Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(10):436-441
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005105
Pregnant women have a 2-3 fold higher probability of developing restless legs syndrome (RLS – sleep-related movement disorders) than general population. This study aims to evaluate the behavior and locomotion of rats during pregnancy in order to verify if part of these animals exhibit some RLS-like features.
We used 14 female 80-day-old Wistar rats that weighed between 200 and 250 g. The rats were distributed into control (CTRL) and pregnant (PN) groups. After a baseline evaluation of their behavior and locomotor activity in an open-field environment, the PN group was inducted into pregnancy, and their behavior and locomotor activity were evaluated on days 3, 10 and 19 of pregnancy and in the post-lactation period in parallel with the CTRL group. The serum iron and transferrin levels in the CTRL and PN groups were analyzed in blood collected after euthanasia by decapitation.
There were no significant differences in the total ambulation, grooming events, fecal boli or urine pools between the CTRL and PN groups. However, the PN group exhibited fewer rearing events, increased grooming time and reduced immobilization time than the CTRL group (ANOVA, p<0.05).
These results suggest that pregnant rats show behavioral and locomotor alterations similar to those observed in animal models of RLS, demonstrating to be a possible animal model of this sleep disorder.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(10):449-455
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140004946
To assess cardiometabolic risk factors during normal pregnancy and the influence of maternal obesity on them.
This study included 25 healthy pregnant women with a single pregnancy and a gestational age of less than twenty weeks. Longitudinal analysis of blood pressure, body weight, body mass index (BMI), serum concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, cortisol, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, uric acid, fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, HOMA-IR and insulin/glucose ratio was performed each trimester during pregnancy. In order to evaluate the impact of obesity, pregnant women were divided into two groups based on BMI for the first quarter of pregnancy: Gpn for pregnant women with BMI<25 kg/m2 and Gso for BMI≥25 kg/m2. One-Way ANOVA for repeated measurements or Friedman test and Student-t or Mann-Whitney tests for statistical comparisons and Pearson correlations test were used for statistical analysis.
The mean values for the first quarter of pregnancy for the following parameters were: age: 22 years; weight: 66.3 kg and BMI 26.4 kg/m2, with 20.2 and 30.7 kg/m2 for the Gpn and Gso groups, respectively. Mean weight gain during pregnancy was ±12.7 kg with 10.3 kg for the Gso group and 15.2 kg for the Gpn group. Regarding plasma determinations, cortisol, uric acid and lipid profile increased during all trimesters of pregnancy, except for HDL-cholesterol, which did not change. Blood pressure, insulin and HOMA-IR only increased in the third quarter of pregnancy. The Gso group tended to gain more weight and to show higher concentrations of leptin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, TG, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, besides lower HDL-cholesterol and greater diastolic blood pressure in the 3rdquarter of pregnancy. Three pregnant women developed gestational hypertension, presented prepregnancy obesity, excessive weight gain, hyperleptinemia and an insulin/glucose ratio greater than two. Weight and BMI were positively correlated with total cholesterol and its LDL fraction, TG, uric acid, fasting blood glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR; and were negatively correlated with adiponectin and HDL-cholesterol. Leptin level was positively correlated with blood pressure.
The metabolic changes in pregnancy are more significant in obese women, suggesting, as expected, an increased risk of cardiometabolic complications. During their first visit for prenatal care, obese women should be informed about these risks, have their BMI and insulin/glucose ratio calculated along with their lipid profile to identify pregnant women at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(10):456-460
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005075
To identify the frequency of polymorphism in the IL-10 gene, rs1800896 (-1082 A/G), in women with preeclampsia (PE) and in women in a control group and to associate the presence of this polymorphism with protection against the development of PE.
This was a case-control study conducted on 54 women with PE, classified according to the criteria of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program, and on 172 control women with at least two healthy pregnancies. The proposed polymorphism was studied by the technique of real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), with hydrolysis probes. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test. Odds ratio and confidence interval of 95% were used to measure the strength of association between the studied polymorphism and the development of PE.
Statistically increased frequency of the AG genotype was observed among control women (85 versus 15% in women with PE). The G allele was significantly more frequent among control women than PE women (χ2test, p = 0.01). The odds ratio for carriers of the G allele was 2.13, indicating a lower risk of developing PE compared to non-carriers.
Thus, an association is suggested to occur between the presence of the G allele of the polymorphism in the IL-10 rs1800896 (-1082 A/G) gene and protection against the development of PE. More studies investigating the contribution of these variations and the mechanisms by which they affect the risk of developing PE still need to be undertaken.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(10):461-466
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005029
To compare clinical and laboratory characteristics, obstetric and perinatal outcomes of patients with pre-eclampsia versus gestational hypertension.
A retrospective study was carried out to analyze medical records of patients diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension whose pregnancies were resolved within a period of 5 years, for a total of 419 cases. We collected clinical and laboratory data, obstetric and perinatal outcomes. Comparisons between groups were performed using the test suitable for the variable analyzed: unpaired t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2test, with the level of significance set at p<0.05.
Were evaluated 199 patients in the gestational hypertension group (GH) and 220 patients in the pre-eclampsia group (PE). Mean body mass index was 34.6 kg/m2 in the GH group and 32.7 kg/m2 in the PE group, with a significant difference between groups. The PE group showed higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and higher rates of abnormal values in the laboratory tests, although the mean values were within the normal range. Cesarean section was performed in 59.1% of cases of PE and in 47.5% of the GH group; and perinatal outcomes in terms of gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in the PE group.
Women with gestational hypertension exhibit epidemiological characteristics of patients at risk for chronic diseases. Patients with pre-eclampsia present clinical and laboratory parameters of greater severity, higher rates of cesarean delivery and worse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(10):467-472
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005094
To evaluate factors associated with hypertension in Brazilian women of 50 years of age or more.
A cross-sectional population based study using self-reports. A total of 622 women were included. The association between sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral factors and the woman's age at the onset of hypertension was evaluated. Data were analyzed according to cumulative continuation rates without hypertension, using the life-table method and considering annual intervals. Next, a Cox multiple regression analysis model was adjusted to analyze the occurrence rates of hypertension according to various predictor variables. Significance level was pre-established at 5% (95% confidence level) and the sampling plan (primary sampling unit) was taken into consideration.
Median age at onset of hypertension was 64.3 years. Cumulative continuation rate without hypertension at 90 years was 20%. Higher body mass index (BMI) at 20–30 years of age was associated with a higher cumulative occurrence rate of hypertension over time (coefficient=0.078; p<0.001). Being white was associated with a lower cumulative occurrence rate of hypertension over time (coefficient= -0.439; p=0.003), while smoking >15 cigarettes/day was associated with a higher rate over time (coefficient=0.485; p=0.004).
The results of the present study highlight the importance of weight control in young adulthood and of avoiding smoking in preventing hypertension in women aged ≥50 years.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(10):433-435
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(10):442-448
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140004941
To identify obstetric and perinatal factors associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality in pregnancies that progressed with ruptured membranes.
A cross-sectional hospital-based study with secondary data from records of patients (n=87) that evolved with the premature rupture of membranes between 24 and 42 weeks of gestation, admitted from January to April 2013 to a public hospital in Acre State, North of Brazil. Data were subjected to bivariate analysis for selection of variables to be used in a multiple regression model according to Poisson logistic regression with robust error.
The prevalence of perinatal morbidity-mortality was 51.4%, including a 2.3% death rate (2 cases) and a 9.2% fetal neonatal death rate (8 cases). The variables associated with mortality in the final multiple model were: number of prenatal consultations ≥6, with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 0.5 and a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 0.3-0.9, gestational age ≥30 weeks (PR=0.6; 95%CI 0.4-0.8), low birth weight (PR=2.9; 95%CI 1.5-5.4), and mechanical ventilation (PR=3.8; 95%CI 2.0-7.2).
Perinatal morbidity and mortality were high among cases of ruptured membranes. Morbidity and mortality were associated with factors such as fewer prenatal visits, extreme prematurity and low birth weight in this group.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(10):473-479
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320140005046
To determine whether the antral follicle count can predict the number of retrieved oocytes in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to correlate it with maternal age and pregnancy rate.
This was a retrospective observational study based on a review of medical records from 193 patients who underwent assisted reproduction techniques between September 2010 and September 2012 in a Clinic for Human Reproduction. The study included women indicated for IVF who had follicle-stimulating hormone levels below 10 mIU/mL on third day of the menstrual cycle, with oocyte recipients being excluded. The patients were divided into three groups according to the number of antral follicle (up to 10 follicles, 11–22 follicles, and 23 or more follicles). To compare these three groups with the group of patients who became pregnant, patients who had not developed oocytes and had not undergone embryo transfer were also excluded. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to measure the level of association between the numerical variables, and χ2 test was used to compare pregnancy rates with antral follicle count. To assess the likelihood of pregnancy, we used multivariate logistic regression, with the level of significance set at 5%.
The pregnancy rate of the sample was 35.6%. There was a positive significant correlation (sc) between antral follicle count and number of retrieved oocytes (sc=0.5; p<0.05) and a negative correlation between antral follicle count and age (sc= -0.5; p<0.05). There was no significant difference (p=0.16) when groups with different numbers of follicles were compared to the positive pregnancy test group; however, a cutoff of 27 antral follicles was observed in multivariate analysis, after which the probability of successful gestation tended to remain constant.
The antral follicle count decreases over the years, is a predictor of the number of retrieved oocytes and can predict the likelihood of the success of in vitro fertilization.