Digital Commons Network^™

Urinary Cotinine Cut-Offs For Tobacco Smoke Exposure In Pregnancy And Associations With Child Intelligence Quotient: A Multi-Cohort Analysis, Yu Ni, Logan C Dearborn, Adam A Szpiro, Christine T Loftus, Qi Zhao, Nicole R Bush, Kaja Z Lewinn, Marnie F Hazlehurst, Thomas F Northrup, Penelope J E Quintana, Eunha Hoh, Georg Matt, Catherine J Karr

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke may impair neurodevelopment in children. However, accurately characterizing this exposure remains challenging.

Methods: We pursued two objectives in this large population study. First, in 1708 pregnant women from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) cohort, we constructed Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves to determine urinary cotinine cut-offs to classify firsthand (FHS), environmental (ETS), and no exposure, and further distinguished secondhand (SHS) from thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure within ETS. Second, among 1593 participants in three pregnancy cohorts nested in ECHO, we fit multivariable linear regressions to examine the association between the newly defined …

Promoting Maternal Health Through Community-Based Education: A Quality Improvement Initiative On Hypertension And Pregnancy Complications In An Outpatient Setting, Areli Mendez

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy remain one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal complications worldwide, particularly among underserved and minority populations. Spanish-speaking women often experience barriers related to language, limited health literacy, and reduced access to culturally appropriate education, which may delay the recognition of warning signs associated with pregnancy complications. Early education and awareness are essential to improve maternal outcomes and promote timely medical intervention.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally tailored educational intervention designed to improve maternal knowledge regarding hypertension during pregnancy …

An International Human Rights-Based Approach To Reducing Maternal Mortality And Enhancing Safe Motherhood In Africa, John Mukum Mbaku

San Diego International Law Journal

In 2015, the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) noted that almost fifteen years after the global community had agreed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which provided an important framework for economic and human development, significant progress has been made in several areas. However, the UNGA explained that many developing countries have not been able to achieve the MDGs, especially those goals related to maternal and reproductive health. Although the global maternal mortality rate has declined significantly, only 50% of pregnant women in developing countries receive the recommended minimum of four antenatal care visits. Additionally, complications suffered during pregnancy and childbirth …

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System In Preeclampsia: Pathophysiological Insights And Links To Vascular Dementia, Robin C. Finch, Jenny Lutshumba, Elizabeth Mirsky, Esther Ndashaala, Kelsey Bullens, Emma Smith

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Pre-eclampsia, a condition characterized by new-onset hypertension during pregnancy and one or more indices of organ damage, is a major driver of both short and long-term maternal health outcomes. Individuals with a history of pre-eclampsia are at increased risk for cardiovascular, renal, and other chronic diseases. Recent studies have linked pre-eclampsia history with increased risk of dementia later in life, underscoring the importance of new guidelines emphasizing blood pressure control to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, neither mechanisms underlying causes of pre-eclampsia nor their links with cognitive function are well understood. Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia …

Early Postnatal Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing In The Identification Of Perinatal Transmission Of Hepatitis C Virus, Mona Prasad, Grecio J Sandoval, George R Saade, Brenna L Hughes, Rebecca G Clifton, Uma M Reddy, Anna Bartholomew, Ashley Salazar, Edward K Chien, Alan T N Tita, John M Thorp, Torri D Metz, Ronald J Wapner, Vishakha Sabharwal, Hyagriv N Simhan, Geeta K Swamy, Kent D Heyborne, Baha M Sibai, William A Grobman, Yasser Y El-Sayed, Brian M Casey, Samuel Parry, George A Macones

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In this study, a single hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA at 2-6 months was sensitive and specific (86.7% and 95% confidence interval [CI], 62.1%-96.3% and 100% and 95% CI, 98.8%-100%, respectively) in identifying perinatal transmission of HCV. No cases of perinatal infection requiring treatment were missed.

Fathers, Futures, And Fragile Contexts: Men’S Intergenerational Perspectives On Pregnancy In A Low-Income South African Setting, Urlridge A. Thompson, Johanni Beukes, Michelle Leal, Stephanie Alcock, Stephen Lye, Shane A. Norris, Catherine Draper

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Men’s involvement in their partner’s pregnancy in low-income South African settings is influenced by a complex interplay of contextual factors that influence the nature and extent of their participation. The confluence of these factors contributes to limiting men’s adoption of an intergenerational perspective of their partner’s pregnancy. The adoption of an intergenerational perspective by men may enhance outcomes for maternal and child health, but it remains understudied. This qualitative study explored intergenerational perspectives of men in Soweto, South Africa, regarding their partners’ pregnancies. An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach was employed. We conducted in-depth individual interviews with 19 male partners (fathers …

Maternal Myo-Inositol Intake And Congenital Heart Defects In Offspring: A Population-Based Case-Control Study, Ruiqi Cen, L Joseph Su, Jun Ying, Mohammed S Orloff, Elijah H Bolin, Xiangyang Lou, Lynn M Almli, Lorenzo D Botto, Marilyn L Browne, Richard H Finnell, Mary M Jenkins, Eirini Nestoridi, Andrew F Olshan, Paul A Romitti, Gary M Shaw, Wendy N Nembhard

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: To investigate associations between maternal periconceptional (three months prior through the third pregnancy month) myo-inositol intake and the odds of selected congenital heart defects in offspring.

Design: A population-based case-control study using the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) database.

Setting: United States.

Population or sample: Women with singleton live births without major birth defects (controls) and women with singleton live births, stillbirths, or terminations with selected nonsyndromic congenital heart defects (CHD; cases).

Methods: Descriptive analyses, logistic regression models, ascertainment of myo-inositol intake from supplements and food using a shortened food frequency questionnaire and survey.

Main outcome measures: Odds …

Transcriptomics And Metabolomics Analysis Reveal Cell Subpopulations Of Trophoblast Cells Associated With Preeclampsia, Xiaojun Zhu, Ying Jiang, Lilin Wang, Peiyue Jiang, Zixing Zhong, Hetong Li, Caihong Zheng, Lujiao Chen, Juan Wei, Xishi Lin, Peng Ding, Zehua Dong, Xiaosheng Wang, Qiong Luo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Placental abnormalities are central to preeclampsia (PE), yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this dysfunction remain unclear. We applied a multi-layered, integrative approach to investigate placental tissue from patients with PE and matched controls. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq; GSE173193) and bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq; GSE203507) datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. The scRNA-seq dataset included two PE and two control samples, whereas the bulk RNA-seq dataset focused on eight early-onset PE and five uncomplicated term births. Trophoblast subpopulations were identified via scRNA-seq, and pseudotime analysis was used to trace differentiation trajectories. Differential expression and pathway enrichment …

Antenatal Prediction Of Early Cord Clamping Among Infants Born Extremely Preterm, Anup C Katheria, Rebecca A Dorner, William A Grobman, Matthew A Rysavy, Jenny Koo, Myra H Wyckoff, Grecio Sandoval, Sara B Demauro, Abhik Das, Henry C Lee, Michael Cotten, Laura Calvo, Shampa Saha

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: To identify prenatal risk factors associated with early cord clamping (ECC) in infants born extremely preterm (22-28 weeks) and to use these factors to predict which infants have the highest risk of ECC.

Study design: Stepwise logistic regression and classification and regression tree analysis were performed to identify variables most associated with ECC and to build a parsimonious model to identify infants born preterm who are at the highest risk of ECC.

Results: There were 12 622 infants eligible for analysis (ECC, n = 8465 vs deferred cord clamping [DCC], n = 4157). In the classification and regression tree …

Women With Moderate Anaemia Prior To Conception Benefited Most From Nutrition Interventions: A Secondary Analysis Of The Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial, Sumera Aziz Ali, Ka Kahe, Jeanine Genkinger, Linda Valeri, Sarah Saleem, Saleem Jessani, Robert Goldenberg, Jamie Westcott, Jennifer Kemp, Ana Garces, Lester Figueroa, Shivaprasad Goudar, Sangappa Dhaded, Richard Derman, Antoinette Tshefu Kitoto, Adrien Lokangaka, Melissa Bauserman, Elizabeth Mcclure, Marion Koso-Thomas, Louise Kuhn, Nancy Krebs

Global Health Articles

INTRODUCTION: The Women First (WF) Preconception Maternal Nutrition trial found greater benefits of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) for intrauterine growth among anaemic versus non-anaemic women at preconception. We investigated whether the benefits of SQ-LNS in improving markers of intrauterine growth occurred evenly across the mild to moderate spectrum of pre-pregnancy anaemia.

METHODS: We analysed WF data (n=2443 maternal-newborn dyads) from Pakistan, India, Guatemala and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Women received SQ-LNS either ≥3 months preconception through pregnancy (Arm 1); starting in the late first trimester (Arm 2); or not at all (Arm 3: control), with all supplementations discontinued …

Severe Hypertriglyceridemia (Htg) In Pregnancy, Especially With Nephrotic Syndrome, Alexis Lopez Cruz, Praise Ohabor, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

The Association Between The Degree Of Social Vulnerability And Maternal Anemia And Other Adverse Perinatal Outcomes, Rubymel J. Knupp, Christina T. Blanchard, Ariann Nassel, Ashley Shea, Lindsay S. Robbins, Jeff M. Szychowski, Ashley N. Battarbee, Akila Subramaniam

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective

Maternal anemia in pregnancy is associated with many adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. The role of social determinants of health (SDOH) in the development of maternal anemia and other adverse outcomes is continually evolving. One such newer tool, the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), measures an individual's community-level SDOH, with higher SVI denoting higher vulnerability. Our objective was to evaluate the association between SVI, maternal anemia, and other adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of pregnant individuals delivering singletons at a gestational age ≥23 weeks at a single center from 2014 to 2018. Patients with sickle cell disease, …

Evaluating The Mediating Role Of Gestational Phthalate And Replacement Biomarkers In The Associations Between Race/Ethnicity And Birthweight, Amir J. Lueth, Danielle R. Stevens, Sarahna A. Moyd, Elena Sinkovskaya, Ann Przybylska, Antonia M. Calafat, Julianne C. Botelho, George Saade, Alfred Abuhamad, Kelly K. Ferguson

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Gestational exposure to phthalates is higher among non-Hispanic black (NHB) women than non-Hispanic white (NHW) women and may contribute to racial/ethnic differences in birthweight z-scores.

Objective

We aimed to investigate whether gestational phthalate and replacement biomarkers mediate the association between race/ethnicity and birthweight z-scores.

Methods

We analyzed data from 271 pregnancies in the Human Placenta and Phthalates study, a prospective cohort recruited from 2017 to 2020. Urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations were measured at up to eight time points during pregnancy and averaged to represent gestational exposure. Metabolites were grouped by parent compound. Linear regression models estimated associations in phthalate …

Vitamin D Status During Pregnancy Modulates The Effect Of Pre-Pregnancy Obesity On Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Risk: A Birth Cohort Study, Ali H. Ziyab, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Reem Al-Sabah, Majeda S. Hammoud, Saeed Akhtar

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objective:

To determine whether gestational vitamin D status modulates the effect of pre-pregnancy obesity on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk while stratifying by maternal age.

Design:

Birth cohort.

Setting:

A major maternity hospital in Kuwait.

Participants:

Pregnant women in their second/third trimester of gestation were enrolled. Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) was categorized as under/normal weight (< 25.0), overweight (25.0 to < 30.0), and obesity (≥30.0). Gestational 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were categorized as deficiency (< 50 nmol/L) or insufficiency/sufficiency (≥50 nmol/L). GDM status was ascertained according to international guidelines. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression.

Results:

Data from 957 pregnant women were analyzed, with GDM affecting 166 (17.4%) pregnancies. Pre-pregnancy obesity and gestational vitamin D deficiency was ascertained in 275 (28.7%) and 533 (55.7%) pregnant women, respectively. The association between pre-pregnancy obesity and GDM risk differed according …

Promoting Maternal And Infant Health In Franklin County, Ky: A Community-Based Physical Activity And Education Intervention, Subin Kim

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Maternal and infant health outcomes are key indicators of population health, yet persistent disparities exist in rural communities across the United States. In Kentucky, Franklin County reflects this pattern, with concerning maternal and infant health indicators despite relatively favorable socioeconomic conditions. Identified challenges include elevated rates of poor physical and mental health days, high drug overdose mortality, provider shortages, and ongoing reproductive health concerns such as tobacco use during pregnancy and increased infant mortality associated with elevated maternal body mass index.

To address these gaps, a three-pronged, community-based prenatal and postpartum physical activity and education program is proposed. The program …

Alignment Of The Planetary Health Diet With Pregnancy Dietary Guidelines: Insights From Two Cohorts, Aoife Davis, Sophie Callanan, Gillian A. Corbett, Eileen C. O’Brien, Alexander Douglass, Fionnuala M. Mcauliffe

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The Planetary Health Diet (PHD) is a mostly plant-based diet that aims to optimise human health whilst minimising the environmental impact of food production. Limited data exists on whether the PHD fulfils key nutritional requirements during pregnancy. This research aimed to examine the PHD in early pregnancy and how it aligns with daily nutrient intake and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) dietary guidelines. Pregnant women (n=678) from two Irish cohorts (ROLO and MicrobeMom) were analysed. Dietary intakes in early pregnancy were determined using a 3-day food diary and used to calculate PHD Index (PHDI) scores. Women were dichotomised by the …

Exploring Pregnancy-Related Empowerment And Person-Centered Prenatal Care In Black Pregnant And Postpartum Women In Alabama, Lauren Milam

Dissertations

Black women in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality and often report feeling unheard, dismissed, or excluded from decision-making during pregnancy and childbirth. Understanding how Black women experience prenatal care and how those experiences relate to empowerment during pregnancy is essential for improving care and addressing persistent inequities. This study examined the relationship between person-centered prenatal care and pregnancy-related empowerment and explored Black women’s prenatal care experiences in Alabama using a sequential Quan → QUAL mixed methods design. In the quantitative phase, relationships among person-centered prenatal care, pregnancy-related empowerment, and care-related factors were examined …

Seasonal And Geographic Patterns Of Gastroschisis In Canada: Protective Effect Of Periconceptional Sunlight Exposure, Shiliang Liu, Shin Jie Yong, Dunjin Chen, Gavin C. Hughes, Claude L. Hughes

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Gastroschisis is a right-sided, full-thickness defect with extra-amnionic herniation of abdominal contents directly into the amniotic cavity. The causes of gastroschisis remain obscure. We hypothesized that limited periconceptional sunlight exposure might lead to insufficient vitamin D during fetal development and play a role in gastroschisis etiology.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study of infants conceived in Canada between April 2006 and March 2020. We used winter months (i.e., November and December) and northern geographic latitudes as indicators of insufficient sunlight exposure, while summer months (July and August) and southern geographic latitudes were considered as reference. We examined the …

Risk Factors Associated With Delayed Secretory Activation In A Cohort Of Nulliparous Women In Western Australia, Cassandra Cuffe, Giglia, Julie Hill, Matthew N. Cooper, Anita M. Moorhead, Joshua R. Lewis, Deborah Ireson, Therese A. O’Sullivan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Delayed secretory activation can negatively impact maternal and child health through increasing the risk of early cessation of breastfeeding. Early cessation of breastfeeding is known to be associated with increased health risks. Aim: To determine the occurrence of, and risk factors associated with, delayed secretory activation in nulliparous women in Western Australia. Methods: This analysis used a subset of participants (n = 183) enrolled in a multicentre trial. Nulliparous low-risk pregnant women were enrolled between 28–32 weeks’ gestation and followed until 1 week after birth. The association between self-reported delayed secretory activation status (onset 4 days or more postpartum) …

Characteristics Of Women Who Fast During Pregnancy: Findings From The Kuwait Birth Cohort Study, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Ali H. Ziyab, Reem Al Sabah, Ahmed N. Albatineh, James Blando, Majeda S. Hammoud

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Fasting during pregnancy is a widespread practice in Muslim communities, yet its health implications remain poorly understood. A lack of conceptual frameworks and limited understanding of the characteristics of women who fast during pregnancy have hindered research in this area. This study examines the differences in several nutritional biomarkers between women who fasted and those who did not and identifies factors associated with fasting behaviour. We analysed data from the Kuwait Birth Cohort in which information on fasting, sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviours was collected via structured interviews between 2017 and 2021. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted from medical …

Examining The Association Of Maternal Oral Health Experiences With Adverse Birth Outcomes: Findings From Virginia's Prams Survey, May Salama, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Denise C. Mckinney, Li-Wu Chen, Anwar T. Merchant

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

Preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) are significant public health challenges globally, contributing to neonatal morbidity, mortality, and long-term complications. Maternal oral health has been increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to PTB and LBW, yet there is inconclusive evidence about the effectiveness of dental cleaning in preventing PTB and LBW. This study examined the association between dental cleaning during pregnancy and the prevalence of PTB and LBW using data from the Virginia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).

Methods

We analyzed data from Virginia PRAMS Phases 7 and 8, spanning a 10-year period from 2012 to …

Pregnancy And Breastfeeding Are Associated With Less Later-Life Cognitive Decline In A Longitudinal, Prospective Cohort, Molly M Fox, Jennifer E Bramen, Dayoon Kwon, Mark A Espeland, Yijia Sun, Li Zhang, Aladdin H Shadyab, Ramon Casanova, Joann E Manson, Marcus Y Chang, Verna R Porter, Leslie V Farland, Qian Xiao, Robert A Wild, Prabha Siddarth, Carolyn J Crandall

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: The brains of female mammals evolved to undergo structural and functional changes during pregnancy and lactation, equipping them for motherhood. However, long-term cognitive health implications of these adaptations in women are poorly understood.

Methods: In the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Memory Study (WHIMS; n = 7427) and WHI Study of Cognitive Aging (WHISCA; n = 2304), postmenopausal women completed reproductive history interviews, annual global cognitive assessment from mean age 70 for up to 13 years, and multi-domain cognitive testing for up to 8 years.

Results: Each additional month pregnant was associated with higher scores of global cognition. Each additional …

Understanding Practices Of Lactation And Infant Feeding Together With Women With Hiv: The Uplift Observational Study Protocol, Christiana Smith, Emily Anne Barr, Karen Hampanda, Mark Trumbull, Hulin Wu, Jennifer Mckinney, Sarah Buisson, Carly Hoffmann, Ciarra Brown, Angela B Hutchinson, K Rivet Amico, Ifeyinwa V Asiodu, Elizabeth J Mcfarland, Margaret A Lampe, Preetam A Cholli, Olga Varechtchouk, Allahna Esber, Athena P Kourtis, Lisa Abuogi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: There is a limited understanding of infant feeding decisions, practices, and outcomes for women living with HIV (WLHIV) and their infants since U.S. guidelines were updated in 2023 to support breastfeeding for virally suppressed women on antiretroviral treatment.

Methods and analysis: The Understanding Practices of Lactation and Infant Feeding Together with women with HIV (UPLIFT) study is a convergent mixed-methods, multisite, observational study designed to address key knowledge gaps. Twelve US sites will begin enrollment in early 2026 to accomplish three core activities (CA). In CA1, we explore infant feeding decision-making and experiences via in-depth interviews with pregnant/postpartum WLHIV …

Fundamental Rights Betrayed: How Pregnancy Exclusions In Advance Directive Statutes Silence Pregnant People’S Wishes, Molly Hill

American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law

INTRODUCTION: In 2013, Marlise Muñoz collapsed at her home and was rushed to the hospital, where the doctors informed her family that she had suffered a pulmonary embolism and was now brain-dead. Marlise had previously expressed to her family that she never wished to be kept on life support if she was left brain-dead, so her family wanted to honor her wishes. However, despite her irreversible brain death, because Marlise was fourteen weeks pregnant, Texas law required that her body remain on life-sustaining treatment until her fetus became viable. Her body lay in the hospital hooked up to machines against …

Estrogen Deprivation During Primate (Papio Anubis) Pregnancy: Impact On Systemic Microvascular Flow And Cardiovascular Development And Function After Birth In Offspring, Sifa Turan, Jeffery S. Babischkin, Graham W. Aberdeen, Gerald J. Pepe, Eugene D. Albrecht

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Suppressing estradiol (E₂) during baboon pregnancy lowers offspring skeletal muscle capillary density, vital for insulin-mediated glucose uptake, and induces insulin resistance. We examined whether E₂ deprivation also impairs microvascular flow and cardiac function.

Methods

Offspring of untreated baboons, letrozole-treated baboons, or letrozole plus E₂ (maternal s.c. injections during the second half of gestation) underwent contrast-enhanced microbubble ultrasonography to quantify microvessel flow and echocardiography to assess cardiac performance.

Results

Letrozole reduced maternal serum E₂ by 95% (p <  0.01). In letrozole offspring, microbubble flux rate (β) fell 55% (p <  0.02), replenishment was 5 s slower (p <  0.03), and microvessel flow declined 40% (p = 0.05); all were restored by added E₂. Indices of systolic (isovolumic contraction), diastolic (isovolumic relaxation), global performance (Tei index), and cardiac output were unchanged.

Conclusion

Prolonged gestational E₂ deprivation programs a reduction in microvascular flow without altering cardiac function; maternal E₂ prevents this, supporting E₂'s role in …

Baseline Exposure-Response Assessment Of Metals From Dried Blood Spots And Personal Household Air Pollution Concentrations Among Pregnant Women In Rwanda: Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial, Adolphe Ndikubwimana, Lisa De Las Fuentes, Victor G Dávila-Román, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Exposure to metals from the combustion of biomass via inhalation may result in negative health outcomes affecting a variety of organs and systems. Pregnant women cooking with biomass fuels may be exposed to metals, such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), and have unique risks for adverse health effects with potential impacts on the growing fetus. We assessed the associations between household air pollution and metals detected in dried blood spots from pregnant women at baseline in Rwanda.

METHODS: We analyzed data from 781 pregnant women aged 18-35 years who resided in rural households using biomass fuel and who …

The Effect Of Exercise On The Development Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus In Pregnancy: A Systematic Review Of Literature, Abigail Reiche

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize literature examining the relationship between using exercise as a preventative method for gestational diabetes development during pregnancy, and the effect it may have on lowering glycemic levels. Health Source: CINAHL and PubMed were systematically searched for peer-reviewed journal articles that studied pregnant women (P), and the relationship of consistent exercise (I), compared to no physical exercise (C), on lowering glycemic levels resulting in positive pregnancy outcomes (O), throughout gestation (T). Twenty articles were retrieved in accordance with the PICOT objectives. Additional criteria included only articles from 2019-2024 and articles that were …

Part Ii Common Questions And Misconceptions About Creatine Supplementation: What Does The Scientific Evidence Really Show?, Jose Antonio, Ann F Brown, Darren G Candow, Philip D Chilibeck, Stacey J Ellery, Scott C Forbes, Bruno Gualano, Andrew R Jagim, Chad Kerksick, Richard B Kreider, Sergej M Ostojic, Eric S Rawson, Michael D Roberts, Hamilton Roschel, Abbie E Smith-Ryan, Jeffrey R Stout, Mark A Tarnopolsky, Trisha A Vandusseldorp, Darryn S Willoughby, Tim N Ziegenfuss

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Creatine monohydrate supplementation (CrM) is a safe and effective intervention for improving certain aspects of sport, exercise performance, and health across the lifespan. Despite its evidence-based pedigree, several questions and misconceptions about CrM remain. To initially address some of these concerns, our group published a narrative review in 2021 discussing the scientific evidence as to whether CrM leads to water retention and fat accumulation, is a steroid, causes hair loss, dehydration or muscle cramping, adversely affects renal and liver function, and if CrM is safe and/or effective for children, adolescents, biological females, and older adults. As a follow-up, the purpose …

A Scoping Review Of Maternal Active Smoking During Pregnancy And Low-Birth Weight, Naomi Sondang, Nindi Oktavia, Qorinah Estiningtyas Sakilah Adnani, Lani Gumilang, Hadi Susiarno, Victor Abiola Adepoju

Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM)

Background: Low-birth weight (LBW; < 2.5 kg) infants are at increased risk of early mortality, impaired growth, neuro-developmental delay and chronic disease later in life. Maternal behavior, especially cigarette smoking, remains one of the most modifiable determinants of birth weight. We therefore synthesized recent evidence on the association between active maternal smoking during pregnancy and LBW.
Methods: Following PRISMA guidance, we systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect for the period January 2020 to 31 January 2025 for English-language observational studies that quantified the relationship between active prenatal smoking and LBW. Risk of bias was appraised, and findings were summarized narratively.
Results: In total 26,650 papers were found and eight eligible studies (four cohort, three cross-sectional, one case-control) from Asia, Europe and the Middle East were included. Across all designs and exposure metrics—self-report, exhaled carbon-monoxide, urinary cotinine, and cord-blood DNA-methylation, active smoking was consistently associated with …

The Use Of Alcohol-Free And Low-Alcohol Drinks In Pregnancy In The Uk, Kate Maslin, Heather Hopper, Jill Shawe

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Alcohol-free drinks [beers, ciders, wines, and spirits containing <0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV)], and lowalcohol drinks (between 0.05% and 1.2% ABV) are increasingly available and may be used as a harm reduction measure. However, it is not known what pregnant women think and feel about these drinks and how regularly they are consumed before and during pregnancy. A cross-sectional online survey was developed and piloted. Women ≥18 years in the UK who were pregnant, or recently pregnant, were recruited via targeted social media advertising. Of the 2092 respondents, 47.8% (n ¼ 1001) were currently pregnant; 55.7% (n ¼ 1167) were between 25 and 34 years, 90.0% were White (n ¼ 1881); 6.1% (n ¼ 128) were drinking alcohol at “increasing risk” levels (>14 units/week) before pregnancy. During pregnancy, 13.5% (n ¼ 282) consumed alcohol, which was more common in the increasing risk category (P < .01). Alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks were consumed by 71.3% (n ¼ 1491) of respondents during pregnancy; 91.4% of the increasing risk category versus 69.9% of the lower risk category (P < .01). The most common reasons for consuming alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks were “to choose a safer alternative” (71.9%, n ¼ 1073) and “to feel included in social events involving alcohol” (68.8%, n ¼ 1026). More than half of respondents (56.7%) thought there was insufficient information available about consuming alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks during pregnancy, with internet searching the primary source of information. Although alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks are commonly consumed during pregnancy, there are some safety concerns. Their role as a harm reduction measure in those who are drinking alcohol at increasing risk levels prepregnancy needs further investigation.