Placental and Fetal Metabolic Reprogramming in Pregnancies with Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

The high-altitude hypoxia model demonstrates that insufficiently oxygenated placentas activate compensatory mechanisms to ensure fetal survival, hinging on the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether and when similar mechanisms are also activated during intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). A retrospective observational study evaluated a series of umbilical cord blood samples, which provide a realistic representation of the fetal intrauterine status, collected from a cohort of preterm and term neonates, both affected and not affected by IUGR.

OPtimal TIming of antenatal COrticosteroid administration in pregnancies complicated by early-onset fetal growth REstriction: results of a large, multicenter cohort study (the OPTICORE study).

Background: Early-onset fetal growth restriction as consequence of placental insufficiency frequently requires iatrogenic, preterm birth. Administration of antenatal corticosteroids reduces risks of neonatal morbidity and mortality following preterm birth and is most beneficial if the neonate is delivered within two weeks following treatment. International guidelines on fetal growth restriction pregnancies do not provide directives regarding the timing of antenatal corticosteroids, resulting in practice variation.

Impact of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, Climate, and Air Pollution on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Scoping Review.

Environmental pollutants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), air pollution, and climate change, are increasingly recognized for their potential impact on pregnancy outcomes. EDCs, found in pesticides, industrial chemicals, and personal care products, are associated with preterm birth and fetal growth restriction, primarily through hormonal interference. Air pollution, notably PM, NO, and O, has been linked to increased rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth.

Stem Cell Markers LGR5, LGR4 and Their Immediate Signalling Partners are Dysregulated in Preeclampsia.

Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptors 5/4 (LGR5/LGR4) are critical stem cell markers in epithelial tissues including intestine. They agonise wingless-related integration site (WNT) signalling. Until now, LGR5/LGR4 were uncharacterised in placenta, where analogous functions may exist.

Counselling in Fetal Medicine: Complications of Monochorionic Diamniotic Twin Pregnancies.

Twin pregnancies are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality compared to singletons. Among all twins, monochorionic pregnancies are at higher risk of specific and non-specific complications compared to dichorionic pregnancies. Therefore, it is of great importance to properly counsel future parents with monochorionic pregnancies regarding the risks of adverse outcomes and the modalities of monitoring and intervention of the potential complications.

Chronic Inflammation Offers Hints About Viable Therapeutic Targets for Preeclampsia and Potentially Related Offspring Sequelae.

The combination of hypertension with systemic inflammation during pregnancy is a hallmark of preeclampsia, but both processes also convey dynamic information about its antecedents and correlates (e.g., fetal growth restriction) and potentially related offspring sequelae.

Perinatal Outcomes in Appropriately Grown Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins With Intermittent Absent and Reversed End-Diastolic Umbilical Artery Flow Compared to Selective Fetal Growth Restriction Type III.

Objectives: Umbilical artery Doppler intermittent absent and reversed end-diastolic flow (iAREDF) is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality in monochorionic twins with selective fetal growth restriction. The clinical significance of umbilical artery iAREDF in appropriately grown monochorionic twins is not well described.

Methods: This is a single-institution retrospective cohort study describing characteristics and outcomes of monochorionic diamniotic twins with appropriate for gestational age growth and umbilical artery iAREDF in comparison to monochorionic diamniotic twins with selective fetal growth restriction and iAREDF, or sFGR type III.

Melatonin supplementation to sows in mid to late gestation affects offspring circadian, myogenic, and growth factor transcript abundance in pre and postnatal skeletal muscle.

The neuroendocrine hormone melatonin is associated with circadian rhythms and has antioxidant and vasodilative properties. In cattle, melatonin rescues fetal growth during maternal nutrient restriction in a seasonally dependent manner, but melatonin research in swine is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary melatonin supplementation during mid to late gestation on circadian rhythm and muscle growth and development of the longissimus dorsi in utero and postnatally.

IGF-1 LR3 Does Not Promote Growth in Late Gestation Growth Restricted Fetal Sheep.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin are important fetal anabolic hormones. Complications of pregnancy, such as placental insufficiency, can lead to fetal growth restriction FGR) with low circulating IGF-1 and insulin concentrations and attenuated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), which likely contribute to neonatal glucose dysregulation. We previously demonstrated that a one-week infusion of IGF-1 LR3, an IGF-1 analog with low affinity for IGF binding proteins and high affinity for the IGF-1 receptor, at 6.

Atopic dermatitis and the outcomes of pregnancy and offspring: A nationwide population-based study in Taiwan.

Background And Objectives: Studies have identified increased risks of pregnancy complications in expectant mothers with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the associations between maternal AD and adverse pregnancy or offspring outcomes in Asians remain unexplored. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between maternal AD and adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes in Taiwan.

Risk Factors, Associations, and Outcomes of Reduced Fetal Movements: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study at Port Sudan Maternity Hospital.

Background: Reduced fetal movements (RFM) are a significant concern in obstetric care. They often indicate fetal distress and are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes such as stillbirth and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). While RFM is recognized as a critical marker of fetal well-being, there is a limit to the data available on its risk factors and outcomes in the Port Sudan region.

Effects of gestational intermittent hypoxia on the respiratory system: A tale of the placenta, fetus, and developing offspring.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that is associated with a wide variety of health conditions, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, metabolic, neoplastic, and neurocognitive manifestations. OSA, as a chronic condition, is mainly characterised by repeated upper airway obstructions during sleep that cause episodes of intermittent hypoxia (IH), resulting in tissue hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles. Decreased arterial oxygen pressure (PaO) and haemoglobin saturation (SatO) stimulate reflex responses to overcome the obstruction.

Associations between adverse pregnancy outcomes and cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Individuals with adverse pregnancy outcomes have an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease, but the association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and cognitive impairment and dementia is less well established. We aimed to synthesise, combine, and assess the growing body of data examining the associations between adverse pregnancy outcomes and mild cognitive impairment and dementia in parous women.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, and Embase from database inception up to July 18, 2024, with no language restrictions, for observational studies or clinical trials that reported mild cognitive impairment or dementia as outcomes and included female individuals or women who had an adverse pregnancy outcome, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, or placental abruption.

Co-developing sleep-wake and sensory foundations for cognition in the human fetus and newborn.

In older children and adults, cognition builds upon waking sensory experience which is consolidated during sleep. In the fetus and newborn, sensory input is instead largely experienced during sleep. The nature of these sensory inputs differs within sleep, between active and quiet sleep, as well as versus wakefulness.

Prenatal genetic detection in foetus with gallbladder size anomalies: cohort study and systematic review of the literature.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the detection rate of genetic abnormalities in cases of foetal gallbladder (FGB) size abnormalities to determine whether these abnormalities justify prenatal diagnosis.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty-seven foetuses with gallbladder (GB) size anomalies who underwent prenatal diagnosis between January 2015 and June 2024 were included in the study. All these patients underwent chromosomal microarray and/or karyotyping, and 37 cases also underwent whole exome sequencing (WES).

Gestational hypercholanemia suppresses pregnancy-associated adipose mass increase and stimulates a pro-inflammatory environment in mice.

Women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) have hypercholanemia alongside an increased risk of dyslipidemia. We investigated how cholic acid (CA) supplementation in murine pregnancy impacts adipose tissue function. Mice were fed normal or 0.

Decoding the molecular pathways governing trophoblast migration and placental development; a literature review.

Placental development is a multifaceted process critical for a fruitful pregnancy, reinforced by a complex network of molecular pathways that synchronize trophoblast migration, differentiation, and overall placental function. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the key signaling pathways, such as Wnt, Notch, TGF-β, and VEGF, which play fundamental roles in trophoblast proliferation, invasion, and the complicated process of placental vascular development. For instance, the Wnt signaling pathway is essential to balance trophoblast stem cell proliferation and differentiation, while Notch signaling stimulates cell fate decisions and invasive behavior.

Early postnatal transitional circulation in fetal growth restricted neonates.

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) may impact early postnatal transitional circulation.

Aim: Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular cardiac output, superior vena cava (SVC) and ductus venosus (DV) blood flow in FGR neonates first three days after birth.

Study Design: Prospective observational study.

Fetomaternal outcome in preeclampsia and eclampsia with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.

Introduction: Preeclampsia and eclampsia are hypertensive disorders of pregnancy associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological complication observed in these conditions, yet its impact on fetomaternal outcomes remains underexplored. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between PRES and fetomaternal outcomes in women with preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Cesarean Section Trends and Associated Factors at a Tertiary Care Center in India: A Retrospective Study.

Background Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on women globally, and its prevalence has been rising significantly over the past few decades. CS rates have been increasing globally, raising public health concerns due to the associated financial burden and increased health risks compared to vaginal delivery. Methodology This study involves a retrospective analysis of delivery records from a tertiary care hospital in Uttar Pradesh, India, over 10 years, from January 2011 to December 2021.

Association Between Placental Pathology and Early-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction: A Systematic Review.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is defined as the failure of the fetus to achieve its genetically determined growth potential. Our aim is to compare the placental lesions present in early-onset fetal growth restriction with that of late-onset FGR. We performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA guideline.