Background: Diagnosing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy utilizes systolic blood pressure (BP) of >140 mmHg and/or diastolic of >90 mmHg. However, since 2017, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) have been endorsing lower BP thresholds for diagnosing hypertension. Objectives: This study determines if antenatal lower threshold BP elevations under elevated BP and Stage 1 hypertension from ACC/AHA show an increased risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and adverse perinatal outcomes. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included service patients with prenatal consultations and deliveries at a private tertiary-level hospital from February 2016 to 2020. Antenatal BP measurements, categorized into “normal,” “elevated BP,” and “Stage 1 hypertension” under ACC/AHA classifications, had crude and adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated to determine their associations with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Results: Stage 1 hypertension was twice more likely to develop gestational hypertension (aRR: 2.314, 95% CI: 1.08–4.98) and thrice more likely to develop preeclampsia (aRR: 3.673, 95% CI: 2.30–5.86), whether without (aRR: 3.520, 95% CI: 1.33–9.29) or with severe features (aRR: 3.717, 95% CI: 2.16–6.41). There was a slightly increased risk for adverse perinatal outcomes from Stage 1 hypertension, as well as all outcomes from elevated BP, but was not statistically significant. Majority of BP elevations were during the third trimester. Conclusion Lower threshold Stage 1 hypertension showed an increased risk of developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, with a three-fold increased risk for preeclampsia. There may be advantages in its application for diagnosing preeclampsia or having increased monitoring for these patients.
Gestational hypertension

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of myoinositol (MI) supplementation in the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among high-risk patients. Materials and Methods: Comprehensive and systemic online searches were performed on PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid, and Cochrane. Cross-referencing from related articles was also done. Only studies published in English were included in the study. We selected all randomized controlled trials on MI and singleton pregnant women with high risk for GDM. Data Collection and Analysis: Five randomized controlled trials were evaluated by two independent reviewers. For each comparison, the quality of evidence was assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Cochrane Collaboration tool. Review Manager 5.3 was used to generate the risk of bias evaluation and the analysis of the results. Main Results: The present study identified five randomized controlled trials involving 871 participants. The comparison of the studies showed a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of GDM in MI supplementation versus the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.19–0.53, P = 0.0001, Z = 4.36) by 68%. Similarly, there is a greater reduction in the incidence of fetal macrosomia among patients in the MI group than the controlled group (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.07–0.78; P = 0.02, Z = 2.36) by 78%. However, there was no difference in terms of incidence of gestational hypertension (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.19–2.01; P = 0.42, Z = −0.81), cesarean section (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.65–1.22; P = 0.47, Z = 0.72), and neonatal hypoglycemia (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.01–8.80; P = 0.53, Z = 0.63) outcomes. Conclusion MI supplementation taken at 4 g daily would decrease the incidence of GDM and fetal macrosomia. There was no statistically significant reduction in the risk of gestational hypertension, cesarean section, and neonatal hypoglycemia in the supplementation of MI.
Cesarean section ; fetal macrosomia ; gestational diabetes mellitus ; gestational hypertension ; myoinositol ; neonatal hypoglycemia

Objective: To investigate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on pregnancy outcomes, especially the relationship between OSAS and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP). Methods: A total of 228 pregnant women with high risk of OSAS who underwent sleep monitoring during pregnancy in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2021 to April 2022 were collected by reviewing their medical records for retrospective analysis. According to the diagnosis of OSAS, the pregnant women were divided into OSAS group (105 cases) and non-OSAS group (123 cases). The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test, χ² test or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the general data and maternal and fetal outcomes between the two groups, and the occurrence of each type of HDP was further compared. Results: (1) Compared with the non-OSAS group, the median pre-pregnancy body mass index (23.6 vs 27.6 kg/m²) and the proportion of snoring [28.9% (33/114) vs 59.2% (61/103)] in the OSAS group were higher, and the differences were both statistically significant (both P<0.001). (2) The incidence of HDP [67.6% (71/105) vs 39.0% (48/123)] and gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM; 40.0% (42/105) vs 26.8% (33/123)] of pregnant women in the OSAS group were higher than those in the non-OSAS group, and the median delivery week was shorter than that in the non-OSAS group (38.4 vs 39.0 weeks). The differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Between-group differences for the delivery way, postpartum hemorrhage, the rate of intensive care unit admission, preterm birth, small for gestational age infants, neonatal asphyxia, the rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission, newborn birth weight and the proportion of umbilical artery blood pH<7.00 were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). (3) Compared with the non-OSAS group, the incidence of chronic hypertension [11.4% (14/123) vs 22.9% (24/105)] and chronic hypertension with superimposed pre-eclampsia [11.4% (14/123) vs 30.5% (32/105)] were higher in the OSAS group, and the differences were both statistically significant (both P<0.01). Conclusion: OSAS is related to HDP (especially chronic hypertension and chronic hypertension with superimposed pre-eclampsia) and GDM, which could provide a practical basis for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of OSAS in pregnant women at high risk.
Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Infant ; Humans ; Female ; Pre-Eclampsia/epidemiology* ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Premature Birth ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Diabetes, Gestational/epidemiology*

Objective: To explore the risk factors of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and to establish a prediction model for early PH. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Data of 777 BPD preterm infants with the gestational age of <32 weeks were collected from 7 collaborative units of the Su Xinyun Neonatal Perinatal Collaboration Network platform in Jiangsu Province from January 2019 to December 2022. The subjects were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort at a ratio of 8∶2 by computer, and non-parametric test or χ² test was used to examine the differences between the two retrospective cohorts. Univariate Logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used in the training cohort to screen the risk factors affecting the PH associated with BPD. A nomogram model was constructed based on the severity of BPD and its risk factors,which was internally validated by the Bootstrap method. Finally, the differential, calibration and clinical applicability of the prediction model were evaluated using the training and verification queues. Results: A total of 130 among the 777 preterm infants with BPD had PH, with an incidence of 16.7%, and the gestational age was 28.7 (27.7, 30.0) weeks, including 454 males (58.4%) and 323 females (41.6%). There were 622 preterm infants in the training cohort, including 105 preterm infants in the PH group. A total of 155 patients were enrolled in the verification cohort, including 25 patients in the PH group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that low 5 min Apgar score (OR=0.87, 95%CI 0.76-0.99), cesarean section (OR=1.97, 95%CI 1.13-3.43), small for gestational age (OR=9.30, 95%CI 4.30-20.13), hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) (OR=4.49, 95%CI 2.58-7.80), late-onset sepsis (LOS) (OR=3.52, 95%CI 1.94-6.38), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (OR=8.67, 95%CI 3.98-18.91) were all independent risk factors for PH (all P<0.05). The independent risk factors and the severity of BPD were combined to construct a nomogram map model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the nomogram model in the training cohort and the validation cohort were 0.83 (95%CI 0.79-0.88) and 0.87 (95%CI 0.79-0.95), respectively, and the calibration curve was close to the ideal diagonal. Conclusions: Risk of PH with BPD increases in preterm infants with low 5 minute Apgar score, cesarean section, small for gestational age, hamodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus, late-onset sepsis, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. This nomogram model serves as a useful tool for predicting the risk of PH with BPD in premature infants, which may facilitate individualized early intervention.
Infant ; Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Infant, Premature ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Nomograms ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent/epidemiology* ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated/complications* ; Cesarean Section/adverse effects* ; Gestational Age ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy on peripheral venous blood cell count in preterm infants with a gestational age of 28-34 weeks. METHODS: A total of 227 preterm infants with a gestational age of 28-34 weeks who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, the First Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, from January to December 2020, and whose mothers had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were enrolled as the study group. A total of 227 preterm infants with a gestational age of 28-34 weeks who were admitted during the same period and whose mothers did not have hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were enrolled as the control group. According to maternal blood pressure during pregnancy, the study group was divided into three subgroups: gestational hypertension (n=75), mild preeclampsia (n=81), and severe preeclampsia (n=71). According to the birth weight of the preterm infants, the study group was divided into two subgroups: small for gestational age (SGA) (n=113) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) (n=114). Peripheral blood cell count on day 1 after birth was compared between the study and control groups, as well as between the subgroups of the study group. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly lower white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and blood platelet count (P<0.05) and significantly higher incidence rates of leucopenia and neutropenia (P<0.05). The subgroup analysis showed that the mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia subgroups had significantly lower white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and blood platelet count than the gestational hypertension subgroup (P<0.05), and that the SGA subgroup had significantly lower white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and blood platelet count than the AGA subgroup (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can affect the peripheral venous blood cell count of preterm infants, which is more significant in infants with maternal preeclampsia and SGA infants.
Child ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Platelet Count ; Pregnancy

gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy considered as the pregnancy-related complications. Infant's birth weight, birth height, and birth head circumference were also determined as the pregnancy-outcomes. There was a significant association between total iron consumption and infant head circumference (p = 0.01). Total maternal iron (the sum of heme and non-heme iron) was negatively associated with both infant's birth height (p = 0.006) and birth weight (p = 0.02). Non-heme iron consumption is positively associated with high-risk of IUGR (p = 0.004). Heme intake was associated with an increased risk of maternal fasting blood sugar (FBS) (p = 0.04). Higher heme, non-heme, and total iron intake were associated with lower risk of pre-eclampsia (heme: crude p = 0.05; non-heme iron: adjusted p = 0.02; total iron: adjusted p = 0.05). Maternal total iron intake was directly associated with infant head circumference, whereas, negatively associated with both birth weight and birth height. High non-heme iron intake may increase the risk of IUGR, and a high intake of heme iron may increase FBS.]]>
Birth Weight ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Fasting ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Head ; Heme ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Infant ; Iran ; Iron ; Iron, Dietary ; Nausea ; Parturition ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Prospective Studies ; Vomiting

It has been known for a long time that elevated blood pressure (BP) in the young may persist and progress into adult hypertension (HTN). Multiple studies have revealed the predicted BP trajectory lines starting from childhood and related them to later cardiovascular (CV) risks in adulthood. As a small baby grows into a tall adult, BP will also naturally increase. Among early-life predictors of adult HTN, birth history, such as prematurity, and low birth weight have been popular subjects in research on pediatric HTN, because body size at birth has been reported to be inversely related to the risk of adulthood HTN. The hypothesis of HTN in prematurely born adolescents has been postulated as a physiological predisposition to postnatal excessive weight gain. Current body weight is a well-known independent predictor of HTN in children, and some studies showed that children demonstrating upward crossing of their weight percentiles while growing into adolescents have significantly increased risk for elevated BP later in life. Recently, reports focused on the adverse effect of excessive catch-up growth in this population are gradually drawing attention. Accordingly, children born prematurely or with intrauterine growth restriction who show rapid changes in their weight percentile should be under surveillance with BP monitoring. Prevention of childhood obesity, along with special care for premature infants or infants small for their gestational age, by providing healthy nutritional guidelines should be cardinal strategies for the prevention of adult HTN and CV risks later in life.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Body Size ; Body Weight ; Child ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Parturition ; Pediatric Obesity ; Reproductive History ; Weight Gain

Infantile cortical hyperostosis, or Caffey's disease, usually presents with typical radiological features of soft tissue swelling and cortical thickening of the underlying bone. The disease can be fatal when it presents antenatally, especially before a gestational age of 35 weeks. This fatal, premature form of the disease is known to occur in various ethnic groups around the globe, and approximately 30 cases have been reported in English literature. This paper is unique in that it is the first paper to report a lethal form of prenatal-type infantile cortical hyperostosis diagnosed in South Korea. Born at gestational age of 27 weeks and 4 days, the patient had typical features of polyhydramnios, anasarca, hyperostosis of multiple bones, micrognathia, pulmonary hypoplasia, and hepatomegaly. The patient was hypotonic, and due to pulmonary hypoplasia and persistent pulmonary hypertension, had to be supported with high frequency ventilation throughout the entire hospital course. Due to the disease entity itself, as well as prolonged parenteral nutrition, liver failure progressed, and the patient expired on day 38 when uncontrolled septic shock was superimposed. The chromosome karyotype of the patient was normal, 46, XX, and COL1A1 gene mutation was not detected.
Edema ; Ethnic Groups ; Gestational Age ; Hepatomegaly ; High-Frequency Ventilation ; Humans ; Hyperostosis ; Hyperostosis, Cortical, Congenital ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Karyotype ; Korea ; Liver Failure ; Micrognathism ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Polyhydramnios ; Shock, Septic

PURPOSE: This study compared the iron statuses of small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants at birth. METHODS: The clinical data of 904 newborn infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed. Blood samples were drawn from the infants within 24 hours after birth. Serum ferritin level was used as a marker of total iron status. RESULTS: In this study, 115 SGA (GA, 36.5±2.9 weeks; birth weight [BW], 1,975±594.5 g) and 717 AGA (GA, 35.1±3.5 weeks; BW, 2,420.3±768.7 g) infants were included. The SGA infants had higher hematocrit levels (50.6%±5.8% vs. 47.7%±5.7%, P<0.05) than the AGA infants. No difference in serum ferritin level (ng/mL) was found between the groups (mean [95% confidence interval]: SGA vs. AGA infants, 139.0 [70.0–237.0] vs. 141.0 [82.5–228.5]). After adjusting for gestational age, the SGA infants had lower ferritin levels (147.1 ng/mL [116.3–178.0 ng/mL] vs. 189.4 ng/mL [178.0–200.8 ng/ mL], P<0.05). Total body iron stores were also lower in the SGA infants than in the AGA infants (185.6 [153.4–211.7] vs 202.2 [168.7–241.9], P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The SGA infants had lower ferritin and total body iron stores than the AGA infants. The SGA infants affected by maternal hypertension who were born at late preterm had an additional risk of inadequate iron store. Iron deficiency should be monitored in these infants during follow-up.
Birth Weight ; Ferritins ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Iron ; Parturition

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the major causes of chronic diseases. The effect on high blood pressure (BP) with fetal growth restriction is now well-established. Recent studies suggest that a reduced number of nephrons programmed during the intrauterine period contribute to a subsequently elevated BP, due to a permanent nephron deficit. However, few studies have examined this in children. We investigated the effects of low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth on the renal function markers related to a high BP in childhood. METHODS: We used data from 304 children aged 7–12 years who participated in the 2014 Ewha Birth and Growth Cohort survey in Korea. We assessed the serum uric acid, cystatin C, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine levels, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in childhood. Anthropometric characteristics, BP in childhood, birth weight and gestational age were collected. RESULTS: The serum uric acid was significantly higher in LBW children (4.0 mg/dL) than in normal birth weight children (3.7 mg/dL). The cystatin C levels were highest among children who were very preterm (0.89 mg/dL) compared with those who were not (preterm, 0.84 mg/dL; normal, 0.81 mg/dL), although the result was only borderline significant (P for trend = 0.06). Decreased birth weight was found to be significantly associated with an increased serum BUN level in childhood. In the analysis of the effects of renal function on BP, subjects with an eGFR lower than the median value had a significantly higher diastolic BP in childhood (difference = 2.4 mmHg; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that LBW and preterm birth are risk factors for increased serum levels of renal function markers in childhood. Reduced eGFR levels were significantly associated with elevated diastolic BP in childhood. It is necessary to identify vulnerable individuals during their life and intervene appropriately to reduce the risk of an increased BP in the future.
Birth Weight ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; Cohort Studies ; Creatinine ; Cystatin C ; Fetal Development ; Gestational Age ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Nephrons ; Parturition ; Premature Birth ; Renal Insufficiency ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid