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Purpose: Prenatal depressive symptoms are an important mental health problem during pregnancy. We aimed to explore the moderating role of social support on the association between perceived stress and prenatal depressive symptoms. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an obstetrics clinic. A total of 1846 women completed a self-administered questionnaire, with a response rate of 91.8%. Results: Of the 1846 participants, 28.2% reported prenatal depressive symptoms (Edinburgh postnatal depression scale score ≥ 9). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, gestational age, exercise, and passive smoking, both perceived stress (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.210, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.178– 1.242) and social support (AOR: 0.950, 95% CI: 0.932– 0.968) were associated with prenatal depressive symptoms. Moreover, social support had a moderating effect on the association between perceived stress and prenatal depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), and pregnant women with low social support were more likely to be affected by stress and experience prenatal depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Our study suggests that higher social support reduces the impact of stress on pregnant women, which in turn, decreases the risk of prenatal depressive symptoms. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving social support should be considered for the prevention and treatment of prenatal depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the preterm birth and additional perinatal outcomes between spontaneous and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) dichorionic-diamnionic (DCDA) twin pregnancies.Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary university-affiliated medical center. All women with DCDA twin pregnancies were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome of interest was preterm birth <37 weeks of gestation and secondary outcomes included spontaneous preterm birth, iatrogenic (induced) preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder, preeclampsia, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, placenta previa, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, birthweight discordance, small for gestational age, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, ventilator support, and perinatal death and/or severe morbidity. These outcomes were compared between IVF/ICSI and spontaneous twin pregnancies. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to adjust for confounders. General estimated equation models were used to address intertwin correlation.Results: A total of 1297 twin pregnancies, including 213 spontaneous and 1084 IVF/ICSI DCDA pregnancies, met the inclusion criteria. Women with IVF/ICSI pregnancies were older and had higher body mass index, adherence with prenatal care and proportion of nulliparity. After adjustment for confounders, IVF/ICSI pregnancies were associated with a slight increase in preterm birth <37 weeks of gestation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.72; 95% CI 1.24-2.39), iatrogenic preterm birth <37 weeks of gestation (aOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.00-1.97) as well as NICU admission (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.00-1.80). IVF/ICSI pregnancies were associated with a decrease in PPROM (aOR 0.64; 95% CI 0.42-0.99). There were no differences between IVF/ICSI and spontaneous DCDA pregnancies in terms of spontaneous preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder, preeclampsia, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, placenta previa, birthweight discordance, small for gestational age, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, ventilator support, and perinatal death and/or severe morbidity.Conclusions: IVF/ICSI DCDA twin pregnancies were associated with a slight increase in preterm birth <37 weeks of gestation, iatrogenic preterm birth <37 weeks of gestation, and NICU admission but with a decrease in PPROM. Other outcomes were comparable between IVF/ICSI and spontaneous DCDA twin pregnancies. Multicenter studies with adequate power remain warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Velamentous cord insertion (VCI) has been proposed to be associated with some specific complications among monochorionic (MC) twin pregnancies. This meta-analysis and systematic review aims to determine the role of VCI in MC twin pregnancies.Methods: The PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases and reference lists were searched for relevant studies. Outcomes of interest included twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), birthweight discordance (BWD) and selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR). The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The pooled results were calculated by means of a random or fixed effect model to obtain odds ratio with 95% confidential interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were utilized to detect the sources of heterogeneity.Results: Twenty studies were eligible for inclusion. The pooled result suggested a significant association between VCI and TTTS (OR, 1.542; 95% CI, 1.116-2.129) with a moderate level of heterogeneity (Q test: p = .024; I2 = 50.2%). Subgroup analysis reported single-center study, methodological quality and exclusion of laser-coagulated TTTS as the sources of heterogeneity. Another analysis revealed an increased risk of BWD among twin pregnancies with VCI (OR, 2.945; 95% CI, 2.176-3.984) with a low heterogeneity (Q test: p = .347; I2 = 10.5%). None of study level characteristics was found to be an influencing factor. Three studies reporting on sIUGR suggested a significant association between VCI and sIUGR.Conclusions: The meta-analysis and systematic review suggests an association between VCI and BWD and sIUGR. However, the association between VCI and TTTS may be overestimated and high-quality studies with a representative sample are needed in further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the size and shape association of OGTT values with adverse pregnancy complications among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Southern Han Chinese population and further analyze their mediating effects with maternal age in outcomes. Methods: 6,861 women with GDM were included in the study. Logistic regression was used to identify the correlations between OGTT values and adverse pregnancy outcomes of GDM. Restricted cubic spline nested logistic regression was conducted to investigate potential non-linear and linear associations. Mediating effect among maternal age, OGTT and adverse outcomes were explored. Results: Women with GDM had a mean age of 31.83, and 24.49% had advanced maternal age (≥35 years). In logistic regression with adjustment, compared with lower OGTT0 (<5.1 mmol/L), GDM patients with higher OGTT0 (≥5.1 mmol/L) exhibited 1.891 (95% CI: 1.441–2.298, P < 0.001), 1.284 (1.078–1.529, P = 0.005), 1.285 (1.065–1.550, P = 0.009), and 1.302 (1.067–1.590, P = 0.010) times increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), preterm, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and macrosomia, respectively. GDM patients with higher OGTT1 (≥10 mmol/L) had only found to exhibited 1.473-fold (1.162–1.867, P = 0.001) increasing risk of HDP than those with lower OGTT1 (<10 mmol/L). No adverse outcome was identified to associate with higher OGTT2 (≥8.5 mmol/L). Linear relationships (non-linear P > 0.05) were observed between OGTT0 and HDP, preterm, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and macrosomia in both maternal age groups (<35 and ≥35 years). Non-linear associations of OGTT1 with incidence of HDP, preterm, and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were detected in GDM patients younger than 35 years (non-linear P = 0.037, P = 0.049, P = 0.039, respectively), rising more steeply at higher values. Similar non-linearity was noted for OGTT2 with HDP in older patients. All OGTT values had significant mediating effects on some special complications caused by higher age. Conclusion: Higher fasting plasma glucose was more strongly linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes among GDM patients. Both linearity and Non-linearity of associations between glucose and complications should be taken into account. A careful reconsideration of GDM with hierarchical and individualized management according to OGTT is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Complete placenta previa (CPP) is one of the most problematic types of abnormal placenta, which is further complicated by placenta accreta or percreta that can unexpectedly lead to catastrophic blood loss, infection, multiple complications, emergency hysterectomy, and even death. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of random placenta margin incision in controlling intraoperative and total blood loss during cesarean section for CPP women. Methods: A prospective cohort study, including a total of 100 consecutive pregnant women with CPP, was performed at a tertiary university-affiliated medical center between March 2016 and July 2017. All of them underwent random placenta margin incision, and intraoperative and total blood loss were analyzed. Through antenatal diagnosis using color Doppler, women were further divided into abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) and non-AIP groups, and anterior and posterior placenta groups. The protocol was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry under registration number NCT02695069. Results: Mean maternal age and gestational age at delivery were 32.26 ± 5.03 years old and 36.21 ± 2.07 weeks, respectively. Total duration of the surgical procedure time was 52.50 (42.43-64.00) min. Median estimated intraoperation blood loss was 746.43 (544.44-1092.86) ml. Total blood loss was 875.00 (604.50-1196.67) ml, and 38 (38.0%) had post-partum hemorrhage. The change from baseline in the median hemoglobin level was -0.33 (6.00-13.20). No women underwent hysterectomy due to massive hemorrhage during the study period. No women had an intraoperative urinary bladder injury, postoperative wound infection, and required relaparotomy, owing to intra-abdominal bleeding. The median hospitalization time was 5.41 (4.18-7.58) d. Conclusion: The random placenta margin incision may be a potentially valuable surgical procedure to control the volumes of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss and reduce the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage among women with complete placenta previa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the prospective correlation between serum metals before 24 weeks' gestation and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or glucose in the late second trimester among southern Chinese pregnant women. A total of 8169 pregnant women were included in our retrospective cohort study. Logistic regression was used to investigate the relationships between metals (Manganese [Mn], copper [Cu], lead [Pb], calcium [Ca], zinc [Zn], magnesium [Mg]) and GDM. Quantile regression was performed to detect the shifts and associations with metals and three time-points glucose distribution of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) focused on the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression was used to explore the relationship of metal mixtures and GDM as well as glucose. Maternal serum concentrations of metals were assessed at mean 16.55 ± 2.92 weeks' gestation. Women with under weight might have 25% decreased risk of GDM for every 50% increase in Cu concentration within the safe limits. A 50% increase in Mn and Zn levels was related to a 0.051 μmol/L (95% CI: 0.033–0.070) and 0.059 μmol/L (95% CI: 0.040–0.079) increase in mean fasting plasma glucose of OGTT (OGTT0), respectively. The magnitude of association with Mn was smaller at the upper tail of OGTT0 distribution, while the magnitude of correlation with Zn was greater at the upper tail. However, there was a 0.012 mmol/L (95% CI: −0.017 to −0.008), 0.028 mmol/L (95% CI: −0.049 to −0.007), and 0.036 mmol/L (95% CI: −0.057 to −0.016) decrease in mean OGTT0 levels for every 50% increase in Pb, Ca, and Mg, respectively. The negative association of Pb, Ca, and Mg was greater at the lower tail of OGTT0 distribution. No significant relationship was observed in Cu and mean OGTT0 level (−0.010 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.021 to 0.001), however, it showed a protective effect at the upper tail (−0.034 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.049 to −0.017). No obvious correlation was found between metals and postprandial glucose levels (OGTT1 and OGTT2 from OGTT). The WQS index was significantly related to OGTT0 (P < 0.001). The contribution of Mn (80.19%) to metal mixture index was the highest related to OGTT0, followed by Cu (19.81%). Higher Mn and Zn but lower Pb, Ca, and Mg concentrations within a certain range before 24 weeks' gestation might prospectively impair fasting plasma glucose during pregnancy; a greater focus is required on Mn. It could provide early markers of metal for predicting later glucose and suggest implement intervention for pregnant women. • Higher serum Cu before 24 weeks' gestation decreases GDM risk in women with BMI < 18.5. • Serum Mn and Zn before 24 w prospectively increase OGTT0 in late second trimester. • Serum Pb, Ca and Mg before 24 w prospectively decrease OGTT0 in late second trimester. • OGTT0 is mainly driven by Mn, followed by Cu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational weight gain (GWG) has been understudied among twin pregnancies. This systematic review aimed to review the data on the associations between GWG, based on the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines and pregnancy outcomes among twin gestations., Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A search for eligible studies published from January 2010 to August 2020 was conducted in the EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane databases. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data on study characteristics and main findings were extracted independently by two reviewers using a standard form. Outcomes of interest included (spontaneous) preterm birth (PTB), gestational hypertensive disorder (gestational hypertension and eclampsia), and small for gestational age (SGA)., Results: Eighteen observational studies of twin gestations met the inclusion criteria. GWG below the IOM recommendations was reported to be associated with increased PTB and SGA while GWG above the recommendation was associated with increased gestational hypertensive disorder. However, the results were inconsistent. Methodological limitations, such as a retrospective design, the use of weekly GWG, a small sample size and insufficient adjustment, impeded the clarification of the association between GWG and perinatal outcomes. In addition, the optimal GWG for underweight women was not fully studied., Conclusions: The maintenance of weight gain within the 2009 IOM guidelines would decrease the risks of adverse outcomes among twin pregnancies. However, rigorous studies are warranted to provide robust evidence to refine the optimal GWG among twin gestations.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported to have important roles in placental development and function, but the role of lncRNAs in abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) remains elusive. In the present study, the differential expression profiles of lncRNAs were analyzed to identify novel targets for further study of AIP. A total of 10 lncRNAs were chosen for validation by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. To further determine the functions of dysregulated lncRNAs and their corresponding mRNAs, functional enrichment analysis, coexpression analysis were performed. A total of 329 lncRNAs and 179 mRNAs were identified to be differently expressed between the invasive and control group. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the 10 most significantly enriched functions included upregulated mRNAs and the most significantly enriched term was related to the proteinaceous extracellular matrix (ECM). In the pathway analysis, the two most significantly enriched pathways were the TGF-β signaling pathway for upregulated mRNAs and the pentose phosphate pathway for downregulated mRNAs. Furthermore, for certain dysregulated lncRNAs, their associated mRNAs were also dysregulated. Of note, BMP and activin membrane-bound inhibitor and TGF-β-induced, as the target genes of the TGF-β pathway, were indicated to be closely related to the ECM and invasive placental cells. Their nearby lncRNAs G008916 and vault RNA2-1 were also significantly dysregulated. In conclusion, significant lncRNAs with the potential to serve as biomarkers for AIP were identified., (Copyright: © Zhang et al.)

Introduction: Complete placenta previa (CPP) is one of the most problematic types of abnormal placenta, which is further complicated by placenta accreta or percreta that can unexpectedly lead to catastrophic blood loss, infection, multiple complications, emergency hysterectomy, and even death. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of random placenta margin incision in controlling intraoperative and total blood loss during cesarean section for CPP women. Methods: A prospective cohort study, including a total of 100 consecutive pregnant women with CPP, was performed at a tertiary university-affiliated medical center between March 2016 and July 2017. All of them underwent random placenta margin incision, and intraoperative and total blood loss were analyzed. Through antenatal diagnosis using color Doppler, women were further divided into abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) and non-AIP groups, and anterior and posterior placenta groups. The protocol was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry under registration number NCT02695069. Results: Mean maternal age and gestational age at delivery were 32.26 ± 5.03 years old and 36.21 ± 2.07 weeks, respectively. Total duration of the surgical procedure time was 52.50 (42.43-64.00) min. Median estimated intraoperation blood loss was 746.43 (544.44-1092.86) ml. Total blood loss was 875.00 (604.50-1196.67) ml, and 38 (38.0%) had post-partum hemorrhage. The change from baseline in the median hemoglobin level was -0.33 (6.00-13.20). No women underwent hysterectomy due to massive hemorrhage during the study period. No women had an intraoperative urinary bladder injury, postoperative wound infection, and required relaparotomy, owing to intra-abdominal bleeding. The median hospitalization time was 5.41 (4.18-7.58) d. Conclusion: The random placenta margin incision may be a potentially valuable surgical procedure to control the volumes of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss and reduce the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage among women with complete placenta previa.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of cystoscopy and ultrasonography for the prenatal diagnosis of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP), including its subgroups: placenta accreta (PA), placenta increta (PI), and placenta percreta (PP).A retrospective observational study including a total of 85 pregnant women at high risk for AIP underwent prenatal cystoscopy and ultrasonography evaluations. The sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and exact diagnosed were calculated and compared for both cystoscopy and ultrasonography. Se and Sp values of cystoscopy and ultrasonography were compared by means of the McNemar test.Of the 85 patients, there were 24 (28.2%) PA, 35 (41.2%) PI, 4 (4.7%) PP, and 22 (25.9%) nonadherent placenta. The mean maternal age and gestational age of delivery were 31.88 ± 4.42 years and 36.14 ± 1.84 weeks, respectively. No one was found to develop any complications with cystoscopy like urinary tract infection, or ureteral injury or perforations. Se in the diagnosis of AIP was 50.8% with ultrasonography and 61.9% for cystoscopy. Sp was 86.4% with cystoscopy and 72.7% for ultrasonography. In subgroups, Se with cystoscopy was 25.0%, 62.9%, and 100.0% in PA, PI, and PP, respectively, and 37.5%, 74.3%, and 100.0%, respectively, for ultrasonography; Sp remained unchanged with 86.4% for cystoscopy and 72.7% for ultrasonography. After McNemar test, no difference was found in either Se or Sp between cystoscopy and ultrasonography in AIP and its subgroups.According to the depth of invasion, the diagnostic value of cystoscopy and ultrasonography is all conspicuous increased and they have similar test validity for prenatal diagnosis of AIP and its subgroups.

The percentages of low birth weight (LBW) increased from 7.7% in 2005 to 11.3% in 2011 and declined to 8.1% in 2017. For very low birth weight (VLBW) individuals, the proportion declined -1.0% annually, from 2.5% in 2005 to 1.4% in 2017. Among moderately low birth weight (MLBW) individuals, the proportion first increased 12.8% annually, from 5.0% in 2005 to 9.3% in 2011, and then declined -3.8% annually, from 9.4% in 2011 to 7.0% in 2017. The percentages of macrosomia monotone decreased from 4.0% in 2005 to 2.5% in 2017, an annual decline of -4.0%. Multiple regression analyses showed that boys, maternal age, hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (HDCP), and diabetes were significant risk factors for LBW. Boys, maternal age, gestational age, HDCP, diabetes, and maternal BMI were significant risk factors for macrosomia. Although the relevant figures declined slightly in our study, it is likely that LBW and macrosomia will remain a major public health issue over the next few years in China. More research aimed at control and prevention of these risk factors for LBW and macrosomia and their detrimental outcome in the mother and perinatal child should be performed in China.

Non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFC), which include cleft lip and palate (CLP), cleft lip only (CLO), and cleft palate only (CPO), contains a range of disorders affecting the lips and oral cavity. No systematic review and meta-analysis has been carried out to synthesize the prevalence of NSOFC in Chinese perinatal infants. We aimed to quantify and understand the variation of prevalence national and regional levels. Four English databases and four Chinese databases were searched using a comprehensive search strategy from inception to April 2017. The random effect model was used for this meta-analysis. To determine the sources of heterogeneity, subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted based on different categories. The protocol has been pre-registered in the PROSPERO, number CRD42017062293. 110 studies, including 15,094,978 Chinese perinatal infants, were eligible for inclusion. The pooled prevalence rate for NSOFC was 1.67‰ (95% CI 1.53-1.82), varying with provinces. The pooled prevalence estimate was 0.56‰ (0.50-0.63) for CLO, 0.82‰ (0.73-0.90) for CLP, and 0.27‰ (0.24-0.30) for CPO. Significant associations were found between overall prevalence estimates and survey year and study region. The prevalence of NSOFC was severe in Chinese perinatal infants, varying with provinces. The results will serve as a baseline for future assessment of the overall effectiveness of NSOFC control, and will also support and inform health policy for planning and helping health debates., Competing Interests: CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflicts of interest.