Yumei Wei

Alteration in Expression and Methylation of IGF2/H19 in Placenta and Umbilical Cord Blood Are Associated with Macrosomia Exposed to Intrauterine Hyperglycemia

Objective Macrosomia is one of the most common complications in gestational diabetes mellitus. Insulin-like growth factor 2 and H19 are two of the imprinted candidate genes that are involved in fetal growth and development. Change in methylation at differentially methylated region of the insulin-like growth factor 2 and H19 has been proved to be an early event related to the programming of metabolic profile, including macrosomia and small for gestational age in offspring. Here we hypothesize that alteration in methylation at differentially methylated region of the insulin-like growth factor 2 and H19 is associated with macrosomia induced by intrauterine hyperglycemia. Results The expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 is significant higher in gestational diabetes mellitus group (GDM group) compared to normal glucose tolerance group (NGT group) both in umbilical cord blood and placenta, while the expression of H19 is significant lower in GDM group in umbilical cord blood. The expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 is significant higher in normal glucose tolerance with macrosomia group (NGT-M) compared to normal glucose tolerance with normal birthweight group (NGT-NBW group) both in placenta and umbilical cord blood. A model with interaction term of gene expression of IGF2 and H19 found that IGF2 and the joint action of IGF2 and H19 in placenta showed significantly relationship with GDM/NGT and GDM-NBW/NGT-NBW. A borderline significant association was seen among IGF2 and H19 in cord blood and GDM-M/NGT-M. The methylation level at different CpG sites of insulin-like growth factor 2 and H19 in umbilical cord blood was also significantly different among groups. Based on the multivariable linear regression analysis, the methylation of the insulin-like growth factor 2 / H19 is closely related to birth weight and intrauterine hyperglycemia. Conclusions We confirmed the existence of alteration in DNA methylation in umbilical cord blood exposed to intrauterine hyperglycemia and reported a functional role in regulating gene associated with insulin-like growth factor 2/H19. Both of these might be the underlying pathogenesis of macrosomia. We also provided the evidence of strong associations between methylation of insulin-like growth factor 2/H19 and macrosomia induced by intrauterine hyperglycemia.

Effect of Regular Exercise Commenced in Early Pregnancy on the Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication in pregnancy that is associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes for mothers and offspring, not only during the perinatal phase but also in the long term, well into future generations. Exercise has been confirmed as effective in delaying the progression of glucose intolerance in type 2 diabetes. However, whether exercise is effective for the prevention of GDM is not clear because the few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating this issue show conflicting results (1). Therefore, we conducted an RCT (NCT02304718) to evaluate whether regular cycling commenced in early pregnancy could reduce the incidence of GDM in Chinese pregnant women. A total of 300 singleton pregnant women with a mean prepregnancy BMI of 26.78 ± 2.75 kg/m2 before 12+6 gestational weeks were recruited and randomly allocated into either an exercise intervention group (EG) or a control group (CG) in a 1:1 ratio. Participants allocated to the CG …

Optimism/pessimism and health-related quality of life during pregnancy across three continents: a matched cohort study in China, Ghana, and the United States

BackgroundLittle is known about how optimism/pessimism and health-related quality of life compare across cultures.MethodsThree samples of pregnant women in their final trimester were recruited from China, Ghana, and the United States (U.S.). Participants completed a survey that included the Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R, an optimism/pessimism measure), the Short Form 12 (SF-12, a quality of life measure), and questions addressing health and demographic factors. A three-country set was created for analysis by matching women on age, gestational age at enrollment, and number of previous pregnancies. Anovas with post-hoc pairwise comparisons were used to compare results across the cohorts. Multivariate regression analysis was used to create a model to identify those variables most strongly associated with optimism/pessimism.ResultsLOT-R scores varied significantly across cultures in these samples, with Ghanaian pregnant women being the most optimistic and least pessimistic and Chinese pregnant women being the least optimistic overall and the least pessimistic in subscale analysis. Four key variables predicted approximately 20% of the variance in overall optimism scores: country of origin (p = .006), working for money (p = .05); level of education (p = .002), and ever being treated for emotional issues with medication (p < .001). Quality of life scores also varied by country in these samples, with the most pronounced difference occurring in the vitality measure. U.S. pregnant women reported far lower vitality scores than both Chinese and Ghanaian pregnant women in our sample.ConclusionThis research raises important questions regarding what it is about country of origin that so strongly influences optimism/pessimism among pregnant women. Further research is warranted exploring underlying conceptualization of optimism/pessimism and health related quality of life across countries.

The Predictive Effects of Early Pregnancy Lipid Profiles and Fasting Glucose on the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Stratified by Body Mass Index.

This study aimed at evaluating the predictive effects of early pregnancy lipid profiles and fasting glucose on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in patients stratified by prepregnancy body mass index (p-BMI) and to determine the optimal cut-off values of each indicator for different p-BMI ranges. A retrospective system cluster sampling survey was conducted in Beijing during 2013 and a total of 5,265 singleton pregnancies without prepregnancy diabetes were included. The information for each participant was collected individually using questionnaires and medical records. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operator characteristics analysis were used in the analysis. Outcomes showed that potential markers for the prediction of GDM include early pregnancy lipid profiles (cholesterol, triacylglycerols, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios [LDL-C/HDL-C], and triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios [TG/HDL-C]) and fasting glucose, of which fasting glucose level was the most accurate indicator. Furthermore, the predictive effects and cut-off values for these factors varied according to p-BMI. Thus, p-BMI should be a consideration for the risk assessment of pregnant patients for GDM development.

Effects of intervention to mild GDM on outcomes

Abstract Objective: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosed by the IADPSG criteria at 24–28 weeks of gestation but with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) less than 4.4 mmol/L. Research design and methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Medical records of 25 674 pregnant women attending the Peking University First Hospital (PUFH) were analyzed. Women with FPG value <4.4 mmol/L were segregated into those with and without GDM based on the IADPSG criteria. Pregnancy outcomes in the form of birth weight, neonatal hypoglycemia and cesarean delivery were compared between the two groups. Results: The incidence of macrosomia between GDM 7.1% (treated 6.9%; untreated 7.2%) was not different from the non GDM group 6.3%, similarly neonatal hypoglycemia 1.9% (treated 2.0%; untreated 1.7%) was were not significantly different from the non GDM group 1.1%. Rate of cesarean delivery in the untreated GDM group 59.7% was significantly higher compared to both with treated GDM (48.4%) and the non GDM group (47.6%). Conclusions: There is no difference in the incidence of select adverse pregnancy outcomes amongst Chinese women with mild GDM (FPG<4.4 mmol/L) with or without intervention compared to women without GDM.

Is Generalized Maternal Optimism or Pessimism During Pregnancy Associated with Unplanned Cesarean Section Deliveries in China

This research examines whether maternal optimism/pessimism is associated with unplanned Cesarean section deliveries in China. If so, does the association remain after controlling for clinical factors associated with C-sections? A sample of 227 mostly primiparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy was surveyed in a large tertiary care hospital in Beijing, China. Post-delivery data were collected from medical records. In bivariate analysis, both optimism and pessimism were related to unplanned c-section. However, when optimism and pessimism were entered into a regression model together, optimism was no longer statistically significant. Pessimism remained significant, even when adjusting for clinical factors such as previous abortion, previous miscarriage, pregnancy complications, infant gestational age, infant birthweight, labor duration, birth complications, and self-rated difficulty of the pregnancy. This research suggests that maternal mindset during pregnancy has a role in mode of delivery. However, more research is needed to elucidate potential causal pathways and test potential interventions.

Adverse pregnancy outcome among women with pre-gestational diabetes mellitus: a population-based multi-centric study in Beijing.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the prevalence of pre-gestational diabetes mellitus (pGDM) incidence and to evaluate whether the 2-h plasma glucose value of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) should be used to diagnose pGDM during pregnancy. Design: Observational cohort study of 15 194 women in 15 medical centers in Beijing from 20 June 2013 to 30 November 2013. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with pGDM was compared stratified according to diagnostic time and criteria. Results: The prevalence of pGDM was 1.4% (208/15 194), of which only 32.2% (67/208) were diagnosed before pregnancy. The incidence of cesarean delivery (53.8% versus 67.2% and 66.3%), preeclampsia (1.9% versus 11.9% and 8.0%), insulin required (38.5% versus 65.7% and 52.8%) in those with 2-h plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L during is lower than those with pGDM known prior pregnancy or diagnosed during pregnancy according to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) ≥ 6.5% or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 7.0 mmol/L. Conclusions: More than two-thirds of pGDM patients were diagnosed during pregnancy. FPG should be used as screening test to identify pGDM at first antenatal care. An abnormal 2-h glucose value only may not be suitable to diagnose pGDM during pregnancy in China.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes in multiple pregnancy: A multicentre study in the Beijing population

Objective To compare the adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes of multiple pregnancy and singleton pregnancy from multiple medical centers in Beijing. Methods Data concerning maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes in multiple and singleton pregnancies were collected from 15 hospitals in Beijing by a systemic cluster sampling survey conducted from 20 June to 30 November 2013. The SPSS software (version 20.0) was used for data analysis. The χ2 test was used for statistical analyses. Results The rate of caesarean deliveries was much higher in women with multiple pregnancies (85.8%) than that in women with singleton pregnancies (42.6%, χ2 = 190.8, P < 0.001). The incidences of anemia (χ2 = 40.023, P < 0.001), preterm labor (χ2 = 1021.172, P < 0.001), gestational diabetes mellitus (χ2 = 9.311, P < 0.01), hypertensive disorders (χ2 = 122.708, P < 0.001) and post-partum hemorrhage (χ2 = 48.550, P < 0.001) was significantly increased with multiple pregnancy. In addition, multiple pregnancy was associated with a significantly higher rate of small-for-gestational-age infants (χ2 = 92.602, P < 0.001), low birth weight (χ2 = 1141.713, P < 0.001), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (χ2 = 340.129, P < 0.001). Conclusions Multiple pregnancy is a significant risk factor for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in Beijing. Improving obstetric care for multiple pregnancy, particularly in reducing preterm labor, is required to reduce the risk to mothers and infants.

Fatty acid-binding protein 4 predicts gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) has been proposed to be a potential predictive factor of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia (GH/PE) because of its integrating metabolic and inflammatory responses. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are more likely to develop both GH/PE, than the normal population. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between plasma FABP4 in the second trimester of pregnancy and the risk of GH/PE in women with GDM. Methods This was a nested case-control study conducted within a large on-going prospective cohort study conducted at Peking University First Hospital. A total of 1344 women, who were diagnosed with GDM, according to a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, participated in the GDM One-Day Clinic at Peking University First Hospital from February 24, 2016 to February 9, 2017. Of the 748 GDM women who agreed to the blood sample collection, 637 were followed until their delivery. The cases included GDM patients who developed gestational hypertension or preeclampsia (GDM-GH/PE group, n = 41). Another 41 matched GDM women without major complications were selected as the control group (GDM group). Results The incidence of GH/PE was 6.44% and 3.30% for preeclampsia. The level of the second trimester plasma FABP4 in the GDM-GH/PE group was significantly higher than the GDM group (17.53±11.35 vs. 12.79±6.04 ng/ml, P = 0.020). The AUC ROC for the second trimester plasma FABP4 predicted GH/PE in the GDM patients alone was 0.647 (95%CI 0.529–0.766). Multivariate analysis showed that the elevated second trimester FABP4 level was independently associated with GH/PE in the GDM patients (OR 1.136 [95% CI 1.003–1.286], P = 0.045). Conclusions Increased second trimester plasma FABP4 independently predicted GH/PE in GDM patients.

Analysis of correlation factors and pregnancy outcomes of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy - a secondary analysis of a random sampling in Beijing, China.

Abstract Objective: We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for hypertensive disorders and to study the main pregnancy outcomes in the Beijing area of China. Study design: This study randomly sampled 15 hospitals in Beijing from Jun 2013 to Nov 2013 and evaluated 15 194 deliveries. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between risk factors and hypertensive disorders. Pregnancy outcomes included preterm birth, cesarean delivery and small for gestational age (SGA). Results: The prevalence of hypertensive disorders, preeclampsia (PE) and severe PE was 4.4, 2.7 and 1.8%, respectively. The risk factors for hypertensive disorders and severe PE were maternal body mass index before pregnancy, gestational weight gain (GWG), gestational diabetes and pre-gestational diabetes, and third trimester cholesterol (CHOL) levels. First trimester high-density lipoprotein was a protective factor for severe PE. The incidence of hypertensive disorders increased with maternal age. Preterm delivery, cesarean delivery and small infant size for gestational age were more prevalent in the severe PE group compared with the non-hypertensive group. Conclusions: In the Beijing area of China, maternal body mass index before pregnancy, GWG, maternal complications of gestational diabetes and pre-gestational diabetes, and third trimester CHOL levels are risk factors for both hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and severe PE. First trimester high-density lipoprotein is a protective factor for severe PE. Severe preeclampsia leads to a higher incidence of preterm delivery, cesarean delivery and SGA infants.