Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Emanuele Capra, Paola Toschi, Marcello Del Corvo, Barbara Lazzari, Alessandra Stella, John Lewis Williams, Pasqualino Loi, Paolo Ajmone Marsan
Summary: Experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that maternal nutritional status during early pregnancy may induce long-lasting epigenetic changes in the offspring. This study in sheep found that undernutrition during the periconceptional period resulted in altered CpG methylation in the muscle tissue of adult offspring, potentially impacting cardiac function, muscle physiology, and meat production.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mark H. Oliver, Frank H. Bloomfield, Amita Bansal, Hui Hui Phua, Eric B. Thorstensen, Jane E. Harding, Anne L. Jaquiery
Summary: Maternal periconceptional undernutrition affects fetal pancreatic maturation and glucose tolerance in offspring, with reduced insulin secretion and increased glucose area under the curve in adult sheep. These lasting effects indicate a significant impact of maternal periconceptional nutrition on offspring metabolic homeostasis.
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGINS OF HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Maria de la Calle, Jose L. Bartha, Clara Marin, Juan Carlos Rus, Guillermo Corcoles, Santiago Ruvira, David Ramiro-Cortijo
Summary: There is an increasing number of obese mothers having twin pregnancies, and proper gestational weight control is crucial for mothers with high pre-gestational BMI.
Article
Pediatrics
Di Wang, Lei Jin, Jie Zhang, Wenying Meng, Aiguo Ren
Summary: Maternal periconceptional supplementation with folic acid or multiple micronutrients containing folic acid appears to decrease the risk for CHDs, especially critical CHD, in offspring. Supplementation before conception confers a greater protective effect against CHDs. There was no significant difference between folic acid and multiple micronutrients containing folic acid in preventing CHDs.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christina Stern, Sarah Schwarz, Gerit Moser, Silvija Cvitic, Evelyn Jantscher-Krenn, Martin Gauster, Ursula Hiden
Summary: During pregnancy, the placenta plays a crucial role in regulating maternal physiology by secreting a variety of hormones and proteins. Maternal insulin resistance increases to supply glucose for the developing fetus, with a compensation in beta-cell mass and function. Sex differences may influence placenta-derived hormones and proteins, impacting the regulation of maternal glucose metabolism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nipun Saini, Sandra M. Mooney, Susan M. Smith
Summary: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) impairs fetal growth and neurodevelopment. The study investigates the effect of alcohol on maternal-fetal glucose metabolism and reveals that alcohol reduces glucose and glycolytic intermediates in the mother's liver, leading to decreased fasting blood glucose. The study also finds that alcohol impairs the dam's ability to acquire insulin resistance.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sofie K. M. van Zundert, Lenie van Rossem, Sten P. Willemsen, Lindsey van der Meer, Hiske E. Ernst-Smelt
Summary: This study suggests that a higher degree of maternal vulnerability during periconception is associated with reduced embryonic growth in naturally conceived pregnancies, but not in pregnancies conceived through IVF or ICSI.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Rosalieke E. Wiegel, Damiat Aoulad Fares, Sten P. Willemsen, Eric A. P. Steegers, A. H. Jan Danser, Regine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen
Summary: This study found that excessive first-trimester release of prorenin, leading to upregulation of angiotensin, can explain why pregnancies with >1 corpus luteum are at risk for decreased birthweight and small for gestational age (SGA). Additionally, high concentrations of aldosterone, independent of renin, seem to have a beneficial influence.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lu Zhao, Qing Chang, Zhangzhao Cong, Yalin Zhang, Zhuxi Liu, Yuhong Zhao
Summary: The incidences of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes caused by maternal diabetes are increasing. Many researchers have investigated natural treatment methods due to the problems associated with hypoglycemic drugs. Polyphenols have anti-diabetic properties and can alleviate gestational diabetes mellitus and diabetic embryopathy through various mechanisms. Diets rich in polyphenols are beneficial to pregnant women with diabetes. However, further research is needed to better understand the complex interactions between polyphenols and maternal diabetes.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lu Zhao, Qing Chang, Zhangzhao Cong, Yalin Zhang, Zhuxi Liu, Yuhong Zhao
Summary: The incidences of maternal and fetal adverse outcomes caused by maternal diabetes are increasing. Polyphenols have been shown to have anti-diabetic properties and can alleviate gestational diabetes mellitus and diabetic embryopathy. However, further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between polyphenols and maternal diabetes.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Paola Toschi, Mario Baratta
Summary: Maternal undernutrition in early pregnancy can impact placental development and subsequently affect fetal health and growth. Various placental adaptation strategies and the involvement of autophagy as a response mechanism play crucial roles in the placental response to nutritional deficiency.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sofie C. Husen, Nicolina D. H. E. Kemper, Attie T. J. Go, Sten P. Willemsen, Melek Rousian, Regine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the influence of periconceptional maternal folate status on the size of human embryonic head and brain structures. The results showed U-shaped associations between maternal folate status and head volume and head circumference, but no significant associations with other brain structures.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Eva Miko, Andras Csaszar, Jozsef Bodis, Kalman Kovacs
Summary: The prenatal period and the early years of life greatly influence an individual's health and life quality, particularly in terms of the development of the immune system, central nervous system, and intestinal microbiota. This review focuses on summarising the characteristics of maternal gut microbiota and its potential impact on fetal and neonatal development and health. Additionally, the review outlines the current knowledge on the effects of maternal dietary factors on offspring's microbiota and health.
Article
Immunology
Caroline Charlier, Julia Dina, Francois Freymuth, Astrid Vabret, Olivier Lortholary, Denise Antona, Marc Lecuit
Summary: Research shows that measles virus can be detected in the saliva and blood of pregnant women, leading to transmission to the fetus during pregnancy, resulting in asymptomatic infection at birth. Despite severe peripartum congenital measles, asymptomatic vertical transmission of the measles virus can occur in early pregnancy.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Davell Carter, Marina Better, Saed Abbasi, Fareeha Zulfiqar, Rachel Shapiro, Laura M. Ensign
Summary: Conception, pregnancy, and childbirth are complex processes that have significant impact on both the mother and fetus. However, there is a lack of safe and effective treatment options in women's health and pregnancy. The physiological changes during menstrual cycle and pregnancy make drug administration and delivery more complicated, and overcoming physiological barriers is also challenging. Nanomedicine offers a unique opportunity to improve safety and minimize side effects by targeting drug delivery to the reproductive tract and other relevant organs in the mother and fetus, and has the potential to improve the management and treatment of infertility, obstetric complications, and fetal conditions.
Article
Pediatrics
Aakash B. Rajay, Jane E. Harding
Summary: There is wide variation in guideline recommendations for the management of neonatal hypoglycaemia across New Zealand and Australian neonatal units, including differences in diagnostic thresholds, monitoring methods, and treatment protocols.
JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olivia J. Hofer, Jane E. Harding, Thach Tran, Caroline A. Crowther
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether there were differences in maternal, infant, and childhood health outcomes between the use of dexamethasone or betamethasone as a repeat antenatal corticosteroid for women at risk of preterm birth after an initial course. The results showed that there were no significant differences in health outcomes between the two groups.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Luling Lin, Greg D. Gamble, Caroline A. Crowther, Frank H. Bloomfield, Massimo Agosti, Stephanie A. Atkinson, Augusto Biasini, Nicholas D. Embleton, Fernando Lamy Filho, Christoph Fusch, Maria L. Gianni, Hayriye Goezde Kanmaz Kutman, Winston Koo, Ita Litmanovitz, Colin Morgan, Kanya Mukhopadhyay, Erica Neri, Jean-Charles Picaud, Niels Rochow, Paola Roggero, Kenneth Stroemmen, Maw J. Tan, Francesco M. Tandoi, Claire L. Wood, Gitte Zachariassen, Jane E. Harding
Summary: Neonatal nutritional supplements may improve early growth for infants born small, but the effects on long-term growth are uncertain and may vary by sex. These supplements can increase length and bone mineral content in infancy, but do not affect BMI in childhood. Supplementation can enhance height z-score in male toddlers, but not in females.
Article
Neuroimaging
Samson Nivins, Eleanor Kennedy, Benjamin Thompson, Gregory D. Gamble, Jane M. Alsweiler, Russell Metcalfe, Christopher J. D. McKinlay, Jane E. Harding
Summary: The study found that neonatal hypoglycaemia is associated with smaller deep grey matter brain regions and thinner occipital lobe cortex, but does not alter white matter microstructure.
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nike Franke, Jennifer Rogers, Trecia Wouldes, Kim Ward, Gavin Brown, Monique Jonas, Peter Keegan, Jane Harding
Summary: This pilot study explored parents' perspectives on long-term studies in a multicultural New Zealand context. The parents generally reported satisfaction with the outcomes measured and expressed interest in lifelong goals, such as the impact of parental diabetes. The study identified facilitators, barriers, and benefits of research participation, and suggested improvements for current follow-up studies.
HEALTH EXPECTATIONS
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sara T. Mustafa, Jane E. Harding, Clare R. Wall, Caroline A. Crowther
Summary: Adherence to dietary recommendations for women with GDM likely improves health outcomes, such as reducing medication use and adverse postpartum complications, and increasing breastfeeding.
Article
Pediatrics
Deborah L. Harris, Greg D. Gamble, Jane E. Harding
Summary: Treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia with dextrose gel does not increase the rate of neurosensory impairment, but further assessment of visual processing and growth may be warranted.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Esther Calje, Joy Marriott, Charlotte Oyston, Lesley Dixon, Frank Bloomfield, Katie Groom
Summary: This study reports the incidence of postpartum anaemia in three district health board regions in New Zealand and describes the current management of moderate to severe postpartum anaemia, including differences among different ethnicities.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ryan Jim San Diego, Nike Franke, Jane Elizabeth Harding, Trecia Ann Wouldes
Summary: Executive function is an important neurocognitive process for self-regulation of behavior and acquisition of social and cognitive competencies. While there are valid measures for adult and adolescent executive function, there is a lack of valid measures for preschool children. This study evaluated the cross-cultural validity and reliability of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Preschool Version (BRIEF-P) in New Zealand Maori and European parents of children with neonatal hypoglycemia. The results showed that the BRIEF-P is a highly reliable and valid instrument.
CHILD NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Anthony G. B. Walters, Luling Lin, Caroline A. Crowther, Greg D. Gamble, Stuart R. Dalziel, Jane E. Harding
Summary: The objective of this study was to present the complete results of the first randomized trial of antenatal corticosteroids conducted 50 years ago using modern analysis and reporting methods. The results showed that antenatal betamethasone administered to women at risk of preterm birth between 24 and less than 37 weeks of gestation significantly reduces the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, with greater efficacy in male infants than female infants. Doubling the dose of betamethasone does not provide additional benefit.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Sophie L. St Clair, Darren W. T. Dai, Deborah L. Harris, Gregory D. Gamble, Christopher J. D. McKinlay, Samson Nivins, Rajesh K. Shah, Benjamin Thompson, Jane E. Harding
Summary: In the treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia, dextrose gel is safe and effective, but at 9-10 years old, children in the dextrose gel group had slightly lower visual perception abilities compared to the placebo group.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Robyn W. May, Gonzalo Maso D. Talou, Alys R. Clark, Jonathan P. Mynard, Joseph J. Smolich, Pablo J. Blanco, Lucas O. Mueller, Thomas L. Gentles, Frank H. Bloomfield, Soroush Safaei
Summary: Computational modeling is widely used in the study of cardiovascular hemodynamics for medical research and improving the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Most existing cardiovascular models focus on the adult circulatory system, but the perinatal period is unique as cardiovascular physiology undergoes significant changes. This review discusses computational models of the cardiovascular system in early life, their applications, and proposes a roadmap for developing an open-source model spanning fetal, perinatal, and postnatal periods.
WIRES MECHANISMS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Meiliana Meiliana, Tanith Alexander, Frank H. Bloomfield, Barbara E. Cormack, Jane E. Harding, Orla Walsh, Luling Lin
Summary: There is currently a lack of high-quality and consistent nutrition guidelines for preterm infants, which leads to substantial variation in practice.
JOURNAL OF PARENTERAL AND ENTERAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Mukhit Kulmaganbetov, Myra Leung, Jane M. Alsweiler, Joanna Black, Frank H. Bloomfield, Greg D. Gamble, Jane E. Harding, Yannan Jiang, Tanya Poppe, Anna C. Tottman, Trecia A. Wouldes, Benjamin Thompson
Summary: This study aimed to assess the effect of increased protein intake on ophthalmic and visual development in school-age children born very preterm. The results showed that there were subtle and complex associations between early neonatal nutrition and visual development at school age.
OPHTHALMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OPTICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Nike Franke, Trecia Ann Wouldes, Gavin Thomas Lumsden Brown, Kim Ward, Jenny Rogers, Jane E. Harding
Summary: This study explores the views of young adults on their participation in medical research during childhood, specifically focusing on the acceptability of consent and their priorities regarding health, development, and well-being as potential trial outcomes. The findings indicate that participants were comfortable with their parents giving consent on their behalf, but highlighted the challenges of obtaining autonomous child assent. They generally expressed satisfaction with the outcomes investigated in the follow-up studies, while also suggesting additional outcomes of interest such as mental health and learning disabilities.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD
(2023)