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Vascular ultrasound measures before pregnancy and pregnancy complications: A prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT: To examine the relationship between pre-pregnancy indicators of cardiovascular risk and pregnancy complications and outcomes.Data from 359 female participants in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study were linked with the national birth registry. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD; maximum change in the left brachial artery diameter after rest and hyperemia); carotid intima-media thickness (IMT); Young's elastic modulus (YEM); and carotid artery distensibility (Cdist) at the visit prior to the pregnancy were examined as predictors of hypertensive disorders, birthweight, and gestational age using multivariable linear regression with adjustment for confounders (age, BMI, smoking, and socioeconomic status).No relations were seen between FMD, IMT, or the stiffness indices, and hypertensive disorders. Higher pre-pregnancy FMD was associated with lower gestational age, while increased Cdist was associated with reduced birthweight-for-gestational-age.Some cardiovascular ultrasound measures of pre-pregnancy may predict pregnancy complications, but the association is likely to be small.

SUBMITTER: Harville EW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5580333 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Vascular ultrasound measures before pregnancy and pregnancy complications: A prospective cohort study.

Harville Emily W EW Juonala Markus M Viikari Jorma S A JS Kähönen Mika M Raitakari Olli T OT

Hypertension in pregnancy 20161118 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>To examine the relationship between pre-pregnancy indicators of cardiovascular risk and pregnancy complications and outcomes.<h4>Study design</h4>Data from 359 female participants in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study were linked with the national birth registry. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD; maximum change in the left brachial artery diameter after rest and hyperemia); carotid intima-media thickness (IMT); Young's elastic modulus (YEM); and carotid artery distensib ...[more]

PMID: 27858505

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Project description:BackgroundAir pollution exposure during pregnancy might have trimester-specific effects on fetal growth.ObjectiveWe prospectively evaluated the associations of maternal air pollution exposure with fetal growth characteristics and adverse birth outcomes in 7,772 subjects in the Netherlands.MethodsParticulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were estimated using dispersion modeling at the home address. Fetal head circumference, length, and weight were estimated in each trimester by ultrasound. Information on birth outcomes was obtained from medical records.ResultsIn cross-sectional analyses, NO2 levels were inversely associated with fetal femur length in the second and third trimester, and PM10 and NO2 levels both were associated with smaller fetal head circumference in the third trimester [-0.18 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.24, -0.12 mm; and -0.12 mm, 95% CI: -0.17, -0.06 mm per 1-μg/m3 increase in PM10 and NO2, respectively]. Average PM10 and NO2 levels during pregnancy were not associated with head circumference and length at birth or neonatally, but were inversely associated with birth weight (-3.6 g, 95% CI: -6.7, -0.4 g; and -3.4 g, 95% CI: -6.2, -0.6 g, respectively). Longitudinal analyses showed similar patterns for head circumference and weight, but no associations with length. The third and fourth quartiles of PM10 exposure were associated with preterm birth [odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.89; and OR = 1.32; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.79, relative to the first quartile]. The third quartile of PM10 exposure, but not the fourth, was associated with small size for gestational age at birth (SGA) (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.90). No consistent associations were observed for NO2 levels and adverse birth outcomes.ConclusionsResults suggest that maternal air pollution exposure is inversely associated with fetal growth during the second and third trimester and with weight at birth. PM10 exposure was positively associated with preterm birth and SGA.

Project description:INTRODUCTION:Physical activity (PA) during first 20 weeks of pregnancy may lower risks of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational hypertension (GH), though evidence of association remains inconclusive. Current studies rely heavily on subjective assessment of PA levels. Wearable activity trackers provide a convenient and objective surrogate index for PA validated by evidence-based steps/day categorisation along a physical inactivity/activity continuum. I-ACT primarily aims to examine objectively measured PA levels and patterns in first and second trimesters of pregnancy and the association with GDM and/or GH in Singapore, a multiethnic Asian population. Secondary aims include investigating the bio-socio-demographic factors associated with sedentary behaviour, and association of early pregnancy PA level with maternal weight at 6 weeks postdelivery. Results may facilitate identification of high-risk mothers-to-be and formulation of interventional strategies. METHODS AND ANALYSIS:Prospective cohort study that will recruit 408 women at first antenatal visit at <12 weeks' gestation. Baseline bio-socio-demographic factors and PA levels assessed by participant characteristics form and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), respectively. An activity tracker (Fitbit) will be provided to be worn daily from date of recruitment to end of 20 weeks' gestation. Tracker-recorded data will be synchronised with an application on participant's smartphone. Compliance will be reinforced with fortnightly reminders. After 20 weeks, a second IPAQ and a feedback form will be administered. GDM screened at 24-28 weeks' gestation. GH diagnosed after 20-weeks gestation. Maternal weight assessed at 6 weeks postdelivery. Appropriate statistical tests will be used to compare continuous and categorical PA measurements between first and second trimesters. Logistic regression will be used to analyse associations. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:Ethical approval obtained from the Centralised Institutional Review Board of SingHealth (reference 2017/2836). Dissemination of results will be via peer-reviewed research publications both online and in print, conference presentations, posters and medical forums.

Project description:BACKGROUND AND AIM:Use of ultrasound scans early in pregnancy is increasing, but we have limited knowledge about the actual prevalence, associated decision-making and impact on expectant women/couples in a general population. The aim of this study was to document the use of, and experiences related to, foetal scanning before the recommended 19th week scan among pregnant women in Iceland. POPULATION AND METHODS:The data come from the Icelandic Childbirth and Health Cohort Study 2009-11. A total of 1111 women attending prenatal care at primary care health centres answered questionnaires before mid-pregnancy and after birth, including questions about the number of scanning procedures during pregnancy. These might include consumer-initiated 'pregnancy confirmation scans,' scans for clinical reasons, and screening for foetal anomalies in week 11-14 which is optional in Iceland. The questionnaires also addressed parental decision-making associated with the 11-14?week screening, perception of the pre-screening information, reasons for attending or declining, and whether/how early foetal screening affected the women's concerns related to the unborn child. RESULTS:A total of 95% of the women reported some kind of foetal ultrasound scanning before the 19th week scan, and 64% reported two or more scans in this period. 78% of the women chose to participate in screening for foetal anomalies in week 11-14. Decision-making in relation to this screening was mainly informed by sources outside the healthcare system, and many women characterized participation as 'self-evident'. Most women felt they got sufficient information about the scope of screening, whilst information regarding potential downsides and risks was frequently perceived as insufficient. Most women who chose the 11-14?week screening reported a reassuring or neutral effect, whilst 10% of the women reported that it increased their concerns related to their unborn child. CONCLUSIONS:Ultrasound scans in the first half of pregnancy are in high use in Iceland and have apparently become part of a broader pregnancy culture, encompassing both high- and low-risk pregnancies. Whether this is a favourable development or to some extent represents unwarranted medicalization, can be debated. More balanced information might be provided prior to early screening for foetal anomalies.

Dataset Information

Vascular ultrasound measures before pregnancy and pregnancy complications: A prospective cohort study.

Publications

Vascular ultrasound measures before pregnancy and pregnancy complications: A prospective cohort study.

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