Routine screening for SARS CoV-2 in unselected pregnant women at delivery.

BACKGROUND: South America has become the epicenter of coronavirus pandemic. It seems that asymptomatic population may contribute importantly to the spread of the disease. Transmission from asymptomatic pregnant patients' needs to be characterized in larger population cohorts and symptom assessment needs to be standardized. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of SARS CoV-2 infection in an unselected obstetrical population and to describe their presentation and clinical evolution. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed. Medical records of pregnant women admitted at the Obstetrics & Gynecology department of Clínica Dávila for labor & delivery, between April 27th and June 7th, 2020 were reviewed. All patients were screened with RT-PCR for SARS CoV-2 at admission. After delivery, positive cases were inquired by the researchers for clinical symptoms presented before admission and clinical evolution. All neonates born from mothers with confirmed SARS CoV-2 were isolated and tested for SARS CoV-2 infection. RESULTS: A total of 586 patients were tested for SARS CoV-2 during the study period. Outcomes were obtained from 583 patients which were included in the study. Thirty-seven pregnant women had a positive test for SARS CoV-2 at admission. Cumulative prevalence of confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection was 6.35% (37/583) [CI 95%: 4.63-8.65]. From confirmed cases, 43.2% (16/37) were asymptomatic. From symptomatic patients 85.7% (18/21) had mild symptoms and evolved without complications and 14.3% (3/21) presented severe symptoms requiring admission to intensive care unit. Only 5.4% (2/37) of the neonates born to mothers with a positive test at admission had a positive RT-PCR for SARS CoV-2. CONCLUSION: In our study nearly half of pregnant patients with SARS CoV-2 were asymptomatic at the time of delivery. Universal screening, in endemic areas, is necessary for adequate patient isolation, prompt neonatal testing and targeted follow-up.

Estimates of burden and consequences of infants born small for gestational age in low and middle income countries with INTERGROWTH-21st standard: analysis of CHERG datasets.

Objectives To estimate small for gestational age birth prevalence and attributable neonatal mortality in low and middle income countries with the INTERGROWTH-21st birth weight standard.Design Secondary analysis of data from the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (CHERG), including 14 birth cohorts with gestational age, birth weight, and neonatal follow-up. Small for gestational age was defined as infants weighing less than the 10th centile birth weight for gestational age and sex with the multiethnic, INTERGROWTH-21st birth weight standard. Prevalence of small for gestational age and neonatal mortality risk ratios were calculated and pooled among these datasets at the regional level. With available national level data, prevalence of small for gestational age and population attributable fractions of neonatal mortality attributable to small for gestational age were estimated.Setting CHERG birth cohorts from 14 population based sites in low and middle income countries.Main outcome measures In low and middle income countries in the year 2012, the number and proportion of infants born small for gestational age; number and proportion of neonatal deaths attributable to small for gestational age; the number and proportion of neonatal deaths that could be prevented by reducing the prevalence of small for gestational age to 10%.Results In 2012, an estimated 23.3 million infants (uncertainty range 17.6 to 31.9; 19.3% of live births) were born small for gestational age in low and middle income countries. Among these, 11.2 million (0.8 to 15.8) were term and not low birth weight (≥2500 g), 10.7 million (7.6 to 15.0) were term and low birth weight (<2500 g) and 1.5 million (0.9 to 2.6) were preterm. In low and middle income countries, an estimated 606 500 (495 000 to 773 000) neonatal deaths were attributable to infants born small for gestational age, 21.9% of all neonatal deaths. The largest burden was in South Asia, where the prevalence was the highest (34%); about 26% of neonatal deaths were attributable to infants born small for gestational age. Reduction of the prevalence of small for gestational age from 19.3% to 10.0% in these countries could reduce neonatal deaths by 9.2% (254 600 neonatal deaths; 164 800 to 449 700).Conclusions In low and middle income countries, about one in five infants are born small for gestational age, and one in four neonatal deaths are among such infants. Increased efforts are required to improve the quality of care for and survival of these high risk infants in low and middle income countries.

Correlation between Maternal Characteristics during Early Pregnancy, Fetal Growth Rate and Newborn Weight in Healthy Pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between maternal characteristics in early pregnancy and fetal growth (FG) and birth weight (BW). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed in unselected pregnant women who attended an ultrasound evaluation at 11-14 weeks of pregnancy. Medical history, biochemical blood tests, biophysical variables and fetal weight at 20-25 and 30-36 weeks as well as the BW were assessed. Bivariate and multivariate linear models were constructed. RESULTS: In all, 543 patients with normal pregnancy and labor were selected. The multiple regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between maternal body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy and the uterine artery pulsatility index (UtAPI) in the first trimester with BW (p < 0.0008) and with the ratio of fetal growth between the second and third trimesters (p < 0.0001). No correlation was found between these variables and first trimester levels of hemoglobin or glycemia. CONCLUSION: Maternal first trimester BMI and UtAPI correlate with the rate of intrauterine FG and with the BW. This evidence highlights the influence of maternal first trimester variables on fetuses with normal growth and the potential role of these variables in fetal programming.

Mortality risk in preterm and small-for-gestational-age infants in low-income and middle-income countries: a pooled country analysis.

BACKGROUND: Babies with low birthweight (<2500 g) are at increased risk of early mortality. However, low birthweight includes babies born preterm and with fetal growth restriction, and not all these infants have a birthweight less than 2500 g. We estimated the neonatal and infant mortality associated with these two characteristics in low-income and middle-income countries. METHODS: For this pooled analysis, we searched all available studies and identified 20 cohorts (providing data for 2,015,019 livebirths) from Asia, Africa, and Latin America that recorded data for birthweight, gestational age, and vital statistics through 28 days of life. Study dates ranged from 1982 through to 2010. We calculated relative risks (RR) and risk differences (RD) for mortality associated with preterm birth (<32 weeks, 32 weeks to <34 weeks, 34 weeks to <37 weeks), small-for-gestational-age (SGA; babies with birthweight in the lowest third percentile and between the third and tenth percentile of a US reference population), and preterm and SGA combinations. FINDINGS: Pooled overall RRs for preterm were 6·82 (95% CI 3·56-13·07) for neonatal mortality and 2·50 (1·48-4·22) for post-neonatal mortality. Pooled RRs for babies who were SGA (with birthweight in the lowest tenth percentile of the reference population) were 1·83 (95% CI 1·34-2·50) for neonatal mortality and 1·90 (1·32-2·73) for post-neonatal mortality. The neonatal mortality risk of babies who were both preterm and SGA was higher than that of babies with either characteristic alone (15·42; 9·11-26·12). INTERPRETATION: Many babies in low-income and middle-income countries are SGA. Preterm birth affects a smaller number of neonates than does SGA, but is associated with a higher mortality risk. The mortality risks associated with both characteristics extend beyond the neonatal period. Differentiation of the burden and risk of babies born preterm and SGA rather than with low birthweight could guide prevention and management strategies to speed progress towards Millennium Development Goal 4--the reduction of child mortality. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

First trimester prediction of early onset preeclampsia using demographic, clinical, and sonographic data: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of a predictive model for early onset preeclampsia (PE) during early gestation. METHOD: Prospective multicenter cohort study was performed in women attending 11-14 weeks ultrasound. Medical history and biometrical variables were recorded and uterine artery Doppler was performed. All patients were followed until postpartum period. Constructed predictive models were compared using the area under the associated receiver operating characteristic curve. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios were estimated for each outcome. RESULTS: A total of 627 patients were enrolled. Sixty-five (10.4%) developed gestational hypertension, of which 29 developed PE (4.6% of the total sample) and nine occurred before 34 weeks (1.5% of total sample). Prediction model generated for early onset PE (ePE) with 5% false positive achieve sensitivity of 62.5% and specificity of 95.5%. The positive and negative likelihood ratios for ePE were 13.9 and 0.39, respectively. Development of ePE was significantly associated with history of preterm labor (p = 0.002) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the advantage of combining multiple variables for prediction of ePE.

National and regional estimates of term and preterm babies born small for gestational age in 138 low-income and middle-income countries in 2010.

BACKGROUND: National estimates for the numbers of babies born small for gestational age and the comorbidity with preterm birth are unavailable. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of term and preterm babies born small for gestational age (term-SGA and preterm-SGA), and the relation to low birthweight (<2500 g), in 138 countries of low and middle income in 2010. METHODS: Small for gestational age was defined as lower than the 10th centile for fetal growth from the 1991 US national reference population. Data from 22 birth cohort studies (14 low-income and middle-income countries) and from the WHO Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health (23 countries) were used to model the prevalence of term-SGA births. Prevalence of preterm-SGA infants was calculated from meta-analyses. FINDINGS: In 2010, an estimated 32·4 million infants were born small for gestational age in low-income and middle-income countries (27% of livebirths), of whom 10·6 million infants were born at term and low birthweight. The prevalence of term-SGA babies ranged from 5·3% of livebirths in east Asia to 41·5% in south Asia, and the prevalence of preterm-SGA infants ranged from 1·2% in north Africa to 3·0% in southeast Asia. Of 18 million low-birthweight babies, 59% were term-SGA and 41% were preterm-SGA. Two-thirds of small-for-gestational-age infants were born in Asia (17·4 million in south Asia). Preterm-SGA babies totalled 2·8 million births in low-income and middle-income countries. Most small-for-gestational-age infants were born in India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. INTERPRETATION: The burden of small-for-gestational-age births is very high in countries of low and middle income and is concentrated in south Asia. Implementation of effective interventions for babies born too small or too soon is an urgent priority to increase survival and reduce disability, stunting, and non-communicable diseases. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by a grant to the US Fund for UNICEF to support the activities of the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (CHERG).

Low 2-methoxyestradiol levels at the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with the development of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether maternal plasma levels of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) are decreased early in pregnancies that subsequently develop pre-eclampsia (PE) and whether this difference could be attributed to the presence of Val158Met catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphism in the placenta. METHODS: Clinical characteristics and plasma samples were collected at 11 to 14 weeks prospectively in a cohort of patients. From them, 13 PE and 72 control pregnant women were chosen. Plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase1 and placental growth factor levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence and 2-ME was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry detection. At delivery, placental tissue was collected and the Val158Met COMT polymorphism was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR. RESULTS: At 11 to 14 weeks, patients who would develop PE have significantly lower plasma levels of 2-ME than controls [1.9 ± 2 standard error of the mean (SEM) vs 61.7 ± 27 pg/mL, P < 0.05]. The Val158Met polymorphism was more frequent in controls than in PE patients and the placental presence of COMT polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of developing PE [PE: 23.1% vs control: 66.6%; χ(2) = 10.9, p = 0.0041]. CONCLUSIONS: Lower plasma concentrations of 2-ME during early pregnancy in patients who subsequently develop PE were found. Presence of placental Val158Met COMT polymorphism is associated with a decreased risk to develop PE, suggesting a protective role against PE.

Metabolomics in premature labor: a novel approach to identify patients at risk for preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Biomarkers for preterm labor (PTL) and delivery can be discovered through the analysis of the transcriptome (transcriptomics) and protein composition (proteomics). Characterization of the global changes in low-molecular weight compounds which constitute the 'metabolic network' of cells (metabolome) is now possible by using a 'metabolomics' approach. Metabolomic profiling has special advantages over transcriptomics and proteomics since the metabolic network is downstream from gene expression and protein synthesis, and thus more closely reflects cell activity at a functional level. This study was conducted to determine if metabolomic profiling of the amniotic fluid can identify women with spontaneous PTL at risk for preterm delivery, regardless of the presence or absence of intraamniotic infection/inflammation (IAI). STUDY DESIGN: Two retrospective cross-sectional studies were conducted, including three groups of pregnant women with spontaneous PTL and intact membranes: (1) PTL who delivered at term; (2) PTL without IAI who delivered preterm; and (3) PTL with IAI who delivered preterm. The first was an exploratory study that included 16, 19, and 20 patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The second study included 40, 33, and 40 patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Amniotic fluid metabolic profiling was performed by combining chemical separation (with gas and liquid chromatography) and mass spectrometry. Compounds were identified using authentic standards. The data were analyzed using discriminant analysis for the first study and Random Forest for the second. RESULTS: (1) In the first study, metabolomic profiling of the amniotic fluid was able to identify patients as belonging to the correct clinical group with an overall 96.3% (53/55) accuracy; 15 of 16 patients with PTL who delivered at term were correctly classified; all patients with PTL without IAI who delivered preterm neonates were correctly identified as such (19/19), while 19/20 patients with PTL and IAI were correctly classified. (2) In the second study, metabolomic profiling was able to identify patients as belonging to the correct clinical group with an accuracy of 88.5% (100/113); 39 of 40 patients with PTL who delivered at term were correctly classified; 29 of 33 patients with PTL without IAI who delivered preterm neonates were correctly classified. Among patients with PTL and IAI, 32/40 were correctly classified. The metabolites responsible for the classification of patients in different clinical groups were identified. A preliminary draft of the human amniotic fluid metabolome was generated and found to contain products of the intermediate metabolism of mammalian cells and xenobiotic compounds (e.g. bacterial products and Salicylamide). CONCLUSION: Among patients with spontaneous PTL with intact membranes, metabolic profiling of the amniotic fluid can be used to assess the risk of preterm delivery in the presence or absence of infection/inflammation.

Sex differences in fetal growth responses to maternal height and weight.

Sex differences in fetal growth have been reported, but how this happens remains to be described. It is unknown if fetal growth rates, a reflection of genetic and environmental factors, express sexually dimorphic sensitivity to the mother herself. This analysis investigated homogeneity of male and female growth responses to maternal height and weight. The study sample included 3,495 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies followed longitudinally. Analytic models regressed fetal and neonatal weight on tertiles of maternal height and weight, and modification by sex was investigated (n = 1,814 males, n = 1,681 females) with birth gestational age, maternal parity, and smoking as covariates. Sex modified the effects of maternal height and weight on fetal growth rates and birth weight. Among boys, tallest maternal height influenced fetal weight growth before 18 gestational weeks of age (P = 0.006), and prepregnancy maternal weight and body mass index subsequently had influence (P < 0.001); this was not found among girls. Additionally, interaction terms between sex, maternal height, and maternal weight identified that males were more sensitive to maternal weight among shorter mothers (P = 0.003) and more responsive to maternal height among lighter mothers (P < or = 0.03), compared to females. Likewise, neonatal birth weight dimorphism varied by maternal phenotype. A male advantage of 60 g occurred among neonates of the shortest and lightest mothers (P = 0.08), compared to 150 and 191 g among short and heavy mothers, and tall and light-weight mothers, respectively (P = 0.01). Sex differences in response to maternal size are under-appreciated sources of variation in fetal growth studies and may reflect differential growth strategies.

Preeclampsia and pregnancies with small-for-gestational age neonates have different profiles of complement split products.

OBJECTIVE: The activation of the complement system results in the generation of split products with pro-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to determine whether preeclampsia and small-for-gestational age (SGA) are associated with changes in the maternal plasma concentrations of anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a and C5a. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the following groups: (a) normal pregnant women (n = 134); (b) women who delivered an SGA neonate (n = 53); (c) preeclampsia with (n = 52) and without SGA (n = 54). Maternal plasma anaphylatoxin concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. RESULTS: (1) Women with preeclampsia with or without SGA had a significantly higher median plasma C5a concentration than that of normal pregnant women and those with SGA alone (all P < 0.01); (2) women with SGA alone did not have an increase in plasma C5a concentration; (3) in contrast, the median maternal plasma concentration of C4a was lower in women with preeclampsia and SGA than that of those with a normal pregnancy (P = 0.001); (4) no changes in C3a were observed among the study groups. CONCLUSION: Preeclampsia is associated with increased plasma concentration of C5a, regardless of the presence or absence of an SGA fetus. In contrast, there was no difference in the plasma C3a, C4a and C5a concentration in patients with SGA.

Could alterations in maternal plasma visfatin concentration participate in the phenotype definition of preeclampsia and SGA?

OBJECTIVE: Women with preeclampsia and those who delivered a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate share several mechanisms of disease, including chronic uteroplacental ischemia and failure of physiologic transformation of the spiral arteries. However, the clinical manifestation of these obstetrical syndromes is remarkably different. It has been proposed that an altered maternal metabolic state, as well as a unique circulating cytokines milieu, predispose women to develop either preeclampsia or SGA. Compelling evidence suggests that adipose tissue orchestrates both metabolic pathways and immunological responses via the production of adipokines. Visfatin is a novel adipocytokine with metabolic and immunomodulating properties. The objective of this study was to determine whether preeclampsia and SGA are associated with alterations in maternal circulating visfatin concentrations. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included pregnant women in the following groups: (1) normal pregnancy (n = 158); (2) patients with preeclampsia (n = 43) of which 32 had an AGA and 11 had an SGA neonate; (3) patients without preeclampsia who delivered an SGA neonate (n = 55). Maternal plasma visfatin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Nonparametric tests and multiple linear regression analysis were used. RESULTS: (1) Women who delivered an SGA neonate had a higher median maternal plasma visfatin concentration than those with a normal pregnancy (20.0 ng/ml, interquartile range: 17.2-24.6 vs. 15.2 ng/ml, 12.1-19.2, respectively; P < 0.001) and than those with preeclampsia (14.5 ng/ml, 12.5-18.7; P < 0.001); (2) the median maternal plasma visfatin concentration did not differ significantly between patients with preeclampsia and those with a normal pregnancy (P = 0.8); (3) among patients with preeclampsia, there was no significant difference in the median maternal plasma visfatin concentration between those with or without an SGA neonate (P = 0.5); (4) in a linear regression model, delivery of an SGA neonate and pregestational body mass index were independently associated with increased visfatin concentration after adjustment for confounding factors (maternal age, smoking, gestational age at blood collection and the presence of preeclampsia or SGA). CONCLUSION: (1) Patients with SGA, but not those with preeclampsia, had a higher maternal plasma visfatin concentration than those with a normal pregnancy; (2) this finding suggests differential involvement of visfatin in SGA and preeclampsia; (3) we propose that changes in circulating maternal visfatin concentration may be implicated in the phenotypic definitions and distinction of preeclampsia and SGA.

Tackling health inequities in Chile: maternal, newborn, infant, and child mortality between 1990 and 2004.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed trends in maternal, newborn, and child mortality in Chile between 1990 and 2004, after the introduction of national interventions and reforms, and examined associations between trends and interventions. METHODS: Data were provided by the Chilean Ministry of Health on all pregnancies between 1990 and 2004 (approximately 4,000,000). We calculated yearly maternal mortality ratios, stillbirth rates, and mortality rates for neonates, infants (aged > 28 days and < 1 year), and children aged 1 to 4 years. We also calculated these statistics by 5-year intervals for Chile's poorest to richest district quintiles. RESULTS: During the study period, the maternal mortality ratio decreased from 42.1 to 18.5 per 100,000 live births. The mortality rate for neonates decreased from 9.0 to 5.7 per 1000 births, for infants from 7.8 to 3.1 per 1000 births, and for young children from 3.1 to 1.7 per 1000 live births. The stillbirth rate declined from 6.0 to 5.0 per 1000 births. Disparities in these mortality statistics between the poorest and richest district quintiles also decreased, with the largest mortality reductions in the poorest quintile. CONCLUSIONS: During a period of socioeconomic development and health sector reforms, Chile experienced significant mortality and inequity reductions.

Growth perturbations in a phenotype with rapid fetal growth preceding preterm labor and term birth.

The variability in fetal growth rates and gestation duration in humans is not well understood. Of interest are women presenting with an episode of preterm labor and subsequently delivering a term neonate, who is small relative to peers of similar gestational age. To further understand these relationships, fetal growth patterns predating an episode of preterm labor were investigated. Retrospective analysis of fetal biometry assessed by serial ultrasound in a prospectively studied sample of pregnancies in Santiago, Chile, tested the hypothesis that fetal growth patterns among uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 3,706) and those with an episode of preterm labor followed by term delivery (n = 184) were identical across the time intervals 16-22 weeks, 22-28 weeks, and 28-34 weeks in a multilevel mixed-effects regression. The hypothesis was not supported. Fetal weight growth rate was faster from 16 weeks among pregnancies with an episode of preterm labor (P < 0.05), declined across midgestation (22-28 weeks, P < 0.05), and rebounded between 28 and 34 weeks (P = 0.06). This was associated with perturbations in abdominal circumference growth and proportionately larger biparietal diameter from 22 gestational weeks (P = 0.03), greater femur (P = 0.01), biparietal diameter (P = 0.001) and head circumference (P = 0.02) dimensions relative to abdominal circumference across midgestation (22-28 weeks), followed by proportionately smaller femur diaphyseal length (P = 0.02) and biparietal diameter (P = 0.03) subsequently. A distinctive rapid growth phenotype characterized fetal growth preceding an episode of preterm labor among this sample of term-delivered neonates. Perturbations in abdominal circumference growth and patterns of proportionality suggest an altered growth strategy pre-dating the preterm labor episode.

Early rapid growth, early birth: accelerated fetal growth and spontaneous late preterm birth.

The past two decades in the United States have seen a 24% rise in spontaneous late preterm delivery (34-36 weeks) of unknown etiology. This study tested the hypothesis that fetal growth was identical prior to spontaneous preterm (n = 221, median gestational age at birth 35.6 weeks) and term (n = 3706) birth among pregnancies followed longitudinally in Santiago, Chile. The hypothesis was not supported: Preterm-delivered fetuses were significantly larger than their term-delivered peers by mid-second trimester in estimated fetal weight, head, limb, and abdominal dimensions, and they followed different growth trajectories. Piecewise regression assessed time-specific differences in growth rates at 4-week intervals from 16 weeks. Estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference growth rates slowed at 20 weeks among the preterm-delivered, only to match and/or exceed their term-delivered peers at 24-28 weeks. After an abrupt growth rate decline at 28 weeks, fetuses delivered preterm did so at greater population-specific sex and age-adjusted birth weight percentiles than their peers from uncomplicated pregnancies (P < 0.01). Growth rates predicted birth timing: one standard score of estimated fetal weight increased the odds ratio for late preterm birth from 2.8 prior to 23 weeks, to 3.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.82-7.11, P < 0.05) between 23 and 27 weeks. After 27 weeks, increasing size was protective (OR: 0.56, 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.82, P = 0.003). These data document, for the first time, a distinctive fetal growth pattern across gestation preceding spontaneous late preterm birth, identify the importance of mid-gestation for alterations in fetal growth, and add perspective on human fetal biological variability.

Pyelonephritis during pregnancy: a cause for an acquired deficiency of protein Z.

OBJECTIVE: Pyelonephritis has a more severe course during pregnancy than in the non-pregnant state. This has been attributed to the increased susceptibility of pregnant women to microbial products. An acquired protein Z deficiency has been reported when there is excessive thrombin activity. The aim of this study was to determine whether pyelonephritis during pregnancy is associated with changes in maternal plasma protein Z concentrations. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare plasma protein Z concentrations between normal pregnant women (N = 71) and pregnant women with pyelonephritis (N = 42). Protein Z concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Parametric and non-parametric statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS: Patients with pyelonephritis had a significantly lower median plasma concentration of protein Z than did patients with normal pregnancies (median 2.14 microg/mL (0.4-3.4) vs. median 2.36 microg/mL (1.09-3.36); p = 0.03). There was no difference in the median plasma concentration of anti-protein Z antibodies between patients with pyelonephritis and those with normal pregnancies. CONCLUSION: The median maternal plasma protein Z concentration was significantly lower in patients with pyelonephritis during pregnancy than in patients with normal pregnancies.

Downward percentile crossing as an indicator of an adverse prenatal environment.

BACKGROUND: Postnatal health sequelae of low birth weight have been attributed to 'poor fetal growth' from inferred adverse prenatal environments; risks augmented by infant growth rates. Identifying prenatal growth-restricting events is essential to clarify pathways and mechanisms of fetal growth. AIM: The specific aim of this investigation was to examine whether an episode of preterm labor may compromise fetal growth. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fetal size at the end of the second trimester and birth were compared among women with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 3167) and those who experienced an episode of preterm labor (<37 weeks) and subsequently delivered at term (> or =37 weeks, n = 147). Fetal weight estimated from ultrasound measures, and changes in weight standard scores across the third trimester investigated significant centile crossing (>0.67 standard deviation score change). RESULTS: Fetuses delivered at term after an episode of preterm labor were smaller at birth relative to their peers than at the end of the second trimester, and were 47% more likely to experience clinically significant downward centile crossing (p < 0.05) than their peers (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.04-2.07). CONCLUSION: An episode of preterm labor may signal an adverse prenatal environment for term-delivered neonates. Epidemiologically silent events in the natural history of pregnancy are an understudied source of fetal growth compromise as inferred by small birth size among peers.

Visfatin/Pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor in amniotic fluid in normal pregnancy, spontaneous labor at term, preterm labor and prelabor rupture of membranes: an association with subclinical intrauterine infection in preterm parturition.

OBJECTIVE: Visfatin, a novel adipokine originally discovered as a pre-B-cell colony enhancing factor, is expressed by amniotic epithelium, cytotrophoblast, and decidua and is over-expressed when fetal membranes are exposed to mechanical stress and/or pro-inflammatory stimuli. Visfatin expression by fetal membranes is dramatically up-regulated after normal spontaneous labor. The aims of this study were to determine if visfatin is detectable in amniotic fluid (AF) and whether its concentration changes with gestational age, spontaneous labor, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (preterm PROM) and in the presence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, visfatin concentration in AF was determined in patients in the following groups: 1) mid-trimester (n=75); 2) term not in labor (n=27); 3) term in spontaneous labor (n=51); 4) patients with preterm labor with intact membranes (PTL) without MIAC who delivered at term (n=35); 5) patients with PTL without MIAC who delivered preterm (n=52); 6) patients with PTL with MIAC (n=25); 7) women with preterm PROM without MIAC (n=26); and 8) women with preterm PROM with MIAC (n=26). Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS: 1) The median AF concentration of visfatin was significantly higher in patients at term than in mid-trimester; 2) Among women with PTL who delivered preterm, the median visfatin concentration was significantly higher in patients with MIAC than those without MIAC; 3) Similarly, patients with PTL and MIAC had a higher median AF visfatin concentration than those with PTL who delivered at term; 4) Among women with preterm PROM, the median AF visfatin concentration was significantly higher in patients with MIAC than those without MIAC. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Visfatin is a physiologic constituent of AF; 2) The concentration of AF visfatin increases with advancing gestational age; 3) AF visfatin concentration is elevated in patients with MIAC, regardless of the membrane status, suggesting that visfatin participates in the host response against infection.

Analytical approaches to detect maternal/fetal genotype incompatibilities that increase risk of pre-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: In utero interactions between incompatible maternal and fetal genotypes are a potential mechanism for the onset or progression of pregnancy related diseases such as pre-eclampsia (PE). However, the optimal analytical approach and study design for evaluating incompatible maternal/offspring genotype combinations is unclear. METHODS: Using simulation, we estimated the type I error and power of incompatible maternal/offspring genotype models for two analytical approaches: logistic regression used with case-control mother/offspring pairs and the log-linear regression used with case-parent triads. We evaluated a real dataset consisting of maternal/offspring pairs with and without PE for incompatibility effects using the optimal analysis based on the results of the simulation study. RESULTS: We identified a single coding scheme for the incompatibility effect that was equally or more powerful than all of the alternative analysis models evaluated, regardless of the true underlying model for the incompatibility effect. In addition, the log-linear regression was more powerful than the logistic regression when the heritability was low, and more robust to adjustment for maternal or fetal effects. For the PE data, this analysis revealed three genes, lymphotoxin alpha (LTA), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and alpha 2 chain of type IV collagen (COL4A2) with possible incompatibility effects. CONCLUSION: The incompatibility model should be evaluated for complications of pregnancy, such as PE, where the genotypes of two individuals may contribute to the presence of disease.

First-trimester maternal serum PP13 in the risk assessment for preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether first-trimester maternal serum placental protein 13 (PP13) concentrations can be used in the risk assessment for preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: This case-control study included 50 patients with preeclampsia and 250 patients with normal pregnancies. Samples were collected between 8 and 13 weeks of gestation. Serum PP13 concentrations were measured by immunoassay and expressed as medians and multiples of the median (MoM) for gestational age. Sensitivity and specificity were derived from receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: (1) Serum PP13 concentration in the first trimester was significantly lower in patients who developed preterm and early-onset preeclampsia than in those with normal pregnancies; and (2) at 80% specificity, a cutoff of 0.39 MoM had a sensitivity of 100% for early-onset preeclampsia and 85% for preterm preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Maternal serum first-trimester PP13 appears to be a reasonable marker for risk assessment for preterm preeclampsia but a weak marker for severe preeclampsia at term, and ineffective for identifying mild preeclampsia at term.

Proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid to identify women with preterm labor and intra-amniotic inflammation/infection: the use of a novel computational method to analyze mass spectrometric profiling.

OBJECTIVE: Examination of the amniotic fluid proteome has been used to identify biomarkers for intra-amniotic inflammation as well as those that may be useful in predicting the outcome of preterm labor. The purpose of this study was to combine a novel computational method of pattern discovery with mass spectrometric proteomic profiling of amniotic fluid to discover biomarkers of intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients with spontaneous preterm labor and intact membranes who delivered at term (n = 59) and those who delivered preterm with IAI (n = 60). Proteomic profiling was performed using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry. A proteomic profile was acquired through multiple simultaneous SELDI conditions, which were combined in a single proteomic 'fingerprint' using a novel computational approach. Classification of patients based on their associated surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectra as belonging to either the class of individuals with preterm delivery with IAI or term delivery was accomplished by constructing an empirical model. The first phase in the construction of this empirical model involved the selection of adjustable parameters utilizing a training/testing subset of data. The second phase tested the generalization of the model by utilizing a blinded validation set of patients who were not employed in parameter selection. RESULTS: Gestational age at amniocentesis was not significantly different between the groups. Thirty-nine unique mass spectrometric peaks discriminated patients with preterm labor/delivery with IAI from those with preterm labor and term delivery. In the testing/training dataset, the classification accuracies (averaged over 100 random draws) were: 91.4% (40.2/44) for patients with preterm delivery with IAI, and 91.2% (40.1/44) for term delivery. The overall accuracy of the classification of patients in the validation dataset was 90.3% (28/31). CONCLUSIONS: Proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid allowed the identification of mass spectrometry features, which can distinguish patients with preterm labor with IAI from those with preterm labor without inflammation or infection who subsequently delivered at term.