Maternal immune activation and antibiotics affect offspring neurodevelopment, behaviour, and microbiome.

exposure to an increased level of maternal inflammation or a disrupted maternal gut microbiome during pregnancy have been linked to several neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring. Despite the strong links between these two adverse events, few studies looked at the interaction between the maternal gut microbiome and maternal immune activation (MIA) on the neurodevelopmental outcomes in the offspring. Here, we aim to determine if maternal gut microbiome disruption exacerbated the impact of systemic inflammation on brain development, offspring behaviour, and long-term microbiome changes.

Mode of birth and maternal depression/severe anxiety: Findings from Millennium Cohort Study.

Introduction: Limited evidence exists on the association between mode of birth and long-term depression and/or severe anxiety in mothers. We aimed to examine the association between mode of birth and depression and/or severe anxiety by 14 years postpartum.

Methods: We used data from the Millennium Cohort Study.

Association between intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry and adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Fetal pulse oximetry may improve intrapartum fetal evaluation by providing a non-invasive measurement of fetal oxygen saturation (FSpo).

Objectives: To assess the association between abnormal intrapartum FSpo and perinatal and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, and to evaluate if the addition of the measurement of FSpo to established forms of fetal monitoring, such as fetal heart rate monitoring, affects birth, perinatal, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Search Strategy: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.

Accessing Anonymised Data from Ireland's Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System for Research Purposes.

Background: Since 2016, maternity units across Ireland have been switching from paper clinical notes to an electronic health record called the Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System (MN-CMS). Currently, four units have implemented the MN-CMS: Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), University Hospital Kerry (UHK), Rotunda Hospital and National Maternity Hospital (NMH). The MN-CMS provides opportunity for new data-driven discovery to answer important research questions on maternal and child health.

Construct validation of a complete postpartum health and well-being patient reported outcome measure: prospective cohort study.

Background: Despite a focus on patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) in maternity care, a standardized tool is lacking. Current existing measures often focus on a single dimension of postpartum health.

Objective: This study evaluated the construct validity of using a suite of PROMs based on the top psychometrically validated tools available.

LEANBH study: Device satisfaction study for the use of a novel connected home blood pressure system in pregnancy; a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate patients' perspectives on using the LEANBH app (home Blood Pressure BP monitoring system) and the Microlife Watch BP home monitor in a tertiary maternity hospital setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study Design: 134 Participants were asked to complete an anonymous usability questionnaire on their experience of LEANBH and the Microlife Watch. The questionnaire consisted of 5 background demographics, 9 items from the system usability scale (SUS), 14 items on the usability of the LEANBH app, and 6 on the acceptability of Microlife.

Longitudinal evaluation of iron status during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study in a high-resource setting.

Background: Iron deficiency affects a large proportion of pregnant women worldwide, with potentially serious consequences for perinatal and infant outcomes, but well-powered, comprehensive analyses of longitudinal iron status during pregnancy are scarce.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal changes in iron biomarkers across pregnancy and prevalence of iron deficiency in primiparous women in a high-resource setting and propose early pregnancy iron status cutoffs that predict iron deficiency in the third trimester.

Methods: In a prospective cohort of primiparous women with low-risk, singleton pregnancies in Ireland, iron [ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR), total body iron (TBI)] and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, α-glycoprotein) were measured at 3 study visits: 15, 20, and 33 wk of gestation.

Predicting Admission to Neonatal Care Unit at Mid-Pregnancy and Delivery Using Data from a General Obstetric Population.

Objectives: Development and validation of risk prediction models at mid-pregnancy and delivery to predict admission to the neonatal care unit.

Methods: We used data from all singleton deliveries at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), Ireland during 2019. Admission to the neonatal care unit was assumed if length of stay in the unit was > 24 h.

Prenatal stress impacts foetal neurodevelopment: Temporal windows of gestational vulnerability.

Prenatal maternal stressors ranging in severity from everyday occurrences/hassles to the experience of traumatic events negatively impact neurodevelopment, increasing the risk for the onset of psychopathology in the offspring. Notably, the timing of prenatal stress exposure plays a critical role in determining the nature and severity of subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes. In this review, we evaluate the empirical evidence regarding temporal windows of heightened vulnerability to prenatal stress with respect to motor, cognitive, language, and behavioural development in both human and animal studies.

Cohort profile: Improved Pregnancy Outcomes via Early Detection (IMPROvED), an International Multicentre Prospective Cohort.

Background: Improved Pregnancy Outcomes via Early Detection (IMPROvED) is a multi-centre, European phase IIa clinical study. The primary aim of IMPROvED is to enable the assessment and refinement of innovative prototype preeclampsia risk assessment tests based on emerging biomarker technologies. Here we describe IMPROvED's profile and invite researchers to collaborate.

Pregnancy and birth complications and long-term maternal mental health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Few studies have examined the associations between pregnancy and birth complications and long-term (>12 months) maternal mental health outcomes.

Objectives: To review the published literature on pregnancy and birth complications and long-term maternal mental health outcomes.

Search Strategy: Systematic search of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), PsycInfo®, PubMed® and Web of Science from inception until August 2022.

Access to nutrition advice and knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women in Ireland: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Healthy nutritional status, appropriate gestational weight gain and a balanced diet are important predictors of perinatal health outcomes. However, gaps exist in the translation of nutrition recommendations into dietary practices of women before and during pregnancy. The present study explored the relationship between access to nutrition advice, nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices among pregnant women.

An altered gut microbiome in pre-eclampsia: cause or consequence.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, are a leading cause of serious and debilitating complications that affect both the mother and the fetus. Despite the occurrence and the health implications of these disorders there is still relatively limited evidence on the molecular underpinnings of the pathophysiology. An area that has come to the fore with regard to its influence on health and disease is the microbiome.

Left Atrial Mechanics Following Preeclamptic Pregnancy.

Background: Preterm preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication associated with myocardial dysfunction and premature cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Left atrial (LA) strain is a noninvasive index of left ventricular end diastolic pressure and an early marker of heart failure risk. This study aimed to evaluate LA strain during the postpartum period in participants with and without preterm preeclampsia and to assess whether this varied in the presence of hypertension, cardiac dysfunction or both.

Association between intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry and adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Background: Current methods of intrapartum fetal monitoring based on heart rate, increase the rates of operative delivery but do not prevent or accurately detect fetal hypoxic brain injury. There is a need for more accurate methods of intrapartum fetal surveillance that will decrease the incidence of adverse perinatal and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes while maintaining the lowest possible rate of obstetric intervention. Fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) is a technology that may contribute to improved intrapartum fetal wellbeing evaluation by providing a non-invasive measurement of fetal oxygenation status.

The Association between Threatened Miscarriage and Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring by Age 14 Years.

Objective: To examine the association between threatened miscarriage, and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring by age 14 years.

Methods: We used data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study of children born in the UK. Data on threatened miscarriage and potential confounders were maternal-reported and collected at 9 months postpartum.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the risk of maternal dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, are associated with an increased risk for maternal cardiovascular disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. However, their association with subsequent maternal dementia or cognitive impairment is less well understood. This study aimed to review and synthesize the published literature on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and the subsequent risk for maternal dementia or cognitive impairment.

Defective Visceral Adipose Tissue Adaptation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Context: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a complex obstetric condition affecting localized glucose metabolism, resulting in systemic metabolic dysfunction.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as an integral contributor to GDM, focusing on elucidating the specific contribution of obesity and GDM pathology to maternal outcomes.

Methods: Fifty-six nulliparous pregnant women were recruited, including normal glucose tolerant (NGT) (n = 30) and GDM (n = 26) participants.

L-ergothioneine reduces mitochondrial-driven NLRP3 activation in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: Maternal hyperglycaemia has a significant impact on placental metabolism and mitochondrial function. The NLRP3 inflammasome is responsive to endogenous signals of mitochondrial dysfunction. We tested our hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction orchestrates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and contributes to inflammation in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Prenatal maternal cortisol, stress and anxiety, and childhood obesity at 5 years: a nested case-control study.

Background: Paediatric obesity is a global public health issue. Prenatal maternal mental health is potentially implicated in the development of childhood obesity. This study examined associations between prenatal maternal cortisol, self-reported stress, anxiety and depression in the second trimester, and childhood overweight and obesity at 5 years of age.

Predicting perineal trauma during childbirth using data from a general obstetric population.

Background: Perineal trauma is a common complication of childbirth and can have serious impacts on long-term health. Few studies have examined the combined effect of multiple risk factors. We developed and internally validated a risk prediction model to predict third and fourth degree perineal tears using data from a general obstetric population.

Patient reported outcome measures in childbirth and postpartum maternal quality of life: a protocol for systematic review of measurement properties.

Background: Patient centred healthcare is the corner stone to many healthcare strategies. Patient specific health needs should be at the fore of healthcare improvements and quality measurements. Patient reported outcome measures (PROM) that support real world clinical effectiveness assessments are increasingly being used to highlight domains where there is the greatest scope for change.

Association between socioeconomic status with pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: An international multicenter cohort.

Introduction: Previous evidence examining the association between socioeconomic status and pregnancy complications are conflicted and often limited to using area-based measures of socioeconomic status. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between individual-level socioeconomic factors and a wide range of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes using data from the IMPROvED birth cohort conducted in Sweden, the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland.

Material And Methods: The study cohort consisted of women who participated in the IMPROvED birth cohort between 2013 and 2017.

Association Between Chronic Hypertension and the Risk of 12 Cardiovascular Diseases Among Parous Women: The Role of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Background: Evidence on the association between chronic hypertension and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in mothers with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) is limited. We investigated the association between chronic hypertension and risk of CVD, considering the role of APOs.

Methods: We used linked electronic health records in the CALIBER platform to define a UK cohort of women with recorded births between 1997 and 2016.