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Pak J Pharm Sci 2019 Jan;32(1):213-215

Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

To evaluate the anti-hypertensive drugs used in pregnancy induced hypertension and to determine the safety of the anti-hypertensive drugs administered in gestational hypertensive patients. Pregnancy induced hypertension are very common in women and if unnoticed may lead to severe complications. The appropriate therapy is very much essential for the welfare of both the mother and the child. Read More

Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Endocrinology Department, Saint Antoine Hospital, Centre de Référence des Maladies Endocrines Rares de la Croissance, Filière FIRENDO, ENDO-ERN, Paris, France.

Pregnancy is a crucial issue in patients with Turner syndrome (TS). Although natural pregnancies have been reported in 4-7% of TS patients, most women will need assisted reproductive technologies (ART) with oocyte donation. The main issue is the maternal mortality rate that is higher than in the general population. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Objective: To examine the predictive value of thromboelastography parameters during early pregnancy as potential markers of severe pre-eclampsia during late pregnancy.

Methods: An observational retrospective case-control study was conducted among pregnant women who attended a single hospital in Shanghai, China, between July 1, 2016, and February 31, 2018. Data were obtained from medical records and a structured questionnaire completed by the participants. Read More

Circulation 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, PA.

Background: Angiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF) concentrations rise during pregnancy, peaking at the end of mid-pregnancy. Low PlGF concentrations during pregnancy are associated with pregnancy complications with recognized later life cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized that low PlGF concentrations, especially in mid-pregnancy identify not only a subset of women at risk for pregnancy complications, but also women with greater cardiovascular risk factor burden after pregnancy regardless of pregnancy outcome. Read More

PLoS One 2019 13;14(2):e0212001. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: There is limited knowledge on the women's experiences of pregnancy-related complications in Rwanda. This study aimed to investigate women's experiences and perceptions of specific complications during pregnancy and delivery and the consequences of these complications on postpartum health and family situation.

Methods: Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews (N = 15). Read More

Ginekol Pol 2019 ;90(1):46-49

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Yantai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yantai City, China.

Objectives: To determine the effects of nutritional nursing intervention based on glycemic load (GL) for patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Material And Methods: One hundred thirty-four patients diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus at our hospital were selected from March 2015 to March 2017 and randomly divided into the observation (n = 67) and control groups (n = 67). All of the patients in the observation and control groups received conventional nutritional nursing. Read More

Mymensingh Med J 2019 Jan;28(1):85-90

Dr Kaberi Guha, Junior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh; E- mail:

Maternal death audit in a tertiary hospital was conducted to improve the quality of maternal health care. In this descriptive type cross sectional study, maternal deaths were reviewed and factors responsible for maternal death were identified and noted in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital from July 2008 to June 2009. During the study period total 63 maternal deaths recorded among 7560 deliveries. Read More

Hum Reprod Update 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Worldwide, more than 7 million children have now been born after ART: these delivery rates are steadily rising and now comprise 2-6% of births in the European countries. To achieve higher pregnancy rates, the transfer of two or more embryos was previously the gold standard in ART. However, recently the practise has moved towards a single embryo transfer policy to avoid multiple births. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019 Feb 11;19(1):63. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Ogun State Primary Health Care Board, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria still ranks second globally in the number of maternal deaths. Most maternal death reviews in Nigeria are isolated research based reports from a single health facility. This study determined causes and contributory factors of maternal mortality in Ogun statefollowing a periodic State-widematernal and perinatal deaths surveillance and response (MPDSR) review. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

New Haven CT, Yale School of Medicine.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. (1) Identification of short-term indicators of cardiovascular morbidity has the potential to alter the course of this devastating disease among women. It has been established that hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease 10-30 years after delivery; however, little is known about the association of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity during the delivery hospitalization. Read More

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway.

Introduction: In most pregnancies after a cesarean section, a trial of labor is an option. The objective of the study was to explore trial of labor and its failure in pregnancies with medical risk conditions, in a population with a high trial of labor rate.

Material And Methods: In a cohort study (n=57 109), using data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway 1989-2014, women with a second delivery after a first pregnancy cesarean section were included. Read More

Case Rep Womens Health 2019 Jan 23;21:e00097. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

University of South Alabama, Children's and Women's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 251 Cox Street, Mobile, AL 36604, United States.

Cerebrovascular disease is not uncommon during pregnancy as a result of either venous or arterial occlusion, or a hemorrhagic event, resulting in ischemia. Pregnancy may alter the prognosis of these neurologic disorders, with increased risks of morbidity and mortality for the mother and the developing fetus. Etiologies of stroke during pregnancy and the postpartum period include preeclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), amniotic fluid embolism, postpartum angiopathy, postpartum cardiomyopathy, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), cerebral venous thrombosis, CNS infections, and maternal thrombophilia. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 7;9(1):1550. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Preeclampsia is one of the most serious complications during pregnancy, defined as development of hypertension during late pregnancy affecting other organ systems (proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, renal insufficiency, liver involvement, cerebral symptoms or pulmonary edema). Preeclampsia is known to be associated with significant dyslipidemia, but the cause or mechanism of this metabolic aberration is not clear. Quantitative analysis of cholesterol precursors and metabolites can reveal metabolic signatures of cholesterol, and provide insight into cholesterol biosynthetic and degradation pathways. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Feb;98(6):e14301

Central Laboratory of Medicine, Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Zhenjiang, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, P.R. China.

Rationale: Eclampsia is a life-threatening complication of pregnancy. Eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality with most injury being associated with the seizures that mark the onset of the disease. It is vital that medical worker managing eclampsia have an understanding of the disease process. Read More

Klin Lab Diagn 2018 ;63(8):483-489

Rostov State Medical University, 344012, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

The parameters of pro and antioxidant processes in the amniotic fluid in the dynamics of physiological pregnancy and preeclampsia were studied. Spectrophotometric and fluorimetric methods were used to evaluate the activity of NADPH-oxidase, xanthine-oxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione-dependent enzyme systems, the content of antioxidant vitamins - retinol and α-tocopherol, lipid peroxidation products (LPP) - diene conjugates and Schiff bases, and parameters of peroxide chemiluminescence. It was found that with preeclampsia there is an increase in the activity of prooxidant enzymes NADPH-oxidase and xanthine-oxidase, a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione transferase, and the content of fat-soluble vitamins. Read More

Rural Remote Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):4634. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Flinders University Rural Clinical School, Flinders University, Ral Ral Avenue, Renmark, SA 5341, Australia

Introduction: The provision of critical management of obstetric emergencies is a vital service for rural women and their families. Emergency obstetric transfers are indispensable to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity because local rural hospitals often do not have the resources or expertise to manage both maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, the transfer of a rural pregnant woman to a higher level, tertiary perinatal centre (TPC) is often stressful for the patient and costly for health services. Read More

Cardiovasc J Afr 2019 Jan 23;30:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Measurement of blood pressure is essential for clinical management of patients. To obtain an accurate blood pressure reading, the use of a validated device and an appropriate technique are required. This is of particular importance in pregnancy where the physiological changes affect vessel wall compliance. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 4;9(1):1205. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

MRC Integrated Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Rm OS11, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.

Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulate mineral metabolism and are required to maintain calcium levels. Vitamin D deficiency is common, particularly during pregnancy, and has been associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We sought to determine whether maternal 25(OH)D, PTH and calcium concentrations at 26 weeks gestation are associated with adverse outcomes of pregnancy and establish whether these differ by ethnicity. Read More

PLoS One 2019 4;14(2):e0211278. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU), Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

Objective: To examine the association between maternal BMI>50kg/m2 during pregnancy and maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Materials And Methods: An international cohort study was conducted using data from separate national studies in the UK and Australia. Outcomes of pregnant women with BMI>50 were compared to those of pregnant women with BMI<50. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Feb 3. Epub 2019 Feb 3.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, Graduate School of Medicine, Toyama, Japan.

Objective: To determine the cutoff of antithrombin activity for predicting the interval from diagnosis of early-onset pre-eclampsia to delivery.

Methods: At Hokkaido University Hospital, Japan, data were retrospectively assessed on antithrombin activity measured at both diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and delivery among women with singleton pregnancy and pre-eclampsia (defined by combined gestational hypertension and proteinuria) between 2009 and 2017. The timing of delivery was determined by maternal and fetal well-being. Read More

Pregnancy Hypertens 2019 Jan;15:134-140

Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K.

Objectives: To investigate whether age at menarche is related to maternal blood pressure in pregnancy and, if so, whether obesity and insulin resistance can modify the associations.

Study Design: Analysis of data collected from 438 pregnant women from the longitudinal and prospective Cambridge Baby Growth Study.

Main Outcome: Testing associations between questionnaire-derived age at menarche and blood pressure measurements in pregnancy collected from hospital notes, and investigating whether any associations were altered by maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance. Read More

Placenta 2019 Jan 22;75:27-33. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The ReproHealth Research Consortium ZUH, Zealand University Hospital, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address:

Introduction: The pathogenesis of preeclampsia may involve inadequate trophoblast invasion caused by excessive inhibition of uterine natural killer cells (uNK) by extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT). This may be the result of a combination of maternal killer-cell immunoglobin-like receptor (KIR) AA genotype and fetal human leukocyte antigen-C2 (HLA-C2) genotype. A few studies have reported a significantly increased frequency of the maternal KIR AA/fetal HLA-C2 combination in cases of preeclampsia compared to controls. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Mar;144(3):325-329

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019 Jan 22;234:165-170. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Physiology, Basic Medical Science Institute, Karachi, Pakistan.

Introduction: Soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) is linked to endothelial dysfunction; a key factor in pre-eclamptic pathogenesis. This study aimed to compare sTWEAK levels during pregnancy to assess for its prognostic ability.

Materials And Methods: Sixty three high risk pregnant women were followed up from 12 weeks of gestation till term. Read More

Expert Opin Pharmacother 2019 Feb 1:1-12. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

a Ritchie Centre, Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologySchool of Clinical Sciences , Monash University , Clayton , Australia.

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a disease specific to pregnancy characterised by new onset hypertension with maternal organ dysfunction and/or fetal growth restriction. It remains a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. For fifty years, antihypertensives have been the mainstay of treating preeclampsia, reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. Read More

Ter Arkh 2018 Feb;90(1):9-16

Research Institute for complex issues of cardiovascular diseases.

Aim: the Aim of the BEREG Registry was to analyze the prevalence and structure of cardiovascular diseases, associated comorbid conditions and assess their effects on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in real clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: In Tula city regional perinatal center the observation study named "Assessment of the clinical condition of the pregnant women with cardiovascular disease during gestation, at child delivery, at the early postpartum period and at twelve months after childbirth and assesment of perinatal outcomes, condition of the fetus and the newborn and the quality of treatment of these patients groups.  All eligibly pregnant women hospitalized in 2014 to "Tula regional perinatal center" have been recruited in the Registry. Read More

Ethiop J Health Sci 2019 Jan;29(1):831-840

MizanTepi University, College of Health Science, Department of Nursing, adult Health Hursing Unit.

Background: Disorders of pregnancy induced hypertensive are a major health problem in the obstetric population as they are one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization estimates that at least one woman dies every seven minutes from complications of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The objective of this study is to assess pregnancy induced hypertension and its associated factors among women attending delivery service at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Gebretsadikshawo Hospital and Tepi General Hospital. Read More

BMJ 2019 Jan 30;364:k5287. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, often dilated, cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction that presents in late pregnancy or, more commonly, the early postpartum period. Although the condition is prevalent worldwide, women with black ancestry seem to be at greatest risk, and the condition has a particularly high incidence in Nigeria and Haiti. Other risk factors include pre-eclampsia, advanced maternal age, and multiple gestation pregnancy. Read More

Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Background: Hypertensive disorders affect 3-10% of pregnancies. Delayed delivery carries maternal risks, while early delivery increases fetal risk so appropriate timing is difficult.

Objective: To compare immediate delivery and expectant management for prevention of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in hypertensive disease in pregnancy. Read More

Lancet 2019 01;393(10169):330-339

Department of Mother and Child Health Research, Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Background: Reducing deaths from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is a global priority. Low dietary calcium might account for the high prevalence of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in low-income countries. Calcium supplementation in the second half of pregnancy is known to reduce the serious consequences of pre-eclampsia; however, the effect of calcium supplementation during placentation is not known. Read More

Lancet 2019 01;393(10169):298-300

RPA Women and Babies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019 Jan 29;19(1):51. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute for Health Development, Hiiu 42, 11619, Tallinn, Estonia.

Background: An increased risk of adverse conditions related to in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies has been repeatedly reported. Our study aimed to summarize outcome differences between pregnancies after IVF and after spontaneous conception (SC) in Estonia.

Methods: Data on all liveborn singletons to primiparas women aged 25-40 years during the period 2005-2014 were obtained from the Estonian Medical Birth Registry. Read More

Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi 2019 Jan;54(1):38-43

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.

To explore whether pravastatin (Pra) inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signal pathway by regulating Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) protein through the comparison of gene and protein expression changes of Rheb in liver and placenta in preeclampsia (PE)-like mouse model treated with Pra. C57BL/6J pregnant mice were randomly divided into two groups. The PE group was established by injecting N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) daily at gestational 7-18 days, saline was injected as contol group (Con); then giving mice Pra (PE+Pra, Con+Pra group, =8) or normal saline (PE+N, Con+N group, =8) every day from the 8th gestational day of pregnancy. Read More

J Pregnancy 2019 1;2019:9847057. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, USA.

Purpose: To examine the association of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) within a large population of pregnant women in an integrated healthcare system.

Methods: This retrospective study utilized a source cohort of 1023 women with PCOS and 1023 women without PCOS who had a delivered pregnancy within Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Preexisting hypertension was defined by hypertension diagnosis, treatment, or elevated blood pressure prior to 20 weeks of gestation. Read More

Trials 2019 Jan 28;20(1):85. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

King's College London, London, UK.

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy disorder, characterised by hypertension and multisystem complications in the mother. The adverse outcomes of pre-eclampsia include severe hypertension, stroke, renal and hepatic injury, haemorrhage, fetal growth restriction and even death. The optimal time to instigate delivery to prevent morbidity when pre-eclampsia occurs between 34 and 37 weeks' gestation, without increasing problems related to infant immaturity or complications, remains unclear. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) patients show transient ventricular dysfunction without coronary artery stenosis. We report a pregnant woman with TTS occurring concomitantly with severe pre-eclampsia (PE). A primiparous woman complained of dyspnea at 35 weeks of gestation. Read More

Psychol Med 2019 Jan 28:1-11. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Psychology and Logopedics,Faculty of Medicine,University of Helsinki,Helsinki,Finland.

Background: Synthetic glucocorticoids, to enhance fetal maturation, are a standard treatment when preterm birth before 34 gestational weeks is imminent. While morbidity- and mortality-related benefits may outweigh potential neurodevelopmental harms in children born preterm (<37 gestational weeks), this may not hold true when pregnancy continues to term (⩾37 gestational weeks). We studied the association of antenatal betamethasone exposure on child mental health in preterm and term children. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 10;9:3142. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Family Planning Research Institute, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Dysfunction of decidual macrophages (DMs) is considered a critical event in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia (PE). T cell immunoglobulin mucin 3 (Tim-3) is an important negative regulatory molecule that induces immune tolerance by interacting with its ligand Galectin-9 (Gal-9) and thus modulating function of various immune cells, including macrophages. However, the regulatory effects of Tim-3/Gal-9 signaling on DMs polarization and its role in PE remain unclear. Read More

Ann Cardiol Angeiol (Paris) 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

UFR de médecine Paris VII, service de cardiologie, CHU de Bichat Claude-Bernard, Denis-Diderot, 46, rue Henri-Huchard, 75877 Paris, France.

Stroke occurring during pregnancy is linked to high mortality. Stroke may be directly related to pregnancy (e.g. Read More

Dis Model Mech 2019 Feb 8;12(2). Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700RB Groningen, The Netherlands

Pre-eclampsia is a multifactorial pregnancy-associated disorder characterized by angiogenic dysbalance and systemic inflammation; however, animal models that combine these two pathophysiological conditions are missing. Here, we introduce a novel double-hit pre-eclampsia mouse model that mimics the complex multifactorial conditions present during pre-eclampsia and allows for the investigation of early consequences for the fetus. Adenoviral overexpression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration at mid-gestation in pregnant mice resulted in hypertension and albuminuria comparable to that of the manifestation in humans. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Institute of Applied Health Sciences; School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom.

Background: Previous evidence suggests that placental dysfunction including pre-eclampsia is inherited from mother to daughter, but heritability of stillbirth has never been investigated.

Objective: To investigate if there is an inherited predisposition to stillbirth transmitted from mother to daughter.

Study Design: We carried out a nested case-control study within the intergenerational cohort held in the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank (AMND). Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Mater Health and Mater Research, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is the most frequent medical complication of pregnancy, affecting 5-6% of women in the USA using the currently predominant Carpenter Coustan criteria, which still represent the preferred approach of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Alternative criteria proposed by the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) would likely increase gestational diabetes (GDM) prevalence to 15 - 20%, due both to a one step testing policy and the requirement for only one elevated glucose value for diagnosis. Increasing GDM prevalence relates to older maternal age and the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity. Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2019 Feb;133(2):409-412

Acute-onset, severe systolic hypertension; severe diastolic hypertension; or both can occur during the prenatal, intrapartum, or postpartum periods. Pregnant women or women in the postpartum period with acute-onset, severe systolic hypertension; severe diastolic hypertension; or both require urgent antihypertensive therapy. Introducing standardized, evidence-based clinical guidelines for the management of patients with preeclampsia and eclampsia has been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of adverse maternal outcomes. Read More

Med Glas (Zenica) 2019 Feb;16(1):53-59

Clinical Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek; School of Medicine, J.J. Strossmayer University, Osijek, Croatia.

Aim To investigate a potential of the clinical use of the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT-1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio from the perspective of a small hospital centre. Methods Maternal serum samples were analysed at 241/7-28 0/7, and 281/7-320/7 weeks of gestation. The level of sFLT-1 and PIGF was determined by immunoassay platform and used to calculate the sFLT-1/PIGF ratio in 35 pregnant women, and divided into subgroups according to preeclampsia occurrence at the time of delivery: preterm (≤37 weeks) or term (37-42 weeks'), and matched a control group. Read More

BJOG 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK.

Objective: To examine the association between mid-pregnancy dietary patterns and pregnancy-associated hypertension (PAH).

Design: A prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Setting: Denmark. Read More

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019 Jan 23;19(1):41. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th Street, Box 1224, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.

Background: Inadequately treated, preeclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) may rapidly lead to severe complications in both mothers and neonates, and are estimated to cause 60,000 global maternal deaths annually. Simulation-based training on obstetric and neonatal emergency management has demonstrated promising results in low- and middle-income countries. However, the impact of simulation training on use of evidence-based practices for PE/E diagnosis and management in low-resource settings remains unknown. Read More

Obes Rev 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with an increased risk of maternal pregnancy and delivery complications. However, the impact of clinical features of PCOS and other potential risk factors in PCOS is still unknown. We aimed to investigate the association of PCOS with maternal pregnancy and delivery complications with consideration of risk factors and potential confounders. Read More

Am J Reprod Immunol 2019 Jan 23:e13092. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Problem: The lectin pathway of the complement system may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. We aimed to investigate changes in serum concentrations of a broad range of lectin pathway proteins during normal pregnancy and their association with preeclampsia, placental infarctions and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Method Of Study: We included 51 women with normotensive pregnancies and 54 women with pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Read More

Curr Drug Saf 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology Western University, Ontario. Canada.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia are conditions that cause significant perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality.

Objective: This is a systematic review of the current evidence examining the relationship between both depression and antidepressants on pregnancy-related hypertensive conditions.

Method: In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, six databases were searched for articles published between January 1990 and December 2017 (PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE and ClinicalTrials. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019 Jan 9;234:79-84. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital del Mar, E-08003, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus del Mar, E-08003, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address:

Objectives: To determine, in a multi-ethnic cohort, the suitability of first-trimester fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels in non-diabetic range to identify women without diabetes at increased pregnancy risk.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort between April 2013 and September 2015. Universal testing for fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels at the first antenatal blood sampling was performed and women were screened for gestational diabetes mellitus at 24-28 weeks' gestation. Read More