Maternal plasma transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and newborn size: the Araraquara Cohort Study

Abstract Objective To investigate associations of maternal and cord blood cytokine patterns with newborn size and body composition. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 70 pregnant women and their healthy newborns selected from the "Araraquara Cohort Study". Newborn anthropometric measurements were recorded at birth. Body composition was evaluated by air displacement plethysmography. Maternal blood samples were collected from pregnant women between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation, and umbilical cord blood samples were collected immediately after placenta discharge. The concentrations of the cytokines were determined in plasma by ELISA. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess associations between maternal and cord blood cytokine concentrations and newborn anthropometry and body composition measurements. Results Maternal plasma TGF-β1 concentration was inversely associated with newborn weight (β= -43.0; p= 0.012), length (β= -0.16, p= 0.028), head circumference (β= -0.13, p= 0.004), ponderal index (β= -0.32, p= 0.011) and fat-free mass (β= -0.05, p= 0.005). However, the association persisted just for head circumference (β= -0.26; p= 0.030) and ponderal index (β= - 0.28; p= 0.028), after adjusting for pre-gestational BMI, gestational weight gain, gestational age, hours after delivery, newborn sex, smoking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions Maternal plasma TGF-β1 concentration may be involved in the regulation of newborn size, mainly head circumference and ponderal index. Further cohort studies are necessary to investigate the role of TGF-β1 in different trimesters of pregnancy and its effect during the early stages of fetal development.

Detection of fetal malnutrition and its associated maternal factors in a rural setting

Background: The objectives of study were to analyse and compare the methods for detection of fetal malnutrition and to study the maternal factors associated with fetal malnutrition in babies born in rural hospitals.Methods: Periodic prospective cross-sectional case-control questionnaire-based study. Nursing home and Hospital based in rural population from January 2017-March 2018. There were 350 term newborns born in Shrinivasa Nursing Home, and Crawford General Hospital, Sakleshpur, were selected consecutively. Inclusion criteria: live, singleton term neonates. Exclusion criteria: Preterms, post-terms, those with congenital malformation, multiple gestations, cephalhematoma, subgaleal bleed. Anthropometry, fetal malnutrition assessed using clinical assessment of nutrition (CAN) score, Ponderal and Kanawati indices between 24–48 hours of birth. Newborns with fetal malnutrition (cases), and well-nourished babies (controls) assessed for maternal risk factors using standardised questionnaire from mothers.Results: CAN score identified 185 (52.9%) as malnourished and 165 (47.1%) as normal; Ponderal index classified 170(48.6%) as malnourished and 180 (51.4%) normal. Kanawati index grouped 151 (43.1%) as malnourished. Maternal factors:  age (91.7% among <20 yr mothers-malnourished, 25% among >35 yrs), socioeconomic status (status 3, 4 had 57.2%, 66.7% malnourishment), improper antenatal care(80.7% irregulars; 38.5% among regulars), primiparity (60%;against  38.3% among multipara), pre-eclampsia (78.7%; 41.3% in normotensives), anemia (55.4%), weight gain (83.2% in <10 kg; 33.33% in >10 kg), stature (73.5% in <145 cm; 39.7% in >145 cm), medical illness (55.81%).Conclusions: CAN score is simple, systematic, clinical method of identifying malnutrition; statistically superior as screening tool. Maternal factors: improper antenatal checkups, primiparity, pre-eclampsia, medical illness, inadequate weight gain, short stature had significant association with fetal malnutrition. Maternal age, socioeconomic status, anemia not statistically significant.

Can Score Versus Other Anthropometric Indices To Assess Nutritional Status In New-Borns

Background: Foetal malnutrition is one of the common cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates in a developing country like India and needs to be identified at birth. Objective: To assess foetal nutrition using CAN score and to compare it with other anthropometric indices. Methods: Prospective observational study consisting of 500 singleton full term neonates, assessed for foetal malnutrition using CAN score and then compared with other methods like Ponderal Index, MAC/OFC ratio and Weight for gestational age. Results: CAN score identified 66.4% babies as malnourished whereas Ponderal index identified 51.2% followed by MAC/OFC ratio as 45.6% babies. 62.8% babies were AGA and 37.2% babies were SGA according to weight for gestational age. Conclusion: CAN scoring system is a simple method of identifying foetal malnutrition which can be missed by other methods.

Nutrient Intake according to Weight Gain during Pregnancy, Job Status, and Household Income

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of nutrient intake and pregnancy outcome mediated by weight gain during pregnancy, job status, and household income. Maternal age, educational level, self-reported pre-pregnancy weights, educational level, and household income were collected from the women at 2 months postpartum. For each offspring, weight at birth, length at birth, and gestational age were collected. Participants were asked to report the frequency of consumption of foods between 28–42 weeks into the pregnancy. Diet was assessed by using a validated 106-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (SQFFQ) and women were asked portions and quantities based on pictures, food models, and measuring tools such as cups or teaspoons. Results showed that women who gained below the recommended weight gain during pregnancy, within, and over were 25.3%, 38.7%, 36.0%, respectively. In comparison to weight gain and the offspring's length and weight at birth, the offspring of mothers with a lower weight gain had a higher length. Energy, protein, vitamin B2, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium were significantly lower at employed group. We did not observe a significant difference between birth characteristics and maternal nutrient intake by income. Infants with a higher ponderal index at birth were born to women with a higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI).

Untoward obstetric outcome among Smokeless Tobacco (ST – Mishri) users in Western Maharashtra.

Background: Use of tobacco and new products is increasing not only among men but also among children, teenagers, women of reproductive age group. Mishri (ST) is one among them. Smoking is an established cause of adverse pregnancy outcome. There are indications that using smokeless tobacco could be as detrimental to fetal health as cigarette smoking. Objective: To compare the outcome of pregnancy among women who were using Mishri during pregnancy and those not using it at Krishna hospital, Karad. Materials and Methods: Pregnant women using Mishri during pregnancy were selected for study from Krishna hospital, Karad and equal numbers of pregnant women not using tobacco were selected as comparison group after matching for age and parity. Observations: The proportion of pregnant women using Mishri during pregnancy was 12%. A significant number of users was found to be anemic (69.8%). Significantly higher number of Mishri users experienced complications like Oligohydramnios, fetal distress, delivery before EDD (91.9%) and birth of Low birth weight babies (81.7%) with short stature and increased Ponderal Index. Conclusion: Special attention should be given to avoid or at least reduce the use of Mishri during pregnancy as a part of routine antenatal care to reduce the adverse perinatal outcome.

Gestational Age - the Most Important Factor of Neonatal Ponderal Index

Ponderal index (fetal weight in grams x 100 / (fetal length in centimeters) 3) (PI) is one of the anthropometric methods used to diagnose impaired fetal growth. Irrespective of the infant's position on the growth-weight-for-gestational age charts, PI is low in malnourished infants and high in obese ones. As fetal growth is affected by ethnicity, geographic location and socioeconomic status, we developed standards for neonatal PI, and assessed the effects of gestational age, sex and maternal parity. Data on 5798 newborns from singleton pregnancies born in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Split University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Over a 15-month period in 2000/2001, 5596 newborns from 24 to 42 weeks of gestation were born. The other 202 newborns, born from 24 to 34 weeks of gestation in the ten year period, 1990-1999, were added because of the small number of preterm infants; ensuring a minimum of 30 to fill up at least infants in each gestational week. All mothers were of Caucasian origin. Stillbirths and fetuses with congenital malformations were excluded. The 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles, mean values with standard deviation of PI and the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of birth weight and birth length are presented separately at weekly intervals. PI showed linear correlation with gestational age from 24 to 39 weeks, after witch the data plateaued. Sex and parity had no impact on PI in infants born between 24 and 37 weeks. Analysis of variance revealed PI to be significantly higher in female than in male newborns, and in multiparous than in nulliparous infants after 37 weeks of gestation. In conclusion, gestational age is the most important factor of neonatal PI. The effects of sex and parity on PI should only be considered in term neonates.