Poor Sleep Quality Is Associated with Higher Hemoglobin A1c in Pregnant Women: A Pilot Observational Study.

We hypothesized that poor sleep quality exacerbates glucose intolerance manifested as elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which increases the risk for gestational diabetes. To test this, 38 pregnant and 22 non-pregnant (age, 18⁻35 years; body-mass index, 20⁻35 kg/m²) otherwise healthy women were enrolled in the study. Sleep quality was assessed during gestational week 24 (pregnant), or outside of the menstrual period (non-pregnant), using qualitative (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and objective (actigraphic wrist-watch) measures.

Composite neonatal and maternal morbidities with small- versus appropriate- for gestational age among uncomplicated obese women undergoing repeat cesarean delivery.

Purpose: Our goal was to compare composite neonatal and maternal morbidities (composite neonatal morbidity (CNM), composite maternal morbidity (CMM)) among deliveries with small for age (SGA) versus appropriate for gestational age (AGA; birthweight 10-89%) among obese versus non-obese women undergoing repeat cesarean delivery (CD).

Study Design: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study. Women who had elective CD ≥37 weeks were studied.

Circulating angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in women with eclampsia.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether eclampsia has a different circulating profile of angiogenic (placental growth factor [PlGF]) and antiangiogenic factors (soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 [sVEGFR-1] and soluble endoglin [sEng]) from severe preeclampsia.

Study Design: This cross-sectional study included pregnant women in the following groups: (1) normal pregnancy (n = 40); (2) severe preeclampsia (n = 40); and (3) eclampsia (n = 20). Maternal serum PlGF, sVEGFR-1, and sEng concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Cystic fibrosis in pregnancy.

Women with cystic fibrosis (CF) are living to childbearing age and many have successful pregnancies. Preconception care with optimization of pulmonary function, eradication of pulmonary infection, improved nutritional status, and diabetes care improve fertility and pregnancy outcome. Women with CF, poor pulmonary function and nutrition, and less than ideal body weight are more likely to suffer adverse outcomes.

The levels of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin in normal weight, overweight, and obese pregnant women with and without preeclampsia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare adipokines' levels between women with and without preeclampsia based on maternal body mass index (BMI).

Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study among third-trimester pregnancies with preeclampsia (PIH) compared with normotensive controls. Serum levels of adiponectin, leptin, and resistin were measured before delivery by radioimmunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Status of plasma folate after folic acid fortification of the food supply in pregnant African American women and the influences of diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

Background: African American women and socioeconomically challenged women are at risk of compromised folate status and, thus, of folate-related birth defects. Data are limited on circulating folate concentrations in pregnant African American women after folic acid fortification of the food supply was implemented.

Objective: The objective was to determine the influence of smoking and alcohol consumption on plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-MTHFA) concentrations in pregnant African American women.

Effects of alcohol intake during pregnancy on docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid in umbilical cord vessels of black women.

Objective: Alcohol influences the intake and metabolism of several nutrients including long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). The LC-PUFAs docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are particularly crucial for intrauterine growth and brain development. We hypothesized that alcohol consumption adversely affects LC-PUFA levels in pregnant women and their newborn infants.

Alcohol consumption in pregnant, black women is associated with decreased plasma and erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid.

Background: Inner-city, black women are among those groups that are at higher risk for having infants with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders that can include life-long neurobehavioral and cognitive impairments. Chronic alcohol consumption can decrease amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a fatty acid that is essential for optimal infant neural and retinal development in a variety of tissues.

Methods: Black women who presented at an inner-city antenatal clinic for their first prenatal visit were recruited into a longitudinal, observational study.

Comparison of bloodstream fatty acid composition from African-American women at gestation, delivery, and postpartum.

Our aim was to examine the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) status of pregnant African-American women reporting to the antenatal clinic at Wayne State University in a longitudinal study design. Fatty acid compositions of plasma and erythrocyte total lipid extracts were determined and food frequency surveys were administered at 24 weeks of gestation, delivery, and 3 months postpartum for participants (n = 157). DHA (mean +/- SD) in the estimated total circulating plasma was similar at gestation (384 +/- 162 mg) and delivery (372 +/- 155 mg) but was significantly lower at 3 months postpartum (178 +/- 81 mg).

Venous thromboembolism during pregnancy. Clinical suspicion warrants evaluation.

Objective: To determine the incidence, signs, symptoms and clinical outcomes of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy.

Study Design: A retrospective review was conducted from 1997 to 2001 including women with a diagnosis or suspicion of VTE during pregnancy. Demographics and clinical characteristics of patients with a suspicion for VTE were reviewed.