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Placenta 2021 May 5;109:64-71. Epub 2021 May 5.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China. Electronic address:

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia is characterized by insufficient spiral artery remodeling, and trophoblast dysfunction plays an important role in this process. Noncoding RNAs (microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are included) can regulate trophoblasts. MicroRNA-210 (miR-210) can decrease trophoblast cell migration and invasion and may act as a biomarker for preeclampsia. Read More

Thromb Res 2021 Apr 27;203:101-109. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Russian Federation; Department of Haematology, CHU Nîmes, Univ Montpellier, Nîmes, France; Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France; UA 011 INSERM- Université de Montpellier, Institut Desbrest d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Montpellier, France. Electronic address:

Introduction: Women with obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (oAPS) still develop placental diseases, mainly pre-eclampsia (PEcl), which diagnosis is associated with reduced ADAMTS13 levels. Testing ADAMTS13 in newly pregnant oAPS may provide evidence for risk stratification.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively investigated the prognostic value of ADAMTS13 activity, antigen and antibodies on stored plasma samples obtained prior to beginning low-molecular weight heparin-low dose aspirin treatment in 513 oAPS women. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2021 May 10:102161. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address:

Objectives: Although urolithiasis is relatively common in the general population, there is limited information on this condition available in the pregnant population. The objectives of this study are to identify the incidence of urolithiasis in pregnancy, as well as to compare maternal and fetal outcomes associated with urolithiasis in pregnancy.

Methods: Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from the United States, a population-based retrospective cohort study consisting of pregnant women who delivered between 1999 and 2015 was conducted. Read More

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2021 May 13. Epub 2021 May 13.

Counties Manukau Health, Auckland, New Zealand.

Aims: There are few data on pregnancy outcomes in women with pre-diabetes (HbA1c 41-49 mmol/mmol) at pregnancy booking. We aimed to (i) identify the proportion of women in Counties Manukau Health (CMH), South Auckland, New Zealand (NZ), with pre-diabetes at booking and (ii) compare outcomes between women with normal HbA1c and pre-diabetes.

Materials And Methods: Using data from a multi-ethnic population of 10,869 singleton pregnancies, booked at <20 weeks from January 2017 to December 2018 in CMH, we compared outcomes between those with normal HbA1c (≤40 mmol/mol) and those with pre-diabetes (HbA1c 41-49 mmol/mol). Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021 May 12:1-3. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.

Introduction: Centralization of very preterm deliveries to level 3 hospitals is recommended to improve infant survival and prevent brain injury. We studied the clinical practices of centralization from level 2 to level 3 hospitals in cases of threatening very preterm delivery in Finland.

Materials And Methods: Obstetricians in all 16 level 2 hospitals in Finland were invited to participate in an online survey regarding antenatal transfer to level 3 hospitals among women with threatened delivery below 32 gestational weeks. Read More

PLoS One 2021 12;16(5):e0250548. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Globally, 292,982 women die due to the complications of pregnancy and childbirth per year, out of those deaths 85% occurs in Sub Saharan Africa. In Ethiopia, pre-eclampsia accounts for 11% of direct maternal deaths.

Objective: To determine maternal and foetal outcomes of pregnancy-induced hypertension among women who gave birth at health facilities in Hossana town administration. Read More

J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2021 May 11. Epub 2021 May 11.

Rutgers University, School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA.

The relationship between severe maternal morbidity (SMM) events during inpatient delivery and subsequent hospital readmission is not well understood. This was a retrospective cohort study of women with a live inpatient delivery during 2016 recorded in MarketScan databases for commercially insured and Medicaid populations. Live inpatient births were identified by the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision diagnostic and procedural codes, Current Procedural Terminology, and Diagnosis-Related Group codes. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021 May 8. Epub 2021 May 8.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, and the Children's and Women's Hospital and Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Background: A majority of previous studies of severe preeclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets) syndrome were hospital-based or included a relatively small number of women. Large population-based studies examining gestational age-specific incidence patterns and risk factors for these severe pregnancy complications are lacking.

Objectives: To assess gestational age-specific incidence rates and risk factors for severe preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, and eclampsia. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021 Apr 27;261:200-204. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Obstetrics, Maternal Medicine Service, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, SW17 0QT, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Introduction: To investigate the incidence of risk factors associated with acute kidney injury(AKI) occurring during the intrapartum or the immediate postpartum period.

Material And Methods: A retrospective case control study in a tertiary UK hospital of pregnant women identified with AKI in labour or in the postpartum period between July 2019 and June 2020 was carried out. Women identified with pregnancy related AKI (pr-AKI) in labour or postpartum were compared with a matched cohort of women with no evidence of pr-AKI, using multiple regression analysis. Read More

Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2021 Jan;9(4):394-398

Immunogenetic and Tissue Culture Department, Immunology Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Background: The precise responsible mechanism of pre-eclampsia remains controversial however, recent data suggest a main role of the abnormal activation of the adaptive immune system and Apoptosis. In this study, we have measured serum levels of Fas/Fasl as two important members of extrinsic apoptotic pathway in patient with pre-eclampsia.

Methods: 207 participants including 99 pre-eclampsia patients and 108 age and sex-matched normal pregnant women were involved in the case-control study. Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2021 May 4:102160. Epub 2021 May 4.

Primary Care Center Roquetes. Electronic address:

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Preeclampsia/eclampsia significantly increases the risk of future hypertension. Several factors may be involved in this process. The purpose of this study was to identify them in Cameroonians. Read More

Nephrol Dial Transplant 2021 May 5. Epub 2021 May 5.

Complications of Diabetes Unit, Diabetes Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.

Background: Preeclampsia has a major impact on renal function as shown by the development of proteinuria and podocyturia. How the systemic, Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1)-driven inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity detected in preeclampsia directly affects renal function remains unknown. Aim of the study was to clarify whether a non-canonical, renal centered escape from VEGF inhibition in case of preeclamptic pregnancy might have a direct impact on the renal function. Read More

Minerva Obstet Gynecol 2021 May 5. Epub 2021 May 5.

Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy -

There is a strong but complex relationship between fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia. According to the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy the co-existence of gestational hypertension and fetal growth restriction identifies pre-eclampsia with no need for other signs of maternal organ impairment. While early-onset fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia are often strictly associated, such association becomes looser in the late preterm and term periods. Read More

Minerva Obstet Gynecol 2021 May 5. Epub 2021 May 5.

Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy -

Purpose Of The Article: To investigate the association between ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and adverse pregnancy outcome.

Material And Methods: Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched. The primary outcome was a composite score of adverse maternal outcome including either preterm birth (PTB), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre-eclampsia (PE) or pregnancy induced hypertension, intra-hepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, thromboembolic events or need for caesarean section (CS). Read More

Eur J Epidemiol 2021 May 4. Epub 2021 May 4.

MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Maternal hypertensive disorders during pregnancy (HDP) have been associated with neuropsychiatric problems in offspring. We aim to investigate the associations between specific types of maternal HDP and offspring neurodevelopmental disorders and further examine whether the timing of onset and severity of HDP would affect these associations. The study population consisted of 4,489,044 live-born singletons in Denmark during 1978-2012 and Sweden during 1987-2010. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2021 May 4;23(1):134. Epub 2021 May 4.

AP-HP, Cochin Hospital, Internal Medicine Department, Centre de référence maladies auto-immunes et systémiques rares d'Ile de France, Paris, France.

Background: The criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) include severe preeclampsia and/or placental insufficiency leading to preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation, but this APS manifestation has been rarely studied. Thus, we report a series of severe preeclampsia occurred in patients with APS.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed data of women with APS (Sydney criteria) who experienced severe preeclampsia with delivery before 34 weeks' gestation between 2000 and 2017 at five French internal medicine departments and one Italian rheumatology unit. Read More

J Clin Med 2021 Apr 30;10(9). Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar, Passeig Marítim, 25-29, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

The aims of our study were to evaluate the trends in the prevalence of diabetes among twin pregnancies in Catalonia, Spain between 2006 and 2015, to assess the influence of diabetes on perinatal outcomes of twin gestations and to ascertain the interaction between twin pregnancies and glycaemic status. A population-based study was conducted using the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set. Cases of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-existing diabetes were identified using ICD-9-CM codes. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2021 Apr 29;146:110748. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Konya City Hospital, Konya, Turkey. Electronic address:

Objective: Maternal hypertension and preeclampsia have been related to sensorineural hearing loss in newborns. To investigate potential connections, we compared newborn hearing screening (NHS) results from newborns of mothers with chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia with results from newborns of healthy controls. The present study is unique with regard to its large sample size and the analysis of the possible effects of three different hypertensive disorders on newborn hearing. Read More

S Afr Med J 2021 Mar 31;111(4):350-354. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: The association between pre-eclampsia and the subsequent development of metabolic syndrome has not been well documented in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome at 6 weeks after delivery among women with pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia with that in a normotensive, low-risk control group in an urban South African (SA) setting.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study at two tertiary-level hospitals and one district-level hospital in Pretoria, SA. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2021 May 3. Epub 2021 May 3.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.

Objective:  Metformin has been found to have a role in promoting vascular remodeling and angiogenesis which may reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. Prior studies have shown a decrease in the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in patients with type 2 and gestational diabetes taking metformin. We hypothesize metformin exposure decreases the risk of developing hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes. Read More

Am J Perinatol 2021 May 3. Epub 2021 May 3.

Division of Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.

Objectives:  The objective of this review was to assess the impact of maternal preeclampsia or hyperglycemia on the body composition and cardiovascular health in the offspring.

Study Design:  We conducted a systematic review utilizing PubMed, EBSCO, CINAHLPlus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to include all studies assessing the impact of preeclampsia/eclampsia and/or gestational/pregestational diabetes mellitus on the health of the offspring (children <10 years of age). The health measures included anthropometry, cardiac dimensions and function, and vascular function. Read More

Croat Med J 2021 Apr;62(2):130-136

Simten Genc, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul 34384, Turkey,

Aim: To examine the characteristics of pregnancies at a very advanced maternal age and the effect of parity on adverse obstetric outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of women who gave birth at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital between January 2012 and December 2019. Overall, 22 448 of women were younger than 40 and 593 were aged 40 and older. Read More

Clin Case Rep 2021 Apr 22;9(4):2210-2213. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

Department of Radiology Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital Thimphu Bhutan.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) can be an initial presentation of cerebral venous thrombosis. Eclampsia and postpartum onset of SAH should prompt physicians to identify possible causes and institute prompt management to avert irreversible cerebrovascular sequelae. Read More

J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2021 Apr 28. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

University of Health Sciences School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara, Turkey.

Background: Low values of pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), have been shown to be associated with some poor gestational outcomes, especially those related to placental deficiency such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction as well as preterm labor. The aim of this study was to compare first trimester PAPP-A MoM values with the surfactant needs of newborns of pregnant women who had a preterm delivery.

Methods: This study included 216 pregnant women who had a preterm delivery, who were found to be in the low-risk group based on their aneuploidy screening. Read More

Braz J Anesthesiol 2021 Feb 3. Epub 2021 Feb 3.

Drexel University College of Medicine/ Hahnemann University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Philadelphia, USA; Stanford University, School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford, USA.

Neuraxial anesthesia is a standard of care during parturition. Since bleeding diathesis is a contraindication to neuraxial techniques, data about its safe administration in a thrombocytopenic milieu is limited and evolving. Thrombocytopenia associated with preeclampsia or eclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome leads to significant maternal and neonatal morbidity. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021 Apr 29;1866(8):158955. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address:

Plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) exhibits many functions that render it an effective endothelial protective agent and may underlie its potential role in protecting the maternal vascular endothelium during pregnancy. In non-pregnant individuals, the HDL lipidome is altered in metabolic disease compared to healthy individuals and is linked to reduced cholesterol efflux, an effect that can be reversed by lifestyle management. Specific sphingolipids such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) have been shown to mediate the vaso-dilatory effects of plasma HDL via interaction with the endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Apr 29;11(1):9240. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

We systematically assessed the impact of metformin treatment on maternal pregnancy outcomes. PubMed, Ovid Embase, Medline, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane databases were systematically searched (inception-1st February 2021). Read More

Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2021 Jun;34(3):254-259

Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Maternal sepsis is the second leading cause of maternal death in the United States. A significant number of these deaths are preventable and the purpose of this review is to highlight causes such as delays in recognition and early treatment.

Recent Findings: Maternal sepsis can be difficult to diagnose due to significant overlap of symptoms and signs of normal physiological changes of pregnancy, and current screening tools perform poorly to identify sepsis in pregnant women. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2021 Apr 27;22(9). Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Leptin is secreted by the placenta and has a multi-facetted role in the regulation of functions related to pregnancy. Metabolic disorders and insufficient homeostatic compensatory mechanisms involving leptin during pregnancy play a decisive role in the development of pre-eclampsia (PE) and give rise to compromised intrauterine growth conditions and aberrant birth weight of offspring. This review was compiled to elucidate the metabolic background of PE and its relationship with adverse intrauterine growth conditions through the examination of leptin as well as to describe possible mechanisms linking leptin to fetal growth restriction. Read More