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The work was funded from core support given to the Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, from the National Environmental Research Council (UK), and separately by the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde. The funding of mass spectrometry equipment for metabolomics was provided by the Scottish Life Sciences Alliance. During the uniquely short lactations of true seals, pups acquire a greater proportion of maternal body resources, at a greater rate, than in any other group of mammals. Mothers in many species enter a period of anorexia but must preserve sufficient reserves to fuel hunting and thermoregulation for return to cold seas. Moreover, pups may undergo a period of development after weaning during which they have no maternal care or nutrition. This nutritionally closed system presents a potentially extreme case of conflict between maternal survival and adequate provisioning of offspring, likely presenting strains on their metabolisms. We examined the serum metabolomes of five mother and pup pairs of Atlantic grey seals, Halichoerus grypus, from birth to weaning. Changes with time were particularly evident in pups, with indications of strain in the fat and energy metabolisms of both. Crucially, pups accumulate certain compounds to levels that are dramatically greater than in mothers. These include compounds that pups cannot synthesise themselves, such as pyridoxine/vitamin B6, taurine, some essential amino acids, and a conditionally essential amino acid and its precursor. Fasting mothers therefore appear to mediate stockpiling of critical metabolites in their pups, potentially depleting their own reserves and prompting cessation of lactation. Publisher PDF

Objective − Maternal general health and diet prior to and during pregnancy create conditions for intrauterine foetal development. This may influence long-term growth, development and health of the child. The aim of this study was to define the influence of maternal body weight (BW) on offspring growth in early childhood. Materials and Methods − 162 Slovenian mothers and their children were included in the study and subsequent analysis. We collected information on anthropometric measurements of mothers prior to and during pregnancy, and of their children (BW, length, head circumference (HC)) up to the age of three. To perform statistical analysis, the Pearson correlation test, linear regression and F-test were utilized. Results − A statistically significant association between the mother’s BW and newborn BW (P

In Islamic law, kinship is defined by consanguineal and affinal relationships. Birth and Islamic marriage are important events that define religious responsibilities of family members towards each other. Some responsibilities are connected to Mahramiyat, a framework of interpersonal relations that regulates marriages and interactions with the opposite sex. Besides consanguineal and affinal bonds, mahramiyat and kinship can also be established through breastfeeding. The relationship formed through breastfeeding is called milk mahramiyat/kinship. It is spoken of in the Quran and hadith and has been extensively discussed in Islamic Feqh. This study investigates Shi’i guidelines on milk kinship. My interest is in the exploration of existing gendered rulings on the conditions of milk mahramiyat/kinship in Shi’i jurisprudence. The analysis aims to bring forth discussions on the significance of breast milk and the maternal body, and to investigate how milk kinship is framed within the patrilineal system of kinship in Shi’a Islam. The findings discuss rulings on the role of milk-mother and -father in the way kinship takes effect. While patrilineal kinship is often defined based on a paternal ‘milk line’, the study suggests that alternative readings and interpretations of the Quran and hadith are available that centralize the mother and the maternal body.

Background: Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is common and has been shown to be associated with increased long-term maternal weight. However, less is known on whether there is a cumulative effect of excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) over multiple pregnancies. Methods: Data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation were used, restricted to parous women with no history of stillbirth or premature birth. The effect of the number of excessive GWG pregnancies on body mass index (BMI) in midlife (age 42–53) was analyzed using multivariable linear regression. Fully adjusted models included parity, inadequate GWG, demographic, and behavioral characteristics. Results: The 1181 women included in this analysis reported a total of 2693 births. Overall, 466 (39.5%) were categorized as having at least one pregnancy with excessive GWG. The median BMI at midlife was 26.0 kg/m(2) (interquartile range 22.5–31.1). In fully adjusted models, each additional pregnancy with excessive GWG was associated with 0.021 higher estimated log BMI (p = 0.031). Among women with 1–3 births, adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) BMI for those with 0, 1, 2, and 3 excessive GWG pregnancies was 25.4 (24.9–25.9), 26.8 (26.1–27.5), 27.5 (26.6–28.4), and 28.8 (27.3–30.5), respectively. Conclusions: In this multiethnic study of women with a history of term live births, the number of pregnancies with excessive GWG was associated with increased maternal BMI in midlife. Our findings suggest that prevention of excessive GWG at any point in a woman's reproductive history can have an impact on long-term maternal health.

Introduction Obese primiparous women with induction of labor are at high risk for a cesarean section. There are contradictory results regarding time in induced labor in relation to maternal body mass index (BMI). It is important to characterize the course of induced labor to prevent unnecessary cesarean section. We aimed to evaluate whether the duration of labor was associated with maternal BMI in primiparous women with induction of labor. Material and methods A national retrospective cohort study, including 15 259 primiparae with a single term pregnancy, admitted for induction of labor from January 2014 to August 2017. Data were obtained from the Swedish Pregnancy Registry. Cox regression analyses were used to illustrate the association between BMI and active labor and between BMI and time from admission until start of active labor. Results Duration of active labor was shorter in underweight women and prolonged in women with BMI amp;gt;= 40 kg/m(2) compared with women in other BMI classes, illustrated by Cox regression graphs (P amp;lt; .001). The median durations of active labor in underweight women were 6.1 and 7.4 hours in women with BMI amp;gt;= 40 kg/m(2). The time from admission until start of active labor increased with maternal BMI, illustrated by Cox regression graphs (P amp;lt; .001) and the median duration increased from 12.9 hours in underweight women to 22.6 hours in women with BMI amp;gt;= 40 kg/m(2). The cesarean section rate in active labor increased significantly with BMI (P amp;lt; .001) from 7.4% in underweight women to 22.0% in women with BMI amp;gt;= 40 kg/m(2). Obese and normal weight women had similar rates of spontaneous vaginal delivery (69.9% in the total study population). Conclusions The duration of active labor was associated with maternal BMI for underweight women and women with BMI amp;gt;= 40 kg/m(2). Although women with BMI amp;gt;= 40 kg/m(2) who reached the active phase of labor had the same chance for a spontaneous vaginal delivery as normal weight women, the duration of active labor and the cesarean section rate were increased. The time from admission until start of active labor increased successively with maternal BMI. Funding Agencies|ALF-grants Region Ostergotland Sweden

The aim of the study was obtain nomogram of fetal transcerebellar diameter at 18–24 weeks of gestation with known prognosis of normal pregnancies. The study included 1236 healthy fetuses in the 18th–24th gestational week of women aged from 18 to 40 years (mean: 28.70 ± 5.26). The transcerebellar diameter, bi-parietal diameter, femur length and abdominal circumference of the fetuses were measured. Additionally, groups were divided according to maternal age and according to body mass index. The transcerebellar diameter of fetuses from 18 to 24 weeks gestation varied from 18.13 ± 2.16 to 26.42 ± 1.91 mm (mean: 22.12 ± 2.57 mm). Additionally, the mean and standard deviation of transcerebellar diameter and fetal parameters were determined according to gestational week, maternal age and maternal body mass index. Later, the correlations between transcerebellar diameter with pregnancy week, maternal age, maternal body mass index and fetal parameters were examined. Transcerebellar diameter was correlated with pregnancy week and fetal parameters (p < 0.01) but was not correlated with maternal age (p > 0.01). Additionally, transcerebellar diameter and fetal parameters were determined to show negative correlation with maternal body mass index (p < 0.01). Comparison of transcerebellar diameter with pregnancy week determined differences between weeks (p < 0.05), but no differences for age groups and body mass index groups (p > 0.05). Maternal age and maternal body mass index are significant factors affecting fetal development. We believe our data related to the transcerebellar diameter obtained at the end of the study will be beneficial for assessment of fetal development and identification of fetal anomalies.

The number of obese pregnant women is increasing. Increased maternal body habitus is related to greater maternal health risks and an increased risk of fetal anomalies. The 18-20-week morphology scan is a routine clinical tool to detect fetal viability, anomalies, gestational age and number. Suboptimal ultrasound visualisation (SUV) affecting image quality increases with larger body habitus. This results in longer scanning times, incomplete and repeat scans, misdiagnosis, sonographer injuries and patient disappointment. This review aims to establish the effect increased maternal body habitus has on ultrasound image quality, specifically, the relationship between maternal body habitus and the 18-20-week morphology scan and detection of fetal anomalies. Inability to assess fetal structures due to SUV creates great challenges for the health system, imaging departments and patients. Studies have used different variables to measure the effect SUV has on the detection of fetal anomalies in obese women such as prenatal/neonatal comparisons, scan completion rates, the number of repeated scans and subjective judgements about diagnostic image quality. Some studies also included other influences such as fetal lie or placental position. Most studies concluded that a linear relationship exists between increased body habitus and decreased detection of fetal anomalies due to SUV particularly cardiac structures. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Background: A proportion of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) patients may have elevated liver enzymes (ELEzs) before fetoscopic laser therapy, but the incidence of ELEzs before laser therapy and the association with the perinatal outcomes after laser therapy remain unclear. Methods: From October 2008 to April 2015, 93 patients with TTTS who received fetoscopic laser therapy at our hospital were included in this study, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured within 24 h before therapy. If ELEzs (AST > 34 U/L or ALT > 36 U/L) were observed before therapy, the AST and ALT levels were evaluated within 24 h after therapy. The pre-operative characteristics and post-therapy outcomes were compared between patients with and without ELEzs. Results: Among 93 TTTS patients before laser operation, 18 patients (were found with ELEzs (19.4%) before laser therapy. In 17 (94.4%) of the 18 cases, their liver enzymes values dropped after laser surgery. Maternal body mass index, age, gestational age of laser therapy, hemoglobin level before laser therapy and survival rates after laser therapy were not significantly different between TTTS with and without ELEzs. The maternal hemoglobin dropped significantly from 10.8 [1.6] g/dL before surgery to 9.6 [1.5] g/dL after laser therapy in TTTS with ELEzs (p

BACKGROUND: Anemia is the most common type of malnutrition in pregnant women, and when combined with another nutritional problem, it would increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. AIM: This study aims to analyze the risk of double undernutrition in pregnant women with anemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used secondary data from the 2018 National Basic Health Survey as well as biomedical anemia samples. Anthropometric measurements were maternal body height, middle–upper circumference (MUAC) for chronic energy malnutrition (CEM); anemia was predicted using hemoglobin levels. The number of samples is 484, considering the minimum sample size for each undernutrition proportion. RESULTS: Anemia in pregnant women is not a single malnutrition issue. Almost one–third of pregnant women with anemia also had another form of undenutrition. In this study, the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women (%) is 35.7; stunted is 35.9, and CEM is 16.7. The malnutrition was identified as double nutritional problems coexistence to anemia, such as prevalence stunted–anemia (%) 12.5; anemia–CEM 9.2; and anemia–stunted–CEM 4.4. Overall, CEM is associated with anemia with p < 0.05 and AOR 2.25 (CI; 1.38–3.66), adjusted to height and type of residence, education, and occupation. Urban areas have a similar risk to rural areas with AOR for CEM to anemia, 2.29 (CI; 1.12–4.69); rural areas 2.23 (CI; 1.14–4.33), respectively. Moreover, women with double of undernutrition stunted–CEM in rural areas have a risk of anemia with AOR 2.75 (1.14–6.65). CONCLUSION: The risk of anemia in pregnant women with chronic energy malnutrition has increased more than twice in rural and urban areas.

This chapter examines poetic images of violence in the book of Jeremiah from a literary perspective. In this analysis, Jeremiah’s images of poetic violence are rhetorically constructed and should not be viewed as descriptive of actual events. Although violent events may lie at the heart of these images, this chapter assumes they are designed primarily for their rhetorical impact and theological meaning, and not for their descriptive accuracy. After discussing broadly the meaning and purpose of poetic violence, the author considers three rhetorically effective images that appear frequently in Jeremiah—the wound, the maternal body, and the unburied corpse. These images share a common focus on the body and are intended to unsettle and to induce change in those who encounter them by communicating the physical threat to individuals within Israel, as well as to the community as a whole. Despite their power to unsettle, these images also convey hope by communicating alternative and positive realities, and by suggesting ways in which violence can be a creative force that transforms individuals and communities. If poetic violence is effective, transformation will occur and the wound, the maternal body, and the unburied corpse will make way for the healing, birth, and regeneration of Israel.

Background; the body mass index (BMI) is frequently used to classify the severity of obesity and to inform weight-gain guidelines throughout pregnancy. Aim and objectives; to evaluate the impact of BMI of nulliparous females on progress of labour, incidence of peri-partum complications (1ry outcome) and neonatal outcome of these women (secondary outcome). Subjects and methods; This is a prospective cohort study, was carried out on 330nulliparous patients attending the labor ward of Al-Hussein and Sayed Galal hospitals, Al-Azhar University, Egypt, during active phase of labor, divided into 4 groups, from January 2021 until the end of the specified cases. Result; In terms of weight and BMI, there is a considerable disparity between the 4 groups. Conclusion; Labor development and labor time varied by BMI category, as evaluated by cervical dilatation rates. As per recent research, a higher BMI in nulliparous women is linked to a higher chance of caesarean birth during labor. This training should be available to first-time mothers prior to conception, and labor ward staff should be informed of this group of women before labour, with a concentration on the issues of analgesia and anesthesia in obese parturients.

BACKGROUND: The association between physical activity and adiposity in preschool-aged children is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To assess the cross-sectional association between objectively measured physical activity and body fat in preschool-aged children. METHODS: In the preschool review in an Australian birth cohort study (n = 1074), mean duration and time accumulated in ≥1-min bouts of physical activity at light-intensity (LPA), moderate- to vigorous-intensity (MVPA) and light- to vigorous-intensity (LMVPA) were computed from accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+) data. Percent body fat was assessed by bioelectrical impedance. Associations between physical activity and percent body fat were examined by multiple regression, adjusted for accelerometer wear time, MVPA (in analyses of LPA), maternal body mass index (BMI) and maternal education. RESULTS: A total of 450 participants (n = 450) had valid data. There was evidence of associations between physical activity and adiposity: each additional hour of LVPA was associated with 0.6% (CI95 -0.2%, 1.3%) higher body fat; ≥1-min bouts of LPA was associated with 1.0% (CI95 0.1%, 1.9%) higher body fat; each additional hour of MVPA was associated with -0.8% (CI95 -1.6%, -0.1%) less body fat; and ≥1-min bouts of MVPA was associated with -1.3% (CI95 -2.5%, -0.1%) body fat. CONCLUSIONS: Among a cohort of preschool-aged children, there was evidence that more intensive physical activity assessed by an accelerometer is associated with reduced body fat.

Background: This study aimed to determine the correlation between maternal weight gain in each trimester and fetal growth according to pre-pregnancy maternal body mass index in twin pregnancies.Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 500 twin pregnancies delivered at 28 weeks’ gestation or greater at a single tertiary center between January 2011 and December 2020. We measured the height, pre-pregnant body weight, and maternal body weight of women with twin pregnancies and evaluated the relationship between the maternal weight gain at each trimester and fetal growth restriction according to pre-pregnancy body mass index.Results: The overweight pregnant women were older than the normal or underweight pregnant women, and the risk of gestational diabetes was high. The underweight pregnant women were younger, and the incidences of preterm labor and short cervical length during pregnancy was high. Especially in normal weight pregnant women, the heavier the weight of the newborn babies as the second trimester of pregnancy weight gain, the less significant the weight gain in the first trimester of pregnancy and fetal growth. The most predictive single factor for the prediction of small neonates was weight gain during 24-28 weeks and 15-18 weeks, and the cutoff value was 6.2 kg. (area under the curve 0.592, p < 0.001).Conclusions: In twin pregnancy, regardless of the pre-pregnant body mass index, maternal weight gain affected fetal growth. Furthermore, weight gain in the second trimester of pregnancy is considered a powerful indicator of fetal growth, especially in normal weight pregnancies.

Ce mémoire porte sur le dualisme sujet/objet visible dans les représentations sociales du corps maternel véhiculées par les discours portant sur la gestation pour autrui. À travers une analyse des discours juridiques, gouvernementaux et de presse, nous montrerons de quelle manière une vision objectivante du corps maternel côtoie une vision subjectivante de celui-ci et comment ce double regard constitue une condition d’émergence de la pratique étudiée. Pour ceux qui s’opposent à la pratique, la subjectivité maternelle prend place dans le corps enceint et pour les tenants, elle se situe prioritairement dans l’intention, dans le projet parental. Le corps maternel ne peut être désigné comme tel seulement s’il accompagne l’intention, sinon, il n’est qu’enceint. La littérature en science sociale est abondante quant à la manière dont les acteurs directement concernés, comme les mères porteuses, les parents d’intention et les tiers reproducteurs et reproductrices conçoivent la pratique, mais peu de recherches s’intéressent aux représentations du corps maternel, et encore moins, à la place du dualisme sujet/objet en leur sein. Ainsi, suivant la conception du corps humain et du sujet moderne, le corps reproducteur féminin est appréhendé comme une entité séparée du sujet et de nature mécanique et pathologique que l’obstétrique moderne doit contrôlée afin de soigner plus facilement le nouveau patient, le fœtus. Toutefois, en parallèle se construit un discours psychologique concevant le corps maternel comme un lieu où la subjectivité de la future mère et du futur enfant se construisent. Le corps maternel pose problème à la figure hégémonique moderne d’un sujet masculin séparé du monde, de par ses potentialités reproductives et sa position face à l’altérité qui est vécue de manière interne et corporelle. Il est donc l’objet d’un recadrage technique et discursif vers cette hégémonie. Les techniques de reproduction assistée et la gestation pour autrui sont des exemples de ce recadrage et du double processus de subjectivation et d’objectivation. Ce mémoire démontrera comment les discours sociaux sur la pratique suggérant une vision de la subjectivité maternelle fluide (priorité à l’intention) se heurtent à une vision rigide (inscrite dans le corps maternel) de celle-ci., This thesis focuses on the subject/object dualism visible in the social representations of the maternal body conveyed by the different speeches on surrogacy. Through an analysis of governmental, legal and media discourses, we will demonstrate how an objectivating conception of the maternal body stand alongside a subjectivating conception of it and how this double glance constitutes one of the emergence condition of the studied practice. For whom who disagree with surrogacy, the maternal subjectivity take place inside the pregnant body while for the upholder, it is located in priority in the intention, the parental project. The maternal body cannot be designated as such if it doesn’t come with the intention, if not, it is only pregnant. The social literature is abundant about the way the different actors, like surrogate mothers, intentional parents, and third parties perceive the practice but limited researches take a direct interest in the social representations of the maternal body, less again in the place of the subject/object dualism in them. In this way, following the modern conception of the human body and of the subject, the female reproductive body is seen as a entity separated of the subject and with a mechanical and pathological nature that the modern obstetrics should control so it can treat the real patient, the fetus. However, in parallel, a psychological discourse is being constructed in which the maternal body is seen like a place where subjectivity of the future mother and the future child are developing. The maternal body is problematic for the hegemonic modern figure of the masculine subject separated from the world, because of its reproductive potentialities and its position in front of the alterity whom is experience in an internal and a corporal way. It is then the object of a technical and a discursive reframing towards hegemony. The assisted reproduction technologies and surrogacy are examples of this reframing and of the double process of subjectification and objectification. This paper will show how the social discourses on surrogacy that suggest a vision of a flowing maternal subjectivity (intention is priority) collide with a inflexible vision of it, that is inscribed in the body.

To evaluate risk factors and describe the association between maternal pre-pregnancy body-mass-index (BMI) and neonatal brachial plexus palsy (BPP) in vaginal deliveries with and without shoulder dystocia.This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton, non-anomalous, term vaginal deliveries in California (2007-2011). Deliveries were classified as with or without shoulder dystocia. Our primary outcome was BPP and the independent variable of interest was maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, which was categorized as underweight (18.5 kg/mIn our cohort of 1,395,761 women, there were 21,463 deliveries with shoulder dystocia and 1,374,298 deliveries without shoulder dystocia. Among deliveries with shoulder dystocia, BPP was observed more frequently in neonates born to women with BMI categorized as overweight (32% vs. 29%;Rising maternal pre-pregnancy BMI is associated with an increased risk of BPP in vaginal deliveries with and without shoulder dystocia. Preconception interventions targeting weight management may be beneficial in reducing BPP in all deliveries.

In An Ideological Analysis of Breastfeeding in Contemporary America: Disciplining the Maternal Body, Olson and Simon rhetorically analyze the ideologies that are both empowering and disempowering f...

Objective Little is known regarding maternal influences on the body image and eating concerns of young children. The current study aimed to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between maternal comments about their child's weight and shape and eating, and mothers' own body dissatisfaction and disordered eating on one hand, and their children's body esteem and disordered eating behaviors on the other. Method Children, n = 244 of the fifth wave, aged 7 years (58% female), and n = 194 of the sixth wave, aged 8 years (57% female), of the longitudinal Children's Body Image Development Study, in Melbourne, Australia were included. Mothers completed measures of body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, and comments and concerns regarding their children's weight and eating behaviors. They also reported on their children's disordered eating behaviors. Children's body esteem was assessed through a child interview. Results Findings revealed cross-sectional and prospective bivariate relationships between maternal comments and disordered eating behaviors among both boys and girls. Similar patterns of relationships emerged between maternal body dissatisfaction and lower child body esteem. Conclusion Findings highlight the importance of conducting prevention within the family environment from a young age, and targeting both direct communication as well as parental body image and eating behaviors.

he long‐term studies included in this paper were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council through the grant ‘SMRU Long‐term measurement of marine mammal population structure, dynamics and trophic interactions’, grant reference SMRU1001. PP was in receipt of NERC grant no. NE/G008930/1 and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funding during the work. SCS was supported as a postdoctoral fellow in an EPSRC award to RK and PP. 1. Capital breeding animals such as true seals (Phocidae) rely on accumulated body reserves to rear offspring. A mother's body composition at the start of a breeding episode may depend on recent environmental conditions and sets the resources available for the reproductive episode. 2. At two grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) breeding colonies with contrasting demographic characteristics, factors influencing individual variation and temporal trends in the body composition (expressed as the lipid‐to‐protein mass ratio) of females were examined. 3. Maternal reproductive expenditure, and the consequences for mothers and their pups, were investigated. 4. Individual variation in postpartum maternal body composition was considerable. Mean values of 27% (±5%) lipid and 18% (±1%) protein were estimated by hydrogen isotope dilution. No evidence of age effects was detected. 5. Mothers with a high lipid‐to‐protein mass ratio expended a higher proportion of lipid resources, conserved protein and returned with more protein the following year. 6. Average maternal postpartum body composition was similar between the two colonies, but temporal patterns differed at one colony where pup production was decreasing from another where pup production was increasing. Mothers at the declining colony consistently weaned larger pups than mothers at the increasing colony across the range of mother sizes, but measures of maternal body composition did not predict pup weaning masses. Postprint

In this prospective trial, we investigate the effectiveness of maternal Body Roundness Index in predicting the spread of spinal anaesthesia and vasopressor requirement in parturients receiving spinal anaesthesia during the elective caesarean section. We prospectively enrolled 175 parturients. Spinal anaesthesia performed with 10 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine at the L3-L4 intervertebral space and the optimal cut-off points of the BRI evaluated as 6.59 by receiver operating characteristic analysis calculating area under the curve. Parturients were divided into two groups with BRI6.59 and BRI ≥6.59 for analyses. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test for a relationship between variables and maximum sensory block level and vasopressor requirement. BRI was found as an independent risk factor associated with maximum sensory block level (OR = 1.378, 95% CI: 1.125-1.687

Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) are of great concern for food safety and infants are especially sensitive to exposure to the maternal body burden. We quantified these elements in breast milk from Norwegian mothers and determined their association with dietary habits, maternal amalgam fillings, and smoking. Breast milk (n = 300) from the Norwegian Human Milk Study (HUMIS) was analyzed using triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, after an acidic decomposition using microwave technique. We used multiple linear regression to examine predictors of Hg and Cd in breast milk, and logistic regression to test predictors of Pb above the quantification limit. The median breast milk concentrations (minimum - maximum) were 0.20 μg Hg/kg (0.058-0.89), 0.057 μg Cd/kg (0.017-1.2), and0.67 μg Pb/kg (0.2-7.5). Cadmium showed no significant relation with any exposure variable investigated. Lead was associated with intake of liver and kidneys from game. For Hg concentration in breast milk, number of amalgam fillings and high fish consumption were significant predictors (p 0.001). We detected a significant association (p 0.01) between Hg in breast milk and maternal consumption of Atlantic halibut, lean fish, mussels and scallops and lifetime consumption of crab. Seafood intake alone explained 10% of variance, while together with amalgam explained 46% of variance in Hg concentration in breast milk. Our findings emphasize the importance of following consumer advice with respect to fish and seafood and points to amalgam as an important source for Hg exposure.

Objectives: to investigate the relationship between the Diet Quality Index Adapted for Pregnant Women (IQDAG) and excess maternal body weight. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted with 754 adult pregnant women, in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, between 2011 and 2012. The criteria proposed by Atalah were used to classify the body mass index (BMI). Adjusted multinomial logistic regression models were employed to investigate the relationship between the IQDAG and being overweight and obese, estimating the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI95%). Results: the mean (SD) age of women was 28 (5) years, 33.4% were overweight and 25.6% obese. The pregnant women with higher scores in the IQDAG were less likely to be overweight [OR= 0.56 (CI95% = 0.37-0.85)] or obese [0.43 (0.26-0.71)]; those with higher scores in the "Fiber" [0.51 (0.33; 0.78)] and "Iron" [0.62 (0.40-0.96)] components were less likely to be overweight. However, women with higher scores in the percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods were more likely to be overweight [1.72 (1.10-2.94)] or obese [5.24 (2.80-9.80)], when compared to women with lower scores. Conclusions: poorer quality maternal diets were observed among the women who were overweight and obese during pregnancy. Resumo Objetivos: investigar a relação entre o Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Adaptado para Gestantes (IQDAG) e o excesso de peso materno. Métodos: estudo transversal conduzido entre 754 gestantes adultas em Ribeirão Preto, SP, entre 2011 e 2012. Os critérios propostos por Atalah foram empregados para a classificação do índice de massa corporal (IMC). Modelos de regressão logística multinomial ajustados foram utilizados para investigar a relação da pontuação do IQDAG com o sobrepeso e obesidade, estimando-se o odds ratio (OR) e seu intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Resultados: a média (DP) de idade das mulheres foi de 28 (5) anos, 33,4% e 25,6% eram portadoras de sobrepeso e obesidade, respectivamente. As gestantes com maior pontuação do IQDAG apresentaram menor chance de sobrepeso [OR= 0,56 (IC95%= 0,37-0,85)] e obesidade [0,43 (0,26-0,71)]; as com maior pontuação para os componentes "Fibras" [0,51 (0,33-0,78)] e "Ferro" [0,62 (0,40-0,96)] apresentaram menor chance de sobrepeso. Em contrapartida, mulheres com maior pontuação para o percentual do valor energético proveniente dos alimentos ultraprocessados apresentaram maior chance de sobrepeso [1,72 (1,10-2,94)] e obesidade [5,24 (2,80-9,80)], quando comparadas com as mulheres com menor pontuação. Conclusões: pior qualidade da dieta materna foi observada entre as mulheres portadoras de sobrepeso e obesidade no período gestacional.

To evaluate the association between maternal body mass index and neonatal outcomes in adolescents and to compare neonatal outcomes between overweight and obese adolescents and obstetric low-risk adult women.Retrospective cohort study using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register.Sweden.All 31,386 primiparous adolescents younger than 20 years of age and 178,844 "standard" women, defined as normal weight, obstetric low-risk adult women who delivered between 1992 and 2013. The adolescents were categorized according to weight and height in early pregnancy into body mass index groups according to the World Health Organization classification. Logistic regression models were used.Neonatal outcomes in relation to maternal body mass index groups.In the adolescents, 6109/31,386 (19.5%) and 2287/31,386 (7.3%) were overweight and obese, respectively. Compared with normal weight adolescents, overweight adolescents had a lower risk of having small for gestational age neonates, and higher risks for having neonates with macrosomia, and being large for gestational age and with Apgar score less than 7 at 5 minutes. The obese adolescents had increased risk for having neonates being large for gestational age (3.8% vs 1.3%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.97 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.30-3.84]), with macrosomia (4500 g) (4.6% vs 1.4%; aOR, 2.95 [95% CI, 2.33-3.73]), and with Apgar score less than 7 at 5 minutes (2.2% vs 1.1%; aOR, 1.98 [95% CI, 1.43-2.76]) than normal weight adolescents. Compared with the standard women, overweight and obese adolescents had overall more adverse neonatal outcomes.Overweight and obese adolescents had predominantly increased risks for adverse neonatal outcomes compared with normal weight adolescents and standard women.

Introduction: The aim of this secondary analysis was to investigate the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) and fetal biometry, body composition, and velocity measurements at 28 and...

Background:. One inevitable shortcoming of non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS)/cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing is the uninterpretable (“no-call”) result, which is mainly caused by an insufficient fetal fraction. This study was performed to investigate the factors associated with a successful second NIPS in these cases and determine the optimal management for women with initial no-call results. Methods:. We retrospectively analyzed the data of women who underwent NIPS with initial no-call results due to an insufficient fetal fraction from 2017 to 2019 in our center. We compared these women's maternal and pregnancy information with the data of women who had attained a successful second NIPS result and women who had received no-call results for a second time. Results:. Among the 33,684 women who underwent NIPS, 137 with a no-call result underwent a retest. Comparison between the 87 (63.50%) women with a successful retest and the other 50 (36.50%) women showed a significant difference in both the initial fetal fraction and maternal body mass index (BMI), whereas the other factors showed no significant differences. In addition, with an initial fetal fraction of

Postpartum depression is one of the most common mental diseases that occur in women after childbirth; this disorder is extremely painful for women and represents a major burden on the society. Therefore, we designed this study to explore the possible material basis of the disease, and provide potential novel antidepressants therapy using a mouse model. We established a postpartum immobilization stress model. Maternal body weight changes and food intake were recorded for half a month after delivery, and levels of ghrelin and its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) were measured. The mice in the immobilization stress group showed stress activity as well as low body weight and low feeding status. Ghrelin expression was elevated in blood whereas ghrelin or GHSR expression decreased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the immobilization stress mice, and the number of ghrelin-active and GHSR cells reduced.

Background Gastroschisis is a congenital anomaly of the abdomen in which the intestines are found outside of the body at birth. While no clear causative factors have been identified, it is strongly associated with young maternal age. Other reported associations include low maternal socioeconomic status, low maternal body mass index (BMI), and smoking. Methods This is a retrospective review of epidemiologic data relating to cases of gastroschisis in Ontario from 2012-2018 in the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario database, which is the province's prescribed maternal-newborn registry. We describe the epidemiology of gastroschisis in Ontario with respect to birth prevalence, maternal age, health, exposures, and geography. Results The birth prevalence of gastroschisis is 2.31 cases/10,000 births. There was no apparent change in birth prevalence over the study period and there was no difference between male and female infants. Gastroschisis was associated with younger maternal ages and was inversely correlated with maternal BMI. Gastroschisis was associated with first completed pregnancy. Maternal diabetes was associated with a lower birth prevalence of gastroschisis than average. Mothers of babies with gastroschsis were more likely to report use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs during pregnancy than those without gastroschisis, with marijuana use showing the largest increase in birth prevalence of gastroschisis. Mothers living in rural areas were more likely to have a baby with gastroschisis than those in urban centers, even after controlling for maternal age. Conclusions This Ontario registry study reveals that mothers with babies with gastroschisis are more likely to be young and thin, live in rural areas, and report prenatal smoking, alcohol use, and drug use than women whose pregnancies do not have gastroschsis.

Female fitness is often influenced by trade-offs in energy allocated to reproduction or self-maintenance that is dependent upon the life history of the organism. Maternal body size and condition are factors that are often positively correlated with clutch size and offspring size. We investigated whether maternal body size (snout–vent length, SVL) and condition (residual of mass on SVL) could predict measures of reproductive success including clutch size, offspring body size (SVL), and offspring survival in the territorial Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus). Brooding females and their eggs were collected and then housed in a controlled laboratory setting. We recorded the number of eggs found with each female and separated offspring from females once hatched. At 40 d after hatching, we measured the SVL and mass of females and juveniles. Maternal SVL, but not condition, was positively related to clutch size and offspring SVL; however, there was no significant relationship between clutch size and offspring SVL, indicating no trade-off between number and body size of offspring. In the laboratory, survival of the offspring to 185 d post-hatching was positively related to maternal SVL and negatively related to maternal condition. Also, the mean SVL, measured on day 40, of the offspring that survived to 185 d was significantly greater than the SVL of the offspring that did not survive, indicating a benefit of larger offspring body size. Finally, subsequent egg production (number of new oocytes produced by females following the current reproductive bout) was positively related to maternal SVL and condition (measured 185 d after hatching their previous clutches). These results suggest that larger maternal body size and condition of Eastern Red-backed Salamanders provide increased reproductive success through the number and body size of offspring produced in current or subsequent reproductive bouts and in offspring survival. Large body size in territorial animals like P. cinereus provides benefits for holding high quality territories as well as for increased reproductive success.

Objectives: The overall aim of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of maternal body mass index (BMI) on obstetric and neonatal outcomes in adolescents as well as on treatment with oxytocin infus ...

OBJECTIVE Maternal anthropometry offers a rapid, inexpensive, and non-invasive method for assessing nutritional status during pregnancy. We aimed to assess the changes in maternal anthropometric measurements in the first month after delivery and to investigate the factors associated with longitudinal changes in maternal postpartum nutritional status. DESIGN This prospective longitudinal study included 147 mothers who were on the 5th postpartum day applied to outpatient clinics, from January 2018 through January 2020. Each mother completed a structured questionnaire and baseline anthropometric measurements were performed at the postpartum 5th day and re-evaluated at the end of the first month after delivery. PARTICIPANTS Mother-infant pairs (n = 147). RESULTS At the end of the first postpartum month, maternal body weight (relative change -5.1%, 95% CI: -5.6%;-4.6%), muscle mass ratio (-1.6%, 95% CI: -2.4%;-0.9%) and body fluid ratio (-2.4%, 95% CI: -3.1%;-1.7%) decreased, whereas fat mass ratio increased (10.3%, 95% CI: 9.0%;11.6%).There was a significant association between infants' feeding type and maternal BMI, weight, muscle mass ratio, body fluid ratio, triceps, and biceps skinfold thickness in mothers (p

Pregnancy is a physiological condition with reversible hemodynamic, neurohormonal and coagulation changes to the maternal body during this 9‑month period. The occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is altogether rare among pregnant women, but necessitates immediate treatment und further work-up. Despite numerous pharmacological and invasive therapeutic modalities for AF in non-pregnant patients, very few options are considered safe enough for the fetus and the mother during pregnancy. Commonly used medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel antagonists, antiarrhythmic drugs and anticoagulation therapy must be carefully individualized according to the week of gestation and possible underlying comorbidities of the mother, thus highlighting the importance of an interdisciplinary evaluation by a cardiologist and a gynecologist. The current review summarizes the existing knowledge and treatment options for AF in pregnancy and suggests a simplified algorithm for this clinical constellation.Die Schwangerschaft ist eine 9‑monatige physiologische Phase, die mit reversiblen hämodynamischen, neurohormonellen und hämostaseologischen Veränderungen des mütterlichen Körpers einhergeht. Vorhofflimmern (VHF) ist zwar insgesamt eine seltene Erkrankung bei schwangeren Frauen, erfordert jedoch eine schnelle Behandlung und weitere Abklärung. Für nichtschwangere Patientinnen stehen zahlreiche medikamentöse und invasive Behandlungsoptionen zur Verfügung; dagegen sind die Möglichkeiten bei schwangeren Frauen hinsichtlich der Sicherheit von Mutter und Fetus stark limitiert. Häufig verwendete Medikamente wie Betablocker, Kalziumkanalblocker, Antiarrhythmika und Antikoagulanzien müssen sehr vorsichtig und individualisiert gegeben werden; zu berücksichtigen sind dabei die aktuelle Schwangerschaftswoche und mögliche Komorbiditäten. Das unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit der interdisziplinären Evaluation durch einen Kardiologen und Gynäkologen. Die vorliegende Übersichtsarbeit fasst den aktuellen Wissensstand und die Behandlungsoptionen bei VHF während der Schwangerschaft zusammen. Des Weiteren wird ein vereinfachter Algorithmus für diese klinische Konstellation präsentiert.

Background Nutritional management in the dry period can alter body condition score (BCS) in dairy cows, a subjective measure of body fat. As such, differences in BCS during late-pregnancy not only mirror nutrient utilization by fat depots, but also can play important roles on the metabolic and hormonal environment. We investigated the association between cow BCS during late-pregnancy on developmental parameters and blood variables of neonatal calves. Forty-nine multiparous Holstein cows were retrospectively divided by prepartal BCS into normal BCS ≤3.25 (NormBCS; 3.02 ± 0.17, n = 30) or high BCS ≥3.75 (HighBCS; 3.83 ± 0.15, n = 19) groups. Plasma samples were collected from cows at − 10 d relative to parturition. Body weight, hip and wither height, hip width and body length were measured at birth and weekly through weaning (42 d of age) and until 9 weeks of age. Calf blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at birth (before receiving colostrum, 0 d), 24 h after first colostrum and at 7, 21, 42 and 50 d of age. The data were subjected to ANOVA using the mixed procedure of SAS. The statistical model included day, BCS, and their interactions. Results Dry matter intake (kg/d or % of body weight) during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy was lower (P ≤ 0.06) in HighBCS cows. Plasma concentrations of fatty acids, ceruloplasmin, and nitric oxide were greater overall (P P = 0.08) to have greater concentrations of reactive oxygen metabolites. Birth body weight was lower (P = 0.03) in calves born to dams with HighBCS. In addition, plasma concentrations of fatty acids, albumin and urea (P P = 0.04), hip and wither height, hip width, and body length, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in daily starter intake and average daily gain due to maternal BCS. Conclusions Overall, results highlight an association between BCS during late-gestation on in utero calf development and postnatal growth. A high maternal BCS during late-gestation was associated with lower calf body weights, which could be due to lower maternal intakes and a state of inflammation and metabolic stress.