Maternal smoking during pregnancy and severe antisocial behavior in offspring: a review

OBJECTIVES: Recent research suggests that in utero exposure to maternal smoking is a risk factor for conduct disorder and delinquency. We review evidence of causality, a controversial but important public health question. METHODS: We analyzed studies of maternal prenatal smoking and offspring antisocial behavior within a causal framework. RESULTS: The association is (1) independent of confounders, (2) present across diverse contexts, and (3) consistent with basic science. Methodological limitations of existing studies preclude causal conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Existing evidence provides consistent support for, but not proof of, an etiologic role for prenatal smoking in the onset of antisocial behavior. The possibility of identifying a preventable prenatal risk factor for a serious mental disorder makes further research on this topic important for public health.     

Moderate drinking during pregnancy and foetal outcome

Although there are many reports of the adverse effects of alcohol on the infant in ancient literature the first modern report was by Sullivan, Physician to Liverpool gaol. He showed an increased incidence of growth retardation and stillbirth in children of alcoholic mothers using their non-drinking relatives as a control. The literature on moderate drinking is contradictory and suffers from poor control of factors known to confound pregnancy outcome such as social class, parity and smoking habit. The other major problem in assessing the effect of moderate drinking is the difficulty in obtaining accurate drinking histories and the many and varied ways in which these are taken. All histories however, should be regarded as an underestimate. Moderate drinking (less than 40 g alcohol/day before and during pregnancy) has been related to growth retardation, a higher incidence of congenital abnormality, poorer behavioural and neurological scores in the newborn. Recent American surveys have shown an increased relative risk of mid-trimester abortion in women who drink more than three times a week in early pregnancy. Recent work in this country has demonstrated a trend toward smaller head circumference and reduced weight in the babies born to mothers consuming more than 100 g alcohol a week in very early pregnancy. The interaction between smoking and drinking is particularly important for this effect. Using logistic regression analysis the effect of drinking and smoking on birth weight can be clearly seen together with the effect of social class. For any impact to be made on this problem educational intervention is necessary before pregnancy is planned, and thus should be directed at pre-conception clinics, family planning clinics and the general practitioner's surgery.     

Subcapsular liver hematoma,severe complication of pregnancy toxemia. A case report

Subcapsular liver hematoma is a rare and severe complication of pregnancy. This event is already known to have a poor maternal and foetal prognosis. The authors report a case of spontaneous rupture of subcapsular hematoma of the liver in 40 year old multiparous. Confirmation of diagnosis is obtained by abdominal echotomography or TOM. The surgical treatment of this hematoma joints the traumatic surgery of the liver. In every case foetal extraction by cesarean section constitutes the first therapeutic procedure.     

Maternal concerns during early parenthood

BACKGROUND: Most research on maternal concerns has focused on their assessment during pregnancy and the early post-partum period. The aim of this study was to identify primary concerns of mothers later in the first post-partum year, changes over time, and factors that were associated with relatively intense concerns, including infant (difficult) temperament, hours employed out of the home and obstetrical complications during pregnancy or childbirth. METHOD: Data were obtained from 366 first-time (Israeli) mothers at 3 and 6 months post-partum by employing a new tool, the Mothers' Concern Questionnaire, along with standardized questionnaires, administered by phone. RESULTS: Analyses revealed six dimensions of concerns (Family Health, Return to Work, Mother's Well-being, Relationships/Support, Infant Care, and Spouse). Of these, issues related to returning to work and family health were of most concern, and ratings were higher at 3 months than at 6 months post-partum. Women with higher-than-average total concern scores perceived their infant as more difficult, were more likely to have experienced an obstetric complication, and worked more hours out of the house than women with lower-than-average scores. CONCLUSIONS: The findings afford a first look at the profile of normative maternal concerns outside of the immediate post-partum period and identify factors that predict more intense concerns. These findings extend what we know about the issues of new mothers and can guide birth educators and help couples prepare themselves for parenthood.     

妊娠期母体低甲状腺素血症与后代神经精神发育

低甲状腺素（T4）血症即低T4血症,是指游离甲状腺素（FT4）降低而促甲状腺激素（TSH）水平在正常范围内,是亚临床甲状腺激素缺乏的一种现象。妊娠期母体低T4血症可以影响后代脑发育,包括对学习、认知、记忆、运动的影响,以及对精神疾病发生的影响。本文就妊娠期母体低T4血症对后代脑发育的人群研究和可能的机制进行综述,旨在为相关研究提供新思路。     

Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring IQ

BACKGROUND: Maternal smoking in pregnancy lowers birthweight. It is unclear, however, whether smoking during pregnancy lowers offspring IQ, and, if it does, whether it is through the smoking effect on fetal growth. METHOD: Representative samples of low birthweight (<2500 g) and normal birthweight children born in 1983-85 from inner-city and suburban communities in southeast Michigan, USA were assessed at ages 6, 11, and 17, using Wechsler intelligence tests. Smoking during pregnancy was ascertained from mothers at the first assessment; and smoking at any time was ascertained at the first and second assessment. Generalized estimating equation models were used, with children's IQ at all three assessments as outcomes (n = 798). RESULTS: Without adjustment, offspring of mothers who smoked during pregnancy scored 6.8 IQ points lower than offspring of mothers who never smoked, on average. Low birthweight children scored 5.4 IQ points lower than normal birthweight children, on average. The statistical association of maternal smoking with offspring IQ was confounded by maternal characteristics, chiefly, maternal cognitive ability as measured by IQ and education; adjustment for these factors eliminated the association. By contrast, adjustment for maternal IQ and education as well as smoking during pregnancy had a negligible effect on the low birthweight-related IQ deficit. Low birthweight did not mediate the association of smoking and lowered IQ in offspring. CONCLUSION: Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a proxy for a matrix of vulnerabilities for adverse child cognitive development and has no direct causal effect on child's IQ. The relationship of low birthweight and IQ is independent of maternal smoking and maternal cognitive abilities.     

Maternal thiocyanate and thyroid status during breast-feeding

Cyanogenic glucosides are naturally present in plant foods especially in staple foods (cassava) consumed by millions of people in tropical countries. Most traditional processing methods are effective in detoxifying such goitrogens to safe levels of consumption. Nevertheless, residual cyanide (CN) is rapidly metabolized to thiocyanate (SCN) by existing metabolic pathways. There are concerns that goitrogens may reach the nursing infants through breast feeding or cow's milk based formulas. SCN adverse effects are commonly observed in relation to cigarette smoking. Breast-feeding is effective in protecting infants from anti-thyroid effects of eventual or habitual maternal exposure to CN exposure in food (cassava) or recreation habits (cigarette smoking). SCN goitrogenic effects occur secondary to iodine deficiency in special circumstances of high consumption of incomplete detoxified cassava and insufficient protein intake. Only during inadequate protein nutrition can SCN aggravate endemic iodine-deficient disorders (IDD).     

Maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood obesity

A recent cohort study suggested that maternal smoking during pregnancy might be a risk factor for childhood obesity. Data from the obligatory school entry health examination in six Bavarian (Germany) public health offices in 1999-2000 were used to assess the relation between maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood obesity (n = 6,483 German children aged 5.00-6.99 years). A body mass index greater than the 90th percentile was defined as overweight, and a body mass index greater than the 97th percentile was defined as obesity. The main exposure was maternal smoking during pregnancy. The prevalences of overweight and obesity, expressed as percentages, increased in the following order: never smoked (overweight: 8.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 7.2, 9.0; obesity: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.7, 2.7); less than 10 cigarettes daily (overweight: 14.1, 95% CI: 11.1, 17.7; obesity: 5.7, 95% CI: 3.7, 8.2); and 10 or more cigarettes daily (overweight: 17.0, 95% CI: 10.1, 26.2; obesity: 8.5, 95% CI: 3.7, 16.1). The adjusted odds ratios for maternal smoking during pregnancy were 1.43 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.90) for overweight and 2.06 (95% CI: 1.31, 3.23) for obesity. A dose-dependent association between overweight/obesity and maternal smoking during pregnancy was observed that could not be explained by a wide range of confounders, suggesting that intrauterine exposure to inhaled smoke products rather than lifestyle factors associated with maternal smoking accounts for this finding.     

慢性重型肝炎预后因素分析

[目的 ]　本文研究了影响慢性重型肝炎的预后因素。 [方法 ]　运用了多元回归分析了可能影响慢性重型肝炎的 2 3项预后因素。 [结果 ]　单因素示有腹水者 ,肝脏体积越小 ,预后越差。总胆固醇、胆碱脂酶、白蛋白、凝血酶原活动度越低 ,预后越差。有肝肾综合征、肝脑综合征有出血者、自发性细菌性腹膜炎者 ,预后越差。多因素示 ,凝血酶原活动度越低 ,预后越差。 [结论 ]　本文研究提示凝血酶原活动度是影响慢性重型肝炎预后的重要因素。     

Maternal benefits of immunization during pregnancy

The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention currently recommend routine immunization to prevent 17 vaccine-preventable diseases that occur in infants, children, adolescents, or adults. Pregnant women are at particularly high risk for morbidity and mortality related to several vaccine-preventable diseases. Furthermore, such illnesses are also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, congenital anomalies, preterm birth, and low birthweight. In addition to directly preventing maternal infection, vaccination during pregnancy may offer fetal and infant benefit through passive immunization. Several vaccines aimed at providing passive immunity to neonates are either currently recommended or in development. This article specifically addresses maternal benefits of maternal immunization following (1) vaccines recommended for all pregnant women; (2) vaccines recommended for pregnant women with particular risk factors; and (3) novel vaccines currently under development that primarily aim to at reduce infant morbidity and mortality.     

Association between Maternal Serum Perfluoroalkyl Substances during Pregnancy and Maternal and Cord Thyroid Hormones: Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic compounds that are widely used in industry and are often detectable in humans. In pregnant rats and their pups, PFASs can interfere with thyroid hormone homeostasis. In humans, maternal thyroid hormones supply the fetus throughout pregnancy, and thyroid hormones play a critical role in fetal growth and neurodevelopment.Objectives: We investigated the association between maternal PFAS exposure and thyroid hormone status in pregnant women and neonates.Methods: In a study of environmental exposure and health in Taiwan, we measured serum concentrations of nine PFASs and four thyroid hormones for 285 pregnant women in their third trimester, and also measured cord serum thyroid hormones for 116 neonates. Associations between maternal PFASs and maternal and cord thyroid hormones were examined in multiple linear regression models.Results: Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid concentrations were positively associated with maternal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Pregnant women with higher levels of perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA) had lower free thyroxine (T₄) and total T₄ levels. For example, we estimated that maternal free T₄ levels decreased 0.019 ng/dL (95% CI: –0.028, –0.009) with each nanogram per milliliter increase in maternal PFNA. Finally, maternal PFNA, PFUnDA, and PFDoDA levels were associated with lower cord total triiodothyronine (T₃) and total T₄ levels, and maternal perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDeA) was associated with lower cord total T₃.Conclusions: Our results suggest that exposure to some PFASs during pregnancy may interfere with thyroid hormone homeostasis in pregnant women and fetuses.Citation: Wang Y, Rogan WJ, Chen PC, Lien GW, Chen HY, Tseng YC, Longnecker MP, Wang SL. 2014. Association between maternal serum perfluoroalkyl substances during pregnancy and maternal and cord thyroid hormones: Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study. Environ Health Perspect 122:529–534; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1306925     

孕期母体营养与胎儿出生体质量

孕期母体的营养状况对孕妇自身和胎儿均有重要的影响,胎儿出生体质量是评价营养对妊娠结局影响最重要的指标.现阶段评价孕妇营养的指标主要有人体测量学、血液学以及生物电阻抗分析,每一种评价手段各有所长.胎儿出生体质量受多种因素的影响,对异常出生体质量儿(如巨大JD)可能是有意义的指标.但对正常体质量儿不一定有意义,因而对于孕期母体营养与婴儿体质量的关系有待更深入的研究.     

Maternal obesity and glucose intolerance during pregnancy among Mexican-Americans

Low birthweight is uncommon among Mexican-American infants, despite the substantial proportion of mothers who live in poverty. This apparent paradox has generated studies of factors protecting fetal growth, but may have masked other important health problems in the Mexican-American community. Obesity, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes are common among Mexican-American women of childbearing age and during pregnancy. Prevalence of these conditions is two to four times higher in Mexican-American than in non-Hispanic white women. As obesity and glucose intolerance during pregnancy are associated with fetal overgrowth and increased risk of subsequent obesity and type 2 diabetes in mother and child, the adequacy of birthweight as a measure of maternal and infant risk may be obscured in populations with a high prevalence of these conditions. Their possible contribution to the increasing incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Mexican-American children, adolescents and young adults has not been examined. Appropriate preconception, prenatal and follow-up care may identify high-risk women, improve weight and metabolic status and reduce the severity and impact of diabetes and its complications. However, late or no prenatal care is common among Mexican-American women and the frequency of follow-up care is unknown. As low birthweight is a major public health indicator of maternal and neonatal health, perceived 'good birth outcomes' have reduced health policy, programme and research attention to Mexican-American mothers and infants. Studies of the impact of obesity and glucose intolerance during pregnancy on the birthweights of Mexican-American infants should be undertaken, along with systematic assessment of the subsequent health status and preventive health-care needs of women and children in this population.