Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as crucial mediators in cell-to-cell communication. Stik et al. provide evidence that EVs released by supportive stromal cells target hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vivo and in vitro and influence their gene expression and potential.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of pregnant women with obesity that contribute to increased cesarean rate.Methods: Retrospective cohort in a single academic institution between 2012 and 2019. Women who delivered during this period were classified according to the Robson classification. Women with normal body mass index (N=11797) and with obesity (N=2991) were compared. The contribution of each Robson group to the overall caesarean rate were compared.Results: The overall cesarean rate was higher for women with (28.1%) than without (14.2%, p < 0.001) obesity. This result came mainly from Robson group 5a (history of one cesarean). After adjustment for medical factors within this group, the association between maternal obesity and cesarean during labor was significant.Conclusions: The higher cesarean rate in women with obesity is explained by Robson group 5a in which obesity is an independent risk factor of in labor cesarean delivery.

No abstract

Background The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of pregnant women with obesity that contribute to increased cesarean rate. Methods Retrospective cohort in a single academic institution between 2012 and 2019. Women who delivered during this period were classified according to the Robson classification. Women with normal body mass index (N = 11,797) and with obesity (N = 2991) were compared. The contribution of each Robson group to the overall caesarean rate were compared. Results The overall cesarean rate was higher for women with (28.1%) than without (14.2%, p < 0.001) obesity. This result came mainly from Robson group 5a (history of one cesarean). After adjustment for medical factors within this group, the association between maternal obesity and cesarean during labor was significant. Conclusions The higher cesarean rate in women with obesity is explained by Robson group 5a in which obesity is an independent risk factor of in labor cesarean delivery.

Background Social deprivation is a major risk factor of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Yet, there is few studies evaluating interventions aiming at reducing the impact of social vulnerability on pregnancy outcomes. Objective To compare pregnancy outcomes between patients that received personalized pregnancy follow-up (PPFU) to address social vulnerability versus standard care. Methods Retrospective comparative cohort in a single institution between 2020 and 2021. A total of 3958 women with social vulnerability that delivered a singleton after 14 gestational weeks were included, within which 686 patients had a PPFU. Social vulnerability was defined by the presence of at least one of the following characteristics: social isolation, poor or insecure housing conditions, no work-related household income, and absence of standard health insurance (these four variables were combined as a social deprivation index (SDI)), recent immigration (< 12 month), interpersonal violence during pregnancy, being handicaped or minor, addiction during pregnancy. Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between patients that received PPFU versus standard care. The associations between poor pregnancy outcomes (premature birth before 37 gestational weeks (GW), premature birth before 34 GW, small for gestational age (SGA) and PPFU were tested using multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching. Results After adjustment on SDI, maternal age, parity, body mass index, maternal origin and both high medical and obstetrical risk level before pregnancy, PPFU was an independent protective factor of premature birth before 37 gestational weeks (GW) (aOR = 0.63, 95%CI[0.46–0.86]). The result was similar for premature birth before 34 GW (aOR = 0.53, 95%CI [0.34–0.79]). There was no association between PPFU and SGA (aOR = 1.06, 95%CI [0.86 – 1.30]). Propensity score adjusted (PSa) OR for PPFU using the same variables unveiled similar results, PSaOR = 0.63, 95%CI[0.46–0.86] for premature birth before 37 GW, PSaOR = 0.52, 95%CI [0.34–0.78] for premature birth before 34 GW and PSaOR = 1.07, 95%CI [0.86 – 1.33] for SGA. Conclusions This work suggests that PPFU improves pregnancy outcomes and emphasizes that the detection of social vulnerability during pregnancy is a major health issue.

No abstract

Background Evaluating social vulnerability is a challenging task. Indeed, former studies demonstrated an association between geographical social deprivation indicators, administrative indicators, and poor pregnancy outcomes. Objective To evaluate the association between social vulnerability profiles, prenatal care use (PCU) and poor pregnancy outcomes (Preterm birth (PTB: <37 gestational weeks (GW)), small for gestational age (SGA), stillbirth, medical abortion, and late miscarriage). Methods Retrospective single center study between January 2020 and December 2021. A total of 7643 women who delivered a singleton after 14 GW in a tertiary care maternity unit were included. Multiple component analysis (MCA) was used to assess the associations between the following social vulnerabilities: social isolation, poor or insecure housing conditions, not work-related household income, absence of standard health insurance, recent immigration, linguistic barrier, history of violence, severe dependency, psychologic vulnerability, addictions, and psychiatric disease. Hierarchical clustering on principal component (HCPC) from the MCA was used to classify patients into similar social vulnerability profiles. Associations between social vulnerability profiles and poor pregnancy outcomes were tested using multiple logistic regression or Poisson regression when appropriate. Results The HCPC analysis revealed 5 different social vulnerability profiles. Profile 1 included the lowest rates of vulnerability and was used as a reference. After adjustment for maternal characteristics and medical factors, profiles 2 to 5 were independently associated with inadequate PCU (highest risk for profile 5, aOR = 3.14, 95%CI[2.33–4.18]), PTB (highest risk for profile 2, aOR = 4.64, 95%CI[3.80–5.66]) and SGA status (highest risk for profile 5, aOR = 1.60, 95%CI[1.20–2.10]). Profile 2 was the only profile associated with late miscarriage (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) = 7.39, 95%CI[4.17–13.19]). Profiles 2 and 4 were independently associated with stillbirth (highest association for profile 2 (aIRR = 10.9, 95%CI[6.11–19.99]) and medical abortion (highest association for profile 2 (aIRR = 12.65, 95%CI[5.96–28.49]). Conclusions This study unveiled 5 clinically relevant social vulnerability profiles with different risk levels of inadequate PCU and poor pregnancy outcomes. A personalized patient management according to their profile could offer better pregnancy management and reduce adverse outcomes.

No abstract