Height growth of triplets from birth to 12 years of age in Japan

We analyzed the characteristics associated with the growth in height of Japanese triplets from birth to 12 years of age. The study included 376 mothers and their 1,128 triplet children, who were born between 1978 and 2006. Data were collected through a mailed questionnaire sent to the mothers asking for information recorded in medical records. For these births, data on triplets' length and height growth, gestational age, sex, parity, maternal age at delivery, and maternal height were obtained from records in the Maternal and Child Health Handbooks and records in the school which children receive health check-ups. The height deficit of the triplets compared to the general population of Japan remained between 2% and 5% until 12 years of age. Moreover, at 12 years of age, the differences of height between the general population and triplets were approximately -3.6 cm for male and -4.4 cm for female. Maternal height showed the strongest contribution to height of triplets from 6 to 12 years of age. In conclusion, triplets remain shorter than singletons until 12 years of age.     

Factors related to corticosteroid utilization in preterm birth

We sought to determine the rate of corticosteroid administration in preterm births in our institution and to describe factors associated with lack of corticosteroid exposure. We performed a retrospective case-control analysis. Of the 312 eligible women who delivered between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation, maternal corticosteroid administration was documented in 262 (84%) and no exposure in 50 (16%). A shorter admission to delivery interval (< 48 hours) decreased the likelihood of corticosteroid administration (odds ratio [OR] 0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03 to 0.28, P < 0.001). Use of tocolytics was associated with a lower risk of corticosteroid nonexposure (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.69, P = 0.006). Lack of prenatal care was associated with an increased risk of corticosteroid nonexposure (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 9.15, P = 0.01). The likelihood of corticosteroid administration was also decreased by gestational ages at the upper limit of the spectrum (33 to 34 weeks; OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.53, P < 0.001). The latter effect persisted after exclusion of premature rupture of membranes cases. In our population, factors associated with no maternal corticosteroid administration were shorter interval between admission and delivery, gestational age at the upper limit of the currently recommended interval for corticosteroid administration, and lack of prenatal care.     

Mothers of triplets and their children: course from 4 to 7 years after birth

OBJECTIVES: To study the psychological health of the mothers and their difficulties seven years after the birth of triplets and to compare these results with those obtained at four years. DATA AND METHODS: Eleven mothers of triplets were followed up from birth to seven. At four and seven years the psychological status of the mothers and their relationships with the triplets were evaluated using a semi-structured interview and the level of depression was measured using a standardized scale (CES-D). At seven years the scores were compared to those of mothers having a singleton child of the same age. RESULTS: At seven years three mothers of triplets out of 11 still suffered of depressive symptoms. These symptoms were more frequent than among control mothers but non significantly. One mother of triplets out of two (6/11), twice more than at four years, appreciated the increase of her educative tasks and the decrease of practical problems. In the other half of the sample problems still persisted between adults and children. CONCLUSION: Although the situation seemed to improve at seven years, the mother's psychological distress and quality of relationship with the children remained preoccupying in one family out of two.     

The ponderal index in triplets: III. Association with birth weight discordance

Our objective was to determine the association of the ponderal index with birth weight discordance in triplets. We analyzed data from triplets delivered at 28-37 weeks for birth weight discordance (>25% difference between the heaviest and lightest triplet). Three categories of discordance (low skew, symmetrical, and high skew) were classified according to the relative position of the middle triplet. Birth weights and the ponderal index (birth weight/[length]3) of all concordant and discordant triplet groups were compared. Of 752 triplet sets included, 184 (24.5%) were discordant. Total triplet birth weight was higher in the concordant compared to all discordant categories. As opposed to birth weight, where only the middle triplet differed according to discordance pattern, the ponderal index for the largest triplet was significantly higher in the low skew discordant group compared to the concordant and other discordant triplet groups. In contrast, the ponderal index for the smallest and middle triplets were similar among the discordant groups. We concluded that discordance in triplet pregnancies exhibits different patterns of mass (birth weight) versus size (ponderal index). Our findings suggest that it may be the size of largest triplet that determines the presence or absence or discordance in triplet gestations.     

Prevalence and risk factors related to preterm birth in Brazil

Background

The rate of preterm birth has been increasing worldwide, including in Brazil. This constitutes a significant public health challenge because of the higher levels of morbidity and mortality and long-term health effects associated with preterm birth. This study describes and quantifies factors affecting spontaneous and provider-initiated preterm birth in Brazil.

Methods

Data are from the 2011–2012 “Birth in Brazil” study, which used a national population-based sample of 23,940 women. We analyzed the variables following a three-level hierarchical methodology. For each level, we performed non-conditional multiple logistic regression for both spontaneous and provider-initiated preterm birth.

Results

The rate of preterm birth was 11.5 %?, (95 % confidence 10.3 % to 12.9 %) 60.7 % spontaneous - with spontaneous onset of labor or premature preterm rupture of membranes - and 39.3 % provider-initiated, with more than 90 % of the last group being pre-labor cesarean deliveries. Socio-demographic factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth were adolescent pregnancy, low total years of schooling, and inadequate prenatal care. Other risk factors were previous preterm birth (OR 3.74; 95 % CI 2.92–4.79), multiple pregnancy (OR 16.42; 95 % CI 10.56–25.53), abruptio placentae (OR 2.38; 95 % CI 1.27–4.47) and infections (OR 4.89; 95 % CI 1.72–13.88). In contrast, provider-initiated preterm birth was associated with private childbirth healthcare (OR 1.47; 95 % CI 1.09–1.97), advanced-age pregnancy (OR 1.27; 95 % CI 1.01–1.59), two or more prior cesarean deliveries (OR 1.64; 95 % CI 1.19–2.26), multiple pregnancy (OR 20.29; 95 % CI 12.58–32.72) and any maternal or fetal pathology (OR 6.84; 95 % CI 5.56–8.42).

Conclusion

The high proportion of provider-initiated preterm birth and its association with prior cesarean deliveries and all of the studied maternal/fetal pathologies suggest that a reduction of this type of prematurity may be possible. The association of spontaneous preterm birth with socially-disadvantaged groups reaffirms that the reduction of social and health inequalities should continue to be a national priority.

     

Birth order and birth weight reexamined

We studied the longitudinal association of birth order and birth weight in two series of very large sibships, each consisting of at least seven children, and compared the findings with those based on analysis of cross-sectional data from a large population-based survey, the Jerusalem Perinatal Study. The birth weights of the cross-sectional sample were adjusted by multiple linear regression for a number of factors known to confound cross-sectional studies, including maternal age, education, marital status, religion, smoking, height and prepregnant weight, gestational age, and sex of the newborn. Birth weight increased with increasing birth order in both adjusted cross-sectional and socioeconomically homogeneous longitudinal data.     

Outcome of twin pregnancies according to intrapair birth weight differences

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical significance of twin intrapair birth weight differences. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of twin pregnancy outcomes. Intrapair birth weight differences were stratified into the following six groups: 14% or less, 15-20%, 21-25%, 26-30%, 31-40%, and 41% or more using the larger infant as the growth standard. Statistical analysis was done using the Mantel-Haenzel chi2 test. RESULTS: We studied 1370 consecutive women who delivered at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas, between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 1996, and had twin gestations and live births or fetal deaths within 7 days of delivery. Greater birth weight discordance was significantly associated with preterm delivery due to intervention (P<.001). Noncephalic-cephalic presentations and cesarean delivery were also associated with greater discordance (P = .001 and .02, respectively). Neonatal morbidities, including low birth weight, intensive care admission, and respiratory distress, were all associated with higher birth weight discordance. Fetal abnormalities were more common with increased discordance (P<.001). Greater birth weight discordance was also associated with intrauterine fetal death. There were no differences in outcome for the smaller compared with the larger twin of the twin pair. CONCLUSION: Twin birth weight discordance is problematic because severe divergent fetal growth increases the risk of fetal death and leads to obstetric intervention and consequent neonatal morbidity due to prematurity.     

Pregnancy outcome of early multifetal pregnancy reduction: triplets to twins versus triplets to singletons

Multifetal pregnancy reduction (MPR) of triplets to twins results in improved pregnancy outcomes compared with triplet gestations managed expectantly. Perinatal outcomes of early transvaginal MPR from triplets to twins were compared with reduction from triplets to singletons. Seventy-four trichorionic triplet pregnancies that underwent early transvaginal MPR at 6–8 weeks gestation were included. Cases were divided into two groups according to the initial procedure: reduction to twin (n = 55) or to singleton (n = 19) gestations. Infants from triplet pregnancies reduced to twins were delivered earlier (36.6 versus 37.9 weeks; P = 0.04) and had lower mean birth weights (2364 g versus 2748 g; P = 0.02) compared with those from triplets reduced to singleton gestations. The rates of pregnancy loss before 24 weeks (3.6% versus 5.3%), as well as of preterm delivery before 32 and 34 weeks of gestation (0% versus 5.3% and 7.3% versus 5.3%, respectively) were similar between the twin and singleton pregnancies. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of gestational diabetes (15.1% versus 5.6%) or gestational hypertension (24.5% versus 16.7%) between the groups. Selective reduction of triplet pregnancies to singleton rather than twin gestations is associated with improved outcomes.     

Differences in twins: the importance of birth order

Despite the clinical impression that firstborn twins do better than second-born twins, recent reports have shown no difference in perinatal mortality between them. In order to evaluate differences in twins, more sensitive means than perinatal deaths are necessary. This study examines differences between 80 firstborn and second-born twin pairs with respect to Apgar score, umbilical venous and arterial blood gas, and acid-base data. The umbilical venous and arterial blood PO2, PCO2, base deficit, pH, and lactic acid concentration were measured in paired samples and compared with the paired t test and chi 2 when applicable. Statistically significant differences favoring twin A, the firstborn, were found in 1-minute Apgar score, umbilical venous pH, PO2, and PCO2, and umbilical arterial PO2. The other factors in umbilical venous and arterial blood did not show statistically significant differences. When these parameters were examined with respect to route of delivery, monochorionic and dichorionic twins, interval between twins, and vertex twins only, with the possible effects of malpresentation eliminated, the results persistently favored the firstborn twin. Thus it is unequivocally demonstrated that there are substantial differences at birth favoring the first twin, despite similar perinatal mortality for both. The data suggest that the second-born twin has potentially greater susceptibility to hypoxia and trauma.     

Mid-trimester maternal heart rate is related to neonatal birth weight

Abstract

Objective(s): We sought to establish the relationship between maternal mid-trimester heart rate (HR) and neonatal birth weight in women at high a priori risk of preeclampsia.

Study Design: Ninety-nine women were recruited following second trimester uterine artery Doppler assessment. Maternal blood pressure (BP) and HR were measured between 23⁺⁴ and 30⁺⁵ weeks gestation and neonatal birth weight was expressed as a z-score. The relationship between the parameters was investigated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results: There was a significant positive correlation between maternal HR and neonatal birth weight z-score, r?=?0.22 (95% CI: 0.02–0.40), p?=?0.03. An inverse correlation was found between uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index (PI) and maternal HR, r?=??0.43 (95% CI: 0.01–0.40), p?=?0.0001, and neonatal birth weight, r?=??0.3 (95% CI: ?0.47 to ?0.10), p?=?0.004. For neonatal birth weight z-score <?1.65, r?=?0.69 (95% CI: 0.15–0.91), p?=?0.02. There was no relationship between BP and uterine artery Doppler or neonatal birth weight.

Conclusion: The finding of a continuous relationship between maternal HR and neonatal birth weight prior to the onset of fetal growth restriction is novel, suggesting that maternal cardiovascular adaptation is reflected by neonatal birth weight. Lower maternal HR is associated with lower neonatal birth weight and vice versa. Further, we confirm the reported associations between uterine artery Doppler PI and both maternal HR and neonatal birth weight.     

Maternal hemoglobin concentration is closely related to birth weight in normal pregnancies

Maternal Hb levels during the third trimester were studied in relation to certain maternal and fetal parameters in 877 apparently normal pregnancies. Low Hb levels at term were closely associated with increased frequency of newborns in the heavy weight-for-date group. Conversely, high maternal Hb levels were closely associated with an increased frequency of newborns in the light weight-for-date group. The maternal Hb levels both in the early third trimester and at term were significantly higher in mothers of small-for-date newborns than in those with newborns of normal weight. In both groups the maternal Hb levels increased significantly during the third trimester of pregnancy. High maternal Hb levels both early and late in the third trimester of pregnancy should be a matter of concern rather than of reassurance.     

Investigation of institutional differences in primary cesarean birth rates

Differences in primary cesarean birth rates between a maternity center staffed by certified nurse-midwives (CNM) with physician backup on the premises and a university teaching hospital staffed by resident and attending physicians were studied. The study sample included 796 and 804 women, similar in demographics, who received their prenatal and intrapartum care in the respective sites in 1977 and 1978. Study results indicate a significantly lower rate of primary cesarean birth at the maternity center than at the university hospital that was independent of institutional differences in the indications for abdominal delivery. Although cesarean birth was related to contracted pelvis (at labor), fetal malpresentation, and placental bleeding at both institutions, it was significantly associated with preeclampsia, primiparity, fetal distress, and maternal age only at the university hospital. There were no noteworthy differences in pregnancy outcomes for women delivered vaginally or by cesarean, except for more newborns with low Apgar scores among primary cesarean births at the university hospital. A likely explanation for these findings is differing labor and delivery management styles between the providers of care at the two institutions.     

Multifetal pregnancy reductions of triplets to twins: comparison with nonreduced triplets and twins.

OBJECTIVE: Multifetal pregnancy reduction has been shown to improve survival rates in high-order multifetal pregnancies (>/=4). There is, however, some controversy as to whether multifetal pregnancy reduction improves pregnancy outcomes of triplets reduced to twins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this issue by comparing outcomes of triplet gestations undergoing reduction to twins with outcomes of nonreduced twin gestations and expectantly managed triplet gestations. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 143 triplet pregnancies that underwent reduction to twins over a 10-year period at a single center. These were compared with 12 nonreduced triplet pregnancies from the Wayne State University Perinatal Database and with 2 groups of twin pregnancies: 605 from the Wayne State University Perinatal Database and 207 from the Quest Diagnostics Database. RESULTS: The miscarriage rate for expectantly managed triplets was 25%, compared with 6.2% for triplets reduced to twins. This rate was similar to the rates for both groups of nonreduced twins: 5.8% (Quest) and 6.3% (Wayne State University). Severe prematurity occurred in 25% of nonreduced triplets compared with 4. 9% of twins after reduction. This rate was also similar to that of nonreduced twins: 7.7% (Quest) and 8.4% (Wayne State University). The mean gestational age at delivery for expectantly managed triplets (32.9 +/- 4.7 weeks) was significantly shorter than for triplets reduced to twins (35.6 +/- 3.1 weeks). By comparison, nonreduced twins had a mean gestational age at delivery of 35.8 +/- 3.9 weeks for Quest and 34.4 +/- 3.6 weeks for Wayne State University. Mean birth weights were significantly lower in expectantly managed triplets as compared with triplets undergoing reduction to twins (1636 +/- 645 g vs 2381 +/- 602 g, respectively). Nonreduced twins had a mean birth weight of 2254 +/- 653 g for Quest and 2123 +/- 634 g for Wayne State University. Pregnancy loss rates, mean length of gestation, and mean birth weight did not vary significantly between triplets who underwent reduction to twins and nonreduced twins. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of triplets to twins significantly reduces the risk for prematurity and low birth weight and may also be associated with a reduction in overall pregnancy loss. This suggests that multifetal pregnancy reduction of triplets to twins is a medically justifiable procedure not only from an actuarial viewpoint but also from the ethical perspective of supporting patients' autonomy and respect for patients' individual circumstances.     

The contribution of singletons, twins and triplets to low birth weight, infant mortality and handicap in the United States.

Among multiple gestations the magnitude of neonatal mortality, morbidity and postneonatal handicap is unknown. Although the proportion of multiple births has risen dramatically during the past decade, the proportion of total births in the United States is relatively small. The vast majority of multiples are low birth weight (LBW) or very low birth weight (VLBW), conditions that magnify both short-term and long-term risks. In this study, the risks for infant mortality and for postneonatal morbidity and handicap have been calculated from race-, plurality- and birth weight-specific mortality rates from the National Infant Mortality Surveillance (NIMS) Project and birth weight-specific postneonatal handicap rates from the Office of Technology Assessment report Healthy Children in proportion to the 1988 U.S. birth cohort. U.S. health objectives for the year 2000 for race-specific birth weight and infant mortality rates were used for comparison. Compared with that of singletons, twins' and triplets' relative risks for LBW are 10.3 and 18.8, respectively. Their relative risks for VLBW are 9.6 and 32.7. Compared with singletons, twins and triplets have relative risks for infant mortality of 6.6 and 19.4, respectively. For twins and triplets, postneonatal survivors' relative risks for severe handicap are 1.7 and 2.9 while those for overall handicap are 1.4 and 2.0, respectively. Recommendations for optimizing pregnancy outcomes in multiple gestations include liberalized weight gains, reduced physical effort and early, comprehensive prenatal care.     

Gestational bodyweight gain among underweight Japanese women related to small-for-gestational-age birth

Aim: The prevalence of underweight women, who have an increased risk for small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth, is increasing in Japan. We examined the associations of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain (GWG) with SGA birth among Japanese women. Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 1391 women who delivered full-term singleton babies. SGA was defined as below the 10th percentile of birthweight at each gestational age, baby sex, and parity. We calculated the 5th percentile of birthweight in the same way for another threshold for SGA. According to pre-pregnancy body mass index, we divided the participants into three groups: underweight (<18.5?kg/m(2) ), normal weight (18.5-24.9?kg/m(2) ), and overweight and obese (≥25.0?kg/m(2) ). Results: SGA birth was observed most frequently among the underweight group (13.8%). Underweight was associated with an increased risk of SGA birth. The multiple-adjusted odds ratio for underweight was 1.96 (95% confidence interval, 1.23-3.11) compared with normal weight. Sufficient GWG reduced the incidence and the multiple-adjusted odds ratio for 1-kg increase of GWG was 0.86 (0.81-0.92). The same tendency was observed for the delivery of infants below the 5th birthweight percentile. Women with underweight and normal weight who had 9.0?kg or less of GWG had a significantly higher risk of SGA birth than women with normal weight who had 9.1-11.0?kg of GWG. Conclusions: Underweight and poor GWG were associated with a higher incidence of SGA birth. However, the incidence of SGA birth among underweight women was not increased significantly if they had sufficient GWG.     

Correlation between prenatal and neonatal birth order in twin pregnancy.

Little data is available correlating the in utero order of presentation and the birth order of twins. Our objective was to determine whether birth order in twin pregnancies corresponds to the order of presentation early in pregnancy. All twin pregnancies in which amniocentesis was performed from 1996 to 1998 were identified. Those with discordant genders that delivered at our hospital were included. Order of presentation was documented by ultrasound at the time of amniocentesis. Delivery data were obtained from review of medical records. Statistical comparison was done using two-tailed Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Sixty patients met inclusion criteria. Birth order corresponded to the order at the time of amniocentesis in 55 of 60 cases (91.7%). There was no difference in the rate of concordance of prenatal and neonatal birth order in twins delivered vaginally compared with those delivered abdominally (90.9 vs. 91.8%, p = 1.0). Cases with discordant prenatal and neonatal birth order had similar maternal ages, gestational ages at amniocentesis and delivery, and fetal presentation at delivery as cases with concordant birth orders. In dichorionic twin pregnancies, birth order is established early in gestation in >90% of cases regardless of route of delivery.     

Gestational duration and birth weight for twins related to fetal sex.

It has been postulated that male twin pregnancies, in contrast to male singleton pregnancies, differ in some distinctive biologic sense, leading to a shorter gestational duration and a lower individual birth weight than is the case in female twin pregnancies. To test this hypothesis in a relatively large dataset, information on gestational duration and birth weight for nearly all twins born in Sweden during a 4-year period (n = 3,472 twin pairs) was collected from the Medical Birth Registry, National Board of Health and Welfare. Included in the Medical Birth Registry are all pregnancies with a duration of at least 28 completed gestational weeks, or less if the newborns are alive at birth. Male-male pregnancies had a gestational duration similar to female-female pregnancies (median difference less than 2 days). The proportions of twins with a gestational age less than 36 weeks did not differ between male-male and female-female twin pregnancies (27.3 vs. 25.3%; chi 2 = 2.2, p greater than 0.05). Male-male pairs were heavier than female-female pairs (median difference 0.1 kg), and a significantly higher proportion of female-female twin pairs weighted less than 2,500 g (45.0 vs. 39.2%; chi 2 = 17.7, p less than 0.001). The results of this study in an unselected relatively large twin population seem to indicate that fetal sex does not influence gestational duration to any significant extent. Males are heavier than females indicating that the sex has a similar effect on birth weight in twin and in singleton pregnancy.