Effects of fetal haemoglobin on systemic oxygenation in preterm infants and the development of retinopathy of prematurity PacIFiHER Report No. 2.

Background/aims: Fetal haemoglobin (HbF) has an oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve that may affect systemic oxygenation and the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The study aim is to characterise the effects of HbF levels on systemic oxygenation and ROP development.

Methods: Prospective study conducted from 1 September 2017 through 31 December 2018 at the Johns Hopkins NICU.

Lower foetal haemoglobin levels at 31- and 34-weeks post menstrual age is associated with the development of retinopathy of prematurity : PacIFiHER Report No. 1 PacIFiHER Study Group (Preterm Infants and Fetal Haemoglobin in ROP).

Background/objectives: Previous studies have suggested that lower mean foetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels is associated with an increased risk for developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Lower HbF levels may lead to high oxygen exposure to the developing retina thereby increasing the risk of acute ROP. In this study, we characterize the temporal relationship of HbF levels and the development of ROP.

Mouse Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviate Perinatal Brain Injury Via a CD8 T Cell Mechanism in a Model of Intrauterine Inflammation.

The objective of this study was to determine if mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) ameliorate preterm birth and perinatal brain injury induced by intrauterine inflammation (IUI). A mouse model of IUI-induced perinatal brain injury at embryonic (E) day 17 was utilized. BMMSCs were derived from GFP-transgenic mice and phenotypically confirmed to be CD44, Sca-1, CD45, CD34, CD11b, and CD11c by flow cytometry and sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).

Placental malperfusion in response to intrauterine inflammation and its connection to fetal sequelae.

Exposure to intrauterine inflammation (IUI) is associated with short- and long-term adverse perinatal outcomes. However, little data exist on utilizing placenta to prognosticate fetal injury in this scenario. Our study aimed to utilize imaging modalities to evaluate mechanisms contributing to placental injury following IUI exposure and correlated it to concomitant fetal brain injury.

Maternal Supplementation of Low Dose Fluoride Alleviates Adverse Perinatal Outcomes Following Exposure to Intrauterine Inflammation.

Maternal periodontal disease has been linked to adverse pregnancy sequelae, including preterm birth (PTB); yet, root planing and scaling in pregnancy has not been associated with improved perinatal outcomes. Fluoride, a cariostatic agent, has been added to drinking water and dental products to prevent caries and improve dental health. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of fluoride supplementation using a mouse model of preterm birth and perinatal sequalae.

Maternal CD8 T-cell depletion alleviates intrauterine inflammation-induced perinatal brain injury.

We investigated the mechanisms by which CD8 T-cell trafficking in placenta contributes to perinatal brain injury by studying effects of maternal CD8 T-cell depletion (DEP) in a mouse model of intrauterine inflammation (IUI). Maternal CD8 T cells were depleted with anti-CD8 antibodies. IUI was induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).