Glucose control during pregnancy in patients with type 1 diabetes correlates with fetal hemodynamics: a prospective longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal diabetes adversely affects fetal cardiovascular system development. Previous studies have reported that the fetuses of mothers with diabetes exhibit both structural and functional changes; nevertheless, prior studies have not examined the association between glucose control and fetal cardiac morphology and performance. Thus, the objective was to determine the association between fetal cardiac morphology and function and maternal glucose control in type 1 diabetes and to compare the differences in measured cardiac parameters between the fetuses of mothers with diabetes and healthy controls. METHODS: In this prospective, longitudinal case-control study - including 62 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy pregnant women - fetal cardiac assessment using B-mode, M-mode, and spectral pulsed-wave Doppler was performed in the second and third trimesters. In women with T1DM, glycated hemoglobin and data obtained from glucose sensors - including the percentage of time in, below, and above the range (TIR, TBR, and TAR, respectively), and coefficient of variation (CV) - were analyzed across three time periods: the last menstrual period to 13 (V1), 14-22 (V2), and 23-32 weeks (V3) of gestation. Fetal cardiac indices were compared between groups, and the correlation between glucose control and fetal cardiac indices was assessed. RESULTS: At 28-32 weeks, the fetuses of women with T1DM exhibited increased left ventricular end-diastolic length, relative interventricular septum thickness, right ventricular cardiac output, and pulmonary valve peak systolic velocity compared with healthy controls. At 18-22 weeks, pulmonary and aortic valve diameters, left and right ventricular stroke volumes, and left cardiac output inversely correlated with the CV and glycated hemoglobin levels at V1 and V2. Furthermore, at 28-32 weeks, pulmonary and aortic valve diameters, left ventricular stroke volume, cardiac output, and right/left atrioventricular valve ratio inversely correlated with the TBR at V1, V2, and V3. Moreover, diastolic functional parameters correlated with the TAR and glycated hemoglobin levels, particularly after the first trimester. CONCLUSION: In women with T1DM, maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy correlates with fetal diastolic function, whereas glucose variability and hypoglycemia inversely correlate with fetal left ventricular systolic function in the second and third trimesters.

Preeclampsia and diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of recent research on the relationship between preeclampsia and diabetes mellitus in pregnancy. METHODOLOGY: A structured search for literary sources in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases using keywords, followed by a selection of papers based on solid methodology. RESULTS: Preeclampsia is a serious condition, which complicates 2-7% of pregnancies. It causes maternal complications (organ dysfunction) and fetal complications (pathological haemodynamic parameters of the uteroplacental unit and fetal growth restriction). Pregnant women with pregestational diabetes have a 2- and 4-times higher risk of developing preeclampsia and the ones with gestational diabetes have 1.3-times higher risk. The main identified risk factors are inadequate compensation of diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and the duration of diabetes. To minimalize the risk of developing preeclampsia, a composite screening has been implemented. With a positive result a preventive use of acetylsalicylic acid from at the latest 16 and up until the 36th week is advised. Preeclampsia is also a risk factor for developing diabetes mellitus and other cardiovascular diseases later in life. For that reason, a long-term dispensary of women who had preeclampsia in pregnancy is recommended.

Pregnancy of women with type 1 diabetes mellitus - the effect of preconception care on perinatal results. Ten years of experience.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the ever-improving medical care, pregnancies of women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are at increased risk of complications for both mother and child. Optimal compensation of diabetes before and during pregnancy is an essential protective factor reducing the risk of congenital malformations, pregnancy loss, and other complications. The pregnancy of women with T1DM should be planned, ideally at a time of optimal diabetes compensation. Target glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values until the range of 42-48 mmol/mol should be achieved at least three months before pregnancy. Our work aimed to evaluate the perinatal results of pregnancies in women with T1DM and the eff ect of preconception counseling and adequate T1DM compensation before pregnancy on perinatal outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of women with T1DM were followed up at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General University Hospital in Prague and First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University between 2008 to 2018. A total of 221 women with T1DM were included in the analysis. Adequate (HbA1c  48 mmol/mol at least 3 months before conception) and inadequate diabetes compensation at the beginning of the pregnancy had 59 (26.7%) and 162 (72.3%) women, respectively. Pregnancies of women with adequate diabetes compensation were more often planned (55.9 vs. 24.7%; P  95th percentile; 22.0 vs. 35.8%; P = 0.027). CONCLUSION: The pregnancy of women with T1DM is burdened by a number of perinatal and neonatal complications. In the study group, most women with T1DM became pregnant unintentionally at a time of inadequate diabetes compensation. Women who achieved adequate diabetes compensation before pregnancy had a lower incidence of perinatal complications. Therefore, it is advised that women with T1DM should plan their pregnancy, attend preconception and antenatal care, and give birth in perinatal centers, which provide coordinated care from diabetologists, gynecologists, obstetricians, and neonatologists.

Management of pregnancy after fertility-sparing surgery for cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is increasingly diagnosed in women who have not yet completed their reproductive plans. For women with early-stage disease (FIGO stage IA1-IB1), fertility-sparing procedures, such as conization, trachelectomy or radical trachelectomy, represent the treatments of choice. However, women who undergo repeated conization or trachelectomy represent a challenge for obstetricians because they are at increased risk of infertility, mid-trimester miscarriage, preterm premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery. So far, the evidence-based guidance on the management of these pregnancies is limited. This article reviews the literature discussing pregnancy management in women after fertility-sparing surgery for early cervical cancer. Although the evidence is limited, certain measures are desirable, including screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria, screening for cervical incompetence and progressive cervical shortening by transvaginal ultrasonography, and fetal fibronectin testing. Vaginal progesterone supplementation should be primary prevention for all women after trachelectomy. Women with a history of preterm delivery or late miscarriage may benefit from cervical cerclage. Elective delivery by cesarean section in the early-term period is desirable.

Proactive approach at the limits of viability improves the short-term outcome of neonates born after 23 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this single-center study was to identify factors that affect the short-term outcome of newborns delivered around the limits of viability. METHODS: A group of 137 pregnant women who gave birth between 22+0/7 and 25+6/7 weeks of gestation was retrospectively studied. The center supports a proactive approach to infants around the limits of viability. Perinatal and neonatal characteristics were obtained and statistically evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 166 live-born infants were enrolled during a 6-year period; 162 (97.6%) of them were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) and 119 (73.5%) survived until discharge. The decrease in neonatal mortality was associated with an advanced gestational age (P<0.001) and a completed course of corticosteroids (P=0.002). Neonatal morbidities were common among infants of all gestational ages. The incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage significantly depended on gestational age (P<0.001) and a completed course of corticosteroids (P=0.002). Survival without severe neonatal morbidities was 39.5% and occurred mostly after 24+0/7 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: The short-term outcome of newborns delivered around the limits of viability is mostly affected by gestational age and antenatal corticosteroid treatment. A consistently proactive approach improves the survival of infants at the limits of viability. This is most pronounced in cases where the delivery is delayed beyond 24 completed gestational weeks.

Efficacy and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

UNLABELLED:  Background and aims. Patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) benefit from ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment. Since there is still certain reluctance to use UDCA in pregnant women, mainly due to warnings in the official SPC information in respective drug leaflets, our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of UDCA during pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our retrospective multicentric study was performed on 191 consecutive pregnant women with ICP treated with UDCA. Any maternal and/or fetal complications of the UDCA treatment were searched for; healthy pregnant women (n = 256) served as controls. RESULTS: The UDCA treatment improved liver disease status in the majority of the affected women (86.1%). This treatment was well tolerated, with only negligible skin reactions (0.5%) and mild diarrhea (4.7%). No complications attributable to UDCA treatment were detected during the fetal life, delivery, or the early neonatal period. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the good efficacy and safety of UDCA treatment in pregnancy for both mothers and fetuses/neonates.

Fetal complications due to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver disorder of pregnancy. Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture, particularly the presence of pruritus with a deterioration of liver function tests, and typically elevated serum levels of total bile acids. ICP manifests in the second half of pregnancy, predominantly during the third trimester. Symptoms of the disease resolve spontaneously after delivery. Etiology is still not fully understood. Genetic defects in specific transport proteins, elevated levels of sex hormones, and various environmental factors are thought to play a role in the development of this disorder. Although practically benign for the pregnant woman, ICP represents a serious threat to the fetus. It increases the risk of preterm delivery, meconium excretion into the amniotic fluid, respiratory distress syndrome, and sudden intrauterine fetal death. Identifying fetuses at risk of ICP complications remains challenging. The ideal obstetrical management of ICP needs to be definitively determined. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on fetal complications of ICP and describe management options for their prevention.

Establishing the Optimal Time for Induction of Labor in Women with Diet-Controlled Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Center Observational Study.

To determine the optimal week for labor induction in women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus by comparing differences in perinatal and neonatal outcomes of labor induction to expectant management at different gestational weeks. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively recruited cohort of 797 singleton pregnancies complicated by diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus that were diagnosed, treated, and delivered after 37 weeks in a tertiary, university-affiliated perinatal center between January 2016 and December 2021. Results: The incidence of neonatal complications was highest when delivery occurred at 37 weeks, whereas fetal macrosomia occurred mostly at 41 weeks (20.7%); the frequency of large for gestational age infants did not differ between the groups. Conversely, the best neonatal outcomes were observed at 40 weeks due to the lowest number of neonates requiring phototherapy for neonatal jaundice (1.7%) and the smallest proportion of neonates experiencing composite adverse neonatal outcomes defined as neonatal hypoglycemia, phototherapy, clavicle fracture, or umbilical artery pH < 7.15 (10.4%). Compared with expectant management, the risk for neonatal hypoglycemia was increased for induction at 39 weeks (adjusted odds ratio 12.29, 95% confidence interval 1.35−111.75, p = 0.026) and that for fetal macrosomia was decreased for induction at 40 weeks (adjusted odds ratio 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.01−0.92, p = 0.041), after adjusting for maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index, nulliparity, and mean pregnancy A1c. Conclusions: The lowest rate of neonatal complications was observed at 40 weeks. Labor induction at 40 weeks prevented fetal macrosomia.

Ursodeoxycholic acid use in lactating female patients is associated with clinically negligible concentrations of this bile acid in breast milk.

In the literature on the safety of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) during breastfeeding, insufficient data has been reported to date. Thus, the aim of our study was to analyze bile acid (BA) concentrations in breast milk in a cohort of patients, treated with UDCA, and with various cholestatic liver diseases. The study was carried out on a cohort of 20 patients with various cholestatic diseases. All the patients were treated with UDCA (500-1500 mg daily). Concentrations of BA, sampled on day 3 after delivery were analyzed using the GS-MS technique, and then compared to untreated women. Total BA concentrations in the breast milk of the UDCA-treated patients were equal to those of the untreated women controls (3.2 ± 1 vs. 3.2 ± 0.2 µmol/L, respectively). The UDCA concentrations in breast milk remained negligible in UDCA-treated patients (0.69 µmol/L), and in any event did not contribute to the newborn BA pool. No apparent side-effects of the maternal UDCA treatment were observed in any newborn infant, and no deterioration in postnatal development was observed during the routine 1-year follow-ups. Therapeutic administration of UDCA during lactation is safe for breastfed babies since UDCA only gets into breast milk in negligible amounts. UDCA treatment should be allowed and included into the guidelines for the therapy of cholestatic diseases in breastfeeding mothers.

Association between gestational diabetes mellitus and bioavailability of insulin-like growth factors and role of their binding proteins.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are involved in regulating growth and metabolism and increase insulin sensitivity, improve glucose metabolism, and are potentially related to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its complications for mothers and fetuses. DESIGN: This study aimed to assess serum levels and cord blood levels of IGF system components in pregnant women with (39 participants) and without GDM (22 participants). Blood samples were obtained at 28-32 and 36-38 weeks of gestation and 6-12 months after delivery. Cord blood samples were obtained during delivery. Results between both groups as well as between single visits were statistically compared. RESULTS: Both IGF1 and IGF2 maternal serum levels did not differ between the GDM and non-GDM groups. However, levels of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) were different. IGFBP4 levels were decreased during pregnancy and after delivery in women with GDM, while IGFBP7 levels were increased during pregnancy in women with GDM. Cord blood IGFBP3 and IGFBP7 levels were increased (p < 0.001 for IGFBP3, p = 0.003 for IGFBP7), while IGFBP4 levels were decreased (p < 0.001) in the GDM group compared with the non-GDM group. CONCLUSIONS: Although IGF levels did not differ, changes in their function level could still persist possibly because of the effects of the binding proteins, especially their promoting or inhibitory effects on IGFs. These results should be considered in interpretation of IGF levels.

Altered Steroidome in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Focus on Neuroactive and Immunomodulatory Steroids from the 24th Week of Pregnancy to Labor.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complication in pregnancy, but studies focused on the steroidome in patients with GDM are not available in the public domain. This article evaluates the steroidome in GDM+ and GDM- women and its changes from 24 weeks (± of gestation) to labor. The study included GDM+ (n = 44) and GDM- women (n = 33), in weeks 24-28, 30-36 of gestation and at labor and mixed umbilical blood after delivery. Steroidomic data (101 steroids quantified by GC-MS/MS) support the concept that the increasing diabetogenic effects with the approaching term are associated with mounting progesterone levels. The GDM+ group showed lower levels of testosterone (due to reduced AKR1C3 activity), estradiol (due to a shift from the HSD17B1 towards HSD17B2 activity), 7-oxygenated androgens (competing with cortisone for HSD11B1 and shifting the balance from diabetogenic cortisol towards the inactive cortisone), reduced activities of SRD5As, and CYP17A1 in the hydroxylase but higher CYP17A1 activity in the lyase step. With the approaching term, the authors found rising activities of CYP3A7, AKR1C1, CYP17A1 in its hydroxylase step, but a decline in its lyase step, rising conjugation of neuroinhibitory and pregnancy-stabilizing steroids and weakening AKR1D1 activity.

The possible role of endocrine dysfunction of adipose tissue in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is diabetes that is first diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy in patients who did not have a history of diabetes before pregnancy. Consequences of GDM include increased risk of macrosomia and birth complications in the infant and an increased risk of maternal type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after pregnancy. There is also a longer-term risk of obesity, T2DM, and cardiovascular diseases in the child. GDM is the result of impaired glucose tolerance due to pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction on a background of insulin resistance that physiologically increases during pregnancy. The strongest clinical predictors of GDM are overweight and obesity. The fact that women with GDM are more likely to be overweight or obese suggests that adipose tissue dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of GDM, similarly to T2DM. Adipose tissue is not only involved in energy storage but also functions as an active endocrine organ secreting adipokines (specific hormones and cytokines) with the ability to alter insulin sensitivity. Recent evidence points to a crucial role of numerous adipokines produced by fat in the development of GDM. The following text summarizes the current knowledge about a possible role of selected adipokines in the development of GDM.

Subclinical Inflammation and Adipose Tissue Lymphocytes in Pregnant Females With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

CONTEXT: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is accompanied by subclinical inflammation; however, little is known about local inflammation in adipose tissue and placenta. OBJECTIVE: To analyze systemic and local subclinical inflammation and adipose tissue lymphocyte content and phenotype in pregnant women with and without GDM. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTINGS: Academic hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-one pregnant women with GDM (GDM group), 16 pregnant women without GDM (non-GDM group) and 15 nonpregnant control women (N group). INTERVENTIONS: Serum samples taken at 28 to 32 (visit 1 [V1]) and 36 to 38 (V2) gestational weeks and 6 to 12 months after delivery (V3) in the GDM and non-GDM group and before elective gynecological surgery in the N group. Subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) obtained during cesarean delivery or surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum levels and adipose tissue expression of proinflammatory cytokines, adipose tissue lymphocyte content and phenotype (for a subset of GDM and non-GDM subjects). RESULTS: Accented proinflammatory state in GDM was documented by increased circulating tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. In both groups of pregnant females total lymphocytes were higher in VAT compared to SAT. In GDM subjects B cells and NKT cells were higher in SAT compared to VAT and T helper cells were increased relative to SAT of non-GDM group, while no intercompartmental adipose tissue differences were seen in non-GDM women. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant females had higher total lymphocyte count in VAT relative to SAT regardless of GDM. In addition to increased systemic subclinical inflammation, GDM was associated with significant differences in lymphocyte composition between subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue depots.

The role of obesity and adipose tissue dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is defined as diabetes diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy in patients with no history of diabetes prior to gestation. It is the most common complication of pregnancy. The underlying pathophysiology shares some common features with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combining relatively insufficient insulin secretion with increased peripheral insulin resistance. While a certain degree of insulin resistance is the physiological characteristics of the second half of pregnancy, it is significantly more pronounced in patients with gestational diabetes. Adipose tissue dysfunction and subclinical inflammation in obesity are well-described causes of increased insulin resistance in non-pregnant subjects and are often observed in individuals with T2DM. Emerging evidence of altered adipokine expression and local inflammation in adipose tissue in patients with gestational diabetes suggests an important involvement of adipose tissue in its etiopathogenesis. This review aims to summarize current knowledge of adipose tissue dysfunction and its role in the development of gestational diabetes. We specifically focus on the significance of alterations of adipokines and immunocompetent cells number and phenotype in fat. Detailed understanding of the role of adipose tissue in gestational diabetes may provide new insights into its pathophysiology and open new possibilities of its prevention and treatment.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Steroid Metabolism in Women with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a common liver disorder, mostly occurring in the third trimester. ICP is defined as an elevation of serum bile acids, typically accompanied by pruritus and elevated activities of liver aminotransferases. ICP is caused by impaired biliary lipid secretion, in which endogenous steroids may play a key role. Although ICP is benign for the pregnant woman, it may be harmful for the fetus. We evaluated the differences between maternal circulating steroids measured by RIA (17-hydroxypregnenolone and its sulfate, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and cortisol) and GC-MS (additional steroids), hepatic aminotransferases and bilirubin in women with ICP (n = 15, total bile acids (TBA) >8 µM) and corresponding controls (n = 17). An age-adjusted linear model, receiver-operating characteristics (ROC), and multivariate regression (a method of orthogonal projections to latent structure, OPLS) were used for data evaluation. While aminotransferases, conjugates of pregnanediols, 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 5ß-androstane-3α,17ß-diol were higher in ICP patients, 20α-dihydropregnenolone, 16α-hydroxy-steroids, sulfated 17-oxo-C19-steroids, and 5ß-reduced steroids were lower. The OPLS model including steroids measured by GC-MS and RIA showed 93.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity, while the model including steroids measured by GC-MS in a single sample aliquot showed 93.3% sensitivity and 94.1% specificity. A composite index including ratios of sulfated 3α/ß-hydroxy-5α/ß-androstane-17-ones to conjugated 5α/ß-pregnane-3α/ß, 20α-diols discriminated with 93.3% specificity and 81.3% sensitivity (ROC analysis). These new data demonstrating altered steroidogenesis in ICP patients offer more detailed pathophysiological insights into the role of steroids in the development of ICP.

Prolonged progesterone administration is associated with less frequent cervicovaginal colonization by Ureaplasma urealyticum during pregnancy - Results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Heavy cervicovaginal Ureaplasma colonization is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of preterm birth. The administration of vaginal progesterone has been shown to reduce the incidence of preterm birth in women with short cervical length. Steroid hormones seem to modulate the presence of microorganisms in the vagina. The aim of this study was to assess whether the treatment with vaginal progesterone could reduce the incidence of preterm birth and cervicovaginal colonization by Ureaplasma urealyticum in a cohort of pregnant women with threatened preterm labor. METHODS: A cohort of 63 females who presented with regular contractions and/or short cervical length between 24-32 weeks of gestation were recruited into a prospective study. 70% of patients had been treated with vaginal progesterone prior to recruitment and these patients continued with the treatment until birth. All patients were tested for the presence of cervicovaginal Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization at admission. The primary endpoint was preterm birth before 37 weeks. RESULTS: The incidence of preterm delivery was significantly increased in patients who tested positive for Ureaplasma urealyticum. Prolonged vaginal progesterone administration was associated with less frequent cervicovaginal colonization by U. urealyticum. Cervicovaginal colonization by U. urealyticum and absence of progesterone treatment were identified as two independent risk factors for preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the beneficial effects of progesterone administration in reducing the incidence of cervicovaginal colonization by Ureaplasma urealyticum.