVE O misoprostol é um análogo da prostaglandina E1 (PGE1) que consta na Lista de Medicamentos Essenciais da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) desde 2005 O Brasil possui uma das regulações mais restritivas do mundo relacionadas ao uso do misoprostol, estabelecendo que o misoprostol tem uso hospitalar exclusivo, com controle especial, e venda, compra e propaganda proibidas por lei Atualmente, o misoprostol é a droga de referência para tratamento medicamentoso nos casos de aborto induzido, tanto no primeiro trimestre gestacional quanto em idades gestacionais mais avançadas O misoprostol é uma medicação efetiva para o preparo cervical e indução do parto O misoprostol é um medicamento essencial para o manejo da hemorragia pós-parto

Prediction of lung maturity through quantitative ultrasound analysis of fetal lung texture in women with diabetes during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of QuantusFLM® software, which performs quantitative ultrasound analysis of fetal lung texture, in predicting lung maturity in fetuses of diabetic mothers. METHODS: The patients included in this study were between 34 and 38 weeks and 6 days gestation and were divided into two groups: (1) patients with diabetes on medication and (2) control. The ultrasound images were performed up to 48 h prior to delivery and analyzed using QuantusFLM® software, which classified each fetus as high or low risk for neonatal respiratory morbidity based on lung maturity or immaturity. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients were included in the study, being 55 in diabetes and 56 in control group. The pregnant women with diabetes had significantly higher body mass index (27.8 kg/m2 vs. 25.9 kg/m2, respectively, p=0.02), increased birth weight (3,135 g vs. 2,887 g, respectively, p=0.002), and a higher rate of labor induction (63.6 vs. 30.4 %, respectively, p<0.001) compared to the control group. QuantusFLM® software was able to predict lung maturity in diabetes group with 96.4 % accuracy, 96.4 % sensitivity and 100 % positive predictive value. Considering the total number of patients, the software demonstrated accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 95.5 , 97.2, 33.3, 98.1 and 25 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: QuantusFLM® was an accurate method for predicting lung maturity in normal and DM singleton pregnancies and has the potential to aid in deciding the timing of delivery for pregnant women with DM.

Father's weight could contribute to large babies in overweight and obese mothers with and without gestational diabetes.

We evaluated whether there was an association between fathers' nutritional status and children's birth weight (BW) considering weight-matched mothers with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In total, 86 trios of women, infants, and fathers were evaluated. BW was not different between the groups of obese and non-obese parents, frequency of maternal obesity, or GDM. The percentage of infants who were large for gestational age (LGA) was 25% in the obese group and 14% in the non-obese group (p = 0.44). There was a borderline significance for higher body mass index (p = 0.09) of the father in the LGA group compared with the adequate for gestational age group. These results corroborate the hypothesis that the father's weight can also be relevant for the occurrence of LGA.

Maternal Near Miss in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may cause irreversible organ damage. Pregnancy with SLE may have severe life-threatening risks. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in patients with SLE and analyze the parameters that contributed to cases of greater severity. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional retrospective study from analysis of data retrieved from medical records of pregnant women with SLE treated at a University Hospital in Brazil. The pregnant women were divided in a control group without complications, a group with potentially life-threatening conditions (PLTC), and a group with maternal near miss (MNM). RESULTS: The maternal near miss rate was 112.9 per 1,000 live births. The majority of PLTC (83.9%) and MNM (92.9%) cases had preterm deliveries with statistically significant increased risk compared with the control group (p = 0.0042; odds ratio [OR]: 12.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-96.6 for the MNM group and p = 0.0001; OR: 4.84; 95%CI: 2.2-10.8 for the PLTC group). Severe maternal morbidity increases the risk of longer hospitalization (p < 0.0001; OR: 18.8; 95%CI: 7.0-50.6 and p < 0.0001; OR: 158.17; 95%CI: 17.6-1424,2 for the PLTC and MNM groups, respectively), newborns with low birthweight (p = 0.0006; OR: 3.67; 95%CI: 1.7-7.9 and p = 0.0009; OR: 17.68; 95%CI: 2-153.6) for the PLTC and MNM groups, respectively] as well as renal diseases (PLTC [8.9%; 33/56; p = 0.0069] and MNM [78.6%; 11/14; p = 0.0026]). Maternal near miss cases presented increased risk for neonatal death (p = 0.0128; OR: 38.4; 95%CI: 3.3-440.3]), and stillbirth and miscarriage (p = 0.0011; OR: 7.68; 95%CI: 2.2-26.3]). CONCLUSION: Systemic lupus erythematosus was significantly associated with severe maternal morbidity, longer hospitalizations, and increased risk of poor obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

OBJETIVO: Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) pode causar danos irreversíveis aos órgãos. A gravidez com LES pode ter riscos para condições ameaçadoras à vida. O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a prevalência de MMG em pacientes com LES e analisar os parâmetros que contribuíram para os casos de maior gravidade. MéTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal retrospectivo a partir da análise de dados obtidos de prontuários de gestantes com LES atendidas em um Hospital Universitário no Brasil. As gestantes foram divididas em grupo controle sem intercorrências, grupo com condições potencialmente ameaçadoras a vida (CPAV) e grupo com near miss materno (NMM). RESULTADOS: A taxa de NMM foi de 112,9 por 1.000 nascidos vivos. A maioria dos casos de CPAV (83,9%) e NMM (92,9%) teve partos prematuros com risco aumentado estatisticamente significativo em comparação com o grupo controle (p = 0,0042; odds ratio [OR]: 12,05; intervalo de confiança [IC]: 1,5­96,6 para o grupo NMM e p = 0,0001; OR: 4,84; IC95%: 2,2­10,8 para o grupo CPAV). MMG aumenta o risco de maior tempo de internação (p < 0,0001; OR: 18,8; IC95%: 7,0­50,6 e p < 0,0001; OR: 158,17; IC95%: 17,6­1424,2 para os grupos CPAV e NMM, respectivamente), recém-nascidos com baixo peso (p = 0,0006; OR: 3,67; IC95%: 1,7­7,9 e p = 0,0009; OR: 17,68; IC95%: 2­153,6 para os grupos CPAV e NMM, respectivamente), bem como doenças renais (CPAV: 58,9%; 33/56; p = 0,0069 e NMM: 78,6%; 11/14; p = 0,0026)]. Os casos de NMM apresentaram risco aumentado para óbito neonatal (p = 0,0128; OR: 38,4; IC95%: 3,3­440,3), natimorto e aborto espontâneo (p = 0,0011; OR: 7,68; IC95%: 2,2­26,3). CONCLUSãO: Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico foi significativamente associado à morbidade materna grave, internações mais longas e risco aumentado de desfechos obstétricos e neonatais ruins.

Inadequate pregnancy planning in diabetics, and its impact on glycemic control and complications.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the intention of actual pregnancy and its influence on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) profile before and during the pregnancy of women with previous diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Prospective cohort study included pregnant women with previous DM assisted from October/2018 to October/2019. Data were collected with standardized questionnaire and from medical records. Comparisons of variables of interest (Student's t test, Mann-Whitney or chi-square test) were performed between the group of women who did or denied report having interest to become pregnant. And a logistic regression analysis were performed considering prematurity or fetal/neonatal complication as dependent variables. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included, with HbA1c mean of pre-pregnancy, first and third trimesters of 9.3, 8.1 and 6.8%, respectively. 7.7% women had HbA1c ≤ 6.5% in pre-pregnancy and 16.7% in first trimester. 83.3% reported having received guidance on the importance of glucose control and contraception before their current pregnancy. Although 28.3% reported the intention to become pregnant, only 28.3% reported regular use of any contraceptive method before it, none of which had HbA1c in the recommended goal for pregnancy. Glycemic control did not differ between groups intending or not to become pregnant. Women with adequate glycemic control in first trimester had a lower frequency of prematurity (p = 0.015) and fetal complications (p = 0.001), and better control at the end of pregnancy. DISCUSSION: Although most of these women reported having had information about the importance of a planned pregnancy, adequate glycemic control of women with diabetes before and during the pregnancy is still not a reality nowadays. It might be necessary to improve medical communication in pregnancy planning.