Prenatal,perinatal and neonatal risk factors of Autism Spectrum Disorder: A comprehensive epidemiological assessment from India

Incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasing across the globe and no data is available from India regarding the risk factors of ASD. In this regard a questionnaire based epidemiological assessment was carried out on prenatal, perinatal and neonatal risk factors of ASD across 8 cities in India. A retrospective cohort of 942 children was enrolled for the study. 471 children with ASD, under age of 10, were analyzed for pre-, peri-, and neonatal factors and were compared with the observations from equal number of controls. The quality control of the questionnaire and data collection was done thoroughly and the observations were computed statistically. A total of 25 factors were evaluated by unadjusted and adjusted analysis in this study. Among the prenatal factors considered, advanced maternal age, fetal distress and gestational respiratory infections were found to be associated with ASD and had an odds ratio of 1.8. Evaluation of perinatal and neonatal risk factors showed labor complications, pre-term birth, neonatal jaundice, delayed birth cry and birth asphyxia to be associated with ASD with an odds ratio greater than 1.5. This important study, first of its kind in Indian population gives a firsthand account of the relation of pre-, peri- and neonatal risk factors on ASD from an ethnically and socially diverse country like India, the impact of which was unknown earlier. This advocates additional focused investigations on physiological and genetic changes contributed by these risk factor inducing environments.     

Perinatal trauma with and without loss experiences

Objective: The present study explored differences in mental health between women who experienced a trauma which involved a loss of fetal or infant life compared to women whose trauma did not involve a loss (difficult childbirth). Method: The sample consisted of 144 women (mean age = 31.13) from the UK, USA/Canada, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, who had experienced either stillbirth, neonatal loss, ectopic pregnancy, or traumatic birth with a living infant in the last 4 years. Results: The trauma without loss group reported significantly higher mental health problems than the trauma with loss group (F (1,117) = 4.807, p = .03). This difference was observed in the subtypes of OCD, panic, PTSD and GAD but not for major depression, agoraphobia and social phobia. However, once previous mental health diagnoses were taken into account, differences between trauma groups in terms of mental health scores disappeared, with the exception of PTSD symptoms. Trauma groups also differed in terms of perceived emotional support from significant others. Conclusion: The findings illustrate the need for a change in the focus of support for women’s birth experiences and highlighted previous mental health problems as a risk factor for mental health problems during the perinatal period.     

Plasticity of basal ganglia neurocircuitries following perinatal asphyxia: effect of nicotinamide

The potential neuroprotection of nicotinamide on the consequences of perinatal asphyxia was investigated with triple organotypic cultures. Perinatal asphyxia was induced in vivo by immersing foetuses-containing uterine horns removed from ready-to-deliver rats into a water bath for 20 min. Sibling caesarean-delivered pups were used as controls. Three days later tissue from substantia nigra, neostriatum and neocortex was dissected and placed on a coverslip. After a month, the cultures were processed for immunocytochemistry and phenotyped with markers against the NMDA receptor subunit NR1, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Some cultures were analysed for cell viability. Nicotinamide (0.8 mmol/kg, i.p.) or saline was administered to asphyxia-exposed and caesarean-delivered control pups 24, 48 and 72 h after birth. Perinatal asphyxia produced a decrease of cell viability in substantia nigra, but not in neostriatum or neocortex. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the vulnerability of the substantia nigra, demonstrating that there was a significant decrease in the number of NR1 and TH-positive (+) cells/mm², as well as a decrease in the length of TH⁺ processes, suggesting neurite atrophy. In control cultures, many nNOS⁺ cells were seen, with different features, regional distribution and cell body sizes. Following perinatal asphyxia, there was an increase in the number of nNOS⁺ cells/mm² in substantia nigra, versus a decrease in neostriatum including reduced neurite length, and no apparent changes in neocortex. The main effect of nicotinamide was seen in the neostriatum, preventing the asphyxia-induced decrease in the number of nNOS⁺ cells and neurite length. Nicotinamide also prevented the effect of perinatal asphyxia on TH-positive neurite length. The present results support the idea that nicotinamide can prevent the effects produced by a sustained energy-failure condition, as occurring during perinatal asphyxia. The contribution of VK and PM has been equally relevant.     

Perinatal care needs and expectations of women with low vision or total blindness in Warsaw,Poland

Background

As estimated from the number of published studies, in Poland the research into the perinatal care experiences of women with low vision or total blindness remains limited.

IVF-ET与自然受孕双胎妊娠结局分析

目的探讨体外受精胚胎移植(vitro fertilization embryotran sfer,IVR-ET)与自然受孕双胎妊娠并发症及新生儿围产结局,为双胎产前监护和临床管理提供理论依据。方法回顾性分析540例体外受精胚胎移植产妇(IVF-ET组)和746例自然妊娠产妇(自然受孕组),比较两组产妇的一般情况、妊娠期并发症及新生儿围产结局。结果 (1)IVF-ET组产妇平均年龄大于自然受孕组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),高龄产妇多见。(2)IVF-ET组产妇子痫前期、产后出血、前置胎盘以及妊娠期糖尿病的发生率高于自然受孕组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。(3)IVF-ET组双胎新生儿平均出生体重大于自然受孕组双胎、孕周,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。IVF-ET组双胎新生儿围产结局与自然受孕组相当。结论 IVF-ET组产妇年龄偏大,高龄产妇多见;孕期并发症风险增加;但双胎新生儿不良结局并未增加。     

Pre-conceptual and prenatal supplementary folic acid and multivitamin intake,behavioral problems,and hyperkinetic disorders: A study based on the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC)

Objective: To evaluate whether early folic acid or multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy prevents diagnosis of hyperkinetic disorders (HKD), treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and ADHD-like behaviors reported by parents participating in the DNBC for children at age 7.

Methods: HKD diagnosis and ADHD medication use data were obtained from the Danish National Hospital, Central Psychiatric and Pharmaceutical registers. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for HKD diagnosis and ADHD medication use and risk ratios (RRs) for parent-reported ADHD behavior collected with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), comparing children whose mothers took folic acid or multivitamin supplements early in pregnancy defined as starting periconceptionally (4 weeks prior to their last menstrual period (LMP)) through 8 weeks after their LMP (4–8 weeks), to children whose mothers indicated no supplement use for the same entire period.

Results: We identified 384 children (1.1%) with a hospital diagnosis for HKD and 642 children (1.8%) treated with ADHD medication. We found no association between risk of HKD diagnosis or intake of ADHD medication and early maternal folic acid use. However, early multivitamin use was associated with an approximately 30% reduction in risk for HKD diagnosis (aHR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.52–0.96) and 21% reduction in treatment with ADHD medication (aHR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.62–0.98). We observed a reduced risk in parent-reported ADHD behaviors, but these results were attenuated after adjustment.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that multivitamin use in early pregnancy may reduce risk for HKD diagnosis and treatment for ADHD in the offspring.     

Promotion of child development and health from the perinatal period: an approach from positive parenting

ABSTRACT

This article makes a review and reflection on parenting practices and child development in the perinatal period; the theoretical foundations and recent data in the field are exposed. Spanish and international research in this emerging area indicates that pregnancy, postpartum and early parenting are opportunities and unique spaces to develop competencies to create family contexts that promote healthy development. An exhaustive positive parenting proposal of early promotion of child development in the perinatal period is presented. This includes the promotion of: prenatal bond, couple's relationship, social support networks, the physical and mental health of the mother alongside with the support to make informed decisions about parenting and the development of parental knowledge of the intergenerational transmission of parenting patterns and of early childhood development. It is expected, that the proposal could be a tool in the future design of public intervention programmes with families.     

围孕期妇女补充叶酸预防神经管畸形的效果分析

目的:探讨围孕期妇女补充叶酸预防神经管畸形的效果。方法:对2004年1月至2013年9月在我院建档、检查的围孕期妇女的资料进行回顾性分析和总结,分别将不同时间段分娩的围产儿及神经管畸形儿作为对照组(2004—2008年)和观察组(2009年至2013年9月),通过对两组资料进行分析比较,了解孕期妇女补充叶酸预防神经管畸形的效果。结果:对照组发生神经管畸形9例,观察组发生2例,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:围孕期妇女补充小剂量叶酸是预防神经管畸形的重要手段,可有效降低胎儿神经管畸形的发生率;应对育龄妇女加强服用叶酸的宣教。     

孕妇妊娠期体重增幅与围产结局的临床分析

目的探讨孕妇妊娠期体重增幅与围产结局的关系。方法将孕前体重指数正常并诊断为糖尿病(GDM)的孕妇120例,根据孕期增加体重幅度分为3个组,A组11.0¹7.9 kg、B组18.017.9 kg、B组18.0²4.9 kg、C组>25.0 kg,分析比较各组间围产结局的差异。结果 C组发生羊水过多、胎儿窘迫和早产的发生率分别是B组的2.23倍、3.64倍和3.71倍,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);C组发生巨大儿的发生率是A组的4.21倍、B组的2.20倍,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);C组发生低血糖的发生率是B组的2.21倍,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论加强妊娠期糖尿病孕妇的体重管理,使体重增幅控制在最低范围,可明显减少不良妊娠结局的发生。     

检测血流加速时间在妊娠期高血压中的应用

目的通过分析子宫动脉、脐动脉、胎儿大脑中动脉的血流加速时间,结合围产儿预后,探讨加速时间在妊娠期高血压疾病中的应用价值。方法应用彩色多普勒超声技术,对90例妊娠期高血压疾病孕妇和90例同孕周无年龄差别的正常孕妇对照研究,妊娠期高血压疾病孕妇分为妊娠期高血压组、轻度子痫前期组和重度子痫前期组。依次测定子宫动脉、脐动脉、胎儿大脑中动脉的加速时间（acceleration time,AT）,妊娠期高血压疾病患者围产儿分为预后不良组和预后良好组,采用方差分析或t检验比较加速时间在各组中的变化。结果正常妊娠子宫动脉、脐动脉和大脑中动脉AT值均随孕周的增加而延长;子宫动脉AT值、脐动脉AT值在轻度子痫前期组和重度子痫前期组均缩短（P〈0．01）,而大脑中动脉AT值延长（P〈0．01）;预后不良组与预后良好组比较子宫动脉、脐动脉AT值缩短,大脑中动脉AT值延长,各组间比较差异均有统计学意义。结论妊娠期高血压疾病患者血流加速时间发生明显变化,这种变化与妊高征胎儿的预后密切相关。