Impact of previous lupus nephritis on maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy

Previous reports suggest that renal involvement before pregnancy or active renal disease during pregnancy may be associated with poor fetal and maternal outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) women. We report our experience of fetal and maternal complications in pregnant lupus women with and without previous lupus nephritis. We analyzed the clinical records of pregnant SLE patients attended in a tertiary reference center during a 5-year period. Patients were allocated into two groups according to the presence or absence of previous lupus nephritis. Women were evaluated monthly during pregnancy and at least 1 month postpartum. Maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy were abstracted. We included 95 pregnancies in 92 patients. Compared with pregnant women without lupus nephritis (n = 60), pregnancies with previous lupus nephritis (n = 35) were associated with a higher risk of maternal complications (88.5% vs. 43.3%, p = 0.00001), higher rate of lupus flares (54.2% vs. 25%, p = 0.004), and renal flares (45.7% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.00001), but most of which in most instances were reversible. On the other hand, fetal outcome was similar in both groups. Multivariate analysis showed that previous lupus nephritis and active lupus at conception were predictors of adverse maternal outcome. Pregnancies in women with previous lupus nephritis had a higher rate of maternal complications in comparison with those without. However, fetal prognosis was similar in both groups.     

Clinical features associated with pregnancy outcomes in women with positive antiphospholipid antibodies and previous adverse pregnancy outcomes: a real-world prospective study

Clinical Rheumatology - This study aims to analyze factors related to pregnancy outcomes in women with positive antiphospholipid antibodies and previous adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs)...     

Adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with diabetes

ABSTRACT: Pregnancy affects both the maternal and fetal metabolism and even in nondiabetic women exerts a diabetogenic effect. Among pregnant women, 2 to 17.8% develop gestational diabetes. Pregnancy can also occur in women with preexisting diabetes, that can predispose the fetus to many alterations in organogenesis, growth restriction and the mother to some diabetes-related complications like retinopathy and nephropathy or accelerate the course of these complications if they are already present. Women with gestational diabetes generally start their treatment with diet and lifestyle modification; when these changes fail in keeping an optimal glycemic control, then insulin therapy must be considered. Women with type 2 diabetes in use of oral hypoglycemic agents are advised to change to insulin therapy. Those with preexisting type 1 diabetes must start an intensive glycemic control, preferably before conception. All these procedures are performed aiming to keep glycemic levels normal or near-normal as possible to avoid the occurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes to the mother and to the fetus. The aim of this review is to reinforce the need to improve the knowledge on reproductive health of women with diabetes during gestation and to understand what are the reasons for them failing to attend for prepregnancy care programs, and to understand the underlying mechanisms of adverse fetal and maternal outcomes, which in turn may lead to strategies for its prevention.     

Parity, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in women treated for hyperprolactinaemia compared with a control group

OBJECTIVE: Infertility is a common problem in women with hyperprolactinaemia. There are limited data on the fertility and pregnancy course among these women. The objective was to study parity, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in women with hyperprolactinaemia as compared with a control group. DESIGN: Register study. PATIENTS: Two hundred and seventy-one female patients treated for primary hyperprolactinaemia were identified in the hospital record archives between 1974 and 2002. For each patient four comparison subjects, matched by sex, birth year and county of residence were identified in the Register of Population. Data were retrieved from the Swedish medical birth register and were analysed using logistic regression and analysis of variance. Measurements Parity, maternal age at first delivery, weeks of gestation, induction of labour, caesarean delivery, multiple birth, Apgar score, birth weight, length, sex, congenital malformations, neonatal care. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-two deliveries in the hyperprolactinaemia group and 1220 deliveries in the control group were analysed. PATIENTS: with hyperprolactinaemia were significantly older at their first pregnancy than their controls: 29.0 (+/- 4.4) and 27.2 (+/- 4.8) years, respectively (P = 0.0002). Furthermore, parity was inversely associated with hyperprolactinaemia status (P for trend = 0.0009). The odds of having three or more children were threefold lower among the patients (OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.16, 0.60)). There were no differences between patients and controls with respect to pregnancy complications, delivery or neonatal outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of increased risk of pregnancy complications or adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with treated hyperprolactinaemia. However, the patients were older at their first pregnancy and had a reduced overall parity.     

The impact of self-monitoring of blood glucose on self-efficacy and pregnancy outcomes in women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on feelings of self-efficacy, dietary compliance, and pregnancy outcomes in women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: Fifty-eight women with GDM and a fasting blood glucose level < 95 mg/dL were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The experimental group measured their blood glucose levels 4 times daily using a reflectance meter with memory. Metabolic status was assessed in the control group by periodic monitoring at prenatal visits. Otherwise the management protocol was identical for both groups. The Diabetes Empowerment Scale was completed at study entry and at 37 weeks gestation to assess feelings of self-efficacy. Dietary compliance was assessed at each visit. RESULTS: Both groups of women achieved excellent glucose control; only 1 woman in each group required insulin therapy. There were no significant differences with regard to feelings of self-efficacy, dietary compliance, birth weight, gestational age at delivery, Apgar scores, and neonatal complications. Rates of macrosomia, delivery by cesarean section, and occurrence of birth trauma were similar. CONCLUSIONS: SMBG appears to have little effect on maternal feelings of self-efficacy, dietary compliance, or pregnancy outcomes in women with diet-controlled GDM.     

Birth outcomes in women who have taken leflunomide during pregnancy

Objective

In preclinical reproductive studies, leflunomide was found to be embryotoxic and teratogenic. Women treated with leflunomide are advised to avoid pregnancy; those who become pregnant are advised to reduce fetal exposure through a cholestyramine drug elimination procedure. The present study was undertaken to investigate pregnancy outcomes in women who received leflunomide and were treated with cholestyramine during pregnancy.

Methods

Sixty‐four pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with leflunomide during pregnancy (95.3% of whom received cholestyramine), 108 pregnant women with RA not treated with leflunomide, and 78 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in a prospective cohort study between 1999 and 2009. Information was collected via interview of the mothers, review of medical records, and specialized physical examination of infants.

Results

There were no significant differences in the overall rate of major structural defects in the exposed group (3 of 56 live births [5.4%]) relative to either comparison group (each 4.2%)(P = 0.13). The rate was similar to the 3–4% expected in the general population. There was no specific pattern of major or minor anomalies. Infants in both the leflunomide‐exposed and non–leflunomide‐exposed RA groups were born smaller and earlier relative to infants of healthy mothers; however, after adjustment for confounding factors, there were no significant differences between the leflunomide‐exposed and non–leflunomide‐exposed RA groups.

Conclusion

Although the sample size is small, these data do not support the notion that there is a substantial increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to leflunomide exposure among women who undergo cholestyramine elimination procedure early in pregnancy. These findings can provide some reassurance to women who inadvertently become pregnant while taking leflunomide and undergo the washout procedure.

     

Glycaemic control during early pregnancy and fetal malformations in women with Type I diabetes mellitus

Aims/hypothesis. To assess the relation between glycaemic control in early pregnancy and the risk of congenital malformations in offspring of mothers with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.¶Methods. From 1988–1997, we prospectively collected data from 691 pregnancies and 709 offspring of 488 women with Type I diabetes in a specific geographic area in Southern Finland. Glycated haemoglobin A_{1 c} at less than 14 weeks of gestation was used as the indicator of glycaemic control. The malformations were diagnosed either by ultrasonography in pregnancy or during the neonatal period. We also studied 729 non-selected control pregnancies in women without diabetes.¶Results. The numbers of major fetal malformations were 30 (4.2 %) in patients with Type I diabetes and 10 (1.2 %) in the control subjects (relative risk 3.1; 95 % confidence interval: 1.6 to 6.2). Even women whose HbA_{1 c} was only slightly raised (5.6 to 6.8 %, ie 2.0 to 5.9 standard deviation units) showed a relative risk of 3.0 (95 % confidence interval: 1.2 to 7.5). Haemoglobin A_{1 c} retained its statistically significant association with the occurrence of malformations after adjusting for White's class, age at onset of diabetes, duration of diabetes, parity, smoking and participation in pre-pregnancy counselling.¶Conclusions/interpretation. Even a slightly raised HbA_{1 c} during early pregnancy in women with Type I diabetes carries an increased risk for fetal malformations. Therefore normoglycaemia should be strived for during early pregnancy. [Diabetologia (2000) 43: 79–82]     

The impact of dasatinib on pregnancy outcomes

Prolonged survival in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia treated with BCR‐ABL1‐targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors allows consideration of parenthood for patients on chronic therapy, but there are limited data about the effects of dasatinib on pregnancy. Pregnancy‐related outcomes in dasatinib‐treated patients or their partners reported to Bristol–Myers Squibb from clinical trials or healthcare providers through December 2013 were reviewed. Outcomes were available in 46/78 dasatinib‐treated women (59%) and 33/69 partners of dasatinib‐treated men (48%). Fifteen women (33%) delivered a normal infant; 18 (39%) and 8 (17%) had an elective or spontaneous abortion; and 5 (11%) had an abnormal pregnancy. There were 7 reports of fetal/infant abnormalities (encephalocele, renal tract abnormalities, and hydrops fetalis). Thirty of 33 (91%) infants fathered by dasatinib‐treated men were reported normal at birth. Also, animal studies evaluated the impact of dasatinib on fertility, embryo‐fetal toxicity, and development, suggesting that dasatinib may be a selective developmental toxicant. The outcomes of most pregnancies conceived by men treated with dasatinib were normal, but due to the small number of cases, further monitoring is required. Significant effects on pregnancy outcomes in women treated with dasatinib were found, supporting current recommendations that women avoid becoming pregnant during dasatinib treatment and be informed of fetal risks. Am. J. Hematol. 90:1111–1115, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Prospective study of fetal DNA in serum and disease activity during pregnancy in women with inflammatory arthritis

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually improves during pregnancy and recurs postpartum. Fetal cells and cell-free DNA reach the maternal circulation during normal pregnancy. The present study investigated dynamic changes in levels of fetal DNA in serum from women with RA and inflammatory arthritis during and after pregnancy to test the hypothesis that the levels of circulating fetal DNA correlate with arthritis improvement. METHODS: Twenty-five pregnant patients were prospectively studied. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction panel targeting unshared, paternally transmitted HLA sequences, a Y chromosome-specific sequence, or an insertion sequence within the glutathione S-transferase M1 gene was used to measure cell-free fetal DNA. Results were expressed as fetal genomic equivalents per milliliter (gE/ml) of maternal serum. Physical examinations were conducted during and after pregnancy. RESULTS: Levels of fetal DNA in women with improvement in or remission of arthritis were higher than those in women with active disease, especially in the third trimester. Overall, an inverse relationship between serum fetal DNA levels and disease activity was observed (P < 0.001). Serum fetal DNA increased with advancing gestation, reaching median levels of 24 gE/ml (range 0-334), 61 gE/ml (range 0-689), and 199 gE/ml (range 0-2,576) in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, with fetal DNA clearance observed postpartum. Arthritis improvement was initially noted in the first trimester for most patients, increased further or was sustained with advancing gestation, and was active postpartum. CONCLUSION: Changes in serum fetal DNA levels correlated with arthritis improvement during pregnancy and recurrence postpartum. Immunologic mechanisms by which pregnancy might modulate RA activity are described.     

妊娠合并感染性心内膜炎母婴结局分析

目的:探讨妊娠合并感染性心内膜炎(IE)患者的妊娠结局。方法:2009年10月至2014年10月,我院收治6例妊娠合并IE的患者,回顾分析其临床资料,包括孕周、心内膜炎感染类型、心功能分级、终止妊娠方式、手术指征及母婴结局。结果:6例患者均患有心脏疾病,其中先天性心脏病3例(室间隔缺损1例,法洛四联症1例,动脉导管未闭1例),瓣膜病变(中-重度反流+关闭不全)3例。心脏手术5例。分娩方式:6例患者均行剖宫手术终止妊娠,其中2例剖宫产同时性心脏手术。母亲结局:6例患者均痊愈出院。胎儿结局:剖宫取胎术1例,早产4例,足月产1例。5例新生儿无畸形,存活4例,死亡1例。结论:孕期合并IE发病凶险,严重威胁母儿安全,致死率高,临床上须引起重视,积极治疗。妊娠期心脏手术是可行的,剖宫产是终止妊娠适宜的分娩方式。     

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus

Background and aimsThe aim of the study was to evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), compared to women with GDM.MethodsThis prospective observational cohort study was done on multiparous women with GDM attending the two tertiary care hospitals. Subjects were divided into two groups, recurrent GDM and GDM. Demographics, clinical variables, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded between the two groups. The postpartum glycemic status was determined at six months.ResultsThere were 36 (20.2%) women with recurrent GDM and 142 (79.8%) women with GDM. Women with recurrent GDM were older (32.4 ± 6.2 versus 29.8 ± 5.6 years), had higher frequency of obesity, and insulin resistance than women with GDM. Women with recurrent GDM had poor glycemia at diagnosis as compared to GDM. Although the glycemic goals achieved were comparable but women with recurrent GDM have increased frequency of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and need for cesarean section. Women with recurrent GDM significantly had higher frequency of large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomic neonates. Postpartum diabetes at six months was significantly higher in women with recurrent GDM.ConclusionWomen with recurrent GDM are at increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes despite achieving optimal glycemic goals and also at the most significant risk of postpartum diabetes.     

妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症孕妇临床特点及妊娠结局分析

目的分析妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症(ICP)孕妇临床特点及妊娠结局。方法回顾性分析2015-01~2016-01产科收治的135例ICP孕妇(观察组)和同期分娩的135例非ICP孕妇(对照组),比较两组孕妇临床生化指标和羊水污染率、早产率、胎儿窘迫发生率、围产儿病死率、剖宫产率及孕妇产后出血量。结果(1)观察组总胆汁酸(TBA)、总胆红素(TB)、直接胆红素(DB)、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)和门冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)表达水平均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);(2)观察组羊水污染率、早产率、胎儿窘迫发生率、围产儿病死率、剖宫产率及产后出血率均明显高于对照组,且产后出血量明显多于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 ICP患者血清总胆汁酸水平明显升高,且妊娠结局常有明显不良预后,胎儿尤为明显,所以临床上应定时监测其TBA水平,及时予以相应治疗措施,减少或避免胎儿不良预后的发生,改善妊娠结局。     

Methadone maintenance vs. methadone taper during pregnancy: maternal and neonatal outcomes

This study compared five groups of participants: those receiving either three-day methadone-assisted withdrawal (MAW) alone (n = 67), three-day MAW followed by methadone maintenance (MM) (n = 8), seven-day MAW alone (n = 28), seven-day MAW followed by MM (n = 20), or a continuous MM sample (n = 52) enrolled between 1995-2001 in an urban drug treatment center. On average, patients in the three MM groups remained in treatment longer, attended more obstetrical visits, and more often delivered at the program hospital than patients in the two MAW alone groups. Given the poor maternal MAW outcomes, methadone maintenance should be considered as the primary treatment approach for opioid-dependent pregnant women.