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Blood Press Monit 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Maternity Services, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust, St. Thomas' Hospital School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.

Objective: To validate the BPro blood pressure (BP) wrist device for use in pregnancy and preeclampsia according to the Universal Standard protocol.

Participants And Methods: BP was measured sequentially in 45 pregnant women (including 15 with preeclampsia, 15 with gestational hypertension and 15 who remained normotensive) alternating between a mercury sphygmomanometer and BPro device.

Results: The BPro is accurate in pregnancy with a mean device-observer difference of -1. Read More

J Am Soc Nephrol 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

R Liu, Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, United States

Regulation of renal hemodynamics and blood pressure (BP) via tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) may be an important adaptive mechanism during pregnancy. Because the β-splice variant of nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1β) in the macula densa is a primary modulator of TGF, we evaluated its role in normal pregnancy and gestational hypertension in a mouse model. We hypothesized that pregnancy upregulates NOS1β in the macula densa, thus blunting TGF, allowing glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to increase and BP to decrease. Read More

J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021 Jun 15:1-8. Epub 2021 Jun 15.

Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University, Pakistan.

Intrauterine undernutrition may lead to fetal vascular programming. We compared abdominal aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) and aortic diameter (aD) between appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and growth-restricted fetuses (GRF). We recruited 136 singleton fetuses at 34-37 weeks of gestation from Fetal Medicine Unit of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi (January-November 2017). Read More

Pregnancy Hypertens 2021 Jun 2;25:136-142. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Postbox 1171 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway; Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Baerum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Sogneprest Munthe-Kaas vei 100, 1346 Gjettum, Norway. Electronic address:

Objectives: Women with previous preeclampsia (PE), gestational hypertension (GH), or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Physical activity (PA) is an important CVD risk modifier. We aimed to assess PA levels, using a validated objective method, and other modifiable CVD risk factors in women with these previous pregnancy complications. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Dermatology, Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, Hempstead, NY. Electronic address:

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) disproportionately affects women of childbearing age. However, pregnancy and maternal outcomes for women with HS are unknown.

Objective: To compare risk of adverse pregnancy and maternal outcomes among women with and without HS, and to evaluate influence of comorbid conditions. Read More

Gac Med Mex 2021 ;157(1):47-51

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women; preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are associated with an increased risk of CVD.

Objective: To evaluate general practitioners (GP) knowledge about complicated pregnancies and their association with CVD.

Methods: An anonymous case-based electronic questionnaire designed to assess the level of understanding on the influence of a history of pregnancy complications on long-term cardiovascular risk and general knowledge about CVD risk was sent to GPs. Read More

J Family Med Prim Care 2021 Apr 29;10(4):1621-1627. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Department of Community Medicine, J.N. Medical College, Belgavi, Karnataka, India.

Background: Hypertension in pregnancy is a major challenge in antenatal practice due to its impact on obstetric and foetal outcomes.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of hypertension during pregnancy and its associated risk factors among pregnant women availing of antenatal care at public sector hospitals in Bengaluru, Southern India.

Methods: The sample frame included pregnant women who were attending the antenatal clinic at three public sector hospitals. Read More

J Pregnancy 2021 1;2021:4654828. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.

Background: Preeclampsia occurs in up to 5% of all pregnancies, in 10% of first pregnancies, and 20-25% of women with a history of chronic hypertension.

Objective: This study aims to assess the determinants of preeclampsia among women attending delivery services in public hospitals of central Tigray, Ethiopia.

Methods: Hospital-based unmatched case-control study design was conducted. Read More

Hypertension 2021 Jun 14:HYPERTENSIONAHA12117336. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Medical School, The University of Western Australia (L.J.B., T.A.M.).

Hypertension tracks throughout childhood into adulthood. Elevated aldosterone in the setting of low renin predicts incident hypertension in normotensive adults, but the relationship is unclear in adolescents and young adults. To explore this relationship, we analyzed data from the offsprings (Gen2) of women enrolled during pregnancy into the Raine Study (population-based birth cohort), who had blood pressure (BP) measurements and blood samples at age 17 years (N=871) and age 27 years (N=758). Read More

Int J Clin Pract 2021 Jun 12:e14509. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Department of Obstetrics, ZiBo Central Hospital, No.54 of Gongqingtuan West Road, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255000, Shandong, China.

Background: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy, which causes perinatal and maternal mortality. Inflammation, oxidative stress and the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway have been reported to play critical roles in the pathogenies of PIH. Due to the safety and side effects of current treatments for PIH, searching for new therapeutic agents is urgently needed. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Jun 11;14(6). Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Women with Turner syndrome (TS) are subfertile due to premature ovarian insufficiency. Most women require hormone replacement therapy for attaining menarche and assisted reproductive technology (ART) using donor oocytes, autologous oocytes or in-vitro fertilisation for conception. Irrespective of the karyotype, monosomy X (45, X) or mosaic pattern, women with TS hold a very high risk for pregnancy due to high mortality rate secondary to aortic dissection and severe pre-eclampsia. Read More

Qual Health Res 2021 Jun 11:10497323211003067. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

Pregnancy is not a disease or illness, but requires clinical surveillance as life-threatening complications can develop. Preeclampsia, one such potentially serious complication, puts both mother and baby at risk. Self-monitoring blood pressure in the general population is well established, and its potential in pregnancy is currently being explored. Read More

Vascul Pharmacol 2021 Jun 9:106885. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Exercise Physiology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China; Key Laboratory of Physical Fitness and Exercise, Ministry of Education, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background: Upregulation of L-type voltage-gated Ca (Ca1.2) channel in the arterial myocytes is a hallmark feature of hypertension. However, whether maternal exercise during pregnancy has a sustained beneficial effect on the offspring of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) through epigenetic regulation of Ca1. Read More

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

School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University. Electronic address:

Background: Evidence regarding prenatal antidepressant use and the development of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy is inconsistent. Previous studies have reported that antidepressant use during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, but the results of these studies are potentially confounded by important methodologic limitations. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether a higher cumulative dose of antidepressant increases the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Read More

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

Mater Research Institute - University of Queensland, Level 3 Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Whitty Building, Annerley Road, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; NHMRC Stillbirth Centre For Research Excellence, Mater Research Institute, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia. Electronic address:

Objective: Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors have recently been used for the treatment of severe early onset pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. There are however concerns that they may increase the risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the safety profile and clinical outcomes of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors use in pregnancy. Read More

J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

The incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are on the rise in the United States, especially in the South, which has a heavy chronic disease burden and large number of Medicaid nonexpansion states. Sizeable disparities in HDP outcomes exist by race/ethnicity, geography, and health insurance coverage. Our objective is to explore HDP in the Alabama Medicaid maternity population, and the association of maternal sociodemographic, clinical, and care utilization characteristics with HDP diagnosis. Read More

Eur J Heart Fail 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.

Aims: Hypertensive disorders occur in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). How often hypertensive disorders co-exist, and to what extent they impact outcomes, is less clear. We describe differences in phenotype and outcomes in women with PPCM with and without hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Read More

Qatar Med J 2019 20;2019(1):10. Epub 2019 Sep 20.

Women's Wellness and Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are two hypertensive disorders of pregnancy that significantly contribute to higher morbidity and mortality rates. Eclampsia is the occurrence of seizures in patients with preeclampsia without any previous history of seizure disorders. The incidence and prevalence of eclampsia varies, and there is scarce literature about the prevalence and trends of eclampsia in the Arabian Gulf countries. Read More

Zhonghua Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue 2021 May;33(5):605-608

Department of Intensive Care Unit, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China. Corresponding author: Gu Qin, Email:

Objective: To investigate the safety and effectiveness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in emergency treatment of critically ill pregnant women.

Methods: Clinical data of 8 pregnant women with severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction during the perinatal period treated by ECMO in the department of intensive care unit (ICU) of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing University Medical School from September 2017 to November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: For the 8 pregnant women, the mean age was (32. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021 Jun 10:1-9. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Women's Wellness and Research Center, Doha, Qatar.

Background: We aimed to study the maternal characteristics and obstetric and neonatal outcomes in pregnant mothers with pre-eclampsia (PE) compared to normotensive.

Methods: This was a population-based retrospective data analysis. Data were obtained from the PEARL-Peristat Study perinatal registry (Perinatal Neonatal Outcomes Research Study in the Arabian Gulf) Qatar. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021 Jun 7. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Columbia University, New York NY USA.

Background: Fetal death, one of the major adverse pregnancy outcomes, is especially common in low and middle-income countries. Placental lesions may play an important role in the etiology of fetal and possibly neonatal death. Prior research relating placental lesions to fetal death causation was often hindered by the lack of agreement on a placental classification scheme. Read More

Ann Palliat Med 2021 May;10(5):5671-5678

Department of Gynecology, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder with complex pathogenesis. This study aimed to analyze the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) in patients with PCOS and its correlation with pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: A total of 104 PCOS patients admitted to the Cangzhou Central Hospital from January 2015 to February 2018 were selected as the PCOS group, and 92 healthy pregnant women who received health examinations in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. Read More

Ginekol Pol 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science Cancer Immunology Group, University of Gdansk, Poland.

Objectives: Preeclampsia (PE) affects 2-5% of pregnant women. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Material And Methods: This study included 88 women showing gestational hypertension (GH) or PE symptoms, and their newborns. Read More

Ginekol Pol 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Neonatology, Children Clinical Hospital, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.

Objectives: Fetal growth restriction is associated with chronic fetal hypoxia, poor perinatal outcome and increased perinatal mortality. There are no reliable methods to detect cell damage in the central nervous system (CNS) in these patients. The findings of increased an acidic calcium-binding protein (S100B) concentration in biological fluids of infants after brain injury have supported the use of S100B as a biochemical marker of CNS damage. Read More

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, grid.410721.1University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States.

The pregnant Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat is an established pre-clinical model of superimposed spontaneous preeclampsia characterized by exacerbated hypertension, increased urinary protein excretion, and increased fetal demise. Because of the underlying immune system dysfunction present in preeclamptic pregnancies in humans, we hypothesized that the pregnant Dahl S rat would also have an altered immune status. Immune system activation was assessed during late pregnancy in the Dahl S model and compared to healthy pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) rats subjected to either a sham procedure or a procedure to reduce uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP). Read More

Birth Defects Res 2021 Jun 8. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Service of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia can be efficiently treated with combined lipid-lowering drugs. Lipid-lowering drugs are usually withdrawn for pregnancy and breastfeeding, ideally preconception, followed by lipid apheresis, however, careful plans can be precipitated due to unexpected pregnancy.

Case: A 28-year old woman with familial hypercholesterolemia due to heterozygous LDLR mutations had an LDL-cholesterol level at 14. Read More

Can J Kidney Health Dis 2021 28;8:20543581211017424. Epub 2021 May 28.

Medical University of South Carolina, College of Medicine, Charleston, SC, USA.

Rationale: Geller et al reported a rare mutation in the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) resulting in constitutive MR activity. Progesterone, normally an MR antagonist, acts as a potent agonist with this mutation. Progesterone levels can increase 100-fold during pregnancy and thus lead to increased MR activity in this setting, resulting in hypertension (HTN) and hypokalemia during pregnancy and resolution of hypokalemia after delivery. Read More

SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2021 30;9:2050313X211020222. Epub 2021 May 30.

Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.

Twin girls born at term were noted to have hypertrophic and erythematous mucosal sulci extending from the posterior vaginal fourchette to the anterior ridge of the anus on their newborn exams. Pregnancy was complicated by gestational hypertension and dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy. No known traumas were sustained during delivery to either twin. Read More

Pulm Circ 2021 Apr-Jun;11(2):20458940211013671. Epub 2021 May 14.

Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

Pregnancy is hazardous with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but maternal mortality may have fallen in recent years. We sought to systematically evaluate pulmonary arterial hypertension and pregnancy-related outcomes in the last decade. We searched for articles describing outcomes in pregnancy cohorts published between 2008 and 2018. Read More