Mahmood Soveid; Nasrin Asadi; Mahnoosh Sianati
Abstract
Background: There is biologic and clinical evidence that links vitamin D deficiency to pre-eclampsia. The Vitamin D receptor is present in the placenta, cardiovascular system, and lymphocytes. It has anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, and anti-hypertensive properties and facilitates placental implantation. ...
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Background: There is biologic and clinical evidence that links vitamin D deficiency to pre-eclampsia. The Vitamin D receptor is present in the placenta, cardiovascular system, and lymphocytes. It has anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, and anti-hypertensive properties and facilitates placental implantation. Each of these processes is involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.
Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to study the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and severe pre-eclampsia in a population residing in southern Iran that is generally known to have a high prevalence of vitamin deficiency. As a second objective, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women was investigated.
Patients and Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 59 patients with severe preeclampsia and 217 controls, all of whom were from southern Iran. Cases and controls were matched for age, body mass index, and gestational age. The study was carried out in autumn and winter. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured using high performance liquid chromatography, and the results were compared between the two groups.
Results: Almost all controls and patients had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below normal, and 69% had levels below 10 ng/mL. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the patient and control groups were 8.4 (6.2) and 8.5 (6.9) ng/ml (P = 0.80), respectively. The level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D had no significant association with subjects’ body mass index or age.
Conclusions: Pregnant women in our region have a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, and in a population with severe vitamin D deficiency, there is no significant correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and preeclampsia. Severe deficiency masks any possible association in a case-control study. Controlled trials with vitamin D supplementation are recommended for further studies.
Marzieh Akbarzade; Bahare Rafiee; Nasrin Asadi; Najaf Zare
Abstract
Background: An increase in maternal body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy can cause overweight during pregnancy, and negatively affect both the mother and the fetus. Non-stress test (NST) is the most common way to evaluate the fetus during pregnancy.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation ...
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Background: An increase in maternal body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy can cause overweight during pregnancy, and negatively affect both the mother and the fetus. Non-stress test (NST) is the most common way to evaluate the fetus during pregnancy.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between maternal BMI and NST parameters as well as the pregnancy outcomes in nulliparous women.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study, comprised 67 nulliparous women with the gestational age of 24-28 weeks, selected by simple random sampling, who were admitted to Shooshtari and Hafez hospitals from 2011 to 2012. The case group included 35 pregnant women with BMI greater than 26. The control group consisted of 32 pregnant women with BMI lower than 26. NST was applied to groups and evaluated reactive and non-reactive parameters, basal fetal heart rate, and number of accelerations. Chi-square test was used to examine the reactive and non-reactive parameters and type of delivery. Other variables were statistically analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: Our results indicated that the frequency of NST reactive and non-reactive parameters was 41%, 59% in the case group, respectively and 55%, 45% in the control group, respectively. Besides, a significant difference was found between the case and the control group regarding reactive parameters (P = 0.02). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups concerning the mean of basal fetal heart rate ( P= 0.3). However, the number of accelerations in the case group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P= 0.001). Significant increases were found in the case group regarding the mean of post-delivery weight ( P= 0.02), BMI after delivery ( P= 0.005), neonatal birth weight ( P= 0.001), gestational age ( P= 0.001), and caesarian section (CS) delivery ( P= 0.01).
Conclusions: This study revealed that the increase in maternal BMI was accompanied by a decrease in non-reactive parameters of NST and the number of accelerations of the fetal heart rate which is the most important index for fetal health. Also, a significant increase was observed regarding maternal BMI one month after delivery, neonatal birth weight, gestational age, and CS delivery.
