Trimester-specific association between fetal growth and physical activity in pregnant women: total physical activity vs moderate-to-vigorous exercise.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the trimester-specific associations between maternal total physical activity level vs moderate-to-vigorous exercise and fetal growth disorders. METHODS: We analyzed 2062 mother-neonate pairs participating in the longitudinal China Medical University Birth Cohort Study. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the physical activity level of women during the three trimesters. A higher level of total physical activity was defined as meeting or exceeding the cohort-specific 75th percentile, and a higher level of exercise was defined according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Fetal growth disorder was defined as small-for-gestational age (SGA) or large-for-gestational age (LGA) at birth. RESULTS: Of the neonates included in this study, 7.1% were SGA and 15.5% were LGA. A higher level of total physical activity during the first trimester (adjusted relative risk (aRR), 0.62 (95% CI, 0.42-0.91)) and second trimester (aRR, 0.62 (95% CI, 0.41-0.95)) was associated with a lower risk of SGA, and a higher level of total physical activity during the third trimester was associated with a lower risk of LGA (aRR, 0.73 (95% CI, 0.54-0.97)). When analyzing physical activity by subtype, a higher level of occupational physical activity during the first and second trimesters was associated negatively with SGA risk, and higher levels of occupational and low-intensity physical activity during the first trimester were associated negatively with LGA risk. No significant association was found between maternal adherence to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and risk of fetal growth disorders. CONCLUSIONS: A higher total physical activity level during the first and second trimesters was associated with a decreased risk of SGA, whereas a higher total physical activity level in the third trimester was associated with a decreased risk of LGA. Pregnant women should be advised to increase their total physical activity levels instead of focusing on engaging in only moderate-to-vigorous exercise. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic abnormalities in children with different weight statuses.

OBJECTIVES: Both obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increase the risk of metabolic abnormalities. However, the metabolic status of children suffering from NAFLD and exhibiting various subtypes of obesity is currently unclear. We aimed to explore the association between NAFLD and metabolic abnormalities in children with different weight statuses. METHODS: We included 6086 participants aged 6-18 years from the China Child and Adolescent NAFLD Study (CCANS), all of whom had undergone ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) to identify NAFLD and metabolic abnormalities, including hyperglycemia, high triglycerides (TG), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high total cholesterol, and hyperuricemia. RESULTS: Among the participants, there were 2408 children with obesity and NAFLD, 174 with NAFLD, 2396 with obesity, and 1108 without obesity and NAFLD. The odds ratios (ORs) of suffering from individual metabolic abnormalities were significantly greater in children with obesity and NAFLD than in children without obesity and NAFLD, with ORs ranging from 6.23 (95% CI: 4.56, 8.53) to 1.77 (95% CI: 1.06, 2.94). The ORs of metabolic abnormalities, except for low HDL-C, were greater in children with NAFLD alone than in children without obesity or NAFLD, with ORs ranging from 4.36 (95% CI: 2.77, 6.84) to 2.08 (95% CI: 1.14, 3.78). Notably, obesity and NAFLD had a multiplicative effect on overall metabolic abnormalities, high TG levels, and low HDL-C levels. CONCLUSIONS: Children with obesity and NAFLD could be at a significantly increased risk of metabolic abnormalities. Even for children without obesity, NAFLD appears to be associated with an increased risk of experiencing a worsened metabolic status.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum in Normal Situated Placenta and Unscarred Uterus.

Placenta accreta, one of the morbidly adherent placenta components and currently known as placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), is a condition characterized by abnormal adherence of the placenta to the uterine wall. This can lead to significant blood loss and may lead to high morbidity and mortality rates for the mother. It is a failure of placenta separation during the third stage of labor, which is thought to be high prevalence in those with previous cesarean delivery, especially with the presence of placenta previa. However, PAS is possible in cases of a normally-situated placenta without previous cesarean delivery. We reported an interesting case of a 41-year-old woman, gravida 8 para 7, admitted to the labor room for augmentation of labor, who needed emergency lower segment cesarean section. The incidental finding of PAS was made intraoperatively and was complicated with a hysterectomy. PAS in a normally situated placenta (upper segment) in a virgin abdomen that has been discovered during emergency lower segment cesarean section could cause a nightmare to the obstetrician as it leads to massive postpartum hemorrhage, ureteric injury, and high maternal morbidity and mortality.