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ObjectivesTo assess deviations in longitudinally measured cytokines with preterm birth (PTB).MethodsProspective longitudinal study targeting 80 subjects. Phlebotomy specimens for broad panel of cytokine analysis were obtained at three time (T) intervals: first trimester (T1: 8-14 weeks' gestation), second trimester (T2: 18-22 weeks' gestation), and third trimester (T3: 28-32 weeks' gestation). Important demographics and outcomes were tracked. Data were stratified and the target groups were analyzed as follows: "Uncomplicated" (delivered ≥37 weeks) or "Preterm Birth" (

Objective: Chronic hypertension (CHTN) causes vascular damage and resistance in the pregnant person and malperfusion in the placenta which may worsen the endothelial dysfunction of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). These conditions frequently co-exist. A cumulative effect has been inconsistently demonstrated in prior studies, and it is unclear how co-existing hypertensive conditions affect pregnancy outcomes. We sought to examine maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies affected by co-existing CHTN and HDP and compare these outcomes to those of pregnancies which were unaffected or affected by either condition alone. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton deliveries at a single institution 1 October 2013 to 1 October 2021. Data were extracted from the electronic medical record using standardized definitions and billing and diagnosis codes. Pregnant people with no evidence of hypertensive condition were compared to those with CHTN only, HDP only, and co-existing CHTN and HDP. Demographics, baseline clinical data, and use of aspirin or antihypertensive medications were assessed. Maternal outcomes included cesarean delivery, critical range blood pressure, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death. Neonatal outcomes included preterm birth <37 weeks' gestation, small for gestational age (SGA) birthweight, ICU admission, and a morbidity composite. Bivariate tests of association were performed using Chi-square test. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated using logistic regression for three maternal and four neonatal outcomes. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses were performed. Results: Of 40,840 eligible people, 1451 (3.6%) had CHTN only; 5213 (12.8%) had HDP only; and 1890 (4.6%) had co-existing CHTN and HDP. Though odds of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were significantly increased for all hypertensive groups relative to the unaffected referent group, co-existing CHTN and HDP had the highest odds of cesarean delivery (aOR 1.60; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45–1.77), critical blood pressure (OR 41.54; 95% CI 35.96–47.99), maternal ICU admission or death (aOR 3.52; 95% CI 2.65–4.67), preterm birth (aOR 2.76; 95% CI 2.41–3.16), and SGA birthweight (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.39–1.87). Conclusions: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the setting of CHTN are associated with the highest odds of serious consequences on the pregnant person and neonate independent of maternal comorbidities and prematurity. Antihypertensive medication use lowers the odds of some adverse outcomes. Patients should be informed of heightened risks, but optimal management remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more than two decades, prenatal care has been a cornerstone of our nation's strategy for improving pregnancy outcomes. In recent years, however, a growing recognition of the limits of prenatal care and the importance of maternal health before pregnancy has drawn increasing attention to preconception and internatal care. Internatal care refers to a package of healthcare and ancillary services provided to a woman and her family from the birth of one child to the birth of her next child. For healthy mothers, internatal care offers an opportunity for wellness promotion between pregnancies. For high-risk mothers, internatal care provides strategies for risk reduction before their next pregnancy. In this paper we begin to define the contents of internatal care. The core components of internatal care consist of risk assessment, health promotion, clinical and psychosocial interventions. We identified several priority areas, such as FINDS (family violence, infections, nutrition, depression, and stress) for risk assessment or BBEEFF (breastfeeding, back-to-sleep, exercise, exposures, family planning and folate) for health promotion. Women with chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or weight problems should receive on-going care per clinical guidelines for their evaluation, treatment, and follow-up during the internatal period. For women with prior adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery, we propose an internatal care model based on known etiologic pathways, with the goal of preventing recurrence by addressing these biobehavioral pathways prior to the next pregnancy. We suggest enhancing service integration for women and families, including possibly care coordination and home visitation for selected high-risk women. The primary aim of this paper is to start a dialogue on the content of internatal care.

ProblemAnalyses of the expression pattern of multiple cytokines are frequently required for characterization of the status of the immune system as it pertains to Th type bias and intrinsic levels of inflammation. Classically, analysis of cytokine expression patterns has been performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for each separate analyte. A new technology, Luminex MAP, facilitates the simultaneous evaluation of multiple immune mediators with advantages of higher throughput, smaller sample volume, and lower cost. Validation of this technology has been limited to small sample sets, limited use of clinical study specimens, and use of non-commercial reagents.MethodsNinety-six specimens from women over the course of their respective pregnancies were evaluated for cytokine concentrations using commercially available ELISA kits and commercially available Luminex MAP kits according to the manufacturers' directions. Correlations between data sets were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r).ResultsExcellent correlations were demonstrated for IL-1 beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IFN gamma, and TNF alpha, in contrast to IL-12 p 70 and IL-13.ConclusionsLuminex multiplex technology has distinct advantages and is a valid alternative method to ELISA for the evaluation of the majority of cytokines tested and for the characterization of immune system status.

Introduction In the United States there is a pronounced and persistent racial/ethnic disparity in the rates of preterm (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA) births with the highest rates [...], Rates of prematurity (PTB) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) were compared between US-born and foreign-born non-Hispanic black women. Comparisons were also made between Sub-Saharan African-born and Caribbean-born black women and by maternal country of birth within the two regions. Comparisons were adjusted for sociodemographic, health behavioral and medical risk factors available on the birth record. Birth record data (2008) from all states (n = 27) where mother's country of birth was recorded were used. These data comprised 58 % of all singleton births to non-Hispanic black women in that year. Pearson Chi square and logistic regression were used to investigate variation in the rates of PTB and SGA by maternal nativity. Foreign-born non-Hispanic black women had significantly lower rates of PTB (OR 0.727; CI 0. 726, 0.727) and SGA (OR 0.742; CI 0.739-0.745) compared to US-born non-Hispanic black women in a fully adjusted model. Sub-Saharan African-born black women compared to Caribbean-born black women had significantly lower rates of PTB and SGA. Within each region, the rates of PTB and SGA varied by mother's country of birth. These differences could not be explained by adjustment for known risk factors obtained from vital records. Considerable heterogeneity in rates of PTB and SGA among non-Hispanic black women in the US by maternal nativity was documented and remained unexplained after adjustment for known risk factors. Keywords Preterm * Small-for-gestational-age * Nativity * Black