Background/objectives: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) are associated with an increased risk of neonatal complications; however, their effects on neonatal metabolism remain inadequately understood. The aim of this study was to assess the association between HDP and neonatal amino acid and acylcarnitine levels.Methods: In this retrospective case–control study, 1,228 singleton pregnant women diagnosed with HDP and 1,228 normal singleton pregnant women whose newborns underwent newborn screening for 11 amino acids and 31 acylcarnitines were recruited from January 2021 to December 2023.Results: After adjusting for potential confounding factors, including gestational age at delivery, birth weight and neonatal sex, nine amino acids exhibited significant differences between infants born to mothers in the HDP subgroups compared to those born to mothers with normal pregnancies. These amino acids were involved in arginine and proline metabolism and the urea cycle pathway. Amino acid levels also varied among the HDP subgroups. Additionally, the levels of short-, medium-, and long-chain acylcarnitines were significantly higher in newborns born to mothers in the HDP subgroups than in newborns born to mothers in the normal pregnancy group. However, no statistically significant differences were observed among the four HDP subgroups.Conclusion: Our findings revealed a significant link between HDP and neonatal amino acid and acylcarnitine levels, which were involved in arginine and proline metabolism, the urea cycle, and fatty acid oxidation. These results underscore the significance of identifying maternal conditions that affect newborn metabolites to ensure adequate nutrition and enhance neonatal health outcomes.

Introduction: Fetal macrosomia is related to adverse neonatal and maternal health outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors for macrosomia and establish multivariable prediction models to enable early identification, prevention, and mitigation of its adverse outcomes.Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 800 singleton pregnant women who delivered in 2022 at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital and Quanzhou Women and Children's Hospital. They were categorized into the macrosomia [birth weight (BW) ≥ 4,000 g, n = 400] and non-macrosomia (BW = 2,500–3,999 g, n = 400) groups according to the BW of the newborns. Prediction models in singleton fetuses during mid-to-late pregnancy and before delivery were constructed.Results: Maternal height ≥ 165 cm [odds ratio (OR) = 2.303, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.232–4.305], pre-pregnancy overweight (OR = 2.166, 95% CI: 1.119–4.195), pre-pregnancy obesity (OR = 3.189, 95% CI: 1.020–9.968), excessive gestational weight gain in the second trimester (OR = 2.083, 95% CI: 1.250–3.470), and at least two abnormal blood glucose values in the oral glucose tolerance test (OR = 5.267, 95% CI: 1.814–15.29) were identified as risk factors for macrosomia. Additionally, maternal abdominal circumference (AC) plus fundal length ≥ 140 cm (OR = 6.283, 95% CI: 3.976–9.927), fetal biparietal diameter ≥ 10 cm (OR = 3.373, 95% CI: 1.103–10.31), fetal head circumference ≥ 35 cm (OR = 3.473, 95% CI: 1.334–9.041), and fetal AC ≥ 36 cm at pre-delivery (OR = 23.46, 95% CI: 14.81–37.16) were risk factors for macrosomia.Discussion: The construction of the macrosomia prediction model in singleton fetuses during mid-to-late pregnancy and before delivery showed a strong predictive value. This study identified key high-risk factors for macrosomia during the perinatal period. The macrosomia prediction model developed here is expected to enable early identification of macrosomia, allowing for timely interventions aimed at reducing the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.

The growing prevalence of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is leading to a continuous rise in twin pregnancies. This study assessed the influence of ART on neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies. Clinical records of twin deliveries at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital between 2019 and 2021 were retrospectively selected and grouped based on the method of conception: ART-conceived and naturally conceived. Neonatal outcomes of interest included low birth weight (LBW), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), prematurity, low Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity and Respiration scores, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to adjust for potential confounders. The results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 1270 pairs of twins were included in the analysis. ART-conceived twins had significantly lower odds of being born with LBW (adjusted OR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.75), prematurity (adjusted OR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.91), and IUGR (adjusted OR 0.21, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.39) compared to naturally conceived twins. Rates of other outcomes were comparable in both groups. Twins born through ART had reduced odds of LBW, prematurity, and IUGR, with no impact on other neonatal outcomes. These findings suggest that ART may have a protective effect on twin fetal growth, although the risks associated with multiple gestations remain. Further studies should explore the mechanisms and long-term effects of these outcomes.

Objective: Pregnant women exhibit heightened stress susceptibility and elevated depression risk during gestation, factors associated with adverse outcomes including postpartum depression. Current research predominantly examines maternal experiences while neglecting spousal influences.Methods: The study surveyed 282 Chinese married couples using validated scales to assess prenatal stress and depression. And analysed dyadic data from expectant parents using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to determine the pattern of action of prenatal stress on prenatal depression between couples by calculating the magnitude of the ratio k between the partner effect and the actor effect.Results: The analysis revealed k₁ = 0.064, 95% CI: (-0.113, 0.260) and k₂ = 0.064, 95% CI: (-0.118, 0.249). The confidence intervals for both k₁ and k₂ included zero, indicating an actor-only pattern in the APIM. Specifically, prenatal stress positively predicted one’s own prenatal depression but did not significantly influence the partner’s depression.Conclusion: It is crucial to encourage couples to actively manage their stress levels during the prenatal period. This can help to reduce the negative psychological effects of prenatal stress, which may lead to improved pregnancy outcomes and postnatal health.