A Bartoli

Correlation between placental histopathology and fetal/neonatal outcome: chorioamnionitis and funisitis are associated to intraventricular haemorrage and retinopathy of prematurity in preterm newborns

Introduction. Placental anatomopathologic lesions are usually associated with pregnancy complications and neonatal impaired outcome. Patients and methods. We included in our study 122 patients with gestational age of 26–35 weeks. From the analysis of three pathological aspects (chorioamnionitis, funisitis and chronic hypoxia), a score was assigned to each lesion depending on the severity of the alteration, to establish a correlation with an impaired neonatal outcome in preterm newborns. Results. We found a correlation between chronic hypoxia and preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and/or small-for-gestational age status at birth. Our results also showed the strong association of fetal placental inflammatory status (chorioamnionitis and funisitis) with premature rupture of membranes, very low birth weight, birth at/before 32 gestational weeks, late-onset sepsis, patent duct arteriosus, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Conclusions. We confirm that placental lesions are associated with impaired pregnancy and neonatal outcome. During pregnancy it may be useful to identify some markers of inflammatory status and chronic hypoxia for an early diagnosis and a detailed monitoring of pregnancy course. Placental pathological analysis is very important to predict the risk of developing serious complications of preterm birth as ROP and IVH.

Low Birth Weight for Gestational Age Associates with Reduced Glucose Concentrations at Birth, Infancy and Childhood

Background/Aims: Our aim was to investigate glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system status in children born small for gestational age (SGA). Methods: A case-control study was carried out at birth, infancy and childhood, comparing SGA with children appropriate for gestational age strictly matched for age, gender, pubertal status and body mass index. Ninety newborns, 52 infants, and 68 children were studied. Fasting insulin (IF), fasting glucose (GF) to IF ratio (GF/IF), the homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity, the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, insulinogenic index and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio were measured. IGF-I, IGF-binding protein-3 and the IGF-I/IGF-binding protein-3 molar ratio were assessed. Results: Glucose concentrations were lower in SGA newborns (p < 0.0001), infants (p = 0.01), and children (p = 0.001). Birth weight correlated with glucose levels at birth (r = 0.59, p < 0.0001), 12 months (r = 0.29, p = 0.04) and childhood (r = 0.44, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our results provide evidence for a developmental adaptation of glucose metabolism in SGA children leading to reduced glucose concentrations.

Retinol-binding protein 4 in neonates born small for gestational age.

Background: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipocyte-derived ‘signal’ that may contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. The relationship of RBP4 with insulin resistance and metabolic risk in human beings has been the subject of several studies. Subjects born small for gestational age (SGA) are at risk of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Though RBP4 could represent an early marker of insulin resistance, to date, none have determined RBP4 in SGA children. Aim: Our aim was to measure RBP4 concentrations in cord blood of SGA newborns compared with those in children born with a birth weight appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and to determine whether serum RBP4 levels at birth correlate with insulin sensitivity markers. Subjects and methods: Sixty-four newborns, 17 born SGA (mean gestational age: 36.4±2.1 weeks), and 47 born AGA (mean gestational age: 37.0±3.6 weeks) were studied. The main outcome measures included anthropometry, lipid profile, insulin, homeostasis model assessment, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index, adiponectin, and RBP4. Results: RBP4 concentrations were significantly reduced in SGA newborns (p<0.002). No relationship was found between RBP4 and insulin sensitivity parameters. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that birth weight was the major predictor of RBP4 serum concentrations (p<0.001). Conclusion: RBP4 is reduced in SGA newborns, birth weight representing the major determinant of RBP4 concentrations, and is not related to insulin sensitivity. No significant difference in adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity markers was found between SGA and AGA neonates.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in the first days of life and perinatal factors associated with sub-optimal neuromotor outcome in pre-term infants.

Aim: To identify perinatal factors associated with sub-optimal neuromotor outcome in infants without evident central nervous system lesions (intraventricular hemorrhage/periventricular leukomalacia), with gestational age ≤30 (group I) and of 31–32 weeks (group II). Patients and methods: A total of 102 premature infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Pisa, at 26–32 weeks of gestation, were studied. Data about perinatal factors and TSH values at 3–4 days of life were collected. The assessment of neuromotor development was performed at 18 months of corrected age, using the locomotor subscale of the Griffiths Scales of Mental Development. Results: Risk factors supposed to be predictive of sub-optimal neuromotor outcome (odds ratio >1) were at ≤30 weeks: male sex, small for gestational age, patent duct arterious, respiratory distress syndrome, and at 31–32 weeks: Apgar at 5 min <7, respiratory distress syndrome, patent duct arterious and birth weight <1500 g. A strong correlation was also found between TSH screening values >4, 3 mU/I and sub-optimal neuromotor outcome in both groups. Conclusions: Several perinatal factors, acting on an immature and more vulnerable nervous system, such as the pre-term one, different for different gestational ages, are associated with a sub-optimal neuromotor outcome. Higher, but within the normal range, TSH values at screening seem to be a strong risk factor for neuromotor outcome in preterm infants without intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia.