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Objective Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy associated with proteinuria detected by 24-hour urine collection (≥0.3 g/24 h) or protein/creatinine ratio (≥30 mg/mmol). The albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) is used outside pregnancy to detect abnormal amounts of albumin in the urine, but there is little data on its value in pregnancy. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic threshold for ACR to detect significant proteinuria in women investigated for preeclampsia. Methods A prospective observational study involving 99 hypertensive women (≥140/90 mm Hg) over 20 weeks gestation who were hospitalized at 2 Canadian tertiary centres. A 24-hour urine collection and a morning urine sample were collected. The optimal ACR threshold was determined by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using the 24-hour collection as the reference test; sensitivity and specificity analyses were performed. Maternal and perinatal characteristics were extracted from medical records. Results Of the 87 women who had completed urine collection, 74 (85%) had an initial diagnosis of preeclampsia and 63 (72%) had significant proteinuria confirmed by 24-hour collection. The area under the morning ROC curve was 0.92 (95% CI 0.86–0.98) and the optimal threshold obtained for the ACR was 9 mg/mmol, with a sensitivity and specificity of 84% (95% CI 73–92) and 88% (95% CI 68–97), respectively. Conclusion Our results suggest that an ACR threshold of 9 mg/mmol on a morning urine sample can be used to detect significant proteinuria of preeclampsia in hospitalized hypertensive women.

Objective: To examine the association between pre-eclampsia definition and pregnancy outcome. Design: Secondary analysis of Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study (CHIPS) trial data. Setting: International multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT). Population: In all, 987 women with non-severe non-proteinuric pregnancy hypertension. Methods: We evaluated the association between pre-eclampsia definitions and adverse pregnancy outcomes, stratified by hypertension type and blood pressure control. Main outcome measures: Main CHIPS trial outcomes: primary (perinatal loss or high-level neonatal care for >48 hours), secondary (serious maternal complications), birthweight

Hypertension Canada's 2020 guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment of hypertension in adults and children provide comprehensive, evidence-based guidance for health care professionals and patients. Hypertension Canada develops the guidelines using rigourous methodology, carefully mitigating the risk of bias in our process. All draft recommendations undergo critical review by expert methodologists without conflict to ensure quality. Our guideline panel is diverse, including multiple health professional groups (nurses, pharmacy, academics, and physicians), and worked in concert with experts in primary care and implementation to ensure optimal usability. The 2020 guidelines include new guidance on the management of resistant hypertension and the management of hypertension in women planning pregnancy.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, Objective: To estimate national and geography-based variations in blood pressure and burden of hypertension in Cameroon, generally called ‘miniature Africa’. Methods: PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, CINHAL, Web of Science, Popline, Scopus and BDSP were searched through November 2018, for hypertension studies among Cameroonians aged at least 18 years. Hypertension was measured as SBP at least 140 mmHg or DBP at least 90 mmHg. Random-effects meta-analysis was used. Results: Twenty studies involving 46 491 participants met inclusion criteria. Overall hypertension prevalence was 30.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 27.0–34.8]: 29.6% (24.1–35.1) and 32.1% (27.2–37.1) in 1994–2010 and 2011–2018, respectively. Of hypertensive participants, only 24.4% (18.9–30.0) – 31.6% (21.0–42.3) and 20.8% (14.0–27.7) in 1994–2010 and 2011–2018, respectively – were aware of their status, 15.1% (10.6–19.6) were taking antihypertensive medications and 8.8% (5.7–11.9) – 10.4% (7.5–13.3) and 8.3% (4.4–12.3) in 1994–2010 and 2011–2018, respectively – were controlled. Hypertension prevalence varied by sex: 34.3% (30.0–38.6) for men and 31.3% (26.5–36.1) for women; ethnicity: from 3.3% (0.4–6.2) among Pygmies to 56.6% (49.4–63.8) among Bamileke; urbanity: 25.4% (17.1–33.7) for rural and 31.4% (27.3–35.5) for urban dwellers; agroecological zone: from 35.1% (28.9–41.3) in Tropical highlands to 28% (20.1–35.9) in Guinea-Savannah; and subnational region: from 36.3% (27.8–44.9) in the West to 17.1% (9.9–44.2) in the South. Conclusion: Cameroon's hypertension prevalence is high and increasing whereas awareness, treatment and control are low and declining. Emerging patterns call urgently for effective campaigns to raise hypertension awareness alongside strategies for hypertension prevention and BP control.

The international CHIPS Trial (Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy Study) enrolled 987 women with chronic (75%) or gestational (25%) hypertension. Pre-eclampsia developed in 48%; women remained on their allocated BP control and delivered an average of two weeks later. ‘Less tight’ control (target diastolic BP 100 mmHg) achieved BP that was 6/5mmHg higher (p < 0.001) than ‘tight’ control (target diastolic 85 mmHg, BP achieved 133/85 mmHg). ‘Less tight’ (vs. ‘tight’) control resulted in similar adverse perinatal outcomes (31.5% vs. 30.7%; p = 0.84) that balanced birthweight < 10th percentile (16.1% vs. 19.8%; p = 0.14) against preterm birth (35.6% vs. 31.5%; p = 0.18). 12-month follow-up revealed no compelling evidence for developmental programming of child growth. However, ‘less tight’ (vs. ‘tight’) control resulted in more severe maternal hypertension (40.6% vs. 27.5%; p < 0.001), and more women with platelets < 100 × 109/L (4.3% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.02) or symptomatic elevated liver enzymes (4.3% vs. 1.8%; p = 0.03), with no difference in serious maternal complications (3.7% vs. 2.0%; p = 0.17). Labetalol was the drug of choice. Methyldopa did not result in inferior outcomes. Post-hoc, severe hypertension, independent of pre-eclampsia, was associated with heightened increased risk of adverse outcomes, and in ‘less tight’ control, of serious maternal complications. At no gestational age at initiation of BP control was ‘less tight’ superior to ‘tight’. Women in both groups were equally satisfied with care. ‘Less tight’ control tended to be more expensive by CAD$6000 (p =0.07) based on neonatal care costs. Collectively, CHIPS publications have provided evidence that women with non-severe pregnancy hypertension should receive ‘tight’ BP control achieved by a simple algorithm.

Summary Background Although metformin is increasingly being used in women with type 2 diabetes during pregnancy, little data exist on the benefits and harms of metformin use on pregnancy outcomes in these women. We aimed to investigate the effects of the addition of metformin to a standard regimen of insulin on neonatal morbidity and mortality in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes. Methods In this prospective, multicentre, international, randomised, parallel, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial, women with type 2 diabetes during pregnancy were randomly assigned from 25 centres in Canada and four in Australia to receive either metformin 1000 mg twice daily or placebo, added to insulin. Randomisation was done via a web-based computerised randomisation service and stratified by centre and pre-pregnancy BMI ( ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01353391 . Findings Between May 25, 2011, and Oct 11, 2018, we randomly assigned 502 women, 253 (50%) to metformin and 249 (50%) to placebo. Complete data were available for 233 (92%) participants in the metformin group and 240 (96%) in the placebo group for the primary outcome. We found no significant difference in the primary composite neonatal outcome between the two groups (40% vs 40%; p=0·86; relative risk [RR] 1·02 [0·83 to 1·26]). Compared with women in the placebo group, metformin-treated women achieved better glycaemic control (HbA1c at 34 weeks' gestation 41·0 mmol/mol [SD 8·5] vs 43·2 mmol/mol [–10]; 5·90% vs 6·10%; p=0·015; mean glucose 6·05 [0·93] vs 6·27 [0·90]; difference −0·2 [–0·4 to 0·0]), required less insulin (1·1 units per kg per day vs 1·5 units per kg per day; difference −0·4 [95% CI −0·5 to −0·2]; p Interpretation We found several maternal glycaemic and neonatal adiposity benefits in the metformin group. Along with reduced maternal weight gain and insulin dosage and improved glycaemic control, the lower adiposity and infant size measurements resulted in fewer large infants but a higher proportion of small-for-gestational-age infants. Understanding the implications of these effects on infants will be important to properly advise patients who are contemplating the use of metformin during pregnancy. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, University of Toronto.

Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is internationally recommended however there is no universal approach. Impact of the different diagnostic strategies on maternal and neonatal complications’ rates and cost-effectiveness need to be studied. Objective To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between the two supported screening methods for GDM; the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) 75g one-step oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) versus the 50g two-step OGTT. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed regrouping all deliveries between 2016 and 2018 in two centers, each using one different screening method. GDM was diagnosed in center A when meeting IADPSG odds ratio (OR) 1.75 cut-offs values after a one-step 75g-OGTT. Center B used a two-step strategy and diagnosed GDM with 50g-OGTT 1hr glycemic value ≥11.1 mmol/L or failed 50g followed by 75g-OGTT results over the IADPSG OR 2.0 cut-offs. Primary outcome was the rate of large for gestational age (LGA) babies. Outcomes were analysed for singleton pregnancies with deliveries >32 weeks. Subgroup analysis of borderline GDM women (OGTT results in between IADPSG OR 1.75 and 2.0 values) were done. Group A’s borderline patients were treated as per GDM patients. Group B’s borderline patients were not considered diabetic and had normal pregnancy care. Results were adjusted for maternal age, BMI and gestational weight gain. Results At interim analysis for the year 2016, a total of 6188 pregnancies, 2664 women in center A (one-step) and 3524 in center B (two-step) were included. The prevalence of GDM was 17.1% in center A (n=456) and 14.8% in center B (n=520). Both populations were comparable in terms of risk factors for LGA except for its ethnic distribution and proportion of obese women (13.1 vs 21.6%). GDM women in center B compared to center A had significant increase in rates of LGA neonates (adjusted OR (ORa) 2.1, p=0.012); neonatal hypoglycemia (ORa 2.1, p=0.0001) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (2.1, p=0.048). Gestational hypertension’s rate was more prevalent in center B (ORa 2.1, p=0.020) and there was a non statistical trend towards increased rate of caesareans (1.6, p=0.084). Regular prenatal care for borderline women in center B (n=94) compared to GDM care in center A (n=150) resulted in increased rate of LGA babies (ORa 3.2, p=0.049). Worse maternal outcomes were identified for gestational hypertension (9.7 vs 1.3%, p=0.035) and preeclampsia (4.3 vs 0%, p=0.021) in group B vs A, respectively. Conclusions Choosing the one-step IADPSG criteria’s for GDM screening is associated with lower rates of LGA, neonatal hypoglycemia and NICU admissions, at the expense of increased prevalence in our population. The ongoing study will include a cost-benefit evaluation to assess if improved outcomes overbalance the increased prevalence inherent to lower diagnostic criteria.

Background Women with hyperglycemia during pregnancy are at high risk for adverse perinatal outcomes. Maternal sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) during pregnancy is common and is a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the relationship between SDB severity and glucose control is unknown. Research Question Is there an association between SDB severity and glucose levels as assessed by continuous glucose monitoring in GDM? Study Design and Methods Women with GDM underwent sleep recordings and 72-hour continuous glucose monitoring. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the association of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), rapid eye movement (REM)-AHI, and non-REM-AHI with mean glucose levels during nighttime (two periods: 11 pm to 3 am and 3 am to 6 am ), daytime (8 am to 9 pm ), and 24-hours. Models were adjusted for BMI and antihyperglycemic medications. Results In 65 participants who were 35 ± 5 (mean ± SD) years of age with BMI of 33 ± 7 kg/m2, 31% were undergoing insulin and/or metformin therapy. A ten-unit increase in AHI was associated with elevated nocturnal glucose levels (11 pm to 3 am : 0.20 mmol/L [95% CI, 0.04-0.40]) with persistent elevations into the morning (8 am : 0.26 mmol/L [95% CI, 0.08-0.4]) when adjusted for BMI and medications. REM-AHI was also associated with higher nocturnal and morning glucose levels, whereas non-REM was not. AHI was not associated with either mean daytime or 24-hour glucose levels. Interpretation Greater severity of SDB was associated with higher nocturnal and morning glucose levels in women with GDM.

© 2019 The Author(s) Objective: To examine the relationship between pregnancy outcomes and BP level and variability. Design: Secondary analysis of CHIPS trial data (Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy Study, NCT01192412). Setting: International. Population or sample: Women with chronic or gestational hypertension. Methods: BP measurement was standardised in outpatient clinics. Adjusted (including for allocated group) mixed effects logistic regression was used to assess relationships between major CHIPS outcomes and both BP level (mean of clinic readings) and visit-to-visit within-participant BP variability (standard deviation and average real variability of absolute successive difference of BP values). BP values 7–28 days prior to outcomes (or birth for perinatal outcomes) were excluded in sensitivity analyses. Main outcome measures: Major CHIPS outcomes. Results: Among 961 (97.4%) women, higher BP level was associated with more adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes (usually at p < 0.001) except for serious maternal complications. Among 913 (92.5%) women with at least two post-randomisation outpatient visits, higher BP variability was associated with increased odds of severe hypertension and pre-eclampsia (usually at p < 0.01). Sensitivity analyses suggested reverse causality for these maternal outcomes, but greater diastolic BP variability may have been associated with fewer adverse perinatal outcomes. Conclusions: Higher BP is an adverse prognostic marker, regardless of target BP. While the association between higher BP variability and severe hypertension and pre-eclampsia may be related to higher BP at diagnosis, our results suggest a possible advantage of BP variability for the fetus, through undefined mechanisms. Tweetable abstract: Higher blood pressure (BP) is associated with more adverse pregnancy outcomes, but higher BP variability may be good for the baby.

AIMS Bromocriptine is thought to facilitate left ventricular (LV) recovery in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) through inhibition of prolactin secretion. However, this potential therapeutic effect remains controversial and was incompletely studied in diverse populations. METHODS AND RESULTS Consecutive women with new-onset PPCM (n = 76) between 1994 and 2015 in Quebec, Canada, were classified according to treatment (n = 8, 11%) vs. no treatment (n = 68, 89%) with bromocriptine. We assessed LV functional recovery at mid-term (6 months) and long-term (last follow-up) and compared outcomes among groups. Women treated with bromocriptine experienced better mid-term left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery from 23 ± 10% at baseline to 55 ± 12% at 6 months, compared with a change from 30 ± 12% at baseline to 45 ± 13% at 6 months in women treated with standard medical therapy (P interaction

We present Hypertension Canada's inaugural evidence-based Canadian recommendations for the management of hypertension in pregnancy. Hypertension in pregnancy is common, affecting approximately 7% of pregnancies in Canada, and requires effective management in order to reduce maternal, fetal and newborn complications. Given this importance, these guidelines were developed in partnership with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada with the main common objective of improving the management of women with hypertension in pregnancy. Guidelines for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention and treatment of hypertension in adults and children are published separately. In this first Hypertension Canada Guidelines for hypertension in pregnancy, seven recommendations for the management of non-severe and severe hypertension in pregnancy are presented. For non-severe hypertension in pregnancy (systolic blood pressure 140-159 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure 80-109 mm Hg), we provide guidance for the threshold for initiation of antihypertensive therapy, blood pressure targets, as well as first- and second-line antihypertensive medications. Severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥110 mm Hg) requires urgent antihypertensive therapy to reduce maternal, fetal and newborn adverse outcomes. The specific evidence and rationale underlying each of these guidelines are discussed.

Hypertension Canada provides annually-updated, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, assessment, prevention, and treatment of hypertension in adults and children. This year, the adult and pediatric guidelines are combined in one document. The new 2018 pregnancy-specific hypertension guidelines are published separately. For 2018, 5 new guidelines were introduced, and one existing guideline on the blood pressure thresholds and targets in the setting of thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke was revised. The use of validated wrist devices for the estimation of blood pressure in individuals with large arm circumference is now included. Guidance is provided for the follow-up measurements of blood pressure, with the use of standardized methods and electronic (oscillometric) upper arm devices in individuals with hypertension, and either ambulatory blood pressure monitoring or home blood pressure monitoring in individuals with white coat effect. We specify that all individuals with hypertension should have an assessment of global cardiovascular risk to promote health behaviours that lower blood pressure. Finally, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor combination should be used in place of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker in individuals with heart failure (with ejection fraction < 40%) who are symptomatic despite appropriate doses of guideline-directed heart failure therapies. The specific evidence and rationale underlying each of these guidelines are discussed.

Introduction: Preeclampsia develops due to placental insufficiency and systemic proinflammatory and antiangiogenic mediator release, with ensuing systemic endothelial dysfunction. Nephrotic-range proteinuria appears to be associated with worse pregnancy outcomes. The relationship between differing degrees of proteinuria and the severity of placental alterations has not been studied. Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective comparison of 150 singleton pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and varying degrees of proteinuria. Maternal demographic, obstetrical and fetal outcome data were obtained from chart review. The placental histologic evaluations were performed by a placental pathologist blinded to all other clinical information. Results: Preeclamptic women with massive proteinuria had evidence of more severe maternal vascular malperfusion lesions. The severity of the lesions was progressive through mild, moderate and massive proteinuria. Women with massive proteinuria had a higher incidence of renal dysfunction and severe hypertension, and had earlier preterm deliveries compared to preeclamptic women with mild and moderate proteinuria (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Preeclampsia with more severe proteinuria is associated with a higher prevalence of placental maternal vascular malperfusion.

Key Clinical Message Hypercalcemia in pregnancy is an uncommon event that can cause major maternal morbidity and/or fetal or neonatal morbidity and mortality. Management is a challenge for the clinicians, especially as regards to investigations in pregnancy, surgery, and the use of cinacalcet and bisphosphonates. We present three case reports and discuss management.

Objective To compare pregnancy outcomes, accounting for allocated group, between methyldopa-treated and labetalol-treated women in the CHIPS Trial (ISRCTN 71416914) of ‘less tight’ versus ‘tight’ control of pregnancy hypertension. Design Secondary analysis of CHIPS Trial cohort. Setting International randomised controlled trial (94 sites, 15 countries). Population or sample Of 987 CHIPS recruits, 481/566 (85.0%) women treated with antihypertensive therapy at randomisation. Of 981 (99.4%) women followed to delivery, 656/745 (88.1%) treated postrandomisation. Methods Logistic regression to compare outcomes among women who took methyldopa or labetalol, adjusted for the influence of baseline factors. Main outcome measures CHIPS primary (perinatal loss or high level neonatal care for >48 hours) and secondary (serious maternal complications) outcomes, birthweight

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with adverse short- and long-term maternal and fetal outcomes. Observational data support a link between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) during pregnancy and GDM. However, it is unknown whether treatment of SDB with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves glucose control in this patient population. In addition, CPAP adherence and feasibility as a treatment option in pregnancy is unknown. This pilot randomized, controlled trial aims to primarily determine the feasibility of CPAP treatment in pregnant women with SDB and GDM. This study is also investigating the effect of SDB treatment on 24-h glucose profiles as an exploratory outcome. Objectives: To describe the study methodology in this ongoing study of pregnant women with GDM and SDB. Patients and Methods: Pregnant women with GDM and SDB defined by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥10 (Chicago Scoring Criteria) on level 2 polysomnography are randomized to either auto titrating CPAP (experimental group) or a nasal dilator strip (control group) until delivery. The primary outcome, objectively-assessed adherence to CPAP, is measured over the course of the treatment period using device-specific software. Recruitment and retention rates will be calculated to assess the feasibility for planning future trials. Twenty-four hour glucose profiles are measured over a 72-h period using the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, before and after the intervention. Conclusion: The results of this study will be highly informative to determine whether CPAP is a feasible treatment for pregnant women with GDM and SDB, a specialized population at risk for substantial comorbidity. The trial results will ultimately be useful in planning future SDB treatment trials in pregnancy and GDM. The study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02245659).

Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy result in substantial maternal morbidity and are a leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. Self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) might improve the detection and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, but few data are available, including regarding appropriate thresholds. This systematic review and individual patient data analysis aimed to assess the current evidence on differences between clinic and self-monitored BP through pregnancy. MEDLINE and 10 other electronic databases were searched for articles published up to and including July 2016 using a strategy designed to capture all the literature on self-monitoring of BP during pregnancy. Investigators of included studies were contacted requesting individual patient data: self-monitored and clinic BP and demographic data. Twenty-one studies that utilized self-monitoring of BP during pregnancy were identified. Individual patient data from self-monitored and clinic readings were available from 7 plus 1 unpublished articles (8 studies; n=758) and 2 further studies published summary data. Analysis revealed a mean self-monitoring clinic difference of ≤1.2 mm Hg systolic BP throughout pregnancy although there was significant heterogeneity (difference in means, I 2 >80% throughout pregnancy). Although the overall population difference was small, levels of white coat hypertension were high, particularly toward the end of pregnancy. The available literature includes no evidence of a systematic difference between self and clinic readings, suggesting that appropriate treatment and diagnostic thresholds for self-monitoring during pregnancy would be equivalent to standard clinic thresholds.

For hypertensive women in CHIPS (Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study), we assessed whether the maternal benefits of tight control could be achieved, while minimizing any potentially negative effect on fetal growth, by delaying initiation of antihypertensive therapy until later in pregnancy. For the 981 women with nonsevere, chronic or gestational hypertension randomized to less-tight (target diastolic blood pressure, 100 mm Hg), or tight (target, 85 mm Hg) control, we used mixed-effects logistic regression to examine whether the effect of less-tight (versus tight) control on major outcomes was dependent on gestational age at randomization, adjusting for baseline factors as in the primary analysis and including an interaction term between gestational age at randomization and treatment allocation. Gestational age was considered categorically (quartiles) and continuously (linear or quadratic form), and the optimal functional form selected to provide the best fit to the data based on the Akaike information criterion. Randomization before (but not after) 24 weeks to less-tight (versus tight) control was associated with fewer babies with birth weight P interaction =0.005), but more preterm birth ( P interaction =0.043), and no effect on perinatal death or high-level neonatal care >48 hours ( P interaction =0.354). For the mother, less-tight (versus tight) control was associated with more severe hypertension at all gestational ages but particularly so before 28 weeks ( P interaction =0.076). In women with nonsevere, chronic, or gestational hypertension, there seems to be no gestational age at which less-tight (versus tight) control is the preferred management strategy to optimize maternal or perinatal outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: https://www.isrctn.com . Unique identifier: ISRCTN71416914.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a poorly understood pregnancy complication. It has been suggested that changes in the maternal immune system may contribute to PE, but evidence of this remains scarce. Whilst PE is commonly experienced prepartum, it can also occur in the postpartum period (postpartum PE-PPPE), and the mechanisms involved are unknown. Our goal was to determine whether changes occur in the maternal immune system and placenta in pregnancies complicated with PE and PPPE, compared to normal term pregnancies. We prospectively recruited women and collected blood samples to determine the circulating immune profile, by flow cytometry, and assess the circulating levels of inflammatory mediators and angiogenic factors. Placentas were collected for histological analysis. Levels of alarmins in the maternal circulation showed increased uric acid in PE and elevated high-mobility group box 1 in PPPE. Analysis of maternal immune cells revealed distinct profiles in PE vs PPPE. PE had increased percentage of lymphocytes and monocytes whilst PPPE had elevated NK and NK-T cells as well. Elevated numbers of immune cells (CD45+) were detected in placentas from women that developed PPPE, and those were macrophages (CD163+). This work reveals changes within the maternal immune system in both PE and PPPE, and indicate a striking contrast in how this occurs. Importantly, elevated immune cells in the placenta of women with PPPE strongly suggest a prenatal initiation of the pathology. A better understanding of these changes will be beneficial to identify women at high risk of PPPE and to develop novel therapeutic targets.

Introduction CHIPS-Child is a follow-up to the international CHIPS trial that showed that ‘less tight' (vs. ‘tight') control of maternal blood pressure (BP) was associated with no decrease (or increase) in either the primary perinatal outcome (pregnancy loss or high level neonatal care for >48h) or measures of fetal growth (in utero). Objectives In CHIPS-Child, we tested the developmental programming hypothesis by determining if children born of mothers in ‘less tight' (vs. ‘tight') BP control arms of CHIPS showed differences in postnatal growth and health. Methods Follow-up was extended to 12±2months corrected post-gestational age for anthropometric measurements. For CHIPS subjects who consented to a CHIPS-Child study visit, we collected biological samples from the child (hair samples, buccal swabs) to evaluate hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) function (hair cortisol levels) and epigenetic change (DNA methylation analysis of buccal cells). The primary outcome was ‘change in z -score for weight' (95% CI) between birth and 12±2months, compared between groups using linear regression adjusted for maternal pre-randomisation factors (hypertension type and centre, antihypertensive type, and maternal body mass index, body mass index [BMI]) (two-tailed p >0.05) and any between-group differences at baseline among babies followed-up. Secondary outcomes were genome-wide and targeted DNA methylation status (from buccal swabs, measured using the Illumina infinium HumanMethylation450 array platform) and hair cortisol (as a measure of hypothalamic–pituitary activation). Results Of 683 eligible CHIPS babies (59 sites), 500 (73.2%) were followed up in CHIPS-Child [244 (70.1%) in ‘less tight' vs. 256 (75.7%) in ‘tight' control] and 414 consented to participate [196, (80.3%) vs. 218 (85.2%)]. 272 (76.8%) of babies had anthropometry at 12±2months. Babies in ‘less tight' (vs. ‘tight') probably differed with regards to change in z -score for weight (primary outcome) [−0.27 (−0.54, 0.00); p =0.05]; there was no difference in z -scores for length [0.14 (−0.20, 0.49); p =0.42] or head circumference [0.19 ( - 0.89, 1.26); p =0.71], or waist circumference (cm) [0.99 ( - 1.75, 3.72); p =0.45]. Secondary outcomes were measurable only among the babies who were eligible for a study visit ( N =92), consented ( N =45), and supplied biological samples ( N =41). 16 DNA samples (9 vs. 7) passed quality control testing; no difference in DNA methylation was seen based on a false discovery rate >20%. In the 35 adequate hair samples, cortisol levels were significantly lower in ‘less tight' (vs. ‘tight')[−496 (−892, −100); p =0.02]. Conclusions The results of CHIPS-Child suggest that ‘tight' BP control may be associated with both more rapid postnatal growth (birth to age 12months) and developmental programming of the HPA axis. These results are limited by small sample size. Longer follow up would be necessary to determine if the findings are associated with important clinical outcomes. (CHIPS-Child Working Group: JP Chanoine, AM Cote, A Devlin, A Gafni, W Ganzevoort, A Gruslin, M Helewa, E Hutton, G Koren, SK Lee, D McArthur, E Rey, WP Robinson, T Roseboom, J Singer, S Wilson, JM Moutquin).

Hypertensive disorders are the most common medical complication of pregnancy. As such, a large part of antenatal care is dedicated to the detection of pre-eclampsia, the most dangerous of the hypertensive disorders. The highlights of this chapter include progress in the use of out-of-office blood pressure measurement as an adjunct to office blood pressure measurement, pre-eclampsia defined as proteinuria or relevant end-organ dysfunction, antihypertensive therapy for severe and non-severe hypertension and post-partum follow-up to mitigate the increased cardiovascular risk associated with any of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Resume Notre travail visait a comparer le taux de macrosomie et la moyenne de poids de naissance (en percentile) de nouveau-nes de meres diabetiques de type 1 (DT1) traitees par pompe a insuline sous-cutanee (PSC) ou par multi-injections quotidiennes d’insuline (MIQ). Il s’agit d’une etude retrospective, incluant les grossesses mono-fœtales de patientes DT1, dont l’issue de grossesse est survenue a plus de 16 semaines de grossesse, au CHU Sainte-Justine (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), entre le 1 er janvier 2000 et le 31 janvier 2009. Au total, 14 grossesses sous PSC et 94 sous MIQ ont ete evaluees. L’HbA 1c aux 1 er , 2 e et 3 e trimestres de grossesse n’etait pas significativement differente entre les groupes PSC et MIQ. Le percentile des poids de naissance (92±11 versus 77 ± 26) et le taux de macrosomie (71,4% versus 42,6%, respectivement) etaient significativement plus eleves dans le groupe PSC ( p

BACKGROUND\ud The effects of less-tight versus tight control of hypertension on pregnancy complications are unclear.\ud METHODS\ud We performed an open, international, multicenter trial involving women at 14 weeks 0 days to 33 weeks 6 days of gestation who had nonproteinuric preexisting or gestational hypertension, office diastolic blood pressure of 90 to 105 mm Hg (or 85 to 105 mm Hg if the woman was taking antihypertensive medications), and a live fetus. Women were randomly assigned to less-tight control (target diastolic blood pressure, 100 mm Hg) or tight control (target diastolic blood pressure, 85 mm Hg). The composite primary outcome was pregnancy loss or high-level neonatal care for more than 48 hours during the first 28 postnatal days. The secondary outcome was serious maternal complications occurring up to 6 weeks post partum or until hospital discharge, whichever was later.\ud RESULTS\ud Included in the analysis were 987 women; 74.6% had preexisting hypertension. The primary-outcome rates were similar among 493 women assigned to less-tight control and 488 women assigned to tight control (31.4% and 30.7%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 1.35), as were the rates of serious maternal complications (3.7% and 2.0%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% CI, 0.79 to 3.84), despite a mean diastolic blood pressure that was higher in the less-tight-control group by 4.6 mm Hg (95% CI, 3.7 to 5.4). Severe hypertension (≥160/110 mm Hg) developed in 40.6% of the women in the less-tight-control group and 27.5% of the women in the tight-control group (P

International audience; The aim of our study was to compare the impact of maternal obesity on the incidence of medical complications of pregnancy in France and Canada. We performed a prospective comparative cohort study using French data, retrieved from a prospective cohort of singleton deliveries, and Canadian data retrieved from QUARISMA, a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in Quebec, both between 2009 and 2011. Outcomes studied included, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), venous thromboembolism, stillbirth, caesarean delivery and macrosomia. The impact of obesity across both cohorts was studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, adjusting for relevant confounders. The French and Canadian databases included 26,973 and 22,046 deliveries respectively, with obesity rates of 9.1% and 16% respectively (p < 0.001). In both cohorts, obesity was significantly associated with an increased rate of HDP, cesarean delivery, and macrosomia. However, in both cohorts the relationship between increasing body mass index and the incidence of medical complication of pregnancy was the same, regardless the outcome studied. In conclusion, obesity is a risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in both cohorts. Similar trends of increased risk were noted in both cohorts even though obesity is more prevalent in Canada. The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased over the past 30 years, especially in North America. This condition is now described as an " epidemic " , and has consistently been associated to adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disorders, the occurrence of certain cancers, as well as psychoso-cial problems 1. The impact of obesity on life expectancy is considerable: in nonsmoking Americans, obesity at 40 years of age is associated with a life expectancy reduction of 7.1 years for women and 5.8 years for men 2. In Canada, the rate of obesity among adult women of reproductive age has increased from 16% in 1997, to 23.9% in 2009 (+50%) whereas the increase has been 82% in the same period in France, from 8.3% to 15.1% 3–5. A similar trend has been observed in pregnant women: in 2009, 16% of women starting a pregnancy were obese in Canada, in comparison to 9.9% in France 6, 7. This expansion is both linked to a general trend of increasing obesity but also to an increase in the age of childbearing in recent years; indeed, obesity also increases with advancing maternal age 4, 7. Consequently, obesity appears to be more longstanding and more prevalent in Canada than in France. Definitions of obesity have varied widely over time. The most frequent definition utilized is based on the Body Mass Index (BMI), a simple measure of weight-for-height defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m 2). The ranges are independent of age, parity, smoking history, race and ethnic background 8–10. Given the growing prevalence of increased BMI and the difference in obesity rates between Canada and France, we aimed to study the relationship between obesity and the incidence of medical complications of pregnancy in those two countries. We therefore compared pregnancy outcomes according to BMI classes between the two countries, through a secondary analysis of data collected in two well-defined contemporaneous cohorts.

Background: Hypertension holds a unique place in population health and health care because it is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and the most common noncommunicable condition seen in primary care worldwide. Without effective prevention and control, raised blood pressure significantly increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, dementia, renal failure, and blindness. There is an urgent need for stakeholders—including individuals and families—across the health system, researchers, and decision makers to work collaboratively for improving prevention, screening and detection, diagnosis and evaluation, awareness, treatment and medication adherence, management, and control for people with or at high risk for hypertension. Meeting this need will help reduce the burden of hypertension-related disease, prevent complications, and reduce the need for hospitalization, costly interventions, and premature deaths. Objective: This review aims to synthesize evidence on the epidemiological landscape and control of hypertension in Cameroon, and to identify elements that could potentially inform interventions to combat hypertension in this setting and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: The full search process will involve several steps, including selecting relevant databases, keywords, and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH); searching for relevant studies from the selected databases; searching OpenGrey and the Grey Literature Report for gray literature; hand searching in Google Scholar; and soliciting missed publications (if any) from relevant authors. We will select qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods studies with data on the epidemiology and control of hypertension in Cameroon. We will include published literature in French or English from electronic databases up to December 31, 2016, and involving adults aged 18 years or older. Both facility and population-based studies on hypertension will be included. Two reviewers of the team will independently search, screen, extract data, and assess the quality of selected studies using suitable tools. Selected studies will be analyzed by narrative synthesis, meta-analysis, or both, depending on the nature of the data retrieved in line with the review objectives. Results: This review is part of an ongoing research program on disease prevention and control in the context of the dual burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases in Africa. The first results are expected in 2017. Conclusions: This review will provide a comprehensive assessment of the burden of hypertension and control measures that have been designed and implemented in Cameroon. Findings will form the knowledge base relevant to stakeholders across the health system and researchers who are involved in hypertension prevention and control in the community and clinic settings in Cameroon, as a yardstick for similar African countries. Trial Registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017054950; http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ display_record.asp?ID=CRD42017054950 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6qYSjt9Jc) [JMIR Res Protoc 2017;6(5):e102]

Maternal asthma has been found to be associated with an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), that is, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. There is limited data, however, regarding the relationship between the use of long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) during pregnancy and these outcomes.To investigate whether exposure to a LABA in addition to an inhaled corticosteroid increases the risk of HDP or preeclampsia/eclampsia, as compared with nonexposure to LABAs, in pregnant women with asthma.A cohort of 8,936 pregnancies in women with asthma who delivered between 1998 and 2010 was reconstructed using Quebec (Canada) health administrative databases. Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusted for potential confounders, were used for statistical analyses. The primary exposure was LABA use (yes/no) measured on the first day of the 20th week of pregnancy. HDP were identified on the basis of recorded diagnoses and on prescriptions of antihypertensive drugs filled on or after the first day of week 20 of gestation.There were 567 (6.3%) cases of HDP and 256 (2.9%) cases of preeclampsia/eclampsia in the cohort, and the rates of both disorders were similar in women exposed or not exposed to LABAs. LABA use was not associated with increased risks of HDP (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.69-1.33) or preeclampsia/eclampsia (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.53-1.50).The results of this study provide evidence suggesting the safety of LABAs for the treatment of asthma in pregnancy, in terms of the risks of HDP and preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Resume Objectif Le present resume directif presente un sommaire des donnees qui ont ete evaluees dans le cadre de la directive clinique redigee par le groupe de travail canadien sur les troubles hypertensifs de la grossesse et publiee dans Pregnancy Hypertension (http://www.pregnancyhypertension.org/article/S2210-7789(14)00004-X/fulltext), en vue d'offrir une approche raisonnable envers le diagnostic, l'evaluation et la prise en charge des troubles hypertensifs de la grossesse. Resultats La litterature publiee a ete recuperee par l'intermediaire de recherches menees dans Medline, CINAHL et The Cochrane Library en mars 2012 au moyen d'un vocabulaire controle (p. ex. « pregnancy », « hypertension », « pre-eclampsia », « pregnancy toxemias ») et de mots cles (p. ex. « diagnosis », « evaluation », « classification », « prediction », « prevention », « prognosis », « treatment », « post-partum follow-up ») appropries. Les resultats ont ete restreints aux analyses systematiques, aux essais comparatifs randomises / essais cliniques comparatifs et aux etudes observationnelles rediges en anglais ou en francais entre janvier 2006 et fevrier 2012. Les recherches ont ete mises a jour de facon reguliere et integrees a la directive clinique jusqu'en septembre 2013. La litterature grise (non publiee) a ete identifiee par l'intermediaire de recherches menees dans les sites Web d'organismes s'interessant a l'evaluation des technologies dans le domaine de la sante et d'organismes connexes, dans des collections de directives cliniques, dans des registres d'essais cliniques et aupres de societes de specialite medicale nationales et internationales. Valeurs La qualite des resultats est evaluee au moyen des criteres decrits dans le rapport du Groupe d'etude canadien sur les soins de sante preventifs (Tableau).

Summary Background Asthma exacerbations are common during pregnancy with a prevalence as high as 51.9% among women with severe asthma. Objective To compare the treatment of asthma exacerbations in an acute-care setting during and outside of pregnancy. Methods We formed a cohort of women who sought medical care for an asthma exacerbation at a teaching hospital during or in the year preceding pregnancy, between 1998 and 2008. An exacerbation was composed of one or more medical encounters in an acute-care setting (hospital-based outpatient clinic, emergency department, or during hospitalization). Data were retrieved from medical charts and health administrative databases. We compared the use of systemic corticosteroids (SCSs) during and outside of pregnancy with a Cox proportional hazards model. Results The cohort was formed of 39 women who had 40 exacerbations during and 39 exacerbations outside of pregnancy. Use of SCSs to treat exacerbations was less frequent (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31–0.84) during pregnancy. Moreover, upon the first medical encounter related to the exacerbation, SCSs, when administered, were given less frequently to women when pregnant than when non-pregnant (83% vs. 100%). The SCS prescription was filled at the community pharmacy 65% and 67% of the time when it was prescribed at discharge to women when pregnant than when non-pregnant, respectively. Conclusion We observed a reduced and delayed use of SCSs for the treatment of asthma exacerbations in women when pregnant than when non-pregnant, with similar numbers of women in both conditions filling their SCSs prescription in pharmacies.

Objective To present an approach, based on current evidence, for the diagnosis, treatment, and thromboprophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and postpartum. Evidence Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library from November 2011 to July 2013 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g. pregnancy, venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary thrombosis) and key words (e.g., maternal morbidity, pregnancy complications, thromboprophylaxis, antithrombotic therapy). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies published in English or French. There were no date restrictions. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies. Values The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care (Table 1).

Resume Objectif Presenter une approche, fondee sur les donnees actuelles, envers le diagnostic, la prise en charge et la thromboprophylaxie de la thromboembolie veineuse pendant la grossesse et la periode postpartum. Resultats La litterature publiee a ete recuperee par l'intermediaire de recherches menees dans PubMed, Medline, CINAHL et The Cochrane Library entre novembre 2011 et juillet 2013 au moyen d'un vocabulaire controle (p. ex. « pregnancy », « venous thromboembolism », « deep vein thrombosis », « pulmonary embolism », « pulmonary thrombosis ») et de mots cles (p. ex. « maternal morbidity », « pregnancy complications », « thromboprophylaxis », « antithrombotic therapy ») appropries. Les resultats ont ete restreints aux analyses systematiques, aux essais comparatifs randomises / essais cliniques comparatifs et aux etudes observationnelles publies en anglais ou en francais. Aucune restriction n'a ete imposee en matiere de dates. La litterature grise (non publiee) a ete identifiee par l'intermediaire de recherches menees dans les sites Web d'organismes s'interessant a l'evaluation des technologies dans le domaine de la sante et d'organismes connexes, dans des collections de directives cliniques, dans des registres d'essais cliniques et aupres de societes de specialite medicale nationales et internationales. Valeurs La qualite des resultats est evaluee au moyen des criteres decrits dans le rapport du Groupe d'etude canadien sur les soins de sante preventifs (Tableau).

To determine the performance of a protein-to-creatinine ratio threshold of 30 mg/mmol in pregnant women investigated for hypertension according to the time of day of the sample.This prospective study included ambulatory pregnant women investigated for hypertensive disorders. A single voided random urine specimen was obtained to determine the protein-to-creatinine ratio, followed immediately by a 24-hour urine collection. Statistical analyses included Spearman correlation, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, and receiver-operator characteristic curves with 95% confidence intervals. A P value0.05 was considered statistically significant.Among the 91 specimens analyzed, 47.3% showed significant proteinuria in the 24-hour collection and 33% were first morning samples. The protein-to-creatinine ratio and 24-hour urinary protein excretion were highly correlated (r = 0.92, P0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of the protein-to-creatinine ratio threshold of 30 mg/mmol was lower in first morning samples than in samples obtained during the rest of the day, with sensitivity 58% and 90%, specificity 93% and 100%, positive predictive value 88% and 100%, negative predictive value 72% and 92%, positive likelihood ratio 8 and not calculable, and negative likelihood ratio 0.45 and 0.1, respectively. The receiver-operator characteristic area under the curve was 0.94 (95% CI 0.86 to 1) for first morning samples and 1.0 (95% CI 0.99 to 1) for other samples.A protein-to-creatinine ratio threshold of 30 mg/mmol reliably identifies significant proteinuria, but its reliability is reduced in first morning samples. Consequently, such samples should not be used for this purpose.

Objective: This guideline summarizes the quality of the evidence to date and provides a reasonable approach to the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Evidence: The literature reviewed included the previous Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) HDP guidelines from 2008 and their reference lists, and an update from 2006. Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CCRCT) and Database of Abstracts and Reviews of Effects (DARE) were searched for literature published between January 2006 and March 2012. Articles were restricted to those published in French or English. Recommendations were evaluated using the criteria of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care and GRADE. (C) 2014 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Asthma during pregnancy usually requires treatment with controller medications about which more safety information is needed. The objectives are to assess the impact of the use of long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) and the dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) during pregnancy on the prevalence of low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PB) and small for gestational age (SGA).A cohort of women with asthma giving birth from 1998 to 2008 was constructed from Québec (Canada) administrative databases. LBW was defined as weight2500 g, PB as delivery before 37 weeks' gestation and SGA as a birth weight below the 10th percentile. The impact of the use of LABAs and the dose of ICSs during pregnancy on the outcomes was determined with generalised-estimating-equation models.The cohort included 7376 pregnancies: 8.8% exposed to LABAs and 56.9% exposed to ICSs. All LABA users also received ICSs. The prevalence of LBW, PB and SGA was 7.7%, 9.5% and 13.5%, respectively. LABA use was not found to be associated with increased prevalence of LBW (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.58 to 1.12), PB (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.61 to 1.15) or SGA (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.70 to 1.20). Mean ICSs doses125 μg/day (fluticasone-equivalent) were associated with a non-significant trend of increased LBW, PB and SGA.Despite the possibility of residual confounding due to uncontrolled or more severe asthma or smoking status, the use of LABA and low to moderate doses of ICSs were not associated with increased prevalence of perinatal outcomes. Additional research on higher ICSs doses is required to better evaluate their safety during pregnancy.

To determine whether clinical outcomes differed by occurrence of severe hypertension in the international CHIPS trial (Control of Hypertension in Pregnancy Study), adjusting for the interventions of “less tight” (target diastolic blood pressure [dBP] 100 mm Hg) versus “tight” control (target dBP 85 mm Hg). In this post-hoc analysis of CHIPS data from 987 women with nonsevere nonproteinuric preexisting or gestational hypertension, mixed effects logistic regression was used to compare the following outcomes according to occurrence of severe hypertension, adjusting for allocated group and the influence of baseline factors: CHIPS primary (perinatal loss or high-level neonatal care for >48 hours) and secondary outcomes (serious maternal complications), birth weight 9 /L, elevated liver enzymes with symptoms, maternal length of stay ≥10 days, and maternal readmission before 6 weeks postpartum. Three hundred and thirty-four (34.1%) women in CHIPS developed severe hypertension that was associated with all outcomes examined except for maternal readmission ( P =0.20): CHIPS primary outcome, birth weight P 9 /L ( P =0.006), and prolonged hospital stay ( P =0.03). The association between severe hypertension and serious maternal complications was seen only in less tight control ( P =0.02). Adjustment for preeclampsia (464, 47.3%) did not negate the relationship between severe hypertension and the CHIPS primary outcome ( P P =0.005), delivery at P P P =0.02). Severe hypertension is a risk marker for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, independent of BP control or preeclampsia co-occurrence. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://pre-empt.cfri.ca/ . Unique identifier: ISRCTN 71416914. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ . Unique identifier: NCT01192412.

Objective: To compare women's views about blood pressure (BP) control in CHIPS (Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy Study) (NCT01192412). Design: Quantitative and qualitative analysis of questionnaire responses. Setting: International randomised trial (94 sites, 15 countries). Population/sample: 911 (92.9%) women randomised to 'tight' (target diastolic blood pressure, 85 mmHg) or 'less tight' (target diastolic blood pressure, 100 mmHg) who completed questionnaires. Methods: A questionnaire was administered at similar to 6-12 weeks postpartum regarding post-discharge morbidity and views about trial participation. Questionnaires were administered by the site coordinator, and contact was made by phone, home or clinic visit; rarely, data was collected from medical records. Quantitative analyses were Chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, mixed effects multinomial logistic regression to adjust for confounders, and p

Introduction For women with chronic or gestational hypertension in CHIPS (Control of Hypertension In Pregnancy Study, NCT01192412), we aimed to examine whether clinical predictors collected at randomization could predict adverse outcomes. Material and methods This was a planned, secondary analysis of data from the 987 women in the CHIPS Trial. Logistic regression was used to examine the impact of 19 candidate predictors on the probability of adverse perinatal (pregnancy loss or high level neonatal care for >48 h, or birthweight

To estimate the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to The International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria and the pregnancy complications in women fulfilling these criteria but who are not considered diabetic according to the Canadian Diabetes Association criteria.We estimated the rate of GDM according to the IADPSG criteria from November 2008 to October 2010. Then, we conducted a chart review to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between women classified as GDM according to the IADPSG criteria but not by the Canadian Diabetes Association criteria (group 1; n=186) and nondiabetic women according to both criteria (group 2; n=372). Results were expressed as crude (odds ratio [OR]) or adjusted OR and 95% confidence interval (CI). The study has a statistical power of 80% to detect a difference between 16% and 8% in large for gestational age newborns (α level of 0.05; two-tailed).The rate of GDM using the IADPSG criteria was 27.51% (95% CI 25.92-29.11). Group 1 presented similar rates of large-for-gestational-age newborns (9.1% compared with 5.9%, adjusted OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.79-3.13; P=.19), delivery complications (37.1% compared with 30.1%, OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.95-1.98; P=.10), preeclampsia (6.5% compared with 2.7%, adjusted OR 2.40, 95% CI 0.92-6.27; P=.07), prematurity (6.5% compared with 2.7%, OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.53-2.27; P=.85), neonatal complications at delivery (13.4% compared with 9.7%, OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.84-2.49; P=.20), and metabolic complications (10.8% compared with 14.2%, OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.42-1.26; P=.29) compared with group 2.Women classified as nondiabetic by the Canadian Diabetes Association Criteria but considered GDM according to the IADPSG criteria have similar pregnancy outcomes as women without GDM. More randomized studies with cost-effectiveness analyses are needed before implementation of these criteria.II.

Diabet. Med. 28, 1068–1073 (2011) Abstract Aim We tested the hypothesis that diabetes in pregnancy may differentially affect neonatal outcomes in twin vs. singleton pregnancies. Methods In a retrospective cohort analysis of twins (n = 422 068) and singletons (n = 14 298 367) born in the USA from 1998 to 2001, we evaluated the adjusted odds ratios of adverse neonatal outcomes comparing diabetic vs. non-diabetic pregnancies, controlling for maternal characteristics. Primary outcomes include macrosomia (birthweight for gestational age > 90th percentile), congenital anomalies, low 5-min Apgar score (

Recent evidence suggests that treatment with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) started early in pregnancy could prevent preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), two complications involving placental dysfunction. Preterm birth could also potentially be prevented, suggesting that it could share mechanisms of disease with preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Because there is new evidence that placental dysfunction can be predicted as early as in the first trimester, we argue that there is a need for randomized controlled trials of lowdose ASA for the prevention of preeclampsia, IUGR, and possibly preterm birth among nulliparous women with early indicators of placental dysfunction.

Objective To evaluate the quality of francophone- oriented-patients websites about chronic hypertension and pregnancy. Methodology Three instruments were used by 4 assessors to evaluate 12 most browsed websites. The first instrument evaluates the readability for a patient, the pictorial outlook and gives a general evaluation (3 questions, total score range 0–9). The second instrument judges the quality and quantity of information provided by each website, according to a pre-established list of items concerning health habits, medications, maternal and neonatal complications, postpartum evolution and breastfeeding (35 items, total score range 0–105). The third instrument, the Discern instrument, assesses the reliability and the quality of information about pharmacologic treatments (16 questions, total score range 16–80). Agreement between the observers was analysed with the Kendall coefficient of concordance (p Results Six websites were affiliated with medical journals or associations, 2 with media providers, 2 with web providers, 1 with a health care provider and 1 was commercial. Five websites were considered suitable for non- medical readers and only 3 had a favorable general evaluation. None of the websites obtained a score of at least of 50 (for a maximum score of 105) for their content with the second instrument. According to the Discern instrument, 3 sites provided very good reliability and 2 very good quality of information about medications. Statistical agreement between assessors was obtained for all analyses. Medical websites were more focused on complications and medications, were more reliable but were unsuitable for patients. Conclusion French-speaking people have access to very poor quality websites to gather information about chronic hypertension and pregnancy.