Browsing by Author "Gomez, Ricardo"

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    A genetic association study of maternal and fetal candidate genes that predispose to preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM)
    (MOSBY-ELSEVIER, 2010) Romero, Roberto; Friel, Lara A.; Edwards, Digna R. Velez; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Hassan, Sonia S.; Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Vaisbuch, Edi; Kim, Chong Jai; Erez, Offer; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Pearce, Brad D.; Bartlett, Jacquelaine; Salisbury, Benjamin A.; Anant, Madan Kumar; Vovis, Gerald F.; Lee, Min Seob; Gomez, Ricardo; Behnke, Ernesto; Oyarzun, Enrique; Tromp, Gerard; Williams, Scott M.; Menon, Ramkumar
    OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether maternal/fetal single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes are associated with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM).
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    A longitudinal study of angiogenic (placental growth factor) and anti-angiogenic (soluble endoglin and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1) factors in normal pregnancy and patients destined to develop preeclampsia and deliver a small for gestational age neonate
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2008) Romero, Roberto; Nien, Jyh Kae; Espinoza, Jimmy; Todem, David; Fu, Wenjiang; Chung, Hwan; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Gotsch, Francesca; Erez, Offer; Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Gomez, Ricardo; Edwin, Sam; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Levine, Richard J.; Karumanchi, S. Ananth
    Introduction. Accumulating evidence suggests that an imbalance between pro-angiogenic (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF)) and anti-angiogenic factors (i.e., soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1, also referred to as sFlt1)) is involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE). Endoglin is a protein that regulates the pro-angiogenic effects of transforming growth factor , and its soluble form has recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of PE. The objective of this study was to determine if changes in maternal plasma concentration of these angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors differ prior to development of disease among patients with normal pregnancies and those destined to develop PE (preterm and term) or to deliver a small for gestational age (SGA) neonate.
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    Allergy-induced preterm labor after the ingestion of shellfish
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2010) Romero, Roberto; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Munoz, Hernan; Gomez, Ricardo; Lamont, Ronald F.; Yeo, Lami
    Preterm parturition is a syndrome caused by several mechanisms of disease, including intrauterine infection/inflammation, uteroplacental ischemia, uterine overdistension, cervical disease, maternal/fetal stress, abnormal allogeneic responses, allergic reactions, and unknown insults. An allergic-like mechanism was proposed as a potential etiology for the preterm parturition syndrome, based on the observation that eosinophils were present in the amniotic fluid in a fraction of women with preterm labor and a history of allergy, coupled with the observation that conditioned media from degranulated mast cells (the effector cells of type 1 hypersensitivity) induced contractility of human myometrial strips. This communication describes a case of a pregnant woman who had an allergic reaction and regular uterine contractions after the ingestion of lobster meat, to which she was known to be allergic. Preterm labor subsided after the treatment of antihistamines and steroids. The patient subsequently delivered at term. At follow-up, the child was diagnosed with atopy and asthma, and required frequent use of inhaled corticosteroids and beta-2 adrenergic agents. The immunological basis for preterm labor induced by an allergic-like reaction (hypersensitivity) is reviewed.
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    An elevated fetal interleukin-6 concentration can be observed in fetuses with anemia due to Rh alloimmunization: implications for the understanding of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2011) Vaisbuch, Edi; Romero, Roberto; Gomez, Ricardo; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Hassan, Sonia S.
    Methods. aEuro integral Fetal blood sampling was performed in sensitized Rh-D negative women with suspected fetal anemia (n aEuroS== aEuroS16). Fetal anemia was diagnosed according to reference range nomograms established for the assessment of fetal hematologic parameters. An elevated fetal plasma IL-6 concentration was defined using a cutoff of > 11 pg/ml. Concentrations of IL-6 were determined by immunoassay. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis.
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    Analytical approaches to detect maternal/fetal genotype incompatibilities that increase risk of pre-eclampsia
    (2008) Parimi, Neeta; Tromp, Gerard; Kuivaniemi, Helena; Nien, Jyh K.; Gomez, Ricardo; Romero, Roberto; Goddard, Katrina A.
    Abstract Background In utero interactions between incompatible maternal and fetal genotypes are a potential mechanism for the onset or progression of pregnancy related diseases such as pre-eclampsia (PE). However, the optimal analytical approach and study design for evaluating incompatible maternal/offspring genotype combinations is unclear. Methods Using simulation, we estimated the type I error and power of incompatible maternal/offspring genotype models for two analytical approaches: logistic regression used with case-control mother/offspring pairs and the log-linear regression used with case-parent triads. We evaluated a real dataset consisting of maternal/offspring pairs with and without PE for incompatibility effects using the optimal analysis based on the results of the simulation study. Results We identified a single coding scheme for the incompatibility effect that was equally or more powerful than all of the alternative analysis models evaluated, regardless of the true underlying model for the incompatibility effect. In addition, the log-linear regression was more powerful than the logistic regression when the heritability was low, and more robust to adjustment for maternal or fetal effects. For the PE data, this analysis revealed three genes, lymphotoxin alpha (LTA), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and alpha 2 chain of type IV collagen (COL4A2) with possible incompatibility effects. Conclusion The incompatibility model should be evaluated for complications of pregnancy, such as PE, where the genotypes of two individuals may contribute to the presence of disease.Abstract Background In utero interactions between incompatible maternal and fetal genotypes are a potential mechanism for the onset or progression of pregnancy related diseases such as pre-eclampsia (PE). However, the optimal analytical approach and study design for evaluating incompatible maternal/offspring genotype combinations is unclear. Methods Using simulation, we estimated the type I error and power of incompatible maternal/offspring genotype models for two analytical approaches: logistic regression used with case-control mother/offspring pairs and the log-linear regression used with case-parent triads. We evaluated a real dataset consisting of maternal/offspring pairs with and without PE for incompatibility effects using the optimal analysis based on the results of the simulation study. Results We identified a single coding scheme for the incompatibility effect that was equally or more powerful than all of the alternative analysis models evaluated, regardless of the true underlying model for the incompatibility effect. In addition, the log-linear regression was more powerful than the logistic regression when the heritability was low, and more robust to adjustment for maternal or fetal effects. For the PE data, this analysis revealed three genes, lymphotoxin alpha (LTA), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and alpha 2 chain of type IV collagen (COL4A2) with possible incompatibility effects. Conclusion The incompatibility model should be evaluated for complications of pregnancy, such as PE, where the genotypes of two individuals may contribute to the presence of disease.
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    Clinical chorioamnionitis at term : the amniotic fluid fatty acyl lipidome
    (2016) Chaiworapongsa, T.; Chaemsaithong, P.; Zhou, S.; Xu, Z.; Tarca, A.; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Gomez, Ricardo; Docheva, N.; Honn, K.; Maddipati, K.; Romero, R.
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    Could alterations in maternal plasma visfatin concentration participate in the phenotype definition of preeclampsia and SGA?
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2010) Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Romero, Roberto; Kim, Sun Kwon; Vaisbuch, Edi; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Erez, Offer; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Gotsch, Francesca; Mittal, Pooja; Nhan Chang, Chia Ling; Than, Nandor Gabor; Gomez, Ricardo; Nien, Jyh Kae; Edwin, Samuel S.; Pacora, Percy; Yeo, Lami; Hassan, Sonia S.
    Objective. Women with preeclampsia and those who delivered a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate share several mechanisms of disease, including chronic uteroplacental ischemia and failure of physiologic transformation of the spiral arteries. However, the clinical manifestation of these obstetrical syndromes is remarkably different. It has been proposed that an altered maternal metabolic state, as well as a unique circulating cytokines milieu, predispose women to develop either preeclampsia or SGA. Compelling evidence suggests that adipose tissue orchestrates both metabolic pathways and immunological responses via the production of adipokines. Visfatin is a novel adipocytokine with metabolic and immunomodulating properties. The objective of this study was to determine whether preeclampsia and SGA are associated with alterations in maternal circulating visfatin concentrations.
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    Fetal ERAP2 variation is associated with preeclampsia in African Americans in a case-control study
    (2011) Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Gomez, Ricardo; Hill, Lori.; Hilliard, DaShaunda.; York, Timothy.; Srinivas, Sindh.; Elovitz, Michal A.; Romero, Roberto.; Strauss, Jerome F.
    Abstract Background Preeclampsia affects 3-8% of pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This complex disorder is characterized by alterations in the immune and vascular systems and involves multiple organs. There is strong evidence for a genetic contribution to preeclampsia. Two different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) gene were recently reported to be associated with increased risk for preeclampsia in two different populations. ERAP2 is expressed in placental tissue and it is involved in immune responses, inflammation, and blood pressure regulation; making it is an attractive preeclampsia candidate gene. Furthermore, ERAP2 expression is altered in first trimester placentas of women destined to develop preeclampsia. Methods A case-control design was used to test for associations between two SNPs in ERAP2, rs2549782 and rs17408150, and preeclampsia status in 1103 Chilean maternal-fetal dyads and 1637 unpaired African American samples (836 maternal, 837 fetal). Results We found that the fetal minor allele (G) of rs2549782 was associated with an increased risk for preeclampsia in the African American population (P = 0.009), but not in the Chilean population. We found no association between rs17408150 and risk for preeclampsia in the Chilean population. Association between rs17408150 and risk for preeclampsia was not tested in the African American population due to the absence of the minor allele in this population. Conclusions We report an association between fetal ERAP2 and preeclampsia in an African American population. In conjunction with previous studies, which have found maternal associations with this gene in an Australian/New Zealand population and a Norwegian population, ERAP2 has now been associated with preeclampsia in three populations. This provides strong evidence that ERAP2 plays a role in the development of preeclampsia.Abstract Background Preeclampsia affects 3-8% of pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This complex disorder is characterized by alterations in the immune and vascular systems and involves multiple organs. There is strong evidence for a genetic contribution to preeclampsia. Two different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) gene were recently reported to be associated with increased risk for preeclampsia in two different populations. ERAP2 is expressed in placental tissue and it is involved in immune responses, inflammation, and blood pressure regulation; making it is an attractive preeclampsia candidate gene. Furthermore, ERAP2 expression is altered in first trimester placentas of women destined to develop preeclampsia. Methods A case-control design was used to test for associations between two SNPs in ERAP2, rs2549782 and rs17408150, and preeclampsia status in 1103 Chilean maternal-fetal dyads and 1637 unpaired African American samples (836 maternal, 837 fetal). Results We found that the fetal minor allele (G) of rs2549782 was associated with an increased risk for preeclampsia in the African American population (P = 0.009), but not in the Chilean population. We found no association between rs17408150 and risk for preeclampsia in the Chilean population. Association between rs17408150 and risk for preeclampsia was not tested in the African American population due to the absence of the minor allele in this population. Conclusions We report an association between fetal ERAP2 and preeclampsia in an African American population. In conjunction with previous studies, which have found maternal associations with this gene in an Australian/New Zealand population and a Norwegian population, ERAP2 has now been associated with preeclampsia in three populations. This provides strong evidence that ERAP2 plays a role in the development of preeclampsia.Abstract Background Preeclampsia affects 3-8% of pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This complex disorder is characterized by alterations in the immune and vascular systems and involves multiple organs. There is strong evidence for a genetic contribution to preeclampsia. Two different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) gene were recently reported to be associated with increased risk for preeclampsia in two different populations. ERAP2 is expressed in placental tissue and it is involved in immune responses, inflammation, and blood pressure regulation; making it is an attractive preeclampsia candidate gene. Furthermore, ERAP2 expression is altered in first trimester placentas of women destined to develop preeclampsia. Methods A case-control design was used to test for associations between two SNPs in ERAP2, rs2549782 and rs17408150, and preeclampsia status in 1103 Chilean maternal-fetal dyads and 1637 unpaired African American samples (836 maternal, 837 fetal). Results We found that the fetal minor allele (G) of rs2549782 was associated with an increased risk for preeclampsia in the African American population (P = 0.009), but not in the Chilean population. We found no association between rs17408150 and risk for preeclampsia in the Chilean population. Association between rs17408150 and risk for preeclampsia was not tested in the African American population due to the absence of the minor allele in this population. Conclusions We report an association between fetal ERAP2 and preeclampsia in an African American population. In conjunction with previous studies, which have found maternal associations with this gene in an Australian/New Zealand population and a Norwegian population, ERAP2 has now been associated with preeclampsia in three populations. This provides strong evidence that ERAP2 plays a role in the development of preeclampsia.
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    Growth Perturbations in a Phenotype with Rapid Fetal Growth Preceding Preterm Labor and Term Birth
    (WILEY, 2009) Lampl, Michelle; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Erez, Offer; Gotsch, Francesca; Espinoza, Jimmy; Goncalves, Luis; Lee, Wesley; Gomez, Ricardo; Kae Nien, Jyh; Frongillo, Edward A.; Romero, Roberto
    The variability in fetal growth rates and gestation duration in humans is not well understood. Of interest are women presenting with an episode of preterm labor and subsequently delivering a term neonate, who is small relative to peers of similar gestational age. To further understand these relationships, fetal growth patterns predating an episode of preterm labor were investigated. Retrospective analysis of fetal biometry assessed by serial ultrasound in a prospectively studied sample of pregnancies in Santiago, Chile, tested the hypothesis that fetal growth patterns among uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 3,706) and those with an episode of preterm labor followed by term delivery (n = 184) were identical across the time intervals 16-22 weeks, 22-28 weeks, and 28-34 weeks in a multilevel mixed-effects regression. The hypothesis was not supported. Fetal weight growth rate was faster from 16 weeks among pregnancies with an episode of preterm labor (P < 0.05), declined across midgestation (22-28 weeks, P < 0.05), and rebounded between 28 and 34 weeks (P = 0.06). This was associated with perturbations in abdominal circumference growth and proportionately larger biparietal diameter from 22 gestational weeks (P = 0.03), greater femur (P = 0.01), biparietal diameter (P = 0.001) and head circumference (P = 0.02) dimensions relative to abdominal circumference across midgestation (22-28 weeks), followed by proportionately smaller femur diaphyseal length (P = 0.02) and biparietal diameter (P = 0.03) subsequently. A distinctive rapid growth phenotype characterized fetal growth preceding an episode of preterm labor among this sample of term-delivered neonates. Perturbations in abdominal circumference growth and patterns of proportionality suggest an altered growth strategy pre-dating the preterm labor episode. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 21:782-792, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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    Isobaric labeling and tandem mass spectrometry: A novel approach for profiling and quantifying proteins differentially expressed in amniotic fluid in preterm labor with and without intra-amniotic infection/inflammation
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2010) Romero, Roberto; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Gotsch, Francesca; Erez, Offer; Vaisbuch, Edi; Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Moser, Allan; Tam, Sunny; Leszyk, John; Master, Stephen R.; Juhasz, Peter; Pacora, Percy; Ogge, Giovanna; Gomez, Ricardo; Yoon, Bo H.; Yeo, Lami; Hassan, Sonia S.; Rogers, Wade T.
    Methods. A cross-sectional study was designed and included AF samples from patients with spontaneous PTL and intact membranes in the following groups: (1) patients without IAI who delivered at term (n = 26); (2) patients who delivered preterm without IAI (n = 25); and (3) patients with IAI (n = 24). Proteomic profiling of AF samples was performed using a workflow involving tryptic digestion, iTRAQ labeling and multiplexing, strong cation exchange fractionation, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Twenty-five separate 4-plex samples were prepared and analyzed.
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    Maternal and neonatal circulating visfatin concentrations in patients with pre-eclampsia and a small-for-gestational age neonate
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2010) Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Vaisbuch, Edi; Romero, Roberto; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Kim, Sun Kwon; Nhan Chang, Chia Ling; Gomez, Ricardo; Savasan, Zeynep Alpay; Madan, Ichchha; Yoon, Bo Hyun; Yeo, Lami; Mittal, Pooja; Ogge, Giovanna; Gonzalez, Juan M.; Hassan, Sonia S.
    Objective. Maternal circulating visfatin concentrations are higher in patients with a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonate than in those who delivered an appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) neonate or in those with pre-eclampsia. It has been proposed that enhanced transfer of visfatin from the foetal to maternal circulation may account for the high concentrations of maternal visfatin observed in patients with an SGA neonate. The aims of this study were: (1) to determine whether cord blood visfatin concentrations differ between normal neonates, SGA neonates and newborns of pre-eclamptic mothers; and (2) to assess the relationship between maternal and foetal circulating visfatin concentrations in patients with an SGA neonate and those with pre-eclampsia.
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    Maternal Plasma Concentration of the Pro-Inflammatory Adipokine Pre-B-Cell-Enhancing Factor (PBEF)/Visfatin Is Elevated In Pregnant Patients with Acute Pyelonephritis
    (WILEY, 2010) Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Vaisbuch, Edi; Romero, Roberto; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Kim, Sun Kwon; Nhan Chang, Chia Ling; Gomez, Ricardo; Yoon, Bo H.; Yeo, Lami; Mittal, Pooja; Ogge, Giovanna; Gonzalez, Juan M.; Hassan, Sonia S.
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    Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in preeclampsia as assessed by cultivation and sequence-based methods
    (WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH, 2010) DiGiulio, Daniel B.; Gervasi, MariaTeresa; Romero, Roberto; Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Vaisbuch, Edi; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Seok, Kimberley S.; Gomez, Ricardo; Mittal, Pooja; Gotsch, Francesca; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Oyarzun, Enrique; Kim, Chong Jai; Relman, David A.
    Objective: Infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, yet the association between microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and preeclampsia has not been determined. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, and microbial diversity associated with MIAC, as well as the nature of the host response to MIAC in patients with preeclampsia.
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    Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in pregnancies with small-for-gestational-age fetuses
    (WALTER DE GRUYTER GMBH, 2010) DiGiulio, Daniel B.; Gervasi, Maria Teresa; Romero, Roberto; Vaisbuch, Edi; Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Seok, Kimberley S.; Gomez, Ricardo; Mittal, Pooja; Gotsch, Francesca; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Oyarzun, Enrique; Kim, Chong Jai; Relman, David A.
    Objective: Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) has been detected in women with preterm labor, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM), and in patients at term with PROM or in spontaneous labor. Intrauterine infection is recognized as a potential cause of fetal growth restriction; yet, the frequency of MIAC in pregnancies with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, diversity and relative abundance of microbes in amniotic fluid (AF) of women with an SGA neonate using a combination of culture and molecular methods.
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    Plasma protein Z concentrations in pregnant women with idiopathic intrauterine bleeding and in women with spontaneous preterm labor
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2007) Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Espinoza, Jimmy; Romero, Roberto; Hoppensteadt, Debra; Nien, Jyh Kae; Kim, Chong Jai; Erez, Offer; Soto, Eleazar; Fareed, Jawed; Edwin, Sam; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Than, Nador G.; Yoon, Bo Hyun; Gomez, Ricardo; Papp, Zoltan; Hassan, Sonia S.
    Objectives. Preterm parturition has been associated with decidual vascular disorders and excessive thrombin generation. The objective of this study was to examine maternal plasma concentrations of protein Z in normal pregnancies, as well as in those presenting with spontaneous preterm labor (PTL) and intrauterine bleeding during pregnancy.
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    Polymorphisms in maternal and fetal genes encoding for proteins involved in extracellular matrix metabolism alter the risk for small-for-gestational-age
    (TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2011) Edwards, Digna R. Velez; Romero, Roberto; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Hassan, Sonia S.; Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Vaisbuch, Edi; Kim, Chong Jai; Erez, Offer; Chaiworapongsa, Tinnakorn; Pearce, Brad D.; Bartlett, Jacquelaine; Friel, Lara A.; Salisbury, Benjamin A.; Anant, Madan Kumar; Vovis, Gerald F.; Lee, Min Seob; Gomez, Ricardo; Behnke, Ernesto; Oyarzun, Enrique; Tromp, Gerard; Menon, Ramkumar; Williams, Scott M.
    Objective. To examine the association between maternal and fetal genetic variants and small-for-gestational-age (SGA).
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    Respiratory syncytial virus detection in cells and clinical samples by using three new monoclonal antibodies
    (2014) Gomez, Ricardo; Mora, J.; Cortés, C.; Riedel, C.; Ferrés Garrido, Marcela Viviana; Bueno Ramírez, Susan; Kalergis Parra, Alexis Mikes
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    Sex Differences in Fetal Growth Responses to Maternal Height and Weight
    (WILEY, 2010) Lampl, Michelle; Gotsch, Francesca; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Gomez, Ricardo; Kae Nien, Jyh; Frongillo, Edward A.; Romero, Roberto
    Sex differences in fetal growth have been reported, but how this happens remains to be described. It is unknown if fetal growth rates, a reflection of genetic and environmental factors, express sexually dimorphic sensitivity to the mother herself. This analysis investigated homogeneity of male and female growth responses to maternal height and weight. The study sample included 3,495 uncomplicated singleton pregnancies followed longitudinally. Analytic models regressed fetal and neonatal weight on tertiles of maternal height and weight, and modification by sex was investigated (n = 1,814 males, n = 1,681 females) with birth gestational age, maternal parity, and smoking as covariates. Sex modified the effects of maternal height and weight on fetal growth rates and birth weight. Among boys, tallest maternal height influenced fetal weight growth before 18 gestational weeks of age (P = 0.006), and prepregnancy maternal weight and body mass index subsequently had influence (P < 0.001); this was not found among girls. Additionally, interaction terms between sex, maternal height, and maternal weight identified that males were more sensitive to maternal weight among shorter mothers (P = 0.003) and more responsive to maternal height among lighter mothers (P <= 0.03), compared to females. Likewise, neonatal birth weight dimorphism varied by maternal phenotype. A male advantage of 60 g occurred among neonates of the shortest and lightest mothers (P = 0.08), compared to 150 and 191 g among short and heavy mothers, and tall and light-weight mothers, respectively (P = 0.01). Sex differences in response to maternal size are under-appreciated sources of variation in fetal growth studies and may reflect differential growth strategies. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 22:431-443, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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    Should Bilateral Uterine Artery Notching Be Used in the Risk Assessment for Preeclampsia, Small-for-Gestational-Age, and Gestational Hypertension?
    (WILEY, 2010) Espinoza, Jimmy; Kusanovic, Juan Pedro; Bahado Singh, Ray; Gervasi, Maria Teresa; Romero, Roberto; Lee, Wesley; Vaisbuch, Edi; Mazaki Tovi, Shali; Mittal, Pooja; Gotsch, Francesca; Erez, Offer; Gomez, Ricardo; Yeo, Lami; Hassan, Sonia S.
    Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of bilateral uterine artery notching in the second trimester in the risk assessment for preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) without preeclampsia. Methods. This prospective cohort study included 4190 singleton pregnancies that underwent ultrasound examination between 23 and 25 weeks' gestation. The 95th percentiles of the mean pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of both uterine arteries were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine if bilateral uterine artery notching is an independent explanatory variable for the occurrence of preeclampsia, early-onset preeclampsia (<= 34 weeks), late-onset preeclampsia (>34 weeks), gestational hypertension, and delivery of an SGA neonate without preeclampsia, while controlling for confounding factors. Results. (1) The prevalence of preeclampsia, early-onset preeclampsia, late-onset preeclampsia, SGA, and gestational hypertension were 3.4%, 0.5%, 2.9%, 10%, and 7.9%, respectively; (2) 7.2% of the study population had bilateral uterine artery notching; and (3) bilateral uterine artery notching was an independent explanatory variable for the development of preeclampsia (odds ratio [OR] 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-3.36), early-onset preeclampsia (OR, 4.47; 95% CI, 1.50-13.35), and gestational hypertension (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.02-2.26), but not for late-onset preeclampsia or SGA. Conclusions. Bilateral uterine notching between 23 and 25 weeks' gestation is an independent risk factor for the development of early-onset preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Thus, bilateral uterine artery notching should be considered in the assessment of risk for the development of these pregnancy complications.