Publications by authors named "Laura Goodfellow"
Objective: To describe perinatal and maternal outcomes of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 23 weeks' gestation in a national cohort.
Design: Prospective observational study.
Setting: National population based cohort study with the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS), a research infrastructure of all 194 obstetric units in the UK, 1 September 2019 to 28 February 2021.
Background: Copper (Cu), an essential trace mineral regulating multiple actions of inflammation and oxidative stress, has been implicated in risk for preterm birth (PTB).
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association of maternal Cu concentration during pregnancy with PTB risk and gestational duration in a large multicohort study including diverse populations.
Methods: Maternal plasma or serum samples of 10,449 singleton live births were obtained from 18 geographically diverse study cohorts.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to identify traumatic events experienced by obstetricians and gynecologists (O&G) and understand the factors influencing their perception of trauma.
- A mixed-methods approach was used, involving an online survey and in-depth interviews primarily with members of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
- Key findings indicated that common traumatic events included maternal/neonatal deaths and difficult deliveries, with factors like unpredictability and lack of support intensifying feelings of trauma.*
Article Synopsis
- Preterm birth (PTB) occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy, with risk factors including genetics and infections, affecting different types of preterm births in unique ways.
- The study focused on identifying biomarkers for spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) using blood samples from pregnant women at 16 and 20 weeks gestation.
- Significant genomic and transcriptomic markers were found, such as the SNP rs14675645 linked to SPTB and microRNA-142 and specific gene sets related to inflammation for PPROM, suggesting potential biomarkers that need further validation in other populations.
Maternal selenium levels and whole genome screen in recurrent spontaneous preterm birth population: A nested case control study.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol
October 2021
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to determine the relationship between low maternal selenium (Se) levels and the risk of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) in pregnant women with a history of early sPTB.
- Researchers conducted a nested case-control study using blood samples collected from pregnant women with European ancestry at around 20 weeks of gestation, categorizing them into high-risk and low-risk groups based on their birth history.
- Findings revealed that women with recurrent sPTB were significantly more likely to have low Se levels compared to low-risk controls, but the genetic analysis did not show a clear link between maternal Se levels and preterm birth risk, indicating that while low Se is associated with sPTB, it lacks predictive power for
Article Synopsis
- Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral linked to preterm birth (PTB), and this study investigated its impact on PTB risk and gestational duration in nearly 10,000 maternal samples from diverse populations.
- The analysis found a significant associations where higher maternal Se concentrations correlated with reduced PTB risk and longer gestational periods; specifically, an increase of 15 ng/mL in Se was associated with a decrease in PTB odds by about 5% and an increase of 0.66 days in gestation duration.
- However, variability in results among different study sites indicates that factors unique to each population may influence these associations, highlighting the need for further research to clarify the underlying biological mechanisms and potential clinical implications.
Article Synopsis
- Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of infant mortality, influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and infections, prompting research into its underlying mechanisms for better prevention.
- This study analyzed maternal blood samples from high-risk and low-risk women at 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy to identify metabolic biomarkers linked to PTB, using advanced techniques like NMR metabolomics and genetic screening.
- Key findings indicated significant metabolite differences, particularly in lactate, phenylalanine, and acetate levels between groups, with a notable association between lactate and the TRAF1 gene, suggesting potential genetic pathways that may contribute to PTB risk.
Introduction: A 2018 Cochrane review found that omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy was associated with a risk reduction of early preterm birth of 0.58; prompting calls for universal supplementation. Recent analysis suggests the benefit may be confined to women with a low baseline omega-3 fatty acid status.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPreterm birth prevention is multifaceted and produces many nuanced questions. This review addresses six important clinical questions about preterm birth prevention as voted for by members of the UK Preterm Clinical Network. The questions cover the following areas: preterm birth prevention in 'low-risk' populations; screening for asymptomatic genital tract infection in women at high risk of preterm birth; cervical length screening with cerclage or vaginal pessary in situ; cervical shortening whilst using progesterone; use of vaginal progesterone in combination with cervical cerclage; and optimal advice about intercourse for women at high risk of preterm birth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCervical pessary for short cervix in high risk pregnant women: 5 years experience in a single centre.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med
April 2020
To describe single center clinical experience with cervical pessary used for high-risk pregnant women who also had short cervix. We have focused on the techniques to optimize efficacy and minimize the risk of complications and side effects related to pessary insertion, removal, and pregnancy management. This is an audit from specialist preterm birth prevention clinic in Liverpool Women's Hospital, United Kingdom for the period between January 2013 and December 2017.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To investigate the association between objectively measured maternal and preschool-aged children's physical activity, determine how this association differs by demographic and temporal factors, and identify factors associated with maternal activity levels.
Methods: In the UK Southampton Women's Survey, physical activity levels of 554 4-year-olds and their mothers were measured concurrently by using accelerometry for ≤7 days. Two-level mixed-effects linear regression was used to model the association between maternal and children's minutes spent sedentary, in light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).
Regulation of placental calcium transport and offspring bone health.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
August 2012
Osteoporosis causes considerable morbidity and mortality in later life, and the risk of the disease is strongly determined by peak bone mass, which is achieved in early adulthood. Poor intrauterine and early childhood growth are associated with reduced peak bone mass, and increased risk of osteoporotic fracture in older age. In this review we describe the regulatory aspects of intrauterine bone development, and then summarize the evidence relating early growth to later fracture risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOsteoporotic fracture has a major impact upon health, both in terms of acute and long term disability and economic cost. Peak bone mass, achieved in early adulthood, is a major determinant of osteoporosis risk in later life. Poor early growth predicts reduced bone mass, and so risk of fracture in later life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The purpose of this Cochrane Review was to establish the evidence base for treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.
Methods: Six hundred eight references were identified using a search strategy designed with the support of the Cochrane Review Epilepsy Group library. The search employed Medline and PsychInfo, and included hand searches of relevant journals (Seizure, Epilepsia, Epilepsy &Behavior, Epilepsy Research).