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In this trial comparing less-tight control of hypertension (target diastolic blood pressure, 100 mm Hg) with tight control (85 mm Hg) among pregnant women, rates of pregnancy loss, high-level neonatal care, and serious maternal complications were similar between groups. Almost 10% of pregnant women have hypertension; hypertension is preexisting in 1%, gestational hypertension without proteinuria develops in 5 to 6%, and preeclampsia develops in 2%. 1 Preexisting hypertension and gestational hypertension before 34 weeks are associated with an increased risk of perinatal and maternal complications. 2 – 4 Blood-pressure targets for women with nonsevere hypertension during pregnancy are much debated. Relevant randomized, controlled trials have been small and of moderate or poor quality; tight control (the use of antihypertensive therapy to normalize blood pressure) has been associated with maternal benefits (e.g., a decrease in the frequency of severe hypertension and possibly in . . .

Offspring exposed in utero to maternal obesity have an increased risk of later obesity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. To assess the effect of an antenatal lifestyle intervention in obese women on the offspring's cord blood metabolic profile and to examine associations of the cord blood metabolic profile with maternal clinical characteristics and offspring anthropometry at birth and age 6 months. Randomized controlled trial and cohort study. The UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial. Three hundred forty-four mother-offspring pairs. Antenatal behavioral lifestyle (diet and physical activity) intervention. Targeted cord blood metabolic profile, including candidate hormone and metabolomic analyses. The lifestyle intervention was not associated with change in the cord blood metabolic profile. Higher maternal glycemia, specifically fasting glucose at 28 weeks gestation, had a linear association with higher cord blood concentrations of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) 16.1 (β = 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.03 to 0.10) and 18.1 (0.52; 0.02 to 0.80), independent of the lifestyle intervention. A principal component of cord blood phosphatidylcholines and LPCs was associated with infant z scores of birth weight (0.04; 0.02 to 0.07) and weight at age 6 months (0.05; 0.00 to 0.10). Cord blood insulin growth factor (IGF)-1 and adiponectin concentrations were positively associated with infant weight z score at birth and at 6 months. Concentrations of LPCs and IGF-1 in cord blood are related to infant weight. These findings support the hypothesis that susceptibility to childhood obesity may be programmed in utero, but further investigation is required to establish whether these associations are causally related.

Background The prevalence of obesity amongst women bearing children in Australia is rising and has important implications for obstetric care. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and impact of mothers being overweight and obese in early to mid-pregnancy on maternal, peripartum and neonatal outcomes. Methods A secondary analysis was performed on data collected from nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy enrolled in the Australian Collaborative Trial of Supplements with antioxidants Vitamin C and Vitamin E to pregnant women for the prevention of pre-eclampsia (ACTS). Women were categorized into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI): normal (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ); overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m 2 ) and; obese (BMI 30-34.9 kg/m 2 ). Obstetric and perinatal outcomes were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Of the 1661 women included, 43% were overweight or obese. Obese women were at increased risk of pre-eclampsia (relative risk (RR) 2.99 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.88, 4.73], p < 0.0001) and gestational diabetes (RR 2.10 [95%CI 1.17, 3.79], p = 0.01) compared with women with a normal BMI. Obese and overweight women were more likely to be induced and require a caesarean section compared with women of normal BMI (induction - RR 1.33 [95%CI 1.13, 1.57], p = 0.001 and 1.78 [95%CI 1.51, 2.09], p < 0.0001, caesarean section - RR 1.42 [95%CI 1.18, 1.70], p = 0.0002 and 1.63 [95%CI 1.34, 1.99], p < 0.0001). Babies of women who were obese were more likely to be large for gestational age (LFGA) (RR 2.08 [95%CI 1.47, 2.93], p < 0.0001) and macrosomic (RR 4.54 [95%CI 2.01, 10.24], p = 0.0003) compared with those of women with a normal BMI. Conclusion The rate of overweight and obesity is increasing amongst the Australian obstetric population. Women who are overweight and obese have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In particular, obese women are at increased risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Effective preventative strategies are urgently needed. Trial Registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN00416244

ObjectiveTo assess associations of elevated lipid levels during gestation with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsThis prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary maternal hospital in Shanghai, China from February to November 2014. Lipid constituents, including triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) of 1310 eligible women were assessed in the first (10–13+ weeks), second (22–28 weeks) and third (30–35 weeks) trimesters consecutively. Associations of lipid profiles with HDP and/or GDM outcomes were assessed.ResultsCompared with the normal group, maternal TG concentrations were higher in the HDP/GDM groups across the three trimesters (p<0.001); TC and LDL-c amounts were only higher in the first trimester for the HDP and GDM groups (p<0.05). HDL-c levels were similar in the three groups. Compared with intermediate TG levels (25–75th centile), higher TG amounts (>75th centile) were associated with increased risk of HDP/GDM in each trimester with aORs (95% CI) of 2.04 (1.41 to 2.95), 1.81 (1.25 to 2.63) and 1.78 (1.24 to 2.54), respectively. High TG elevation from the first to third trimesters (>75th centile) was associated with increased risk of HDP, with an aOR of 2.09 (1.16 to 3.78). High TG elevation before 28 weeks was associated with increased risk of GDM, with an aOR of 1.67 (1.10 to 2.54). TG elevation was positively correlated with weight gain during gestation (R=0.089, p=0.005).ConclusionsControlling weight gain during pregnancy could decrease TG elevation and reduce the risk of HDP/GDM. TGs could be used as follow-up parameters during complicated pregnancy, while other lipids are meaningful only in the first trimester.

The aim of our study was to compare the impact of maternal obesity on the incidence of medical complications of pregnancy in France and Canada. We performed a prospective comparative cohort study using French data, retrieved from a prospective cohort of singleton deliveries, and Canadian data retrieved from QUARISMA, a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in Quebec, both between 2009 and 2011. Outcomes studied included, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), venous thromboembolism, stillbirth, caesarean delivery and macrosomia. The impact of obesity across both cohorts was studied using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, adjusting for relevant confounders. The French and Canadian databases included 26,973 and 22,046 deliveries respectively, with obesity rates of 9.1% and 16% respectively (p < 0.001). In both cohorts, obesity was significantly associated with an increased rate of HDP, cesarean delivery, and macrosomia. However, in both cohorts the relationship between increasing body mass index and the incidence of medical complication of pregnancy was the same, regardless the outcome studied. In conclusion, obesity is a risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in both cohorts. Similar trends of increased risk were noted in both cohorts even though obesity is more prevalent in Canada.

To investigate the effect of supervised moderate to vigorous exercise on gestational weight gain, its related risks (gestational diabetes [GD]), macrosomia, and type of delivery), and the preventive effects on women who exceed the weight gain recommendations. We conducted a single-center, 2-armed, randomized controlled trial between October 1, 2009, and June 30, 2011, in which 678 women were assessed and 345 were randomized by a central computer system to an intervention group (N=115) or a standard care group (N=230). The intervention exercise program consisted of 70 to 78 sessions (24 weeks, 3 times per week, 60-65 minutes per session, moderate to vigorous intensity). The standard care group received usual care. Excessive gestational weight (EGW) gain was calculated on the basis of the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations. Of the 345 women randomized for treatment, 44 were lost to follow-up, leaving 301 women for analysis (intervention, 100; standard care, 201). Fewer women in the intervention group exceeded IOM recommendations (22 [22.0%] vs 69 [34.3%]; P=.03), including overweight and obese women (15 of 35 [42.9%] vs 40 of 50 [80.0%]; P=.001). Analysis of women exceeding weight recommendations revealed that the 3 main related risks were directly related to EGW gain in the standard care group (GD, P=.003; macrosomia, P<.001; type of delivery, P<.001) but not in the intervention group (GD, P>.99; macrosomia, 0%; type of delivery, P=.46). Supervised moderate to vigorous exercise performed throughout gestation was effective in the prevention of EGW gain even for women with a pregestational body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. It also prevented its related risks (GD, macrosomia, and type of delivery) including for women exceeding the IOM recommendations, so we suggest that being active outweighs the effect of possible weight gain. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01477372

Background The proportion of overweight or obese pregnant women is increasing in many countries and babies born to a mother who is overweight or obese are at higher risk for complications. Our primary objective was to describe sociodemographic and obstetric factors across Body Mass Index (BMI) classifications, with secondary objective to investigate stillbirth and other pregnancy outcomes in relation to BMI classifications and gestational week. Methods This population-based cohort study with data partly based on a cluster-randomized controlled trial includes 64,632 women with singleton pregnancy, giving birth from 28 weeks’ gestation. The time period was January 2016 to 30 June 2018 (2.5 years). Women were divided into five groups according to BMI: below 18.5 underweight, 18.5–24.9 normal weight, 25.0–29.9 overweight, 30.0–34.9 obesity, 35.0 and above, severe obesity. Results Data was obtained for 61,800 women. Women who were overweight/obese/severely obese had lower educational levels, were to a lesser extent employed, were more often multiparas, tobacco users and had maternal diseases to a higher extent than women with normal weight. From 40 weeks’ gestation, overweight women had a double risk of stillbirth compared to women of normal weight (RR 2.06, CI 1.01–4.21); the risk increased to almost four times higher for obese women (RR 3.97, CI 1.6–9.7). Women who were obese or severely obese had a higher risk of almost all pregnancy outcomes, compared to women of normal weight, such as Apgar score < 7 at 5 min (RR1.54, CI 1.24–1.90), stillbirth (RR 2.16, CI 1.31–3.55), transfer to neonatal care (RR 1.38, CI 1.26–1.50), and instrumental delivery (RR 1.26, CI 1.21–1.31). Conclusions Women who were obese or severely obese had a higher risk of almost all adverse pregnancy outcomes and from gestational week 40, the risk of stillbirth was doubled. The findings indicate a need for national guidelines and individualized care to prevent and reduce negative pregnancy outcomes in overweight/obese women. Preventive methods including preconception care and public health policies are needed to reduce the number of women being overweight/obese when entering pregnancy.

Background During pregnancy, a mother’s nutritional needs increase to meet the added nutrient demands for fetal growth and development. An enhanced understanding of adequate nutrition and sufficient weight gain during pregnancy can guide development of policies and strategies for maternal nutrition care, actions that will ultimately promote better pregnancy outcomes. In a sample of pregnant women in Vietnam, this study characterized maternal nutrition status and gestational weight gain at a mid-pregnancy baseline, then examined the association of these variables with specific birth outcomes. Methods The study used baseline data from a randomized, controlled trial that compared pregnant Vietnamese women who received a nutritional intervention group with those who received only standard dietary counseling (control group). At baseline (26–29 weeks gestation), mothers’ dietary reports were collected, and intake of 10 macro- and micronutrients was estimated; data for baseline gestational weight gain was collected for all pregnant women enrolled into the study ( n  = 228). This analysis also used weights, lengths, and head circumferences at birth for infants of mothers in the control group. Results At baseline, 95% of the pregnant women had concurrent inadequacies for more than five nutrients, and nearly half had concurrent inadequacies for more than ten nutrients. Almost two-thirds of the pregnant women did not meet recommendations for gestational weight gain. We found a significant, inverse association between the number of nutrient inadequacies and gestational weight gain (overall p  ≤ 0.045). After adjusting for potential confounders, gestational weight gain was positively associated with birth weight, length at birth, birth weight-for-age z -score and length-for-age z -score (all p  ≤ 0.006). Conclusions Our findings raise concern over the high proportion of pregnant women in Vietnam who have multiple concurrent nutrient inadequacies and who fall short of meeting recommended gestational weight gain standards. To ensure better birth outcomes in this population, policies and strategies to improve the status of maternal nutrition are greatly needed. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov on December 20, 2013, registration identifier: NCT02016586 .

Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) increases the risk of maternal anaemia during pregnancy, but whether it is associated with offspring anaemia has not been investigated. We aimed to prospectively investigate the association of GWG rate in the second/third trimester with infant Hb concentration and anaemia risk. The present study comprised 13 765 infants born during 2006–2009 to mothers who participated in a trial on prenatal micronutrient supplementation. The GWG was calculated by subtracting the maternal weight at enrolment from that at end-pregnancy. The GWG rate was calculated as dividing the GWG by number of weeks between the two measurements and classified into quintiles within each category of maternal BMI. Infant Hb concentrations were measured at 6 and 12 months of age, and anaemia was defined as an Hb concentration <110 g/l. Of the 13 765 infants, 949 (6·9 %) were anaemic at 6 months and 728 (5·3 %) at 12 months. The GWG rate was inversely and linearly associated with the infant Hb concentrations at both 6 and 12 months (P < 0·001 for linearity). Compared with the middle quintile of GWG rate, the highest quintile was associated with an increased risk of anaemia at 6 months (adjusted OR 1·30, 95 % CI 1·07, 1·59) and 12 months (adjusted OR 1·74, 95 % CI 1·40, 2·17). The associations were consistently mediated by maternal anaemia during pregnancy (P < 0·001). In conclusion, excessive GWG rate appears to be associated with an increased risk of infant anaemia, partly independent of maternal anaemia during pregnancy that mediates the association.

Our aim was to investigate the underlying assumptions of the current gestational weight gain (GWG) paradigm, specifically that—(1) GWG is modifiable through diet and physical activity; (2) optimal GWG and risk of excess GWG, vary by pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) category and (3) the association between GWG and adverse pregnancy outcomes is causal. Using data from three large, harmonized randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions to limit GWG and improve pregnancy outcomes and with appropriate regression models, we investigated the link between diet and physical activity and GWG; the relationships between pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG and birth weight z-score; and the evidence for a causal relationship between GWG and pregnancy outcomes. We found little evidence that diet and physical activity in pregnancy affected GWG and that the observed relationships between GWG and adverse pregnancy outcomes are causal in nature. Further, while there is evidence that optimal GWG may be lower for women with higher BMI, target ranges defined by BMI categories do not accurately reflect risk of adverse outcomes. Our findings cast doubt upon current advice regarding GWG, particularly for overweight and obese women and suggest that a change in focus is warranted.