Increased birth weight associated with regular pre-pregnancy deworming and weekly iron-folic acid supplementation for Vietnamese women

Background

Hookworm infections are significant public health issues in South-East Asia. In women of reproductive age, chronic hookworm infections cause iron deficiency anaemia, which, upon pregnancy, can lead to intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight. Low birth weight is an important risk factor for neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity.

Methodology

We investigated the association between neonatal birth weight and a 4-monthly deworming and weekly iron-folic acid supplementation program given to women of reproductive age in north-west Vietnam. The program was made available to all women of reproductive age (estimated 51,623) in two districts in Yen Bai Province for 20 months prior to commencement of birth weight data collection. Data were obtained for births at the district hospitals of the two intervention districts as well as from two control districts where women did not have access to the intervention, but had similar maternal and child health indicators and socio-economic backgrounds. The primary outcome was low birth weight.

Principal Findings

The birth weights of 463 infants born in district hospitals in the intervention (168) and control districts (295) were recorded. Twenty-six months after the program was started, the prevalence of low birth weight was 3% in intervention districts compared to 7.4% in control districts (adjusted odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.81, p = 0.017). The mean birth weight was 124 g (CI 68 - 255 g, p<0.001) greater in the intervention districts compared to control districts.

Conclusions/Significance

The findings of this study suggest that providing women with regular deworming and weekly iron-folic acid supplements before pregnancy is associated with a reduced prevalence of low birth weight in rural Vietnam. The impact of this health system-integrated intervention on birth outcomes should be further evaluated through a more extensive randomised-controlled trial.     

Long-term weekly iron-folic acid and de-worming is associated with stabilised haemoglobin and increasing iron stores in non-pregnant women in Vietnam

Background

The prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency in women remains high worldwide. WHO recommends weekly iron-folic acid supplementation where anaemia rates in non-pregnant women of reproductive age are higher than 20%. In 2006, a demonstration project consisting of weekly iron-folic acid supplementation and regular de-worming was set up in two districts in a northern province in Vietnam where anaemia and hookworm rates were 38% and 76% respectively. In 2008 the project was expanded to all districts in the province, targeting some 250,000 women. The objectives of this study were to: 1) examine changes in haemoglobin, iron stores and soil transmitted helminth infection prevalence over three years and 2) assess women''s access to and compliance with the intervention.

Methods and Findings

The study was a semi-cross-sectional, semi-longitudinal panel design with a baseline survey, three impact surveys at three-, twelve- and thirty months after commencement of the intervention, and three compliance surveys after ten weeks, eighteen and thirty six months.

Results

After thirty months, mean haemoglobin stabilised at 130.3 g/L, an increase of 8.2 g/L from baseline, and mean serum ferritin rose from 23.9 µg/L to 52 µg/L. Hookworm prevalence fell from 76% to 22% over the same period. After thirty six months, 81% of the target population were receiving supplements and 87% were taking 75% or more of the supplements they received.

Conclusions

Weekly iron-folic acid supplementation and regular de-worming was effective in significantly and sustainably reducing the prevalence of anaemia and soil transmitted helminth infections and high compliance rates were maintained over three years.     

Genomic DNA methylation changes in response to folic acid supplementation in a population-based intervention study among women of reproductive age

Folate is a source of one-carbons necessary for DNA methylation, a critical epigenetic modification necessary for genomic structure and function. The use of supplemental folic acid is widespread however; the potential influence on DNA methylation is unclear. We measured global DNA methylation using DNA extracted from samples from a population-based, double-blind randomized trial of folic acid supplementation (100, 400, 4000 μg per day) taken for 6 months; including a 3 month post-supplementation sample. We observed no changes in global DNA methylation in response to up to 4,000 μg/day for 6 months supplementation in DNA extracted from uncoagulated blood (approximates circulating blood). However, when DNA methylation was determined in coagulated samples from the same individuals at the same time, significant time, dose, and MTHFR genotype-dependent changes were observed. The baseline level of DNA methylation was the same for uncoagulated and coagulated samples; marked differences between sample types were observed only after intervention. In DNA from coagulated blood, DNA methylation decreased (-14%; P<0.001) after 1 month of supplementation and 3 months after supplement withdrawal, methylation decreased an additional 23% (P<0.001) with significant variation among individuals (max+17%; min-94%). Decreases in methylation of ≥25% (vs. <25%) after discontinuation of supplementation were strongly associated with genotype: MTHFR CC vs. TT (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 12.9, 95%CI 6.4, 26.0). The unexpected difference in DNA methylation between DNA extracted from coagulated and uncoagulated samples in response to folic acid supplementation is an important finding for evaluating use of folic acid and investigating the potential effects of folic acid supplementation on coagulation.     

Docosahexaenoic acid in red blood cells of women of reproductive age is positively associated with oral contraceptive use and physical activity

Optimal intake of the long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and proper balance between intake of n-6 PUFA and n-3 PUFA are important for human health. Considerable evidence exists to show that DHA has a marked benefit during pregnancy. Lifestyle factors can affect the biosynthesis of DHA from dietary precursors, incorporation into membranes and degradation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the PUFA composition of red blood cells (RBCs) from women (n=40) in reproductive age, and how it is affected by diet and other lifestyle factors. Of all the lifestyle factors tested oral contraceptive use and physical activity were the ones correlated with DHA in RBCs, after adjustment for DHA intake. The findings indicate that oral contraceptive use and physical activity have a positive impact on the DHA status, as assessed by RBC level, of women in reproductive age.     

The vaginal Bifidobacterium flora in women of reproductive age

The composition of vaginal bifidoflora in 56 clinically healthy women of reproductive age was studied. The study revealed that four species of bifidobacteria, viz. Bifidobacterium bifidum, B. breve, B. adolescentis 2 and B. longum, dominated in the composition of this bifidobacterial population. Nine out of 11 isolated strains were found to be capable of inhibiting indicator microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis when tested in vitro; in addition, strains B. adolescentis 2 F1, B. bifidum G1, B. breve P2 and B. longum Z4 inhibited Klebsiella ozaenae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and were also active acid producers. Three of these 4 bifidobacterial strains were capable of adhesion to vaginal epitheliocytes, while B. bifidum G1 was practically incapable of adherence to these cells, similarly to B. bifidum strain 791 of intestinal origin. In addition, the spectra of antibiotic susceptibility varied from strain to strain, but all bifidobacterial strains were susceptible to benzylpenicillin and resistant to lomefloxacin, most of them being also resistant to cyprofloxacin and gentamicin. Thus the data presented in this work are indicative of the possibility and advantages of using bifidobacterial strains belonging to this ecological niche as probiotics for the correction of the microflora of the urogenital tract in females.     

葫芦岛地区育龄期女性甲状腺功能指标的调查研究

目的探讨葫芦岛地区育龄期女性甲状腺功能水平与孕前促甲状腺激素(TSH)、抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPO-Ab)筛查对优生优育的意义。方法选择葫芦岛市1 540例育龄女性,采用罗氏电化学发光E602检测血清TSH、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)和TPO-Ab。结果 1 540例育龄妇女中,TSH异常135例,总异常率为8.7%,不同年龄组间TSH的异常率差异有统计学意义(χ2=33.56,P0.05)。TPO-Ab总阳性率为8.2%,TSH正常与异常组间的比较差异有统计学意义(χ2=34.84,P0.05)。进一步分层分析,TSH异常者中,甲亢与甲减组TPO-Ab阳性率的比较组间差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.043,P0.05)。结论葫芦岛地区育龄期女性甲状腺功能异常率较高,应对孕产妇常规进行甲状腺功能检测。     

中国汉族育龄女性阴道内乳杆菌的鉴定与系统发育分析

目的比较基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MALDITOF MS)与16S rRNA基因测序鉴定女性阴道乳杆菌方法,同时探究不同阴道微生态背景的汉族育龄女性阴道内乳杆菌的种类及其分布情况。方法对260例汉族育龄女性阴道拭子进行阴道微生态分析及乳杆菌的分离培养,根据阴道微生态鉴定结果分为正常组(173例)、中间型细菌性阴道病组(IBV,55例)、细菌性阴道病组(BV,9例)和外阴阴道炎假丝酵母菌病组(VVC,23例),分离乳杆菌并进行纯化培养,纯化的乳杆菌经MALDITOF MS和16S rRNA基因测序鉴定并进行聚类分析。结果2种方法鉴定的一致率为95.3%。260例标本中149例(57.3%)检出了乳杆菌,共发现17种乳杆菌,检出的乳杆菌分布于5个乳杆菌系统发育群,其中分离出较多的乳杆菌为卷曲乳杆菌(47例)、加氏乳杆菌(38例)、阴道乳杆菌(21例)。正常组116例(67.1%)标本分离出乳杆菌,IBV组19例(34.5%),BV组2例(22.2%),VVC组12例(52.2%)。正常育龄女性与患BV女性乳杆菌种类与数量差异有统计学意义(χ²=22.936 0,P<0.000 1),与患VVC女性差异无统计学意义(χ²=1.983 0,P=0.160 0)。与其他组相比,正常组育龄女性中分离出卷曲乳杆菌的比例显著高于BV组和VVC组(χ²=4.548 0,P=0.033 0;χ²=5.605 0,P=0.020 0),VVC组育龄女性分离出加氏乳杆菌的比例显著高于正常组(χ²=5.090 0,P=0.035 0)。结论对比16S rRNA基因测序与MALDITOF MS方法的乳杆菌鉴定结果,除了阴道乳杆菌和人阴道乳杆菌出现不一致的鉴定结果,其余15种乳杆菌鉴定结果一致性均为100%,但基于测序与基于质谱的方法产生的乳杆菌聚类分析结果不完全一致。卷曲乳杆菌可能是反映育龄女性正常阴道微生态的重要标志物,加氏乳杆菌可能与女性VVC的发生有关。     

淮南地区农村已婚育龄妇女生殖健康现状及KAP调查

目的:了解本地区农村已婚育龄妇女生殖健康现状,知识、态度和行为,以及需求,为有效开展生殖健康教育提供科学依据.方法:用整群抽样调查的方法对淮南地区农村妇女进行妇科病普查和生殖健康知识态度行为的问卷调查.结果:被调查者妇科病患病率为33.10%,居于前3位的是:宫颈炎13.54%、细菌性阴道炎6.77%和念珠菌阴道炎4.69%;被调查者生理卫生及保健知识、避孕、性病和爱滋病等知识较为欠缺;她们对生殖健康的知识主要来自于父母、爱人和朋友,录像和书籍等;多数妇女期望定期进行妇科病查治、参加生殖健康知识讲座、获得医务人员的咨询指导.结论:本地区妇女生殖健康现状不客乐观,需要进一步加强生殖健康服务力度,加强计划生育宣传、咨询和指导力度,多途径开展性传播疾病知识宣教工作等.     

Hypertension in women of reproductive age in the United States: NHANES 1999-2008

Objective

To examine the epidemiology of hypertension in women of reproductive age.

Methods

Using NHANES from 1999–2008, we identified 5,521 women age 20–44 years old. Hypertension status was determined using blood pressure measurements and/or self-reported medication use.

Results

The estimated prevalence of hypertension in women of reproductive age was 7.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.9%–8.5%). The prevalence of anti-hypertensive pharmacologic therapy was 4.2% (95% CI 3.5%–4.9%). The prevalence of hypertension was relatively stable across the study period; the age and race adjusted odds of hypertension in 2007–2008 did not differ significantly from 1999–2000 (odds ratio 1.2, CI 0.8 to 1.7, p = 0.45). Significant independent risk factors associated with hypertension included older age, non-Hispanic black race (compared to non-Hispanic whites), diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and higher body mass index. The most commonly used antihypertensive medications included diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE), and beta blockers.

Conclusion

Hypertension occurs in about 8% of women of reproductive age. There are remarkable differences in the prevalence of hypertension between racial/ethnic groups. Obesity is a risk factor of particular importance in this population because it affects over 30% of young women in the U.S., is associated with more than 4 fold increased risk of hypertension, and is potentially modifiable.     

The frequency of aneuploidy in cultured lymphocytes is correlated with age and gender but not with reproductive history.

The clinical significance of low numbers of aneuploid cells in routine cytogenetic studies of cultured lymphocytes is not always clear. We compared the frequencies of chromosome loss and gain among five groups of subjects whose karyotypes were otherwise normal; these groups were (1) subjects studied because of multiple miscarriages, (2) parents of live borns with autosomal trisomy, (3) subjects studied because they had a relative with Down syndrome, (4) an age-matched control group of phenotypically normal adults studied for other reasons (e.g., parent of a dysmorphic child or member of a translocation family), and (5) other mostly younger and phenotypically abnormal subjects who could not be assigned to the first four groups (e.g., individuals with multiple congenital anomalies or mental retardation). No significant age, sex, or group effects were observed for autosomal loss (hypodiploidy) or gain (hyperdiploidy). Autosomal loss was inversely correlated with relative chromosome length, but autosomal gain was not. Sex-chromosome gain was significantly more frequent in females than in males, but sex-chromosome loss was not significantly different between the sexes. Significant age effects were observed for both gain and loss of sex chromosomes. When age and sex were accounted for, the frequencies of sex-chromosome loss and gain were not significantly different among the five clinical groups. In general, low numbers of aneuploid cells are not clinically important when observed in blood chromosome preparations of subjects studied because of multiple miscarriages or a family history of autosomal trisomy.     

Microflora of reproductive system in women with tubal-peritoneal sterility

AIM: To study the composition of microflora of lower and upper parts of reproductive system in women with tubal-peritoneal sterility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-five women with tubal-peritoneal sterilitywere examined. Laparoscopy with biopsy of ovaries and endometrium with evaluation of specimens by histology and PCR was performed in all patients. Cervical material, endometrial and ovarian biopsy specimens, and peritoneal fluid were tested by PCR on the presence of genetic material of sexually-transmitted microorganisms. Cervical material was tested for human papillomaviruses (types 16 and 18). RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from cervical canal specimens in 40% of women. Chlamydia, Ureaplasma, herpes virus type 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus were detected in specimens of cervical canal, endometrium, ovaries and peritoneal fluid in 80%, 38,6%, 34,3%, and 38,46% of women, respectively. CONCLUSION: In cases of tubal-peritoneal sterility female reproductive system is infected with different pathogenic microorganisms. Growth of microorganisms was detected in 40% of cervical mucosa samples. Intracellular pathogens persist in upper and lower parts of female reproductive system. It was noted that Herpes simplex infection predominated in ovaries.     

No effect of folic acid supplementation on global DNA methylation in men and women with moderately elevated homocysteine

A global loss of cytosine methylation in DNA has been implicated in a wide range of diseases. There is growing evidence that modifications in DNA methylation can be brought about by altering the intake of methyl donors such as folate. We examined whether long-term daily supplementation with 0.8 mg of folic acid would increase global DNA methylation compared with placebo in individuals with elevated plasma homocysteine. We also investigated if these effects were modified by MTHFR C677T genotype. Two hundred sixteen participants out of 818 subjects who had participated in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial were selected, pre-stratified on MTHFR C677T genotype and matched on age and smoking status. They were allocated to receive either folic acid (0.8 mg/d; n = 105) or placebo treatment (n = 111) for three years. Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA methylation and serum and erythrocyte folate were assessed. Global DNA methylation was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and expressed as a percentage of 5-methylcytosines versus the total number of cytosine. There was no difference in global DNA methylation between those randomized to folic acid and those in the placebo group (difference = 0.008, 95%CI = -0.05,0.07, P = 0.79). There was also no difference between treatment groups when we stratified for MTHFR C677T genotype (CC, n = 76; CT, n = 70; TT, n = 70), baseline erythrocyte folate status or baseline DNA methylation levels. In moderately hyperhomocysteinemic men and women, long-term folic acid supplementation does not increase global DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00110604.     

An evolutionary model of stature, age at first birth and reproductive success in Gambian women

We have built a model to predict optimal age at first birth for women in a natural fertility population. The only existing fully evolutionary model, based on Ache hunter-gatherers, argues that as women gain weight, their fertility (rate of giving birth) increases-thus age at first birth represents a trade-off between time allocated to weight gain and greater fertility when mature. We identify the life-history implications of female age at first birth in a Gambian population, using uniquely detailed longitudinal data collected from 1950 to date. We use height rather than weight as an indicator of growth as it is more strongly correlated with age at first birth. Stature does not greatly influence fertility in this population but has a significant effect on offspring mortality. We model age at first reproduction as a trade-off between the time spent growing and reduced infant mortality after maturation. Parameters derived from this population are fitted to show that the predicted optimal mean age of first birth, which maximizes reproductive success, is 18 years, very close to that observed. The reaction norm associated with variation in growth rate during childhood also satisfactorily predicts the variation in age at first birth.     

输卵管性不孕症孕妇女生殖道微生物群落研究

目的分析输卵管性不孕症妇女阴道微生物群落,研究阴道微生物菌落在输卵管性不孕症中的作用。方法选择2016年4月-2018年4月在本院就诊的女性246例,其中符合输卵管性不孕症诊断标准女性126例,设为不孕组;其余120例患者,设为对照组。对患者阴道微生物菌群分布,菌群密集度,菌群多样性,优势菌和炎症情况检测。结果两组间患者的年龄分组(P=0.916,0.564,0.734,0.423)、文化程度分布(P=0.937,0.488,0.522)、月经周期(P=0.839)、月经周期是否规律(P=0.943)、Nugent评分(P=0.614,0.089,0.108)等差异无统计学意义。对照组和不孕组患者阴道微生态各指标相比差异无统计学意义。不孕组患者解脲支原体阳性率明显高于对照组(P=0.000),沙眼衣原体阳性率明显高于对照组(P=0.005),阴道毛滴虫、线索细胞、假丝酵母菌等阳性率与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(Ps0.05)。结论阴道解脲支原体、沙眼衣原体感染与女性输卵管性不孕症有关,可能是引起女性不孕的主要因素之一。