Hepatitis B – chronic carrier status and pregnancy outcomes: An obstetric perspective

Antenatal screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) only identifies women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for neonatal immunoprophylaxis. It does not reflect the phase of chronic infection, viral genotype and activity, hepatic inflammation, or other co-existing liver disorders. Coinfection with other viruses and micro-organisms may also be present. These factors in various combinations can impact pregnancy outcomes, and they are probably responsible for the conflicting literature on this issue. Pregnancy complications may interact with maternal HBV infection and hepatitis flares, leading to serious and lethal complications. Hepatitis flares are common especially postpartum, and they are unpredictable and unpreventable with antiviral treatment. Evidence on the association between HBsAg seropositivity with gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, increased foetal growth, and reduced pregnancy hypertensive disorders is stronger than other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Baseline assessment of liver function, and viral markers and activity, can delineate the truly high-risk pregnancies for close monitoring.     

Pre-eclampsia causes adverse maternal outcomes across the gestational spectrum

ObjectiveTo determine if women with early onset pre-eclampsia (EOP) have worse maternal outcomes than those who present later. Specifically, we aimed to determine whether term preeclamptic women and their infants have better outcomes than either their late pre-term or early onset counterparts.Study designBetween 1991 and 2011, 4657 pregnancies complicated by hypertension were recorded in our database; 2148 (45%) had pre-eclampsia (PE). Six hundred ninety six cases (32%) that had accurate data for the gestation at which PE developed were analysed. Pre-eclampsia was defined as per the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy guidelines. Maternal outcomes included (1) episodes of severe hypertension, (2) proteinuria, (3) acute kidney injury, (4) abnormal liver function, (5) thrombocytopenia and (6) neurological complications. Perinatal outcomes were also analysed.ResultsEighty seven (13%) of 696 cases had EOP; 226 (32%) had late pre-term PE and 383 (55%) term PE. Maternal age was similar amongst the three groups. Women with late pre-term and term PE had similar rates of maternal and foetal outcomes. Compared with term PE, women with EOP had similar rates of adverse maternal outcomes, however their babies had significantly increased rates of morbidity and mortality.ConclusionPre-eclampsia causes significant maternal organ involvement regardless of gestation at onset. Outcomes for babies of women with EOP are significantly worse than for those who present later. Overall, women presenting with PE after 34 weeks have generally good maternal and foetal outcomes in a unit equipped to manage such cases.     

肿瘤坏死因子α调控MPO的分泌在子痫前期发病中的作用

子痫前期(PE)是引起全球孕产妇及新生儿发病率和死亡率升高的妊娠特发性疾病。目前其病因尚未完全明确,单一生物标志物也很难预测其变化。PE患者经积极治疗病情无好转或进行性恶化时,终止妊娠是其唯一有效的治疗措施。学者认为血管内皮细胞损伤是PE的主要发病机制。近年研究发现,PE患者血浆中肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的异常表达参与疾病的发生和发展。TNF-α与相关受体结合后,可活化丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)信号通路导致下游靶蛋白髓过氧化物酶(MPO)水平上调。中性粒细胞过度活化后释放MPO,其表达水平增高是血管内皮细胞损伤的关键因素。综述TNF-α调控MPO的相关机制在PE发病中作用的研究进展。     

Incidence of atrial fibrillation in pregnancy and clinical significance: A meta-analysis

PurposeAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia worldwide, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the incidence and maternal/fetal outcomes of AF in pregnancy remain unclear. This study’s aims were to investigate the pooled incidence of AF in pregnant women and to assess maternal/fetal outcomes of AF in pregnancy.Material and methodsA literature search for studies that reported incidence of AF in pregnancy, was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Database from inception through May 2018. Pooled incidence with 95%CI were calculated using a random-effect model. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42018095955).ResultsWe identified 7 cohort studies including 301,638 pregnancies. The pooled estimated incidence of AF in pregnancy among women with no known heart disease, and those with structural heart disease was 0.3% (95%CI: 0.01%–40.6%) and 2.2% (95%CI: 0.96%–5.01%), respectively. Among women with known AF, the pooled estimated incidence of recurrent AF in pregnancy was 39.2% (95%CI: 16.9%–67.2%). The pooled estimated incidence of pre-eclampsia and congestive heart failure among pregnant patients with AF was 4.1% (95%CI: 2.1%–7.8%) and 9.6% (95%CI: 5.7%–15.9%), respectively. The pooled estimated incidence of fetal events including premature birth, small for gestational age, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, death was 26.6% (95%CI: 20.4%–34.0%).ConclusionThe overall estimated incidence of AF and recurrent AF during pregnancy is as high as 2.2% and 39.2%, respectively. AF during pregnancy may result in poor maternal and fetal outcomes.     

妊娠期三酰甘油代谢的研究进展

三酰甘油是人体脂质的组成部分,可被脂蛋白脂肪酶水解为游离脂肪酸和甘油并加以利用,在妊娠期参与母儿的能量供应及胎儿生长发育等多个环节。近年来研究表明,妊娠期三酰甘油水平由于受到妊娠期特有激素、胰岛素等多种因素影响,相较于非妊娠期妇女显著增加,并随妊娠期的进展而逐渐升高,同时在多种妊娠期并发症如妊娠期糖尿病、子痫前期、妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症、早产、妊娠期急性胰腺炎等中观察到三酰甘油水平发生相应的改变。本文就三酰甘油与妊娠期糖尿病、子痫前期、妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症等妊娠期并发症之间的关系和可能的发生机制以及监测随访等进行综述。寻求一个国际认可的、具有地区差异性的参考范围,确定有效的个体化监测及治疗指南,对妊娠期三酰甘油水平的管理具有重要意义。     

血清PRO-BNP水平与子痫前期围生期结局关系的回顾性研究

目的：回顾性分析B型脑利钠肽前体（pro B-type natriuretic peptide,PRO-BNP）水平预测子痫前期患者母婴预后的价值。方法：采用荧光免疫法测定111例子痫前期孕妇PRO-BNP水平,根据检测水平分为PRO-BNP正常组（85例）和PRO-BNP异常组（26例）,随访至分娩,比较2组母婴预后的差异。结果：PRO-BNP异常组期待治疗者明显减少,2组比较差异有统计学意义（7.7% vs. 36.5%,χ2＝7.893,P=0.005）。2组孕妇尿蛋白异常情况、胸水发生率比较,差异有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。2组胎儿窘迫、早产儿和新生儿转儿科发生率、新生儿出生体质量及Apgar评分比较,差异无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）。结论：单一血清PRO-BNP水平与子痫前期患者脏器损伤严重性有一定关系,但与新生儿预后无明显关系。 【关键词】     

NLRP3 inflammasome: a new therapeutic target for high-risk reproductive disorders?

The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a key regulator of the host''s immune response, and many immune and metabolic disorders are linked to its activation. This review aimed to investigate and clarify the relationship between this inflammasome and high-risk reproductive disorders. Papers cited here were retrieved from PubMed up to August 2020 using the keywords “NLRP3” or “NALP3”, “caspase-1”, “endometriosis”, “gestational diabetes”, “interleukin (IL)-18”, “IL-1β”, “pre-eclampsia (PE)”, “preterm birth”, “polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)”, “recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA)”, and combinations of these terms. The results show that NLRP3 inflammasome is associated with various high-risk reproductive disorders and many inflammatory factors are secreted during its activation, such as IL-1β induced during the development of endometriosis. PCOS is also associated with activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, especially in overweight patients. It also participates in the pathogenesis of RSA and is activated in fetal membranes before preterm birth. The placentas of pregnant women with PE show higher expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome, and gestational diabetes mellitus occurs simultaneously with its activation. Current evidence suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in female reproductive disorders. New treatment and management methods targeting it might help reduce the incidence of such disorders and improve neonatal outcomes.     

子痫前期病人长链非编码 RNA H19和长链非编码 RNA HAND2-AS1表达水平与胰岛素抵抗的相关性研究

目的检测子痫前期病人胎盘组织、血清长链非编码 RNA H19(LncRNA H19)与长链非编码 RNAHAND2-AS1(Ln- cRNA HAND2-AS1)表达水平,并分析其与病人胰岛素抵抗( IR)的相关性。方法将 2021年 1—12月在唐山市妇幼保健院建卡的子痫前期孕妇 105例作为子痫前期组,根据子痫前期孕妇严重程度分为轻度子痫前期组与重度子痫前期组,另选取同期孕周、年龄相符的健康孕妇 97例作为对照组,收集所有孕妇身体质量指数(BMI)、孕周、收缩压、舒张压、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、空腹血糖( FBG)等一般资料,并计算稳态模型的 IR指数( HOMA-IR);实时荧光定量 PCR(qRT-PCR)法测定孕妇血清、胎盘组织中 LncRNA H19,LncRNA HAND2-AS1水平;比较对照组与子痫前期组、轻度子痫前期组与重度子痫前期组间血清、胎盘组织 LncRNA H19、LncRNA HAND2-AS1水平; Pearson法分析子痫前期孕妇血清、胎盘组织 LncRNA H19、LncRNA HAND2-AS1与 HOMA-IR的相关性。结果子痫前期组病人收缩压、舒张压高于对照组(P<0.05)且重度子痫前期病人收缩压、舒张压高于轻度子痫前期病人,孕周低于轻度子痫前期病人(P<0.05);与对照组相比,子痫前期组孕,妇 24 h尿蛋白、 FBG［(5.84±0.97)mmol/L比(4.22±0.70)mmol/L］、FINS［(13.37±2.23)mU/L比( 7.52±1.25)mU/L］、HOMI-IR水平(3.47±0.57比 1.41±0.23)升高(P<0.05),且重度子痫前期孕妇 24 h尿蛋白、 FBG［(6.90±1.15)mmol/L比( 5.24±0.85)mmol/L］、 FINS［(13.97±2.32)mU/L比( 13.05±2.17)mU/L］、 HOMI-IR水平( 4.27±0.71比 3.03±0.50)高于轻度子痫前期孕妇( P<0.05);与对照组相比,子痫前期组孕妇血清、胎盘组织 Ln- cRNA H19(2.52±1.42比 1.01±0.15,3.75±0.62比 1.02±0.17)与 LncRNA HAND2-AS1水平( 1.98±0.33比 1.01±0.15,2.87±0.47比1.02±0.17)升高( P<0.05)且重度子痫前期孕妇血清、胎盘组织 LncRNA H19(2.84±0.47比 2.34±0.39,4.28±0.71比 3.45±0.57)与LncRNA HAND2-AS1水平(,2.59±0.43比 1.63±0.27,3.56±0.59比 2.49±0.41)高于轻度子痫前期孕妇( P<0.05);子痫前期病人血清与胎盘组织间 LncRNA H19水平呈正相关( r=0.55,P<0.05)血清与胎盘组织间 LncRNA HAND2-AS1水平呈正相关性( r=0.65,P<0.05)。子痫前期孕妇血清、胎盘组织 LncRNA H19水别与 HOMI-IR呈正相关( r=0.53、0.59,P<0.05);血清、胎盘组织 LncRNA HAND2-AS1水平分别与 HOMI-IR呈正相关( r=0.60、0.61,P<0.05)。结论子痫前期病人血清、胎盘组织 LncRNA 平分,H19、LncRNA HAND2-AS1高表达,二者与 IR密切相关,可能通过影响 IR参与子痫前期发生发展。     

Is first trimester vitamin D status in nulliparous women associated with pregnancy related hypertensive disorders?

Objectivesthis study aimed to explore if maternal vitamin D status in early pregnancy was associated with pre-eclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Relationships between vitamin D status and blood pressure at the start of pregnancy as well as the occurrence of a mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure were also explored. This secondary analysis was completed to investigate a possible mechanism for the association between vitamin D status and pregnancy related hypertensive disorders.Design and settingdata were obtained from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study, a prospective community-based cohort study based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.Participantsa total of 2074 nulliparous women without pre-existing hypertension and with a known vitamin D status before 17 weeks gestation were included in the study. Vitamin D status was categorized into four groups: “normal” (≥50 nmol/L), “insufficient” (30–49.9 nmol/L) “deficient” (20–29.9 nmol/L) or “severely deficient” (<20 nmol/L).Measurementslogistic regression analysis was used to investigate if vitamin D status was related to the odds of experiencing pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension. Models were corrected for maternal age, ethnicity, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking and socioeconomic status. χ² and ANOVA tests were used to investigate relationships between vitamin D status and the blood pressure parameters.Findingswhen compared to women with a normal vitamin D status, women who were severely deficient had an increased risk for pre-eclampsia (OR 2.08; 95% CI, 1.05–4.13), but the association was rendered non-significant after correction (OR 1.88; 95% CI 0.79–4.48). There were no associations between vitamin D status and pregnancy-induced hypertension, starting blood pressure or the occurrence of a mid-pregnancy drop in blood pressure.Key conclusionsno strong evidence was found for an association between first trimester vitamin D status and pregnancy related hypertensive disorders in nulliparous women.Implications for practiceat this time, vitamin D supplementation is not warranted for the specific purpose of preventing pregnancy related hypertensive disorders.