Second Trimester Amniotic Fluid Angiotensinogen Levels Linked to Increased Fetal Birth Weight and Shorter Gestational Age in Term Pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Despite the considerable progress made in recent years in fetal assessment, the etiology of fetal growth disturbances is not as yet well understood. In an effort to enhance our knowledge in this area, we investigated the associations of the amniotic fluid angiotensinogen of the renin-angiotensin system with fetal growth abnormalities. METHODS: We collected amniotic fluid samples from 70 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis during their early second trimester. Birth weight was documented upon delivery, after which the embryos corresponding to the respective amniotic fluid samples were categorized into three groups as follows: small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). Amniotic fluid angiotensinogen levels were determined by using ELISA kits. RESULTS: Mean angiotensinogen values were 3885 ng/mL (range: 1625-5375 ng/mL), 4885 ng/mL (range: 1580-8460 ng/mL), and 4670 ng/mL (range: 1995-7250 ng/mL) in the SGA, LGA, and AGA fetuses, respectively. The concentrations in the three groups were not statistically significantly different. Although there were wide discrepancies between the mean values of the subgroups, the large confidence intervals in the three groups negatively affected the statistical analysis. However, multiple regression analysis revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between the angiotensinogen levels and gestational age and a statistically significant positive correlation between the birth weight and angiotensinogen levels. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that fetal growth abnormalities did not correlate with differences in the amniotic fluid levels of angiotensinogen in early second trimester pregnancies. However, increased angiotensinogen levels were found to be consistent with a smaller gestational age at birth and increased BMI of neonates.

Detection and Quantification of Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Levels in Early Second Trimester Amniotic Fluid: Investigation into a Possible Correlation with Abnormal Fetal Growth Velocity Patterns.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal fetal growth is associated with adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these conditions are still to be clarified. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are two neurotrophins that are mainly involved in the neuroprotection process, namely promotion of growth and differentiation, maintenance, and survival of neurons. During pregnancy, they have been correlated with placental development and fetal growth. In this study, we aimed to determine the early 2nd trimester amniotic fluid levels of NGF and NT-3 and to investigate their association with fetal growth. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study. A total of 51 amniotic fluid samples were collected from women undergoing amniocentesis early in the second trimester and were stored at -80 °C. Pregnancies were followed up until delivery and birth weight was recorded. Based on birth weight, the amniotic fluid samples were divided into three groups: appropriate for gestational age (AGA), small for gestational age (SGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). NGF and NT-3 levels were determined by using Elisa kits. RESULTS: NGF concentrations were similar between the studied groups; median values were 10.15 pg/mL, 10.15 pg/mL, and 9.14 pg/mL in SGA, LGA, and AGA fetuses, respectively. Regarding NT-3, a trend was observed towards increased NT-3 levels as fetal growth velocity decreased; median concentrations were 11.87 pg/mL, 15.9 pg/mL, and 23.5 pg/mL in SGA, AGA, and LGA fetuses, respectively, although the differences among the three groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that fetal growth disturbances do not induce increased or decreased production of NGF and NT-3 in early second trimester amniotic fluid. The trend observed towards increased NT-3 levels as fetal growth velocity decreased shows that there may be a compensatory mechanism in place that operates in conjunction with the brain-sparing effect. Further associations between these two neurotrophins and fetal growth disturbances are discussed.

Evaluation of ultrasound measurements of abdominal fat for the prediction of gestational diabetes in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether ultrasound abdominal fat measurements in the first and second trimesters can predict adverse gestational outcomes, particularly gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and identify early patients at higher risk for complications. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 126 pregnant women at 11-14 and 20-24 weeks of gestation with normal fasting glucose levels during early pregnancy. From 126 participants with complete data, 13.5% were diagnosed with GDM, based on the cutoffs established for the peripherical blood glucose. Subcutaneous, visceral, and maximum preperitoneal abdominal fat were measured using ultrasound techniques. GDM status was determined by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 75 g glucose overload, and the following values were considered abnormal: fasting glucose ≥92 mg/dl and/or 1 h after overload ≥180 mg/dl and/or 2 h after overload ≥153 mg/dl. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal threshold to predict GDM. RESULTS: Maximum preperitoneal fat measurement was predictive of GDM, and subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat measurements did not show significant differences in the prediction of GDM. According to the ROC curve, a threshold of 45.25 mm of preperitoneal fat was identified as the optimal cutoff point, with 87% sensitivity and 41% specificity to predict GDM. The raw and adjusted odds ratios for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index were 0.730 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.561-0.900) and 0.777 (95% CI, 0.623-0.931), respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of a 45.25 mm threshold for maximum preperitoneal fat, measured by ultrasound to predict the risk of GDM, appears to be a feasible, inexpensive, and practical alternative to incorporate into clinical practice during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Neutrophil count is a useful marker to predict the severity of preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: At present, pre-eclampsia is a growing concern and still a diagnostic challenge for obstetricians. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate whether the relationship of second trimester of pregnancy neutrophil count differed among pregnancies with mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, and healthy status and explore whether or not neutrophil count in the second trimester of pregnancy would be useful as new predictors of subsequent preeclampsia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved 933 pregnancies from 1 January 2018 to 30 January 2021, comprising 396 healthy pregnancies, 222 pregnancies with mild preeclampsia, and 315 pregnancies with severe preeclampsia. The relationship between preeclampsia and neutrophil count was analyzed by multiple logistic regression. In addition, maternal placental tissues of three groups were immunohistochemically stained for myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESULTS: Neutrophil count was significantly higher in pregnancies with preeclampsia (including pregnancies with mild and severe preeclampsia) than that in healthy pregnancies. The neutrophil count level was prominently higher in patients with severe preeclampsia compared with those with mild preeclampsia (p < .001). The neutrophil count level was significantly positively associated with preeclampsia after adjusting for gestational week at time of blood sampling, BMI, and age (ß:1.23; 95%CI:1.09-1.36; p < .0001). In addition, MPO expressions of placental tissues in preeclamptic groups were significantly increased than these in healthy pregnant controls (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased neutrophil count in the second trimester of pregnancy was significantly positively associated with preeclampsia. Hence, neutrophil count plays a role in predicting the severity of preeclampsia. At the same time, it may be an independent predictor of subsequent preeclampsia.Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; MPO: myeloperoxidase.

Maternal morbidity after preterm premature rupture of membranes at <24 weeks' gestation.

BACKGROUND: After preterm premature rupture of membranes at <24 weeks' gestation, pregnant women may choose continuation (expectant management) or termination of pregnancy, via either dilation and evacuation or labor induction. Neonatal outcomes after expectant management are well described. In contrast, limited research addresses maternal outcomes associated with expectant management compared to termination of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare maternal morbidity after preterm premature rupture of membranes at <24 weeks' gestation in women who choose either expectant management or termination of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study included women with preterm premature rupture of membranes between 14 0/7 and 23 6/7 weeks' gestation with singleton or twin pregnancies at 3 institutions from 2011 to 2018. We excluded pregnancies complicated by fetal anomalies, rupture of membranes immediately after obstetrical procedures (chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, cerclage placement, fetal reduction), spontaneous delivery <24 hours after membrane rupture, and contraindications to expectant management. Our primary outcome was the difference in composite maternal morbidity between women choosing expectant management and women choosing termination of pregnancy. We defined composite maternal morbidity as at least 1 of the following: chorioamnionitis, endometritis, sepsis, unplanned operative procedure after delivery (dilation and curettage, laparoscopy, or laparotomy), injury requiring repair, unplanned hysterectomy, unplanned hysterotomy (excluding cesarean delivery), uterine rupture, hemorrhage of >1000 mL, transfusion, admission to the maternal intensive care unit, acute renal insufficiency, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, and readmission to the hospital within 6 weeks. We compared the demographic and antenatal characteristics of women choosing expectant management with that of women choosing termination of pregnancy and used logistic regression to quantify the association between initial management decision and composite maternal morbidity. RESULTS: We identified 350 women with pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes at <24 weeks' gestation, and 208 women were eligible for the study. Of the 208 women, 108 (51.9%) chose expectant management as initial management, and 100 (48.1%) chose termination of pregnancy as initial management. Among women selecting termination of pregnancy, 67.0% underwent labor induction, and 33.0% underwent dilation and evacuation. Compared to women who chose termination of pregnancy, women who chose expectant management had 4.1 times the odds of developing chorioamnionitis (38.0% vs 13.0%; 95% confidence interval, 2.03-8.26) and 2.44 times the odds of postpartum hemorrhage (23.1% vs 11.0%; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-5.26). Admissions to the intensive care unit and unplanned hysterectomy only occurred after expectant management (2.8% vs 0.0% and 0.9% vs 0.0%). Of women who chose expectant management, 36.2% delivered via cesarean delivery with 56.4% non-low transverse uterine incisions. Composite maternal morbidity rates were 60.2% in the expectant management group and 33.0% in the termination of pregnancy group. After adjusting for gestational age at rupture, site, race and ethnicity, gestational age at entry to prenatal care, preterm premature rupture of membranes in a previous pregnancy, twin pregnancy, smoking, cerclage, and cervical examination at the time of presentation, expectant management was associated with 3.47 times the odds of composite maternal morbidity (95% confidence interval, 1.52-7.93), corresponding to an adjusted relative risk of 1.91 (95% confidence interval, 1.35-2.73). Among women who chose expectant management, 15.7% avoided morbidity and had a neonate who survived to discharge. CONCLUSION: Expectant management for preterm premature rupture of membranes at <24 weeks' gestation was associated with a significantly increased risk of maternal morbidity when compared to termination of pregnancy.

Impacto de la infección por COVID-19 durante la gestación / Impact of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy

Objetivo: analizar el impacto de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en mujeres gestantes sobre las consecuencias obstétricas y perinatales. Método: estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, observacional y retrospectivo realizado en el Hospital Infanta Cristina (Parla, Madrid) en mujeres gestantes con infección por COVID-19 durante la segunda mitad del embarazo y/o parto, desde el inicio de la pandemia en España en marzo hasta diciembre de 2020. Se analizó la asociación entre la necesidad de ingreso hospitalario y las variables sociodemográficas, antropométricas y de la gestación con la prueba T de Student, U de Mann-Whitney. Chi cuadrado de Pearson y prueba exacta de Fisher con una significación p< 0,05. Resultados: se incluyeron 46 mujeres. De estas un 37% era española y su edad media fue de 31,3 años. El índice de masa corporal (IMC) medio de las mujeres gestantes fue de 25,9 kg/m2, mayoritariamente fueron multíparas con una media gestacional en el momento del diagnóstico de 33,8 semanas y predominando las gestantes asintomáticas (54,23%) seguido de los síntomas como tos y disnea (13%) y fiebre (13%). Precisaron ingreso hospitalario cuatro mujeres de las cuales una requirió cuidados intensivos. No se hallaron diferencias significativas según el ingreso hospitalario, aunque la edad gestacional en el momento del parto fue más baja entre las mujeres hospitalizadas (38 vs. 39,5 semanas; p= 0,095) y su IMC fue superior (29,7 vs. 25 kg/m2; p= 0,559). No se produjo ninguna muerte perinatal. Conclusiones: la infección por COVID-19 no parece influir en la evolución de la gestación ni en la supervivencia perinatal, aunque se precisa más investigación al respecto.(AU)

Objective: to analyse the impact of the infection by SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant women, in terms of obstetric and perinatal consequences. Method: a descriptive, longitudinal, observational and retrospective study conducted in the Hospital Infanta Cristina (Parla, Madrid) with pregnant women infected with COVID-19 during the second half of their pregnancy and/or labour, since the start of the pandemic in Spain in March until December 2020. The association between the need for hospital admission and sociodemographic, anthropometric and pregnancy variables was analysed with the Student’s T test, Mann Whitney U test, Pearson’s Chi Squared and Fisher’s Exact Test, with a p< 0.05 significance. Results: the study included 46 women; 37% of them were Spanish, and their mean age was 31.3 years. The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of the pregnant women was of 25.9 kg/m2, the majority were multiparous, and there was a predominance of asymptomatic pregnancies (54.23%) followed by symptoms such as cough and dyspnea (13%) and fever (13%). Four women required hospital admission, and one of them required Intensive Care. No significant differences were found according to hospital admission, although the gestational age at the time of delivery was lower among hospitalized women (38 vs. 39.5 weeks; p= 0.095) and their BMI was higher (29.7 vs. 25 kg/m2; p= 0.559). There were no perinatal deaths. Conclusions: infection by COVID19 does not seem to have any impact on pregnancy evolution or perinatal survival, although further research is required.(AU)

Associations between molybdenum exposure and ultrasound measures of fetal growth parameters: A pilot study.

Previous studies have suggested the association of molybdenum (Mo) exposure with some adverse outcomes. However, limited epidemiological studies have been performed to explore the association between maternal Mo exposure level and fetal growth. This study recruited 220 pregnant women during their second trimester. The mother's urinary Mo concentration was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The fetal biometric parameters, including head circumference (HC), biparietal diameter (BPD), femur diaphysis length (FL), and abdominal circumference (AC) were assessed by prenatal ultrasound. Estimated fetal weight (EFW) was evaluated using the formula of Hadlock. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to estimate the relationships between Mo level and fetal biometric parameters, and potential confounders were adjusted. A one-unit increment in natural-logarithm transformed urinary Mo level was significantly associated with reductions in fetal AC of -0.34 cm (95%CI: -0.63, -0.04), and was negatively related to EFW (ß = -18.2, 95%CI: -40.5, 4.2). Furthermore, when participants were stratified by copper (Cu) level, the results showed that the magnitude of negative association between Mo and AC (ß = -0.55, 95%CI: -1.13, 0.04) was greater in pregnant women with Cu level below median value, comparing with those with Cu level above median value (ß = -0.08, 95%CI: -0.57, 0.42), and a similar pattern was found for EFW, although the interaction between Mo and Cu was not significant. Our data suggested an inverse association of maternal urinary Mo level with fetal AC and EFW during the second trimester of pregnancy. These associations might be stronger in pregnant women with relatively lower Cu levels.

Second trimester cervical length measurements with transvaginal ultrasound: A prospective observational agreement and reliability study.

INTRODUCTION: Universal screening for preterm delivery by adding transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length to routine second trimester ultrasound has been proposed. The aim is to estimate inter- and intraobserver agreement and reliability of second trimester transvaginal ultrasound measurements of cervical length performed by specially trained midwife sonographers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective reliability and agreement study performed in seven Swedish ultrasound centers. In total, 18 midwife sonographers specially trained to perform ultrasound measurements of cervical length and 286 women in the second trimester were included. In each center, two midwife sonographers measured cervical length a few minutes apart in the same woman, the number of women examined per examiner pair varying between 24 and 30 (LIVE study). Sixteen midwife sonographers measured cervical length twice ≥2 months apart on 93 video clips (CLIPS study). The main outcome measures were mean difference, limits of agreement, intraclass correlation coefficient, intra-individual standard deviation, repeatability, Cohen's kappa and Fleiss kappa. RESULTS: The limits of agreement and intraclass correlation coefficient of the best examiner pair in the LIVE study were -4.06 to 4.72 mm and 0.91, and those of the poorest were -11.11 to 11.39 mm and 0.31. In the CLIPS study, median (range) intra-individual standard deviation was 2.14 mm (1.40-3.46), repeatability 5.93 mm (3.88-9.58), intraclass correlation coefficient 0.84 (0.66-0.94). Median (range) interobserver agreement for cervical length ≤25 mm in the CLIPS study was 94.6% (84.9%-98.9%) and Cohen's kappa 0.56 (0.12-0.92), median (range) intraobserver agreement was 95.2% (87.1%-98.9%) and Cohen's kappa 0.68 (0.27-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Agreement and reliability of cervical length measurements differed substantially between examiner pairs and examiners. If cervical length measurements are used to guide management there is potential for both over- and under-treatment. Uniform training and rigorous supervision and quality control are advised.

Association between physical activity and glucose metabolism in pregnant women / 中华疾病控制杂志

@#Objective To investigate the association between physical activity and glucose metabolism during the second trimester of pregnancy． Methods A cross－sectional study was conducted from March 2017 to November 2018． 1 083 pregnant women at 20－28 weeks of gestation in Guangzhou，China were recruited into this study． A standardized questionnaire was used to collect demographics and lifestyles． Physical activity was assessed by the international physical activity questionnaire． The participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test． Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between physical activity and blood glucose． Logistic regression analysis model was used to analyze the association between physical activity and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) ． Results Only 36. 57% of pregnant women met the recommended level of total physical activity． There was a negative correlation ( β= －0. 104， P= 0. 017) between total physical activity and postprandial 2 h blood glucose． Results from different types of physical activities showed that the recreation，sport，and leisure－time physical activity were negatively associated with postprandial 1 h blood glucose ( β = －0. 114，P = 0. 042) ． No significant association was found between either various types of physical activities or sedentary time and GDM． Conclusions Physical activity during mid－pregnancy is inadequate in pregnant women in Guangzhou，China． Higher total physical activity and recreation，sport，and leisure－time physical activity in the second trimester of pregnancy are associated with lower postprandial blood glucose.

Hemorragia de la Segunda Mitad del Embarazo en el Hospital Provincial General Docente Riobamba, Chimborazo, Ecuador 2017 - 2018 / Antepartum hemorrhage in the Hospital Provincial General Docente Riobamba, Chimborazo, Ecuador 2017 - 2018

Introducción: la hemorragia obstétrica es la segunda causa más frecuente de mortalidad materna en el Ecuador, a pesar de ello, es un tema que se ha estudiado poco a nivel provincial y nacional. Objetivo: determinar la ocurrencia e identificar los factores de riesgo, manifestaciones clínicas y comorbilidades más frecuentes de la hemorragia de la segunda mital del embarazo. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, transversal, donde se analizaron las historias clínicas de las pacientes obstétricas con hemorragia de la segunda mitad del embarazo atendidas en el Hospital Provincial General Docente Riobamba (HPGDR) entre junio 2017 y junio 2018. Resultados: de un total de 3 460 pacientes obstétricas atendidas, 0.49% (n = 17) cumplieron los criterios de hemorragia en la segunda mital del embarazo, las cuales tuvieron una edad media de 29 años (desviación estándar = 7), una edad gestacional media de 36 semanas (desviación estándar = 5) y en su mayoría fueron multíparas. El desprendimiento de placenta normoinserta fue la principal patología causante de la hemorragia y el dolor abdominal el principal síntoma manifestado, en la mayoría no se observó otras comorbilidades obstétricas. Conclusión: se observó una baja ocurrencia de hemorragia de la segunda mitad del embarazo en el HGDR entre junio 2017 y junio 2018, siendo la causa más frecuente el desprendimiento de placenta normoinserta y el principal mitivo de consulta dolor abdominal.

Introduction: obstetric hemorrhage is the second most frequent cause of maternal mortality in Ecuador. Nevertheless, the topic has been little studied at a local and national level. Objective: to determine the ocurrence and identify the most frequent risk factors, clinical manifestations and comorbilities in antepartum hemorrhage. Methods: it is a descriptive, cross-sectional study, in which clinical histories of obstetric patients with hemorrhage of the second half of pregnancy were analyzed in the Hospital Provincial General Docente Riobamba (HGPDR) between June 2017 and June 2018. Results: from 3 460 obstetric patients attended, 0.49% (n = 17) met antepartum hemorrhage criteria. Women were in average 29 years old (standard deviation = 7), had an average gestational age of 36 weeks (standard deviation = 5) and were multiparous. Detachment of normoinserta placenta was the main cause of bleeding, abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom reported and in the majority of cases no obstetric comorbilities were observed. Conclusions: it was observed a low ocurrence of hemorrhage of the second half of pregnancy in the HGDR between June 2017 and June 2018. The mots common cause of the patology was detachment of normoinserta placenta and the most frequent complain reported was abdominal pain.

Associations of temporal changes in cervical length and lower uterine segment length with spontaneous preterm delivery risk: a prospective study of 727 Japanese women.

PURPOSE: A prospective assessment of the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) by evaluating temporal changes in cervical measurements. METHODS: We analyzed clinical variables, focusing on cervical length (CL) and lower uterine segment (LUS) length (LUSL) as measured by transvaginal ultrasonography in 727 pregnant Japanese women. RESULTS: In women undergoing term deliveries, CL increased from gestational week (GW) 8-25. In contrast, the combination of CL and LUSL (ComL for "combined length") gradually decreased and sole LUSL became almost 0 mm by GW 25. Univariate logistic regression analysis suggested that a history of PTD was a risk factor for sPTD. CL, LUSL, and ComL were not significant predictors of sPTD. CONCLUSION: To assess the risk of sPTD in the second trimester, it is not necessary to distinguish the cervix from the LUS.

Clinical value of uterine artery embolization in the treatment of caesarean scar pregnancy in the second trimester of pregnancy / 中国实用妇科与产科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the clinical value of uterine artery embolization(UAE)in the treatment of caesarean scar pregnancy(CSP)in the second trimester of pregnancy.METHODS: The clinical data of 29 cases treated from January2013 to June 2018 in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University was retrospective analyzed.The patients were divided into group A(14 cases)and group B(15 cases)according to the first hospital. visitedPatients in group A first visited basic local hospitals and underwent drug-induced labor.Due to a large amount of vaginal bleeding or failure of induced labor,they were transferred to our hospital for further treatment. Patients in group B first visited our hospital and were treated by UAE before induced labor. The therapeutic effect was compared between the two groups.RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in age,gestational weeks,number of caesarean section,period of time from previous caesarean section,or number of previous induced abortions(P>0.05).The average operation time of group B was shorter than that of group A[(54.00±31.19)min vs.(105.07±67.92)min,P<0.05]. The average intraoperative bleeding of group B was less than that of group A[(73.33±24.57)mL vs.(869.29±276.99)mL,P<0.05].Postoperative vaginal bleeding time of group B was shorter than that of group A[(4.46±1.06)d vs.(6.79±2.08)d,P<0.05].Average hospitalization time of group B was shorter than that of group A[(8.80±1.74)d vs.(14.57±4.54)d,P<0.05].The transfusion rate of group B was lower than that of group A[0 vs.78.6%,P<0.05].The uterine retention rate of group B was higher than group A[100% vs.71.4%,P<0.05].CONCLUSION: UAE has significant clinical value in the treatment of CSP in the second trimester of pregnancy.It can reduce operation time,intraoperative bleeding volume and increase uterine retention rate.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency during Second Trimester of Pregnancy in Shanghai China, Risk Factors and Effects on Pregnancy Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D plays important roles in various physiological processes. Vitamin D deficiency is common among pregnant women in some regions, such as China. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency during second trimester of pregnancy in Shanghai China, and explore its risk factors and effects on pregnant outcomes. METHODS: Overall, 23100 pregnant women (2013 to 2017, Shanghai, China) were included and vitamin D concentrations were measured at 16 weeks of gestation. Correlations between vitamin D concentrations and participants' general data and maternal and infant outcomes were analyzed by chi square test. Non-conditional multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency was significantly correlated with aging, education level, smoking, dirking, BMI before pregnancy, body weight gain during pregnancy (P<0.01), the use of vitamin D supplement and milk consumption, and older than 30 years, drinking, smoking, BMI before pregnancy> 36, body weight gain during pregnancy< 40g per day, no daily milk consumption, no vitamin D supplement, and education lever below college were independent risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in second trimester of pregnancy. In addition, vitamin D deficiency in second trimester of pregnancy was closely correlated with the occurrence of a serious of adverse maternal and infant outcomes. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was still common among women in second trimester of pregnancy in Shanghai China. Vitamin D deficiency was closely correlated with the occurrence of a serious of adverse maternal and infant outcomes.

Effect of abnormal GpG methylation in the second trimester of pregnancy on adverse health risk of offspring.

Effect of abnormal GpG methylation in amniotic fluid cells during the second trimester of pregnancy on adverse health risk of offspring was investigated. In total, 237 sets of amniotic fluid cells were collected from patients who received prenatal diagnosis in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou, China) from April 2010 to October 2011. Among them, 156 sets were from singleton and 81 sets were from twins. H19 gene was amplified by PCR, and the product was purified and pyrosequencing was used to detect the DNA methylation level of GapG. Follow-up records of the birth outcomes of pregnant women's offspring were collected. Positive rate of DNA amplification in 200 cases of amniotic fluid cells was 84.4% (200/237). Average age of singleton pregnancies was higher than that of twins (P<0.05), and no significant differences were found in gestational age and PCR amplification rate (P>0.05). There was no difference in the methylation level of GapG between singleton and twins (P>0.05), but the abnormal methylation rate of GapG1 in twin fetuses was significantly higher than that of singleton (20.3 vs. 3.6%, χ2=8.364, P=0.004). Offspring sex, singleton or twins, mode of delivery, time of pregnancy, and low birth weight showed no significant effect on GapG methylation level of H19 in the second trimester of pregnancy. No offspring deformities were found regardless of the increased or decreased degree of methylation (P>0.05). The number of fetuses born may cause abnormal GapG1 methylation, but no effect of GapG methylation on the adverse health risk of offspring was found.

Comparative Evaluation of Arabin Pessary and Cervical Cerclage for the Prevention of Preterm Labor in Asymptomatic Women with High Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: Preterm labor is one of the most significant obstetric problems associated with high rate of actual and long-term perinatal complications. Despite the creation of scoring systems, uterine activity monitoring, cervical ultrasound and several biochemical markers, the prediction and prevention of preterm labor is still a matter of concern. The aim of this study was to examine cervical findings for the prediction and the comparative use of Arabin pessary or cerclage for the prevention of preterm birth in asymptomatic women with high risk factors for preterm labor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group was composed of singleton pregnancies (spontaneously conceived) with high risk factors for preterm labor. Cervical length, dilatation of the internal cervical os and funneling, were estimated with transvaginal ultrasound during the first and the second trimesters of pregnancy. RESULTS: Cervical funneling, during the second trimester of pregnancy, was the most significant factor for the prediction of preterm labor. The use of Arabin cervical pessary was found to be more effective than cerclage in the prolongation of pregnancy. CONCLUSION: In women at risk for preterm labor, the detection of cervical funneling in the second trimester of pregnancy may help to predict preterm labor and to apply the appropriate treatment for its prevention. Although the use of cervical pessary was found to be more effective than cerclage, more studies are needed to classify the effectiveness of different methods for such prevention.

Maternal uterine artery Doppler in the first and second trimesters as screening method for hypertensive disorders and adverse perinatal outcomes in low-risk pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the maternal demographic characteristics and uterine artery (UA) Doppler parameters at first and second trimesters of pregnancy as predictors for hypertensive disorders (HDs) and adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: This prospective cohort study comprised 162 singleton low-risk women undergoing routine antenatal care. The left and right UA were assessed by color and pulsed Doppler and the mean pulsatility and resistance indices as well as the presence of a bilateral protodiastolic notch were recorded at 11 to 14 and 20 to 24 weeks' gestation. Multilevel regression analysis was used to determine the effects of maternal characteristics and abnormal UA Doppler parameters on the incidence of HD, small for gestational age newborn, cesarean section rate, Apgar score <7 at 1st and 5th minute, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. RESULTS: Fifteen women (9.2%) developed HD. UA mean resistance index (RI), UA mean pulsatility index, and parity were independent predictors of HD. Compared to the pregnancies with a normal UA mean RI at the first and second trimesters, pregnancies with UA mean RI >95th percentile only at the first trimester showed an increased risk for HD (odds ratio, 23.25; 95% confidence interval, 3.47 to 155.73; P<0.01). Similar result was found for UA mean pulsatility index >95th percentile (odds ratio, 9.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 92.10; P=0.05). The model including maternal age, maternal and paternal ethnicity, occupation, parity and UA mean RI increased the relative risk for HD (area under receiver operating characteristics, 0.81). CONCLUSION: A first-trimester screening combining maternal characteristics and UA Doppler parameters is useful to predict HD in a low-risk population.

Maternal uterine artery Doppler in the first and second trimesters as screening method for hypertensive disorders and adverse perinatal outcomes in low-risk pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: To assess the maternal demographic characteristics and uterine artery (UA) Doppler parameters at first and second trimesters of pregnancy as predictors for hypertensive disorders (HDs) and adverse perinatal outcomes. METHODS: This prospective cohort study comprised 162 singleton low-risk women undergoing routine antenatal care. The left and right UA were assessed by color and pulsed Doppler and the mean pulsatility and resistance indices as well as the presence of a bilateral protodiastolic notch were recorded at 11 to 14 and 20 to 24 weeks' gestation. Multilevel regression analysis was used to determine the effects of maternal characteristics and abnormal UA Doppler parameters on the incidence of HD, small for gestational age newborn, cesarean section rate, Apgar score 95th percentile only at the first trimester showed an increased risk for HD (odds ratio, 23.25; 95% confidence interval, 3.47 to 155.73; P95th percentile (odds ratio, 9.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 92.10; P=0.05). The model including maternal age, maternal and paternal ethnicity, occupation, parity and UA mean RI increased the relative risk for HD (area under receiver operating characteristics, 0.81). CONCLUSION: A first-trimester screening combining maternal characteristics and UA Doppler parameters is useful to predict HD in a low-risk population.