Trace elements and cell-mediated immunity in gestational and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus at third trimester of pregnancy

Objective. The aim of the study: To evaluate the correlations betweenZn2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Se2+ and Cr3+ and alteration in T cell subsetsduring diabetic and normal pregnancy. Methods. The study involved63 women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GD) and 16 pregnantwomen with Type 2 diabetes and 48 healthy, non-pregnant womenwere included as controls. Ten ml of whole venous blood from eachparticipant was analyzed for electrolytes by atomic absorption; totalantioxidant activity, individual enzymatic antioxidants by spectrophotometry; and lymphocyte sub-populations by flow cytometry. Results. There were significant changes in lymphocyte sub-populations: Naïve T cells were decreased and memory T-cells and activated T cells(CD4+HLA-DR+, CD4+CD29+) were increased in diabetes in pregnancy.Zn2+ and Cr3+ deficiency were observed in Type 2 diabetics with an increase in Cu2+ in all pregnant cohorts. In healthy pregnantsubjects, CD4+-HLA-DR+ was increased in direct proportion to serumMg2+ (p<0.05) and Se2+ (p<0.01). In insulin-treated GD patients,CD4+CD29+ cells were increased proportionally to serum Zn2+(p<0.05) while in diet controlled GD cohort CD45RO+/ CD45RA+ Tcells correlated directly with serum Mg (p<0.05) and Zn2+ (p<0.01)while it correlated inversely with serum Cu2+ (p<0.01). Conclusions.The results of the present study show a correlation between trace element deficiency and increased lipid peroxidation in diabetes in pregnancy and lymphocyte activation. Dietary manipulation may, therefore, point to improvement in existing approaches to management of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy

Risk Assessment and Management of Venous Thromboembolism in Women during Pregnancy and Puerperium (SAVE): An International, Cross-sectional Study

International audienceThe clinical burden of obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is inadequately established. This study assessed the prevalence and management of VTE risk during pregnancy and postpartum outside the Western world. This international, noninterventional study enrolled adult women with objectively confirmed pregnancy attending prenatal care/obstetric centers across 18 countries in Africa, Eurasia, Middle-East, and South Asia. Evaluations included proportions of at-risk women, prophylaxis as per international guidelines, prophylaxis type, factors determining prophylaxis, and physicians' awareness about VTE risk management guidelines and its impact on treatment decision. Data were analyzed globally and regionally. Physicians ( N = 181) screened 4,978 women, and 4,010 were eligible. Of these, 51.4% were at risk (Eurasia, 90%; South Asia, 19.9%), mostly mild in intensity; >90% received prophylaxis as per the guidelines (except South Asia, 77%). Women in Eurasia and South Asia received both pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxes (>55%), while pharmacological prophylaxis (>50%) predominated in Africa and the Middle-East. Low-molecular-weight heparin was the pharmacological agent of choice. Prophylaxis decision was influenced by ethnicity, assisted reproductive techniques, caesarean section, and persistent moderate/high titer of anticardiolipin antibodies, though variable across regions. Prophylaxis decision in at-risk women was similar, irrespective of physicians' awareness of guidelines (except South Asia). A majority (>80%) of the physicians claimed to follow the guidelines. More than 50% of women during pregnancy and postpartum were at risk of VTE, and >90% received prophylaxis as per the guidelines. Physicians are generally aware of VTE risk and comply with guidelines while prescribing prophylaxis, although regional variations necessitate efforts to improve implementation of the guidelines