Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons^™

Advocating For A Care-Based Ethic: Stories Of Pregnancy And Birth From Caregivers Of Children With Down Syndrome, Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg, Nayma Sultana Mim

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Down syndrome (DS) impacts about 1 in every 640 childbirths in the United States. While quality of life has improved for people with DS, systemic inequities and deficit-based perceptions have persisted throughout history, with material impacts on people with DS and their caregivers. Researchers have documented how caregivers of children with DS have had negative experiences with healthcare providers and genetic counselors, whose biased views about DS translate into subtle and overt pressures. Few studies explicitly focus on the experiences of Caregivers of Color, multilingual families, as well as families with varying economic experiences who have children with DS. This …

Developing Antibodies Against Galectin-3 And Galectin-9 To Target Endometriosis, Ashleigh Burger, Noah Farnsworth, Jared J. Reisnouer, Cheyenne Vue

2026 Symposium

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by pelvic pain and the formation of endometrial-like tissue on the outside of the uterine lining. This condition affects nearly 10% of women across the globe and confirming whether someone has endometriosis requires visualization in surgery. While the specific causes of this disease remain unclear, the over-expression of the Galectins 3 and 9 in ectopic endometrial tissues suggests a role in the development and maintenance of the condition. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are highly specific proteins with potential as diagnostic or treatment tools. The goal of this study is to generate antibodies against Gal3 and Gal9. …

Risk Of Gestational Diabetes By Aerobic And Resistance Exercise During The First And Second Trimesters, Takaki Tanamoto, George Saade, Leryn J. Reynolds, Tetsuya Kawakita

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective

While some studies have shown that exercise reduces the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), there is limited evidence on whether aerobic or resistance exercise is more beneficial. This study aimed to examine the rate of GDM according to the type of exercise during early pregnancy.

Study design

We analyzed data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be (nuMoM2b), a prospective cohort of individuals enrolled during the first and second trimesters. We excluded participants with pregestational diabetes or delivery < 20 weeks. The primary exposure was either aerobic or resistance exercises in the first or second trimester. For each trimester, the metabolic equivalent of task hours per week (MET-h/week) was calculated for each exercise. Participants were grouped as follows: "Aerobic exercise" (≥7.5 MET-h/week from aerobic exercises), "Resistance exercise" (≥2 times/week from resistance exercises), "Both types of exercise" (≥7.5 MET-h/week from aerobic exercise and ≥2 times/week from resistance exercises), and "Insufficient exercise" (≤7.5 MET-h/week from aerobic exercise and ≤2 times/week from resistance exercises). Our primary outcome was GDM. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using modified Poisson regression, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

In both the first and second trimesters, analyses included 9049 individuals. In the first trimester, individuals who performed …

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 …

Considerations For The Analysis Of Urinary Environmental Chemical Concentrations During Pregnancy, Danielle R. Stevens, Kaleigh Hinton, Katie M. O'Brien, Jessie P. Buckley, Barrett M. Welch, Jason A. Watts, Antonia M. Calafat, Julianne C. Botelho, Elena Sinkovskaya, Ann Przybylska, George Saade, Alfred Abuhamad, Kelly K. Ferguson

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background:

Pregnancy physiology may impact indicators of hydration, affecting exposure assessment in gestational studies with urinary chemical biomarkers.

Methods:

We aimed to characterize hydration and demonstrate the impact of different methods for standardizing urinary chemical biomarker concentrations on exposure descriptives in the Human Placenta and Phthalates Study (n = 303, 2017-2020), a prospective pregnancy cohort with eight study visits between 12 and 38 weeks of gestation. We assessed trajectories and predictors of hydration using urine flow rate (UFR) and specific gravity (SG). Likewise, we examined trajectories and predictors of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), for which concentrations were unstandardized or standardized via …

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 …

Analyzing Early Medieval Perspectives Of Fetal Development, Nivedha Srinivasan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines early medieval perspectives of fetal development by analyzing two manuscripts: British Library, Cotton Tiberius A III and Leiden University, Vossianus lat. Q69. This study will investigate how knowledge of pregnancy was shared throughout England before the establishment of universities. Interest in medieval reproductive language has piqued in importance in recent years, especially due to modern legal debates surrounding reproductive rights. By examining descriptions of the nine months of fetal development in these two manuscripts, as well as in widely known earlier medical texts like Pliny’s Natural History and Vindicianus’ Gynaecia, this research explores how monastic writers in …

Prepregnancy Overweight And Obesity In Kuwait Birth Cohort Study, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Ali H. Ziyab, Eelaf A. Husain, Maryam M.Y. Mohammad, Maryem A. Shamsah, Noor Salah Alali, Reem Sharaf-Alddin, Majeda S. Hammoud

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of prepregnancy obesity and overweight, and to identify a set of sociodemographic factors that could guide weight management interventions for women prior to conception.

Design, Sample, and Measurements: Pregnant women (N = 989) were recruited in the Kuwait Birth Cohort Study during the period June 2017 to February 2020. Prepregnancy weight and height were self-reported, while current weight and height were measured in a standardized procedure. Data on sociodemographic factors were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted by a trained data collector. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the association between sociodemographic …

Acute Fatty Liver Of Pregnancy And Fetal Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders: A Systematic Review, Dante Varotsis, Sarah Araji, Rebecca Horgan, Jennifer E. Powel, Rodney Mclaren Jr., Brian Kirmse, Mona Makhamreh, Huda B. Al-Kouatly

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the association between maternal acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and fetal fatty acid oxidation (FAO) disorders and to define the clinical and genetic characteristics of mothers with AFLP and their fetuses affected by FAO disorders, we performed a systematic literature review of all reported cases of AFLP that underwent genetic testing for FAO disorders.

DATA SOURCES:

We searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Terms included were related to AFLP and FAO testing.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:

We conducted a systematic literature review from inception through May 18, 2025, to evaluate the …

Micrornas Regulated By Pregnancy Target Antiviral And Cancer Immunity Overlapping With The Hiv Interactome, Paula F. T. Cezar-De-Mello, Jonathan M. Dreyfuss, Pai-Lien Chen, Hidemi Yamamoto, Xiaoming Gao, Hui Pan, Charles Morrison, Gustavo F. Doncel, Robert L. Barbieri, Raina N. Fichorova

CONRAD Publications

Innate immunity predictors of HIV-1 risk and pathogenesis vary with reproductive hormones, pregnancy, and lactation, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that pregnancy-associated physiological adaptations alter systemic microRNA (miRNA) expression, thereby regulating immunity, pathogenesis and susceptibility to infection. We analyzed 174 serum samples from 88 participants in a longitudinal cohort from Uganda and Zimbabwe across pre-pregnancy (PP), pregnancy (P), and postpartum breastfeeding (BF). Cell-free peripheral blood miRNAs (n = 2083) were profiled using HTG EdgeSeq. Pregnancy-specific miRNAs were identified by intersecting differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs from P vs. PP and P vs. BF comparisons. miRNA targets and pathways …

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 …

Small For Gestational Age Subgroups Have Differential Morbidity, Growth, And Neurodevelopment At Age 2: The Interbio-21st Newborn Study, Aris T. Papageorghiou, María C. Restrepo-Ménde, Rose Mcgready, Fernando C. Barros, Francois Nosten, Shama Munim, Roseline Ochieng, Rachel Craik, Hellen C. Barsosio, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Background: Small for gestational age is a complex perinatal syndrome associated with increased neonatal morbidity, mortality, and impaired childhood growth and neurodevelopment. Current classifications rely primarily on birthweight, which does not capture the heterogeneity of the condition nor predict long-term health outcomes. Here we aim to identify and characterize distinct small for gestational age subgroups and assess their neonatal and early childhood health trajectories.
Objective: To refine the classification of small for gestational age by identifying subgroups based on maternal, fetal, and environmental factors and evaluating their associations with neonatal morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopment at age 2.
Study design: Prospective …

Scalable Long-Read Nanopore Hpv16 Amplicon-Based Whole-Genome Sequencing, Maina Titus, David Giesbrecht, Cliff Oduor, Kapten Muthoka, Karamoko Niaré, Rebecca Crudale, Abebe Fola, Sin Hui, Isaac Kim Jr., Elkanah Orang'o

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) drives precursor cervical lesions that often progress to cervical cancer (CC). Variation within the HPV16 genome has been associated with CC risk. Here, we developed an affordable and portable amplicon-based long-read whole genome sequencing (WGS) approach using Oxford Nanopore Technologies to investigate HPV16 genetic diversity among women in sub-Saharan African countries. Applied to a control CaSki cell line and clinical samples (n = 12), our method generated complete HPV16 genomes at high coverage (median read coverage: 5,899–15,279 ×). Benchmarking our HPV16 controls showed high accuracy for two variant calling pipelines (Clair3 and PEPPER-Margin DeepVariant). Phylogenetic analysis …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Bibliometric Analysis Of Congenital Toxoplasmosis: A Ten-Year (2013-2023) Review Of Research Publications, Festus Mulakoli, Horatius Musembi, Ann Kimani

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background:Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, infects more than one-third of the global population and causes toxoplasmosis, which can lead to severe fetal complications in pregnant women. The global prevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in pregnant women is 33.8%, with regional variations and risk factors, including the consumption of undercooked meat, exposure to cat feces, and consumption of contaminated water. Pregnant women lack sufficient awareness of these risk factors, necessitating enhanced education, regular screening, and counseling during antenatal care for early detection and management.

Aim: This study performed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on congenital toxoplasmosis published between 2013 …

The Influence Of Scientific, Genetic, And Health Literacy On Carrier Screening Decision-Making, Brenna D. Albracht

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

For those wishing to assess their reproductive risks and make informed decisions in their reproductive planning, carrier screening for autosomal recessive and X-linked conditions, as well as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening for aneuploidy, are recommended during pregnancy. Despite similarities in purpose, sample requirements, insurance coverage, and safety, a lower percentage of individuals elect carrier screening than cfDNA screening, suggesting there may be a disconnect in what patients perceive as valuable information for their pregnancy. Previous studies have attempted to explain the factors associated with carrier screening uptake or decline; however, no models have yet accounted for a patient’s literacy level …

Evaluating Triage To Genetic Counseling Using An Online Reproductive Genetics Module, Grace Ra

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends genetic screening for all pregnant women. As clinical recommendations broaden and demand for prenatal screening increases, obstetric practitioners report time constraints and lack of genetics knowledge as challenges to providing sufficient pretest education. These challenges in offering routine screening are further compounded by the inequities in access to genetic counseling and testing. Thus, alternative education and service delivery models have emerged to meet the demands for prenatal genetics education and help mitigate challenges surrounding access. At UTHealth Houston, an online triage and education module, the Prenatal Genetics Education Program (PGEP), was created …

A Comprehensive Literature Review Of Barriers To Hormone Therapy Utilization: Strategies For Improving Menopause Management In Women Aged 40-60, Suhan Lee

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Menopause is a natural transition marked by the cessation of ovarian activity, often accompanied by vasomotor symptoms (VMS), genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), and psychological changes that significantly impact women’s quality of life. Hormone therapy (HT) has been the primary treatment for managing menopausal symptoms, particularly VMS, providing substantial relief when initiated within 10 years of menopause. Despite its effectiveness, HT usage has declined dramatically over the past two decades primarily due to barriers such as stigma, safety, misinformation, provider hesitancy, financial barriers, and cultural beliefs. This comprehensive literature review explores key factors influencing HT decision-making, including the media’s role …

A Pioneering Artificial Intelligence Tool To Predict Treatment Outcomes In Ovarian Cancer Via Diagnostic Laparoscopy, Xiaotian Ma, Yu-Chun Hsu, Amma Asare, Kai Zhang, Deanna Glassman, Katelyn F Handley, Katherine Foster, Khwahish Sharma, Shannon Westin, Amir Jazaeri, Nicole D Fleming, Pratip K Bhattacharya, Xiaoqian Jiang, Anil K Sood, Shayan Shams

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Ovarian cancer is associated with high rates of patient mortality and morbidity. Laparoscopic assessment of tumor localization can be used for treatment planning in newly diagnosed high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). While spread to multiple intra-abdominal areas is correlated with worse outcomes, whether other morphological tumor differences are also associated with patient outcomes is unknown. Given the large volume of visual information in laparoscopic videos, we investigated whether deep-learning models can capture implicit features and predict treatment outcomes. We developed a novel deep-learning framework using pre-treatment laparoscopic images to assess clinical outcomes following upfront standard treatment, defined as short progression-free …

Molecular Subtyping Of Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy, Michal Elovitz, Elaine Gee, Nathaniel Delaney-Busch, Alison Moe, Mitsu Reddy, Arkady Khodursky, Johnny La, Ilma Abbas, Kay Mekaru, Hunter Collins, Farooq Siddiqui, Rory Nolan, Rupsa Boelig, Daniel Kiefer, Pamela Simmons, George Saade, Antonio Saad, Ebony Carter, Thomas Mcelrath, Stephen Quake, Mark Depristo, Carrie Haverty, Manfred Lee, Eugeni Namsaraev, Vincenzo Berghella, Ai-Ris Collier, Antonia Frolova, Esther Park-Hwang, Luis Pacheco, Elizabeth Sutton, Maneesh Jain, Kara Rood, William A Grobman, Joseph Biggio, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, Arun Jeyabalan, Morten Rasmussen

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), including preeclampsia, affect 1 in 6 pregnancies, are major contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality, yet lack precision medicine strategies. Analyzing transcriptomic data from a prospectively-collected diverse cohort (n = 9102), this study reveals distinct RNA subtypes in maternal blood, reclassifying clinical HDP phenotypes like early/late-onset preeclampsia. The placental gene PAPPA2 strongly predicts the most severe forms of preeclampsia in individuals without pre-existing high risk factors, months before symptoms, and its overexpression correlates with earlier delivery in a dose-dependent manner. Further, molecular subtypes characterized by immune genes are upregulated in less severe forms of HDP. …

Characterizing Kmt2d In Endometrial Cancer, Katherine R. Davanzo

Medical Student Research Symposium

Endometrial cancer is rising in incidence in the United States, notably among premenopausal women. This increase and the trend of delayed childbearing warrant the need for further advancement in fertility-sparing treatment for endometrial cancer. A gene left widely unexplored in its possible clinical utility as a target for fertility-sparing treatment is KMT2D, a lysine-specific methyltransferase and tumor suppressor. Preliminary gene set enrichment analysis on a 12Z endometriotic epithelial cell line identified TIMP3 as a gene that is possibly regulated by KMT2D expression. TIMP3 encodes an irreversible inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a well-recognized class of proteins as contributing to the …

Uterine Pgrmc2 Deficiency Attenuates Endometrial Hyperplasia And Cancer And Prolongs Lifespan In A Pten Loss-Of-Function-Induced Cancer Model, Nicole C Kelp, Cindy A Pru, Sandeep Paudel, John P Lydon, J Julie Kim, John J Peluso, James K Pru

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The expression of members of the progesterone receptor membrane component (PGRMC) family, particularly PGRMC1, is elevated in diverse types of cancers, particularly those of the female reproductive system. While xenograft tumor studies using human transformed cell lines in immunocompromised mice have suggested that PGRMC1 enhances tumor growth and chemoresistance, the exact role of members of the PGRMC family in cancer development in vivo remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of deleting Pgrmc2 on the development of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer using a murine phosphatase and tensin homologue (Pten) conditional loss-of-function model. We previously established that …

Bevacizumab Beyond Progression: Impact Of Subsequent Bevacizumab Re-Treatment In Patients With Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, And Peritoneal Cancer After Progression, Amma Asare, Rebecca Ann Previs, Daniel Spinosa, Bryan Fellman, Amelia L Scott, Isabelle Mulder, May Mahmoud, Ahmed Enbaya, Jean Hansen Siedel, Lauren Cobb, Pamela T Soliman, Anil K Sood, Robert L Coleman, Angeles Alvarez Secord, Shannon N Westin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: This study evaluated whether patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal carcinoma (OC) who are immediately re-treated with bevacizumab derive benefit after disease progression on a bevacizumab-containing regimen.

Methods: This multi-institutional, retrospective study compared patients with high grade non-mucinous epithelial OC who received bevacizumab followed directly by another bevacizumab-containing treatment regimen to patients who received bevacizumab followed by a regimen that did not contain bevacizumab (or received no further treatment). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan Meier product-limit estimator and modeled via Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results: Among 226 patients with OC …

Effect Of Routine Third Trimester Ultrasounds On Maternal Mental Health In Low-Risk Population In Utah, Claire Z. Zai, Priyanka R. Purohit, Emily M. Snyder, Bryson M. Mcadams, Daniela A. Betancourt-Martinez, Donna O. Van Beuge, Maria N. Easler, Makayla A. Muzinic, Carlos E. Angulo

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: One in five pregnant women in the United States experience a maternal mental health condition. Within Utah from 2018-2022, during pregnancy, 22.7% of women experienced depression and 31.6% experienced anxiety, and 15.1% experienced postpartum depression. These data represent a prevalence higher than the national average. Third trimester ultrasound (TTUS) is not a standard of care performed in the United States currently. Previous TTUS research has mainly focused on the financial burden and birth outcomes rather than maternal mental health. Literature on first trimester ultrasound has demonstrated a notable impact on maternal mental health, but these outcomes within the third …

Congenital Rickets, Melissa Intriago

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Ramadan Fasting During Pregnancy On Pregnancy And Birth Outcomes: An Umbrella Review, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Md Estiar Rahman, May Salama, Ali H. Ziyab, Wilfried Karmaus

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

Despite a large number of primary research studies, and systematic and narrative reviews, there is no consensus on the impact of fasting during Ramadan while pregnant on pregnancy and birth outcomes. Currently, there is no evidence-based guideline for Muslim women regarding Ramadan fasting during pregnancy and clinicians cannot provide firm recommendations.

Objectives

To review the current evidence regarding the impact of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy on pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Search Strategy

We conducted an umbrella review of all systematic and narrative reviews examining the impacts of fasting during Ramadan while pregnant on pregnancy and birth outcomes by searching …

Association Of Prenatal Exposure To Phthalates And Phenols With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes, Misa Hayasaka, Diana Aboukhater, George Saade, Tetsuya Kawakita

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the association between prenatal exposures to phthalates and phenols and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth weight, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS:

This study analyzed data from the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes consortium, which harmonized longitudinal data on more than 30,000 pregnancies and 57,000 children from 69 cohorts across the United States and Puerto Rico. Pregnancy outcomes included PTB, SGA, and GDM, identified from medical records or self-reports. Generalized estimating equations models with Poisson distribution and robust variance were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs per interquartile …

Association Between The Intensity Of Exercise In The First Trimester And Early Second Trimester And The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes, Takaki Tanamoto, Misa Hayasaka, Tetsuya Kawakita

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Objective

Although some studies show that exercise decreases the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the optimal exercise intensity during pregnancy remains unclear. We examined GDM risk according to exercise intensity in pregnant individuals.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers‐to‐Be (nuMoM2b), a prospective study enrolling nulliparous individuals in the first trimester. Participants with pregestational diabetes or delivery before 20 weeks were excluded. Exercise intensity during the first (6–13 weeks’ gestation) and early second (16–21 weeks’ gestation) trimesters was categorized by metabolic equivalent of task hours per week (MET‐hr/week) as none, low intensity (< 7.5), moderate intensity (7.5–14.9), or high intensity (≥ 15). The primary outcome was GDM; secondary outcomes included preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm birth, small‐for‐gestational‐age birth, and stillbirth. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a generalized linear mixed‐effects model with a Poisson distribution and robust error variance, controlling for the random effects of individuals and potential confounders.

Results …

Protocol For Culturing Patient-Derived Organoids Of Cervical Cancer, Rui Wang, Timothy Harris, Dalissa Negrón-Figueroa, David Lo, Allison Judge, D'Shaunique Walters, Bo Jiang, Lauren E Colbert

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Herein, we present a protocol for culturing patient-derived organoids (PDOs) of cervical cancer that includes workflows for tumor biopsy/resection tissue and cytobrush-sampled cells. We describe steps for PDO culture initiation, including rinsing, gentle dissociation, Lymphoprep separation, and cell assessment, as well as seeding cells from surgical and cytobrush tissue digestion. We then provide guidance on PDO maintenance and passage and techniques for producing conditioned medium. Overall, this protocol serves as a valuable guide for establishing and maintaining cervical cancer PDOs. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Colbert et al.

Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells: Potential Factories Of Natural And Mimetic Strategies For Congenital Malformations, Cristiane S R Fonteles, Julia Enterria-Rosales, Ying Lin, John W Steele, Ramiro A Villarreal-Leal, Jing Xiao, Daniel I Idowu, Beck Burgelin, Bogdan J Wlodarczyk, Richard H Finnell, Bruna Corradetti

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from gestational tissues offer a promising avenue for prenatal intervention in congenital malformations although their application is hampered by concerns related to cellular plasticity and the need for invasive, high-risk surgical procedures. Here, we present naturally occurring exosomes (EXOs) isolated from amniotic fluid-derived MSCs (AF-MSCs) and their mimetic analogs (MIMs) as viable, reproducible, and stable alternatives. These nanovesicles present a minimally invasive therapeutic option, addressing the limitations of MSC-based treatments while retaining therapeutic efficacy.

METHODS: MIMs were generated from AF-MSCs by combining sequential filtration steps through filter membranes with different porosity and size exclusion …