Expression of 8-oxoguanine Glycosylase in Human Fetal Membranes

Problem The most common DNA lesion generated by oxidative stress (OS) is 7, 8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) whose excision repair is performed by 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1). We investigated OGG1 expression changes in fetal membranes from spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM) and its changes in vitro in normal fetal membranes exposed to OS inducer water-soluble cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Method of study DNA damage was determined in amnion cells treated with CSE by comet and FLARE assays. OGG1 mRNA expression and localization in fetal membranes from clinical specimens and in normal term membranes exposed to CSE were examined by QRT-PCR and by immunohistochemistry. Results DNA strand and base damage was seen in amnion cells exposed to CSE. OGG1 expression was 2.5-fold higher in PTB samples compared with pPROM (P=0.045). No significant difference was seen between term and pPROM or PTB and term. CSE treatment showed a nonsignificant decrease in OGG1. OGG1 was localized to both amnion and chorion with less intense staining in pPROM and CSE-treated membranes. Conclusion Increased OS-induced DNA damage predominated by 8-oxoG is likely to persist in fetal cells due to reduced availability of base excision repair enzyme OGG1. This can likely lead to fetal cell senescence associated with some adverse pregnancy outcome.

Effects of therapeutic approach on the neonatal evolution of very low birth weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

O impacto do Método Mãe Canguru no processo de aprendizagem de prematuros de baixo peso: Revisão da literatura

Technology advances and scientific studies in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) have contributed significantly to reduce mortality and morbidity of at-risk newborns (NB). However, they are more likely to present neurological and/or developmental psychomotor delay with neurological and sensory alterations. Therefore, proposals for neonatal intervention were developed with the aim of protecting the baby and offering appropriate incentives to minimize the effects of hospital intervention. To this end, programs of protective measures such as the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) were developed. Given the relevance of the issue described, this systematic review critically appraises articles from the national and international literature, published in recent years (from 2000 to 2011), that describe whether the KMC can be a protective factor for the development of writing in premature infants. The textual search was conducted using the Virtual Health Library (VHL), a website that covers publications worldwide, allowing access to articles from health science, including LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and SciELO, as database. The findings revealed that infants who participated in the KMC program showed improvements in their development and that factors such as low-birth-weight prematurity and learning disorders have close relationship with the onset of motor impairments and changes in psychomotor development. The findings showed no articles describing the KMC as a protective factor for the incidence of dysgraphia. Thus, we emphasize the importance of conducting further studies on these topics.

Práticas e crenças parentais e comportamento de crianças nascidas pré-termo de muito baixo peso

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Adequacy of antenatal care and its relationship with low birth weight in Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil: a case-control study

Background: Birth weight reflects gestational conditions and development during the fetal period. Low birth weight (LBW) may be associated with antenatal care (ANC) adequacy and quality. The purpose of this study was to analyze ANC adequacy and its relationship with LBW in the Unified Health System in Brazil.Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2004 to 2008. Data were collected from secondary sources (the Live Birth Certificate), and primary sources (the official medical records of pregnant women). The study population consisted of two groups, each with 860 newborns. The case group comprised newborns weighing less than 2,500 grams, while the control group comprised live newborns weighing greater than or equal to 2,500 grams. Adequacy of ANC was evaluated according to three measurements: 1. Adequacy of the number of ANC visits adjusted to gestational age; 2. Modified Kessner Index; and 3. Adequacy of ANC laboratory studies and exams summary measure according to parameters defined by the Ministry of Health in the Program for Prenatal and Birth Care Humanization.Results: Analyses revealed that LBW was associated with the number of ANC visits adjusted to gestational age (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.32-2.34) and the ANC laboratory studies and exams summary measure (OR = 4.13, 95% CI 1.36-12.51). According to the modified Kessner Index, 64.4% of antenatal visits in the LBW group were adequate, with no differences between groups.Conclusions: Our data corroborate the association between inadequate number of ANC visits, laboratory studies and exams, and increased risk of LBW newborns. No association was found between the modified Kessner Index as a measure of adequacy of ANC and LBW. This finding reveals the low indices of coverage for basic actions already well regulated in the Health System in Brazil. Despite the association found in the study, we cannot conclude that LBW would be prevented only by an adequate ANC, as LBW is associated with factors of complex and multifactorial etiology. The results could be used to plan monitoring measures and evaluate programs of health care assistance during pregnancy, at delivery and to newborns, focusing on reduced LBW rates.

Cord blood cytokine levels in focal early-onset neonatal infection after preterm premature rupture of membranes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Perfil materno e dos recém-nascidos nascidos vivos na primeira década do século XXI em município do interior paulista com ênfase na prematuridade

The concern with infant mortality has been a priority in public policies, especially for Brazil to achieve the Millennium Development Goal number four: reducing child mortality by 75% by the year 2015. It is known that prematurity has an intimate relationship with mortality of children under one year and therefore it is necessary an effective intervention in risk factors linked to premature births. To evaluate the profile of mothers and newborn babies living in Botucatu-SP, in the period 2001 to 2009, focusing on prematurity. A quantitative study, retrospective, descriptive, epidemiological, from the Information System Newborn Alive. The prevalence of preterm births was 15.1%, and low birth weight 14.7%. Among infants, the Apgar score below 7 at 1 and at 5 minutes was 13.1% and 2.4% respectively. Considering the total of pregnant women studied, 20.3% were adolescents and 10.3% were aged 35 years or more and most (63.2%) had eight or more years of school approval. The profile of mothers of premature infants shows that 23.6% were teenagers, 14.1% had at least 35 years and 60.4% had at least primary education. With regard to premature deliveries, caesarean sections and 58.4% were between the total newborns, this type of delivery was achieved in 46.6% of cases. Prematurity was associated with an Apgar score below seven in the first and fifth minutes of life, presence of malformation and multiple pregnancy. Among maternal variables, prematurity was associated with extremes of maternal age, maternal education, history of stillbirth, primiparas, white and presence of the mother's partner. With regard to delivery was associated with cesarean section and outside the hospital. This study assessed maternal characteristics associated with prematurity and point out how relevant the pregnancies at the extremes of age and those that occur in women with low education level, indicating the interference... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Resultado perinatal de gestantes submetidos à busca ativa de infecção genital

Pós-graduação em Saúde Coletiva - FMB

There is no difference in nitric oxide metabolites and neonatal outcome between premature infants born to pre-eclamptic and those born to normotensive women

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evidence of Bos javanicus x Bos indicus hybridization and major QTLs for birth weight in Indonesian Peranakan Ongole cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetic analysis for gestation length, birth weight, weaning weight, and accumulated productivity in Nellore beef cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estimates of covariance functions for growth from birth to 630 days of age in Nelore cattle

Weight records of Brazilian Nelore cattle, from birth to 630 d of age, recorded every 3 mo, were analyzed using random regression models. Independent variables were Legendre polynomials of age at recording. The model of analysis included contemporary groups as fixed effects and age of dam as a linear and quadratic covariable. Mean trends were modeled through a cubic regression on orthogonal polynomials of age. Up to four sets of random regression coefficients were fitted for animals' direct and maternal, additive genetic, and permanent environmental effects. Changes in measurement error variances with age were modeled through a variance function. Orders of polynomial fit from three to six were considered, resulting in up to 77 parameters to be estimated. Models fitting random regressions modeled the pattern of variances in the data adequately, with estimates similar to those from corresponding univariate analysis. Direct heritability estimates decreased after birth and tended to be lowest at ages at which maternal effect estimates tended to be highest. Maternal heritability estimates increased after birth to a peak around 110 to 120 d of age and decreased thereafter. Additive genetic direct correlation estimates between weights at standard ages (birth, weaning, yearling, and final weight) were moderate to high and maternal genetic and environmental correlations were consistently high.

Risk factors for infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci in newborns from the neonatal unit of a brazilian university hospital

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Factors associated with red blood cell transfusions in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants in Brazilian neonatal units

Preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units frequently receive red blood cells (RBC) transfusions due to the anemia of prematurity. A number of variables related to gestational age, severity of illness and transfusion practices adopted in the neonatal unit where the neonate was born may contribute to the prescription of RBC transfusions. This study aimed to analyse the frequency and factors associated with RBC transfusions in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants. A prospective cohort of 4283 preterm infants (gestational age: 29.9 ± 2.9 weeks; birth weight: 1084 ± 275 g) carried out at 16 university hospitals in Brazil between January 2009 and December 2011 was analysed. Factors associated with RBC transfusions were evaluated using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 2208 (51.6%) infants received RBC transfusions (variation per neonatal unit: 34.1% to 66.4%). RBC transfusions were significantly associated with gestational age (OR: -1.098; 95%CI: -1.12 to -1.04), SNAPPE II score (1.01; 1.00-1.02), apnea (1.69; 1.34-2.14), pulmonary hemorrhage (2.65; 1.74-4.031), need for oxygen at 28 days of life (1.56; 1.17-2.08), clinical sepsis (3.22; 2.55-4.05), necrotising enterocolitis (3.80; 2.26-6.41), grades III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage (1.64; 1.05-2.58), mechanical ventilation (2.27; 1.74-2.97), use of umbilical catheter (1.86; 1.35-2.57), parenteral nutrition (2.06; 1.27-3.33), >60 days of hospitalization (5.29; 4.02-6.95) and the neonatal unit where the neonate was born. The frequency of RBC transfusions varied among neonatal intensive care units. Even after adjusting for adverse health conditions and therapeutic interventions, the neonatal unit continued to influence transfusion practices in very-low birth-weight infants.

Efeitos da prematuridade sobre o desenvolvimento de lactentes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioral aspects of infants relating them to prematurity. A total of 130 lactentes were evaluated every month during the first year of life, employing the Operational Portage Inventory . Group 1, 56 newborns with no life risk at birth and Group 2, 74 premature babies, those that was born until 37 gestation weeks. The outcomes obtained showed that the premature babies (Group 2) presented a totally different performance than Group 1 in 68% of the analyses made, especially for motor development, cognition and socialization. The outcomes are in accord to the ones obtained in the literature, which indicate prematurity as one of the most harmful proximal conditions for the development of infants.