Fetal sex and maternal risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A preponderance of male fetuses in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia was described over 40 years ago. Since then, however, there has been conflicting evidence in the literature, with some studies supporting a male preponderance, some demonstrating no relationship with fetal sex, and others reporting increased risk in pregnancies bearing females. OBJECTIVES: In this context, we sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to objectively evaluate the relationship between fetal sex and maternal risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. SEARCH STRATEGY: Studies from January 1950 to April 2015 were identified from PUBMED and EMBASE. SELECTION CRITERIA: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 22 articles reporting data on fetal sex and prevalence of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Pooled estimates of the relative risk (RR) were calculated by random-effects model. MAIN RESULTS: Male fetus was considered the exposure and prevalence of maternal pre-eclampsia/eclampsia was the outcome of interest. We identified 534 studies through electronic searches and three studies through manual searches. Twenty-two studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, yielding data on 3 163 735 women. Pooled analyses of these studies showed no association between male fetal sex and maternal risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (RR 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 0.97-1.05); however, a subgroup analysis including only studies that evaluated the non-Asian population (n = 2 931 771 women) demonstrated that male fetal sex was associated with increased maternal risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (RR 1.05; 95% CI 1.03-1.06; I2 = 10%; P = 0.33). CONCLUSION: Male fetal sex is associated with maternal risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in the non-Asian population. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Fetal sex is associated with maternal risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in the non-Asian population.

IgG and IgA in saliva and blood serum in relation to smoking and respiratory symptoms.

The main purpose of the paper was to find a possible relationship between smoking and immunological disorders, which are to be the common ground for chronic respiratory diseases. Measurements of IgG and IgA in saliva and blood serum were performed in 87 persons during medical check-up before admission to work in a sulphur mine. Persons with cough and/or sputum production usually in the morning or during the day or at night were defined as positive symptoms. From the study, different immunoglobulin patterns have emerged in saliva and serum in relation to smoking. IgG content in saliva of smokers was lower and IgA higher than in non-smokers. Levels of both immunoglobulins in serum were lower among smokers. In persons with respiratory symptoms IgG content in saliva was markedly lower especially in smokers.