Maternal hemodynamic responses to two different types of moderate physical exercise during pregnancy: a randomized clinical trial

Background/Aim:  Maternal hemodynamic responses (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were compared during two types of moderate-intensity physical exercise. Methods:  A randomized clinical trial compared 120 pregnant women performing physical exercise on a treadmill (n=64) or stationary bicycle (n=56).  In 44 of these women (n=23 treadmill; n=21 bicycle), blood pressure was monitored for 24 hours following exercise.  Repeated-measures analysis compared maternal heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure before, during and in the 24 hours following exercise in both groups.  Results:  Maternal heart rate increased significantly (p<0.001) with both types of exercise (from 84 at rest to 112 bpm on the treadmill and from 87 at rest to 107 bpm on the bicycle), without exceeding the limit of 140 bpm.  Systolic pressure increased from 110 at rest to 118 mmHg on the bicycle (p=0.06) and from 112 at rest to 120 mmHg on the treadmill (p=0.02).  Systolic pressure dropped steadily following exercise, reaching its lowest level (104 mmHg) after 14 hours, increasing thereafter and returning to pre-exercise levels by the 19th hour.  Diastolic pressure increased during exercise irrespective of the type of exercise (p=0.27), from 70 at rest to 75 mmHg on the bicycle (p=0.39) and from 70 at rest to 76 mmHg on the treadmill (p=0.18), with the lowest level (59 mmHg) being at the 13th hour. Conclusions:  A slight increase in blood pressure levels was found during exercise; however, this was not clinically significant and was followed by a substantial hypotensive effect that lasted around 19 hours. Register: Clinical Trials NCT01383889

Physical activity patterns in pregnant women attending the family health program of Campina Grande - PB

INTRODUÇÃO: A atividade física realizada durante a gestação vem sendo discutida devido aos seus efeitos benéficos tanto para a saúde materna como para o crescimento fetal e desfechos gestacionais, porém ainda são escassos estudos sobre o padrão de atividade física neste período. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o padrão de atividade física entre gestantes atendidas pela estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) do município de Campina Grande/PB. MÉTODOS:Foi acompanhada uma coorte observacional de gestantes (n=118), a partir da 16ª semana gestacional, durante os anos de 2005 a 2006. A cada quatro semanas eram aferidas as condições clínicas, socioeconômicas e obstétricas, incluindo a aplicação de um questionário específico sobre atividade física na 16ª, 24ª e 32ª semanas gestacionais. A avaliação foi feita a partir da somatória do equivalente metabólico (METs) e as atividades cotidianas foram divididas em quatro grupos: atividades laboral, doméstica e caminhada, além de inatividade. As gestantes foram classificadas de acordo com o padrão de atividade física realizado em: sedentárias, praticantes de atividades física leve, moderada e vigorosa. Os dados foram analisados no programa Epi Info 3.4.1. RESULTADOS: As características socioeconômicas da coorte estudada indicaram majoritariamente gestantes de baixo poder aquisitivo, baixa escolaridade e baixo percentual de mulheres economicamente ativas. O padrão de atividade física observado foi baixo desde o primeiro trimestre gestacional, oscilando entre o leve e o sedentário, e foi diminuindo com o evoluir da gravidez, com 100% das gestantes alcançando o padrão sedentário na 32ª semana. Em relação aos grupos de atividades, observou-se um predomínio de atividades domésticas, seguidas pelas atividades de lazer. CONCLUSÃO:Na coorte estudada verificou-se um padrão de atividade física inadequado desde o início da gestação, agravando-se no terceiro trimestre gestacional.INTRODUCTION: The benefits of physical activity during pregnancy on fetal growth, maternal health and pregnancy outcomes have been debated; however, studies on the physical activity patterns during this period are still scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physical activity patterns of pregnant women attending the Family Health Strategy at the municipality of Campina Grande, PB. METHODS:A cohort of 118 pregnant women was followed from 2005 to 2006. Follow up started on the 16th gestational week and continued at every four weeks to assess clinical conditions and collect obstetric and socio-economic information. A specific questionnaire on physical activity was applied on the 16th, 24th and 32nd gestational weeks, which was estimated through the weekly sum of the metabolic equivalent (MET). Daily activities were classified in four groups: labor, household, walking, and inactivity. According to the physical activity pattern, women were classified as sedentary, or performing light, moderate or vigorous activity. The data set was analyzed in Epi Info 3.4.1 RESULTS: The socioeconomic characteristics of the cohort described a population of low levels of income and education. The physical activity pattern observed since the first gestational trimester was low, ranging from light to sedentary and it decreased along pregnancy. On the 32nd gestational week 100% of the women were sedentary. Regarding physical activity groups, women spent more time on household activities followed by recreational activities. CONCLUSION:The physical activity pattern observed was inadequate form the beginning of pregnancy and it worsened in the third gestational trimester.CNP

Influence Of Number Of Pregnancies In Peak Expiratory Flow And Body Composition Of Pregnant Women

Objectives: to describe and compare the mean values of the body composition and the peak expiratory flow (PEF) in primigravidae and multigravidae and, to determine its correlation with obstetric, anthropometric and body composition variables. Method: it was performed a cross-sectional study of 120 healthy pregnant women at low risk, including 77 primigravidae and 43 multigravidae. The PEF was measured by spirometry and the body composition by multisegmental electrical impedance. The unpaired t test was used to compare the groups and the Pearson correlation test was used to determine the association between PEF and independent variables. A multiple linear regression was used to estimate the relationship between the dependent variable, the PEF and the independent variables. Results: the body composition variables in multigravidae women showed higher values compared to the primigravidae, being statistically significant, except for fat mass. In primigravidae, the PEF was correlated significantly with maternal age and height. In multigravidae, the PEF was correlated with maternal age, height, pre-pregnancy and current weight, total body water, extracellular water, fat mass, lean mass and fat-free mass. A Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, in primigravidae, height and maternal age were associated with PEF, being responsible for explaining 14.5% of its variability. The current weight and the maternal age explained 42.3% of peak flow variability in multigravidae. Conclusion: The PEF seemed to be influenced by the number of pregnancies. Changes were observed in relation to the body composition, as it was evidenced in correlation with the PEF in multigravidae women. Keywords: Pregnancy. Spirometry. Weight gain

Risk of adverse outcomes in offspring with RT-PCR confirmed prenatal Zika virus exposure: an individual participant data meta-analysis of 13 cohorts in the Zika Brazilian Cohorts ConsortiumResearch in context

Summary: Background: Knowledge regarding the risks associated with Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in pregnancy has relied on individual studies with relatively small sample sizes and variable risk estimates of adverse outcomes, or on surveillance or routinely collected data. Using data from the Zika Brazilian Cohorts Consortium, this study aims, to estimate the risk of adverse outcomes among offspring of women with RT-PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection during pregnancy and to explore heterogeneity between studies. Methods: We performed an individual participant data meta-analysis of the offspring of 1548 pregnant women from 13 studies, using one and two-stage meta-analyses to estimate the absolute risks. Findings: Of the 1548 ZIKV-exposed pregnancies, the risk of miscarriage was 0.9%, while the risk of stillbirth was 0.3%. Among the pregnancies with liveborn children, the risk of prematurity was 10,5%, the risk of low birth weight was 7.7, and the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) was 16.2%. For other abnormalities, the absolute risks were: 2.6% for microcephaly at birth or first evaluation, 4.0% for microcephaly at any time during follow-up, 7.9% for neuroimaging abnormalities, 18.7% for functional neurological abnormalities, 4.0% for ophthalmic abnormalities, 6.4% for auditory abnormalities, 0.6% for arthrogryposis, and 1.5% for dysphagia. This risk was similar in all sites studied and in different socioeconomic conditions, indicating that there are not likely to be other factors modifying this association. Interpretation: This study based on prospectively collected data generates the most robust evidence to date on the risks of congenital ZIKV infections over the early life course. Overall, approximately one-third of liveborn children with prenatal ZIKV exposure presented with at least one abnormality compatible with congenital infection, while the risk to present with at least two abnormalities in combination was less than 1.0%. Funding: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - Brazil (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq); Wellcome Trust and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development; European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program; Medical Research Council on behalf of the Newton Fund and Wellcome Trust; National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Foundation Christophe et Rodolphe Mérieux; Coordination for the improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Capes); Ministry of Health of Brazil; Brazilian Department of Science and Technology; Foundation of Research Support of the State of São Paulo (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo – FAPESP); Foundation of Research Support of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro – FAPERJ); Foundation of Support for Research and Scientific and Technological Development of Maranhão; Evandro Chagas Institute/Brazilian Ministry of Health (Instituto Evandro Chagas/Ministério da Saúde); Foundation of Research Support of the State of Goiás (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás – FAPEG); Foundation of Research Support of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul – FAPERGS); Foundation to Support Teaching, Research and Assistance at Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (Fundação de Apoio ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto); São Paulo State Department of Health (Secretaria de Saúde do Estado de São Paulo); Support Foundation of Pernambuco Science and Technology (Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia de Pernambuco – FACEPE)