Prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms in high-income, and low- and middle-income countries in the Covid-19 pandemic: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a meta-analysis and comparison between high-income, and low- and middle-income countries postpartum depression symptoms prevalences. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Virtual Health Library, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases were searched until October 2022 for studies that collected data from pandemic. The metaprop command was used in the Stata statistical software v.12.0 to run a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies with 4,788 postpartum women were included. The overall prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms was 31% (95% CI: 21.85-40.99). The pooled prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms among women from high-income countries [30.5% (95% CI: 16.95-46.02)] did not differ significantly from that among women from low- and middle-income countries [31.5% (95% CI: 19.26-45.15)]. However, studies that analyzed women up to one month after childbirth had a lower prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms [17.5% (95% CI: 9.85-26.62)] compared to those that observed them up to one year after childbirth [38.3% (95% CI: 33.96-42.83)]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of postpartum depression symptoms was high regardless of the country's human development index and it must be regularly tracked around the world to assess, discuss, and recommend more assertive steps that may be implemented based on the particular characteristics of each country.

Estimated fetal weight standards of the INTERGROWTH-21st project for the prediction of adverse outcomes: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and assess the risk of bias in the literature evaluating the performance of INTERGROWTH-21st estimated fetal weight (EFW) standards to predict maternal, fetal and neonatal adverse outcomes. METHODS: Searches were performed in seven electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, Lilacs, Scielo and Google Scholar) using citation tools and keywords (intergrowth AND (standard OR reference OR formula OR model OR curve); all from 2014 to the last search on April 16th, 2021). We included full-text articles investigating the ability of INTERGROWTH-21st EFW standards to predict maternal, fetal or neonatal adverse outcomes in women with a singleton pregnancy who gave birth to infants with no congenital abnormalities. The study was registered on PROSPERO under the number CRD42020115462. Risk of bias was assessed with a customized instrument based on the CHARMS checklist and composed of 9 domains. Meta-analysis was performed using relative risk (RR [95%CI]) and summary ROC curves on outcomes reported by two or more methodologically homogeneous studies. RESULTS: Sixteen studies evaluating fifteen different outcomes were selected. The risk of bias was high (>50% of studies with high risk) for two domains: blindness of assessment (81.3%) and calibration assessment (93.8%). Considering all the outcomes investigated, for 95% of the results, the specificity was above 73.0%, but the sensitivity was below 64.1%. Pooled results demonstrated a higher RR of neonatal small for gestational age (6.71 [5.51-8.17]), Apgar <7 at 5 min (2.17 [1.48-3.18]), and neonatal intensive care unit admission (2.22 [1.76-2.79]) for fetuses classified <10th percentile when compared to those classified above this limit. The limitation of the study is the absence of heterogeneity exploration or publication bias investigation, whereas no outcomes were evaluated by more than five studies. CONCLUSIONS: The IG-21 EFW standard has low sensitivity and high specificity for adverse events of pregnancy. Classification <10th percentile identifies a high-risk group for developing maternal, fetal and neonatal adverse outcomes, especially neonatal small for gestational age, Apgar <7 at 5 min, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Future studies should include blind assessment of outcomes, perform calibration analysis with continuous data, and evaluate alternative cutoff points.

The effect of obesity on the mortality of hospitalized adults with COVID-19 considering the human development index: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this study is to verify the association between obesity and mortality in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 taking into account the Human Development Index (HDI). A search was performed in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library (Lilacs/Bireme/VHL Brazil), Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to May 2022. To be eligible, studies had to have cohort or case-control designs, be conducted with hospitalized adults (≥18 years old), and evaluate mortality rates between with obesity and without obesity individuals with SARS-CoV-2 confirmed by laboratory tests. The analyses were performed in Stata 12.0 using relative risk (RR) as a summary measure. Heterogeneity was explored by meta-regression and subgroup analyses considering the HDI, age, sex, and follow-up period. Out of 912 studies screened, 49 studies were eligible for qualitative synthesis, and 33 studies were eligible for quantitative analysis, representing 42,905 patients. The mortality risk from SARS-CoV-2 was higher in individuals with obesity compared with without obesity individuals only in the subgroups of patients <60 years old (RR = 1.31; 95% CI 1.18-1.45, I2  = 0.0%) and living in countries with a low HDI (RR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.10-1.48, I2  = 45.4%).

Direct standardization method according to Robson classification for comparison of cesarean rates.

BACKGROUND: Compare cesarean section rates between populations or within a population over time using the crude measure is biased mainly due to differences in the characteristics of the obstetric population. The Robson Ten Group Classification (RTGC) is being widely used all over the world based on a few basic obstetrics variables. OBJECTIVES: Propose a method of direct standardization according to RTGC to make the overall rates of cesarean sections comparable between different populations or within the same population over time. METHODS: We used data from the WHO Global Maternal and Perinatal Health Survey (WHOGS) conducted between 2004 and 2008 and data from the WHO Multinational Survey on Maternal and Neonatal Health (WHOMCS) conducted between 2010 and 2011, covering information from obstetric population of 21 countries. The standard population was based in the average size of Robson Groups in WHOMCS. The crude and standardized rates, their differences intra and inter populations, and its respective confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: The impact and importance of the method were demonstrated. The five leading countries list on cesarean rates was completely modified and changes of cesarean rates over time in the same country varied in both directions by the standardization. CONCLUSION: This method is useful to compare overall rates as an additional information when RTGC Report Table is been used or, for some type of studies as analytical ecologic studies with multiple groups, where leading with the report tables are laborious and hard to interpret. The use of Robson Ten Group Classification for direct standardization of cesarean rates is easy to apply and interpret.

Dietary and nutritional interventions in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy is an extremely severe brain injury associated with multiple nutritional and clinical issues, such as underweight, gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, and nutrient deficiency. Evidence-based dietary and nutritional interventions may improve the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy. AIM: Systematically review randomized clinical trials evaluating nutritional and dietary interventions in the clinical, nutritional, and neurodevelopmental aspects of children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: A search was performed in electronic databases (LILACS, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Database, OpenGrey) using keywords. The search was firstly performed in May 2020 and updated on June 18th, 2021. Eligible studies were randomized clinical trials, that included children between 2 and 12 years old, and evaluated the effect of nutritional or dietetic interventions on clinical, nutritional or neurodevelopmental outcomes. Risk of bias was investigated using the RoB-2 tool. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020181284). RESULTS: Fifteen studies were selected. Positive results included the use of whey-based or pectin-enriched enteral formulas for gastroesophageal reflux (n = 6); 25-hydroxy-vitamin D supplementation for hypovitaminosis D (n = 2); supplementation with lipid mixture or diet with high-density energy for improvements in anthropometric measures (n = 2); supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics or magnesium for constipation (n = 2); nutritional support system for gross motor function (n = 1); lactoferrin and iron hydroxide polymaltose for iron deficiency anemia (n = 1); and educational intervention to improve feeding skills (n = 1). The overall risk of bias was high for 60% of the studies, and some concerns were raised for the remaining 40%. CONCLUSION: Some promising dietary and nutritional interventions may promote important clinical improvements for patients with cerebral palsy. However, evidence is weak, as few clinical trials have been published with many methodological errors, leading to a high risk of bias.

Association Between the Mode of Delivery and Infant Gut Microbiota Composition Up to 6 Months of Age: A Systematic Literature Review Considering the Role of Breastfeeding.

CONTEXT: Cesarean section (CS), breastfeeding, and geographic location can influence the infant microbiota. OBJECTIVE: In this systematic review, evidence of the association between mode of delivery and infant gut microbiota up to 6 months of age was evaluated, as was the role of breastfeeding in this association, according to PRISMA guidelines. DATA SOURCE: The Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Medical Database, and Open Grey databases were searched. DATA EXTRACTION: A total of 31 observational studies with ≥2 infant stool collections up to the sixth month of age and a comparison of gut microbiota between CS and vaginal delivery (VD) were included. DATA ANALYSIS: Infants born by CS had a lower abundance of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides spp. at almost all points up to age 6 months. Populations of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium catenulatum, and Escherichia coli were reduced in infants delivered by CS. Infants born by CS and exclusively breastfed had greater similarity with the microbiota of infants born by VD. CONCLUSIONS: Species of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides are potentially reduced in infants born by CS. Geographic location influenced bacterial colonization. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. 42017071285.

Contribution to the Journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva on Food and Nutrition in Brazil. / Contribuição da Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva para a área de Alimentação e Nutrição no Brasil.

A systematic review conducted in January 2020 using SciELO database with the objective of analyzing the scientific production from 1996-2019, of the Journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva in the area of food and nutrition. We selected 509 out of the 904 articles screened by titles and abstracts. We grouped the articles into ten themes and discussed the most frequent ones: Nutritional Status Assessment (n=142), Food Intake (n=111), Food and Nutrition Policies and Programmes (n=105) and Breastfeeding (n=35). The publications were mostly original articles (75.6%) employing quantitative method (81.6%) and, among these, 18.8% used a probabilistic sampling. We assembled a wide range of topics and subthemes, a relevant production and repository of data and knowledge for health professionals and managers. As gaps, there was a scarcity of publications focused on micronutrient deficiency; the promotion of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population; supporting the rise of breastfeeding, the impact and analyses of the disruption of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy and its multi sector interactions with social policies to fight hunger.

Revisão sistemática realizada em janeiro de 2020 na base de dados SciELO com o objetivo de analisar a produção científica da Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva na área de alimentação e nutrição no período 1996-2019. A busca resultou em 904 artigos e 509 foram selecionados após leitura dos títulos e resumos. Os artigos foram agrupados em dez temas, sendo discutidos os de maior frequência: Avaliação do Estado Nutricional (n=142), Consumo Alimentar (n=111), Políticas e Programas de Alimentação e Nutrição (n=105) e Aleitamento Materno (n=35). As publicações foram em sua maioria artigos originais (75,6%) com método quantitativo (81,6%) e, entre estes, 18,8% utilizaram amostra probabilística. Observou-se um amplo leque de temas e subtemas abordados, evidenciando uma produção relevante que constitui um repositório importante de dados e conhecimentos para profissionais e gestores da área da saúde. Como lacunas, observou-se a escassez de publicações voltadas para a deficiência de micronutrientes; a popularização do Guia Alimentar para População Brasileira; a promoção da ascensão do aleitamento materno; os diagnósticos da descontinuidade da Política Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional e suas articulações intersetoriais com as políticas sociais de combate à fome.

Contribuição da Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva para a área de Alimentação e Nutrição no Brasil / Contribution to the Journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva on Food and Nutrition in Brazil

Resumo Revisão sistemática realizada em janeiro de 2020 na base de dados SciELO com o objetivo de analisar a produção científica da Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva na área de alimentação e nutrição no período 1996-2019. A busca resultou em 904 artigos e 509 foram selecionados após leitura dos títulos e resumos. Os artigos foram agrupados em dez temas, sendo discutidos os de maior frequência: Avaliação do Estado Nutricional (n=142), Consumo Alimentar (n=111), Políticas e Programas de Alimentação e Nutrição (n=105) e Aleitamento Materno (n=35). As publicações foram em sua maioria artigos originais (75,6%) com método quantitativo (81,6%) e, entre estes, 18,8% utilizaram amostra probabilística. Observou-se um amplo leque de temas e subtemas abordados, evidenciando uma produção relevante que constitui um repositório importante de dados e conhecimentos para profissionais e gestores da área da saúde. Como lacunas, observou-se a escassez de publicações voltadas para a deficiência de micronutrientes; a popularização do Guia Alimentar para População Brasileira; a promoção da ascensão do aleitamento materno; os diagnósticos da descontinuidade da Política Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional e suas articulações intersetoriais com as políticas sociais de combate à fome.

Abstract A systematic review conducted in January 2020 using SciELO database with the objective of analyzing the scientific production from 1996-2019, of the Journal Ciência & Saúde Coletiva in the area of food and nutrition. We selected 509 out of the 904 articles screened by titles and abstracts. We grouped the articles into ten themes and discussed the most frequent ones: Nutritional Status Assessment (n=142), Food Intake (n=111), Food and Nutrition Policies and Programmes (n=105) and Breastfeeding (n=35). The publications were mostly original articles (75.6%) employing quantitative method (81.6%) and, among these, 18.8% used a probabilistic sampling. We assembled a wide range of topics and subthemes, a relevant production and repository of data and knowledge for health professionals and managers. As gaps, there was a scarcity of publications focused on micronutrient deficiency; the promotion of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population; supporting the rise of breastfeeding, the impact and analyses of the disruption of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy and its multi sector interactions with social policies to fight hunger.

Electronic Reporting Systems in Pharmacovigilance: The Implementation of VigiFlow in Brazil.

Pharmacovigilance is defined by the World Health Organization as the science and practice related to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). In a well-functioning pharmacovigilance system, information on possible ADRs is collected from patients, health professionals and marketing authorisation holders. Of all data sources for drug safety monitoring, spontaneous reporting systems provide the highest volume of information at the lowest maintenance cost and have proven their value in the early detection of product-related safety issues. At the beginning of 2018, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária-Anvisa) decided to replace the national electronic reporting system in Brazil (Notivisa) with the system provided by Uppsala Monitoring Centre (VigiFlow) for ADR reporting. This paper describes that process and reports on the progress made by Anvisa in terms of making Brazil compliant with international pharmacovigilance standards as well as significantly increasing the number of individual case safety reports collected.

Rastreabilidade na cadeia de medicamentos brasileira: uma Nota Técnica com ênfase na fase experimental do Sistema Nacional de Controle de Medicamentos (SNCMe) / Traceability in the brazilian drug supply chain: a Technical Note regarding the experimental phase of the Brazilian Drug Control System (SNCMe)

A falsificação, o roubo e todos os demais desvios relativos à movimentação, comercialização e administração de medicamentos são responsáveis por diversos prejuízos e mortes, não apenas no Brasil, mas também ao redor do mundo. Dado à gravidade do problema, a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) recomenda às autoridades governamentais o fortalecimento da cadeia de abastecimento, com vistas à garantia de sua integridade. Sendo assim, esta Nota Técnica apresenta o Sistema Nacional de Controle de Medicamentos (SNCM), em implementação pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa), que introduz a rastreabilidade na Cadeia de Movimentação de Medicamentos do Brasil; e também descreve a operacionalização e os resultados alcançados durante os testes realizados na fase experimental do sistema. Os resultadosalcançados, conforme demonstrado, indicaram que a rastreabilidade é aderente à cadeia de medicamentos, suficiente para garantir aintegridade recomendada pela OMS e ainda atua como ferramenta à serviço de uma melhor comunicação na área da saúde.

Association of antepartum suicidal ideation during the third trimester with infant birth weight and gestational age at delivery.

Antepartum suicidal behaviors are a leading cause of maternal injury and death. Previous research has not investigated associations between antepartum suicidal ideation and perinatal complications. Our study objective was to evaluate the relationship of antepartum suicidal ideation with low infant birthweight, small for gestational age, and preterm birth. A cohort study was conducted among 1,108 women receiving prenatal care in Peru. Suicidal ideation was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 during pregnancy. Birth outcomes were extracted from medical records. Linear regressions and multivariable logistic regressions were used to estimate were used to investigate associations between suicidal ideation and pregnancy outcomes. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 8.7%, preterm delivery was 5.7%, low birthweight was 4.4%, and small for gestational age was 3.4%. In an adjusted model, infant birthweight was 94.2 grams lower for mothers with antepartum suicidal ideation (95% CI: -183.0, -5.5, p = 0.037) compared with those without suicidal ideation. After adjusting for confounders including depression, participants with suicidal ideation had a nearly four-fold increased odds of delivering a small for gestational age infant (OR: 3.73; 95% CI: 1.59-8.74). These findings suggest suicidal ideation during pregnancy is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, especially low infant birthweight.

Serum fatty acids are positively associated with changes in systemic blood pressure throughout pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether serum concentrations of saturated (SFAs), polyunsaturated (PUFAs), and monounsaturated (MUFAs) fatty acids are associated with changes in blood pressure (BP) throughout pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Longitudinal measurements of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-three healthy pregnant women were recruited in a public health center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil between 2009 and 2011. Fasting blood samples and BP measurements were obtained at the 1st (5th-13th weeks), 2nd (20th-26th) and 3rd trimester (30th-36th). Crude and adjusted (maternal age, education, energy intake, gestational body weight change, leptin concentrations, early pre-pregnancy BMI, leisure time physical activity prior to pregnancy and linear and quadratic gestational weeks) longitudinal linear mixed-effects models were employed. RESULTS: SBP and DBP decreased from the 1st to the 2nd trimester and slightly increased from the 2nd to the 3rd trimester (P < 0.001). In the adjusted model (ß and 95% CI), total SFAs [0.005 (0.001-0.008); P = 0.008], total MUFAs [0.005 (0.001-0.009); P = 0.019] and total n-6 PUFAs [0.005 (0.001-0.009); P = 0.025] were positively associated with SBP throughout pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal serum concentrations of total SFAs, MUFAs and n-6 PUFAs were positively associated with BP levels in normotensive pregnant women.

A systematic review of the associations between maternal nutritional biomarkers and depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional requirements need to be met in order to adapt to pre- and postnatal changes. Our aim was to systematically review the evidence of associations between nutritional biomarkers and psychological distress during pregnancy and in the first postnatal year. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scielo, LILACS, clinicaltrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched for articles from inception to 4/15/2016. Studies of maternal nutritional biomarkers in blood (fatty acids/micronutrients/amino acids) and associations with psychological distress (depression/anxiety/stress) were included. Two independent reviewers extracted data based on study designs, participants, outcomes, exposures, and association measures. RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies were included. A total of 13 studies showed divergent or no associations between serum/plasma/erythrocyte fatty acid concentrations and depression/anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum. Changes in serum cholesterol levels from pregnancy to postpartum showed a significant inverse correlation with depression in one out of three studies. Five out of seven studies found an inverse association between serum vitamin D levels and pre- and postnatal depression. Plasma tryptophan levels were inversely correlated with postnatal depression scores in three out of four studies. We identified that one out of two studies presented no significant association between vitamin B12/folate/ferritin concentrations and depression in postpartum. LIMITATIONS: There was higher variability between association measures, time and scales of depression and anxiety assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of high-quality studies suggest that lower vitamin D levels may be associated with postpartum depression. However, further evidence is needed for guiding clinical practice on nutritional biomarkers.

Mercury in breast milk from women in the Federal District, Brazil and dietary risk assessment for breastfed infants.

Mercury is a toxic metal, ubiquitous in nature; it is excreted in breast milk from exposed mothers and may affect infant neuro-development. In this study, 224 breast milk samples provided by eight human milk banks in the Federal District of Brazil were analyzed for total mercury (THg), of which 183 were also analyzed for methyl mercury (MeHg), the most relevant form of this metal for the breastfed infants. Samples were acid digested in a microwave oven and THg determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (LOQ of 0.76µg/L). Samples were lyophilized, ethylated and MeHg determined in a MERX automated system (LOQ of 0.10µg/L). Inorganic mercury (IHg) levels were estimated from the THg and MeHg determined in the samples. Most of the samples were collected 1-2 months postpartum, with 38% during the first month. Over 80% of the samples had THg values above the LOQ, reaching a maximum of 8.40µg/L, with a mean of 2.56µg/L. On average, MeHg accounted for 11.8% of THg, with a maximum of 97.4%. Weekly intakes were estimated individually, considering the baby's age and body weight at the time of milk collection. Mean weekly intake for MeHg was 0.16±0.22µg/kg bw, which represented 10% of the PTWI; in only one case, the intake exceeded 100% of the PTWI (1.90µg/kg bw, 119% of PTWI). Mean intake for IHg was 2.1±1.5µg/kg bw, corresponding to 53% PTWI. These results indicate no health concern for the breastfed babies, a conclusion that can be extended to the consumers of breast milk donated to the milk banks, primarily immature and low weight babies.

Association between plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites and depressive symptoms throughout pregnancy in a prospective cohort of Brazilian women.

Plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites can be inversely associated with depressive symptoms. However, few longitudinal studies have investigated this association, especially during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25-dihydroxivitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] with the occurrence of depressive symptoms throughout pregnancy. A prospective cohort of 179 women was followed at 5th-13th, 20th-26th and 30th-36th gestational weeks. At each trimester of pregnancy, the plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy. Vitamin D status was categorized according to the Endocrine Society Practice Guidelines and the Institute of Medicine. Depressive symptoms were measured at each trimester using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depressive Scale (cutoff ≥13). Statistical analyses included random intercept logistic regression models for longitudinal analyses. In the first trimester, the prevalence of 25(OH)D <75, <50 and <30 nmol/L were 69.3%, 14.0% and 1.7%, respectively. Prevalence of depressive symptoms were 20.1%, 14.7% and 7.8% for the first, second and third trimesters, respectively. The probability of occurrence of depressive symptoms decreased throughout pregnancy (p-value = 0.005). Women with higher concentrations of 25(OH)D in the first trimester presented a lower odds ratio (OR) for the development of depressive symptoms during pregnancy (OR = 0.98; 95%CI: 0.96 to 0.99, p-value = 0.047) in the adjusted model. In conclusion, there was a higher prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and depressive symptoms during the first trimester. Higher 25(OH)D concentrations in the first trimester were associated with a decrease of 2% in the odds for presenting depressive symptoms throughout pregnancy.

Polymorphisms of Leptin (G2548A) and Leptin Receptor (Q223R and K109R) Genes and Blood Pressure During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The genetic component related to blood pressure (BP) changes during pregnancy is still not elucidated. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the association between leptin and leptin receptor polymorphisms and systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) variation during pregnancy and the postpartum period. METHODS: Prospective cohort of 146 women followed at a Public Health Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during pregnancy and the postpartum. SBP and DBP (mm Hg) were measured using an automatic sphygmomanometer. DNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform protocol and leptin (G2548A) and leptin receptor genes (Q223R and K109R) polymorphisms were genotyped using real-time PCR method. Statistical analyses included longitudinal linear mixed-effect models. RESULTS: Adjusted longitudinal models showed that women carrying the G-allele of leptin gene's polymorphism began pregnancy with higher BP levels compared to the AA genotype and their levels remained higher throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period (ß SBP = 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0-8.0; P = 0.012; ß DBP = 2.9; 95% CI = 0.1-5.8; P = 0.040). There was a significant interaction between leptin gene polymorphism and body mass index (BMI), in which the effect of BMI on increasing BP was steeper in women homozygous for the A-allele, compared with those who had at least one G-allele (ß G-allele#BMI = -0.8; 95% CI = -1.5 to -0.1; P = 0.022). We did not find significant associations between leptin receptor polymorphisms and BP changes. CONCLUSIONS: The G-allele of leptin gene polymorphism (G2548A) was associated with increased BP levels during pregnancy and the postpartum. Furthermore, leptin polymorphism genotypes seem to modify the well-known effect of BMI on BP.

Maternal C-reactive protein concentrations during pregnancy and birth weight in a prospective cohort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations during pregnancy and birth weight (BW) Z-score. METHODS: A prospective cohort of pregnant women were followed at 5-13 (n = 203), 20-26 (n = 181), and 30-36 (n = 181) gestational weeks and at 30-45 d postpartum. Maternal CRP concentrations were assessed three times during pregnancy using immunoturbidimetric methods (ultra-sensitive kits). BW Z-score and newborns classified as small for gestational age (SGA) were evaluated according to Intergrowth-21st curves. Statistical analyses included SGA rates, BW Z-score means (SD) and a two-stage procedure: (1) a linear mixed-effect model (LME) to predict CRP intercept (mean exposure level) and slope (trend of change during pregnancy); and (2) a multiple linear regression model with BW Z-score as the outcome and CRP intercept and slope exposures. RESULTS: A total of 4.4% (n = 9) women delivered SGA newborns. The mean BW was 3282.0 (37.3) g, and the mean gestational age at delivery was 38.8 (0.1) weeks. Women in the third tertile of the CRP rate of change gave birth to infants with a mean BW Z-score that was lower than those in the first/second tertiles (0.226 versus 0.381; p = 0.324). For the adjusted baseline CRP (ß = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.03-0.14), the CRP trend of change was inversely associated with the BW Z-score (ß= -3.77; 95% CI: -5.45 to -2.10). CONCLUSIONS: The maternal CRP trend of change during pregnancy was negatively associated with BW Z-score.

Arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium: Toxicity, levels in breast milk and the risks for breastfed infants.

Metals are ubiquitous in nature, being found in all environmental compartments, and have a variety of applications in human activities. Metals are transferred by maternal blood to the fetus via the placenta, and exposure continues throughout life. For the general population, exposure comes mainly from water and food consumption, including breast milk. In this paper, we reviewed studies on the toxicity of arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium, the toxic metals of most concern to human health, focusing on the potential risks to newborns and infants. A total of 75 studies published since 2000 reporting the levels of these metals in breast milk were reviewed. Lead was the metal most investigated in breast milk (43 studies), and for which the highest levels were reported (up to 1515µg/L). Arsenic was the least investigated (18 studies), with higher levels reported for breast milk (up to 149µg/L) collected in regions with high arsenic concentrations in water (>10µg/L). Data from 34 studies on mercury showed that levels in breast milk were generally higher in populations with high fish consumption, where it may be present mainly as MeHg. Cadmium levels in breast milk were the lowest, with means <2µg/L in most of the 29 studies reviewed. Results of risk assessments indicated that the intake of arsenic, lead and mercury by infants through breastfeeding can be considered a health concern in most regions of the world. Although the potential risks to infants are mostly outweighed by the benefits of breast milk consumption, it is essential that contaminants be continuously monitored, especially in the most critical regions, and that measures be implemented by health authorities to reduce exposure of newborns and infants to these metals, and thus avoid unnecessary health risks.

Changes in Maternal Plasma Adiponectin from Late Pregnancy to the Postpartum Period According to the Mode of Delivery: Results from a Prospective Cohort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal plasma adiponectin is inversely related to insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and child health. However, little is known about its concentrations in the perinatal period, especially according to mode of delivery. Our aim is to evaluate the association between mode of delivery and changes in maternal plasma adiponectin from 3rd trimester of pregnancy to 30-45 days postpartum. METHODS: A cohort was recruited in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with four waves of follow-up: 5-13th, 22-26th, 30-36th gestational weeks and 30-45 days postpartum. Eligible subjects should be between 20-40 years of age, be free of chronic and infectious diseases and presenting with a singleton pregnancy. The mode of delivery was classified as vaginal (VD) or cesarean (CS). Plasma adiponectin concentration (µg/mL) was measured using commercial ELISA kits. Statistical analyses included the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the multiple linear mixed effects model. RESULTS: A total of 159 participated in the study. Median adiponectin concentrations were higher for the VD group (n = 99; 8.25, IQR: 5.85-11.90) than for the CS group (n = 60; 7.34, IQR: 4.36-9.76; p = 0.040) in the postpartum samples but were not different between the two groups in the 3rd trimester. Women who underwent CS had a lower rate of increase in adiponectin concentration from the 3rd trimester to 30-45 days postpartum compared to those who underwent VD (ß = -.15, 95% CI: -.28-.02, p = 0.030). CONCLUSION: The CS procedure was associated with lower maternal circulating concentrations of adiponectin at 30-45 days postpartum, compared to the VD.

Plasma adiponectin and depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Some authors have described an inverse association between adiponectin and depression, but this association has not yet been investigated during the perinatal period. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the plasma adiponectin levels and symptoms of depression in women from early pregnancy to 30-45 days postpartum. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 235 women was analyzed, with four waves of follow-up: 5-13th, 22-26th, and 30-36th gestational weeks and 30-45 days postpartum. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; cutoff ≥ 11). The plasma adiponectin concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The statistical analyses included linear mixed effects regressions to model the association between these time-dependent variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 35.5%, 22.8%, 21.8%, and 16.9% and the median (µg/mL) adiponectin levels were 4.8, 4.7, 4.4, and 7.5 in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters and the postpartum period, respectively. Women who remained non-depressed throughout the study tended to have higher values of adiponectin throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period compared to those who had depressive symptoms at least once, but this difference was not statistically significant (ß=-0.14; p=0.071). There was no statistically significant association between the plasma adiponectin levels and the EPDS scores in the multiple model (ß=-0.07; p=0.320). LIMITATIONS: Losses to follow-up, different procedures for the blood draws at the prenatal and postpartum visits, and the presence of a nested clinical trial with omega-3 supplementation. CONCLUSION: The plasma adiponectin levels were not associated with depressive symptoms during the perinatal period.