1.
Congenital, Intrapartum and Postnatal Maternal-Fetal-Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 Infections: A Narrative Review.
Caparros-Gonzalez, RA, Pérez-Morente, MA, Hueso-Montoro, C, Álvarez-Serrano, MA, de la Torre-Luque, A
Nutrients. 2020;(11)
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is inconclusive evidence regarding congenital, intrapartum, and postnatal maternal-fetal-neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. A narrative review was conducted with the aim of guiding clinicians on the management of pregnant women with respect to congenital, intrapartum, and postnatal maternal-fetal-neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infections and breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Dialnet, CUIDEN, Scielo, and Virtual Health Library to identify observational, case series, case reports, and randomized controlled trial studies assessing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to baby and/or through breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS A total of 49 studies was included in this review, comprising 329 pregnant women and 331 neonates (two pregnant women delivered twins). The studies were performed in China (n = 26), USA (n = 7), Italy (n = 3), Iran (n = 2), Switzerland (n = 1), Spain (n = 1), Turkey (n = 1), Australia (n = 1), India (n = 1), Germany (n = 1), France (n = 1), Canada (n = 1), Honduras (n = 1), Brazil (n = 1), and Peru (n = 1). Samples from amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, placenta, cervical secretion, and breastmilk were collected and analyzed. A total of 15 placental swabs gave positive results for SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) on the fetal side of the placenta. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in seven breastmilk samples. One umbilical cord sample was positive for SARS-CoV-2. One amniotic fluid sample tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS This study presents some evidence to support the potential of congenital, intrapartum, and postnatal maternal-fetal-neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mothers should follow recommendations including wearing a facemask and hand washing before and after breastfeeding.
2.
Small-molecule nicotinamide for ex vivo expansion of umbilical cord blood.
Islam, P, Horwitz, ME
Experimental hematology. 2019;:11-15
Abstract
Umbilical cord blood transplant is an alternative graft source for patients lacking a human leukocyte antigen-matched donor; however, delayed engraftment times have historically resulted in transplant-related morbidity and mortality from complications such as infections and ineffective hematopoiesis. Recent advances in ex vivo expansion techniques have successfully augmented the initial cell dose delivered from an umbilical cord blood graft, leading to improved immune reconstitution, durable hematopoiesis, decreased transplant-related morbidity and mortality, and better outcomes. Herein we review the data for existing and developing ex vivo expansion techniques, with a focus on the preclinical and clinical data for nicotinamide-mediated cord blood expansion across both malignant and benign hematologic indications.
3.
Maternal and cord blood vitamin D status and childhood infection and allergic disease: a systematic review.
Fried, DA, Rhyu, J, Odato, K, Blunt, H, Karagas, MR, Gilbert-Diamond, D
Nutrition reviews. 2016;(6):387-410
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Abstract
CONTEXT It is unclear how in utero vitamin D deficiency affects the extraskeletal health of children, despite the known risks for adverse pregnancy/birth outcomes. OBJECTIVE This systematic review seeks to assess the effect of in utero vitamin D exposure on childhood allergy and infection outcomes using the PRISMA guidelines. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched. STUDY SELECTION Literature published through April 2015 was searched for studies reporting on the association between maternal pregnancy or cord blood vitamin D status and childhood allergy and infection. DATA EXTRACTION Of 4175 articles identified, 43 studies met the inclusion criteria. They examined a wide variety of outcomes, using many different vitamin D cutoff values in their analyses. DATA SYNTHESIS For most outcomes, results were inconsistent, although there appeared to be a protective effect between higher in utero vitamin D status and childhood lower respiratory tract infection (5 of 10 studies). CONCLUSIONS More research is needed on childhood allergy and infection outcomes, and future studies should standardize outcome reporting, especially with regard to cutoff values for vitamin D concentrations. Evidence of a protective association between in utero vitamin D exposure and lower respiratory tract infection was found, while the other outcomes were either understudied or showed inconsistent results.PROSPERO registration no. CRD42013006156.