New cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continue to occur worldwide. Most of these are due to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), with maternal viraemia as the most important contributing factor. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level, which correlates positively with viral load, has been used for treatment monitoring in chronic hepatitis B. This study evaluated the usefulness of quantitative HBsAg for viral load prediction in HBsAg-positive pregnant women. A total of 943 pregnant women in Makassar, Indonesia, were screened for HBsAg. Sixty-four women were HBsAg-positive and investigated. HBsAg level and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)/hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) status were determined serologically. Viral load was measured by real-time PCR. HBV DNA was sequenced and analysed for identification of genotype and basal core promoter (BCP)/precore (PC) mutations. Of 64 subjects, 12 (18.8%) were HBeAg-positive and 52 (81.3%) were HBeAg-negative. HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were significantly higher in the HBeAg-positive group (p<0.001). HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were positively correlated in the HBeAg-positive group (r = 0.659; p=0.02), but not in the HBeAg-negative group (r=0.194; p=0.168). Low HBsAg levels (<3.0 log10 IU/ml) corresponded with HBV DNA levels<6.0 log10 IU/ml (r=0.404; p=0.001), a recognized threshold for MTCT. Genotype C was more prevalent than genotype B, but not associated with HBsAg level, viral load, or HBeAg status. Two-thirds of HBeAg-negative subjects with high HBV DNA levels harboured BCP (A1762T/G1764A) and/or PC (G1896A) variants. HBsAg levels provide a good viral load predictor in HBeAg-positive but not HBeAg-negative pregnant women. The HBeAg-negative group had a frequent occurrence of BCP/PC variants, which may have contributed to the lack of correlation observed. Samples with a low HBsAg level, which is associated with a low risk of MTCT, do not require HBV DNA measurement.

Introduction: Microplastics may be present in food and drinks from various sources, exposing pregnant women to these particles. Consumption of contaminated food can lead to the ingestion of microplastics by pregnant women, potentially causing adverse health effects on the fetus. This study aims to investigate the presence of microplastics in the stools of pregnant women. Methods: The research was conducted in the Makassar City region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Thirty healthy pregnant women from 2 community health centers, Pattingalloang and Jumpandang Baru, participated in the study. Their stools were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy to detect the presence of microplastics. Result: The analysis revealed the presence of a total of 359 microplastics in the participants’ stools, with particle counts ranging from 4 to 21 and sizes ranging from 0.2 to 4.9 mm per 25 g of stool. The polymers identified included Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyamide/Nylon, Polyethylene Chlorinated, HDPE, and Ethylene Propylene. The amount of microplastics varied significantly among groups with different levels of seafood consumption. Conclusion: Indonesian pregnant women have been exposed to some microplastic polymers.

Background: The underlying etiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is unknown and assumed to have a strong correlation with insulin resistance. Homeostasis Model Assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is a good tool to assess insulin resistance. Low levels of serum Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in PCOS women led to the hypothesis that hyperinsulinemia in PCOS inhibits the production of IGFBP-1, which in turn stimulates excessive androgen production. Objective: The study is aimed to analyze the correlation between the levels of IGFBP-1 and HOMA-IR on insulin resistance in PCOS. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study among 105 PCOS women, including 60 women with insulin resistance were recruited. The mean of IGFBP-1 and HOMA-IR were 6.507 +/- 4.7821 mu g/l and 3.633 +/- 1.666 respectively. Results: Low levels of IGFBP-1 were detected in all insulin resistance women. There was a correlation between HOMA-IR and overweight (p=0.045), while IGFBP-1 showed no correlation with overweight (p=0.106). In addition, no correlation between IGFBP-1 with HOMA-IR as a marker of insulin resistance was detected. Conclusion: Despite the decrease in IGFBP-1, it seems that there is no correlation between IGFBP-1 with HOMA-IR as a marker of insulin resistance.

Maternal hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg) positivity poses a risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT). In resource‐constrained settings, HBeAg testing is recommended as an alternative to HBV DNA testing to establish antiviral prophylaxis eligibility. Nevertheless, the high prevalence of HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (e‐CHB) in many countries should not be overlooked. We studied HBV characteristics and explored the potential MTCT risk among HBeAg‐negative/HBsAg‐positive expectant mothers in an area prevalent of e‐CHB. Among 1348 pregnant mothers screened for HBV infection, 81 (6.0%) were HBsAg‐positive. These women were examined for HBeAg, HBV DNA, and cord blood HBV DNA. Sixteen (19.8%) of the HBsAg‐positive mothers were HBeAg‐positive, whereas 65 (80.2%) were HBeAg‐negative, including eight inactive carriers (HBsAg <100 IU/ml, HBV DNA ≤ 2000 IU/ml, and ALT < 40 IU/L). Of the remaining 57 HBeAg‐negative mothers, ten revealed HBV Basal Core Promoter or Precore mutations, with three having high viremia (HBV DNA > 200 000 IU/mL), which is associated with a high MTCT risk and therefore qualifies them for antiviral prophylaxis. This pilot study provides a cautionary note to the interpretation of negative HBeAg test results when determining eligibility for MTCT antiviral prophylaxis in situations with limited resources and in regions where e‐CHB is prevalent.

Background The beneficial effects of MMN and Iron Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation on pregnancy outcomes is still debatable. The objective of this study is to know the effect of IFA and MMN supplementation since preconception period on pregnancy outcomes. Multimicronutrient deficiencies may contribute to low birth weight and birth length which is associated with increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Method The research was conducted in three sub-districts of Banggai district, namely, Luwuk, North Luwuk, and South Luwuk. This was a double blind study, randomized controlled trial, providing multimicronutrient for women from preconception period using prospective design with saturated sampling technique. A total of 19 preconception women followed until pregnancy and look at the pregnancy outcomes were enrolled from September 2016 to Januari 2018. Results The mean birth weight of infants born to pregnant women in the MMN group was heavier at 3142.5 g with a value (p= 0.001). LBW percentage of pregnant women MMN group was smaller, equal to 8.3% with value (p=0, 863). The average length of infant born to pregnant women in MMN group was longer, 49, 5 cm with value (p=0, 001). Short birth length (<48 cm) of pregnant mother MMN group smaller, equal to 41, 7% with value (p=0, 515). Conclusions Pregnant women who get MMN intervention produce better pregnancy outcomes. The nutritional status of women before pregnancy is very important to achieve mother and fetal welfare and also considered as the most important thing for governing fetal growth.

Summary: Objective: To investigate factors that determine the response to Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination in urban environments with respect to socioeconomic status (SES), prenatal exposure to infections or newborn's nutritional status.Methods: The study was conducted in an urban area, in Makassar, Indonesia. At baseline, 100 mother and newborns pair from high and low SES communities were included. Intestinal protozoa, soil transmitted helminths, total IgE, anti‐Hepatitis A Virus IgG and anti‐Toxoplasma IgG were measured to determine exposure to infections. Information on gestational age, birth weight/height and delivery status were collected. Weight‐for‐length z‐score, a proxy for newborns adiposity, was calculated. Leptin and adiponectin from cord sera were also measured. At 10 months of age, BCG scar size was measured from 59 infants. Statistical modelling was performed using multiple linear regression.Results: Both SES and birth nutritional status shape the response towards BCG vaccination at 10 months of age. Infants born to low SES families have smaller BCG scar size compared to infants born from high SES families and total IgE contributed to the reduced scar size. On the other hand, infants born with better nutritional status were found to have bigger BCG scar size but this association was abolished by leptin levels at birth.Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the importance of SES and leptin levels at birth on the development of BCG scar in 10 months old infants.