HLA-G and CD8+ regulatory T cells in the inflammatory environment of pre-eclampsia.

During pregnancy, the maternal immune system is tolerant to foetal antigens via the engagement of immune regulatory mechanisms. Failure in regulating the maternal immunity to foetal antigens may lead to pre-eclampsia (PE). We addressed the role of HLA-G gene polymorphisms and protein expression as well as regulatory T cells and Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines in healthy and pathological pregnancies.

The health team and the safety of the mother-baby binomial during labor and birth.

Objective: Describe the performance of the health care team regarding the safety of both mother and baby during labor and birth.

Methodology: Qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study. The subjects were: obstetricians, residents in Obstetrics, pediatricians, nurses, and nursing technicians.

Distress conditions during pregnancy may lead to pre-eclampsia by increasing cortisol levels and altering lymphocyte sensitivity to glucocorticoids.

Psychological stress may affect up to 18% of all pregnant women, altering the function of both neuroendocrine and immune systems. Distress conditions may directly change the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to increased cortisol levels and associated changes in cellular immunity. Psychological events such as high stress levels, anxiety or depression may directly or indirectly affect pregnancy and may thus lead to pre-eclampsia (PE).