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Maternal and Child Health

Antibiotic Use and Chlamydia Prevalence: A Study in Guangdong, China

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 25, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the definitions and statistical analysis:

Definitions:

Antibiotic Use:
Defined as using at least one of seven specific antibiotics (azithromycin, erythromycin, benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, metronidazole) within 12 months prior to the study visit.
Only explicit “yes” responses to questions about antibiotic use were counted.
The seven antibiotics were chosen due to their common use in gynecology.
Specific relevance to chlamydia: Azithromycin, amoxicillin, and erythromycin are highlighted as recommended or alternative treatments for chlamydia infection according to clinical guidelines.
Categorization by WHO AWaRe system:
Access: Amoxicillin, Clindamycin, Benzylpenicillin, Metronidazole (recommended as first or second-choice empiric treatments for common infections).
Watch: Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Erythromycin (Reserve antibiotics were not applicable).

Current Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Infections:
Diagnosed based on positive results from urine and/or cervical swab tests.

High-Risk Sexual Behaviors:
Defined as having ever had a casual sex partner and/or not consistently using condoms during sexual activity.Statistical Analysis:

Baseline Characteristics Comparison:
Pearson’s χ² test was used to compare baseline characteristics between women with and without antibiotic use.
Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages.
Missing data for baseline characteristics were handled by grouping them into a separate category for each variable.

Antibiotic Use Proportion:
The proportion of participants using different antibiotics was calculated.

Association between prior Antibiotic Use and Chlamydia Prevalence:
Method: Multivariable logistic regression was used.
Outcome: Prevalence of chlamydia infection.
Predictor: Prior antibiotic use.
Measures: Odds Ratios (ORs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs).
Adjustments: The analysis adjusted for age, age at first sexual debut, and high-risk sexual behaviors.

Subgroup Analysis:
A subgroup analysis was conducted specifically among users of antibiotics recommended for chlamydia treatment (azithromycin, erythromycin, amoxicillin).
Purpose: To assess class-specific effects of these antibiotics.

Software and significance:
Software: R software (version 4.3.2) was used for all analyses.
Significance Level: A two-sided P value < 0.05 was considered statistically notable.

July 25, 2025 0 comments

Health

Breast carcinoma in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 and huge plexiform neurofibroma of the contralateral breast: a case report | BMC Women’s Health

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 22, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

NF1 and Breast Cancer: Early Detection Crucial for Improved Outcomes

Navigating a Complex Link

Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) face a recognized elevated risk of developing breast cancer. This report details a severe NF1 case where an advanced-stage breast cancer diagnosis occurred due to a lack of adherence to established early detection protocols. While treatment was administered, the situation underscores the critical need for vigilant screening in this patient population.

Treatment Strategies for Aggressive Tumors

In the case presented, a substantial tumor size necessitated neoadjuvant chemotherapy—treatment administered before surgery. This approach proved highly effective, leading to a complete response. Research indicates that the timing of systemic chemotherapy, whether before or after surgery, does not significantly impact long-term results, according to meta-analyses. Preoperative therapy can offer vital prognostic information based on the patient’s response.

While neoadjuvant therapy is commonly employed for HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers, it can also be beneficial for select hormone receptor–positive cases, particularly when tumors are large or breast-conserving surgery is a goal. Achieving a pathological complete response (pCR) through neoadjuvant treatment is associated with improved disease-free and overall survival rates.

NF1 and Breast Cancer: A Pattern of Late Diagnosis

Numerous breast malignancy types have been documented in patients with Von Recklinghausen’s disease (NF1). However, much of the existing data comes from individual case reports. A common thread among these cases, including the one discussed, is a tendency for patients to delay seeking medical attention. This often stems from a misidentification of breast tumors as benign manifestations of NF1, such as neurofibromas.

The majority of reported NF1-associated breast cancer cases involve postmenopausal women, typically between the ages of 50 and 75. A comprehensive study involving 142 NF-1 patients with breast cancer revealed a greater incidence of contralateral breast cancer (cancer in the opposite breast) and a shorter survival period for this group.

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, with an estimated 313,530 new cases expected in the U.S. in 2024. For individuals with NF1, proactive screening is paramount to combatting the risks associated with this comorbidity.

Understanding NF1 Genetics

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene, located on chromosome 17q11.2. This gene encodes neurofibromin, a crucial tumor suppressor protein. NF1 is inherited in an autosomal-dominant pattern with complete penetrance but variable expression. Notably, 30% to 50% of individuals with NF1 acquire the germline mutation spontaneously (de novo) during embryogenesis, meaning they have unaffected relatives.

In the current case, genetic testing was not performed due to limited availability and insurance coverage in public hospitals. However, genetic confirmation is not essential for a clinical diagnosis of NF1.

Imaging Discrepancies and Treatment Considerations

A notable variation was observed in this study regarding tumor size measurements between mammography/ultrasound and CT imaging. Such discrepancies can arise from differences in imaging resolution, measurement planes, and tissue contrast. Breast-specific modalities like ultrasound and mammography are generally considered more reliable for initial tumor sizing.

Due to resource limitations, a pre-treatment fine-needle aspiration was not conducted on an enlarged axillary lymph node, preventing definitive confirmation of its status (N1) prior to surgery. Furthermore, the absence of certain pathological tests, such as Ki-67 testing, precluded classification of the tumor into specific molecular subtypes like luminal A or luminal B.

The patient’s initial treatment involved four cycles of chemotherapy. Following a complete pathological response, four additional cycles of paclitaxel were administered as adjuvant therapy. However, current guidelines advocate for the completion of the full standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy course before proceeding with surgery.

Recommendations for Enhanced Care

This case report highlights the intricate relationship between NF1 and breast cancer, emphasizing the critical importance of integrating NF1 patients into national high-risk breast cancer screening programs. Such integration could significantly enhance early detection rates and improve survival outcomes for these individuals.

Expanding access to specialized healthcare services and strengthening surveillance measures for this high-risk population are essential steps that could lead to better prognoses and long-term health for those affected by NF1.

July 22, 2025 0 comments

Health

Content Writing Tips: Improve Your Skills & Productivity

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 13, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

A total of 343 patients were included in this study, including 1065 cycles. 69 cycles had been cancelled before egg retrieval. Baseline characteristics of the patients are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Baseline characteristics

The stimulation protocols and dosages of gonadotropins for each protocols of the 996 egg retrieval cycles are shown in Table 2. A total of 474 embryo transfer procedures were involved. The types of embryos transferred are shown in Table 3. The qualities of embryos transferred are shown in Table 4.

Table 2 The stimulation protocols and dosages of gonadotropins of 996 oocyte retrieval cycles

Table 3 The types of embryos transferred

Table 4 The qualities of embryos transferred

The number of patients who obtained oocyte retrieval operations, the number of patients who obtained live births and the number of patients who failed to obtained live birth but refused to receive further treatment in each cycle were showed in Fig. 1. Considering the small number of patients underwent 9 or more cycles of oocyte retrieval treatment, their information will be merged into one group.

Fig. 1

The number of patients receiving treatment and the number of patients obtained live births

The conservative estimate of CLBR and the optimal estimate of CLBR of the whole population and in different age group are shown in the Fig. 2. The live birth rate of the first oocyte retrieval cycle of the whole study subjects was 9.9%. After one or more cycles of treatments, a total of 141 couples achieved live births during the study period, with a conservative estimate CLBR of 41.1%. Assuming that the final outcome of the patients who did not continue to receive treatment had the same live birth rate with those who continued treatment, the optimistic estimate of CLBR was 81.0%. After calculating by age group, it was found that the older the female patient was, the lower the conservative and optimistic estimates of the CLBRs were. For women aged < 35 and 35 ~ 39, after 6 oocyte retrieval cycles, the conservative/optimistic estimates of CLBRs reached 57.4/82.7% and 41.1/64.8%, respectively. For elderly women ≥ 40 years old, the conservative/optimistic estimates of the CLBRs 6 oocyte retrieval cycles were only 14.7/26.0%.

Content Writing Tips: Improve Your Skills & Productivity — **Fig. 2**

The baseline characteristics, as well as the details regarding oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer, for patients who achieved live birth versus those who did not during the study period are presented in the Table 5. There are statistical differences in age, AMH level, AFC, the history of clinical pregnancy, the history of live birth, the number of oocytes retrieved per cycle, the number of embryo transfer procedure and the accumulative number of embryos transferred are different between the two groups.

Table 5 Baseline characteristics and treatment indicators of the two groups

Logistic regression analysis was performed on 8 variables mentioned before which were statistical difference between the group according to univariate analysis. The multivariate analysis results showed that: age and the number of oocyte retrieved per cycle were significantly associated with live birth outcomes (Table 6). The higher the age is, the lower the live birth rate is. A higher number of oocyte retrieved per cycle indicates a higher rate of live birth.

Table 6 The relevant factor of live birth by the logistic regression

There are 195 patients(dropout group) who discontinued treatments after one or more unsuccessful cycles. A total of 141 patients achieved live births during the study period. There are 7 patients who continued treatment after 9 or more oocyte retrieval cycles although they did not achieved live births yet.

The baseline characteristics, the numbers of oocytes retrieved per cycle of the patients who discontinued treatments and other 148 patients(non-dropout group) during the period are showed in the Table 7. There are statistical differences in age, AMH level, AFC and the number of oocytes retrieved per cycle between the two groups.

Table 7 Baseline characteristics and treatment indicator of the dropout group and the non-dropout group

The patients in dropout group received 512 cycles of oocyte retrieval, of which egg was not retrieved in 88 cycles (17.2%), and there was no transplantable embryo in 196 cycles (38.3%). The patients in non-dropout group received 484 cycles of oocyte retrieval, of which egg was not retrieved in 43 cycles (8.9%), and there was no transplantable embryo in 92 cycles (19.0%). There were significant differences in the proportion of cycles without oocytes and cycles without transplantable embryos between the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.01).

Treatment outcomes between different levels of AMH levels and different age groups are showed in the Tables 8 and 9.

Table 8 Treatment outcomes between different levels of AMH levels

Table 9 Treatment outcomes of different age groups

July 13, 2025 0 comments

Sport

Content Writing Tips: Improve Your Skills & Productivity

by Alex Carter - Sports Editor July 12, 2025

written by Alex Carter - Sports Editor

To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to analyze pediatric rugby-related injuries from an Italian emergency department. This report gives a useful insight for pediatricians and sports and exercise medicine health care professionals, that are involved in the care of youth rugby injuries in Italy.

Although the number of studies on injury epidemiology in rugby has increased in the last few years, evidence remains scarce, mainly due to the heterogeneity of data collection methodology and research settings. Nonetheless, the results of our data analysis align closely with those reported in the literature[[14].

One of the main findings of our study, is that the upper limb is the most frequent injured body region, consistent with findings from several other studies[[9, 15,16,17]. The second most common site of injury varies across these studies; however, the head seems to be more frequently injured than lower limbs, in line with our findings[[15, 16]. It must be noted that several studies analyzing injuries in different settings, and sometimes using different injury classifications, found different results[[17, 18]. However, when focusing on studies conducted in the ED setting and including pediatric age groups, results are consistent across the USA, Ireland, Australia and Scotland[[8, 17, 19, 20].

An important aspect is the mechanism by which injuries occur. The literature consistently identifies contact with another player as the most frequent mechanism[[8, 17]. This is also confirmed by our data; specifically, contact with a teammate appears to be more frequently the cause of injury than contact with an opponent player. Other studies have also analyzed which component of the play is the most frequently associated with injuries, and it has been found that the tackle is definitely the most dangerous[[8, 15, 19, 20].

According to the Orchard Sports Injury and Illness Classification System (OSIICS) classification, we found that the most frequents type of injuries were contusions (34,7%), followed by joint sprains (22.9%), fractures (20.9%) and concussions (12.6%). One of the main reasons for the different percentages of injury sites reported in the literature, could be that rugby is a sport where rules, gameplay, and the utilization of personal protective gear differ depending on age groups[[10, 18]. For instance, rules of the scrum vary across different age categories and are introduced at different ages in various countries[[20]. However, contusions, fractures, sprains and concussions consistently rank as the top four injuries in every study[[12, 14,15,16].

As for the severity of injury, our study aligns with the literature, with 97% of injuries managed acutely in the ED and only 3% requiring hospitalization[[17].

Special attention should be given to concussions, which have a prevalence of 12.6% in our study, similar to what reported by McIntosh et al.[[21]. However, incidence rates vary dramatically across studies due to the difference in injury definition, lack of objective diagnosis criteria, different levels of competition and gender-related aspects[[22]. Kirkwood et al. conducted a metanalysis in 2015 and found out that the incidence of concussion in youth rugby union ranged from 0.2 to 6.9 concussions per 1000 player-hours, equivalent to a probability for a player of sustaining a concussion over a season between 0.3% and 11.4%[[23].

Our study spans across a period that includes the three years prior the rule “recognize and remove” implemented in 2012, was introduced[[24, 25]. This strategy involves identifying signs of concussion or head injury and immediately removing the affected player from the game for further assessment with the aim of prioritizing player safety. This, coupled with limited awareness of the issue, may have led to a lower recognition of concussion and thus its underdiagnosis.

However, the incidence of concussion remains high, needing careful attention, especially for the potential serious long-term consequences. For this reason, several studies have been conducted to investigate possible strategies to reduce the burden of this type of injury. One of the most discussed proposals for reducing the incidence of concussions in rugby is lowering the height of the tackle. This measure is based on the assumption that reducing the point of contact during a tackle may decrease the risk of head impact and, consequently, the likelihood of concussions. However, both van Tonder and Stokes did not find any statistically significant reduction of concussion’s incidence by reducing the tackle height from the line of the shoulder to the armpit of the ball carrier, whether in amateur or professional settings[[26, 27]. In detail, Van Tonder’s results showed a reduction in the incidence of concussion, which was not statistically significant but may be clinically relevant; while Stokes et al. found a lack of reduction in the incidence of this injury, due to the change of tackling technique that apparently makes the tackler more vulnerable. Understanding impacts in rugby is crucial for injury prevention strategies. A comprehensive approach to injury prevention may require combining tackle height adjustments with educational programs focusing on safe tackling techniques, improved referee enforcement, and continued monitoring of injury patterns[[26, 27]. Moreover, a recent systematic review suggests that the most effective primary prevention strategy for sport-related injuries (such as concussions and hamstrings lesions) appears to be neuromuscular training, followed by education, changes in law and use of specific equipment[[7]. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of these measures, which could play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of this type of injuries. Additionally, it is essential to emphasize the importance of raising awareness among players, coaches, and medical personnel regarding the recognition, assessment, and management of concussions to minimize consequences as much as possible. As expected, data from adolescent rugby players, suggest that coaches were less able to recognize symptoms of concussion compared with health care professionals, probably because of lack of concussion education, and that this could lead to an underestimation of the incidence of concussion in lower levels of play, emphasizing the need of training the team personnel[[22, 28]. Also, the knowledge that the tackle is responsible for more concussions, than any other contact event, suggests that interventions that focus on tackle technique training, law change (e.g., changes to the legal tackle height if proven effective) and player preparation, may be more effective at reducing injury risk than other interventions in this setting[[18].

Poisson regressions analysis were performed to examine trends over time. The trend of total visits shows a peak in 2013, followed by a rapid decline and stabilization in the subsequent years, with the lowest value reached in 2019. Given that the data pertains only to the pediatric emergency department of Padua, it is difficult to determine whether any specific cause or event is responsible for this trend. There are not much data in the literature, especially in Italy. However, England, Scotland and Australia professional rugby injury surveillance programs found that the incidence of injuries is stable in the same time period[[25]. Conversely, evidence from US emergency departments from 2004 to 2013 found an increased incidence of injuries, in the same period[[17].

Trend for head and neck injuries shows a seemingly slight upward progression, which, however, appears to be too modest to be attributed to an increased awareness of concussions after 2012, year of introduction of recognize and remove protocol. Published data confirm an increase in the diagnosis of concussions, their severity and burden. The Scotland injury program confirmed a growth of concussion diagnosis between 2009-2016 and a deflection after that[[25, 29].

Finally, the trend for PED admissions due to upper limb injuries appears to be decreasing over time. While it is challenging to pinpoint a specific underlying cause, one possibility might be that the management of some of these injuries has improved or has been encouraged to take place in the field, outside the hospital, after a world rugby medical education program was implemented[[30].

Our study has several limitations. First, it is a retrospective study. Therefore, ED histories could have some missing information (i.e. mechanism of injury or game phase). Indeed, the database records only a brief case narrative for each injury, and mechanisms of injury could not be determined in 22% of cases.

Another limit in this study is the lack of female athletes, probably due to the low representation in the local rugby union. Nevertheless, the number of female participants has been steadily increasing over the past few years, hence providing us with a potentially more significant sample to include in future analysis[[31].

It is important to underline that not all rugby injuries are equally reported to the ED. Many injuries are managed at alternative healthcare facilities, outpatient sport medicine practices or by team doctors/physiotherapists. Consequently, this could lead to a bias in the data towards more severe injuries and might result in an underrepresentation of certain types of milder injuries.

Furthermore, our study includes data from the years 2020-2021, during which the data might be skewed or altered by COVID-related restrictions.

July 12, 2025 0 comments

World

Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunctions during pregnancy and postpartum | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor July 10, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

This study monitored the symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) during pregnancy and postpartum using the APFQ, a questionnaire that includes four domains: urinary function, bowel function, prolapse, and sexual function. It evaluates the symptoms and quality of life related to each of them. The relationship between anthropometric variables, obstetric history, and questionnaire scores was also analyzed.

During pregnancy, the growing uterus exerts pressure on the bladder and stresses the pelvic floor muscles. Even after childbirth, it may take time for these muscles to recover and return to normal function. In the postpartum group, analysis of the urinary function domain showed that dysfunction symptoms were most severe up to 6 weeks after birth and improved over time. These results align with a previous study of Brazilian postpartum women, which reported a higher frequency of urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms during pregnancy (47%), followed by a decrease at 30 days (6.3%) and 60 days (6.3%) postpartum[[17].

A positive correlation was found between the number of pregnancies and parity with an increase in the APFQ urinary function score, both during pregnancy and postpartum. This finding supports research by Wessel et al., which showed that the prevalence of UI can reach 58% during pregnancy, 31% in nulliparous women, and 42% in multiparous women[[18]. Furthermore, Milsom et al. had previously identified parity as a risk factor for developing UI in the postpartum period[[3].

Regarding bowel function, while no significant difference was found between pregnancy and postpartum periods, it is notable that the mean score for both groups was above zero, indicating symptoms of bowel dysfunction. Investigating bowel dysfunction during pregnancy and postpartum is crucial. Constipation, for example, is common during these periods and can lead to excessive straining during defecation, increasing the risk of hemorrhoids and anal fissures, which in turn worsens bowel dysfunction[[19]. Other studies have highlighted the link between constipation and the development of urinary incontinence[[20, 21], anal incontinence[[20, 22], and pelvic organ prolapse (POP)[[23].

For postpartum women, a negative correlation was found between age and bowel function score, meaning that older women had fewer symptoms of bowel dysfunction. However, intestinal symptoms related to pregnancy and childbirth may not manifest until decades later, which could affect this analysis[[24].

The study did not find significant differences between pregnancy and postpartum periods in the APFQ prolapse domain. Although POP typically appears with advanced age and after menopause[[25], a recent study quantitatively assessed prolapse using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system. It showed that the vaginal walls descend from the second to the third trimester of pregnancy and revealed a positive correlation between genital hiatus and symptoms of POP-related dysfunctions[[26]. The literature on prolapse during pregnancy remains controversial, but given the physiological changes and stresses that pelvic organs undergo during pregnancy and childbirth, early investigation allows for timely diagnosis and interventions, which may prevent progression and improve treatment outcomes.

A positive correlation was found between parity and the worsening of prolapse symptoms in pregnant women. A recent study by Sascha et al. identified an odds ratio of 1.06 for prolapse appearance with increased parity[[27]. With each pregnancy, the uterus enlarges as the baby grows, putting pressure on the pelvic floor. Repeated stress from multiple pregnancies can progressively weaken the pelvic floor support structures.

Regarding sexual function, a significant difference was observed in the pregnant group: sexual dysfunction was more prominent in the first and second trimesters compared to the third trimester. Sexuality is influenced by a combination of physical, hormonal, psychological, and social factors. Besides that, some factors differ in each period of pregnancy, which can also impact sexuality – but not exclusively. In the first and second trimesters, women undergo significant bodily changes, such as breast enlargement, fatigue, and morning sickness, which can decrease libido and sexual interest. Additionally, rapid hormonal fluctuations during the early stages of pregnancy can cause mood swings and reduced sex drive. The discovery of pregnancy may also bring concerns about the baby’s health, changes in the relationship with the partner, and the future as a mother, all of which can negatively affect sexual interest[[28,29,30]. As pregnancy progresses and hormones stabilize, some women may experience an improvement in libido.

Understanding these patterns is essential to provide appropriate and sensitive support to pregnant women, addressing issues related to sexuality throughout pregnancy. While this study found that pregnant women in the third trimester experienced less sexual dysfunction than those in the first and second trimesters, it is noteworthy that only 50% of women in the third trimester were sexually active, compared to 76% in the first and second trimesters. This finding is consistent with research by Yeniel and Petri, who observed a tendency for sexual desire to decrease in the third trimester[[31].

Regarding sexual function postpartum, the study showed that women up to 6 weeks after delivery had fewer sexual dysfunction symptoms compared to those between 7 and 24 weeks and beyond 24 weeks postpartum. Postpartum sexual dysfunction can result from a combination of physical, hormonal, emotional, and social factors. After childbirth, hormone levels fluctuate significantly, with a decrease in estrogen and progesterone, which can affect sexual desire and vaginal lubrication, making intercourse less comfortable[[32]. Caring for a newborn can be physically and mentally demanding, which can reduce interest in sex. If the delivery was traumatic or involved complications, pelvic pain or dyspareunia may develop, which can lower sexual desire and delay the resumption of sexual activity[[18]. However, it is important to note that 51% of women were sexually active up to 6 weeks postpartum, 55% between 7 and 24 weeks, and 67% beyond 24 weeks. These findings align with other studies, which report a resumption of sexual activity occurring, on average, 6 to 8 weeks after childbirth, with a gradual increase in frequency after 6 months[[18, 30].

A negative correlation was also found between age and sexual function score, indicating that older women have fewer symptoms of sexual dysfunction. Although this result pertains to postpartum women, previous studies have shown that mature women tend to have better sexual quality[[33,34,35]. This may be related to greater self-awareness, emotional stability, and improved communication with their partners. Given the complexity of sexuality, further research in this area is needed.

A limitation of this study was the loss of participants during follow-up, particularly in the postpartum period. This can be attributed to the challenges of interviewing patients during this time, which involves physical adjustments, hormonal fluctuations, and emotional challenges for new mothers. The instability of daily routines, coupled with the prioritization of the newborn’s needs, made it difficult to contact patients, even by phone.

Another limitation was the exclusion of other risk factors for PFD symptoms. Some variables, such as the baby’s weight, mode of delivery, and difficulty or duration of labor, were not considered in this study, despite their known association with PFD and the prevalence of related symptoms. Future studies should incorporate these variables.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to monitor PFD during pregnancy and postpartum in Brazilian women. Investigating all aspects of PFD (urinary, bowel, prolapse, and sexual) during these periods is essential to ensure women’s well-being and quality of life. Each PFD domain may require a distinct treatment approach. A comprehensive evaluation facilitates a multidisciplinary approach, involving healthcare providers, physiotherapists, and other specialists, ensuring a personalized and effective treatment plan for each woman.

July 10, 2025 0 comments

Health

Stillbirth Linked to Higher Long-Term Health Risks for Mothers

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor July 4, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Okay, I’ve analyzed the provided text. Here’s a summary of the key points and themes discussed, focusing on the relationship between stillbirth and later health outcomes:

Main Argument:

The text argues that stillbirth is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and possibly increased mortality. It explores potential mechanisms linking these conditions and highlights the importance of considering lifestyle factors and socioeconomic modifiers.

Key Points:

Increased Risk: women with a history of stillbirth may have a higher risk of developing diabetes and CVD later in life. some studies suggest a link between multiple miscarriages and increased diabetes risk.
Underlying Mechanisms:
Glucose Metabolism: Disorders of glucose metabolism may be a common link between stillbirth, diabetes, and CVD. Antiangiogenic status: Stillbirth may be linked to antiangiogenic status, which can increase the risk of CVD.
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) Deficiency: The text emphasizes the potential role of NGF deficiency. Stillbirth may lead to decreased NGF levels, which can:
Cause apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells, affecting insulin secretion and increasing diabetes risk. Contribute to myocardial cell necrosis and heart failure (HF).
Impair insulin synthesis and secretion function,a decrease in the number of islet beta cells,and the destruction of the islet structure,which triggers or exacerbates the development of diabetes.
Emotional and Lifestyle Factors:
psychological Impact: Stillbirth can cause significant psychological distress (anxiety, stress, acute stress disorder), leading to unhealthy behaviors (altered eating habits, overweight).
Chronic Stress: Repeated stress exposure can lead to chronic stress, disturbances in glucose metabolism, neuroendocrine disorders, and a prolonged low-grade inflammatory response.
Depression: Depression is strongly associated with the development of diabetes and CVD.
Socioeconomic Factors:
Income: Higher income may reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and all-cause death associated with stillbirth through a variety of mechanisms, including access to health care, stress management, and healthy behaviors.
Need for Further Research: The text emphasizes the need for more research to understand the complex relationship between stillbirth and long-term health outcomes, particularly considering lifestyle and socioeconomic factors.

Implications:

Targeted Screening and prevention: Women with a history of stillbirth may benefit from targeted screening and prevention strategies for diabetes and CVD.
Addressing Psychological Well-being: addressing the psychological impact of stillbirth is crucial,as stress and depression can contribute to adverse health outcomes.
Considering Socioeconomic Factors: Interventions should consider socioeconomic factors to reduce health disparities among women affected by stillbirth.

In essence,the text presents a compelling argument for considering stillbirth as a potential risk factor for later-life metabolic and cardiovascular health,highlighting the need for a holistic approach that addresses biological,psychological,and socioeconomic factors.

July 4, 2025 0 comments

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