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1.
Biologics and pregnancy: a clinician's guide to the management of IBD in pregnant women.
Guerrero Vinsard, D, Kane, SV
Expert review of gastroenterology & hepatology. 2021;(6):633-641
Abstract
Introduction: Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) endorse a tremendous amount of concern about medication exposure during pregnancy and their effects on the fetus. Medical providers caring for this patient population should be well informed and feel comfortable counseling their patients for the best pregnancy outcome possible.Areas covered: It is of particular importance to understand the implications of use of biologics in preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum timeframes. Herein, we aim to inform the clinician about the impact of uncontrolled inflammation during pregnancy, the mechanisms of biologic transport through the placenta, the effects of biologics in maternal and neonatal outcomes, and additional postpartum considerations such as breastfeeding and vaccination safety.Expert opinion: The groundwork already set by previous research in terms of safety of biologic therapy during pregnancy has been reassuring. With the advent of more mechanisms of action but similar protein structure, i.e. they are IgG1 antibodies; the authors anticipate the recommendation of continuation of therapy throughout pregnancy will be sustained.
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2.
Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors of Congenital Anomalies: an Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.
Lee, KS, Choi, YJ, Cho, J, Lee, H, Lee, H, Park, SJ, Park, JS, Hong, YC
Journal of Korean medical science. 2021;(28):e183
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of congenital anomalies in newborns in South Korea was 272.9 per 100,000 in 2005, and 314.7 per 100,000 in 2006. In other studies, the prevalence of congenital anomalies in South Korea was equivalent to 286.9 per 10,000 livebirths in 2006, while it was estimated 446.3 per 10,000 births during the period from 2008 to 2014. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses analyzing the factors contributing to congenital anomalies have been reported, but comprehensive umbrella reviews are lacking. METHODS We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases up to July 1, 2019, for systematic reviews and meta-analyses that investigated the effects of environmental and genetic factors on any type of congenital anomalies. We categorized 8 subgroups of congenital anomalies classified according to the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Two researchers independently searched the literature, retrieved the data, and evaluated the quality of each study. RESULTS We reviewed 66 systematic reviews and meta-analyses that investigated the association between non-genetic or genetic risk factors and congenital anomalies. Overall, 269 associations and 128 associations were considered for environmental and genetic risk factors, respectively. Congenital anomalies based on congenital heart diseases, cleft lip and palate, and others were associated with environmental risk factors based on maternal exposure to environmental exposures (air pollution, toxic chemicals), parental smoking, maternal history (infectious diseases during pregnancy, pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus, and gestational diabetes mellitus), maternal obesity, maternal drug intake, pregnancy through artificial reproductive technologies, and socioeconomic factors. The association of maternal alcohol or coffee consumption with congenital anomalies was not significant, and maternal folic acid supplementation had a preventive effect on congenital heart defects. Genes or genetic loci associated with congenital anomalies included MTHFR, MTRR and MTR, GATA4, NKX2-5, SRD5A2, CFTR, and 1p22 and 20q12 anomalies. CONCLUSION This study provides a wide perspective on the distribution of environmental and genetic risk factors of congenital anomalies, thus suggesting future studies and providing health policy implications.
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3.
Maternal Nutrition and Neurodevelopment: A Scoping Review.
Cortés-Albornoz, MC, García-Guáqueta, DP, Velez-van-Meerbeke, A, Talero-Gutiérrez, C
Nutrients. 2021;(10)
Abstract
In this scoping review, we examined the association between maternal nutrition during pregnancy and neurodevelopment in offspring. We searched the Pubmed and ScienceDirect databases for articles published from 2000 to 2020 on inadequate intake of vitamins (B12, folate, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K), micronutrients (cooper, iron, creatine, choline, zinc, iodine), macronutrients (fatty acids, proteins), high fat diets, ketogenic diets, hypercaloric diets, and maternal undernutrition. Some older relevant articles were included. The search produced a total of 3590 articles, and 84 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Data were extracted and analyzed using charts and the frequency of terms used. We concluded that inadequate nutrient intake during pregnancy was associated with brain defects (diminished cerebral volume, spina bifida, alteration of hypothalamic and hippocampal pathways), an increased risk of abnormal behavior, neuropsychiatric disorders (ASD, ADHD, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression), altered cognition, visual impairment, and motor deficits. Future studies should establish and quantify the benefits of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on neurodevelopment and recommend adequate supplementation.
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4.
Is Supplementation with Micronutrients Still Necessary during Pregnancy? A Review.
Santander Ballestín, S, Giménez Campos, MI, Ballestín Ballestín, J, Luesma Bartolomé, MJ
Nutrients. 2021;(9)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Proper nutrition during pregnancy is important to prevent nutritional imbalances that interfere with pregnancy. Micronutrients play critical roles in embryogenesis, fetal growth, and maternal health, as energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral needs can increase during pregnancy. Increased needs can be met by increasing the intake of dietary micronutrients. Severe micronutrient deficiency or excess during pregnancy can have negative effects on fetal growth (intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, or congenital malformations) and pregnancy development (pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes). We investigate whether it is necessary to continue micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy to improve women's health in this stage and whether this supplementation could prevent and control pathologies associated with pregnancy. AIM: The present review aims to summarize evidence on the effects of nutritional deficiencies on maternal and newborn morbidity. METHODS This aim is addressed by critically reviewing results from published studies on supplementation with different nutrients during pregnancy. For this, major scientific databases, scientific texts, and official webpages have been consulted. PubMed searches using the terms "pregnancy" OR "maternal-fetal health" AND "vitamins" OR "minerals" OR "supplementation" AND "requirement" OR "deficiency nutrients" were performed. RESULTS There are accepted interventions during pregnancy, such as folic acid supplementation to prevent congenital neural tube defects, potassium iodide supplementation to correct neurodevelopment, and oral iron supplementation during the second half of pregnancy to reduce the risk of maternal anemia and iron deficiency. A number of micronutrients have also been associated with pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. In general, experimental studies are necessary to demonstrate the benefits of supplementation with different micronutrients and to adjust the recommended daily doses and the recommended periconceptional nutrition for mothers. CONCLUSIONS Presently, there is evidence of the benefits of micronutrient supplementation in perinatal results, but indiscriminate use is discouraged due to the fact that the side effects of excessive doses are not known. Evidence supports the idea that micronutrient deficiencies negatively affect maternal health and the outcome of pregnancy. No single micronutrient is responsible for the adverse effects; thus, supplementing or correcting one deficiency will not be very effective while other deficiencies exist.
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5.
Effects of lipoproteins on endothelial cells and macrophages function and its possible implications on fetal adverse outcomes associated to maternal hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy.
Cantin, C, Arenas, G, San Martin, S, Leiva, A
Placenta. 2021;:79-87
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia is one of the main risk factors associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. During pregnancy, maternal hypercholesterolemia develops, and it can occur in a physiological (MPH) or supraphysiological (MSPH) manner, where MSPH is associated with endothelial dysfunction and early atherosclerotic lesions in the fetoplacental vasculature. In the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, endothelial activation and endothelial dysfunction, characterized by an imbalance in the bioavailability of nitric oxide, contribute to the early stages of this disease. Macrophages conversion to foam cells, cholesterol efflux from these cells and its differentiation into a pro- or anti-inflammatory phenotype are also important processes that contribute to atherosclerosis. In adults it has been reported that native and modified HDL and LDL play an important role in endothelial and macrophage function. In this review it is proposed that fetal lipoproteins could be also relevant factors involved in the detrimental vascular effects described in MSPH. Changes in the composition and function of neonatal lipoproteins compared to adults has been reported and, although in MSPH pregnancies the fetal lipid profile does not differ from MPH, differences in the lipidomic profiles of umbilical venous blood have been reported, which could have implications in the vascular function. In this review we summarize the available information regarding the effects of lipoproteins on endothelial and macrophage function, emphasizing its possible implications on fetal adverse outcomes associated to maternal hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy.
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6.
Diagnosis and management of secondary causes of steatohepatitis.
Liebe, R, Esposito, I, Bock, HH, Vom Dahl, S, Stindt, J, Baumann, U, Luedde, T, Keitel, V
Journal of hepatology. 2021;(6):1455-1471
Abstract
The term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was originally coined to describe hepatic fat deposition as part of the metabolic syndrome. However, a variety of rare hereditary liver and metabolic diseases, intestinal diseases, endocrine disorders and drugs may underlie, mimic, or aggravate NAFLD. In contrast to primary NAFLD, therapeutic interventions are available for many secondary causes of NAFLD. Accordingly, secondary causes of fatty liver disease should be considered during the diagnostic workup of patients with fatty liver disease, and treatment of the underlying disease should be started to halt disease progression. Common genetic variants in several genes involved in lipid handling and metabolism modulate the risk of progression from steatosis to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development in NAFLD, alcohol-related liver disease and viral hepatitis. Hence, we speculate that genotyping of common risk variants for liver disease progression may be equally useful to gauge the likelihood of developing advanced liver disease in patients with secondary fatty liver disease.
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7.
Bisphenol A and Phthalates in Diet: An Emerging Link with Pregnancy Complications.
Filardi, T, Panimolle, F, Lenzi, A, Morano, S
Nutrients. 2020;(2)
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that are able to interfere with hormone action, likely contributing to the development of several endocrine and metabolic diseases. Among them, Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates contaminate food and water and have been largely studied as obesogenic agents. They might contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in pregnancy, potentially playing a role in the development of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and adverse outcomes. Pregnancy and childhood are sensitive windows of susceptibility, and, although with not univocal results, preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that exposure to BPA and phthalates at these stages of life might have an impact on the development of metabolic diseases even many years later. The molecular mechanisms underlying this association are largely unknown, but adipocyte and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction are suspected to be involved. Remarkably, transgenerational damage has been observed, which might be explained by epigenetic changes. Further research is needed to address knowledge gaps and to provide preventive measure to limit health risks connected with exposure to EDCs.
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8.
GC-MS as a tool for reliable non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome but essential also for other cholesterolopathies verification.
Jezela-Stanek, A, Siejka, A, Kowalska, EM, Hosiawa, V, Krajewska-Walasek, M
Ginekologia polska. 2020;(5):287-293
Abstract
Rare multiple congenital malformations/developmental disorders are challenging in clinical diagnosis. The introduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized this diagnostic by offering multigene panels or whole-exome sequencing. However, if there is no possibility to perform NGS or if we are facing prenatal ultrasound results, clinical diagnostics is even more difficult. For a selected group of congenital metabolic disorders, resulting from defects in cholesterol biosynthesis (called cholesterolopathies), application of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GS-MS) may provide or orientate diagnostics. The most common of these is Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), but in this publication, we also want to introduce other cholesterolopathies and draw attention to the possibility of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of SLOS.
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9.
A case of pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis and a review of the literature.
Jia, P, Wang, R, Yuan, J, Chen, H, Bao, L, Feng, F, Tang, H
Archives of osteoporosis. 2020;(1):94
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pregnancy and lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) is a rare disease whose precise pathophysiological mechanisms remain mostly unknown. CASE REPORT We reported here a case of PLO that occurred in the early postpartum period and led to multiple compression fractures. Combination therapy with alendronate, calcium carbonate, and vitamin D was used to treat the patient and a marked but gradual increase in the density of bone mineral was observed. Moreover, no further fractures have occurred. CONCLUSION PLO is a very rare type of osteoporosis associated with severe chronic back pain. Increased bone resorption significantly increases the risk of bone fractures in women with PLO. Early diagnosis, stopping breastfeeding, treatment of calcium and vitamin D, bisphosphonates, or other antiosteoporosis medicine and regular follow-ups of these cases are particularly important in the prevention of fractures and to increase the quality of life of patients.
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10.
Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Future Heart Disease.
Brown, HL, Smith, GN
Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America. 2020;(3):487-495
Abstract
Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in adult women. Beyond the traditional risk factors of obesity, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, women with the pregnancy complications of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, prematurity, and low birth weight for gestational age (fetal growth restriction) are at higher risk for later development of cardiovascular disease. Education of women and providers about the association of pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease should begin in the postpartum period. Postpartum cardiovascular risk screening and lifestyle modifications should be considered standard of care and are essential to improving cardiac health as a preventive strategy.