[Association of maternal anxiety with congenital heart disease in offspring based on case-control study]

Objective: To explore the association of maternal anxiety with congenital heart disease (CHD) in offspring. Methods: A case-control study design was used in this study. The data were collected in Shaanxi province from January 2014 to December 2016. Neonatal information is provided through specialized hospitals or institutions. Logistic regression model with adjustment for confounding factors was established to analyze the association between maternal perinatal anxiety and CHD in offspring. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis was carried out to explore its stability. Results: Our study included 2 429 subjects, consisting of 773 cases and 1 656 controls. Women with anxiety during pregnancy accounted for 10.3% in the case group, while 7.8% in the control group. After adjusting for confounding factors, the level of maternal anxiety during pregnancy was positively correlated with CHD in the offspring (OR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.01-1.07). The risk of CHD in the offspring of mothers with anxiety during pregnancy was 1.43 times higher than that in those whose mothers had no anxiety (OR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.00-2.05). Conclusion: Maternal anxiety during pregnancy is probably a risk factor for congenital heart disease in offspring.

Cardiac Disease Associated Genetic Variants in Yi Nationality in Regions with High Incidence of Yunnan Sudden Unexplained Death

Abstract

Objective To explore the association of cardiac disease associated genetic variants and the high incidence of Yunnan sudden unexplained death （YNSUD） in Yi nationality. Methods The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples collected from 205 Yi villagers from YNSUD aggregative villages （inpatient group） and 197 healthy Yi villagers from neighboring villages （control group）. Fifty-two single nucleotide variants （SNVs） of 25 cardiac disease associated genes were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-MS）. The SPSS 17.0 was used to analyze data. The pathogenicities of variants with differences between the two groups that have statistical significance were predicted by protein function prediction software PolyPhen-2 and SIFT. All villagers from inpatient group were given electrocardiogram （ECG） examination using a 12-lead electrocardiograph. Results The allele frequency and the genotype frequency of missense mutation DSG2 （rs2278792, c.2318G>A, p.R773K） of pathogenic genes of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy （ARVC） in inpatient group was higher than that in control group （P<0.05）. Abnormal ECG changes were detected in 71 individuals （34.6%） in the inpatient group, among which 54 individuals carried R773K mutation, including clockwise （counterclockwise） rotation, left （right） axis deviation, ST segment and T wave alteration and heart-blocking. Conclusion Definite pathogenic mutations have not been found in the 52 cardiac disease genes associated SNVs detected in Yi nationality in regions with high incidence of YNSUD. The cause of high incidence of YNSUD in Yi nationality needs further study.

[Epidemiological characteristics of serum vitamin B(12) and folate levels in women awaiting delivery]

Objectives: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and levels of vitamin B(12) and folate as well as their relationship in women awaiting delivery, in Shaanxi province. Methods: Data were collected from healthy pregnant women who gave birth at six top hospitals in Shaanxi, from January 2014 to December 2016. Blood samples were taken prenatally to determine the levels of vitamin B(12) and folate. Quantile regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the levels of vitamin B(12) and folates in women awaiting delivery. Results: A total of 1 277 women awaiting delivery were included in this study. Among them, the median level of serum vitamin B(12) was 164.7 pg/ml, in women at late pregnancy, with the deficiency rate as 69.6%, while the median level of serum folate was 7.6 ng/ml, with the deficiency rate as 12.1%. 58.4% of these women presented simple vitamin B(12) deficiency and 0.9% with simple folate deficiency. Women living in rural areas showed lower levels of both vitamin B(12) and folate than the women from the urban areas. Both the levels of vitamin B(12) and folate increased with age but were significantly lower in women under the age of 25. Among those with or without folate deficiency, the average difference in the levels of vitamin B(12) was 37.62 pg/ml. Quantile regression models showed that the vitamin B(12) levels in women with folate deficiency were significantly lower than those without, despite the different levels of vitamin B(12). This difference appeared increasing along with the increase of the vitamin B(12) levels. Conclusions: Our data showed that both vitamin B(12) and folate were deficient in women awaiting delivery, in Shaanxi. We suggest that vitamin B(12) should also be added into the folic acid supplementation program, together with the reinforcement on health education program to improve the awareness of nutrient supplementation in rural and young women. Hopefully, these strategies could increase the levels of both vitamin B(12) and folate, in the province.

[Partial superficial parotidectomy versus superficial parotidectomy for treatment of parotid benign tumors: evidence-based medicine analysis]

Objective:The aim of this study is to systematically assess the postoperative outcomes of partial superficial parotidectomy（PSP） and superficial parotidectomy（SP） by systematic literature review and Meta-analysis, and to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of the appropriate surgical approach in clinical process. Method:Relevant studies that compared the outcomes of PSP and SP for the parotid benign tumors were searched in Pubmed, CNKI and Wanfangdata databases, and Meta-analysis was performed using software RevMan 5.0. Result:24 studies were selected for the Meta-analysis. A total of 2 795 participants were included in those studies, of whom 1 301 underwent PSP and 1 494 underwent SP. The recurrence rates for PSP and SP were 1.14%（10 of 874） and 0.6%（6 of 993）, respectively. There were no statistically significant difference in recurrence rate between PSP and SP. The rates of transient facial nerve paresis for PSP and SP were 11.60%（122 of 1 052） and 27.37%（350 of 1 279）, respectively. The rates of permanent facial nerve paralysis for PSP and SP were 1.04%（6 of 579） and 4.46%（31 of 695）, respectively. The incidences of Frey's syndrome in PSP group and SP group were 9.20%（95 of 1 033） and 30.32%（409 of 1 349）, respectively. The rate of salivary fistulafor PSP and SP were 5.38%（37 of 688） and 11.25%（65 of 578）. PSP could reduce the risk for complications compared with SP. Conclusion:This systematic review with meta-analysis suggests that PSP has a similar recurrence rate as SP, but PSP can significantly reduce the postoperativecomplications.

[Influencing factors and antenatal assessment of the vaginal birth after cesarean section]

Objective: To explore the influencing factors of the vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC), and establish a model for predicting the risk of trial of the trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC). Methods: From January 2016 to December 2018, total 694 pregnant women who underwent TOLAC in Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Those cases were divided into two groups according to the mode of delivery: the VBAC group and the failed TOLAC group. At the same time, 700 cases in the elective repeat cesarean section (ERCS) group were randomly selected as control group. The influencing factors of VBAC were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and the pregnancy outcomes between the three groups were compared. Results: (1) The VBAC rate was 76.1% (528/694) and 166 women underwent the failed TOLAC (23.9%, 166/694). (2) Univariate analysis found that, the pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) [(22.0±3.0), (23.3±2.7) kg/m(2)], the previous vaginal delivery history [10.4%(55/528), 3.6%(6/166)], the cervical score (5.2±1.9,4.3±1.6) and the neonatal birth weight [(3 315±468), (3 484±274) g] of the VBAC group were significantly different from the failed TOLAC group (P<0.05). (3) The comparison of pregnancy outcomes: the neonatal birth weight was (3 315±468) g, and the intrapartum hemorrhage volume was (255±121) ml in the VBAC group, which were significantly lower than those in the failed TOLAC group [intrapartum hemorrhage (325±173) ml] and the ERCS group [(3 572±344) g, (281±125) ml], there were statistically significant differences in the comparison among the three groups (all P<0.05). Two cases of bladder injury occurred during cesarean section in the TOLAC failure group (1.2%,2/166). The rates of the blood transfusion, puerperal infection, 5-minute Apgar score and neonatal ICU admission among the three groups were no statistically significantly different (all P>0.05). There was no maternal or perinatal death. (4) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the delivery age of pregnant women (OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.87-0.98), pre-pregnancy BMI (OR=0.92, 95%CI:0.86-0.98), vaginal delivery history (OR=3.31, 95%CI: 1.35-8.01), cervical score (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.13-1.42) and the birth weight of the neonates <3 300 g (OR=3.15, 95%CI: 2.02-4.90) were independent influencing factors for VBAC. The area under curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.74. Conclusions: The influencing factors of VBAC are delivery age, pre-pregnancy BMI, vaginal delivery history, cervical score and neonatal birth weight <3 300 g. The adequate individualized management and assessment of the TOLAC may be helpful to improve the VBAC rate.

Forensic Pathology Analysis of 363 Sudden Death Cases in Yunnan Province

OBJECTIVES

To study the epidemiological and pathological features of sudden death （SD） in Yunnan Province and to provide scientific evidence for prevention and forensic identification of sudden death.

METHODS

Totally 363 SD cases were collected from the autopsies between 2009 and 2017 in the Forensic Centre of Kunming Medical University. The related factors such as etiology, age, inducing factor, time interval between the onset of disease and death, morbidity season and pathological change were retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS

The incidence of SD in males was significantly higher than that of females. The peak age was ≥35-55 years. The mortality rate was relatively high within 6 h after the onset of disease. The season order with descending number of deaths was spring, summer, winter and autumn. The top ten causes of SD were coronary heart disease, sudden unexplained death （SUD）, cerebral hemorrhage, acute hemorrhagic necrotic pancreatitis, aortic dissection rupture, cardiomyopathy, pneumonia, pulmonary thromboembolism, amniotic fluid embolism and allergy. Exercise, infusion, surgery, medication and minor injury were the most common predisposing factors of sudden coronary death. Consciousness disorder or coma, chest pain or chest tightness, and abdominal pain were the most common premortem symptoms of sudden coronary death.

CONCLUSIONS

The SD is more common in middle-aged males, which is the key population for the prevention of SD. For the forensic identification and prevention of SD, the attention on SUD should be paid.

[A propensity score-matched study on relationship between maternal respiratory infection in early pregnancy and gestational age]

Objective: To explore the association between maternal respiratory infection in early pregnancy and gestational age of single live birth. Methods: A face to face questionnaire survey was conducted among child bearing aged women in 30 counties (district) of Shaanxi province selected through stratified multistage sampling. Propensity score (PS) matched (1∶1) analysis was used to match participants with respiratory infections to those without respiratory infections. A multilevel linear model was used to investigate the association between respiratory infections and gestational age. Through the control of the confounders step by step, three models were established in this study: model 1 for the variable of respiratory infections before PS matching, model 2 was adjusted for variables in model 1 plus some other individual differences of mother and baby, and model 3 for the variable of respiratory infections after PS matching. Results: Of 28 848 child bearing aged women surveyed, 3 676 (12.74%) had respiratory infections in early pregnancy. After PS matching, 2 762 pairs were matched. Analysis with model 1 indicated that a decrease of 0.111 week (P<0.001) in gestational age was associated with a respiratory infection during the first trimester. Analysis with model 2 and model 3 indicated that a decrease of 0.058 week (P=0.025) and a decrease of 0.076 week (P=0.036) were associated with respiratory infection during the first trimester, respectively. Conclusion: The respiratory infection during the first trimester was associated with the decrease of the gestational age of newborn.

[Prenatal supplementations of iron, iron-containing multimicronutrients and antianemic Chinese patent medicines in women in Shaanxi province, 2010-2013]

Objective: To understand the prevalence of prenatal supplementations of iron, iron-containing multi-micronutrients (IMMN) and antianemic Chinese patent medicines (ACPM) and associated factors in women in Shaanxi province. Methods: A sample of 28 367 childbearing-age women who gave birth during 2010-2013 and had specific information of the prenatal nutrients supplementation were recruited using stratified multistage cluster random sampling in Shaanxi province. The information about their basic characteristics and prenatal supplementation of nutrients were collected by a questionnaire survey. Descriptive analysis method was used to analyze the intake rate of iron, IMMN and ACPM during each period of pregnancy, and logistic regression model was used to identify associated factors. Results: The overall prevalence of prenatal iron, IMMN and ACPM supplementation was low (28.99%), and the intake rate of iron was the lowest (5.33%). The prevalence of prenatal supplementation of iron, IMMN and ACPM were lower before pregnancy and in the first trimester than in the second and third trimester. The intake rates for consecutive 2 periods were very low (all were lower than 2.00%). The intake rates of iron, IMMN and ACPM significantly increased year by year. Women living in central Shaanxi had relatively high intake rates of iron (7.22%) and IMMN (16.55%), and women in southern Shaanxi had relatively high intake rate of ACPM (18.50%). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that higher educational level (OR=1.920, 95%CI: 1.617-2.279), antenatal care times≥6 (OR=1.832, 95%CI: 1.604-2.091), etc. were the positive factors for iron intake, and these positive factors were similar to those for IMMN intake. Additionally, rural residence was the negative factor for IMMN intake (compared with urban residence, OR=0.872, 95%CI: 0.788-0.966). Conversely, higher educational level (OR=0.855, 95%CI: 0.746-0.979), higher household income (OR=0.864, 95%CI: 0.796-0.938) were negative factors for ACPM intake, and rural residence was its positive factor (OR=1.285, 95%CI: 1.141-1.447). Conclusions: The prevalence of prenatal supplementation of iron, IMMN and ACPM were low in women in Shaanxi, especially the intake rate of iron was the lowest. The prophylactic iron supplementation before pregnancy or in the first trimester was rare. Measures should be taken to improve the prenatal supplementation of iron in Shaanxi and to standardize the clinical use of ACPM.

[Study on the relationship between frequencies of prenatal care and neonatal low birth weight in women of childbearing age from rural areas of Shaanxi province]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between frequencies of prenatal care and neonatal low birth weight (LBW) among women of childbearing age from the rural areas of Shaanxi province. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among the childbearing-aged women from the rural areas. Samples were selected through multi stage stratified random sampling method. The childbearing aged women were in pregnancy or having had definite outcomes of pregnancy. Measurement of data was described by median±standard deviation, and chi square test was used to compare the rates. Neonatal low birth weight and frequencies of prenatal care were dependent variables and independent variables grouped into the generalized Poisson regression model. Confounding factors were under control. Results: The overall incidence rate of LBW was 3.75% among 18 911 rural women of childbearing age during 2010-2013. Frequencies on pregnancy care were up to 15 times (0.70%), with a minimum of 0 (0.70%), an average of 5.65±2.74 times (including ≥10 times accounted for 12.37%; ≥7 times accounted for 28.52%; ≥5 times accounted for 62.80% and <4 times accounted for 21.49%). After controlling confounding factors, results from the generalized Poisson regression analysis revealed that the difference was statistically significant when compared to the reference group. The incidence of neonatal LBW in the <4 group was 1.61 times of the one in the >7 group (OR=1.61, 95%CI:1.31-2.00) while in the <4 group it was 1.23 times of the 4-7 group (OR=1.23, 95% CI:1.04-1.45). Conclusion: In the rural areas of Shaanxi province, the incidence of neonatal LBW was gradually reduced through the increasing number of frequencies on prenatal care, among women of childbearing age.

[Relationship between reproductive history and preterm births in the last pregnancy, in Shaanxi province]

Objective: To analyze the incidence of preterm delivery among single live neonates and the association between maternal reproductive history and preterm birth. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted on reproductive history among women at childbearing age who were selected through multi-stage stratified random sampling method in Shaanxi, during 2010-2013. Samples would include women at childbearing age and in pregnancy or having had definite pregnancy outcomes. Results: A total of 29 608 women at childbearing age with their infants, were studied. The overall incidence of premature delivery among the single live birth neonates under this study, was 2.7% during 2010-2013. Results from the logistic regression model showed that factors as: having had history with preterm delivery (OR=7.99, 95%CI: 5.59-11.43), age of the mothers, older than 35 (OR= 2.03, 95% CI: 1.59-2.59) and with history of birth defects (OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.01-2.34) were at higher risks for premature delivery in neonates. Intervals on pregnancies between 3-4 years (compared with ≤2 years, OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.58-0.93), between 5-6 years (compared with ≤2 years, OR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.52-0.82), or> 6 years (compared with ≤2 years, OR=0.48, 95%CI:0.37-0.61) together with numbers of parity as 1 (compared with primiparas, OR=0.80, 95%CI: 0.67-0.95), as ≥2 (compared with primiparas, OR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.39-0.97) etc. were protective factors to preterm delivery. Factors as: history of preterm delivery, mothers age (older than 35 years) and intervals of pregnancy, appeared influential to the age of gestation, under the ordinal polytomous logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: The incidence of preterm births among single live birth neonates in Shaanxi was lower than the average national level. Programs related to health care services prior to conception and during pregnancy, together with increasing the self-care consciousness of childbearing aged women etc, should all be strengthened in order to reduce the occurrence of preterm birth, in Shaanxi province.

[Effect of folic acid supplementation in childbearing aged women during pregnancy on neonate birth weight in Shaanxi province]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of folic acid supplementation in childbearing aged women during pregnancy on the birth weight of newborns in Shaanxi province.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was conducted among the childbearing aged women selected through multistage stratified random sampling in Shaanxi during 2010-2013, all of these childbearing aged women were in pregnancy or had definite pregnancy outcomes. The birth weight of newborns and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy were used as the dependent variables and independent variables respectively in multiple linear regression model and quantile regression model and confounding factors were controlled.

RESULTS

Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the birth weight of newborns whose mothers had folic acid supplementation during pregnancy were significantly higher than those whose mothers had no folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, an average increase of 29.56 g(B=29.56, t=4.69 and P<0.01). Quantile regression analysis showed from very low to higher percentiles(q=0-0.55, q=0.65, q=0.75-0.80), the birth weights of newborns whose mothers supplemented folic acid were higher than those whose mother did not supplement folic acid, the difference was significant, but the increase varied. As the increase of the percentiles of birth weight, the body weight increase declined gradually in those whose mothers had folic acid supplementation compared with those whose mothers had no folic acid supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy can increase the birth weight of newborns, the influence was greater in newborns with lower body weight than in newborns with higher body weight.

[Factors related to the influence on congenital malformation of body surface in Shaanxi province]

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors on congenital malformation of body surface. Methods: Multi-stage stratified random sampling method was adopted. A questionnaire survey was conducted among the childbearing aged women who experienced more than 28 weeks pregnancy or having definite pregnancy outcomes in Shaanxi, during 2010-2013. Results: Results from the logistic regression model showed that factors as: intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (OR=21.76, 95%CI: 4.46-106.25), histories with abnormal pregnancy or reproduction (OR=11.88, 95%CI: 9.14-15.45), having birth defects in the family (OR=6.15, 95%CI: 2.66-14.23), being twins (OR=5.74, 95% CI: 3.34-9.86), being worker (compared with others, OR=2.47, 95% CI: 1.30-4.68) or farmer (compared with others, OR=1.91, 95%CI: 1.14-3.20), less than 4 times of antenatal care (compared with >7, OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.28-2.64), occupational exposure to related risks during pregnancy (OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.26-2.42), mother's hometown was from mid-part of Shaanxi (compared with northern Shaanxi, OR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.20-2.28), mother's native residence was from the rural areas (OR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.13-2.71), drug use (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.26-2.13) etc. were risk factors for congenital malformation of body surface. Iron supplement during pregnancy (OR=0.46, 95%CI: 0.21-0.99) appeared as protective factor for congenital malformation of body surface. Conclusion: The following factors seemed to be of risk for congenital malformation of body surface, including: mother's native area was from the middle part of Shaanxi and living in rural area, being worker or farmer, histories of abnormal pregnancy and reproduction, history of birth defects in the family, being twins, with antenatal care less than 4 times, occupational exposure to dangerous materials, drug use, intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy etc.