Understanding links between maternal perinatal posttraumatic stress symptoms and infant socioemotional and physical health.

Maternal posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are associated with adverse consequences for older children, but very few studies have examined links between perinatal maternal PTSS and infant outcomes. Trauma exposure and psychopathology, including PTSS, is often heightened for women during pregnancy through 1 year postpartum. Therefore, the perinatal period may be a critical time for understanding the risk maternal PTSS and other mental health factors pose to the socioemotional and physical health of infants. The present study explored the relation between maternal PTSS and infant socioemotional and physical health problems in a sample of racially and ethnically diverse mother-infant dyads (N = 295) assessed prenatally and at 12 months postpartum. This study also examined whether there are: (1) moderating effects of maternal depressive symptoms and parenting stress on these associations and (2) indirect effects of PTSS on infant outcomes through observed maternal sensitivity. Results indicated that postpartum depressive symptoms and parenting stress, rather than PTSS, were associated with greater infant socioemotional health problems. However, prenatal PTSS were associated with greater infant physical health problems when mothers also reported clinically significant levels of postpartum depressive symptoms. Maternal sensitivity was not associated with maternal PTSS, depressive symptoms, or parenting stress, nor was it related to infant socioemotional and physical health; thus, maternal sensitivity was not tested as an intermediary mechanism linking maternal mental health with infant outcomes. Implications for promoting maternal mental health in the perinatal period to bolster socioemotional and physical health of infants are discussed.

Los síntomas de estrés materno postraumático (PTSS) se asocian con consecuencias adversas para niños de mayor edad, pero pocos estudios han examinado las conexiones entre PTSS materno perinatal y los resultados en el infante. El estar expuesta al trauma y la sicopatología de este, incluyendo PTSS, a menudo se intensifican más en el caso de mujeres durante el embarazo y hasta un año después del parto. Por tanto, el período perinatal pudiera ser un omento crítico para comprender el riesgo que el PTSS materno y otros factores de salud mental presentan para la salud socioemocional y física de los infantes. Este estudio exploró la relación entre el PTSS materno y los problemas de salud socioemocional y física del infante en un grupo muestra de díadas madre-infante racial y étnicamente diversas (N = 295), evaluadas prenatalmente y a los 12 meses después del parto. Este estudio también examinó si hay: (1) efectos moderadores de los síntomas depresivos maternos y el estrés de crianza sobre estas asociaciones y (2) efectos indirectos de PTSS sobre los resultados en el infante a través de la observada sensibilidad materna. Los resultados indican que los síntomas depresivos y el estrés de crianza, en vez de PTSS, estaban asociados con mayores problemas de salud socioemocional del infante. Sin embargo, el PTSS se asoció con mayores problemas de salud física en el infante cuando las madres también reportaron niveles clínicamente significativos de síntomas depresivos. No se corroboró el que la sensibilidad materna fuera un mecanismo intermediario de conexión entre PTSS y otros factores de salud mental materna y resultados en el infante.

Les symptômes des stress posttraumatique (SPT) maternel sont liés à des conséquences adverses pour les enfants plus âgés mais peu d'études ont examiné les liens entre le SPT périnatal maternel et les résultats sur les nourrissons. L'exposition au trauma et la psychopathologie, y compris le SPT, est souvent accrues pour les femmes durant la grossesse jusqu'à un an après la naissance. Par conséquent la période périnatale peut être un moment critique pour la compréhension du risque que posent le SPT maternel et d'autres facteurs de santé mentale à la santé socio-émotionnelle et physique des nourrissons. Cette étude a exploré la relation entre le SPT maternel et les problèmes socio-émotionnels et physiques des nourrissons chez un échantillon de dyades mère-nourrisson racialement et ethniquement diverses (N = 295) évaluées au stade prénatal et à 12 mois après la naissance. Cette étude a aussi examiné s'il existait : (1) des effets modérateurs de symptômes dépressifs maternels et du stress de parentage sur ces associations et (2) des effets indirects de SPT sur les résultats du nourrisson à travers une sensibilité maternelle observée. Les résultats ont indiqué que les symptômes dépressifs postpartum et le stress de parentage, plus que le SPT, étaient liés à des problèmes plus élevés de santé socio-émotionnels du nourrisson. Cependant le SPT prénatal était lié à de plus grands problèmes de santé physique du nourrisson quand les mères faisaient aussi état de niveaux cliniquement élevés de symptômes dépressifs postpartum. La sensibilité maternelle n'était pas liée au SPT maternel, aux symptômes dépressifs ou au stress de parentage, et n'était pas non plus liée à la santé socio-émotionnelle et physique du nourrisson. Donc la sensibilité maternelle n'a pas testée comme mécanisme intermédiaire liant la santé mentale maternelle aux résultats du nourrisson. Les implications pour la promotion de la santé mentale maternelle dans la période périnatale afin de soutenir la santé socio-émotionnelle et physique des nourrissons sont discutées.

Implementation and Evaluation of the "Metformin First" Protocol for Management of Gestational Diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: Although metformin has traditionally been avoided in pregnancy, evidence now supports its safety and efficacy for management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of a metformin-based approach for GDM management through assessment of pregnancy outcomes, clinic efficiency and patient satisfaction. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of new GDM patients seen before (January to July 2015) and after (January to September 2016) implementation of the "Metformin First" (MF) protocol. A prospective patient survey was also administered and responses were compared with a similar survey from 2013 (acting as a historical control). RESULTS: Of the 264 patients included in the chart review, 90 were seen in the pre-MF period and 174 in the post-MF period. There were no significant differences in rates of pregnancy complications (obstructed labour, infants born large for gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit admissions and infant hypoglycemia) between the 2 study periods. Blood glucose control was also comparable and satisfactory across both time periods. Of the 65 patients initially started on metformin, 18 (28%) required supplemental insulin therapy. Nonetheless, overall percentage of patients started on insulin dropped significantly (33% in 2015 vs 17% in 2016, p=0.003). Patient satisfaction scores at the clinic also increased following implementation of the MF protocol (4.68/5 in 2016 vs 4.3/5 in 2013, p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of the MF protocol, which gave patients an informed choice between insulin and metformin, was associated with similar glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes, but improved patient satisfaction and clinic efficiency.

The clinical effect of low molecular heparin calcium on early onset severe pre-eclampsia / 中国综合临床

Objective To analyze the clinical effects of low molecular heparin calcium on early onset severe pre-eclampsia.Methods Sixty patients with early onset severe pre-eclampsia at 26-34 weeks of gestational age were divided into treatment group(28 cases)and control group(32 cases).The conventional treatment was delivered in control group and low molecalar heparin calcium(LMWHC)was used in treatment group additionally.The time of prolonged gestational age,umbilical arterial S/D ratio,amniotic fluid index,placenta weight,neonatal weight and Apgar score were measured in two groups.Results The time of prolonged gestational age was 10.19 ±4.57days in treatment group and 6.14 ±3.56 days in control group,which were significantly different(P ＜ 0.01).Umbilical arterial S/D ratio,amniotic fluid index,placenta weight and neonatal weight were all significantly different between the two groups(P ＜ 0.05).Neonatal Apgar score in treatment group was remarkably improved(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion LMWHC treatment in the patients with early onset severe pre-eclampsia could extend gestational age,increase neonatal weight and improve perinatal outcomes.