Kristine Lain

First trimester adipocytokine concentrations and risk of developing gestational diabetes later in pregnancy.

Objective  Adipocytokines are important regulators of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to compare maternal adipocytokines in early pregnancy among women diagnosed with and without gestational diabetes (GDM) months later.

Preeclampsia Activates Circulating Immune Cells with Engagement of the NF‐κB Pathway

Compelling evidence implicates peripheral immune activation in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils appear to be the cells most strongly affected, with changes in expression of surface markers and release of granule enzymes. Here, we investigated activation in additional leukocyte populations among women with preeclampsia.

Neonatal adiposity following maternal treatment of gestational diabetes with glyburide compared with insulin

OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that body composition would be similar among neonates of women with gestational diabetes (GDM) treated with glyburide or insulin. STUDY DESIGN Women with GDM requiring medical therapy were randomized to insulin or glyburide. The primary outcome was percent neonatal fat mass measured by total body electrical conductivity. Secondary outcomes included anthropometrics, glycemic control, and biomarkers. Statistical analysis included Student t test, chi(2), and regression modeling. RESULTS Eighty-two neonates underwent postnatal measurements. Baseline factors were not different by group. Neonatal percent fat mass did not differ between treatment groups (11.2 +/- 4.2 vs 12.8 +/- 5.7). Fat mass, body mass index, ponderal index, skinfold sum, and arm fat area were not different when analyzed by intent to treat or actual treatment group. Cord concentrations of biomarkers were also similar. CONCLUSION There was no difference in neonatal adiposity in infants of women treated for GDM with glyburide or insulin.

Violence Against Women and Postpartum Depression

BACKGROUND Violence against women (VAW), including intimate partner violence (IPV) in its various forms (sexual, physical, or stalking), and childhood violence (sexual or physical) are common and are associated with depressive symptoms. We examined the association between these violence exposures and self-reported history of postpartum depression (PPD). METHODS Women from the Kentucky Womens Health Registry (KWHR) who reported at least one live birth were included in this study. Individual IPV and child abuse histories were examined for association with self-reported history of PPD. Multivariate regression analysis estimated adjusted risk ratios (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), controlling for age, obstetrical history, and substance abuse history. RESULTS The 5380 women in the KWHR reporting at least one live birth were included in this study. Of these women, 2508 (46.6%) reported a history of any VAW. A history of adult VAW was associated with a history of PPD (aRR 1.48, 95% CI 1.12-1.95). Physical IPV (aRR 1.48, 95% CI 1.12-1.95) and stalking IPV (aRR 1.39, 95% CI1.03-1.87) were individually associated with PPD. Other types of violence were not individually associated with a history of PPD. The strength of association increased with each additional type of violence experienced (aRR1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.30). CONCLUSIONS Adult VAW is associated with self-reported history of PPD. With an increase in the number of types of abuse experienced, this association became stronger. Our findings highlight the need for thorough VAW screening in obstetrical populations.

Extreme morbid obesity and labor outcome in nulliparous women at term.

We examined the prevalence of cesarean delivery (CD) among women with morbid obesity and extreme morbid obesity. Using Kentucky birth certificate data, a cross-sectional analysis of nulliparous singleton gestations at term was performed. We examined the prevalence of CD by body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) using the National Institutes of Health/World Health Organization schema and a modified schema that separates extreme morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 50) from morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40 to < 50). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Multivariate modeling controlled for maternal age, estimated gestational age, birth weight, diabetes, and hypertensive disorders. Overall, 83,278 deliveries were analyzed. CD was most common among women with a prepregnancy BMI ≥ 50 (56.1%, 95% confidence interval 50.9 to 61.4%). Extreme morbid obesity was most strongly associated with CD (adjusted odds ratio 4.99, 95% confidence interval 4.00 to 6.22). Labor augmentation decreased the likelihood of CD among women with extreme morbid obesity, but this failed to reach statistical significance. We speculate a qualitative or quantitative deficiency in the hormonal regulation of labor exists in the morbidly obese parturient. More research is needed to better understand the influence of morbid obesity on labor.

Factors that affect maternal insulin resistance and modify fetal growth and body composition.

Fetal growth is multifactorial and can be altered by a variety of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. The maternal, placental, and fetal contribution to growth must all be considered. Of particular interest are maternal metabolic regulation and the availability of nutrients to the developing fetus. Weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance occur as a normal adaptation to pregnancy. Obesity and underlying insulin resistance among women of reproductive age are rapidly increasing, and the contribution of pregnancy on this abnormal metabolic background poses additional maternal and fetal challenges. Many components of the metabolic syndrome have been associated with changes in fetal growth, including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance or glucose intolerance. Additional factors affect fetal growth and include diet, exercise, and smoking. In this review, we briefly discuss the importance and descriptions of fetal growth, followed by a discussion of several of the extrinsic and intrinsic established factors affecting fetal growth. We highlight factors that may modify fetal growth and body composition directly or indirectly through alterations in maternal metabolism.

Implications of type 2 diabetes on adolescent reproductive health risk: an expert model.

Purpose The purpose of this article was to summarize scientific knowledge from an expert panel on reproductive health among adolescents with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods Using a mental model approach, a panel of experts— representing perspectives on diabetes, adolescents, preconception counseling, and reproductive health—was convened to discuss reproductive health issues for female adolescents with T2D. Results Several critical issues emerged. Compared with adolescents with type 1 diabetes, (1) adolescents with T2D may perceive their disease as less severe and have less experience managing it, putting them at risk for complications; (2) T2D is more prevalent among African Americans, who may be less trusting of the medical establishment; (3) T2D is associated with obesity, and it is often difficult to change one’s lifestyle within family environments practicing sedentary and dietary behaviors leading to obesity; (4) teens with T2D could be more fertile, because obesity is related to earlier puberty; (5) although obese teens with T2D have a higher risk of polycystic ovary syndrome, which is associated with infertility, treatment with metformin can increase fertility; and (6) women with type 2 diabetes are routinely transferred to insulin before or during pregnancy to allow more intensive management. Conclusions Findings from the expert panel provide compelling reasons to provide early, developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive preconception counseling for teens with T2D.